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Compare British Virgin Islands (2002) - French Polynesia (2004)

Compare British Virgin Islands (2002) z French Polynesia (2004)

 British Virgin Islands (2002)French Polynesia (2004)
 British Virgin IslandsFrench Polynesia
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent


note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesia
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: 27.5% (male 37,372; female 35,818)


15-64 years: 66.9% (male 92,594; female 85,455)


65 years and over: 5.7% (male 7,616; female 7,484) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits; poultry, beef, dairy products, coffee
Airports 3 (2001) 49 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total: 37


over 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5


914 to 1,523 m: 23


under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total: 13


914 to 1,523 m: 5


under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)
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: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls)


land: 3,660 sq km


water: 507 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut
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. The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996.
Birth rate 15.09 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 17.34 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues: $121.5 million


expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
revenues: $1 billion


expenditures: $900 million, including capital expenditures of $185 million (1996)
Capital Road Town Papeete
Climate subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds tropical, but moderate
Coastline 80 km 2,525 km
Constitution 1 June 1977 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: British Virgin Islands


abbreviation: BVI
conventional long form: Territory of French Polynesia


conventional short form: French Polynesia


local long form: Territoire de la Polynesie Francaise


local short form: Polynesie Francaise


former: French Colony of Oceania
Currency US dollar (USD) Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
Death rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 4.58 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $36.1 million (1997) NA (2000 est.)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing overseas territory of France since 1946
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of France)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient NA $367 million (1997)
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. Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services.
Electricity - consumption 39.1 million kWh (1999) 398.3 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) 428.3 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (1999)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 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
Ethnic groups black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 105.73 (2003), 126.72 (2002), 133.26 (2001), 129.43 (2000), 111.93 (1999)


note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro
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: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Michel MATHIEU (since 24 October 2001)


head of government: President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 9 October 2004); President of the Territorial Assembly Lucette TAERO (since 17 May 2001)


cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers


elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly
Exports $6.2 million NA (2001)
Exports - commodities rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat
Exports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US France 66.3%, Japan 16.1%, US 9.1% (2003)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
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) two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue and white ship rides on the wave pattern; the French flag is used for official occasions
GDP purchasing power parity - $311 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $4.58 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 2%


industry: 6%


services: 92% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 6%


industry: 18%


services: 76% (1997)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $17,500 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.4% (2000 est.) 4% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 30 N, 64 30 W 15 00 S, 140 00 W
Geography - note strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral); Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru
Heliports - 1 (2003 est.)
Highways total: 177 km


paved: 177 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
total: 2,590 km


paved: 1,735 km


unpaved: 855 km (1999)
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 fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment
Imports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US France 59.9%, Australia 11.9%, New Zealand 6%, US 6% (2003)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) none (overseas territory of France)
Industrial production growth rate 4% (1985) NA
Industries tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates
Infant mortality rate 19.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 8.61 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 9.92 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 7.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.3% (2000) 1.5% (2002 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) FZ, ICFTU, PIF (observer), UPU, WMO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 16 (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 Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif
Labor force 4,911 (1980) 70,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% agriculture 13%, industry 19%, services 68% (1997)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 73.33% (1998 est.)
arable land: 0.82%


permanent crops: 5.46%


other: 93.72% (2001)
Languages English (official) French (official), Tahitian (official)
Legal system English law based on French system
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 Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats - changed from 49 seats for May 2004 election; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 23 May 2004 (next to be held NA May 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 28, Union for Democracy 27, New Star 1, This Country is Yours 1


note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on NA September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, UMP 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.85 years


male: 74.9 years


female: 76.84 years (2002 est.)
total population: 75.67 years


male: 73.29 years


female: 78.18 years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: age 14 and over can read and write


total population: 98%


male: 98%


female: 98% (1977 est.)
Location Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from South America to Australia
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Oceania
Maritime claims exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 3 NM
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 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.)
total: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 17,537 GRT/15,150 DWT


by type: cargo 3, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2004 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK defense is the responsibility of France
Military branches - no regular military forces; Gendarmerie and National Police Force
National holiday Territory Day, 1 July Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Nationality noun: British Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: British Virgin Islander
noun: French Polynesian(s)


adjective: French Polynesian
Natural hazards hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) occasional cyclonic storms in January
Natural resources NEGL timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower
Net migration rate 10.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 2.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 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] Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]; People's Rally for the Republic of Polynesia or RPR (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; The New Star (Te Fetia Api) [Philippe SHYLE]; This Country is Yours (No Oe E Te Nunaa) [Nicle BOUTEAU]; Union for Democracy or UPD [Oscar TEMARU]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 21,272 (July 2002 est.) 266,339 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA
Population growth rate 2.16% (2002 est.) 1.57% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Road Town Mataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios 9,000 (1997) -
Railways 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) Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6%
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.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female


total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: worldwide telephone service


domestic: NA


international: submarine cable to Bermuda
general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 10,000 (1996) 52,500 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 90,000 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus one cable company) (1997) 7 (plus 17 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs
Total fertility rate 1.72 children born/woman (2002 est.) 2.09 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate 3% (1995) 11.8% (1994)
Waterways none -
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