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Compare Belgium (2005) - Ecuador (2001)

Compare Belgium (2005) z Ecuador (2001)

 Belgium (2005)Ecuador (2001)
 BelgiumEcuador
Administrative divisions 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen


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
22 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios, Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Orellana, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios, Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe
Age structure 0-14 years: 16.9% (male 892,995/female 855,177)


15-64 years: 65.7% (male 3,435,282/female 3,373,917)


65 years and over: 17.4% (male 745,178/female 1,061,839) (2005 est.)
0-14 years:
35.8% (male 2,398,801; female 2,320,537)

15-64 years:
59.81% (male 3,900,193; female 3,984,797)

65 years and over:
4.39% (male 269,372; female 310,278) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp
Airports 43 (2004 est.) 180 (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 (2004 est.)
total:
59

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
5

1,524 to 2,437 m:
18

914 to 1,523 m:
15

under 914 m:
19 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 18


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)
total:
121

914 to 1,523 m:
32

under 914 m:
89 (2000 est.)
Area total: 30,528 sq km


land: 30,278 sq km


water: 250 sq km
total:
283,560 sq km

land:
276,840 sq km

water:
6,720 sq km

note:
includes Galapagos Islands
Area - comparative about the size of Maryland slightly smaller than Nevada
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 "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999.
Birth rate 10.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 25.99 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $173.7 billion


expenditures: $174.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.56 billion (2004 est.)
revenues:
planned $5.1 billion (not including revenue from potential privatizations)

expenditures:
$5.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)
Capital Brussels Quito
Climate temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy tropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands
Coastline 66.5 km 2,237 km
Constitution 7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state 10 August 1998
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:
Republic of Ecuador

conventional short form:
Ecuador

local long form:
Republica del Ecuador

local short form:
Ecuador
Currency - US dollar (USD)
Death rate 10.22 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $28.3 billion (1999 est.) $15 billion (1999)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Tom C. KOROLOGOS


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
chief of mission:
Ambassador Gwen C. CLARE

embassy:
Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito

mailing address:
APO AA 34039

telephone:
[593] (2) 562-890

FAX:
[593] (2) 502-052

consulate(s) general:
Guayaquil
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, Los Angeles, and New York
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ivonne A-BAKI

chancery:
2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone:
[1] (202) 234-7200

FAX:
[1] (202) 667-3482

consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and San Francisco
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor ODA, $1.072 billion (2002) -
Economic aid - recipient - $695.7 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. 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. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is nearly 100% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004. Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich agricultural areas. Because the country exports primary products such as oil, bananas, and shrimp, fluctuations in world market prices can have a substantial domestic impact. Ecuador joined the World Trade Organization in 1996, but has failed to comply with many of its accession commitments. In recent years, growth has been uneven due to ill-conceived fiscal stabilization measures. The aftermath of El Nino and depressed oil market of 1997-98 drove Ecuador's economy into a free-fall in 1999. The beginning of 1999 saw the banking sector collapse, which helped precipitate an unprecedented default on external loans later that year. Continued economic instability drove a 70% depreciation of the currency throughout 1999, which eventually forced a desperate government to "dollarize" the currency regime in 2000. The move stabilized the currency, but did not stave off the ouster of the government. The new president, Gustavo NOBOA has yet to complete negotiations for a long sought IMF accord. He will find it difficult to push through the reforms necessary to make "dollarization" work in the long run.
Electricity - consumption 78.82 billion kWh (2002) 9.386 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 9.1 billion kWh (2002) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 16.7 billion kWh (2002) 25 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 76.58 billion kWh (2002) 10.065 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
29.51%

hydro:
70.49%

nuclear:
0%

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


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

highest point:
Chimborazo 6,267 m
Environment - current issues the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive 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; soil erosion; desertification; water pollution; pollution from oil production wastes
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
party to:
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11% mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, black 3%
Exchange rates euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000) sucres per US dollar - 25,000 (January 2001), 24,988.4 (2000), 11,786.8 (1999), 5,446.6 (1998), 3,988.3 (1997), 3,189.5 (1996)

note:
on 7 January 2000, the government passed a decree "dollarizing" the economy; on 13 March 2000, the National Congress approved a new exchange system whereby the US dollar is adopted as the main legal tender in Ecuador for all purposes; on 20 March 2000, the Central Bank of Ecuador started to exchange sucres for US dollars at a fixed rate of 25,000 sucres per US dollar; since 30 April 2000, all transactions are denominated in US dollars
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 formally appointed by the monarch


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, MR, PS, SP.A-Spirit
chief of state:
President Gustavo NOBOA Bejarano (since 22 January 2000) selected president following coup that deposed President MAHUAD; Vice President Pedro PINTO Rubianes (since 28 January 2000) elected by National Congress from a slate of candidates submitted by President NABOA; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:
President Gustavo NOBOA Bejarano (since 22 January 2000) selected president following coup that deposed President MAHUAD; Vice President Pedro PINTO Rubianes (since 28 January 2000) elected by National Congress from a slate of candidates submitted by President NABOA; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president

elections:
president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year term (no reelection); election last held 31 May 1998; runoff election held 12 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results:
results of the last election prior to the coup were: Jamil MAHUAD elected president; percent of vote - 51%

note:
a military-indigenous coup toppled democratically elected President Jamil MAHAUD on 21 January 2000; the military quickly handed power over to Vice President Gustavo NOBOA on 22 January; National Congress then elected a new vice president from a slate of candidates submitted by NOBOA; the new administration is scheduled to complete the remainder of MAHAUD's term, due to expire in January 2003
Exports 450,000 bbl/day (2001) $5.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs petroleum, bananas, shrimp, coffee, cocoa, cut flowers, fish
Exports - partners Germany 19.9%, France 17.2%, Netherlands 11.8%, UK 8.6%, US 6.5%, Italy 5.2% (2004) US 37%, Colombia 5%, Italy 5%, Chile 5%, Peru 4% (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 horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia which is shorter and does not bear a coat of arms
GDP - purchasing power parity - $37.2 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1.3%


industry: 25.7%


services: 73% (2004 est.)
agriculture:
14%

industry:
36%

services:
50% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $30,600 (2004 est.) purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.6% (2004 est.) 0.8% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 50 50 N, 4 00 E 2 00 S, 77 30 W
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 Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world
Heliports 1 (2004 est.) 1 (2000 est.)
Highways total: 149,028 km


paved: 116,540 km (including 1,729 km of expressways)


unpaved: 32,488 km (2002)
total:
43,197 km

paved:
8,165 km

unpaved:
35,032 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3.2%


highest 10%: 23% (1996)
lowest 10%:
2.2%

highest 10%:
33.8% (1995)
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; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco significant transit country for cocaine and derivatives of coca originating in Colombia and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of illicit narcotics; important money-laundering hub; increased activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and Colombian insurgents
Imports 1.042 million bbl/day (2001) $3.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products machinery and equipment, raw materials, fuels; consumer goods
Imports - partners Germany 18.4%, Netherlands 17%, France 12.5%, UK 6.8%, Ireland 6.3%, US 5.5% (2004) US 30%, Colombia 13%, Venezuela 6%, Japan 5%, Venezuela 6%, Mexico 3% (1998)
Independence 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declares independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King Leopold I ascends to the throne) 24 May 1822 (from Spain)
Industrial production growth rate 3.5% (2004 est.) 2.4% (1997 est.)
Industries engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber
Infant mortality rate total: 4.68 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 4.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
34.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.9% (2004 est.) 96% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC CAN, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 13 (2000)
Irrigated land 40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.) 5,560 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 Government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council) Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (new justices are elected by the full Supreme Court)
Labor force 4.75 million (2004 est.) 4.2 million
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 1.3%, industry 24.5%, services 74.2% (2003 est.) agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries total: 1,385 km


border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
total:
2,010 km

border countries:
Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km
Land use arable land: 23.28%


permanent crops: 0.4%


other: 76.32%


note: includes Luxembourg (2001)
arable land:
6%

permanent crops:
5%

permanent pastures:
18%

forests and woodland:
56%

other:
15% (1993 est.)
Languages Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)
Legal system civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations based on civil law system; 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 18 May 2003 (next to be held no later than May 2007)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit 15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH 5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5, VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR 11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit 23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8 Ecolo 4, other 2


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
unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (121 seats; 79 members are popularly elected at-large nationally to serve four-year terms; 42 members are popularly elected by province - two per province - for four-year terms)

elections:
last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - DP 32, PSC 27, PRE 24, ID 18, P-NP 9, FRA 5, PCE 3, MPD 2, CFP 1; note - defections by members of National Congress are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.62 years


male: 75.44 years


female: 81.94 years (2005 est.)
total population:
71.33 years

male:
68.52 years

female:
74.28 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:
90.1%

male:
92%

female:
88.2% (1995 est.)
Location Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru
Map references Europe South America
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit


continental shelf: median line with neighbors
continental shelf:
claims continental shelf between mainland and Galapagos Islands

territorial sea:
200 NM
Merchant marine total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,146,301 GRT/1,588,184 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 17, petroleum tanker 9


foreign-owned: 12 (Denmark 4, France 4, Greece 4)


registered in other countries: 101 (2005)
total:
30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 233,312 GRT/385,784 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 22, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)
Military branches Land, Naval, and Air Components (2005) Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National Police (Policia Nacional)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $3.999 billion (2003) $720 million (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.3% (2003) 3.4% (FY98)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
3,382,567 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
2,280,899 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 20 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
132,978 (2001 est.)
National holiday 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)
Nationality noun: Belgian(s)


adjective: Belgian
noun:
Ecuadorian(s)

adjective:
Ecuadorian
Natural hazards flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; periodic droughts
Natural resources construction materials, silica sand, carbonates petroleum, fish, timber, hydropower
Net migration rate 1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) -0.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2004) crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km
Political parties and leaders Flemish parties: Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Jo VANDEURZEN]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Bart SOMERS]; GROEN! (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) [Vera DUA]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Bart DE WEVER]; Socialist Party.Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; Spirit [Geert LAMBERT] (new party now associated with SP.A); Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Frank VANHECKE]


Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; Reformist Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties
Concentration of Popular Forces or CFP [Averroes BUCARAM]; Democratic Left or ID [Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos]; Ecuadorian Conservative Party or PCE [Sixto DURAN Ballen]; Independent National Movement or MIN [leader NA]; Pachakutik-New Country or P-NP [Rafael PANDAM]; Popular Democracy or DP [Ramiro RIVERA]; Popular Democratic Movement or MPD [leader NA]; Radical Alfarista Front or FRA [Fabian ALARCON, director]; Roldosist Party or PRE [Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz, director]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Jaime NEBOT Saadi, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders Christian, Socialist, and Liberal 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 Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador or CONAIE [Antonio VARGAS]; Coordinator of Social Movements or CMS [F. Napoleon SANTOS]; Popular Front or FP [Luis VILLACIS]
Population 10,364,388 (July 2005 est.) 13,183,978 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 4% (1989 est.) 50% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate 0.15% (2005 est.) 2% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Antwerp, Brussels, Gent, Liege, Oostende, Zeebrugge Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar, San Lorenzo
Radio broadcast stations FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 392, FM 27, shortwave 29 (1998)
Radios - 4.15 million (1997)
Railways total: 3,521 km


standard gauge: 3,521 km 1.435-m gauge (2,927 km electrified) (2004)
total:
965 km

narrow gauge:
965 km 1.067-m gauge (2000)
Religions Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25% Roman Catholic 95%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.03 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters
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: country code - 32; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
general assessment:
NA

domestic:
facilities generally inadequate and unreliable

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 5,120,400 (2002) 899,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 8,135,500 (2002) 160,061 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997) 15 (including one station on the Galapagos Islands) (1997)
Terrain flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
Total fertility rate 1.64 children born/woman (2005 est.) 3.12 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 12% (first half, 2004) 13%; note - widespread underemployment (2000 est.)
Waterways 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2003) 1,500 km
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