mobile cellular telephone subscribership is about 90 per 100
persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting
in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to
the steep decline in the market share of fixed line services
international: country code - 57; landing points for the ARCOS,
Colombia-Florida Subsea Fiber (CFX-1), Maya-1, Pan American, and the
South America-1 submarine cables providing links to the US, parts of
the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth
stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized
international switching centers) (2009)
Broadcast media:
combination of state-owned and privately-owned broadcast media
provide service; more than 500 radio stations and large number of
national, regional, and local TV stations (2007)
Internet country code:
.co
Internet hosts:
2.527 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 32
Internet users:
22.538 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 18
Transportation ::Colombia
Airports:
990 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 7
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 116
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 41
914 to 1,523 m: 50
under 914 m: 15 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 874
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 35
914 to 1,523 m: 228
under 914 m: 610 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 4,567 km; oil 6,097 km; refined products 3,382 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 3,802 km
country comparison to the world: 45
standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 3,652 km 0.914-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 164,257 km (2005)
country comparison to the world: 31
Waterways:
18,000 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 6
Merchant marine:
total: 13
country comparison to the world: 105
by type: cargo 11, petroleum tanker 1, specialized tanker 1
registered in other countries: 3 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 2)
(2010)
Ports and terminals:
Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Puerto Bolivar, Santa Marta,
Turbo
Military ::Colombia
Military branches:
National Army (Ejercito Nacional), National Navy (Armada Republica
de Colombia, includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de
Marina, IM), and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de
Colombia, FAC) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;
service obligation - 18 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 11,556,939
females age 16-49: 11,609,122 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 8,957,960
females age 16-49: 9,763,655 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 432,280
female: 416,051 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Transnational Issues ::Colombia
Disputes - international:
in December 2007, ICJ allocates San Andres, Providencia, and Santa
Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but does not rule on
82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed
dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and
Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of
Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and
paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have
caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries;
Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various
claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 1.8-3.5 million (conflict between government and illegal armed
groups and drug traffickers) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading
coca cultivator with 167,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2007, a
6% increase over 2006, producing a potential of 535 mt of pure
cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies
cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of
other international drug markets; in 2005, aerial eradication
dispensed herbicide to treat over 130,000 hectares but aggressive
replanting on the part of coca growers means Colombia remains a key
producer; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either
laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso
exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy
cultivation is estimated to have fallen 25% between 2006 and 2007;
most Colombian heroin is destined for the US market (2008)
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Comoros (Africa)
Introduction ::Comoros
Background:
Comoros has endured more than 20 coups or attempted coups since
gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of
Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999,
military chief Col. AZALI seized power in a bloodless coup, and
helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in
which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and
each island maintains its own local government. AZALI won the 2002
presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected
its own president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI
was elected to office. In 2007, Mohamed BACAR effected Anjouan's
de-facto secession from the Union, refusing to step down in favor of
fresh Anjouanais elections when Comoros' other islands held
legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially
attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and
a naval blockade on Anjouan, but in March 2008, AU and Comoran
soldiers seized the island. The move was generally welcomed by the
island's inhabitants.
Geography ::Comoros
Location:
Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the
Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern
Madagascar and northern Mozambique
Geographic coordinates:
12 10 S, 44 15 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 2,235 sq km
country comparison to the world: 179
land: 2,235 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
340 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
Terrain:
volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Karthala 2,360 m
Natural resources:
NEGL
Land use:
arable land: 35.87%
permanent crops: 23.32%
other: 40.81% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
1.2 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.01 cu km/yr (48%/5%/47%)
per capita: 13 cu m/yr (1999)
Natural hazards:
cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); volcanic
activity on Grand Comore
volcanism: Karthala (elev. 2,361 m, 7,746 ft) on Grand Comore Island
last erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people to
be evacuated and produced a large ash cloud
Environment - current issues:
soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes
without proper terracing; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel
People ::Comoros
Population:
773,407 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.2% (male 159,282/female 158,073)
15-64 years: 54.8% (male 203,533/female 208,591)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 10,474/female 12,485) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.9 years
male: 18.6 years
female: 19.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.731% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Birth rate:
34.71 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Death rate:
7.4 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
country comparison to the world: 76
Urbanization:
urban population: 28% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 64.61 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 27
male: 72.41 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 56.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.83 years
country comparison to the world: 172
male: 61.41 years
female: 66.32 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.78 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Comoran(s)
adjective: Comoran
Ethnic groups:
Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
Religions:
Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
Languages:
Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili
and Arabic)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 56.5%
male: 63.6%
female: 49.3% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 12 years
female: 10 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
7.6% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 14
Government ::Comoros
Country name:
conventional long form: Union of the Comoros
conventional short form: Comoros
local long form: Udzima wa Komori (Comorian); Union des Comores
(French); Jumhuriyat al Qamar al Muttahidah (Arabic)
local short form: Komori (Comorian); Comores (French); Juzur al
Qamar (Arabic)
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Moroni
geographic coordinates: 11 42 S, 43 14 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Anjouan
(Ndzuwani), Domoni*, Fomboni*, Moheli (Mwali), Moroni*, Moutsamoudou*
Independence:
6 July 1975 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
Constitution:
23 December 2001
Legal system:
French and Islamic law in a new consolidated code; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May 2006)
head of government: President Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI (since 26 May
2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency
rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three
main islands in the Union; election last held on 14 May 2006 (next
to be held on 7 November 2010)
election results: Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI elected president; percent of
vote - Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI 58.0%, Ibrahim HALIDI 28.3%, Mohamed
DJAANFAMI 13.7%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are selected
by the individual islands' local assemblies and 18 by universal
suffrage to serve for five years);
elections: last held on 6 and 20 December 2009 (next to be held in
2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party -
pro-union coalition 19, autonomous coalition 4, independents 1; note
- 9 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island
assemblies
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the
president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected
by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of
the republic)
Political parties and leaders:
Camp of the Autonomous Islands or CdIA (a coalition of parties
organized by the islands' presidents in opposition to the Union
President); Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI
Assowmani]; Front National pour la Justice or FNJ [Ahmed RACHID]
(Islamic party in opposition); Mouvement pour la Democratie et le
Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Parti Comorien pour la
Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement
National pour le Development or RND [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid
AFFRAITANE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: environmentalists
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AMF, AOSIS, AU, COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC,
Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Representative to the UN and Ambassador to the US
Mohamed TOIHIRI
chancery: Mission to the US, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 418,
New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 750-1637
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to
Madagascar is accredited to Comoros
Flag description:
four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue,
with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within
the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the
hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line
between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the
four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago -
Mwali, N'gazidja, Nzwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - territorial
collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros)
note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols
of Islam
National anthem:
name: "Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (The Union of the Great Islands)
lyrics/music: Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE/Said Hachim SIDI
ABDEREMANE and Kamildine ABDALLAH
note: adopted 1978
Economy ::Comoros
Economy - overview:
One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three
islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and
rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low
educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence
level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy
dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture,
including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP,
employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports.
Export income is heavily reliant on the three main crops of vanilla,
cloves, and ylang-ylang and Comoros' export earnings are easily
disrupted by disasters such as fires. The country is not
self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts
for the bulk of imports. The government - which is hampered by
internal political disputes - lacks a comprehensive strategy to
attract foreign investment and is struggling to upgrade education
and technical training, privatize commercial and industrial
enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, promote
tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. Political
problems have inhibited growth, which has averaged only about 1% in
2006-09. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement
GDP. In September 2009 the IMF approved Comoros for a three-year $21
million loan. The IMF gave generally positive reports of the
country's program performance as of October 2010. The African
Development Bank approved a $34.6 million debt-relief package loan
for Comoros in September 2010, and Comoros will attempt to qualifry
for debt relief in 2012 under the IMF and World Bank's Heavily
Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$789.4 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
$776.2 million (2009 est.)
$762.5 million (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$557 million (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
1.8% (2009 est.)
1% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,000 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216
$1,000 (2009 est.)
$1,000 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 40%
industry: 4%
services: 56% (2001 est.)
Labor force:
268,500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 80%
industry and services: 20% (1996 est.)
Unemployment rate:
20% (1996 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Population below poverty line:
60% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.9%
highest 10%: 55.2% (2004)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Central bank discount rate:
2.21% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 81
5.36% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
10.5% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$104.7 million (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 179
$98.36 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$168.6 million (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 182
$143.7 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$79.75 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
$60.57 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Agriculture - products:
vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang, perfume essences, copra, coconuts,
bananas, cassava (tapioca)
Industries:
fishing, tourism, perfume distillation
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
22 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Electricity - consumption:
20.46 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Oil - imports:
766 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Current account balance:
$8 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Exports:
$32 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 202
Exports - commodities:
vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra
Exports - partners:
Turkey 25.2%, France 20.44%, Singapore 17.44%, Algeria 8.02%, Italy
6.09%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2009)
Imports:
$143 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 205
Imports - commodities:
rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products,
cement, transport equipment
Imports - partners:
France 15.5%, China 14.66%, India 10.55%, UAE 7.88%, Pakistan 5.69%,
Kenya 4.51% (2009)
Debt - external:
$232 million (2000 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Exchange rates:
Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 361.4 (2007), 391.8 (2006),
395.6 (2005), 396.21 (2004), 435.9 (2003)
note: the Comoran franc is pegged to the euro at a rate of 491.9677
Comoran francs per euro
Communications ::Comoros
Telephones - main lines in use:
25,400 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 183
Telephones - mobile cellular:
100,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 185
Telephone system:
general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF
radiotelephone communication stations
domestic: fixed-line connections only about 3 per 100 persons;
mobile cellular usage about 15 per 100 persons
international: country code - 269; HF radiotelephone communications
to Madagascar and Reunion
Broadcast media:
national state-owned TV station and a TV station run by Anjouan
regional government; national state-owned radio; regional
governments on the islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan each operate
a radio station; a few independent and small community radio
stations operate on the islands of Grande Comore and Moheli, and
these two islands have access to Mayotte Radio and French TV (2007)
Internet country code:
.km
Internet hosts:
14 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 219
Internet users:
24,300 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 186
Transportation ::Comoros
Airports:
4 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 189
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 880 km
country comparison to the world: 184
paved: 673 km
unpaved: 207 km (2002)
Merchant marine:
total: 177
country comparison to the world: 37
by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 102, carrier 5, chemical tanker 6,
container 2, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 15,
refrigerated cargo 12, roll on/roll off 12
foreign-owned: 98 (Bangladesh 1, Bulgaria 8, China 1, Cyprus 2,
Greece 3, Kenya 1, Kuwait 1, Latvia 1, Lebanon 3, Lithuania 3,
Monaco 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 2, Pakistan 3, Russia 21, Syria 6,
Turkey 16, UAE 11, UK 1, Ukraine 10, US 2) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Mayotte, Mutsamudu
Military ::Comoros
Military branches:
Army of National Development (AND): Comoran Security Force, Comoran
Coast Guard, Comoran Federal Police (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for 2-year voluntary military service; no
conscription; women first inducted into the Army in 2004 (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 178,670
females age 16-49: 177,811 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 130,064
females age 16-49: 140,600 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 8,519
female: 8,498 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.8% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 50
Transnational Issues ::Comoros
Disputes - international:
claims French-administered Mayotte and challenges France's and
Madagascar's claims to Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the
Mozambique Channel; in May 2008, African Union forces are called in
to assist the Comoros military recapture Anjouan Island from rebels
who seized it in 2001
page last updated on January 10, 2011
======================================================================
@Congo, Democratic Republic of the (Africa)
Introduction ::Congo, Democratic Republic of the
Background: