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Compare Belgium (2001) - Aruba (2004)

Compare Belgium (2001) z Aruba (2004)

 Belgium (2001)Aruba (2004)
 BelgiumAruba
Administrative divisions 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Flemish: provincien, singular - provincie); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams Brabant, West-Vlaanderen; note - the Brussels Capitol Region is not included within the 10 provinces none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Age structure 0-14 years:
17.48% (male 916,957; female 876,029)

15-64 years:
65.57% (male 3,390,145; female 3,336,908)

65 years and over:
16.95% (male 709,212; female 1,029,511) (2001 est.)
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.)
Agriculture - products sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk aloes; livestock; fish
Airports 42 (2000 est.) 1 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
24

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:
6 (2000 est.)
total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
18

914 to 1,523 m:
2

under 914 m:
16 (2000 est.)
-
Area total:
30,510 sq km

land:
30,230 sq km

water:
280 sq km
total: 193 sq km


land: 193 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Maryland slightly larger than Washington, DC
Background 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. 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 10.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 11.53 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues:
$114.8 billion

expenditures:
$117 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.6 billion (1999)
revenues: $135.8 million


expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000)
Capital Brussels Oranjestad
Climate temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline 66 km 68.5 km
Constitution 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state 1 January 1986
Country name conventional long form:
Kingdom of Belgium

conventional short form:
Belgium

local long form:
Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie

local short form:
Belgique/Belgie
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Aruba
Currency Belgian franc (BEF); euro (EUR)

note:
on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Belgium at a fixed rate of 40.3399 Belgian francs per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002
Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)
Death rate 10.1 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 6.47 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $28.3 billion (1999 est.) $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 (vacant)

embassy:
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
the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles, Robert E. SORENSON, is accredited to Aruba
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Alexis REYN

chancery:
3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 333-6900

FAX:
[1] (202) 333-3079

consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor ODA, $764 million (1997) -
Economic aid - recipient - $26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996
Economy - overview 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, although the government is encouraging investment in the southern region of Wallonia. 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. About three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Belgium's public debt is expected to fall below 100% of GDP in 2002, and the government has succeeded in balancing is budget. Belgium became a charter member of the European Monetary Union (EMU) in January 1999. Economic growth in 2000 was broad based, putting the government in a good position to pursue its energy market liberalization policies and planned tax cuts. 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.
Electricity - consumption 75.089 billion kWh (1999) 494.7 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 8.207 billion kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 9.055 billion kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 79.829 billion kWh (1999) 531.9 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
40.01%

hydro:
0.42%

nuclear:
58.33%

other:
1.24% (1999)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point:
North Sea 0 m

highest point:
Signal de Botrange 694 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Environment - current issues the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, intense animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have impeded progress in tackling environmental challenges NA
Environment - international agreements party to:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
-
Ethnic groups Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Exchange rates euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Belgian francs per US dollar - 34.77 (January 1999), 36.229 (1998), 35.774 (1997), 30.962 (1996) Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999)
Executive branch 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 appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch and then approved by Parliament

note:
government coalition - VLD, PRL, PS, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO
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
Exports $181.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners EU 76% (Germany 18%, France 18%, Netherlands 12%, UK 10%) (1999) Netherlands 33.7%, Colombia 12%, Netherlands Antilles 12%, Panama 12%, Venezuela 10.8%, US 9.6% (2003)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France 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 - $259.2 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
1.4%

industry:
26%

services:
72.6% (2000 est.)
agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: NA
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $25,300 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.1% (2000 est.) -1.5% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 50 50 N, 4 00 E 12 30 N, 69 58 W
Geography - note crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of both the EU and NATO 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)
Heliports 1 (2000 est.) -
Highways total:
145,774 km

paved:
116,182 km (including 1,674 km of expressways)

unpaved:
29,592 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%:
3.7%

highest 10%:
20.2% (1992)
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs 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 transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity
Imports $166 billion (c.i.f., 2000) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners EU 71% (Germany 18%, Netherlands 17%, France 14%, UK 9%) (1999) US 55.3%, Netherlands 13%, Netherlands Antilles 3.1% (2003)
Independence 21 July 1831 (from the Netherlands) none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Industrial production growth rate 5.5% (2000 est.) NA (2002 est.)
Industries engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Infant mortality rate 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 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.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.2% (2000 est.) 3.2% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WToO (associate)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 61 (2000) -
Irrigated land NA sq km 0.01 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the monarch) Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch)
Labor force 4.34 million (1999) 41,500 (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.) most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Land boundaries total:
1,385 km

border countries:
France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
24%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
20%

forests and woodland:
21%

other:
34%
arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)


permanent crops: 0%


other: 89.47% (2001)
Languages Dutch 58%, French 32%, German 10%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Legal system civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Legislative branch 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 13 June 1999 (next to be held in NA 2003)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, CVP 14.7%, PRL 10.6%, PS 9.7%, VB 9.4%, SP 8.9%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.1%, PSC 6.0%, VU 5.1%; seats by party - VLD 11, CVP 10, PS 10, PRL 9, VB 6, SP 6, ECOLO 6, AGALEV 5, PSC 5, VU 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 14.3%, CVP 14.1%, PS 10.2%, PRL 10.1%, VB 9.9%, SP 9.5%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.0%, PSC 5.9%, VU 5.6%; seats by party - VLD 23, CVP 22, PS 19, PRL 18, VB 15, SP 14, ECOLO 11, PSC 10, AGALEV 9, VU 8, FN 1

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 Political parties and leaders
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:
77.96 years

male:
74.63 years

female:
81.46 years (2001 est.)
total population: 78.98 years


male: 75.64 years


female: 82.49 years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
98%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
definition:


total population: 97%


male: NA


female: NA
Location Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Map references Europe Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims continental shelf:
median line with neighbors

exclusive fishing zone:
median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)

territorial sea:
12 NM
territorial sea: 12 nm
Merchant marine total:
21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 32,912 GRT/53,161 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 6, chemical tanker 9, petroleum tanker 6 (2000 est.)
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.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Medical Service no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $2.5 billion (FY01) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.2% (FY99) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
2,517,596 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
2,079,624 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - military age 19 years of age -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
63,247 (2001 est.)
-
National holiday Independence Day, 21 July (1831) Flag Day, 18 March
Nationality noun:
Belgian(s)

adjective:
Belgian
noun: Aruban(s)


adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Natural hazards flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Natural resources coal, natural gas NEGL; white sandy beaches
Net migration rate 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 km -
Political parties and leaders AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Dos GEYSELS]; ECOLO (Francophone Greens) [no president]; Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP (Christian People's Party) [Stefaan DE CLERCK, president]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT, president]; Flemish Socialist Party or SP [Patrick JANSSENS, president]; Francophone Christian Democrats or PSC (Social Christian Party) [Joelle MILQUET, president]; Francophone Liberal Reformation Party or PRL [Daniel DUCARME, president]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO, president]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; Volksunie or VU [leader vacant]; other minor parties 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 Christian and Socialist 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 NA
Population 10,258,762 (July 2001 est.) 71,218 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line 4% NA
Population growth rate 0.16% (2001 est.) 0.51% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Radio broadcast stations FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 8.075 million (1997) -
Railways total:
3,437 km (2,446 km electrified; 2,563 km double track)

standard gauge:
3,437 km 1.435-m gauge (1998)
-
Religions Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25% Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
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.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system 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:
5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
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
Telephones - main lines in use 4.769 million (1997) 37,100 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 974,494 (1997) 53,000 (2001)
Television broadcast stations 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) 1 (1997)
Terrain flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Total fertility rate 1.61 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.79 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate 8.4% (2000 est.) 0.6% (2003 est.)
Waterways 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) -
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