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Compare Aruba (2004) - Belgium (2004)

Compare Aruba (2004) z Belgium (2004)

 Aruba (2004)Belgium (2004)
 ArubaBelgium
Administrative divisions none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen


note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities
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: 17.1% (male 901,486; female 863,092)


15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,424,438; female 3,364,057)


65 years and over: 17.3% (male 739,479; female 1,055,724) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products aloes; livestock; fish sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
Airports 1 (2003 est.) 42 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 25


over 3,047 m: 6


2,438 to 3,047 m: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 18


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)
Area total: 193 sq km


land: 193 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 30,528 sq km


land: 30,278 sq km


water: 250 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Washington, DC about the size of Maryland
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. Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.
Birth rate 11.53 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 10.59 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues: $135.8 million


expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000)
revenues: $151.6 billion


expenditures: $151.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.56 billion (2003)
Capital Oranjestad Brussels
Climate tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Coastline 68.5 km 66.5 km
Constitution 1 January 1986 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Aruba
conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium


conventional short form: Belgium


local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie


local short form: Belgique/Belgie
Currency Aruban guilder/florin (AWG) euro (EUR)


note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Death rate 6.47 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 10.2 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $285 million (1996) $28.3 billion (1999 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 Tom C. KOROLOGOS


embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels


mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710


telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111


FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725
Diplomatic representation in the US none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE


chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900


FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor - ODA, $1.072 billion (2002)
Economic aid - recipient $26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996 -
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. This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is about 100% of GDP, and the government has succeeded in balancing its budget. Belgium, together with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2004 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US.
Electricity - consumption 494.7 million kWh (2001) 78.18 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 6.712 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 15.82 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 531.9 million kWh (2001) 74.28 billion kWh (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
lowest point: North Sea 0 m


highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
Environment - current issues NA the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges
Environment - international agreements - party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Ethnic groups mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80% Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Exchange rates Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999) euros per US dollar - 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999)
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: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch


head of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999)


cabinet: Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by Parliament


note: government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP.A-Spirit
Exports NA (2001) 450,000 bbl/day (2001)
Exports - commodities live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Exports - partners Netherlands 33.7%, Colombia 12%, Netherlands Antilles 12%, Panama 12%, Venezuela 10.8%, US 9.6% (2003) Germany 19.5%, France 17.4%, Netherlands 11.7%, UK 9%, US 6.7%, Italy 5.4% (2003)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
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 vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France
GDP purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $299.1 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: NA
agriculture: 1.9%


industry: 26.3%


services: 71.8% (2003)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $29,100 (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -1.5% (2002 est.) 1.1% (2003 est.)
Geographic coordinates 12 30 N, 69 58 W 50 50 N, 4 00 E
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) crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO
Heliports - 1 (2003 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: 148,216 km


paved: 116,687 km (including 1,727 km of expressways)


unpaved: 31,529 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: 3.2%


highest 10%: 23% (1996)
Illicit drugs transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol and tobacco
Imports NA (2001) 1.042 million bbl/day (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products
Imports - partners US 55.3%, Netherlands 13%, Netherlands Antilles 3.1% (2003) Germany 17.7%, Netherlands 16.5%, France 13.2%, UK 7.5%, US 5.9%, Ireland 5.7% (2003)
Independence none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declares independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King Leopold I ascends to the throne)
Industrial production growth rate NA (2002 est.) -1.5% (2003 est.)
Industries tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum
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.)
total: 4.76 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.2% (2002 est.) 1.6% (2003 est.)
International organization participation ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WToO (associate) ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Irrigated land 0.01 sq km (1998 est.) 40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch) Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the Government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council)
Labor force 41,500 (1997 est.) 4.73 million (2003)
Labor force - by occupation most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining agriculture 1.3%, industry 24.5%, services 74.2% (2003 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,385 km


border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
Land use arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)


permanent crops: 0%


other: 89.47% (2001)
arable land: 23.28%


permanent crops: 0.4%


other: 76.32%


note: includes Luxembourg (2001)
Languages Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Legal system based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
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 a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 May 2003 (next to be held no later than May 2007)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit 15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH 5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5, VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR 11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit 23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8 Ecolo 4, other 2


note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly; for other acronyms of the listed parties see the Political parties and leaders entry
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.98 years


male: 75.64 years


female: 82.49 years (2004 est.)
total population: 78.44 years


male: 75.26 years


female: 81.75 years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition:


total population: 97%


male: NA


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


total population: 98%


male: NA


female: NA
Location Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Europe
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit


continental shelf: median line with neighbors
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: 50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,146,301 GRT/1,588,184 DWT


by type: bulk 1, cargo 8, chemical tanker 11, container 6, liquefied gas 18, petroleum tanker 6


foreign-owned: Denmark 6, Finland 1, France 2, Netherlands 3


registered in other countries: 69 (2004 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 Army, Naval, and Air Operations Commands
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $3.999 billion (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.3% (2003)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 2,509,538 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 2,068,221 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 61,270 (2004 est.)
National holiday Flag Day, 18 March 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I
Nationality noun: Aruban(s)


adjective: Aruban; Dutch
noun: Belgian(s)


adjective: Belgian
Natural hazards lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Natural resources NEGL; white sandy beaches coal, natural gas, construction materials, silica sand, carbonates
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Pipelines - gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2004)
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] Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Jo VANDEURZEN]; Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Bart SOMERS]; Flemish Socialist Party.Alternative or SP.A [Steve STEVAERT]; Francophone Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; Francophone Reformist Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; GROEN! (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) [Vera DUA]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Bart DE WEVER]; Spirit [Els VAN WEERT]; note - new party now associated with SP.A; Vlaams Belang or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants
Population 71,218 (July 2004 est.) 10,348,276 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 4% (1989 est.)
Population growth rate 0.51% (2004 est.) 0.16% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge
Radio broadcast stations AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998) FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)
Railways - total: 3,518 km


standard gauge: 3,518 km 1.435-m gauge (2,631 km electrified) (2003)
Religions Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%
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: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
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: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities


domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network


international: country code - 32; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
Telephones - main lines in use 37,100 (2002) 5,120,400 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 53,000 (2001) 8,135,500 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain flat with a few hills; scant vegetation flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Total fertility rate 1.79 children born/woman (2004 est.) 1.64 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate 0.6% (2003 est.) 8.1% (2003 est.)
Waterways - 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2003)
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