Compare British Virgin Islands (2002) - Cook Islands (2003)

Compare British Virgin Islands (2002) z Cook Islands (2003)

	British Virgin Islands (2002)	Cook Islands (2003)

Administrative divisions	none (overseas territory of the UK)	none
Age structure	0-14 years: 22.4% (male 2,401; female 2,351) 15-64 years: 72.7% (male 7,962; female 7,509) 65 years and over: 4.9% (male 565; female 484) (2002 est.)	0-14 years: NA% 15-64 years: NA% 65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products	fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish	copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Airports	3 (2001)	7 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways	total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)	total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)	total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Area	total: 153 sq km land: 153 sq km water: 0 sq km note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the island of Anegada	total: 240 sq km land: 240 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative	about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC	1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Background	First settled by the Dutch in 1648, the islands were annexed in 1672 by the English. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency.	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	15.09 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)	NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget	revenues: $121.5 million expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)	revenues: $28 million expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY 00/01 est.)
Capital	Road Town	Avarua
Climate	subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds	tropical; moderated by trade winds
Coastline	80 km	120 km
Constitution	1 June 1977	4 August 1965
Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Harvey Islands
Currency	US dollar (USD)	New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Death rate	4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)	NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external	$36.1 million (1997)	$141 million (1996 est.)
Dependency status	overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing	self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Diplomatic representation from the US	none (overseas territory of the UK)	none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation in the US	none (overseas territory of the UK)	none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Disputes - international	none	none
Economic aid - recipient	NA	$13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995)
Economy - overview	The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 350,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 1998. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the dollar as its currency since 1959.	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 offset 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	39.1 million kWh (1999)	25.51 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports	0 kWh (1999)	0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports	0 kWh (1999)	0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production	42 million kWh (1999)	27.43 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes	lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m	lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Environment - current issues	limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments)	NA
Environment - international agreements	-	party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups	black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed	Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%
Exchange rates	the US dollar is used	New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.3535 (January 2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997)
Executive branch	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Tom MACAN (since 14 October 2002) head of government: Chief Minister Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May 1995) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the Legislative Council elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor	chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since NA), representative of New Zealand head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Robert WOONTON (since 12 February 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Ngamau MUNOKOA (since 5 November 2003) 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 majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Exports	$6.2 million	NA (2001)
Exports - commodities	rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand	copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports - partners	Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US	Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000)
Fiscal year	1 April - 31 March	1 April - 31 March
Flag description	blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)	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 - $311 million (2000 est.)	purchasing power parity - $105 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 2% industry: 6% services: 92% (1996 est.)	agriculture: 17% industry: 7.8% services: 75.2% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2000 est.)	purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate	4.4% (2000 est.)	7.1% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates	18 30 N, 64 30 W	21 14 S, 159 46 W
Geography - note	strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico	the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives
Highways	total: 177 km paved: 177 km unpaved: 0 km (2000)	total: 320 km paved: 33 km unpaved: 287 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs	transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center	-
Imports	$230 million (2000 est.)	NA (2001)
Imports - commodities	building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery	foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Imports - partners	Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US	NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000)
Independence	none (overseas territory of the 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% (1985)	1% (2002)
Industries	tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center	fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate	19.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)	total: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices)	3.3% (2000)	3.2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation	Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate)	ACP, AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS (associate), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	16 (2000)	3 (2000)
Irrigated land	NA sq km	NA sq km
Judicial branch	Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction	High Court
Labor force	4,911 (1980)	8,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation	agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%	agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56% note: shortage of skilled labor (1995)
Land boundaries	0 km	0 km
Land use	arable land: 20% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 73.33% (1998 est.)	arable land: 17.39% permanent crops: 13.04% other: 69.57% (1998 est.)
Languages	English (official)	English (official), Maori
Legal system	English law	based on New Zealand law and English common law
Legislative branch	unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, one member from each of 9 electoral districts, four at-large members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 17 May 1999 (next to be held NA 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - VIP 7, CCM 1, NDP 5	unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 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 and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers
Life expectancy at birth	total population: 75.85 years male: 74.9 years female: 76.84 years (2002 est.)	total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years (2003 est.)
Literacy	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% (1991 est.) male: NA% female: NA%	definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA%
Location	Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico	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 fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM	continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine	total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,285 GRT/6,946 DWT ships by type: passenger 1 (2002 est.)	-
Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the UK	defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
National holiday	Territory Day, 1 July	Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Nationality	noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander	noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander
Natural hazards	hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)	typhoons (November to March)
Natural resources	NEGL	NEGL
Net migration rate	10.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)	-
Political parties and leaders	Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]	Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]; Cook Islands National Party or CIN [Teariki HEATHER]
Political pressure groups and leaders	NA	NA
Population	21,272 (July 2002 est.)	21,008 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line	NA%	NA%
Population growth rate	2.16% (2002 est.)	NA% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors	Road Town	Avarua, Avatiu
Radio broadcast stations	AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)	AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios	9,000 (1997)	-
Railways	0 km	0 km
Religions	Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%, other 2% (1991)	Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church)
Sex ratio	at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.17 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2002 est.)	NA (2003 est.)
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal	NA years of age; universal adult
Telephone system	general assessment: worldwide telephone service domestic: NA international: submarine cable to Bermuda	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	10,000 (1996)	5,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular	NA	0 (1994)
Television broadcast stations	1 (plus one cable company) (1997)	2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain	coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly	low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Total fertility rate	1.72 children born/woman (2002 est.)	NA children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate	3% (1995)	13% (1996)
Waterways	none	none

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