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Compare Belgium (2002) - Andorra (2001)

Compare Belgium (2002) z Andorra (2001)

 Belgium (2002)Andorra (2001)
 BelgiumAndorra
Administrative divisions 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincien, singular - provincie) and 1 region* (French: region; Dutch: gewest); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, West-Vlaanderen 7 parishes (parroquies, singular - parroquia); Andorra la Vella, Canillo, Encamp, La Massana, Escaldes-Engordany, Ordino, Sant Julia de Loria
Age structure 0-14 years: 17.3% (male 911,729; female 871,470)


15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,395,885; female 3,341,536)


65 years and over: 17.1% (male 716,673; female 1,037,302) (2002 est.)
0-14 years:
15.29% (male 5,425; female 4,917)

15-64 years:
72.06% (male 25,654; female 23,078)

65 years and over:
12.65% (male 4,299; female 4,254) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk small quantities of tobacco, rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables; sheep
Airports 42 (2001) none (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 25


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: 7 (2002)
-
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 17


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 15 (2002)
-
Area total: 30,510 sq km


land: 30,230 sq km


water: 280 sq km
total:
468 sq km

land:
468 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Maryland 2.5 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. Long isolated and impoverished, mountainous Andorra has achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.
Birth rate 10.58 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 10.29 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $113.4 billion


expenditures: $106 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.17 billion (2000)
revenues:
$385 million

expenditures:
$342 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
Capital Brussels Andorra la Vella
Climate temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
Coastline 66 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state Andorra's first written constitution was drafted in 1991; approved by referendum 14 March 1993; came into force 4 May 1993
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:
Principality of Andorra

conventional short form:
Andorra

local long form:
Principat d'Andorra

local short form:
Andorra
Currency euro (EUR); Belgian franc (BEF)


note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
French franc (FRF); Spanish peseta (ESP); euro (EUR)
Death rate 10.08 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $28.3 billion (1999 est.) $NA
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen Franklin BRAUER


embassy: Regentlaan 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 Andorra; the US Ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; telephone: (3493) 280-2227; FAX: (3493) 205-7705
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE


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 (vacant)

chancery:
2 United Nations Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10017

telephone:
[1] (212) 750-8064

FAX:
[1] (212) 750-6630
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor ODA, $764 million (1997) (1997) -
Economic aid - recipient - none
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. 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. Public debt is about 100% of GDP, and the government has succeeded in balancing its budget. Belgium, together with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-02 dropped sharply due to the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2003 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US. Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the economy. Agricultural production is limited by a scarcity of arable land, and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.
Electricity - consumption 78.13 billion kWh (2000) NA kWh
Electricity - exports 7.309 billion kWh (2000) NA kWh
Electricity - imports 11.645 billion kWh (2000) NA kWh

note:
most electricity supplied by Spain and France; Andorra generates a small amount of hydropower
Electricity - production 79.348 billion kWh (2000) -
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 40%


hydro: 1%


nuclear: 58%


other: 1% (2000)
fossil fuel:
NA%

hydro:
NA%

nuclear:
NA%

other:
NA%
Elevation extremes lowest point: North Sea 0 m


highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
lowest point:
Riu Runer 840 m

highest point:
Coma Pedrosa 2,946 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 slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges deforestation; overgrazing of mountain meadows contributes to soil erosion; air pollution; wastewater treatment and solid waste disposal
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:
Hazardous Wastes

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% Spanish 43%, Andorran 33%, Portuguese 11%, French 7%, other 6% (1998)
Exchange rates euros per US dollar - 1.1324 (January 2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Belgian francs per US dollar - 34.77 (January 1999), 36.229 (1998), 35.774 (1997) euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996); Spanish pesetas per US dollar - 149.40 (1998), 146.41 (1997), 126.66 (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 monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by Parliament


note: government coalition - VLD, PRL-FDF, PS, MCC, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO
chief of state:
French Coprince Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995), represented by Frederic de SAINT-SERNIN (since NA); Spanish Coprince Episcopal Monseigneur Joan MARTI Alanis (since 31 January 1971), represented by Nemesi MARQUES OSTE (since NA)

head of government:
Executive Council President Marc FORNE Molne (since 21 December 1994)

cabinet:
Executive Council or Govern designated by the Executive Council president

elections:
Executive Council president elected by the General Council and formally appointed by the coprinces for a four-year term; election last held 16 February 1997 (next to be held NA 2001)

election results:
Marc FORNE Molne elected executive council president; percent of General Council vote - 64%
Exports $162 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) $58 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs tobacco products, furniture
Exports - partners EU 75.3% (Germany 18.1%, France 17.3%, Netherlands 12.1%, UK 9.6%), US 5.6% (2001) France 34%, Spain 58% (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 equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red with the national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; the coat of arms features a quartered shield; similar to the flags of Chad and Romania, which do not have a national coat of arms in the center, and the flag of Moldova, which does bear a national emblem
GDP purchasing power parity - $297.6 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $1.2 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1%


industry: 24%


services: 74% (2001)
agriculture:
NA%

industry:
NA%

services:
NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $29,000 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $18,000 (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 0.6% (2002 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 50 50 N, 4 00 E 42 30 N, 1 30 E
Geography - note crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO landlocked
Heliports 1 (2002) -
Highways total: 145,774 km


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


unpaved: 29,592 km (1999)
total:
269 km

paved:
198 km

unpaved:
71 km (1994 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 23% (1992) (1996)
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; money laundering related to trafficking of drugs, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco -
Imports $152 billion f.o.b. (2001) $1.077 billion (c.i.f., 1998)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products, foodstuffs consumer goods, food, electricity
Imports - partners EU 68.7% (Netherlands 17.5%, Germany 16.8%, France 13.8%, UK 8.0%), US 7.2% (2001) Spain 48%, France 35%, US 2.3% (1998)
Independence 4 October 1830 a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands; 21 July 1831 the ascension of King Leopold I to the throne 1278 (was formed under the joint suzerainty of France and Spain)
Industrial production growth rate 4.5% (2000 est.) NA%
Industries engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal tourism (particularly skiing), cattle raising, timber, tobacco, banking
Infant mortality rate 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 4.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.7% (2002 est.) 1.62% (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, 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 CCC, CE, ECE, ICAO, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OSCE, UN, UNESCO, WHO, WIPO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 61 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.) 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, although selected by the Government) Tribunal of Judges or Tribunal de Batlles; Tribunal of the Courts or Tribunal de Corts; Supreme Court of Justice of Andorra or Tribunal Superior de Justicia d'Andorra; Supreme Council of Justice or Consell Superior de la Justicia; Fiscal Ministry or Ministeri Fiscal; Constitutional Tribunal or Tribunal Constitucional
Labor force 4.44 million (2001) 30,787 salaried employees (1998)
Labor force - by occupation services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.) agriculture 1%, industry 21%, services 78% (1998)
Land boundaries total: 1,385 km


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

border countries:
France 56.6 km, Spain 63.7 km
Land use arable land: 25%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 75%


note: includes Luxembourg (1998 est.)
arable land:
4%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
45%

forests and woodland:
35%

other:
16% (1998 est.)
Languages Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) Catalan (official), French, Castilian
Legal system civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations based on French and Spanish civil codes; no judicial review of legislative acts; 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 the Political parties and leaders entry
unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de las Valls (28 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 14 from a single national constituency and 14 to represent each of the 7 parishes; members serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 16 February 1997 (next to be held NA February 2001)

election results:
percent of vote by party - UL 57%, AND 21%, IDN 7%, ND 7%, other 8%; seats by party - UL 16, AND 6, ND 2, IDN 2, UPO 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.13 years


male: 74.8 years


female: 81.62 years (2002 est.)
total population:
83.47 years

male:
80.57 years

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


total population: 98%


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition:
NA

total population:
100%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
Location Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Southwestern Europe, between France and 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
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 31,362 GRT/54,058 DWT


ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 9, petroleum tanker 5, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Finland 1, Netherlands 3 (2002 est.)
-
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of France and Spain
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Components, Federal Police -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $3,076.5 million (FY01/02) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.4% (FY01/02) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 2,508,557 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 2,070,016 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - military age 19 years of age (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 63,247 (2002 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 21 July (1831) Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
Nationality noun: Belgian(s)


adjective: Belgian
noun:
Andorran(s)

adjective:
Andorran
Natural hazards flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes snowslides, avalanches
Natural resources coal, natural gas hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead
Net migration rate 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 6.82 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) [Jos GEYSELS]; Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Stefaan DE CLERCK, president]; note - used to be the Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP; ECOLO (Francophone Greens) [no president; led by three person federal secretariat]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT, 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]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Geert BOURGEOIS]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Social Progressive Alternative Party or SP.A [Patrick JANSSENS, president]; note - was Flemish Socialist Party or SP; Spirit [Annemie VAN DE CASTEELE]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; other minor parties Liberal Union or UL [Marc Forne MOLNE] (renamed Liberal Party of Andorra or PLA); National Democratic Group or AND [Ladislau BARO SOLA]; National Democratic Initiative or IDN [Vincenc MATEU Zamora]; New Democracy or ND [Jaume BARTOMEU Cassany]; Union of the People of Ordino (Unio Parroquial d'Ordino) or UPO [Simo DURO Coma]

note:
there are two 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 10,274,595 (July 2002 est.) 67,627 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 4% NA%
Population growth rate 0.15% (2002 est.) 1.17% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge none
Radio broadcast stations FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 0, FM 15, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 8.075 million (1997) 16,000 (1997)
Railways total: 3,422 km


standard gauge: 3,422 km 1.435-m gauge (2,517 km electrified; 2,563 km double-tracked) (2001)
0 km
Religions Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25% Roman Catholic (predominant)
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 (2002 est.)
at birth:
1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.1 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.1 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:
NA

domestic:
modern system with microwave radio relay connections between exchanges

international:
landline circuits to France and Spain
Telephones - main lines in use 4.769 million (1997) 32,946 (December 1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular 974,494 (1997) 14,117 (December 1998)
Television broadcast stations 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) 0 (1997)
Terrain flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
Total fertility rate 1.61 children born/woman (2002 est.) 1.25 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 7.2% (2002 est.) 0%
Waterways 1,570 km (route length in regular commercial use) (2001) none
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