Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare British Indian Ocean Territory (2008) - Guatemala (2003)

Compare British Indian Ocean Territory (2008) z Guatemala (2003)

 British Indian Ocean Territory (2008)Guatemala (2003)
 British Indian Ocean TerritoryGuatemala
Administrative divisions - 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa
Age structure - 0-14 years: 42.9% (male 3,052,658; female 2,908,428)


15-64 years: 53.8% (male 3,779,688; female 3,706,315)


65 years and over: 3.3% (male 215,653; female 246,642) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products - sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens
Airports 1 (2007) 466 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


over 3,047 m: 1 (2007)
total: 11


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 455


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 9


914 to 1,523 m: 115


under 914 m: 330 (2002)
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: 108,890 sq km


land: 108,430 sq km


water: 460 sq km
Area - comparative land area is about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Tennessee
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. Guatemala was freed of Spanish colonial rule in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had led to the death of more than 100,000 people and had created some 1 million refugees.
Birth rate - 35.05 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget - revenues: $2.3 billion


expenditures: $2.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $750 million (2002 est.)
Capital - Guatemala
Climate tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Coastline 698 km 400 km
Constitution - 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; note - suspended 25 May 1993 by former President SERRANO; reinstated 5 June 1993 following ouster of president; amended November 1993
Country name conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory


conventional short form: none


abbreviation: BIOT
conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala


conventional short form: Guatemala


local long form: Republica de Guatemala


local short form: Guatemala
Currency - quetzal (GTQ), US dollar (USD), others allowed
Death rate - 6.78 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external - $4.9 billion (2002 est.)
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 John Randle HAMILTON


embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City


mailing address: APO AA 34024


telephone: [502] 331-1541/55


FAX: [502] 334-8477
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio Fernando ARENALES Forno


chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952


FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908


consulate(s) general: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco
Disputes - international Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia; in 2001, the former inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, evicted in 1967 and 1973 and now residing chiefly in Mauritius, were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation; in May 2006, the High Court of London reversed U.K. Government's 2004 orders of council that banned habitation on the islands; a small group of Chagossians visited Diego Garcia in April 2006; repatriation is complicated by the exclusive US military lease of Diego Garcia that restricts access to the largest viable island in the chain Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in Belize border region; OAS brokered Differendum in 2002 creating small adjustment to land boundary, large Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and substantial US-UK financial package, but agreement was not brought to popular referendum leaving Guatemalan claim to southern half of Belize intact
Economic aid - recipient - $250 million (2000 est.)
Economy - overview All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where a joint UK-US military facility is located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installation are performed 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 native Ilois return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane production and fishing. The territory makes money by selling fishing licenses and postage stamps. The agricultural sector accounts for about one-fourth of GDP, two-thirds of exports, and half of the labor force. Coffee, sugar, and bananas are the main products. Former President ARZU (1996-2000) worked to implement a program of economic liberalization and political modernization. President PORTILLO has continued the liberalization program but with more sporadic results. The 1996 signing of the peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, but numerous corruption scandals associated with the PORTILLO administration have dampened investor confidence. The distribution of income remains highly unequal, with perhaps 75% of the population below the poverty line. Ongoing challenges include increasing the government revenues, negotiating further assistance from international donors, upgrading both government and private financial operations, and narrowing the trade deficit. A free trade agreement between the US and Central American countries promises greater access to US and neighboring markets.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 5.559 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports - 336 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports - 95 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military 6.237 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 51.9%


hydro: 35.2%


nuclear: 0%


other: 12.9% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m
Environment - current issues NA deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution
Environment - international agreements - party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol
Ethnic groups - Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish or assimilated Amerindian - in local Spanish called Ladino), approximately 55%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian, approximately 43%, whites and others 2%
Exchange rates - quetzales per US dollar - 7.82 (2002), 7.86 (2001), 7.76 (2000), 7.39 (1999), 6.39 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)


head of government: Commissioner Leigh TURNER (since July 2006); Administrator Tony HUMPHRIES (since February 2005); note - both reside in the UK and are represented by the officer commanding British Forces on Diego Garcia


cabinet: NA


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch
chief of state: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (since 14 January 2000); Vice President Juan Francisco REYES Lopez (since 14 January 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 7 November 1999; runoff held 26 December 1999 (next to be held NA November 2003)


election results: Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera elected president; percent of vote - Alfonso Antonio PORTILLO Cabrera (FRG) 68%, Oscar BERGER Perdomo (PAN) 32%
Exports - NA (2001)
Exports - commodities - coffee, sugar, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom, meat, apparel, petroleum, electricity
Exports - partners - US 58.7%, El Salvador 9.3%, Nicaragua 3.1% (2002)
Fiscal year - calendar year
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 three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath
GDP - purchasing power parity - $53.2 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector - agriculture: 23%


industry: 20%


services: 57% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $3,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate - 2.2% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 6 00 S, 71 30 E; note - Diego Garcia 7 20 S, 72 25 E 15 30 N, 90 15 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 no natural harbors on west coast
Highways - total: 14,118 km


paved: 4,871 km (including 74 km of expressways)


unpaved: 9,247 km (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%: 1.6%


highest 10%: 46% (1998)
Illicit drugs - major transit country for cocaine and heroin; minor producer of illicit opium poppy and cannabis for mostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (cocaine and heroin shipments); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is a major problem
Imports - NA (2001)
Imports - commodities - fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity
Imports - partners - US 33.2%, Mexico 9.9%, South Korea 8.2%, El Salvador 5.7%, China 4% (2002)
Independence - 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Industrial production growth rate - 4.1% (1999)
Industries - sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism
Infant mortality rate - total: 37.92 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 38.72 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 37.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 8.1% (2002 est.)
International organization participation - BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 5 (2000)
Irrigated land 0 sq km 1,250 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch - Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (thirteen members serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of the Court each year from among their number; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms); Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitutcionalidad (five judges are elected for concurrent five-year terms by Congress, each serving one year as president of the Constitutional Court; one is elected by Congress, one elected by the Supreme Court of Justice, one appointed by the President, one elected by Superior Counsel of Universidad San Carlos de Guatemala, and one by Colegio de Abogados)
Labor force - 4.2 million (1999 est.)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture 50%, industry 15%, services 35% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,687 km


border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (2005)
arable land: 12.54%


permanent crops: 5.03%


other: 82.43% (1998 est.)
Languages - Spanish 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)
Legal system the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch - unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (140 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 9 November 2003 (next to be held NA November 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - GANA 49, FRG 42, UNE 33, PAN 16


note: for the 9 November 2003 election, the number of congressional seats increased to 140 from 113
Life expectancy at birth - total population: 65.23 years


male: 64.31 years


female: 66.21 years (2003 est.)
Literacy - definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 70.6%


male: 78%


female: 63.3% (2003 est.)
Location archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize
Map references Political Map of the World Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - none (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016 -
Military branches - Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $120 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 0.6% (FY99)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 3,320,077 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 2,167,270 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 151,294 (2003 est.)
National holiday - Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Nationality - noun: Guatemalan(s)


adjective: Guatemalan
Natural hazards NA numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms
Natural resources coconuts, fish, sugarcane petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower
Net migration rate - -1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines - oil 480 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders - Authentic Integral Development or DIA [Eduardo SUGER]; Democratic Union or UD [Rodolfo PAIZ Andrade]; Grand National Alliance or GANA [leader NA]; Green Party or LOV [Rodolfo ROSALES Garcis-Salaz]; Guatemalan Christian Democracy or DCG [Vinicio CEREZO Arevalo]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Secretary General Alba ESTELA Maldonado]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Efrain RIOS Montt]; Movement for Guatemalan Unity or MGU [Jacobo ARBENZ Villanueva]; Movement for Principals and Values or MPV [Francisco BIANCHI]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Secretary General Leonel LOPEZ Rodas]; National Unity for Hope or UNE [Alvarado COLOM Caballeros]; New Nation Alliance or ANN, formed by an alliance of DIA, URNG, and several splinter groups most of whom subsequently defected [led by three co-equal partners - Nineth Varenca MONTENEGRO Cottom, Rodolfo BAUER Paiz, and Jorge Antonio BALSELLS TUT]; Patriot Party or PP [retired General Otto PEREZ Molina]; Progressive Liberator Party or PLP [Acisclo VALLADARES Molina]; Reform Movement or MR [Secretary General Alfredo SKINNER-KLEE]; Unionista Party [leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders - Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or CACIF; Mutual Support Group or GAM
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
13,909,384 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line - 75% (2002 est.)
Population growth rate - 2.66% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors - Champerico, Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, San Jose, Santo Tomas de Castilla
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 130, FM 487, shortwave 15 (2000)
Railways - total: 886 km


narrow gauge: 886 km 0.914-m gauge (2002)
Religions - Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs
Sex ratio - at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


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


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


total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage - 18 years of age; universal (active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day)
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: country code (Diego Garcia) - 246; international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000)
general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala


domestic: NA


international: connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use NA 665,061 (June 2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular - 663,296 (September 2000)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) 26 (plus 27 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain flat and low (most areas do not exceed two meters in elevation) mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten)
Total fertility rate - 4.67 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate - 7.5% (1999 est.)
Waterways - 990 km


note: 260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during highwater season
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.