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Compare Vanuatu (2002) - Laos (2002)

Compare Vanuatu (2002) z Laos (2002)

 Vanuatu (2002)Laos (2002)
 VanuatuLaos
Administrative divisions 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang
Age structure 0-14 years: 35.6% (male 35,681; female 34,164)


15-64 years: 61.1% (male 61,384; female 58,473)


65 years and over: 3.3% (male 3,473; female 3,003) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 42.5% (male 1,233,659; female 1,219,872)


15-64 years: 54.2% (male 1,543,246; female 1,591,419)


65 years and over: 3.3% (male 86,375; female 102,609) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish, beef sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton; tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
Airports 31 (2001) 51 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total: 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 27


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 10


under 914 m: 17 (2002)
total: 42


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 15


under 914 m: 26 (2002)
Area total: 12,200 sq km


land: 12,200 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes more than 80 islands
total: 236,800 sq km


land: 230,800 sq km


water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Connecticut slightly larger than Utah
Background The British and French who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, an easing of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.
Birth rate 24.83 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 37.39 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $94.4 million


expenditures: $99.8 million, including capital expenditures of $30.4 million
revenues: $211 million


expenditures: $462 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY98/99 est.)
Capital Port-Vila Vientiane
Climate tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Coastline 2,528 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 30 July 1980 promulgated 14 August 1991
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu


conventional short form: Vanuatu


former: New Hebrides
conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic


conventional short form: Laos


local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao


local short form: none
Currency vatu (VUV) kip (LAK)
Death rate 8.25 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 12.71 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $64.6 million (1999 est.) $2.53 billion (1999)
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas A. HARTWICK


embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane


mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546


telephone: [856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585


FAX: [856] (21) 212584
Diplomatic representation in the US Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US, it does, however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxay


chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416


FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
Disputes - international Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France demarcation of boundaries with Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam is nearing completion, but with Thailand, several areas including Mekong River islets, remain in dispute; ongoing disputes with Thailand and Vietnam over squatters
Economic aid - recipient $45.8 million (1995) $345 million (1999 est.)
Economy - overview The economy is based primarily on subsistence or small-scale agriculture which provides a living for 65% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with about 50,000 visitors in 1997, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. A severe earthquake in November 1999 followed by a tsunami, caused extensive damage to the northern island of Pentecote and left thousands homeless. Another powerful earthquake in January 2002 caused extensive damage in the capital, Port-Vila, and surrounding areas, and also was followed by a tsunami. GDP growth has risen less than 3% on average in the 1990s. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official Communist states - began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 7% in 1988-2001 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive infrastructure; it has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from aid from the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food-processing and mining.
Electricity - consumption 36.27 million kWh (2000) 690.6 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 400 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 142 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 39 million kWh (2000) 1.02 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel: 2%


hydro: 98%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m


highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m
Environment - current issues a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water; deforestation unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water
Environment - international agreements party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups indigenous Melanesian 98%, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, other Pacific Islanders Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien) 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%
Exchange rates vatu per US dollar - 146.02 (December 2001), 145.31 (2001), 137.64 (2000), 129.08 (1999), 127.52 (1998), 115.87 (1997) kips per US dollar - 9,467.00 (December 2001), 8,954.58 (2001), 7,887.64 (2000), 7,102.03 (1999), 3,298.33 (1998), 1,259.98 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: President Father John BANI (since 25 March 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Edward NATAPEI (since 16 April 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Serge VOHOR (since 16 April 2001)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament


elections: president elected for a four-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils for a five-year term; election for president last held 25 March 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held 2 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2003)


election results: Father John BANI elected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA%; Edward NATAPEI reelected prime minister by Parliament


note: the government of Prime Minister Barak SOPE was ousted in a no confidence vote on 14 April 2001 and Edward NATAPEI was elected the new prime minister by Parliament
chief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphandon (since 26 February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 27 March 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since 27 March 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since NA May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March 2001), and Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly


elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term


election results: KHAMTAI Siphandon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA%
Exports $22.8 million f.o.b. (2000) $325 million (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities copra, kava, beef, cocoa, timber, coffee wood products, garments, electricity, coffee, tin
Exports - partners Japan 32%, Belgium 17%, US 17%, Germany 8% (2000) Thailand 20%, France 7.5%, Germany 5.9%, UK 4.1%, Belgium 4% (2000)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 October - 30 September
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band
GDP purchasing power parity - $257 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $9.2 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 26%


industry: 12%


services: 62% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 53%


industry: 22%


services: 25% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,630 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.7% (2000 est.) 5% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 16 00 S, 167 00 E 18 00 N, 105 00 E
Geography - note a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand
Highways total: 1,070 km


paved: 256 km


unpaved: 814 km (1996)
total: 14,000 km


paved: 3,360 km


unpaved: 10,640 km (1991)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 31% (1997)
Illicit drugs - world's third-largest illicit opium producer (estimated cultivation in 2002 - 23,200 hectares, a 5% increase over 2001; estimated potential production in 2002 - 180 metric tons, a 10% decrease from 2001); potential heroin producer; transshipment point for heroin and methamphetamine produced in Burma; illicit producer of cannabis; growing methamphetamine abuse problem
Imports $87.5 million f.o.b. (2000) $540 million f.o.b. (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel
Imports - partners Australia 28%, Singapore 14%, New Zealand 8%, Japan 4%, US 1% (2000) Thailand 52%, Singapore 3.9%, Japan 1.6%, Hong Kong 1.5%, China 0.8% (2000)
Independence 30 July 1980 (from France and UK) 19 July 1949 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 1% (1997 est.) 7.5% (1999 est.)
Industries food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism
Infant mortality rate 59.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 90.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.5% (2000 est.) 10% (2001 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (observer) ACCT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 1,640 sq km


note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission) People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee)
Labor force NA 2.4 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (2000 est.) agriculture 80% (1997 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 5,083 km


border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km
Land use arable land: 2.46%


permanent crops: 7.38%


other: 90.16% (1998 est.)
arable land: 3.47%


permanent crops: 0.23%


other: 96.3% (1998 est.)
Languages three official languages: English, French, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama), plus more than 100 local languages Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages
Legal system unified system being created from former dual French and British systems based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and Socialist practice
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 2 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 15, VP 14, VRP 3, MPP 2, other and independent 18; note - political party associations are fluid


note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and land
unicameral National Assembly (109 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - total number of seats increased from 99 to 109 for the 2002 election)


elections: last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 109
Life expectancy at birth total population: 61.33 years


male: 59.93 years


female: 62.8 years (2002 est.)
total population: 53.88 years


male: 51.95 years


female: 55.87 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 53%


male: 57%


female: 48% (1979 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 57%


male: 70%


female: 44% (1999 est.)
Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Map references Oceania Southeast Asia
Maritime claims measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


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
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,092,838 GRT/1,329,576 DWT


ships by type: bulk 22, cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 3, container 2, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 7, vehicle carrier 6


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 3, Canada 2, China 1, Japan 25, Monaco 4, Netherlands 1, New Zealand 5, Panama 1, Poland 1, Switzerland 2, United Kingdom 4, US 2, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.)
total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT


ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; including the paramilitary Mobile Force or VMF) Lao People's Army (LPA; including Riverine Force), Air Force, National Police Department
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA $55 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% 4.2% (FY96/97)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 1,365,027 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 734,945 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 64,437 (2002 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 30 July (1980) Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
Nationality noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)


adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)


adjective: Lao or Laotian
Natural hazards tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis floods, droughts
Natural resources manganese, hardwood forests, fish timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines - petroleum products 136 km
Political parties and leaders Jon Frum Movement [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]; National United Party or NUP [Dinh Van THAN]; Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanuaaku Party (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party [Maxime Carlot KORMAN] Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president]; other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders NA noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975
Population 196,178 (July 2002 est.) 5,777,180 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 40% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate 1.66% (2002 est.) 2.47% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo) none
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2002) AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998)
Radios 67,000 (1997) 730,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km (2001)
Religions Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Roman Catholic 15%, indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%, other 15.7% (including Jon Frum Cargo cult) Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female


total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.84 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: NA


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving, with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas


domestic: radiotelephone communications


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
Telephones - main lines in use 5,500 (1998) 25,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 310 (2000) 4,915 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 1 (2002) 4 (1999)
Terrain mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Total fertility rate 3.08 children born/woman (2002 est.) 5.03 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 5.7% (1997 est.)
Waterways none 4,587 km approximately


note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m
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