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Compare British Indian Ocean Territory (2006) - Haiti (2004)

Compare British Indian Ocean Territory (2006) z Haiti (2004)

 British Indian Ocean Territory (2006)Haiti (2004)
 British Indian Ocean TerritoryHaiti
Administrative divisions - 9 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand 'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est
Age structure - 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 1,646,216; female 1,583,294)


15-64 years: 54.1% (male 2,018,914; female 2,124,287)


65 years and over: 3.7% (male 133,241; female 150,214) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products - coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum, wood
Airports 1 (2006) 12 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


over 3,047 m: 1 (2006)
total: 4


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 9


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)
Area total: 54,400 sq km


land: 60 sq km; Diego Garcia 44 sq km


water: 54,340 sq km


note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago of 55 islands
total: 27,750 sq km


land: 27,560 sq km


water: 190 sq km
Area - comparative land area is about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Maryland
Background Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order that had excluded them from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. The native Arawak Amerindians - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when it was discovered by Columbus in 1492 - were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola, and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island - Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean, but only through the heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint L'OUVERTURE and after a prolonged struggle, became the first black republic to declare its independence in 1804. Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
Birth rate - 33.76 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget - revenues: $231.6 million


expenditures: $366.7 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)
Capital - Port-au-Prince
Climate tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds
Coastline 698 km 1,771 km
Constitution - approved March 1987; suspended June 1988 with most articles reinstated March 1989; in October 1991 government claimed to be observing the constitution; returned to constitutional rule in October 1994
Country name conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory


conventional short form: none


abbreviation: BIOT
conventional long form: Republic of Haiti


conventional short form: Haiti


local long form: Republique d'Haiti


local short form: Haiti
Currency - gourde (HTG)
Death rate - 13.21 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external - $1.2 billion (1999)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador James B. FOLEY


embassy: 5 Harry S Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince


mailing address: P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince


telephone: [509] 222-0354, 222-0269, 222-0200, 222-0327


FAX: [509] 223-1641 or 222-0200 ext 460
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Raymond JOSEPH (as of November 2004)


chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090


FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215


consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Disputes - international Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia; in 2001 the former inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, evicted in 1965 and now residing chiefly in Mauritius, were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation; the UK resists the Chagossians' demand for an immediate return to the islands; repatriation is complicated by the exclusive US military lease of Diego Garcia that restricts access to the largest island in the chain; despite efforts to control illegal migration, Haitians fleeing economic privation and civil unrest continue to cross into Dominican Republic and to sail to neighboring countries; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island
Economic aid - recipient - $120 million (FY02)
Economy - overview All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installations are done by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. When the Ilois return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane production and fishing. The country makes money by selling fishing licenses and postage stamps. In this poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, 80% of the population lives in abject poverty. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the agriculture sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming. Following legislative elections in May 2000, fraught with irregularities, international donors - including the US and EU - suspended almost all aid to Haiti. The economy shrank an estimated 1.2% in 2001 and an estimated 0.9% in 2002. Suspended aid and loan disbursements totaled more than $500 million at the start of 2003. Haiti also suffers from rampant inflation, a lack of investment, and a severe trade deficit. The resumption of aid flows from all donors will alleviate but not end the nation's bitter economic problems. Extensive civil strife in early 2004, marked by the flight of President ARISTIDE, further impoverished Haiti.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 539.4 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military 580 million kWh (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m
Environment - current issues NA extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes
Ethnic groups - black 95%, mulatto and white 5%
Exchange rates - gourdes per US dollar - 40.5 (2003), 29.2505 (2002), 24.4291 (2001), 21.1707 (2000), 16.9379 (1999)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)


head of government: Commissioner Tony CROMBIE (since January 2004); Administrator Tony HUMPHRIES (since February 2005); note - both reside in the UK


cabinet: NA


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch
chief of state: Interim President Boniface ALEXANDRE (since 29 February 2004)


note: Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE resigned as president on 29 February 2004; ALEXANDRE, as Chief of the Supreme Court, constitutionally succeeded Aristide


head of government: Interim Prime Minister Gerald LATORTUE (since 12 March 2004), chosen by extraconstitutional Council of Eminent Persons representing cross-section of political and civic interests


cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 26 November 2000 (next to be held in November 2005); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the National Assembly


election results: Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE elected president; percent of vote - Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE 92%
Exports - NA (2001)
Exports - commodities - manufactures, coffee, oils, cocoa
Exports - partners - US 83.8%, Dominican Republic 6.5%, Canada 3.2% (2003)
Fiscal year - 1 October - 30 September
Flag description white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)
GDP - purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector - agriculture: 30%


industry: 20%


services: 50% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $1,600 (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate - 0% (2003 est.)
Geographic coordinates 6 00 S, 71 30 E; note - Diego Garcia 7 20 S, 72 25 E 19 00 N, 72 25 W
Geography - note archipelago of 55 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)
Highways - total: 4,160 km


paved: 1,011 km


unpaved: 3,149 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs - major Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US and Europe; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial transactions; pervasive corruption
Imports - NA (2001)
Imports - commodities - food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials
Imports - partners - US 53.5%, Dominican Republic 5.9%, Colombia 2.9% (2003)
Independence - 1 January 1804 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate - NA
Industries - sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly industries based on imported parts
Infant mortality rate - total: 74.38 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 79.83 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 68.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 37.8% (2003 est.)
International organization participation - ACCT, ACP, Caricom, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW (signatory), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Irrigated land 0 sq km 750 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch - Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation
Labor force - 3.6 million


note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1995)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture 66%, industry 9%, services 25%
Land boundaries 0 km total: 360 km


border countries: Dominican Republic 360 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (2005)
arable land: 28.3%


permanent crops: 11.61%


other: 60.09% (2001)
Languages - French (official), Creole (official)
Legal system the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch - bicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale consists of the Senate (27 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies (83 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - the National Assembly stopped functioning in January 2004 when the terms of all Deputies and two-thirds of sitting Senators expired; no replacements have been elected; the Prime Minister is currently ruling by decree


elections: Senate - last held for two-thirds of seats 21 May 2000 with runoffs on 9 July boycotted by the opposition; seven seats still disputed; election for remaining one-third held on 26 November 2000 (next to be held in 2004); Chamber of Deputies - last held 21 May 2000 with runoffs on 30 July boycotted by the opposition; one vacant seat rerun 26 November 2000 (next to be held in November 2005)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FL 26, independent 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FL 73, MOCHRENA 3, PLB 2, OPL 1, vacant 1, other minor parties and independents 3
Life expectancy at birth - total population: 51.78 years


male: 50.52 years


female: 53.12 years (2004 est.)
Literacy - definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 52.9%


male: 54.8%


female: 51.2% (2003 est.)
Location archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic
Map references Political Map of the World Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
Merchant marine - none
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016 -
Military branches - Haitian National Police (HNP)


note: the regular Haitian Army, Navy, and Air Force have been demobilized but still exist on paper until or unless they are constitutionally abolished
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $25.8 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 0.9% (2003)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 1,792,112 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 975,341 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 97,429 (2004 est.)
National holiday - Independence Day, 1 January (1804)
Nationality - noun: Haitian(s)


adjective: Haitian
Natural hazards NA lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts
Natural resources coconuts, fish, sugarcane bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower
Net migration rate - -3.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Political parties and leaders - Alliance for the Liberation and Advancement of Haiti or ALAH [Reynold GEORGES]; Assembly of Progressive National Democrats or RDNP [Leslie MANIGAT]; Convention for Democratic Unity or KID [leader Evans PAUL]; Democratic Convergence (opposition coalition composed of KID, KONAKOM, OPL, PANPRA, RNDP, MIDH, and MOCHRENA) [Evans PAUL, Victor BENOIT, Edgard LEBLANC, Serge GILLES, Leslie MANIGAT, Marc BAZIN, Luc MESADIEU]; Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Haiti or MODELH [Francois LATORTUE]; Grand Center Right Front coalition (composed of MDN, MRN, and PDCH) [Hubert de RONCERAY, Jean BUTEAU, Osner FEVRY and Marie-Denise CLAUDE]; Haitian Christian Democratic Party or PDCH [Osner FEVRY and Marie-Denise CLAUDE]; Haitian Democratic Party or PADEMH [Clark PARENT]; Haitian Democratic and Reform Movement or MODEREH [Dany TOUSSAINT and Pierre Soncon PRINCE]; Heads Together [Dr. Gerard BLOT]; Lavalas Family or FL [Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE]; Liberal Party of Haiti or PLH [Michael MADSEN]; Mobilization for National Development or MDN [Hubert DE RONCERAY]; Movement for National Reconstruction or MRN [Jean BUTEAU]; Movement for the Installation of Democracy in Haiti or MIDH [Marc BAZIN]; National Front for the Reconstruction of Haiti or FRON [Guy PHILIPPE and Winter ETIENNE]; National Progressive Democratic Party or PNDPH [Turneb DELPE]; New Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MOCHRENA [Luc MESADIEU]; Popular Party for the Renewal of Haiti, or Generation 2000 [Claude ROMAIN and Daniel SUPPLICE]; Struggling People's Organization or OPL [Edgard LEBLANC]
Political pressure groups and leaders - Autonomous Organizations of Haitian Workers or CATH [Fignole ST-CYR]; Confederation of Haitian Workers or CTH; Federation of Workers Trade Unions or FOS; Group of 184 Civil Society Organization, or G-184 [Andy APAID]; National Popular Assembly or APN; Papaye Peasants Movement or MPP [Chavannes JEAN-BAPTISTE]; Popular Organizations Gathering Power or PROP; Roman Catholic Church
Population no indigenous inhabitants


note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois, were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960s and 1970s; in November 2000 they were granted the right of return by a British High Court ruling, though no timetable has been set; in November 2004, there were approximately 4,000 UK and US military personnel and civilian contractors living on the island of Diego Garcia (July 2006 est.)
7,656,166


note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line - 80% (2003 est.)
Population growth rate - 1.71% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors - Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Jeremie, Les Cayes, Miragoane, Port-au-Prince, Port-de-Paix, Saint-Marc
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 41, FM 26, shortwave 0 (1999)
Religions - Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982)


note: roughly half of the population practices Voodoo
Sex ratio - at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage - 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: separate facilities for military and public needs are available


domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet


international: international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000)
general assessment: domestic facilities barely adequate; international facilities slightly better


domestic: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay trunk service


international: country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use NA 130,000 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular - 140,000 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) 2 (plus a cable TV service) (1997)
Terrain flat and low (most areas do not exceed two meters in elevation) mostly rough and mountainous
Total fertility rate - 4.76 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate - widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs (2002 est.)
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