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Compare Saudi Arabia (2008) - Greenland (2007)

Compare Saudi Arabia (2008) z Greenland (2007)

 Saudi Arabia (2008)Greenland (2007)
 Saudi ArabiaGreenland
Administrative divisions 13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk 3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland)


note: there are 18 municipalities in Greenland
Age structure 0-14 years: 38.2% (male 5,369,285/female 5,162,585)


15-64 years: 59.4% (male 9,316,694/female 7,089,370)


65 years and over: 2.4% (male 348,827/female 314,277) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 24% (male 6,926/female 6,597)


15-64 years: 69.1% (male 20,901/female 18,012)


65 years and over: 6.9% (male 1,873/female 2,035) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish
Airports 213 (2007) 14 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 77


over 3,047 m: 32


2,438 to 3,047 m: 15


1,524 to 2,437 m: 26


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 2 (2007)
total: 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 5 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 136


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 73


914 to 1,523 m: 39


under 914 m: 15 (2007)
total: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 2 (2007)
Area total: 2,149,690 sq km


land: 2,149,690 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 2,166,086 sq km


land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered) (2000 est.)
Area - comparative slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US slightly more than three times the size of Texas
Background Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman AL SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. A male descendent of Ibn Saud, his son ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz, rules the country today as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong on-going campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. King ABDALLAH has continued the cautious reform program begun when he was crown prince. To promote increased political participation, the government held elections nationwide from February through April 2005 for half the members of 179 municipal councils. In December 2005, King ABDALLAH completed the process by appointing the remaining members of the advisory municipal councils. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds approximately 25% of the world's proven oil reserves. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in December 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the kingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns. Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland was made an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973, but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs in consultation with Greenland's Home Rule Government.
Birth rate 29.1 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 16.01 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $193.7 billion


expenditures: $122.2 billion (2007 est.)
revenues: $1.36 billion


expenditures: $1.27 billion (2005)
Capital name: Riyadh


geographic coordinates: 24 38 N, 46 43 E


time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
name: Nuuk (Godthab)


geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 45 W


time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October


note: Greenland is divided into four time zones
Climate harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Coastline 2,640 km 44,087 km
Constitution governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was promulgated by royal decree in 1992 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia


conventional short form: Saudi Arabia


local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah


local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Greenland


local long form: none


local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat
Death rate 2.55 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 7.93 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $52.89 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $25 million (1999)
Dependency status - part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Ford FRAKER


embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh


mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693


telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800


FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360


consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Adil al-Ahmad al-JUBAYR


chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037


telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800


FAX: [1] (202) 944-3113


consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Disputes - international Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the now fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland
Economic aid - donor since 2002, Saudi Arabia has provided more than $480 million in budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority, supported Palestinian refugees through contributions to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), provided more than $250 million to Arab League funds for the Palestinians, and pledged $500 million in assistance over the next three years at the Donors Conference in Dec 2007; pledged $230 million to development in Afghanistan; pledged $1 billion in export guarantees and soft loans to Iraq; pledged $133 million in direct grant aid, $187 million in concessional loans, and $153 million in export credits for Pakistan earthquake relief; pledged a total of $1.59 billion to Lebanon in assistance and deposits to the Central Bank of Lebanon in 2006 and pledged an additional $1.1 billion in early 2007 -
Economic aid - recipient $26.29 million (2005) $512 million; note - subsidy from Denmark (2005)
Economy - overview Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses more than 20% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 40% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 5.5 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors. High oil prices have boosted growth, government revenues, and Saudi ownership of foreign assets, while enabling Riyadh to pay down domestic debt. The government is encouraging private sector growth - especially in power generation, telecommunications, natural gas exploration, and petrochemicals - to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil exports and to increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population, 40% of which are youths under 15 years old. Unemployment is high, and the large youth population generally lacks the education and technical skills the private sector needs. Riyadh has substantially boosted spending on job training and education, infrastructure development, and government salaries. As part of its effort to attract foreign investment and diversify the economy, Saudi Arabia acceded to the WTO in December 2005 after many years of negotiations. The government has announced plans to establish six "economic cities" in different regions of the country to promote development and diversification. The economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and substantial support from the Danish Government, which supplies about half of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly-owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Several interesting hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities are ongoing. Press reports in early 2007 indicated that two international aluminum companies were considering building smelters in Greenland to take advantage of local hydropower potential. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs. Air Greenland announced plans to begin summer-season direct flights to the U.S. east coast in May 2007 potentially opening a major new tourism market.
Electricity - consumption 146.9 billion kWh (2005) 279 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 165.6 billion kWh (2005) 300 million kWh (2005)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 m
Environment - current issues desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
-
Ethnic groups Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12% (2000)
Exchange rates Saudi riyals per US dollar - 3.745 (2007), 3.745 (2006), 3.747 (2005), 3.75 (2004), 3.75 (2003) Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947 (2002)
Executive branch chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch, born 5 January 1928) note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005)


cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch every four years and includes many royal family members


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; note - a new Allegiance Commission created by royal decree in October 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes that will play a role in selecting future Saudi kings, but the new system will not take effect until after Crown Prince Sultan becomes king
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Soren MOLLER (since April 2005)


head of government: Prime Minister Hans ENOKSEN (since 14 December 2002)


cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the parliament (Landstinget) on the basis of the strength of parties


elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by parliament (usually the leader of the majority party);


election results: Hans ENOKSEN reelected prime minister


note: government coalition - Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit
Exports 8.9 million bbl/day (2007 est.) NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities petroleum and petroleum products 90% fish and fish products 94% (prawns 63%)
Exports - partners Japan 17.7%, US 15.8%, South Korea 9%, China 7.2%, Taiwan 4.6%, Singapore 4.4% (2006) Denmark 67.8%, Japan 11.9%, China 5.5% (2006)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932 two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 3%


industry: 61.8%


services: 35.2% (2007 est.)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - real growth rate 4.7% (2007 est.) 2% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 25 00 N, 45 00 E 72 00 N, 40 00 W
Geography - note extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast, but close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap
Heliports 8 (2007) -
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs death penalty for traffickers; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement -
Imports 0 bbl/day (2004) NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products
Imports - partners US 12.2%, Germany 9.1%, China 7.9%, Japan 7.3%, UK 4.8%, Italy 4.8%, South Korea 4.1% (2006) Denmark 69.9%, Sweden 16.3%, Norway 3.7% (2006)
Independence 23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom) none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland)
Industrial production growth rate 0.2% (2007 est.) NA%
Industries crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics, metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards
Infant mortality rate total: 12.41 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 14.24 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 10.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
total: 14.98 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 16.32 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 13.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.4% (2007 est.) 1% (2005 est.)
International organization participation ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Arctic Council, NC, NIB, UPU
Irrigated land 16,200 sq km (2003) NA
Judicial branch Supreme Council of Justice High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen)
Labor force 6.488 million


note: more than 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2007 est.)
32,120 (2004)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 12%


industry: 25%


services: 63% (1999 est.)
-
Land boundaries total: 4,431 km


border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 1.67%


permanent crops: 0.09%


other: 98.24% (2005)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (2005)
Languages Arabic Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English
Legal system based on Shari'a law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply
Legislative branch Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms); note - though the Council of Ministers announced in October 2003 its intent to introduce elections for half of the members of local and provincial assemblies and a third of the members of the national Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura, incrementally over a period of four to five years, to date no such elections have been held or announced unicameral Parliament or Landstinget (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held on 15 November 2005 (next to be held by December 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - Siumut 30.7%, Demokratiit 22.8%, IA 22.6%, Atassut Party 19.1%; Katusseqatigiit 4.1%, other 0.7%; seats by party - Siumut 10, Demokratiit 7, IA 7, Atassut 6, Katusseqatigiit 1


note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 8 February 2005 (next to be held in February 2009); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.88 years


male: 73.85 years


female: 78.02 years (2007 est.)
total population: 70.23 years


male: 66.65 years


female: 73.9 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 78.8%


male: 84.7%


female: 70.8% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 100%


male: 100%


female: 100% (2001 est.)
Location Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Map references Middle East Arctic Region
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 18 nm


continental shelf: not specified
territorial sea: 3 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line


continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Merchant marine total: 59 ships (1000 GRT or over) 847,094 GRT/1,059,026 DWT


by type: cargo 5, chemical tanker 15, container 4, passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 8


foreign-owned: 10 (Egypt 1, Greece 2, Kuwait 6, UAE 1)


registered in other countries: 63 (Bahamas 15, Comoros 1, Dominica 1, France 1, Liberia 24, Marshall Islands 4, Norway 3, Panama 14) (2007)
total: 2 ships (1000 GRT or over) 3,422 GRT/2,340 DWT


by type: cargo 1, passenger 1


registered in other countries: 1 (Denmark 1) (2007)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Military branches Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 10% (2005 est.) -
National holiday Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) June 21 (longest day)
Nationality noun: Saudi(s)


adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
noun: Greenlander(s)


adjective: Greenlandic
Natural hazards frequent sand and dust storms continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Net migration rate -5.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) -8.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Pipelines condensate 212 km; gas 1,880 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,183 km; oil 4,521 km; refined products 1,148 km (2007) -
Political parties and leaders none Atassut Party (Solidarity) [Finn KARLSEN] (a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark); Demokratiit [Per BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood) [Josef MOTZFELDT] (a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule); Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List) (an independent right-of-center party with no official platform); Siumut (Forward Party) [Hans ENOKSEN] (a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark)
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 27,601,038


note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2007 est.)
56,344 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.06% (2007 est.) -0.03% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998) AM 5, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Railways total: 1,392 km


standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2006)
-
Religions Muslim 100% Evangelical Lutheran
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.314 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female


total population: 1.196 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female


total population: 1.115 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage 21 years of age; male 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: modern system


domestic: extensive microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cable systems; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly


international: country code - 966; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks providing connectivity to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)
general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digitalized in 1995


domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite


international: country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean) (2000)
Telephones - main lines in use 4.5 million (2006) 25,300 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 19.663 million (2006) 32,200 (2004)
Television broadcast stations 117 (1997) 1 (plus some local low-power stations, and 3 Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) stations (1997)
Terrain mostly uninhabited, sandy desert flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast
Total fertility rate 3.94 children born/woman (2007 est.) 2.4 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 13% among Saudi males only (local bank estimate; some estimates range as high as 25%) (2004 est.) 9.3% (2005 est.)
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