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Compare Western Sahara (2008) - Moldova (2008)

Compare Western Sahara (2008) z Moldova (2008)

 Western Sahara (2008)Moldova (2008)
 Western SaharaMoldova
Administrative divisions none (under de facto control of Morocco) 32 raions (raioane, singular - raionul), 3 municipalities (municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)


raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan-Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni


municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau


autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia


territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului
Age structure 0-14 years: 45.4% (male 88,176/female 85,421)


15-64 years: 52.3% (male 98,345/female 101,895)


65 years and over: 2.3% (male 3,705/female 5,075) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 16.5% (male 365,733/female 347,305)


15-64 years: 72.6% (male 1,520,094/female 1,616,014)


65 years and over: 10.9% (male 175,113/female 296,231) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads); fish vegetables, fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, tobacco; beef, milk
Airports 9 (2007) 10 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2007)
total: 6


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 2 (2007)
total: 4


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Area total: 266,000 sq km


land: 266,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 33,843 sq km


land: 33,371 sq km


water: 472 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Colorado slightly larger than Maryland
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. In April 2007, Morocco presented an autonomy plan for the territory to the UN, which the U.S. considers serious and credible. The Polisario also presented a plan to the UN in 2007. Since August 2007, representatives from the Government of Morocco and the Polisario Front have met three times to negotiate the status of Western Sahara, with a fourth round of negotiations planned for March 2008. Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although independent from the USSR since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Dniester River supporting the Slavic majority population, mostly Ukrainians and Russians, who have proclaimed a "Transnistria" republic. One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001.
Birth rate NA 39.95 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 10.88 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
revenues: $1.764 billion


expenditures: $1.771 billion (2007 est.)
Capital none


time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
name: Chisinau (Kishinev)


note: pronounced kee-shee-now


geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E


time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Climate hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew moderate winters, warm summers
Coastline 1,110 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution - new constitution adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994; replaced old Soviet constitution of 1979
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Western Sahara


former: Spanish Sahara
conventional long form: Republic of Moldova


conventional short form: Moldova


local long form: Republica Moldova


local short form: Moldova


former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic
Death rate NA 10.85 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $NA $2.774 billion (30 June 2007)
Diplomatic representation from the US none chief of mission: Ambassador Michael D. KIRBY


embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009


mailing address: use embassy street address


telephone: [373] (22) 40-8300


FAX: [373] (22) 23-3044
Diplomatic representation in the US none chief of mission: Ambassador Nicolae CHIRTOACA


chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130


FAX: [1] (202) 667-1204
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; several states have extended diplomatic relations to the "Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic" represented by the Polisario Front in exile in Algeria, while others recognize Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara; most of the approximately 102,000 Sahrawi refugees are sheltered in camps in Tindouf, Algeria Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region, which remains under OSCE supervision
Economic aid - recipient $NA $191.8 million (2005)
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. Incomes in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level. The Moroccan Government controls all trade and other economic activities in Western Sahara. Morocco and the EU signed a four-year agreement in July 2006 allowing European vessels to fish off the coast of Morocco, including the disputed waters off the coast of Western Sahara. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. However, in 2006 the Polisario awarded similar exploration licenses in the disputed territory, which would come into force if Morocco and the Polisario resolve their dispute over Western Sahara. Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe despite recent progress from its small economic base. It enjoys a favorable climate and good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result, the economy depends heavily on agriculture, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova must import almost all of its energy supplies. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy was underscored at the end of 2005, when a Russian-owned electrical station in Moldova's separatist Transnistria region cut off power to Moldova and Russia's Gazprom cut off natural gas in disputes over pricing. Russia's decision to ban Moldovan wine and agricultural products, coupled with its decision to double the price Moldova paid for Russian natural gas, slowed GDP growth in 2006. However, in 2007 growth returned to the 6% level Moldova had achieved in 2000-05, boosted by Russia's partial removal of the bans, solid fixed capital investment, and strong domestic demand driven by remittances from abroad. Economic reforms have been slow because of corruption and strong political forces backing government controls. Nevertheless, the government's primary goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. The granting of EU trade preferences and increased exports to Russia will encourage higher growth rates in 2008, but the agreements are unlikely to serve as a panacea, given the extent to which export success depends on higher quality standards and other factors. The economy remains vulnerable to higher fuel prices, poor agricultural weather, and the skepticism of foreign investors. Also, the presence of an illegal separatist regime in Moldova's Transnistria region continues to be a drag on the Moldovan economy.
Electricity - consumption 79.05 million kWh (2005) 5.551 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 220 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 3.361 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 85 million kWh (2005) 3.881 billion kWh (2005)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m


highest point: unnamed location 463 m
lowest point: Dniester River 2 m


highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m
Environment - current issues sparse water and lack of arable land heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion from poor farming methods
Environment - international agreements party to: none of the selected agreements


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Arab, Berber Moldovan/Romanian 78.2%, Ukrainian 8.4%, Russian 5.8%, Gagauz 4.4%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 1.3% (2004 census)


note: internal disputes with ethnic Slavs in the Transnistrian region
Exchange rates Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.2827 (2007), 8.7722 (2006), 8.865 (2005), 8.868 (2004), 9.5744 (2003) lei per US dollar - 12.177 (2007), 13.131 (2006), 12.6 (2005), 12.33 (2004), 13.945 (2003)
Executive branch none chief of state: President Vladimir VORONIN (since 4 April 2001)


head of government: Prime Minister Vasile TARLEV (since 15 April 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida GRECIANII (since 10 October 2005)


cabinet: Cabinet selected by president, subject to approval of Parliament


elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 4 April 2005 (next to be held in 2009); note - prime minister designated by the president upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence from the Parliament regarding his/her work program and entire cabinet; prime minister designated 15 April 2001; cabinet received a vote of confidence 19 April 2001


election results: Vladimir VORONIN reelected president; parliamentary votes - Vladimir VORONIN 75, Gheorghe DUCA 1; Vasile TARLEV designated prime minister; parliamentary votes of confidence - 75 of 101
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) 31.69 bbl/day (2004)
Exports - commodities phosphates 62% foodstuffs, textiles, machinery
Exports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts (2006) Russia 22.8%, Germany 12.2%, Italy 11.1%, Romania 9.7%, Ukraine 9.6%, Belarus 5.7% (2006)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description - same color scheme as Romania - three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: 40%
agriculture: 18.4%


industry: 22.4%


services: 59.2% (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 6% (2007 est.)
Geographic coordinates 24 30 N, 13 00 W 47 00 N, 29 00 E
Geography - note the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 3.2%


highest 10%: 26.4% (2003)
Illicit drugs - limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity
Imports 1,698 bbl/day (2004) 14,200 bbl/day (2004)
Imports - commodities fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs mineral products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals, textiles
Imports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts (2006) Russia 20.8%, Ukraine 16.9%, Romania 13.4%, Germany 8.7%, Italy 6.1%, Poland 4.4% (2006)
Independence - 27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 6% (2007 est.)
Industries phosphate mining, handicrafts sugar, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total: 13.88 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 15.35 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 12.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA% 12.5% (2007 est.)
International organization participation none ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Irrigated land NA 3,000 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch - Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (the sole authority for constitutional judicature)
Labor force 12,000 1.333 million (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 50%


industry and services: 50%
agriculture: 40.7%


industry: 12.1%


services: 47.2% (2005 est.)
Land boundaries total: 2,046 km


border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
total: 1,389 km


border countries: Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km
Land use arable land: 0.02%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.98% (2005)
arable land: 54.52%


permanent crops: 8.81%


other: 36.67% (2005)
Languages Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Legal system - based on civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legality of legislative acts and governmental decisions of resolution; accepts many UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) documents; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch - unicameral Parliament or Parlamentul (101 seats; parties and electoral blocs elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 6 March 2005 (next to be held in 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - PCRM 46.1%, Democratic Moldova Bloc 28.4%, PPCD 9.1%, other parties 16.4%; seats by party - PCRM 56, Democratic Moldova Bloc 34, PPCD 11
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total population: 70.2 years


male: 66.51 years


female: 74.11 years (2007 est.)
Literacy NA definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.1%


male: 99.7%


female: 98.6% (2005 est.)
Location Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Map references Africa Europe
Maritime claims contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue none (landlocked)
Merchant marine - total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 15,668 GRT/17,585 DWT


by type: cargo 8


foreign-owned: 3 (Ukraine 3) (2007)
Military branches - National Army: Ground Forces, Rapid Reaction Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces (2006)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 0.4% (2005 est.)
National holiday - Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
Nationality noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)


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


adjective: Moldovan
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 landslides (57 cases in 1998)
Natural resources phosphates, iron ore lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, arable land, limestone
Net migration rate - -1.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Pipelines - gas 1,980 km (2007)
Political parties and leaders - Christian Democratic People's Party or PPCD [Iurie ROSCA]; Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN]; Democratic Party or PD [Dumitru DIACOV]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLDM [Vladmir FILAT]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Vitalia PAVLICENKO]; Our Moldova Alliance or AMN [Serafim URECHEAN]; Party for Social Democracy or PDSM [Dumitru BRAGHIS]; Social Liberal Party or PSL [Oleg SEREBRIAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 382,617


note: estimate is based on projections by age, sex, fertility, mortality, and migration; fertility and mortality are based on data from neighboring countries (July 2007 est.)
4,320,490 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 29.5% (2005)
Population growth rate NA -0.11% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 2, FM 29, shortwave NA (2006)
Railways - total: 1,138 km


broad gauge: 1,124 km 1.520-m gauge


standard gauge: 14 km 1.435-m gauge (2006)
Religions Muslim Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000)
Sex ratio NA at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.053 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.941 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.591 male(s)/female


total population: 0.912 male(s)/female (2007 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: inadequate, outmoded, poor service outside Chisinau; some modernization is under way


domestic: depending on location, new subscribers may face long wait for service; multiple private operators of GSM mobile cellular telephone service are operating; GPRS system is being introduced; a CDMA mobile telephone network began operations in 2007


international: country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik (2006)
Telephones - main lines in use about 2,000 (1999 est.) 1.018 million (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular 0 (1999) 1.358 million (2006)
Television broadcast stations NA 40 (2006)
Terrain mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Total fertility rate NA 1.25 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 2.1%; note - roughly 25% of working age Moldovans are employed abroad (2007 est.)
Waterways - 424 km (on Dniester and Prut rivers) (2007)
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