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Compare American Samoa (2003) - Latvia (2001)

Compare American Samoa (2003) z Latvia (2001)

 American Samoa (2003)Latvia (2001)
 American SamoaLatvia
Administrative divisions none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
Age structure 0-14 years: 37.5% (male 13,557; female 12,818)


15-64 years: 57% (male 19,712; female 20,346)


65 years and over: 5.4% (male 2,081; female 1,746) (2003 est.)
0-14 years:
16.55% (male 201,746; female 193,036)

15-64 years:
68.15% (male 776,509; female 848,908)

65 years and over:
15.3% (male 118,110; female 246,922) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish
Airports 3 (2002) 25 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total:
13

2,438 to 3,047 m:
7

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
4 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total:
12

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
2

914 to 1,523 m:
2

under 914 m:
7 (2000 est.)
Area total: 199 sq km


land: 199 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
total:
64,589 sq km

land:
64,589 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Washington, DC slightly larger than West Virginia
Background Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year. After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions.
Birth rate 23.26 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 8.03 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $121 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants)


expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97)
revenues:
$1.33 billion

expenditures:
$1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Capital Pago Pago Riga
Climate tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation maritime; wet, moderate winters
Coastline 116 km 531 km
Constitution ratified 1966, in effect 1967 the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms
Country name conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa


conventional short form: American Samoa


abbreviation: AS
conventional long form:
Republic of Latvia

conventional short form:
Latvia

local long form:
Latvijas Republika

local short form:
Latvija

former:
Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Currency US dollar (USD) Latvian lat (LVL)
Death rate 4.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 14.8 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $NA $800 million (2000 est.)
Dependency status unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of the US) chief of mission:
Ambassador James H. HOLMES

embassy:
Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga

mailing address:
American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723

telephone:
[371] 721-0005

FAX:
[371] 782-0047
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of the US) chief of mission:
Ambassador Aivis RONIS

chancery:
4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone:
[1] (202) 726-8213, 8214

FAX:
[1] (202) 726-6785
Disputes - international none draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed; has not ratified 1998 maritime boundary agreement with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights)
Economic aid - recipient important financial support from the US, more than $40 million in 1994 $96.2 million (1995)
Economy - overview This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts most of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism, a developing sector, has been held back by the recurring financial difficulties in East Asia. In 2000, Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 - the first Baltic state to join - and was invited at the Helsinki EU Summit in December 1999 to begin accession talks in early 2000. Unemployment fell to 7.8% in 2000, down from 9.6% in 1999, and 9.2% in 1998. Privatization of large state-owned utilities and the shipping industry faced more delays in 2000, and political instability will continue to delay completion of the privatization process over the next year. Latvia projects 6% GDP growth, 2.5%-3.0% inflation, and a 1.7% fiscal deficit in 2001. Preparing for EU membership over the next few years remains a top foreign policy goal.
Electricity - consumption 120.9 million kWh (2001) 4.316 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 400 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 1 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 130 million kWh (2001) 3.996 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel:
31.78%

hydro:
68.22%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Lata 966 m
lowest point:
Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point:
Gaizinkalns 312 m
Environment - current issues limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military bases
Environment - international agreements - party to:
Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, other 5% Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used lati per US dollar - 0.614 (January 2001), 0.607 (2000), 0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997), 0.551 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)


head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003) following the death of Governor Tauese P. SUNIA on 26 March 2003; TULAFONO had been the Lieutenant Governor


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 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: Tauese P. SUNIA reelected governor; percent of vote - Tauese P. SUNIA (Democrat) 50.7%, Lealaifuaneva Peter REID (independent) 47.8%


note: Togiola TULAFONO became acting governor 26 March 2003 upon the death of Governor Tauese P. SUNIA
chief of state:
President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)

head of government:
Prime Minister Andris BERZINS (since 5 May 2000)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament

elections:
president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by NA June 2003); prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA elected as a compromise candidate in second phase of balloting, second round (after five rounds in first phase failed); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%
Exports NA (2001) $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities canned tuna 93% wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners Indonesia 71.1%, Japan 7.7%, Samoa 7.7%, Australia 6.7% (2002) Germany 16%, UK 11%, Sweden 11%, Russia 7% (1999)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September calendar year
Flag description blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
GDP purchasing power parity - $500 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
agriculture:
5%

industry:
33%

services:
62% (1999)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $8,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 5.5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 14 20 S, 170 00 W 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Geography - note Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean -
Highways total: 350 km


paved: 150 km


unpaved: 200 km
total:
59,178 km

paved:
22,843 km

unpaved:
36,335 km (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%:
2.9%

highest 10%:
25.9% (1998)
Illicit drugs - transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; limited production of illicit amphetamine, ephedrine, and ecstasy for export
Imports NA (2001) $3.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6% machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels
Imports - partners Australia 41%, New Zealand 23%, South Korea 18% (2002) Russia 15%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Sweden 7% (1999)
Independence none (territory of the US) 18 November 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 6.3% (2000 est.)
Industries tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate products
Infant mortality rate total: 9.82 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 11.61 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 7.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
15.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA% 2.7% (2000)
International organization participation ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 42 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 160 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior) Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)
Labor force 14,000 (1996) 1.4 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990) agriculture 10%, industry 25%, services 65% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total:
1,150 km

border countries:
Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
Land use arable land: 5%


permanent crops: 10%


other: 85% (1998 est.)
arable land:
27%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
13%

forests and woodland:
46%

other:
14% (1993 est.)
Languages Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English


note: most people are bilingual
Latvian or Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Legal system NA based on civil law system
Legislative branch bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms)


elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 18


note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat) reelected as delegate
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - People's Party 21%, LC 18%, TSP 14%, TB/LNNK 14%, Social Democrats 13%, New Party 7%; seats by party - People's Party 24, LC 21, TB/LNNK 17, TSP 16, Social Democrats 14, New Party 8
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.75 years


male: 71.35 years


female: 80.41 years (2003 est.)
total population:
68.7 years

male:
62.8 years

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


total population: 97%


male: 98%


female: 97% (1980 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
100%

male:
100%

female:
99% (1989 est.)
Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Map references Oceania Europe
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine none (2002 est.) total:
8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,984 GRT/29,978 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 3 (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the US -
Military branches - Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $60 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 0.9% (FY99)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
590,784 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
463,944 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
19,114 (2001 est.)
National holiday Flag Day, 17 April (1900) Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 18 November 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union
Nationality noun: American Samoan(s)


adjective: American Samoan
noun:
Latvian(s)

adjective:
Latvian
Natural hazards typhoons common from December to March NA
Natural resources pumice, pumicite minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, arable land
Net migration rate 3.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) -1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines - crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party [leader NA]; Republican Party [leader NA] Anticommunist Union or PA [P. MUCENIEKS]; Christian Democrat Union or LKDS [Talavs JUNDZIS]; Christian People's Party or KTP [Uldis AUGSTKALNS]; Democratic Party "Saimnieks" or DPS [Ziedonis CEVERS, chairman]; For Fatherland and Freedom or TB [Maris GRINBLATS], merged with LNNK; For Human Rights in a United Latvia [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Green Party or LZP [Olegs BATAREVSKI]; Latvian Liberal Party or LLP [J. DANOSS]; Latvian National Conservative Party or LNNK [Andrejs KRASTINS]; Latvian National Democratic Party or LNDP [A. MALINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDWU [Juris BOJARS and Janis ADAMSONS, leaders]; Latvian Unity Party or LVP [Alberis KAULS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Andrei PANTELEJEVS]; New Christian Party [Ainars SLESERS]; New Faction [Ingrida UDRE]; "Our Land" or MZ [M. DAMBEKALNE]; Party of Russian Citizens or LKPP [V. SOROCHIN, V. IVANOV]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Political Union of Economists or TPA [Edvins KIDE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 70,260 (July 2003 est.) 2,385,231 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.22% (2003 est.) -0.81% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Aunu'u (new construction), Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu, Pago Pago, Ta'u Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios - 1.76 million (1997)
Railways 0 km total:
2,412 km

broad gauge:
2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992)

narrow gauge:
33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)
Religions Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30% Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Sex ratio at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.19 male(s)/female


total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.85 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment:
inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use

domestic:
expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications

international:
international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)
Telephones - main lines in use 13,000 (1997) 748,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 2,550 (1997) 77,100 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island) low plain
Total fertility rate 3.3 children born/woman (2003 est.) 1.15 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 6% (2000) 7.8% (2000 est.)
Waterways none 300 km (perennially navigable)
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