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Compare Zimbabwe (2002) - Central African Republic (2001)

Compare Zimbabwe (2002) z Central African Republic (2001)

 Zimbabwe (2002)Central African Republic (2001)
 ZimbabweCentral African Republic
Administrative divisions 8 provinces and 2 cities* with provincial status; Bulawayo*, Harare*, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga
Age structure 0-14 years: 37.9% (male 2,178,073; female 2,128,287)


15-64 years: 58.4% (male 3,376,850; female 3,268,315)


65 years and over: 3.7% (male 213,286; female 211,865) (2002 est.)
0-14 years:
43.23% (male 778,885; female 767,414)

15-64 years:
53% (male 929,717; female 965,947)

65 years and over:
3.77% (male 59,364; female 75,557) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber
Airports 454 (2001) 52 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 17


over 3,047 m: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2002)
total:
3

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 413


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 197


under 914 m: 212 (2002)
total:
49

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
10

914 to 1,523 m:
23

under 914 m:
15 (2000 est.)
Area total: 390,580 sq km


land: 386,670 sq km


water: 3,910 sq km
total:
622,984 sq km

land:
622,984 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Montana slightly smaller than Texas
Background The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His misguided land redistribution campaign begun in 2000 caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to have himself reelected. The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - a civilian government was installed in 1993.
Birth rate 24.59 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 37.05 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $2.5 billion


expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
revenues:
$638 million

expenditures:
$1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $888 million (1994 est.)
Capital Harare Bangui
Climate tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March) tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 21 December 1979 passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January 1995
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Zimbabwe


conventional short form: Zimbabwe


former: Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesia
conventional long form:
Central African Republic

conventional short form:
none

local long form:
Republique Centrafricaine

local short form:
none

former:
Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire

abbreviation:
CAR
Currency Zimbabwean dollar (ZWD) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States
Death rate 24.06 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 18.53 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $5 billion (2001 est.) $790 million (1999 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph G. SULLIVAN


embassy: 172 Herbert Chitepo Avenue, Harare


mailing address: P. O. Box 3340, Harare


telephone: [263] (4) 250-593 and 250-594


FAX: [263] (4) 796488
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert C. PERRY

embassy:
Avenue David Dacko, Bangui

mailing address:
B. P. 924, Bangui

telephone:
[236] 61 02 00

FAX:
[236] 61 44 94
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Simbi Veke MUBAKO


chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009


telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100


FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326
chief of mission:
Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY

chancery:
1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 483-7800

FAX:
[1] (202) 332-9893
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $200 million (2000 est.) $172.2 million (1995); note - traditional budget subsidies from France
Economy - overview The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult economic problems as it struggles to consolidate earlier moves to develop a market-oriented economy. Its involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, has already drained hundreds of millions of dollars from the economy. Badly needed support from the IMF has been suspended because of the country's failure to meet budgetary goals. Inflation rose from an annual rate of 32% in 1998 to 59% in 1999, to 60% in 2000, and to 100% by yearend 2001. The economy is being steadily weakened by excessive government deficits, AIDS, and rampant inflation. The government's land reform program, characterized by chaos and violence, has derailed the commercial sector, the traditional source of exports and foreign exchange and the provider of 400,000 jobs. Distribution of income is extremely unequal. Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for nearly 54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. The 50% devaluation of the currencies of 14 Francophone African nations on 12 January 1994 had mixed effects on the CAR's economy. Diamond, timber, coffee, and cotton exports increased, leading an estimated rise of GDP of 7% in 1994 and nearly 5% in 1995. Military rebellions and social unrest in 1996 were accompanied by widespread destruction of property and a drop in GDP of 2%. The IMF approved an Extended Structure Adjustment Facility in 1998 and the World Bank extended further credits in 1999 and approved a $10 million loan in early 2001. The government has set targets of 3.5% GDP growth in 2001 and 2002. As of January 2001, many civil servants were owed as much as 30 months pay, leading them to go on strike and further damaging the economy.
Electricity - consumption 10.475 billion kWh (2000) 94.9 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 4.5 billion kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 6.425 billion kWh (2000) 102 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 53%


hydro: 47%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel:
20.59%

hydro:
79.41%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m


highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m
lowest point:
Oubangui River 335 m

highest point:
Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94

signed, but not ratified:
Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1% Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%, Mboum 4%, M'Baka 4%, Europeans 6,500 (including 1,500 French)
Exchange rates Zimbabwean dollars per US dollar - 54.9451 (December 2001), 54.9451 (2001), 43.2900 (2000), 38.3142 (1999), 21.4133 (1998), 11.8906 (1997) Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per euro
Executive branch chief of state: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice Presidents Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987) and Joseph MSIKA (since 23 December 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE (since 31 December 1987); Co-Vice Presidents Simon Vengai MUZENDA (since 31 December 1987) and Joseph MSIKA (since 23 December 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president; responsible to the House of Assembly


elections: presidential candidates nominated with a nomination paper signed by at least 10 registered voters (at least one from each province) and elected by popular vote; election last held 9-11 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2006); co-vice presidents appointed by the president


election results: Robert Gabriel MUGABE reelected president; percent of vote - Robert Gabriel MUGABE 56.2%, Morgan TSVANGIRAI 41.9%
chief of state:
President Ange-Felix PATASSE (since 22 October 1993)

head of government:
Prime Minister Martin ZIGUELE (since 1 April 2001)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 19 September 1999 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
Ange-Felix PATASSE reelected president; percent of vote - Ange-Felix PATASSE 51.63%, Andre KOLINGBA 19.38%, David DACKO 11.15%
Exports $2.1 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) $166 million (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities tobacco 30%, gold 11%, ferroalloys 9%, textile/clothing 3% (2000) diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
Exports - partners South Africa 12.1%, UK 8.5%, Japan 7.7%, Germany 6.1%, China 5.4% (2000) Benelux 64%, Cote d'Ivoire, Spain, China, Egypt, France (1999)
Fiscal year 1 January - 31 December calendar year
Flag description seven equal horizontal bands of green, yellow, red, black, red, yellow, and green with a white isosceles triangle edged in black with its base on the hoist side; a yellow Zimbabwe bird is superimposed on a red five-pointed star in the center of the triangle four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band
GDP purchasing power parity - $28 billion (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $6.1 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 11%


industry: 14%


services: 75% (2000 est.)
agriculture:
53%

industry:
20%

services:
27% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $2,450 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -6.5% (2001 est.) 3.5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 20 00 S, 30 00 E 7 00 N, 21 00 E
Geography - note landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
Highways total: 18,338 km


paved: 8,692 km


unpaved: 9,646 km (2002)
total:
23,810 km

paved:
429 km

unpaved:
23,381 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 2%


highest 10%: 47% (1990) (1990)
lowest 10%:
0.7%

highest 10%:
47.7% (1993)
Illicit drugs transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax, and methamphetamines destined for the South African and European markets -
Imports $1.5 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) $154 million (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities machinery and transport equipment 34%, other manufactures 18%, chemicals 17%, fuels 11% (1999) food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial products
Imports - partners South Africa 46.3%, UK 7.2%, Germany 2.5%, US 2.8%, Japan 2.5% (2000 est.) France 35%, Cameroon 13%, Benelux, Cote d'Ivoire, Germany, Japan (1999)
Independence 18 April 1980 (from UK) 13 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate -10% (2001 est.) NA%
Industries mining (coal, gold, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel, wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Infant mortality rate 62.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 105.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 100% (2001) 3% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC (observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 6 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 1,170 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court; High Court Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (all judges appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts
Labor force 5.5 million (2000 est.) NA
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 66%, services 24%, industry 10% (1996 est.) -
Land boundaries total: 3,066 km


border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km
total:
5,203 km

border countries:
Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km
Land use arable land: 8.4%


permanent crops: 0.34%


other: 91.26% (1998 est.)
arable land:
3%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
5%

forests and woodland:
75%

other:
17% (1993 est.)
Languages English (official), Shona, Sindebele (the language of the Ndebele, sometimes called Ndebele), numerous but minor tribal dialects French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili
Legal system mixture of Roman-Dutch and English common law based on French law
Legislative branch unicameral House of Assembly (150 seats - 120 elected by popular vote for five-year terms, 12 nominated by the president, 10 occupied by traditional chiefs chosen by their peers, and 8 occupied by provincial governors appointed by the president)


elections: last held 24-25 June 2000 (next to be held NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - ZANU-PF 47.2%, MDC 45.6%, ZANU-Ndonga 0.7%, United Parties 0.7%; seats by party - ZANU-PF 63, MDC 56, ZANU-Ndonga 1
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - there were 85 seats in the National Assembly before the 1998 election)

elections:
last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD 9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%, independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD 6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7

note:
the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional Council or Conseil Economique et Regional; when they sit together they are called the Congress or Congres
Life expectancy at birth total population: 36.5 years


male: 37.87 years


female: 35.1 years (2002 est.)
total population:
43.8 years

male:
42.17 years

female:
45.48 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write English


total population: 85%


male: 90%


female: 80% (1995 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
60%

male:
68.5%

female:
52.4% (1995 est.)
Location Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims none (landlocked) none (landlocked)
Military branches Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police (includes Police Support Unit, Paramilitary Police) Central African Armed Forces (includes Army, Air Force, Presidential Guard, National Gendarmerie, Police Force)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $350.6 million (FY01) $29 million (FY96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 3.8% (FY01) 2.2% (FY96)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 3,057,381 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
824,139 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 1,898,383 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
430,922 (2001 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 18 April (1980) Republic Day, 1 December (1958)
Nationality noun: Zimbabwean(s)


adjective: Zimbabwean
noun:
Central African(s)

adjective:
Central African
Natural hazards recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common
Natural resources coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower
Net migration rate NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population


note: there is a small but steady flow of Zimbabweans into South Africa in search of better paid employment (2002 est.)
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines petroleum products 212 km -
Political parties and leaders Movement for Democratic Change or MDC [Morgan TSVANGIRAI]; United Parties [Abel MUZOREWA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Ndonga or ZANU-Ndonga [Wilson KUMBULA]; Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Robert Gabriel MUGABE]; Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or ZAPU [Agrippa MADLELA] Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Francois PEHOUA]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of the president, Ange-Felix PATASSE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [leader NA]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]
Political pressure groups and leaders National Constitutional Assembly or NCA [Lovemore MADHUKU] NA
Population 11,376,676


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 2002 est.)
3,576,884

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 60% (1999 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 0.05% (2002 est.) 1.85% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Binga, Kariba Bangui, Nola
Radio broadcast stations AM 7, FM 20 (plus 17 repeater stations), shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 1.14 million (1997) 283,000 (1997)
Railways total: 3,077 km


narrow gauge: 3,077 km 1.067-m gauge (313 km electrified; 42 km double-tracked)


note: includes the 318 km Bulawaya-Beitbridge Railway Company line (2001)
0 km
Religions syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1% indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, other 11%

note:
animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female


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

under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 21 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: system was once one of the best in Africa, but now suffers from poor maintenance; more than 100,000 outstanding requests for connection despite an equally large number of installed but unused main lines


domestic: consists of microwave radio relay links, open-wire lines, radiotelephone communication stations, fixed wireless local loop installations, and a substantial mobile cellular network; Internet connection is available in Harare and planned for all major towns and for some of the smaller ones


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat; two international digital gateway exchanges (in Harare and Gweru)
general assessment:
fair system

domestic:
network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 212,000 (in addition, there are about 20,000 fixed telephones in wireless local loop connections) (1997) 10,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 111,000 (2001) 570 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 16 (1997) NA
Terrain mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
Total fertility rate 3.21 children born/woman (2002 est.) 4.86 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 60% (2001 est.) 6% (1993)
Waterways chrome ore is transported from Harare - by way of the Mazoe River - to the Zambezi River in Mozambique 900 km

note:
traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river, navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m or less; 282 km navigable to craft drawing as much as 1.8 m
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