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Compare Singapore (2003) - Guyana (2007)

Compare Singapore (2003) z Guyana (2007)

 Singapore (2003)Guyana (2007)
 SingaporeGuyana
Administrative divisions none 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Age structure 0-14 years: 17.3% (male 411,656; female 385,575)


15-64 years: 75.5% (male 1,687,217; female 1,793,783)


65 years and over: 7.2% (male 144,277; female 186,087) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 26.1% (male 102,111/female 98,325)


15-64 years: 68.6% (male 266,288/female 261,620)


65 years and over: 5.3% (male 17,308/female 23,443) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products rubber, copra, fruit, orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs, fish, ornamental fish sugarcane, rice, shrimp, fish, vegetable oils; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products
Airports 9 (2002) 93 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 9


over 3,047 m: 2


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total: 9


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


under 914 m: 6 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 84


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 14


under 914 m: 69 (2007)
Area total: 692.7 sq km


land: 682.7 sq km


water: 10 sq km
total: 214,970 sq km


land: 196,850 sq km


water: 18,120 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Idaho
Background Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. It subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe. Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001 and again in 2006.
Birth rate 12.75 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 18.09 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $27.9 billion


expenditures: $19.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.4 billion (FY 00/01 est.)
revenues: $399 million


expenditures: $506.5 million (2006 est.)
Capital Singapore name: Georgetown


geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 10 W


time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon from December to March and Southwestern monsoon from June to September; inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)
Coastline 193 km 459 km
Constitution 3 June 1959, amended 1965 (based on preindependence State of Singapore Constitution) 6 October 1980
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Singapore


conventional short form: Singapore
conventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana


conventional short form: Guyana


former: British Guiana
Currency Singapore dollar (SGD) -
Death rate 4.31 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 8.28 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $8.2 billion (2002 est.) $1.2 billion (2002)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Franklin L. LAVIN


embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508


mailing address: PSC Box 470, FPO AP 96507-0001


telephone: [65] 6476-9100


FAX: [65] 6476-9340
chief of mission: Ambassador David M. ROBINSON


embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown


mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown; US Embassy, 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170


telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909


FAX: [592] 225-8497
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee


chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100


FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876


consulate(s) general: San Francisco


consulate(s): New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Bayney KARRAN


chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900


FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297


consulate(s) general: New York
Disputes - international disputes with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation works on Johor, maritime boundaries, and Singapore-occupied Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Putih persist - parties agree to ICJ arbitration on island dispute within three years all of the area west of the Essequibo River is claimed by Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before UNCLOS that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne; Guyana seeks arbitration under provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve the long-standing dispute with Suriname over the axis of the territorial sea boundary in potentially oil-rich waters
Economic aid - recipient $NA $136.8 million (1995), Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative (HIPC) $253 million (1997) (2005)
Economy - overview Singapore, a highly developed and successful free market economy, enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in electronics and manufacturing. It was hard hit in 2001-2002 by the global recession and the slump in the technology sector. The government hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to the external business cycle than the current export-led model but is unlikely to abandon efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub. The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in 2001-02, based on expansion in the agricultural and mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiatives, a more realistic exchange rate, fairly low inflation, and the continued support of international organizations. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. The government is juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. The Inter-American Development Bank in November 2006 canceled Guyana's nearly $400 million debt with the Bank. The bauxite mining sector should benefit in the near term from restructuring and partial privatization. Export earnings from agriculture and mining have fallen sharply, while the import bill has risen, driven by higher energy prices. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) in January 2006 will broaden the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector.
Electricity - consumption 28.35 billion kWh (2001) 750.7 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 30.48 billion kWh (2001) 807.3 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m


highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m
Environment - current issues industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; deforestation
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Chinese 76.7%, Malay 14%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% East Indian 50%, black 36%, Amerindian 7%, white, Chinese, and mixed 7%
Exchange rates Singapore dollars per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.72 (2000), 1.69 (1999), 1.67 (1998) Guyanese dollars per US dollar - 200.28 (2006), 200.79 (2005), 198.31 (2004), 193.88 (2003), 190.67 (2002)
Executive branch chief of state: President Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN (since 1 September 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November 1990) and Deputy Prime Ministers Brig. Gen. (Ret.) LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990) and TAN Keng Yam Tony (since 1 August 1995)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament


elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 28 August 1999 (next to be held by August 2005); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president


election results: Sellapan Rama (S. R.) NATHAN elected president unopposed
chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President Janet JAGAN and reelected in 2001, and again in 2006


head of government: Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since October 1992, except for a period as chief of state after the death of President Cheddi JAGAN on 6 March 1997)


cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature


elections: president elected by popular vote as leader of a party list in parliamentary elections, which must be held at least every five years (no term limits); elections last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of vote 54.6%
Exports NA (2001) NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, chemicals, mineral fuels sugar, gold, bauxite, alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses, rum, timber
Exports - partners Malaysia 17.4%, US 15.3%, Hong Kong 9.2%, Japan 7.1%, China 5.5%, Taiwan 4.9%, Thailand 4.6%, South Korea 4.2% (2002) US 18.8%, Canada 18.4%, UK 8.7%, Portugal 6.5%, Trinidad and Tobago 4.9%, Netherlands 4.3%, Belgium 4.3%, Jamaica 4.1% (2006)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle green, with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green
GDP purchasing power parity - $112.4 billion (2002 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NEGL%


industry: 33%


services: 67% (2001 est.)
agriculture: 34.9%


industry: 19.4%


services: 45.7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $25,200 (2002 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 2.2% (2002 est.) 4.7% (2006 est.)
Geographic coordinates 1 22 N, 103 48 E 5 00 N, 59 00 W
Geography - note focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively
Highways total: 3,066 km


paved: 3,066 km (including 150 km of expressways)


unpaved: 0 km (1999)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA% (1999)
Illicit drugs as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, to be used as a transit point for Golden Triangle heroin and as a venue for money laundering transshipment point for narcotics from South America - primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis; rising money laundering related to drug trafficking and human smuggling
Imports NA (2001) NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food
Imports - partners Malaysia 18.2%, US 14.3%, Japan 12.5%, China 7.6%, Thailand 4.6%, Taiwan 4.6% (2002) Trinidad and Tobago 23%, US 21.3%, China 9.7%, Cuba 6.3%, UK 4.5% (2006)
Independence 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation) 26 May 1966 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate -9.8% (2002 est.) NA%
Industries electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, biotechnology bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining
Infant mortality rate total: 3.57 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
total: 31.35 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 34.93 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 27.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) -0.4% (2002 est.) 7.2% (2006 est.)
International organization participation APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, ESCAP, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMISET, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 9 (2000) -
Irrigated land NA sq km 1,500 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals Supreme Court of Judicature, consisting of the High Court and the Judicial Court of Appeal, with right of final appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice
Labor force 2.19 million (2000) 418,000 (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation financial, business, and other services 35%, manufacturing 21%, construction 13%, transportation and communication 9%, other 22% agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
Land boundaries 0 km total: 2,949 km


border countries: Brazil 1,606 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km
Land use arable land: 1.64%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 98.36% (1998 est.)
arable land: 2.23%


permanent crops: 0.14%


other: 97.63% (2005)
Languages Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official), English (official) English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu
Legal system based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to nine nominated members; the losing opposition candidate who came closest to winning a seat may be appointed as a "nonconstituency" member


elections: last held 3 November 2001 (next to be held 25 June 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 75.3% (in contested constituencies), other 24.7%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SDA 1
unicameral National Assembly (65 seats; members elected by popular vote, also not more than 4 non-elected non-voting ministers and 2 non-elected non-voting parliamentary secretaries appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011)


election results: percent of vote by party - PPP/C 54.6%, PNC/R 34%, AFC 8.1%, other 3.3%; seats by party - PPP/C 36, PNC/R 22, AFC 5, other 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 80.42 years


male: 77.46 years


female: 83.6 years (2003 est.)
total population: 66.17 years


male: 63.52 years


female: 68.95 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 93.2%


male: 96.7%


female: 89.7% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 98.8%


male: 99.1%


female: 98.5% (2003 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela
Map references Southeast Asia South America
Maritime claims exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice


territorial sea: 3 NM
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin
Merchant marine total: 859 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 20,836,021 GRT/32,765,063 DWT


ships by type: bulk 125, cargo 85, chemical tanker 87, combination bulk 6, combination ore/oil 8, container 176, liquefied gas 38, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 2, petroleum tanker 277, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 4, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 12, vehicle carrier 31


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 7, Belgium 6, China 12, Denmark 27, Germany 17, Greece 4, Hong Kong 44, Indonesia 8, Japan 52, Malaysia 4, Monaco 22, Netherlands 2, Norway 42, Philippines 6, Russia 3, Slovenia 1, South Korea 10, Sweden 13, Switzerland 7, Taiwan 46, Tanzania 2, Thailand 22, UAE 4, UK 14, US 1 (2002 est.)
total: 7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 12,516 GRT/14,193 DWT


by type: cargo 5, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1


registered in other countries: 2 (St Vincent and The Grenadines 2, unknown 1) (2007)
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, People's Defense Force, Police Force Guyana Defense Force: Army (includes Coast Guard, Air Corps) (2007)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $4.47 billion (FY01 est.) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 4.9% (FY01) 1.8% (2006)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,392,740 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 1,012,498 (2003 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 9 August (1965) Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
Nationality noun: Singaporean(s)


adjective: Singapore
noun: Guyanese (singular and plural)


adjective: Guyanese
Natural hazards NA flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons
Natural resources fish, deepwater ports bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
Net migration rate 25.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) -7.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Pipelines gas 139 km (2003) -
Political parties and leaders governing party: People's Action Party or PAP [GOH Chok Tong]; opposition parties: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [leader NA]; National Solidarity Party or NSP [Steve CHIA]; Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong] (includes SPP, PKMS, NSP, SJP); Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Singapore Justice Party or SJP [leader NA]; Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS [Muhammad ALI Aman]; Singapore People's Party or SPP [CHIAM See Tong]; Workers' Party or WP [LOW Thia Kiang] Alliance for Change or AFC [Raphael TROTMAN and Khemraj RAMJATTAN]; Guyana Action Party or GAP [Paul HARDY]; Justice for All Party [C.N. SHARMA]; People's National Congress/Reform or PNC/R [Robert Herman Orlando CORBIN]; People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO]; Rise, Organize, and Rebuild or ROAR [Ravi DEV]; The United Force or TUF [Manzoor NADIR]; The Unity Party [Joey JAGAN]; Vision Guyana [Peter RAMSAROOP]; Working People's Alliance or WPA [Rupert ROOPNARAINE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Amerindian People's Association; Guyana Citizens Initiative; Guyana Bar Association; Guyana Human Rights Association; Guyana Public Service Union or GPSU; Private Sector Commission; Trades Union Congress
Population 4,608,595 (July 2003 est.) 769,095


note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 3.42% (2003 est.) 0.234% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Singapore -
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 16, shortwave 2 (1998) AM 3, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)
Railways total: 38.6 km


narrow gauge: 38.6 km 1.000-m gauge


note: there is also an 83 km mass transit system with 48 stations
-
Religions Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist Christian 50%, Hindu 35%, Muslim 10%, other 5%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female


total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.039 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.018 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.738 male(s)/female


total population: 1.006 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal and compulsory 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: major consideration given to serving business interests; excellent international service


domestic: excellent domestic facilities


international: submarine cables to Malaysia (Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean region)
general assessment: fair system for long-distance service


domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines; fixed-line teledensity is about 15 per 100 persons; many areas still lack fixed-line telephone services; mobile-cellular teledensity reached 37 per 100 persons in 2005


international: country code - 592; tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 1.95 million (2000) 110,100 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 2.74 million (2000) 281,400 (2005)
Television broadcast stations 6 (2000) 3 (1 public station; 2 private stations which relay US satellite services) (1997)
Terrain lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Total fertility rate 1.24 children born/woman (2003 est.) 2.04 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 4.6% (2002 est.) 9.1% (understated) (2000)
Waterways none Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively (2006)
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