Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Western Sahara (2005) - Namibia (2001)

Compare Western Sahara (2005) z Namibia (2001)

 Western Sahara (2005)Namibia (2001)
 Western SaharaNamibia
Administrative divisions none (under de facto control of Morocco) 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA
0-14 years:
42.74% (male 389,028; female 379,229)

15-64 years:
53.54% (male 480,075; female 482,375)

65 years and over:
3.72% (male 29,109; female 37,861) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads) millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish
Airports 11 (2004 est.) 131 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2004 est.)
total:
21

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
13

914 to 1,523 m:
4 (2000 est.)
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:
110

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
21

914 to 1,523 m:
69

under 914 m:
18 (2000 est.)
Area total: 266,000 sq km


land: 266,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total:
825,418 sq km

land:
825,418 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Colorado slightly more than half the size of Alaska
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. South Africa occupied the German colony of Sud-West Afrika during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Independence came in 1990.
Birth rate NA births/1,000 population 34.71 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: NA


expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA
revenues:
$883 million

expenditures:
$950 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998)
Capital none Windhoek
Climate hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Coastline 1,110 km 1,572 km
Constitution - ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Western Sahara


former: Spanish Sahara
conventional long form:
Republic of Namibia

conventional short form:
Namibia

former:
German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa
Currency - Namibian dollar (NAD); South African rand (ZAR)
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population 20.9 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external NA $217 million (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US none chief of mission:
Ambassador Jeffrey A. BADER

embassy:
Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek

mailing address:
use embassy street address

telephone:
[264] (61) 221601

FAX:
[264] (61) 229792
Diplomatic representation in the US none chief of mission:
Ambassador Leonard Nangolo IIPUMBU

chancery:
1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone:
[1] (202) 986-0540

FAX:
[1] (202) 986-0443
Disputes - international Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, whose sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, administered by the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals none
Economic aid - recipient NA $127 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. The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. Half of the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its food. Although per capita GDP is four times the per capita GDP of Africa's poorer countries, the majority of Namibia's people live in pronounced poverty because of large-scale unemployment, the great inequality of income distribution, and the large amount of wealth going to foreigners. The Namibian economy has close links to South Africa. GDP growth in 2000 was led by gains in the diamond and fish sectors. Agreement has been reached on the privatization of several more enterprises in coming years, which should stimulate long-run foreign investment. Growth in 2001 could be 5.5% provided the world economy remains stable.
Electricity - consumption 83.7 million kWh (2002) 1.948 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 56 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2002) 890 million kWh

note:
supplied by South Africa (1999)
Electricity - production 90 million kWh (2002) 1.198 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
2%

hydro:
98%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m


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

highest point:
Konigstein 2,606 m
Environment - current issues sparse water and lack of arable land very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification
Environment - international agreements party to: none of the selected agreements


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to:
Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Arab, Berber black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%

note:
about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Exchange rates Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.868 (2004), 9.5744 (2003), 11.0206 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.6256 (2000) Namibian dollars per US dollar - 7.78307 (January 2001), 6.93983 (2000), 6.10948 (1999), 5.52828 (1998), 4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996)
Executive branch none chief of state:
President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:
President Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)

election results:
Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote - Sam Shafishuna NUJOMA 77%
Exports NA $1.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities phosphates 62% diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins
Exports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts UK 43%, South Africa 26%, Spain 14%, France 8%, Japan (1998 est.)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
Flag description - a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders
GDP - purchasing power parity - $7.6 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: 40% (1996 est.)
agriculture:
12%

industry:
25%

services:
63% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - NA purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA 4% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 24 30 N, 13 00 W 22 00 S, 17 00 E
Geography - note the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas -
Highways total: 6,200 km


paved: 1,350 km


unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est)
total:
63,258 km

paved:
5,250 km

unpaved:
58,008 km (1997 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Imports NA $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Imports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts South Africa 81%, US 4%, Germany 2% (1997 est.)
Independence - 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
Industrial production growth rate NA NA
Industries phosphate mining, handicrafts meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
71.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA 9.1% (2000)
International organization participation none AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNTAET, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 2 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 60 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch - Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)
Labor force 12,000 500,000
Labor force - by occupation animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50% agriculture 47%, industry 20%, services 33% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries total: 2,046 km


border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
total:
3,824 km

border countries:
Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 855 km, Zambia 233 km
Land use arable land: 0.02%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.98% (2001)
arable land:
1%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
46%

forests and woodland:
22%

other:
31% (1993 est.)
Languages Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Legal system - based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
Legislative branch - bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
National Council - elections for regional councils, to determine members of the National Council, held 30 November-1 December 1998 (next to be held by December 2004); National Assembly - last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held by December 2004)

election results:
National Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - SWAPO 21, DTA 4, UDF 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76%, COD 10%, DTA 9%, UDF 3%, MAG 1%, other 1%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 7, DTA 7, UDF 2, MAG 1,

note:
the National Council is primarily an advisory body
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years
total population:
40.62 years

male:
42.48 years

female:
38.71 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


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

total population:
38%

male:
45%

female:
31% (1960 est.)
Location Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue contiguous zone:
24 NM

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine - none (2000 est.)
Military branches - National Defense Force (Army), Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $104.4 million (2001)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 2.6% (FY97/98)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
427,067 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
255,016 (2001 est.)
National holiday - Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Nationality noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)


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

adjective:
Namibian
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 prolonged periods of drought
Natural resources phosphates, iron ore diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, hydropower, fish

note:
suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore
Net migration rate - 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders - Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA, president]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Kosie PRETORIUS]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Sam NUJOMA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB]
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 273,008 (July 2005 est.) 1,797,677

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 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate NA 1.38% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun) Luderitz, Walvis Bay
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 2, FM 34, shortwave 5 (1998)
Radios - 232,000 (1997)
Railways - total:
2,382 km

narrow gauge:
2,382 km 1.067-m gauge; single track (1995)
Religions Muslim Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
Sex ratio NA at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.03 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1 male(s)/female (2001 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:
good system; about 6 telephones for each 100 persons

domestic:
good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire; 100% digital

international:
fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat
Telephones - main lines in use about 2,000 (1999 est.) 100,848 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 0 (1999) NA
Television broadcast stations NA 8 (plus about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman 4.83 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate NA 30% to 40%, including underemployment (1997 est.)
Waterways - none
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.