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Compare Belgium (2001) - Slovakia (2001)

Compare Belgium (2001) z Slovakia (2001)

 Belgium (2001)Slovakia (2001)
 BelgiumSlovakia
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 8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky
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:
18.86% (male 522,563; female 498,832)

15-64 years:
69.6% (male 1,872,496; female 1,896,249)

65 years and over:
11.54% (male 236,996; female 387,801) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, cattle, poultry; forest products
Airports 42 (2000 est.) 35 (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:
18

over 3,047 m:
1

2,438 to 3,047 m:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
3

914 to 1,523 m:
3

under 914 m:
8 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
18

914 to 1,523 m:
2

under 914 m:
16 (2000 est.)
total:
17

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
9

under 914 m:
7 (2000 est.)
Area total:
30,510 sq km

land:
30,230 sq km

water:
280 sq km
total:
48,845 sq km

land:
48,800 sq km

water:
45 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Maryland about twice the size of New Hampshire
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. In 1918 the Slovaks joined the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a communist nation within Soviet-ruled Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Historic, political, and geographic factors have caused Slovakia to experience more difficulty in developing a modern market economy than some of its Central European neighbors.
Birth rate 10.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 10.05 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$114.8 billion

expenditures:
$117 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.6 billion (1999)
revenues:
$5.2 billion

expenditures:
$5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)
Capital Brussels Bratislava
Climate temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Coastline 66 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state ratified 1 September 1992, fully effective 1 January 1993; changed in September 1998 to allow direct election of the president; amended February 2001 to allow Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership
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:
Slovak Republic

conventional short form:
Slovakia

local long form:
Slovenska Republika

local short form:
Slovensko
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
Slovak koruna (SKK)
Death rate 10.1 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 9.25 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $28.3 billion (1999 est.) $10.3 billion (2000 est.)
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
chief of mission:
Ambassador Carl SPIELVOGEL

embassy:
Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava

mailing address:
use embassy street address

telephone:
[421] (7) 5443-3338

FAX:
[421] (7) 5443-0096
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 Martin BUTORA

chancery:
Suite 250, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; note - new chancery opening in June 2001 at International Court NW, Washington, DC

telephone:
[1] (202) 965-5161

FAX:
[1] (202) 965-5166
Disputes - international none Gabcikovo/Nagymaros Dam dispute with Hungary is before the ICJ
Economic aid - donor ODA, $764 million (1997) -
Economic aid - recipient - $421.9 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. Slovakia continues the difficult transition from a centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. The economic slowdown in 1999 stemmed from large budget and current account deficits, fast-growing external debt, and persistent corruption. Even though GDP growth reached only 2.2% in 2000, the year was marked by positive developments such as foreign direct investment of $1.5 billion, strong export performance, restructuring and privatization in the banking sector, entry into the OECD, and initial efforts to stem corruption. Strong challenges face the government in 2001, especially the maintenance of fiscal balance, the further privatization of the economy, and the reduction of unemployment.
Electricity - consumption 75.089 billion kWh (1999) 21.471 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 8.207 billion kWh (1999) 930 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 9.055 billion kWh (1999) 1.4 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 79.829 billion kWh (1999) 22.582 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
40.01%

hydro:
0.42%

nuclear:
58.33%

other:
1.24% (1999)
fossil fuel:
37.56%

hydro:
18.27%

nuclear:
44.17%

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

highest point:
Signal de Botrange 694 m
lowest point:
Bodrok River 94 m

highest point:
Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 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 air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests
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:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% Slovak 85.7%, Hungarian 10.6%, Roma 1.6% (the 1992 census figures underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which is about 500,000), Czech, Moravian, Silesian 1.1%, Ruthenian and Ukrainian 0.6%, German 0.1%, Polish 0.1%, other 0.2% (1996)
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) koruny per US dollar - 48.09 (March 2001), 46.395 (2000), 41.363 (1999), 35.233 (1998), 33.616 (1997), 30.654 (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 Rudolf SCHUSTER (since 15 June 1999)

head of government:
Prime Minister Mikulas DZURINDA (since 30 October 1998)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

elections:
president elected by direct popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 May 1999 (next to be held NA May/June 2004); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president

election results:
Rudolf SCHUSTER elected president in the first direct, popular election; percent of vote - Rudolf SCHUSTER 57%

note:
government coalition - SDK, SDL, SMK, SOP, KDH
Exports $181.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $12 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products machinery and transport equipment 39.4%, intermediate manufactured goods 27.5%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 13%, chemicals 8% (1999)
Exports - partners EU 76% (Germany 18%, France 18%, Netherlands 12%, UK 10%) (1999) EU 59.7% (Germany 27.8%, Austria 8%, Italy 8.9%), Czech Republic 18.1% (1999)
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 equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
GDP purchasing power parity - $259.2 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $55.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
1.4%

industry:
26%

services:
72.6% (2000 est.)
agriculture:
4.5%

industry:
29.3%

services:
66.2% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $25,300 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $10,200 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.1% (2000 est.) 2.2% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 50 50 N, 4 00 E 48 40 N, 19 30 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 landlocked
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:
17,710 km

paved:
17,533 km (including 288 km of expressways)

unpaved:
177 km (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
3.7%

highest 10%:
20.2% (1992)
lowest 10%:
5.1%

highest 10%:
18.2% (1992)
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 transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe
Imports $166 billion (c.i.f., 2000) $12.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products machinery and transport equipment 37.7%, intermediate manufactured goods 18%, fuels 13%, chemicals 11%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 9.5% (1999)
Imports - partners EU 71% (Germany 18%, Netherlands 17%, France 14%, UK 9%) (1999) EU 51.4% (Germany 26%, Italy 7.1%), Czech Republic 16.6%, Russia 11.9% (1999)
Independence 21 July 1831 (from the Netherlands) 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)
Industrial production growth rate 5.5% (2000 est.) 9.3% (2000 est.)
Industries engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal metal and metal products; food and beverages; electricity, gas, coke, oil, nuclear fuel; chemicals and manmade fibers; machinery; paper and printing; earthenware and ceramics; transport vehicles; textiles; electrical and optical apparatus; rubber products
Infant mortality rate 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 8.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.2% (2000 est.) 12.2% (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 Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 61 (2000) 6 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 800 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 elected by the National Council); Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of nominees approved by the National Council)
Labor force 4.34 million (1999) 3 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.) industry 29.3%, agriculture 8.9%, construction 8%, transport and communication 8.2%, services 45.6% (1994)
Land boundaries total:
1,385 km

border countries:
France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
total:
1,355 km

border countries:
Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 515 km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 90 km
Land use arable land:
24%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
20%

forests and woodland:
21%

other:
34%
arable land:
31%

permanent crops:
3%

permanent pastures:
17%

forests and woodland:
41%

other:
8% (1993 est.)
Languages Dutch 58%, French 32%, German 10%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) Slovak (official), Hungarian
Legal system civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
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 Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 25-26 September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - HZDS 27%, SDK 26.3%, SDL 14.7%, SMK 9.1%, SNS 9.1%, SOP 8%; seats by party - governing coalition 93 (SDK 42, SDL 23, SMK 15, SOP 13), opposition 57 (HZDS 43, SNS 14)
Life expectancy at birth total population:
77.96 years

male:
74.63 years

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

male:
69.95 years

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

total population:
98%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
definition:
NA

total population:
NA%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
Location Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Central Europe, south of Poland
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
none (landlocked)
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) totaling 15,041 GRT/19,517 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 3 (2000 est.)
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Medical Service Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, Civil Defense Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $2.5 billion (FY01) $380 million (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.2% (FY99) 1.71% (FY00)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
2,517,596 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
1,487,093 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
2,079,624 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
1,136,811 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 19 years of age 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
63,247 (2001 est.)
males:
45,502 (2001 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 21 July (1831) Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
Nationality noun:
Belgian(s)

adjective:
Belgian
noun:
Slovak(s)

adjective:
Slovak
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 brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land
Net migration rate 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 km petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 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 Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Pavol HRUSOVSKY]; Liberal Democratic Union or LDU [Jan BUDAJ]; Movement for a Democratic Slovakia or HZDS [Vladimir MECIAR]; Party of Civic Understanding or SOP [Pavol HAMZIK]; Party of the Democratic Left or SDL [Jozef MIGAS]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Bela BUGAR]; Slovak Democratic and Christian Union or SDKU [Mikulas DZURINDA]; note - this is DZURINDA's new party for 2002 elections; he remains chairman of a rump and splintering SDK; Slovak Democratic Coalition or SDK (loose parliamentary club grouping representing members of the smaller SSDS, SZS, and those committed to run under SDKU in 2002) [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS [Anna MALIKOVA]
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 Association of Employers of Slovakia; Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; Metal Workers Unions or KOVO and METALURG
Population 10,258,762 (July 2001 est.) 5,414,937 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 4% NA%
Population growth rate 0.16% (2001 est.) 0.13% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge Bratislava, Komarno
Radio broadcast stations FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 15, FM 78, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios 8.075 million (1997) 3.12 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)
total:
3,660 km

broad gauge:
102 km 1.520-m gauge

standard gauge:
3,507 km 1.435-m gauge (1,505 km electrified; 1,011 km double track)

narrow gauge:
51 km (46 km 1,000-m gauge; 5 km 0.750-m gauge) (1998)
Religions Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25% Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5%
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:
0.99 male(s)/female

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

total population:
0.95 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:
a modernization and privatization program is increasing accessibility to telephone service, reducing the waiting time for new subscribers, and generally improving service quality

domestic:
predominantly an analog system that is now receiving digital equipment and is being enlarged with fiber-optic cable, especially in the larger cities; mobile cellular capability has been added

international:
three international exchanges (one in Bratislava and two in Banska Bystrica) are available; Slovakia is participating in several international telecommunications projects that will increase the availability of external services
Telephones - main lines in use 4.769 million (1997) 1,934,558 (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular 974,494 (1997) 736,662 (April 1999)
Television broadcast stations 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) 38 (plus 864 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south
Total fertility rate 1.61 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.25 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 8.4% (2000 est.) 17% (2000 est.)
Waterways 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) 172 km (all on the Danube)
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