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

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

 British Virgin Islands (2002)Jamaica (2003)
 British Virgin IslandsJamaica
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, Westmoreland
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: 28.6% (male 395,074; female 376,870)


15-64 years: 64.5% (male 870,486; female 869,431)


65 years and over: 6.8% (male 82,022; female 101,984) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, potatoes, vegetables; poultry, goats, milk
Airports 3 (2001) 35 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total: 11


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 5 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total: 24


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 22 (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: 10,991 sq km


land: 10,831 sq km


water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than 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. Jamaica gained full independence within the British Commonwealth in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence and a dropoff in tourism. Elections in 1980 saw the democratic socialists voted out of office. Subsequent governments have been open market oriented. Political violence marred elections during the 1990s.
Birth rate 15.09 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 17.35 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $121.5 million


expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
revenues: $2.23 billion


expenditures: $2.56 billion, including capital expenditures of $232.5 million (FY 99/00 est.)
Capital Road Town Kingston
Climate subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior
Coastline 80 km 1,022 km
Constitution 1 June 1977 6 August 1962
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: British Virgin Islands


abbreviation: BVI
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Jamaica
Currency US dollar (USD) Jamaican dollar (JMD)
Death rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 5.42 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $36.1 million (1997) $5.3 billion (2002 est.)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Sue McCourt COBB


embassy: Jamaica Mutual Life Center, 2 Oxford Road, 3rd floor, Kingston 5


mailing address: use embassy street address


telephone: [1] (876) 929-4850 through 4859


FAX: [1] (876) 935-6001
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Seymour MULLINGS


chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036


telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660


FAX: [1] (202) 452-0081


consulate(s) general: Miami and New York
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient NA NA
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. The economy, which depends heavily on tourism and bauxite, has been stagnant since 1995. After five years of recession, the economy inched ahead, by 0.8% in 2000, 1.7% in 2001, and 0.8% in 2002; the global economic slowdown, particularly in the United States after the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, has stunted the economic recovery. Serious problems include: high interest rates; increased foreign competition; a pressured, sometimes sliding, exchange rate; a widening merchandise trade deficit; and a growing internal debt, the result of government bailouts to various ailing sectors of the economy, particularly the financial sector. Depressed economic conditions have led to increased civil unrest, including serious violent crime. Jamaica's medium-term prospects will depend upon encouraging investment and tourism, maintaining a competitive exchange rate, selling off reacquired firms, and implementing proper fiscal and monetary policies.
Electricity - consumption 39.1 million kWh (1999) 5.833 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 42 million kWh (1999) 6.272 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (1999)
fossil fuel: 96.8%


hydro: 1.8%


nuclear: 0%


other: 1.5% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Blue Mountain Peak 2,256 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) heavy rates of deforestation; coastal waters polluted by industrial waste, sewage, and oil spills; damage to coral reefs; air pollution in Kingston results from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed black 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, white 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%, mixed 7.3%, other 0.1%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Jamaican dollars per US dollar - 48.42 (2002), 46 (2001), 42.7 (2000), 39.04 (1999), 36.55 (1998)
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 Governor General Sir Howard Felix COOKE (since 1 August 1991)


head of government: Prime Minister Percival James PATTERSON (since 30 March 1992)


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 on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition in the House of Representatives is appointed prime minister by the governor general; the deputy prime minister is recommended by the prime minister
Exports $6.2 million NA (2001)
Exports - commodities rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand alumina, bauxite; sugar, bananas, rum
Exports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US US 28.1%, Canada 12.2%, Norway 10.7%, UK 10.5%, Germany 7%, Netherlands 5.6% (2002)
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) diagonal yellow cross divides the flag into four triangles - green (top and bottom) and black (hoist side and outer side)
GDP purchasing power parity - $311 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $10.08 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 2%


industry: 6%


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


industry: 31%


services: 63% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $3,800 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.4% (2000 est.) 1% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 30 N, 64 30 W 18 15 N, 77 30 W
Geography - note strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal
Highways total: 177 km


paved: 177 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
total: 18,700 km


paved: 13,109 km


unpaved: 5,591 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 2.7%


highest 10%: 30.3% (2000)
Illicit drugs transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center major transshipment point for cocaine from South America to North America and Europe; illicit cultivation of cannabis; government has an active manual cannabis eradication program; corruption is a major concern; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics traffickers favor Jamaica for illicit financial transactions
Imports $230 million (2000 est.) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, fuel, food, chemicals, fertilizers
Imports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US US 45%, Trinidad and Tobago 11%, Japan 4.7% (2002)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 6 August 1962 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 4% (1985) -2% (2000 est.)
Industries tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center tourism, bauxite, textiles, food processing, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, chemical products
Infant mortality rate 19.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 13.26 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 12.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.3% (2000) 7% (2002 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 16 (2000) 21 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 250 sq km (1998 est.)
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 Supreme Court (judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal
Labor force 4,911 (1980) 1.13 million (1998)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% services 60%, agriculture 21%, industry 19% (1998)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 73.33% (1998 est.)
arable land: 16.07%


permanent crops: 9.23%


other: 74.7% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official) English, patois English
Legal system English law based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (a 21-member body appointed by the governor general on the recommendations of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; ruling party is allocated 13 seats, and the opposition is allocated eight seats) and the House of Representatives (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 16 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - PNP 52%, JLP 47.3%; seats by party - PNP 34, JLP 26
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.85 years


male: 74.9 years


female: 76.84 years (2002 est.)
total population: 75.85 years


male: 73.84 years


female: 77.97 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 87.9%


male: 84.1%


female: 91.6% (2003 est.)
Location Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 3 NM
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: 200 NM or to 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.)
total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 50,536 GRT/62,868 DWT


ships by type: bulk 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Latvia 2, US 2 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches - Jamaica Defense Force (including Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), Jamaica Constabulary Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $30 million (FY95/96 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA%
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 755,698 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 528,689 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 27,398 (2003 est.)
National holiday Territory Day, 1 July Independence Day, first Monday in August (1962)
Nationality noun: British Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: British Virgin Islander
noun: Jamaican(s)


adjective: Jamaican
Natural hazards hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) hurricanes (especially July to November)
Natural resources NEGL bauxite, gypsum, limestone
Net migration rate 10.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) -5.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines - petroleum products 10 km
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] Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Edward SEAGA]; National Democratic Movement or NDM [Bruce GOLDING]; People's National Party or PNP [Percival James PATTERSON]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists)
Population 21,272 (July 2002 est.) 2,695,867 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 34.2% (1992 est.)
Population growth rate 2.16% (2002 est.) 0.61% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Road Town Alligator Pond, Discovery Bay, Kingston, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, Rocky Point, Port Esquivel (Longswharf)
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 10, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 9,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km total: 272 km


standard gauge: 272 km 1.435-m gauge; note - 207 km, belonging to the Jamaica Railway Corporation, were in common carrier service but are no longer operational; the remaining track is privately owned and used to transport bauxite (2002)
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 61.3% (Church of God 21.2%, Baptist 8.8%, Anglican 5.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 9%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Methodist 2.7%, United Church 2.7%, Brethren 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.6%, Moravian 1.1%), Roman Catholic 4%, other, including some spiritual cults 34.7%
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: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female


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


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 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: fully automatic domestic telephone network


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); 3 coaxial submarine cables
Telephones - main lines in use 10,000 (1996) 353,000 (1996)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 54,640 (1996)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus one cable company) (1997) 7 (1997)
Terrain coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
Total fertility rate 1.72 children born/woman (2002 est.) 2.01 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 3% (1995) 15.4% (2002 est.)
Waterways none none
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