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Compare Barbados (2003) - Aruba (2002)

Compare Barbados (2003) z Aruba (2002)

 Barbados (2003)Aruba (2002)
 BarbadosAruba
Administrative divisions 11 parishes; Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas; note - the city of Bridgetown may be given parish status none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Age structure 0-14 years: 21.2% (male 29,621; female 29,207)


15-64 years: 70% (male 94,840; female 99,230)


65 years and over: 8.8% (male 9,355; female 15,011) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: 21% (male 7,635; female 7,169)


15-64 years: 68.4% (male 23,270; female 24,906)


65 years and over: 10.6% (male 3,081; female 4,380) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products sugarcane, vegetables, cotton aloes; livestock; fish
Airports 1 (2002) 1 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


over 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Area total: 431 sq km


land: 431 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 193 sq km


land: 193 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC slightly larger than Washington, DC
Background The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. 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.
Birth rate 13.15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 12.22 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $847 million (including grants)


expenditures: $886 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
revenues: $135.81 million


expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000)
Capital Bridgetown Oranjestad
Climate tropical; rainy season (June to October) tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline 97 km 68.5 km
Constitution 30 November 1966 1 January 1986
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Barbados
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Aruba
Currency Barbadian dollar (BBD) Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)
Death rate 9.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 6.29 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $692 million (2002) $285 million (1996)
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 chief of mission: Ambassador Earl N. PHILLIPS, Jr.


embassy: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building, Broad Street, Bridgetown; (courier) ALICO Building-Cheapside, Bridgetown


mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown; FPO AA 34055


telephone: [1] (246) 436-4950


FAX: [1] (246) 429-5246, 429-3379
chief of mission: Consul General Deborah A. BOLTON


embassy: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao


mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao


telephone: [599] (9) 461-3066


FAX: [599] (9) 461-6489
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Michael Ian KING


chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 339-9201


FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467


consulate(s) general: Miami and New York


consulate(s): Los Angeles
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $9.1 million (1995) $26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996
Economy - overview Historically, the Barbadian economy had been dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities, but production in recent years has diversified into manufacturing and tourism. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners, and there is also a light-manufacturing sector. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The economy contracted in 2002 mainly due to a 3% decline in tourism. Growth should be positive in 2003, the precise level largely dependent on economic conditions in the US and Europe. 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. The government's goal of balancing the budget within two years will hamper expenditures, as will the decline in stopover tourist arrivals following the 11 September terrorist attacks.
Electricity - consumption 725.4 million kWh (2001) 418.5 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 780 million kWh (2001) 450 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Environment - current issues pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers NA
Environment - international agreements party to: Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity
-
Ethnic groups black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6% mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Exchange rates Barbadian dollars per US dollar - 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000), 2 (1999), 2 (1998) Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.7900 (fixed rate since 1986)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996)


head of government: Prime Minister Owen Seymour ARTHUR (since 6 September 1994); Deputy Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 26 May 2003)


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; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992)


head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001); deputy prime minister NA


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%
Exports NA (2001) $2.58 billion f.o.b. (including oil reexports) (2000)
Exports - commodities sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners US 14.7%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, UK 10.6%, Jamaica 6.2%, Saint Lucia 4.7% (2002) US 42%, Colombia 20%, Netherlands 12% (1999)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident) 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
GDP purchasing power parity - $4.153 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 6%


industry: 16%


services: 78% (2000 est.)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -2.8% (2002 est.) 2.5% (2000)
Geographic coordinates 13 10 N, 59 32 W 12 30 N, 69 58 W
Geography - note easternmost Caribbean island 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)
Highways total: 1,793 km


paved: 1,719 km


unpaved: 74 km (1999)
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)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity
Imports NA (2001) $2.61 billion f.o.b. (2000)
Imports - commodities consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners US 41.1%, Trinidad and Tobago 17%, UK 7.3%, Japan 4.2% (2002) US 63%, Netherlands 11%, Netherlands Antilles 3%, Japan (1999)
Independence 30 November 1966 (from UK) none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Industrial production growth rate -3.2% (2000 est.) NA%
Industries tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Infant mortality rate total: 12.72 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 14.39 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 11.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
6.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) -0.6% (2002 est.) 4% (2000)
International organization participation ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 19 (2000) NA
Irrigated land 10 sq km (1998 est.) 0.01 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court of Judicature (judges are appointed by the Service Commissions for the Judicial and Legal Services) Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch)
Labor force 128,500 (2001 est.) 41,501
Labor force - by occupation services 75%, industry 15%, agriculture 10% (1996 est.) most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 37.21%


permanent crops: 2.33%


other: 60.46% (1998 est.)
arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)


permanent crops: 0%


other: 89.47% (1998 est.)
Languages English Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Legal system English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Legislative branch bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (21-member body appointed by the governor general) and the House of Assembly (30 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: House of Assembly - last held 21 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2008)


election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - BLP 23, DLP 7
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
Life expectancy at birth total population: 71.84 years


male: 69.56 years


female: 74.14 years (2003 est.)
total population: 78.67 years


male: 75.32 years


female: 82.19 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 97.4%


male: 98%


female: 96.8% (1995 est.)
definition: NA


total population: 97%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 284,222 GRT/439,810 DWT


ships by type: bulk 8, cargo 22, combination bulk 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 2


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 1, The Bahamas 1, Canada 4, Germany 1, Greece 2, Hong Kong 7, Norway 7, UK 18 (2002 est.)
note: there is one foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Military branches Royal Barbados Defense Force (including Ground Forces and Coast Guard), Royal Barbados Police Force no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 77,862 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 53,282 (2003 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 30 November (1966) Flag Day, 18 March
Nationality noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)


adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)
noun: Aruban(s)


adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Natural hazards infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Natural resources petroleum, fish, natural gas NEGL; white sandy beaches
Net migration rate -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) NEGL migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Owen ARTHUR]; Democratic Labor Party or DLP [Clyde Mascoll] 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]
Political pressure groups and leaders Barbados Workers Union [Leroy TROTMAN]; Clement Payne Labor Union [David COMMISSIONG]; People's Progressive Movement [Eric SEALY]; Worker's Party of Barbados [Dr. George BELLE] NA
Population 277,264 (July 2003 est.) 70,441 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 0.38% (2003 est.) 0.59% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Bridgetown, Speightstown (Port Charles Marina) Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 50,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Protestant 67% (Anglican 40%, Pentecostal 8%, Methodist 7%, other 12%), Roman Catholic 4%, none 17%, other 12% Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
Sex ratio at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female


total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: island-wide automatic telephone system


international: satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia
general assessment: NA


domestic: more than adequate


international: 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
Telephones - main lines in use 108,000 (1997) 33,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 8,013 (1997) 3,402 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus two cable channels) (1997) 1 (1997)
Terrain relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Total fertility rate 1.65 children born/woman (2003 est.) 1.8 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 10% (2001 est.) 0.6%
Waterways none none
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