Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Turks and Caicos Islands (2005) - Mauritania (2002)

Compare Turks and Caicos Islands (2005) z Mauritania (2002)

 Turks and Caicos Islands (2005)Mauritania (2002)
 Turks and Caicos IslandsMauritania
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 12 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district*; Adrar, Assaba, Brakna, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh Ech Chargui, Hodh El Gharbi, Inchiri, Nouakchott*, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
Age structure 0-14 years: 32.5% (male 3,396/female 3,277)


15-64 years: 63.8% (male 6,900/female 6,220)


65 years and over: 3.7% (male 342/female 421) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 46.1% (male 653,005; female 650,530)


15-64 years: 51.7% (male 720,473; female 741,094)


65 years and over: 2.2% (male 26,251; female 37,505) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), citrus fruits; fish dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, dates; cattle, sheep
Airports 8 (2004 est.) 26 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
total: 10 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 6 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 2


under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
total: 16 17


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 5


914 to 1,523 m: 6 7


under 914 m: 6 3 (2002)
Area total: 430 sq km


land: 430 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 1,030,700 sq km


land: 1,030,400 sq km


water: 300 sq km
Area - comparative 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
Background The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory. Independent from France in 1960, Mauritania annexed the southern third of the former Spanish Sahara (now Western Sahara) in 1976, but relinquished it after three years of raids by the Polisario guerrilla front seeking independence for the territory. Opposition parties were legalized and a new constitution approved in 1991. Two multiparty presidential elections since then were widely seen as flawed, but October 2001 legislative and municipal elections were generally free and open. Mauritania remains, in reality, a one-party state. The country continues to experience ethnic tensions between its black minority population and the dominant Maur (Arab-Berber) populace.
Birth rate 22.23 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 42.54 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $47 million


expenditures: $33.6 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1997-98 est.)
revenues: $421 million


expenditures: $378 million, including capital expenditures of $154 million
Capital Grand Turk Nouakchott
Climate tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Coastline 389 km 754 km
Constitution introduced 30 August 1976; suspended in 1986; restored and revised 5 March 1988 12 July 1991
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Mauritania


conventional short form: Mauritania


local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah


local short form: Muritaniyah
Currency - ouguiya (MRO)
Death rate 4.28 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 13.34 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external NA $1.6 billion (2000) (2000)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador John W. LIMBERT


embassy: Rue Abdallaye (between Presidency building and Spanish Embassy), Nouakchott


mailing address: BP 222, Nouakchott


telephone: [222] 25-26-60, 25-26-63, 25-11-41, 25-11-45


FAX: [222] 25-25-92
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamedou Ould MICHEL


chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700


FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623
Disputes - international have received Haitians fleeing economic and civil disorder none
Economic aid - recipient $4.1 million (1997) $220 million (2000) (2000)
Economy - overview The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, fishing, and offshore financial services. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than half of the annual 93,000 visitors in the late 1990s. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts. Half the population still depends on agriculture and livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore, which account for half of total exports. The decline in world demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in 1986. In the past, drought and economic mismanagement resulted in a buildup of foreign debt. In February, 2000, Mauritania qualified for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative and in December 2001 received strong support from donor and lending countries at a triennial Consultative Group review. Mauritania withdrew its membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2000 and subsequently increased commercial ties with Arab Maghreb Union members Morocco and Tunisia, most notably in telecommunications. In 2001, exploratory oil wells in tracts 80 km offshore indicated potential viable extraction at current world oil prices. However, the refinery in Nouadhibou historically has not exceeded 20% of its distillation capacity, and it handled no crude in the year 2000. A new Investment Code approved in December 2001 improved the opportunities for direct foreign investment.
Electricity - consumption 4.65 million kWh (2002) 143.22 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 5 million kWh (2002) 154 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 84%


hydro: 16%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Blue Hills 49 m
lowest point: Sebkha de Ndrhamcha -3 m


highest point: Kediet Ijill 910 m
Environment - current issues limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are contributing to desertification; very limited natural fresh water resources away from the Senegal which is the only perennial river
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, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10% mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used ouguiyas per US dollar - 254.350 (December 2001), 238.923 (2000), 209.514 (1999), 188.476 (1998), 151.853 (1997), 137.222 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1953), represented by Governor Richard TAUWHARE (since 11 July 2005)


head of government: Chief Minister Michael Eugene MISICK (since 15 August 2003)


cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex officio members and five appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed chief minister by the governor
chief of state: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984)


head of government: Prime Minister Cheikh El Avia Ould Mohamed KHOUNA (since 17 November 1998)


cabinet: Council of Ministers


elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2003); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA reelected with 90.9% of the vote
Exports NA $359 million f.o.b. (2000)
Exports - commodities lobster, dried and fresh conch, conch shells iron ore, fish and fish products, gold
Exports - partners US, UK France 18%, Japan 16%, Italy 13%, Spain 10% (2000)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and contains a conch shell, lobster, and cactus green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
GDP - purchasing power parity - $5 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
agriculture: 25%


industry: 29%


services: 46% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $11,500 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,800 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.9% (2000 est.) 4% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 21 45 N, 71 35 W 20 00 N, 12 00 W
Geography - note about 40 islands (eight inhabited) most of the population concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country
Highways total: 121 km


paved: 24 km


unpaved: 97 km (2000)
total: 7,720 km


paved: 830 km


unpaved: 6,890 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 30% (2000) (2000)
Illicit drugs transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe -
Imports NA $335 million f.o.b. (2000)
Imports - commodities food and beverages, tobacco, clothing, manufactures, construction materials machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners US, UK France 33%, US 10%, Spain 9%, Algeria 6%, Germany 6%, Benelux 5% (2000)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 28 November 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 2% (2000 est.)
Industries tourism, offshore financial services fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Infant mortality rate total: 15.67 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 18.11 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 13.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
75.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4% (1995) 4.4% (2001 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 5 (2001)
Irrigated land NA sq km 490 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Court of Appeals; lower courts
Labor force 4,848 (1990 est.) 786,000 (2001) (2001)
Labor force - by occupation about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services agriculture 50%, services 40%, industry 10% (2001 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 5,074 km


border countries: Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western Sahara 1,561 km
Land use arable land: 2.33%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 97.67% (2001)
arable land: 0.48%


permanent crops: 0.01%


other: 99.51% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official) Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, Wolof (official), French
Legal system based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas a combination of Shari'a (Islamic law) and French civil law
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (19 seats of which 13 are popularly elected; members serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 24 April 2003 (next to be held in 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - PDM 53.8%, PNP 46.2%; seats by party - PDM 7, PNP 6; note - in by-elections held 7 August 2003, the PNP gained two seats for a majority of 8 seats; PDM now has 5
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate or Majlis al-Shuyukh (56 seats, a part of the seats up for election every two years; members elected by municipal leaders to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (81 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2004); National Assembly - last held 19 and 26 October 2001 (next to be held NA 2006)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRDS 54, RFD 1, UNDD 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - PRDS 79%, RDU 3.5%, UDP 3.5%, AC 5%, RDF 4%, UFP 3.5%, FP 1.5%; seats by party - PRDS 64, UDP 3, RDU 3, AC 4, RFD 3, UFP 3, and FP 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 74.51 years


male: 72.28 years


female: 76.84 years (2005 est.)
total population: 51.53 years


male: 49.42 years


female: 53.71 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 98%


male: 99%


female: 98% (1970 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 41.2%


male: 51.5%


female: 31.3% (2002 est.)
Location Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - none (2002)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches - Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National Police, Presidential Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $37.1 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 3.7% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 644,294 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 312,276 (2002 est.)
National holiday Constitution Day, 30 August (1976) Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Nationality noun: none


adjective: none
noun: Mauritanian(s)


adjective: Mauritanian
Natural hazards frequent hurricanes hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
Natural resources spiny lobster, conch iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil; fish
Net migration rate 11.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
People - note destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, and US -
Political parties and leaders People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Derek H. TAYLOR]; Progressive National Party or PNP [Michael Eugene MISICK] Action for Change or AC [Messoud Ould BOULKHEIR]; Alliance for Justice and Democracy or AJD [Kebe ABDOULAYE]; Democratic and Social Republican Party or PRDS (ruling party) [President Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed TAYA]; Mauritanian Party for Renewal and Concorde or PMRC [Molaye El Hassen Ould JIYID]; National Union for Democracy and Development or UNDD [Tidjane KOITA]; Party for Liberty, Equality and Justice or PLEJ [Daouda M'BAGNIGA]; Popular Front or FP [Ch'bih Ould CHEIKH MALAININE]; Popular Progress Alliance or APP [Mohamed El Hafed Ould ISMAEL]; Popular Social and Democratic Union or UPSD [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould MAH]; Progress Force Union or UFP [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD]; Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH]; Rally for Democracy and Unity or RDU [Ahmed Ould SIDI BABA]; Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS]


note: the Action for Change party was banned in January 2002; parties legalized by constitution ratified 12 July 1991, however, politics continue to be tribally based
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Arab nationalists; Ba'athists; General Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CGTM [Abdallahi Ould MOHAMED, secretary general]; Independent Confederation of Mauritanian Workers or CLTM [Samory Ould BEYE]; Islamists; Mauritanian Workers Union or UTM [Mohamed Ely Ould BRAHIM, secretary general]
Population 20,556 (July 2005 est.) 2,828,858 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 50% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate 2.9% (2005 est.) 2.92% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Grand Turk, Providenciales Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 7, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001)
Radios - 410,000 (2001)
Railways - 704 km


standard gauge: 704 km 1.435-m gauge


note: owned and operated by government mining company (2001)
Religions Baptist 40%, Methodist 16%, Anglican 18%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990) Muslim 100%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female


total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: fully digital system with international direct dialing


domestic: full range of services available


international: country code - 1-649; 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: limited system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay links, and radiotelephone communications stations (improvements being made)


domestic: mostly cable and open-wire lines; a recently completed domestic satellite telecommunications system links Nouakchott with regional capitals


international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 2 Arabsat
Telephones - main lines in use 5,700 (2002) 26,500 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,700 (1999) 35,000 (2001)
Television broadcast stations 0 (broadcasts from The Bahamas are received; 2 cable television networks) (2004) 1 (2002)
Terrain low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Total fertility rate 3.08 children born/woman (2005 est.) 6.15 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 10% (1997 est.) 21% (1999 est.)
Waterways - note: ferry traffic on the Senegal River
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.