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Compare Belize (2001) - Cook Islands (2001)

Compare Belize (2001) z Cook Islands (2001)

 Belize (2001)Cook Islands (2001)
 BelizeCook Islands
Administrative divisions 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo none
Age structure 0-14 years:
42.04% (male 54,876; female 52,780)

15-64 years:
54.43% (male 70,534; female 68,837)

65 years and over:
3.53% (male 4,403; female 4,632) (2001 est.)
0-14 years:
NA%

15-64 years:
NA%

65 years and over:
NA%
Agriculture - products bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish, cultured shrimp copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Airports 44 (2000 est.) 7 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
total:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
40

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
10

under 914 m:
29 (2000 est.)
total:
6

1,524 to 2,437 m:
3

914 to 1,523 m:
3 (2000 est.)
Area total:
22,966 sq km

land:
22,806 sq km

water:
160 sq km
total:
240 sq km

land:
240 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Massachusetts 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Background Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increased urban crime. Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
Birth rate 31.69 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Budget revenues:
$157 million

expenditures:
$279 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
revenues:
$25 million

expenditures:
$23 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY 99/00)
Capital Belmopan Avarua
Climate tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) tropical; moderated by trade winds
Coastline 386 km 120 km
Constitution 21 September 1981 4 August 1965
Country name conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Belize

former:
British Honduras
conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Cook Islands

former:
Harvey Islands
Currency Belizean dollar (BZD) New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Death rate 4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Debt - external $338 million (1998) $141 million (1996 est.)
Dependency status - self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Carolyn CURIEL

embassy:
29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City

mailing address:
P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025

telephone:
[501] (2) 77161

FAX:
[501] (2) 30802
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN

chancery:
2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 332-9636

FAX:
[1] (202) 332-6888

consulate(s) general:
Los Angeles
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Disputes - international Guatemala periodically asserts claims to territory in southern Belize; to deter cross-border squatting, both states in 2000 agreed to a "line of adjacency" based on the de facto boundary, which is not recognized by Guatemala none
Economic aid - recipient $NA $13.1 million (1995); note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part
Economy - overview The small, essentially private enterprise economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming greater importance. Sugar, the chief crop, accounts for nearly half of exports, while the banana industry is the country's largest employer. The government's tough austerity program in 1997 resulted in an economic slowdown that continued in 1998. The trade deficit has been growing, mostly as a result of low export prices for sugar and bananas. The tourist and construction sectors strengthened in early 1999, supporting growth of 6% in 1999 and 4% in 2000. Aided by international donors, the government's key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty. Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.
Electricity - consumption 172.1 million kWh (1999) 19.5 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 185 million kWh (1999) 21 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
56.76%

hydro:
43.24%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

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

highest point:
Victoria Peak 1,160 m
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Te Manga 652 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid waste disposal NA
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea

signed, but not ratified:
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups mestizo 43.7%, Creole 29.8%, Maya 10%, Garifuna 6.2%, other 10.3% Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%
Exchange rates Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar) New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.2502 (January 2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993)

head of government:
Prime Minister Said MUSA (since 27 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998)

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

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; governor general appoints the member of the House of Representatives who is leader of the majority party to be prime minister
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Jon JONESSEN (since NA January 1998), representative of New Zealand

head of government:
Prime Minister Dr. Terepai MAOATE (since 18 November 1999); Deputy Prime Minister Norman GEORGE (since NA)

cabinet:
Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats usually becomes prime minister

note:
ten years of rule by the Cook Islands Party (CIP) came to an end 18 November 1999 with the resignation of Prime Minister Joe WILLIAMS; WILLIAMS had led a minority government since October 1999 when the New Alliance Party (NAP) left the government coalition and joined the main opposition Democratic Alliance Party (DAP); on 18 November 1999, DAP leader Dr. Terepai MAOATE was sworn in as prime minister
Exports $235.7 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.) $3 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports - partners US 42%, UK 33%, EU 12%, Caricom 4.8%, Canada 2%, Mexico 1% (1999) Japan 42%, New Zealand 25%, US 9%, Australia 9% (1999)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 April - 31 March
Flag description blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
GDP purchasing power parity - $790 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $100 million (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
18%

industry:
24%

services:
58% (2000 est.)
agriculture:
18%

industry:
9%

services:
73% (1995)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $5,000 (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4% (2000 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 17 15 N, 88 45 W 21 14 S, 159 46 W
Geography - note only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean -
Highways total:
2,872 km

paved:
488 km

unpaved:
2,384 km (1998 est.)
total:
320 km (1992)

paved:
NA

unpaved:
NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs minor transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor money-laundering center -
Imports $413 million (c.i.f., 2000 est.) $85 million (c.i.f., 1994)
Imports - commodities machinery and transportation equipment, manufactured goods; food, beverages, tobacco; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Imports - partners US 58%, Mexico 12%, UK 5% EU 5%, Central America 5%, Caricom 4% (1998) NZ 70%, Australia 8% (1999)
Independence 21 September 1981 (from UK) none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
Industrial production growth rate 4.6% (1999) NA%
Industries garment production, food processing, tourism, construction fruit processing, tourism, fishing
Infant mortality rate 25.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) -
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2% (2000 est.) 1.6% (1999 est.)
International organization participation ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO ACP, AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 3 (2000)
Irrigated land 20 sq km (1993 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister) High Court
Labor force 71,000

note:
shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1997 est.)
6,601 (1993)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 38%, industry 32%, services 30% (1994) agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56% (1995) note - shortage of skilled labor
Land boundaries total:
516 km

border countries:
Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
10%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
2%

forests and woodland:
84%

other:
3% (2000 est.)
arable land:
9%

permanent crops:
13%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
78% (1993 est.)
Languages English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole English (official), Maori
Legal system English law based on New Zealand law and English common law
Legislative branch bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (eight members, five appointed on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one by the governor general; members are appointed for five-year terms); and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
House of Representatives - last held 27 August 1998 (next to be held by NA August 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - PUP 59.2%, UDP 40.8%; seats by party - PUP 26, UDP 3
unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held NA June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1

note:
the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powers
Life expectancy at birth total population:
71.19 years

male:
68.91 years

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

total population:
70.3%

male:
70.3%

female:
70.3% (1991 est.)

note:
other sources list the literacy rate as high as 75%
definition:
NA

total population:
95%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
Location Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Oceania
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM in the north, 3 NM in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 NM; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala
continental shelf:
200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total:
402 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,575,851 GRT/2,241,731 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 27, cargo 265, chemical tanker 6, combination ore/oil 1, container 14, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 56, refrigerated cargo 18, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 3

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Cuba 1, Singapore 1, US 1 (2000 est.)
total:
1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,310 GRT/2,181 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 1 (2000 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
Military branches Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard) -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $17 million (FY98/99) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2.4% (FY98/99) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
62,698 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
37,174 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
2,847 (2001 est.)
-
National holiday Independence Day, 21 September (1981) Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Nationality noun:
Belizean(s)

adjective:
Belizean
noun:
Cook Islander(s)

adjective:
Cook Islander
Natural hazards frequent, devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastal flooding (especially in south) typhoons (November to March)
Natural resources arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower NEGL
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Political parties and leaders People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean BARROW, Doug SINGH] Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Tai CARPENTER]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]
Political pressure groups and leaders Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Diane HAYLOCK]; United Worker's Front NA
Population 256,062 (July 2001 est.) 20,611 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 33% (1999 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.7% (2001 est.) -
Ports and harbors Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda Avarua, Avatiu
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 133,000 (1997) 14,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980) Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church)
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
-
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal NA years of age; universal adult
Telephone system general assessment:
above-average system

domestic:
trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment:
NA

domestic:
the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 31,000 (1997) 5,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 3,023 (1997) 0 (1994)
Television broadcast stations 2 (1997) 2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Total fertility rate 4.05 children born/woman (2001 est.) -
Unemployment rate 12.8% (1999) NA%
Waterways 825 km (river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable) none
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