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Compare Belgium (2001) - Gibraltar (2003)

Compare Belgium (2001) z Gibraltar (2003)

 Belgium (2001)Gibraltar (2003)
 BelgiumGibraltar
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 (overseas territory of the UK)
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: 18.3% (male 2,593; female 2,482)


15-64 years: 66.3% (male 9,458; female 8,946)


65 years and over: 15.4% (male 1,873; female 2,424) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk none
Airports 42 (2000 est.) 1 (2002)
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


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
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: 6.5 sq km


land: 6.5 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Maryland about 11 times the size of The Mall in 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. Strategically important, Gibraltar was ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In referendums held in 1967 and 2002, Gibraltarians ignored Spanish pressure and voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency.
Birth rate 10.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 11.09 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues:
$114.8 billion

expenditures:
$117 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.6 billion (1999)
revenues: $307 million


expenditures: $284 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 00/01 est.)
Capital Brussels Gibraltar
Climate temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
Coastline 66 km 12 km
Constitution 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state 30 May 1969
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: Gibraltar
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
Gibraltar pound (GIP)
Death rate 10.1 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 8.93 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $28.3 billion (1999 est.) $NA
Dependency status - overseas territory of the UK
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
none (overseas territory of the UK)
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 (overseas territory of the UK)
Disputes - international none Gibraltar residents vote overwhelmingly in referendum against "total shared sovereignty" arrangement worked out between Spain and UK to change 300-year rule over colony
Economic aid - donor ODA, $764 million (1997) -
Economic aid - recipient - $NA; note - if an agreement between Spain and the UK is reached, could receive 50 million euros from the EU
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. Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, the shipping sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP. Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment.
Electricity - consumption 75.089 billion kWh (1999) 93 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) 100 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
40.01%

hydro:
0.42%

nuclear:
58.33%

other:
1.24% (1999)
fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


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

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


highest point: Rock of Gibraltar 426 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 limited natural freshwater resources: large concrete or natural rock water catchments collect rainwater (no longer used for drinking water) and adequate desalination plant
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% Spanish, Italian, English, Maltese, Portuguese
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) Gibraltar pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), 0.6037 (1998); note - the Gibraltar pound is at par with the British pound
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 ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor and Commander-in-Chief Sir Francis RICHARDS (since 27 May 2003)


head of government: Chief Minister Peter CARUANA (since 17 May 1996)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed from among the 15 elected members of the House of Assembly by the governor in consultation with the chief minister


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor
Exports $181.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products (principally reexports) petroleum 51%, manufactured goods 41%, other 8%
Exports - partners EU 76% (Germany 18%, France 18%, Netherlands 12%, UK 10%) (1999) UK 27.7%, Switzerland 14.3%, Germany 12%, France 6.9%, Spain 6.1%, Turkmenistan 5%, Ukraine 4.6% (2002)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June
Flag description three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France two horizontal bands of white (top, double width) and red with a three-towered red castle in the center of the white band; hanging from the castle gate is a gold key centered in the red band
GDP purchasing power parity - $259.2 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $500 million (1997 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 - $17,500 (1997 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.1% (2000 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 50 50 N, 4 00 E 36 8 N, 5 21 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 strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
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: 29 km


paved: 29 km


unpaved: 0 km (2002)
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 -
Imports $166 billion (c.i.f., 2000) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products fuels, manufactured goods, and foodstuffs
Imports - partners EU 71% (Germany 18%, Netherlands 17%, France 14%, UK 9%) (1999) Germany 27.3%, Spain 21.8%, UK 12.1%, Italy 8% (2002)
Independence 21 July 1831 (from the Netherlands) none (overseas territory of the UK)
Industrial production growth rate 5.5% (2000 est.) NA%
Industries engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal tourism, banking and finance, ship repairing, tobacco
Infant mortality rate 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) total: 5.31 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 5.92 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 4.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.2% (2000 est.) 1.5% (1998)
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 Interpol (subbureau)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 61 (2000) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
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) Supreme Court; Court of Appeal
Labor force 4.34 million (1999) 14,800 (including non-Gibraltar laborers)
Labor force - by occupation services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.) services 60%, industry 40%, agriculture NEGL%
Land boundaries total:
1,385 km

border countries:
France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
total: 1.2 km


border countries: Spain 1.2 km
Land use arable land:
24%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
20%

forests and woodland:
21%

other:
34%
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (1998 est.)
Languages Dutch 58%, French 32%, German 10%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese
Legal system civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations English law
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 House of Assembly (18 seats - 15 elected by popular vote, one appointed for the Speaker, and two ex officio members; members serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 27 November 2003 (next to be held not later than NA 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - GSD 58%, GSLP 41%; seats by party - GSD 8, GSLP 7
Life expectancy at birth total population:
77.96 years

male:
74.63 years

female:
81.46 years (2001 est.)
total population: 79.38 years


male: 76.51 years


female: 82.4 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
98%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
definition: NA


total population: above 80%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain
Map references Europe Europe
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: 3 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: 114 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,008,140 GRT/1,435,595 DWT


ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 58, chemical tanker 14, container 20, multi-functional large-load carrier 3, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 13, roll on/roll off 2


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 1, Cyprus 1, France 2, Germany 55, Greece 6, Ireland 1, Monaco 2, Norway 3, United Kingdom 13 (2002 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the UK
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Medical Service no regular indigenous military forces; British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force
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) National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain
Nationality noun:
Belgian(s)

adjective:
Belgian
noun: Gibraltarian(s)


adjective: Gibraltar
Natural hazards flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes NA
Natural resources coal, natural gas NEGL
Net migration rate 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 km 0 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 Gibraltar Liberal Party [Joseph GARCIA]; Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Peter CARUANA]; Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Joseph John BOSSANO]
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 Chamber of Commerce; Gibraltar Representatives Organization; Women's Association
Population 10,258,762 (July 2001 est.) 27,776 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 4% NA%
Population growth rate 0.16% (2001 est.) 0.22% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge Gibraltar
Radio broadcast stations FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 5, 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 76.9%, Church of England 6.9%, Muslim 6.9%, Jewish 2.3%, none or other 7% (1991)
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: 1.06 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female


total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory 18 years of age; universal, plus other UK subjects who have been residents six months or more
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: adequate, automatic domestic system and adequate international facilities


domestic: automatic exchange facilities


international: radiotelephone; microwave radio relay; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 4.769 million (1997) 19,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 974,494 (1997) 1,620 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) 1 (plus three low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar
Total fertility rate 1.61 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.65 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 8.4% (2000 est.) 2% (2001 est.)
Waterways 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) none
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