Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Belize (2003) - Trinidad and Tobago (2002)

Compare Belize (2003) z Trinidad and Tobago (2002)

 Belize (2003)Trinidad and Tobago (2002)
 BelizeTrinidad and Tobago
Administrative divisions 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo 8 counties, 3 municipalities*, and 1 ward**; Arima*, Caroni, Mayaro, Nariva, Port-of-Spain*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick, San Fernando*, Tobago**, Victoria
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: 23% (male 136,807; female 131,177)


15-64 years: 70.2% (male 419,847; female 396,643)


65 years and over: 6.8% (male 35,146; female 44,104) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments cocoa, sugarcane, rice, citrus, coffee, vegetables; poultry
Airports 42 (2002) 6 (2001)
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: 3


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
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: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Area total: 22,966 sq km


land: 22,806 sq km


water: 160 sq km
total: 5,128 sq km


land: 5,128 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Massachusetts slightly smaller than Delaware
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. The islands came under British control in the 19th century; independence was granted in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing.
Birth rate 30.46 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) 13.66 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $224 million


expenditures: $209 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (2002 est.)
revenues: $1.54 billion


expenditures: $1.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $117.3 million (1998) (1998)
Capital Belmopan Port-of-Spain
Climate tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) tropical; rainy season (June to December)
Coastline 386 km 362 km
Constitution 21 September 1981 1 August 1976
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Belize


former: British Honduras
conventional long form: Republic of Trinidad and Tobago


conventional short form: Trinidad and Tobago
Currency Belizean dollar (BZD) Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD)
Death rate 6.05 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) 8.81 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $475 million (2001 est.) $2.2 billion (2000 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 Roy L. AUSTIN


embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port-of-Spain


mailing address: P. O. Box 752, Port-of-Spain


telephone: [1] (868) 622-6371 through 6376


FAX: [1] (868) 628-5462
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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mackisack LOGIE


chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036


telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490


FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130


consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
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 none
Economic aid - recipient $NA $24 million (1999 est.)
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. Trinidad and Tobago has earned a reputation as an excellent investment site for international businesses. A leading performer in the past 4 years has been the booming natural gas sector. Tourism is a growing sector, although not proportionately as important as in many other Caribbean islands. The expected recovery of the global economy, along with anticipated higher oil prices, are plus factors for 2002. Negative factors are persistent high unemployment and the political uncertainties following the contentious selection of a new government in December 2001.
Electricity - consumption 185.5 million kWh (2001) 4.792 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 199.5 million kWh (2001) 5.153 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 59.9%


hydro: 40.1%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal water pollution from agricultural chemicals, industrial wastes, and raw sewage; oil pollution of beaches; deforestation; soil erosion
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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, 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 mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% black 39.5%, East Indian (a local term - primarily immigrants from northern India) 40.3%, mixed 18.4%, white 0.6%, Chinese and other 1.2%
Exchange rates Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000), 2 (1999), 2 (1998) Trinidad and Tobago dollars per US dollar - 6.2466 (January 2002), 6.2332 (2001), 6.2998 (2000), 6.2989 (1999), 6.2983 (1998), 6.2517 (1997)
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 George Maxwell RICHARDS (since 17 March 2003)


head of government: Prime Minister Patrick MANNING (since 24 December 2001)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament


elections: president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term; election last held 14 February 2003 (next to be held NA 2006); the president usually appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives


election results: George Maxwell RICHARDS elected president; percent of electoral college vote - 43%
Exports NA (2001) $4.1 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, steel products, fertilizer, sugar, cocoa, coffee, citrus, flowers
Exports - partners US 40.5%, UK 23.2%, Peru 8.3% (2002) US 45.9%, Caricom countries 26.1%, Latin America 9.5%, EU 5.7% (1999)
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 red with a white-edged black diagonal band from the upper hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $1.28 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $10.6 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 18%


industry: 24%


services: 58% (2001 est.)
agriculture: 2%


industry: 43%


services: 55% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $9,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 3.7% (2002 est.) 4% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 17 15 N, 88 45 W 11 00 N, 61 00 W
Geography - note only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt
Highways total: 2,872 km


paved: 488 km


unpaved: 2,384 km (1999 est.)
total: 8,320 km


paved: 4,252 km


unpaved: 4,068 km (1996)
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 transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis
Imports NA (2001) $3.5 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, live animals
Imports - partners US 35.7%, Mexico 10.1%, Netherlands Antilles 6.1%, Japan 5.9%, Cuba 5.7%, UK 5.4% (2002) US 39.8%, Venezuela 11.9%, EU 11%, Caricom 4.8% (1999)
Independence 21 September 1981 (from UK) 31 August 1962 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 4.6% (1999) 4.2% (2001) (2001)
Industries garment production, food processing, tourism, construction petroleum, chemicals, tourism, food processing, cement, beverage, cotton textiles
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.)
24.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.9% (2002 est.) 5.6% (2001 est.)
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, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 17 (2000)
Irrigated land 30 sq km (1998 est.) 30 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister) Supreme Court of Judicature (comprised of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeals; the chief justice is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission); High Court of Justice; Court of Appeals the highest court of appeal is the Privy Council in London
Labor force 90,000


note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel
564,000 (2000) (2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.) construction and utilities 12%, manufacturing, mining, and quarrying 14%, agriculture 10%, services 64% (1997 est.)
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: 14.62%


permanent crops: 9.16%


other: 76.22% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole English (official), Hindi, French, Spanish, Chinese
Legal system English law based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (31 seats; members appointed by the president for a maximum term of five years) and the House of Representatives (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 October 2002 (next to be held by October 2007)


election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote - PNM 55.5%, UNC 44.5%; seats by party - PNM 20, UNC 16


note: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly, with 15 members serving four-year terms
Life expectancy at birth total population: 67.36 years


male: 65.19 years


female: 69.63 years (2003 est.)
total population: 68.59 years


male: 66.04 years


female: 71.25 years (2002 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: 94% (2000)


male: 95.9% (1999)


female: 91.7% (1999)
Location Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Central America and the Caribbean
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
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: 200 NM or to the outer edge of the continental margin


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: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,910 GRT/7,546 DWT


ships by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1


note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: United States 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard) Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (including Ground Force, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
Military expenditures - dollar figure $7.7 million (FY00/01) $90 million (1999)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.87% (FY00/01) 1.4% (1999)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 66,332 (2003 est.) males age 15-49: 347,831 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 39,337 (2003 est.) males age 15-49: 248,324 (2002 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) Independence Day, 31 August (1962)
Nationality noun: Belizean(s)


adjective: Belizean
noun: Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)


adjective: Trinidadian, Tobagonian
Natural hazards frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms
Natural resources arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower petroleum, natural gas, asphalt
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) -10.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines - crude oil 1,032 km; petroleum products 19 km; natural gas 904 km
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] National Alliance for Reconstruction or NAR [Hochoy CHARLES]; People's Empowerment Party or PEP [leader NA]; People's National Movement or PNM [Patrick MANNING]; Team Unity or TUN [Ramesh MAHARAJ]; United National Congress or UNC [Basdeo PANDAY]
Political pressure groups and leaders Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Adele CATZIM] Jamaat-al Musilmeen [Yasin BAKR]
Population 266,440 (July 2003 est.) 1,163,724 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line 33% (1999 est.) 21% (1992 est.)
Population growth rate 2.44% (2003 est.) -0.52% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda Pointe-a-Pierre, Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, Tembladora
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 2, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 680,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km minimal agricultural railroad system near San Fernando; common carrier railway service was discontinued in 1968 (2001)
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) Roman Catholic 29.4%, Hindu 23.8%, Anglican 10.9%, Muslim 5.8%, Presbyterian 3.4%, other 26.7%
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: 1.06 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female


total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2002 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: excellent international service; good local service


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Barbados and Guyana
Telephones - main lines in use 31,000 (1997) 252,000 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular 3,023 (1997) 17,411 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 2 (1997) 4 (1997)
Terrain flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south mostly plains with some hills and low mountains
Total fertility rate 3.86 children born/woman (2003 est.) 1.8 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 9.1% (2002) 11.8% (2001) (2001)
Waterways 825 km (river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable) none
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.