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Compare Aruba (2004) - Bahamas, The (2001)

Compare Aruba (2004) z Bahamas, The (2001)

 Aruba (2004)Bahamas, The (2001)
 ArubaBahamas, The
Administrative divisions none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nicholls Town and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay
Age structure 0-14 years: 20.3% (male 7,429; female 7,051)


15-64 years: 68.2% (male 23,587; female 25,007)


65 years and over: 11.4% (male 3,347; female 4,797) (2004 est.)
0-14 years:
29.43% (male 44,179; female 43,486)

15-64 years:
64.46% (male 94,329; female 97,674)

65 years and over:
6.11% (male 7,618; female 10,566) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products aloes; livestock; fish citrus, vegetables; poultry
Airports 1 (2003 est.) 65 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total:
36

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
16

914 to 1,523 m:
13

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total:
29

914 to 1,523 m:
6

under 914 m:
23 (2000 est.)
Area total: 193 sq km


land: 193 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total:
13,940 sq km

land:
10,070 sq km

water:
3,870 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Washington, DC slightly smaller than Connecticut
Background Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.
Birth rate 11.53 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 19.1 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $135.8 million


expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000)
revenues:
$766 million

expenditures:
$845 million, including capital expenditures of $97 million (FY97/98)
Capital Oranjestad Nassau
Climate tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Coastline 68.5 km 3,542 km
Constitution 1 January 1986 10 July 1973
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Aruba
conventional long form:
Commonwealth of The Bahamas

conventional short form:
The Bahamas
Currency Aruban guilder/florin (AWG) Bahamian dollar (BSD)
Death rate 6.47 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 7.14 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $285 million (1996) $385.8 million (2000 est.)
Dependency status part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs -
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles, Robert E. SORENSON, is accredited to Aruba chief of mission:
Ambassador-designate J. Richard BLANKENSHIP

embassy:
Queen Street, Nassau

mailing address:
local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; stateside address: American Embassy Nassau, P. O. Box 599009, Miami, FL 33159-9009; pouch address: Nassau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-3370

telephone:
[1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206

FAX:
[1] (242) 356-0222
Diplomatic representation in the US none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) chief of mission:
Ambassador Joshua SEARS

chancery:
2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 319-2660

FAX:
[1] (202) 319-2668

consulate(s) general:
Miami and New York
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996 $9.8 million (1995)
Economy - overview Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and low unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance. The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs 40% of the archipelago's labor force. Moderate growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences led to an increase of the country's GDP by an estimated 3% in 1998, 6% in 1999, and 4.5% in 2000. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute only 10% of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run will depend heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector and continued sturdy growth in the US, which accounts for the majority of tourist visitors.
Electricity - consumption 494.7 million kWh (2001) 1.362 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 531.9 million kWh (2001) 1.465 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

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


highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m
Environment - current issues NA coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements - party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80% black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%
Exchange rates Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999) Bahamian dollars per US dollar - 1.000 (fixed rate pegged to the dollar)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004)


head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001)


cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)


elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005)


election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Orville TURNQUEST (since 2 January 1995)

head of government:
Prime Minister Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM (since 19 August 1992) and Deputy Prime Minister Frank WATSON (since December 1994)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general
Exports NA (2001) $376.8 million (2000 est.)
Exports - commodities live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfish, refined petroleum products
Exports - partners Netherlands 33.7%, Colombia 12%, Netherlands Antilles 12%, Panama 12%, Venezuela 10.8%, US 9.6% (2003) US 22.3%, Switzerland 15.6%, UK 15%, Denmark 7.4% (1998)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June
Flag description blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $4.5 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: NA
agriculture:
3%

industry:
7%

services:
90% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -1.5% (2002 est.) 4.5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 12 30 N, 69 58 W 24 15 N, 76 00 W
Geography - note a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain
Heliports - 1 (2000 est.)
Highways total: 800 km


paved: 513 km


unpaved: 287 km


note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995)
total:
2,693 km

paved:
1,546 km

unpaved:
1,147 km (1997)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; banking industry vulnerable to money laundering
Imports NA (2001) $1.73 billion (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs foodstuffs, manufactured goods, crude oil, vehicles, electronics
Imports - partners US 55.3%, Netherlands 13%, Netherlands Antilles 3.1% (2003) US 27.3%, Italy 26.5%, Japan 10%, Denmark 4.2% (1998)
Independence none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) 10 July 1973 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA (2002 est.) NA%
Industries tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe
Infant mortality rate total: 6.02 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 6.85 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 5.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
17.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.2% (2002 est.) 1.9% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WToO (associate) ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 19 (2000)
Irrigated land 0.01 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch) Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrates courts
Labor force 41,500 (1997 est.) 156,000 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining tourism 40%, other services 50%, industry 5%, agriculture 5% (1995 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)


permanent crops: 0%


other: 89.47% (2001)
arable land:
1%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
32%

other:
67% (1993 est.)
Languages Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish English, Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Legal system based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence based on English common law
Legislative branch unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 52.4%, AVP 26.7%, PPA 9.6%, OLA 5.7%, Aliansa 3.5%, other 2.1%; seats by party - MEP 12, AVP 6, PPA 2, OLA 1
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 14 March 1997 (next to be held by March 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FNM 35, PLP 5
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.98 years


male: 75.64 years


female: 82.49 years (2004 est.)
total population:
70.46 years

male:
67.27 years

female:
73.71 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition:


total population: 97%


male: NA


female: NA
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
98.2%

male:
98.5%

female:
98% (1995 est.)
Location Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims 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 total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,772 GRT/7,068 DWT


by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 2


foreign-owned: Germany 1, Russia 1


registered in other countries: 1 (2003 est.)
total:
1,049 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,000,221 GRT/44,601,471 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 185, cargo 214, chemical tanker 36, combination bulk 15, combination ore/oil 22, container 66, liquefied gas 33, livestock carrier 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 4, passenger 79, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 182, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 118, roll on/roll off 50, short-sea passenger 15, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 24

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Algeria 2, Australia 1, Austria 1, Bermuda 6, Belgium 14, Canada 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 2, Denmark 17, Finland 7, France 9, Germany 9, Greece 89, Hong Kong 7, Indonesia 2, India 1, Israel 4, Italy 8, Japan 23, Jamaica 1, Kenya 1, Lebanon 2, Luxembourg 2, Monaco 15, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 16, Norway 139, Poland 3, Portugal 2, Russia 2, Saudi Arabia 5, Singapore 12, Spain 7, Sweden 14, Syria 1, Switzerland 7, UAE 1, Trinidad and Tobago 2, UK 67, Ukraine 3, US 50, British Virgin Islands 1, British Virgin Islands 1 (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands -
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $20 million (FY95/96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA%
National holiday Flag Day, 18 March Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
Nationality noun: Aruban(s)


adjective: Aruban; Dutch
noun:
Bahamian(s)

adjective:
Bahamian
Natural hazards lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause extensive flood and wind damage
Natural resources NEGL; white sandy beaches salt, aragonite, timber, arable land
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) -2.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Alliance or Aliansa [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Jan (Henny) H. EMAN]; Concentration for the Liberation of Aruba or CLA [leader NA]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [Urbana LOPEZ]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY] Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 71,218 (July 2004 est.) 297,852

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 NA NA%
Population growth rate 0.51% (2004 est.) 0.93% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau
Radio broadcast stations AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 215,000 (1997)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth:
1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.02 male(s)/female

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

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

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


domestic: more than adequate


international: country code - 297; 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
general assessment:
modern facilities

domestic:
totally automatic system; highly developed

international:
tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (1997)
Telephones - main lines in use 37,100 (2002) 96,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 53,000 (2001) 6,152 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) 1 (1997)
Terrain flat with a few hills; scant vegetation long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Total fertility rate 1.79 children born/woman (2004 est.) 2.3 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 0.6% (2003 est.) 9% (1998 est.)
Waterways - none
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