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Compare Belgium (2001) - Saint Lucia (2003)

Compare Belgium (2001) z Saint Lucia (2003)

 Belgium (2001)Saint Lucia (2003)
 BelgiumSaint Lucia
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 11 quarters; Anse-la-Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort
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: 31.1% (male 25,883; female 24,569)


15-64 years: 63.7% (male 50,711; female 52,508)


65 years and over: 5.2% (male 3,147; female 5,339) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa
Airports 42 (2000 est.) 2 (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: 2


2,438 to 3,047 m: 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: 616 sq km


land: 606 sq km


water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Maryland 3.5 times the size of 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. The island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries, was contested between England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814. Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence in 1979.
Birth rate 10.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 20.93 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues:
$114.8 billion

expenditures:
$117 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.6 billion (1999)
revenues: $141.2 million


expenditures: $146.7 million, including capital expenditures of $25.1 million (2000 est.)
Capital Brussels Castries
Climate temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August
Coastline 66 km 158 km
Constitution 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state 22 February 1979
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: Saint Lucia
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
East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Death rate 10.1 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 5.24 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $28.3 billion (1999 est.) $214 million (2000)
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 Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador in Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia
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
chief of mission: Ambassador Sonia Merlyn JOHNNY


chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016


telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795


FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723


consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
Disputes - international none protests Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea
Economic aid - donor ODA, $764 million (1997) -
Economic aid - recipient - $51.8 million (1995)
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. The recent changes in the EU import preference regime and the increased competition from Latin American bananas have made economic diversification increasingly important in Saint Lucia. The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area, and the government is trying to revitalize the banana industry. Economic fundamentals remain solid.
Electricity - consumption 75.089 billion kWh (1999) 111.8 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) 120.2 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: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Gimie 950 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 deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region
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
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% black 90%, mixed 6%, East Indian 3%, white 1%
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) East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2002), 2.7 (2001), 2.7 (2000), 2.7 (1999), 2.7 (1998)
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 General Dr. Perlette LOUISY (since September 1997)


head of government: Prime Minister Kenneth Davis ANTHONY (since 24 May 1997) and Deputy Prime Minister Mario MICHEL (since 24 May 1997)


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


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general
Exports $181.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products bananas 41%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil
Exports - partners EU 76% (Germany 18%, France 18%, Netherlands 12%, UK 10%) (1999) UK 48.6%, US 27.8%, Barbados 7.6% (2002)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
Flag description three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France blue, with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
GDP purchasing power parity - $259.2 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $866 million (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
1.4%

industry:
26%

services:
72.6% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 7%


industry: 20%


services: 73% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $25,300 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $5,400 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.1% (2000 est.) 3.3% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 50 50 N, 4 00 E 13 53 N, 60 68 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 the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean
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: 1,210 km


paved: 63 km


unpaved: 1,147 km (1999 est.)
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 South American drugs destined for the US and Europe
Imports $166 billion (c.i.f., 2000) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products food 23%, manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 19%, chemicals, fuels
Imports - partners EU 71% (Germany 18%, Netherlands 17%, France 14%, UK 9%) (1999) Brazil 41.7%, US 21.4%, Trinidad and Tobago 11.9% (2002)
Independence 21 July 1831 (from the Netherlands) 22 February 1979 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 5.5% (2000 est.) -8.9% (1997 est.)
Industries engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing
Infant mortality rate 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) total: 14.37 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 15.51 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 13.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.2% (2000 est.) 3% (2001 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 ACCT, ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 61 (2000) 15 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 30 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) Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (jurisdiction extends to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
Labor force 4.34 million (1999) 43,800
Labor force - by occupation services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.) agriculture 21.7%, services 53.6%, industry, commerce, and manufacturing 24.7% (2002 est.)
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: 4.92%


permanent crops: 22.95%


other: 72.13% (1998 est.)
Languages Dutch 58%, French 32%, German 10%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) English (official), French patois
Legal system civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations based on English common 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
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; six members appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups) and the House of Assembly (17 seats; members are elected by popular vote from single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms)


elections: House of Assembly - last held 3 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006)


election results: House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - SLP 55%, UWP 37%, NA 3.5%; seats by party - SLP 14, UWP 3
Life expectancy at birth total population:
77.96 years

male:
74.63 years

female:
81.46 years (2001 est.)
total population: 73.08 years


male: 69.52 years


female: 76.9 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
98%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 67%


male: 65%


female: 69% (1980 est.)
Location Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
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
contiguous zone: 24 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:
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.)
none (2002 est.)
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Medical Service Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit and Coast Guard)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $2.5 billion (FY01) $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.2% (FY99) $NA
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) Independence Day, 22 February (1979)
Nationality noun:
Belgian(s)

adjective:
Belgian
noun: Saint Lucian(s)


adjective: Saint Lucian
Natural hazards flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes hurricanes and volcanic activity
Natural resources coal, natural gas forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential
Net migration rate 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 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 National Alliance or NA [George ODLUM]; Saint Lucia Freedom Party or SFP [Martinus FRANCOIS]; Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Kenneth ANTHONY]; Sou Tout Apwe Fete Fini or STAFF [Christopher HUNTE]; United Workers Party or UWP [Dr. Morella JOSEPH]
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.) 162,157 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 4% NA%
Population growth rate 0.16% (2001 est.) 1.25% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge Castries, Vieux Fort
Radio broadcast stations FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 2, FM 7 (plus 3 repeaters), 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)
0 km
Religions Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25% Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 3%, other Protestant 7%
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: 1.07 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female


total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2003 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: adequate system


domestic: system is automatically switched


international: direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados; international calls beyond these countries are carried by Intelsat from Martinique
Telephones - main lines in use 4.769 million (1997) 37,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 974,494 (1997) 1,600 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) 3 (of which two are commercial stations and one is a community antenna television or CATV channel) (1997)
Terrain flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys
Total fertility rate 1.61 children born/woman (2001 est.) 2.29 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 8.4% (2000 est.) 16.5% (1997 est.)
Waterways 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) none
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