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Compare Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2002) - Belize (2004)

Compare Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2002) z Belize (2004)

 Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2002)Belize (2004)
 Ashmore and Cartier IslandsBelize
Administrative divisions - 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Age structure - 0-14 years: 40.6% (male 56,530; female 54,322)


15-64 years: 55.8% (male 77,118; female 75,309)


65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,674; female 4,992) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products - bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments
Airports - 43 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways - total: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 38


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 11


under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)
Area total: 5 sq km


land: 5 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
total: 22,966 sq km


land: 22,806 sq km


water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Background These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983 it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increased urban crime.
Birth rate - 29.89 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget - revenues: $222 million


expenditures: $300 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (2003 est.)
Capital - Belmopan
Climate tropical tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Coastline 74.1 km 386 km
Constitution - 21 September 1981
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands


conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Belize


former: British Honduras
Currency - Belizean dollar (BZD)
Death rate - 6.04 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external - $475 million (2001 est.)
Dependency status territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission: Ambassador Russell F. FREEMAN


embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane, Belize City


mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Belize City


telephone: [501] 227-7161 through 7163


FAX: [501] 2-30802
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN


chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636


FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888


consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Disputes - international - Guatemalan squatters continue to settle along the border region; an OAS brokered Differendum in 2002 created a small adjustment to the land boundary, a large Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, a joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and a substantial US-UK financial package, but agreement was not brought to popular referendum leaving Guatemala to continue to claim the southern half of Belize
Economic aid - recipient - NA
Economy - overview no economic activity In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by cane sugar, citrus, marine products, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth of 6.5% in 1999, 10.8% in 2000, 4.6% in 2001, and 3.7% in 2002. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors.
Electricity - consumption - 185.5 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production - 199.5 million kWh (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location 3 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Environment - current issues NA deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups - mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
Exchange rates - Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2003), 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000), 2 (1999)
Executive branch - chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993)


head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Exports - NA (2001)
Exports - commodities - sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
Exports - partners - US 39.1%, UK 25%, France 4% (2003)
Fiscal year - 1 April - 31 March
Flag description the flag of Australia is used blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland
GDP - purchasing power parity - $1.28 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector - agriculture: 22.7%


industry: 24.5%


services: 52.8% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate - 3.7% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 12 14 S, 123 05 E 17 15 N, 88 45 W
Geography - note Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Highways - total: 2,872 km


paved: 488 km


unpaved: 2,384 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs - major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and offshore sector
Imports - NA (2001)
Imports - commodities - machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco
Imports - partners - US 41.9%, Mexico 12.4%, UK 5.9%, Cuba 5.5% (2003)
Independence - 21 September 1981 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate - 4.6% (1999)
Industries - garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
Infant mortality rate - total: 26.37 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 29.75 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 22.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 2.6% (2003 est.)
International organization participation - ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Irrigated land 0 sq km (1998 est.) 30 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch - Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister)
Labor force - 90,000


note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 516 km


border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (all grass and sand) (1998 est.)
arable land: 2.85%


permanent crops: 1.71%


other: 95.44% (2001)
Languages - English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Legal system the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply English law
Legislative branch - bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 members appointed by the governor general - six on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; members are appointed for five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2008)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 21, UDP 8
Life expectancy at birth - total population: 67.43 years


male: 65.11 years


female: 69.86 years (2004 est.)
Literacy - definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 94.1%


male: 94.1%


female: 94.1% (2003 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Australia Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Map references Southeast Asia Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims contiguous zone: 12 NM


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation


exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Merchant marine - total: 336 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,015,270 GRT/1,336,890 DWT


by type: bulk 13, cargo 240, chemical tanker 11, combination bulk 4, combination ore/oil 1, container 10, multi-functional large load carrier 1, petroleum tanker 27, refrigerated cargo 18, roll on/roll off 8, short-sea/passenger 1, specialized tanker 2


foreign-owned: Bahamas 2, Belgium 1, British Virgin Islands 11, Cambodia 6, China 67, Cuba 2, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Estonia 8, Germany 5, Greece 2, Grenada 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 27, Indonesia 4, Italy 2, Japan 5, Jordan 1, South Korea 13, Latvia 5, Liberia 2, Malaysia 4, Malta 1, Isle of Man 1, Marshall Islands 16, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Nigeria 2, Panama 15, Philippines 4, Portugal 1, Russia 9, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Singapore 9, Spain 6, Switzerland 2, Taiwan 1, Thailand 3, Tunisia 1, Turkey 2, Ukraine 3, United Kingdom 1, United States 3, Yemen 1


registered in other countries: 25 (2004 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force -
Military branches - Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $18 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 2% (2003)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 68,518 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 40,619 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 3,122 (2004 est.)
National holiday - Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Nationality - noun: Belizean(s)


adjective: Belizean
Natural hazards surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Natural resources fish arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Net migration rate - 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
People - note the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem -
Political parties and leaders - People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders - Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Adele CATZIM]
Population no indigenous inhabitants


note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh waster at Ashmore Reef's West Island
272,945 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line - 33% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate - 2.39% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors none; offshore anchorage only Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Radio broadcast stations - AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Religions - Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Anglican 5.3%, Methodist 3.5%, Mennonite 4.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Pentecostal 7.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), none 9.4%, other 14% (2000)
Sex ratio - 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: 0.94 male(s)/female


total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage - 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system - general assessment: above-average system


domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay


international: country code - 501; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use - 33,300 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular - 60,400 (2003)
Television broadcast stations - 2 (1997)
Terrain low with sand and coral flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Total fertility rate - 3.77 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate - 9.1% (2002)
Waterways none 825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2004)
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