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Compare Albania (2003) - Virgin Islands (2001)

Compare Albania (2003) z Virgin Islands (2001)

 Albania (2003)Virgin Islands (2001)
 AlbaniaVirgin Islands
Administrative divisions 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Qarku i Beratit, Qarku i Dibres, Qarku i Durresit, Qarku i Elbasanit, Qarku i Fierit, Qarku i Gjirokastres, Qarku i Korces, Qarku i Kukesit, Qarku i Lezhes, Qarku i Shkodres, Qarku i Tiranes, Qarku i Vlores none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
Age structure 0-14 years: 28.1% (male 520,714; female 486,911)


15-64 years: 64.6% (male 1,115,887; female 1,196,477)


65 years and over: 7.3% (male 115,754; female 146,462) (2003 est.)
0-14 years:
27.27% (male 17,121; female 16,204)

15-64 years:
63.92% (male 35,391; female 42,727)

65 years and over:
8.81% (male 4,638; female 6,130) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Airports 12 (2002) 2

note:
international airports on Saint Thomas and Saint Croix (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
total:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 8


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 4 (2002)
-
Area total: 28,748 sq km


land: 27,398 sq km


water: 1,350 sq km
total:
352 sq km

land:
349 sq km

water:
3 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Maryland twice the size of Washington, DC
Background Between 1990 and 1992 Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult as corrupt governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure, widespread gangsterism, and disruptive political opponents. International observers judged legislative elections in 2001 to be acceptable and a step toward democratic development, but identified serious deficiencies that should be addressed through reforms in the Albanian electoral code. During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.
Birth rate 18.2 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 15.9 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $697 million


expenditures: $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $368 million (2002 est.)
revenues:
$364.4 million

expenditures:
$364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)
Capital Tirana Charlotte Amalie
Climate mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November
Coastline 362 km 188 km
Constitution a constitution was adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998; note - the opposition Democratic Party boycotted the vote Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Albania


conventional short form: Albania


local long form: Republika e Shqiperise


local short form: Shqiperia


former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania
conventional long form:
United States Virgin Islands

conventional short form:
Virgin Islands

former:
Danish West Indies
Currency lek (ALL) US dollar (USD)
Death rate 6.48 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 5.47 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $784 million (2000) $NA
Dependency status - organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador James F. JEFFREY


embassy: Rruga Elbasanit, Labinoti #103, Tirana


mailing address: U. S. Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Washington, DC 20521-9510


telephone: [355] (4) 247285


FAX: [355] (4) 232222
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Fatos TARIFA


chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942


FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342
none (territory of the US)
Disputes - international the Albanian Government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians outside its borders in the Kosovo region of Serbia and Montenegro, and in the northern Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, while continuing to seek regional cooperation; some outside ethnic Albanian groups voice union with Albania none
Economic aid - recipient ODA: $315 million (top donors were Italy, EU, Germany) (2000 est.) $NA
Economy - overview Poor and backward by European standards, Albania is making the difficult transition to a more modern open-market economy. The government has taken measures to curb violent crime and to spur economic activity and trade. The economy is bolstered by remittances from abroad of $400-$600 million annually, mostly from Greece and Italy; this helps offset the sizable trade deficit. Agriculture, which accounts for half of GDP, is held back because of frequent drought and the need to modernize equipment and consolidate small plots of land. Severe energy shortages are forcing small firms out of business, increasing unemployment, scaring off foreign investors, and spurring inflation. The government plans to boost energy imports to relieve the shortages. In addition, the government is moving to improve the poor national road network, a long-standing barrier to sustained economic growth. Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, support construction projects in the private sector, expand tourist facilities, and protect the environment.
Electricity - consumption 5.898 billion kWh (2001) 948.6 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 221 million kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 1.2 billion kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 5.289 billion kWh (2001) 1.02 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 2.9%


hydro: 97.1%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m


highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,753 m
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point:
Crown Mountain 474 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents lack of natural freshwater resources
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
-
Ethnic groups Albanian 95%, Greek 3%, other 2% (Vlach, Gypsy, Serb, and Bulgarian) (1989 est.)


note: in 1989, other estimates of the Greek population ranged from 1% (official Albanian statistics) to 12% (from a Greek organization)
black 80%, white 15%, other 5%

note:
West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%, other 8%
Exchange rates leke per US dollar - NA (2002), 143.49 (2001), 143.71 (2000), 137.69 (1999), 150.63 (1998) the US dollar is used
Executive branch chief of state: President of the Republic Alfred MOISIU (since 24 July 2002)


head of government: Prime Minister Fatos NANO (since 31 July 2002)


cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the president


elections: president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 June 2002 (next to be held NA June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Alfred MOISIU elected president; People's Assembly vote by number - total votes 116, for 97, against 19
chief of state:
President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (Since 20 January 2001)

head of government:
Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5 January 1999) and Lieutenant Governor Gererd LUZ James II (since 5 January 1999)

cabinet:
NA

elections:
US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2002)

election results:
Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL elected governor; percent of vote - Dr. Charles W. TURNBULL (Democrat) 58.9%, former Governor Roy L. SCHNEIDER (ICM) 41.1%
Exports NA (2001) $NA
Exports - commodities textiles and footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco refined petroleum products
Exports - partners Italy 76.6%, Germany 5.6%, Greece 2.7% (2002) US, Puerto Rico
Fiscal year calendar year 1 October - 30 September
Flag description red with a black two-headed eagle in the center white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
GDP purchasing power parity - $15.69 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $1.8 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 49%


industry: 27%


services: 24% (2002 est.)
agriculture:
NA%

industry:
NA%

services:
NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $4,400 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 7.3% (2002 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 41 00 N, 20 00 E 18 20 N, 64 50 W
Geography - note strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural, deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
Heliports 1 (2002) -
Highways total: 18,000 km


paved: 5,400 km


unpaved: 12,600 km (2000)
total:
856 km

paved:
NA km

unpaved:
NA km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a far lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and growing cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and rapidly expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens -
Imports NA (2001) $NA
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Imports - partners Italy 39.4%, Greece 24.5%, Turkey 6%, Germany 5% (2002) US, Puerto Rico
Independence 28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire) -
Industrial production growth rate 9% (2000 est.) NA%
Industries food processing, textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Infant mortality rate total: 37.28 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 39.68 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 34.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
9.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 6% (2002 est.) NA%
International organization participation ACCT, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 10 (2001) 50 (2000)
Irrigated land 3,400 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court (chairman is elected by the People's Assembly for a four-year term) US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)
Labor force 1.283 million (not including 352,000 emigrant workers and 261,000 domestically unemployed) (2000 est.) 47,443 (1990 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 50%, industry and services 50% agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.)
Land boundaries total: 720 km


border countries: Greece 282 km, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 151 km, Serbia and Montenegro 287 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 21.09%


permanent crops: 4.45%


other: 74.46% (1998 est.)
arable land:
15%

permanent crops:
6%

permanent pastures:
26%

forests and woodland:
6%

other:
47% (1993 est.)
Languages Albanian (Tosk is the official dialect), Greek English (official), Spanish, Creole
Legal system has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on US laws
Legislative branch unicameral People's Assembly or Kuvendi Popullor (140 seats; 100 are elected by direct popular vote and 40 by proportional vote for four-year terms)


elections: last held 24 June 2001 with subsequent rounds on 8 July, 22 July, 29 July, 19 August 2001 (next to be held NA June 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - PS 41.5%, PD and coalition allies 36.8%, NDP 5.2%, PSD 3.6%, PBDNJ 2.6%, PASH 2.6%, PAD 2.5%; seats by party - PS 73, PD and coalition allies 46, NDP 6, PSD 4, PBDNJ 3, PASH 3, PAD 3, independents 2
unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)

elections:
last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 6, ICM 2, independents 7

note:
the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2002); results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) elected
Life expectancy at birth total population: 72.37 years


male: 69.53 years


female: 75.42 years (2003 est.)
total population:
78.27 years

male:
74.38 years

female:
82.39 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition: age 9 and over can read and write


total population: 86.5%


male: 93.3%


female: 79.5% (2003 est.)
definition:
NA

total population:
NA%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
Location Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece and Serbia and Montenegro Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Map references Europe Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation


territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total: 13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 21,954 GRT/34,412 DWT


ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 11, roll on/roll off 1, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Croatia 1, Honduras 1 (2002 est.)
none (2000 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the US
Military branches Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Interior Ministry Troops, Border Guards -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $56.5 million (FY02) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.49% (FY02) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 906,168 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 742,837 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - military age 19 years of age (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 36,985 (2003 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 28 November (1912) Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)
Nationality noun: Albanian(s)


adjective: Albanian
noun:
Virgin Islander(s)

adjective:
Virgin Islander
Natural hazards destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, timber, nickel, hydropower sun, sand, sea, surf
Net migration rate -1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) 0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines gas 339 km; oil 207 km (2003) -
Political parties and leaders Agrarian Party of Albania or PASH [Lufter XHUVELI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Zef BUSHATI]; Communist Party of Albania or PKSH [Hysni MILLOSHI]; Democratic Alliance or PAD [Nerltan CEKA]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Legality Movement Party or PLL [Guri DUROLLARI]; National Front Party (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Abaz ERMENJI]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet BEQUIRI]; Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU]; Social Democracy or DS [Paskal MILO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI]; Socialist Party or PS (formerly the Albanian Party of Labor) [Fatos NANO]; Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vasil MELO] Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHON]; Republican Party [Gary SCROUVE]
Political pressure groups and leaders Omonia [Vangjel DULES] NA
Population 3,582,205 (July 2003 est.) 122,211 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 30% (2001 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 1.03% (2003 est.) 1.06% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix
Radio broadcast stations AM 13, FM 4, shortwave 2 (2001) AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 107,000 (1997)
Railways total: 447 km


standard gauge: 447 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)
0 km
Religions Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10%


note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth:
1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.06 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.88 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Telephone system general assessment: Albania has the poorest telephone service in Europe with fewer than two telephones per 100 inhabitants; it is doubtful that every village has telephone service


domestic: obsolete wire system; no longer provides a telephone for every village; in 1992, following the fall of the Communist government, peasants cut the wire to about 1,000 villages and used it to build fences


international: inadequate; international traffic carried by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece
general assessment:
NA

domestic:
modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay

international:
submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA
Telephones - main lines in use 120,000 (2001) 62,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 250,000 (2001) 2,000 (1992)
Television broadcast stations 3 (plus 58 repeaters) (2001) 2 (1997)
Terrain mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Total fertility rate 2.22 children born/woman (2003 est.) 2.25 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 17% officially; may be as high as 30% (2001 est.) 4.9% (March 1999)
Waterways 43 km


note: includes Albanian sections of Lake Scutari, Lake Ohrid, and Lake Prespa (1990)
none
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