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Compare Belize (2003) - Marshall Islands (2001)

Compare Belize (2003) z Marshall Islands (2001)

 Belize (2003)Marshall Islands (2001)
 BelizeMarshall Islands
Administrative divisions 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo 33 municipalities; Ailinginae, Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikar, Bikini, Bokak, Ebon, Enewetak, Erikub, Jabat, Jaluit, Jemo, Kili, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Rongrik, Toke, Ujae, Ujelang, Utirik, Wotho, Wotje
Age structure 0-14 years: 41.1% (male 55,880; female 53,706)


15-64 years: 55.3% (male 74,612; female 72,813)


65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,571; female 4,858) (2003 est.)
0-14 years:
49.29% (male 17,808; female 17,101)

15-64 years:
48.61% (male 17,573; female 16,853)

65 years and over:
2.1% (male 707; female 780) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments coconuts, tomatoes, melons, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits; pigs, chickens
Airports 42 (2002) 16 (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 (2002)
total:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
3

914 to 1,523 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 38


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 10


under 914 m: 27 (2002)
total:
12

914 to 1,523 m:
9

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


land: 22,806 sq km


water: 160 sq km
total:
181.3 sq km

land:
181.3 sq km

water:
0 sq km

note:
includes the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, and Kwajalein
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Massachusetts about 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. After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Compensation claims continue as a result of US nuclear testing on some of the islands between 1947 and 1962.
Birth rate 30.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 45.07 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $224 million


expenditures: $209 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (2002 est.)
revenues:
$80.1 million

expenditures:
$77.4 million, including capital expenditures of $19.5 million (FY95/96 est.)
Capital Belmopan Majuro
Climate tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) wet season from May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt
Coastline 386 km 370.4 km
Constitution 21 September 1981 1 May 1979
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Belize


former: British Honduras
conventional long form:
Republic of the Marshall Islands

conventional short form:
Marshall Islands

former:
Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Currency Belizean dollar (BZD) US dollar (USD)
Death rate 6.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 6.23 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $475 million (2001 est.) $125 million (FY96/97 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Russell F. FREEMAN


embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City


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


telephone: [501] 227-7161 through 7163


FAX: [501] 30802
chief of mission:
Ambassador Joan M. PLAISTED

embassy:
Oceanside, Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro

mailing address:
P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379

telephone:
[692] 247-4011

FAX:
[692] 247-4012
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
chief of mission:
Ambassador Banny DE BRUM

chancery:
2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 234-5414

FAX:
[1] (202) 232-3236

consulate(s) general:
Honolulu
Disputes - international Guatemala has claimed half of southern Belize; Guatemalan squatters continue to settle along the border despite a 2000 agreement; OAS brokered a Differendum in 2002 that created a small adjustment to land boundary, a large Guatemalan maritime corridor in the Caribbean, a joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and a substantial US-UK financial package, but agreement was not brought to a popular referendum claims US territory of Wake Island
Economic aid - recipient $NA approximately $65 million annually from the US
Economy - overview In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by cane sugar, citrus, marine products, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth of 6.5% in 1999, 10.8% in 2000, 4.6% in 2001, and 3.7% in 2002. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors. US Government assistance is the mainstay of this tiny island economy. Agricultural production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. Small-scale industry is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist industry, now a small source of foreign exchange employing less than 10% of the labor force, remains the best hope for future added income. The islands have few natural resources, and imports far exceed exports. Under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provides roughly $65 million in annual aid. Negotiations were underway in 1999 for an extended agreement. Government downsizing, drought, a drop in construction, and the decline in tourism and foreign investment due to the Asian financial difficulties caused GDP to fall in 1996-98.
Electricity - consumption 185.5 million kWh (2001) -
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) -
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) -
Electricity - production 199.5 million kWh (2001) -
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 59.9%


hydro: 40.1%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel:
NA%

hydro:
NA%

nuclear:
NA%

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


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

highest point:
unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal inadequate supplies of potable water
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, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified:
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% Micronesian
Exchange rates Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000), 2 (1999), 2 (1998) the US dollar is used
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993)


head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28 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; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
chief of state:
President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:
President Kessai Hesa NOTE (since 3 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet:
Cabinet selected by the president from among the members of Parliament

elections:
president elected by Parliament from among its own members for a four-year term; election last held 15 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003)

election results:
Kessai Hesa NOTE elected president; percent of Parliament vote - 100%
Exports NA (2001) $28 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Exports - commodities sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood fish, coconut oil, trochus shells
Exports - partners US 40.5%, UK 23.2%, Peru 8.3% (2002) US, Japan, Australia
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 October - 30 September
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 two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner - orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes
GDP purchasing power parity - $1.28 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $105 million (1998 est.), supplemented by approximately $65 million annual US aid
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 18%


industry: 24%


services: 58% (2001 est.)
agriculture:
15%

industry:
13%

services:
72% (1995)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,670 (1998 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 3.7% (2002 est.) -5% (1998 est.)
Geographic coordinates 17 15 N, 88 45 W 9 00 N, 168 00 E
Geography - note only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range
Highways total: 2,872 km


paved: 488 km


unpaved: 2,384 km (1999 est.)
total:
NA km

paved:
NA km

unpaved:
NA km

note:
paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; some money-laundering activity related to offshore sector -
Imports NA (2001) $58 million (f.o.b., 1997 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels, beverages and tobacco
Imports - partners US 35.7%, Mexico 10.1%, Netherlands Antilles 6.1%, Japan 5.9%, Cuba 5.7%, UK 5.4% (2002) US, Japan, Australia, NZ, Guam, Singapore
Independence 21 September 1981 (from UK) 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
Industrial production growth rate 4.6% (1999) NA%
Industries garment production, food processing, tourism, construction copra, fish, tourism, craft items from shell, wood, and pearls, offshore banking (embryonic)
Infant mortality rate total: 27.07 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 30.56 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 23.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
39.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.9% (2002 est.) 5% (1997)
International organization participation ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO ACP, AsDB, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land 30 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister) Supreme Court; High Court
Labor force 90,000


note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel
NA
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.) agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Land boundaries total: 516 km


border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 2.81%


permanent crops: 1.1%


other: 96.09% (1998 est.)
arable land:
0%

permanent crops:
60%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
40%
Languages English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole English (universally spoken and is the official language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese
Legal system English law based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Legislative branch bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 members appointed by the governor general - six on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; 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 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2008)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 21, UDP 8
unicameral Parliament or Nitijela (33 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 15 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA

note:
the Council of Chiefs is a 12-member body that advises on matters affecting customary law and practice
Life expectancy at birth total population: 67.36 years


male: 65.19 years


female: 69.63 years (2003 est.)
total population:
65.84 years

male:
64.04 years

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


total population: 94.1%


male: 94.1%


female: 94.1% (2003 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
93%

male:
100%

female:
88% (1980 est.)
Location Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Papua New Guinea
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
contiguous zone:
24 NM

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total: 292 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,030,141 GRT/1,499,777 DWT


ships by type: bulk 15, cargo 200, chemical tanker 7, combination ore/oil 1, container 12, petroleum tanker 31, refrigerated cargo 18, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 2, Belgium 3, British Virgin Islands 6, Cambodia 1, China 38, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 1, Equatorial Guinea 1, Eritrea 1, Estonia 7, Germany 3, Greece 4, Grenada 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 20, Indonesia 6, Italy 2, Japan 4, Jordan 1, Lebanon 1, Liberia 5, Malaysia 3, Malta 2, Man, Isle of 1, Marshall Islands 13, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 12, Philippines 4, Portugal 1, Romania 1, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 22, South Korea 10, Spain 4, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, Thailand 6, Tunisia 1, Turkey 1, Ukraine 3, United Arab Emirates 9, United Kingdom 2, United States 4, Virgin Islands (UK) 6, Yemen 1 (2002 est.)
total:
212 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,768,406 GRT/16,242,699 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 63, cargo 9, chemical tanker 10, combination ore/oil 2, container 29, liquefied gas 10, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, petroleum tanker 87, vehicle carrier 1

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Cyprus 1, Germany 1, Japan 1, US 6 (2000 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the US
Military branches Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard) no regular military forces (a coast guard may be established); Police Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $7.7 million (FY00/01) $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.87% (FY00/01) NA%
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 66,332 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 39,337 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 3,046 (2003 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 21 September (1981) Constitution Day, 1 May (1979)
Nationality noun: Belizean(s)


adjective: Belizean
noun:
Marshallese (singular and plural)

adjective:
Marshallese
Natural hazards frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) occasional typhoons
Natural resources arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) 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 [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party chairman] traditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures; the following two "groupings" have competed in legislative balloting in recent years - Kabua Party [Imata KABUA] and United Democratic Party or UDP [Litokwa TOMEING]
Political pressure groups and leaders Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Adele CATZIM] NA
Population 266,440 (July 2003 est.) 70,822 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 33% (1999 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 2.44% (2003 est.) 3.88% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda Majuro
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - NA
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Anglican 5.3%, Methodist 3.5%, Mennonite 4.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Pentecostal 7.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), none 9.4%, other 14% (2000) Christian (mostly Protestant)
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: 0.94 male(s)/female


total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.04 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
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:
telex services

domestic:
Majuro Atoll and Ebeye and Kwajalein islands have regular, seven-digit, direct-dial telephones; other islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes)

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); US Government satellite communications system on Kwajalein
Telephones - main lines in use 31,000 (1997) 3,000 (1996)
Telephones - mobile cellular 3,023 (1997) 365 (1996)
Television broadcast stations 2 (1997) 3 (of which two are US military stations) (1997)
Terrain flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south low coral limestone and sand islands
Total fertility rate 3.86 children born/woman (2003 est.) 6.55 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 9.1% (2002) 16% (1991 est.)
Waterways 825 km (river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable) none
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