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Compare Aruba (2004) - Iceland (2003)

Compare Aruba (2004) z Iceland (2003)

 Aruba (2004)Iceland (2003)
 ArubaIceland
Administrative divisions none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) 23 counties (syslur, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla


note: there may be four other counties
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: 22.7% (male 32,902; female 30,952)


15-64 years: 65.4% (male 92,519; female 91,000)


65 years and over: 11.9% (male 14,973; female 18,452) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products aloes; livestock; fish potatoes, green vegetables, chicken, pork, mutton; fish
Airports 1 (2003 est.) 86 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 13


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 8 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 73


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 21


under 914 m: 49 (2002)
Area total: 193 sq km


land: 193 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 103,000 sq km


land: 100,250 sq km


water: 2,750 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Washington, DC slightly smaller than Kentucky
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. Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards.
Birth rate 11.53 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 14.13 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $135.8 million


expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000)
revenues: $3.5 billion


expenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (1999)
Capital Oranjestad Reykjavik
Climate tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
Coastline 68.5 km 4,988 km
Constitution 1 January 1986 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Aruba
conventional long form: Republic of Iceland


conventional short form: Iceland


local long form: Lydhveldidh Island


local short form: Island
Currency Aruban guilder/florin (AWG) Icelandic krona (ISK)
Death rate 6.47 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 6.95 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $285 million (1996) $2.6 billion (1999)
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 James I. GADSDEN


embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik


mailing address: US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340


telephone: [354] 5629100


FAX: [354] 5629118
Diplomatic representation in the US none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) chief of mission: Ambassador Helgi AGUSTSSON


chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1704


telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653


FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656


consulate(s) general: New York
Disputes - international none Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark, Iceland, and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute with Denmark over the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Denmark, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM
Economic aid - donor - $NA
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. Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system (including generous housing subsidies), low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant hydrothermal and geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 70% of export earnings and employs 12% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Government policies include reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and new developments in software production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale watching. Growth had been remarkably steady in 1996-2001 at 3%-5%, but could not be sustained in 2002 in an environment of global recession. Growth resumed in 2003, and inflation dropped back from 5% to 2%.
Electricity - consumption 494.7 million kWh (2001) 7.341 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 531.9 million kWh (2001) 7.894 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 0.1%


hydro: 82.5%


nuclear: 0%


other: 17.5% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


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


highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)
Environment - current issues NA water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment
Environment - international agreements - party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Environmental Protection through Criminal Law, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Oil Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Persistent Organic Pollutants, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80% homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6%
Exchange rates Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999) Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 91.66 (2002), 97.42 (2001), 78.62 (2000), 72.34 (1999), 70.96 (1998)
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: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996)


head of government: Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by Parliament


elections: president, which is largely a ceremonial post, elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2004); President GRIMSSON ran unopposed in June 2000 so there were no elections; prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON ran unopposed in 2000 and was reelected
Exports NA (2001) 0 bbl/day (2001)
Exports - commodities live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon
Exports - partners Netherlands 33.7%, Colombia 12%, Netherlands Antilles 12%, Panama 12%, Venezuela 10.8%, US 9.6% (2003) Germany 18.5%, UK 17.5%, Netherlands 11.4%, US 10.9%, Spain 5.2%, Denmark 4.6%, Portugal 4.3%, Norway 4.2% (2002)
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 blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
GDP purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $8.444 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: NA
agriculture: 14% (includes fishing 12%)


industry: 21%


services: 65% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $30,200 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -1.5% (2002 est.) -0.6% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 12 30 N, 69 58 W 65 00 N, 18 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 between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe
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: 12,955 km


paved/oiled gravel: 3,863 km


unpaved: 9,092 km (2003)
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 -
Imports NA (2001) 15,470 bbl/day (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners US 55.3%, Netherlands 13%, Netherlands Antilles 3.1% (2003) US 10.9%, Germany 10.7%, Denmark 8.5%, Norway 8%, UK 7.5%, Netherlands 6%, Sweden 5.9% (2002)
Independence none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
Industrial production growth rate NA (2002 est.) 0.2% (2002 est.)
Industries tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism
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: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.2% (2002 est.) 5.2% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WToO (associate) Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 20 (2001)
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 or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice)
Labor force 41,500 (1997 est.) 159,000 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining agriculture 5.1%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, manufacturing 12.9%, construction 10.7%, other services 59.5% (1999)
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: 28%


forest and woodlands: 1%


other: 70% (2001 est.)
Languages Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken
Legal system based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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
unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 10 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 33.7%, Social Democratic Alliance 31.0%, Progressive Party 17.7%, Left-Green Alliance 8.8%, Liberal Party 7.4%; seats by party - Independence Party 22, Social Democratic Alliance 20, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 5, Liberal Party 4
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.98 years


male: 75.64 years


female: 82.49 years (2004 est.)
total population: 79.8 years


male: 77.54 years


female: 82.22 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition:


total population: 97%


male: NA


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


total population: 99.9% (1997 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Arctic Region
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


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 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,500 GRT/5,000 DWT


ships by type: chemical tanker 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $0
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 71,157 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 62,552 (2003 est.)
National holiday Flag Day, 18 March Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
Nationality noun: Aruban(s)


adjective: Aruban; Dutch
noun: Icelander(s)


adjective: Icelandic
Natural hazards lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt earthquakes and volcanic activity
Natural resources NEGL; white sandy beaches fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) -2.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 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] Independence Party or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance or LGP [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; Social Democratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List)or SDA [Ossur SKARPHEDINSSON]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Sighvatur BJORGVINSSON]; Women's List or WL [Kristin ASTGEIRSDOTTIR]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 71,218 (July 2004 est.) 280,798 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate 0.51% (2004 est.) 0.49% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas Akureyri, Hornafjordhur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vesttmannaeyjar
Radio broadcast stations AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish Evangelical Lutheran 87.1%, other Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7%, other 7.1% (2002)
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: 1.08 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 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: extensive domestic service


domestic: the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay links


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)
Telephones - main lines in use 37,100 (2002) 196,984 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular 53,000 (2001) 248,131 (221,231 GSM, 26,900 NMT) (2001)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain flat with a few hills; scant vegetation mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Total fertility rate 1.79 children born/woman (2004 est.) 1.98 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 0.6% (2003 est.) 2.8% (2002 est.)
Waterways - none
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