Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Belgium (2001) - Sao Tome and Principe (2001)

Compare Belgium (2001) z Sao Tome and Principe (2001)

 Belgium (2001)Sao Tome and Principe (2001)
 BelgiumSao Tome and Principe
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 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome

note:
Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995
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:
47.7% (male 39,857; female 38,859)

15-64 years:
48.28% (male 38,430; female 41,246)

65 years and over:
4.02% (male 3,034; female 3,608) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Airports 42 (2000 est.) 2 (2000 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:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1 (2000 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:
1,001 sq km

land:
1,001 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Maryland more than five 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. Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The first free elections were held in 1991.
Birth rate 10.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 42.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$114.8 billion

expenditures:
$117 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.6 billion (1999)
revenues:
$58 million

expenditures:
$114 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (1993 est.)
Capital Brussels Sao Tome
Climate temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Coastline 66 km 209 km
Constitution 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990
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:
Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe

conventional short form:
Sao Tome and Principe

local long form:
Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe

local short form:
Sao Tome e Principe
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
dobra (STD)
Death rate 10.1 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 7.54 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $28.3 billion (1999 est.) $268 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 Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
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
Sao Tome and Principe does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA, located at 122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1604, New York, NY 10168, telephone [1] (212) 317-0533
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor ODA, $764 million (1997) -
Economic aid - recipient - $200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program
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. This small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 25 years ago. However, cocoa production has substantially declined because of drought and mismanagement. The resulting shortage of cocoa for export has created a persistent balance-of-payments problem. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a significant amount of food. Over the years, it has been unable to service its external debt and has had to depend on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies, but economic growth has remained sluggish. Sao Tome is also optimistic that significant petroleum discoveries are forthcoming in its territorial waters in the oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea. Corruption scandals continue to weaken the economy. At the same time, progress in the economic reform program has attracted international financial institutions' support, and GDP growth will likely rise to at least 4% in 2001-02.
Electricity - consumption 75.089 billion kWh (1999) 15.8 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 8.207 billion kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 9.055 billion kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 79.829 billion kWh (1999) 17 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
40.01%

hydro:
0.42%

nuclear:
58.33%

other:
1.24% (1999)
fossil fuel:
41.18%

hydro:
58.82%

nuclear:
0%

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

highest point:
Signal de Botrange 694 m
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 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 and exhaustion
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, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily 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) dobras per US dollar - 2390.04 (December 2000), 7,119.0 (1999), 6,883.2 (1998), 4,552.5 (1997), 2,203.2 (1996)
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:
President Miguel TROVOADA (since 4 April 1991)

head of government:
Prime Minister Guilherma Posser da COSTA (since 30 December 1998)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 30 June and 21 July 1996 (next to be held NA July 2001); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president

election results:
Miguel TROVOADA reelected president in Sao Tome's second multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - Miguel TROVOADA 52.74%, Manuel Pinto da COSTA 47.26%
Exports $181.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $3.2 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products cocoa 90%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners EU 76% (Germany 18%, France 18%, Netherlands 12%, UK 10%) (1999) Netherlands 18%, Germany 9%, Portugal 9% (1998)
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 three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
GDP purchasing power parity - $259.2 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $178 million (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
1.4%

industry:
26%

services:
72.6% (2000 est.)
agriculture:
23%

industry:
19%

services:
58% (1997 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $25,300 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.1% (2000 est.) 3% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 50 50 N, 4 00 E 1 00 N, 7 00 E
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 -
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:
320 km

paved:
218 km

unpaved:
102 km (1996)
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) $40 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Imports - partners EU 71% (Germany 18%, Netherlands 17%, France 14%, UK 9%) (1999) Portugal 42%, US 20%, South Africa 6% (1998)
Independence 21 July 1831 (from the Netherlands) 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
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 light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timber
Infant mortality rate 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 48.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.2% (2000 est.) 5% (2000 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, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 61 (2000) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 100 sq km (1993 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) Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Labor force 4.34 million (1999) NA
Labor force - by occupation services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.) population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing

note:
shortages of skilled workers
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:
2%

permanent crops:
36%

permanent pastures:
1%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
61% (1993 est.)
Languages Dutch 58%, French 32%, German 10%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) Portuguese (official)
Legal system civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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 National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 8 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - MLSTP-PSD 56%, PCD 14.5%, ADI 29%; seats by party - MLSTP-PSD 31, ADI 16, PCD 8
Life expectancy at birth total population:
77.96 years

male:
74.63 years

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

male:
64.15 years

female:
67.07 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
98%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
73%

male:
85%

female:
62% (1991 est.)
Location Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
Map references Europe Africa
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
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

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.)
total:
39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 130,843 GRT/149,048 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 3, cargo 21, chemical tanker 1, container 3, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Medical Service Army, Navy, Security Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure $2.5 billion (FY01) $1 million (FY94)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.2% (FY99) 1.5% (FY94)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
2,517,596 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
34,205 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
2,079,624 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
18,043 (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, 12 July (1975)
Nationality noun:
Belgian(s)

adjective:
Belgian
noun:
Sao Tomean(s)

adjective:
Sao Tomean
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 fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -3.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 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 Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA]; Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; other small parties
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.) 165,034 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 4% NA%
Population growth rate 0.16% (2001 est.) 3.18% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge Santo Antonio, Sao Tome
Radio broadcast stations FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 8.075 million (1997) 38,000 (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% Christian 80% (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist)
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:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.03 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.97 male(s)/female (2001 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 facilities

domestic:
minimal system

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 4.769 million (1997) 3,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 974,494 (1997) 6,942 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) 2 (1997)
Terrain flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast volcanic, mountainous
Total fertility rate 1.61 children born/woman (2001 est.) 6.02 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 8.4% (2000 est.) NA%
Waterways 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) none
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.