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Compare Western Sahara (2004) - Guinea (2003)

Compare Western Sahara (2004) z Guinea (2003)

 Western Sahara (2004)Guinea (2003)
 Western SaharaGuinea
Administrative divisions none (under de facto control of Morocco) 33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA
0-14 years: 44.4% (male 2,027,970; female 1,986,300)


15-64 years: 52.4% (male 2,358,566; female 2,372,384)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 124,382; female 160,618) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads) rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber
Airports 11 (2003 est.) 15 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2004 est.)
total: 5


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)
total: 10


1,524 to 2,437 m: 6


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Area total: 266,000 sq km


land: 266,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 245,857 sq km


land: 245,857 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Colorado slightly smaller than Oregon
Background Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed. Independent from France since 1958, Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. Lansana CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998. Unrest in Sierra Leone has spilled over into Guinea, threatening stability and creating a humanitarian emergency.
Birth rate NA births/1,000 population 42.5 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: NA


expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA
revenues: $395.7 million


expenditures: $472.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (2000 est.)
Capital none Conakry
Climate hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Coastline 1,110 km 320 km
Constitution - 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Western Sahara


former: Spanish Sahara
conventional long form: Republic of Guinea


conventional short form: Guinea


local long form: Republique de Guinee


local short form: Guinee


former: French Guinea
Currency Moroccan dirham (MAD) Guinean franc (GNF)
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population 15.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external NA $3.4 billion (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US none chief of mission: Ambassador Barrie R. WALKLEY


embassy: Rue Ka 038, Conakry


mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry


telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23


FAX: [224] 41 15 22
Diplomatic representation in the US none chief of mission: Ambassador Rafiou Alpha Oumar BARRY


chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300


FAX: [1] (202) 478-3010
Disputes - international Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, whose sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991 but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have created skirmishes, deaths, and refugees in border areas
Economic aid - recipient NA $359.2 million (1998)
Economy - overview Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level. Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country possesses over 30% of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted for about 75% of exports in 1999. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. The government made encouraging progress in budget management in 1997-99, and reform progress was praised in the World Bank/IMF October 2000 assessment. However, fighting along the Sierra Leonean and Liberian borders has caused major economic disruptions. In addition to direct defense costs, the violence has led to a sharp decline in investor confidence. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff, while panic buying has created food shortages and inflation in local markets. Multilateral aid - including Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief - and single digit inflation permitted moderate 3.7% growth in 2002. Growth should strengthen in 2003 because of a slowly improving security situation and increased investor confidence.
Electricity - consumption 83.7 million kWh (2001) 735.2 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 90 million kWh (2001) 790.6 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 45.5%


hydro: 54.5%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m


highest point: unnamed location 463 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Environment - current issues sparse water and lack of arable land deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage
Environment - international agreements party to: none of the selected agreements


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, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Arab, Berber Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%
Exchange rates Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 9.574 (2003), 11.584 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.626 (2000), 9.804 (1999) Guinean francs per US dollar - NA (2002), 1,950.56 (2001), 1,746.87 (2000), 1,387.4 (1999), 1,236.83 (1998)
Executive branch none chief of state: President Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993)


head of government: Prime Minister Lamine SIDIME (since 8 March 1999)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 14 December 1998 (next to be held NA December 2003); the prime minister is appointed by the president


election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE (PUP) 56.1%, Mamadou Boye BA (UPR) 24.6%, Alpha CONDE (RPG) 16.6%,
Exports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities phosphates 62% bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products
Exports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts South Korea 17.8%, Spain 10.1%, Cameroon 9.7%, Belgium 9.6%, US 9.2%, Ireland 8.6%, France 7.1%, Russia 6.8%, Germany 5% (2002)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description - three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
GDP purchasing power parity - NA purchasing power parity - $18.69 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: 40% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 25%


industry: 37%


services: 38% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - NA purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA 3.7% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 24 30 N, 13 00 W 11 00 N, 10 00 W
Geography - note the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands
Highways total: 6,200 km


paved: 1,350 km


unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est)
total: 30,500 km


paved: 5,033 km


unpaved: 25,467 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: 2.6%


highest 10%: 32% (1994)
Imports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
Imports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts (2000) France 18.7%, Cote d'Ivoire 11%, Italy 8.9%, US 8.2%, Belgium 7.6%, China 5.6%, UK 5.2% (2002)
Independence - 2 October 1958 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate NA 3.2% (1994)
Industries phosphate mining, handicrafts bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total: 93.3 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 98.8 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 87.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA 6% (2002 est.)
International organization participation none ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 4 (2001)
Irrigated land NA sq km 950 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch - Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel
Labor force 12,000 3 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50% agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries total: 2,046 km


border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
total: 3,399 km


border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km
Land use arable land: 0.02%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.98% (2001)
arable land: 3.6%


permanent crops: 2.44%


other: 93.96% (1998 est.)
Languages Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic French (official), each ethnic group has its own language
Legal system - based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch - unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years
total population: 49.54 years


male: 48.28 years


female: 50.83 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 35.9%


male: 49.9%


female: 21.9% (1995 est.)
Location Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - none (2002 est.)
Military branches - Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, National Police Force (Surete National)
Military expenditures - dollar figure NA $154 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA 3.3% (FY02)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 2,056,520 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 1,038,428 (2003 est.)
National holiday - Independence Day, 2 October (1958)
Nationality noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)


adjective: Sahrawi,Sahrawian, Sahraouian
noun: Guinean(s)


adjective: Guinean
Natural hazards hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
Natural resources phosphates, iron ore bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish
Net migration rate - -3.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population


note: as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea is host to approximately 150,000 Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees (2003 est.)
Political parties and leaders - Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; National Union for Progress or UNP [Paul Louis FABER]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP [Lansana CONTE] - the governing party; People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Siradiou DIALLO]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 267,405 (July 2004 est.) 9,030,220 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 40% (1994 est.)
Population growth rate NA 2.37% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun) Boke, Conakry, Kamsar
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 4 (one station is inactive), FM 1 (plus 7 repeaters), shortwave 3 (2001)
Railways - total: 1,115 km


standard gauge: 311 km 1.435-m gauge


narrow gauge: 804 km 1.000-m gauge (2002)
Religions Muslim Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
Sex ratio NA at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: sparse and limited system


domestic: NA


international: country code - 212; tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco
general assessment: poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system


domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use about 2,000 (1999 est.) 37,000 (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular 0 (1999) 21,567 (1998)
Television broadcast stations NA 6 low-power stations (2001)
Terrain mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman 5.9 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate NA NA%
Waterways - 1,295 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft)
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