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Compare British Virgin Islands (2002) - Korea, North (2001)

Compare British Virgin Islands (2002) z Korea, North (2001)

 British Virgin Islands (2002)Korea, North (2001)
 British Virgin IslandsKorea, North
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 3 special cities* (si, singular and plural); Chagang-do (Chagang Province), Hamgyong-bukto (North Hamgyong Province), Hamgyong-namdo (South Hamgyong Province), Hwanghae-bukto (North Hwanghae Province), Hwanghae-namdo (South Hwanghae Province), Kaesong-si* (Kaesong City), Kangwon-do (Kangwon Province), Namp'o-si* (Namp'o City), P'yongan-bukto (North P'yongan Province), P'yongan-namdo (South P'yongan Province), P'yongyang-si* (P'yongyang City), Yanggang-do (Yanggang Province)
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:
25.52% (male 2,873,390; female 2,733,163)

15-64 years:
67.63% (male 7,301,531; female 7,556,554)

65 years and over:
6.85% (male 486,805; female 1,016,785) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs, pork, eggs
Airports 3 (2001) 87 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total:
39

over 3,047 m:
3

2,438 to 3,047 m:
26

1,524 to 2,437 m:
8

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total:
48

2,438 to 3,047 m:
3

1,524 to 2,437 m:
24

914 to 1,523 m:
13

under 914 m:
8 (2000 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:
120,540 sq km

land:
120,410 sq km

water:
130 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Mississippi
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. Following World War II, Korea was split into a northern, communist half and a southern, Western-oriented half. KIM Chong-il has ruled North Korea since his father and the country's founder, president KIM Il-song, died in 1994. After decades of mismanagement, the North relies heavily on international food aid to feed its population, while continuing to expend resources to maintain an army of about 1 million. North Korea's long-range missile development and research into nuclear and chemical weapons are of major concern to the international community.
Birth rate 15.09 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 19.1 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $121.5 million


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

expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Capital Road Town P'yongyang
Climate subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds temperate with rainfall concentrated in summer
Coastline 80 km 2,495 km
Constitution 1 June 1977 adopted 1948, completely revised 27 December 1972, revised again in April 1992 and September 1998
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: British Virgin Islands


abbreviation: BVI
conventional long form:
Democratic People's Republic of Korea

conventional short form:
North Korea

local long form:
Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk

local short form:
none

note:
the North Koreans generally use the term "Choson" to refer to their country

abbreviation:
DPRK
Currency US dollar (USD) North Korean won (KPW)
Death rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 6.92 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $36.1 million (1997) $12 billion (1996 est.)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) none (Swedish Embassy in P'yongyang represents the US as consular protecting power)
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) none; note - North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, headed by YI Hyong-chol
Disputes - international none 33-km section of boundary with China in the Paektu-san (mountain) area is indefinite; Demarcation Line with South Korea
Economic aid - recipient NA $NA; note - an estimated $200 million to $300 million in humanitarian aid from US, South Korea, Japan, and EU in 1997 plus much additional aid from the UN and non-governmental organizations; substantial continuing humanitarian aid, 1998-2000
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. North Korea, one of the world's most centrally planned and isolated economies, faces desperate economic conditions. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of years of underinvestment and spare parts shortages. The nation faces its seventh year of food shortages because of weather-related problems, including major drought in 2000, and chronic shortages of fertilizer and fuel. Massive international food aid deliveries have allowed the regime to escape the major consequence of spreading economic failure, such as mass starvation, but the population remains vulnerable to prolonged malnutrition and deteriorating living conditions. Large-scale military spending eats up resources needed for expanding investment and consumption goods. In 2000, the regime placed emphasis on expanding foreign trade links, embracing modern technology, and attracting foreign investment, but in no way at the expense of relinquishing central control over key national assets or undergoing market-oriented reforms.
Electricity - consumption 39.1 million kWh (1999) 26.598 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 42 million kWh (1999) 28.6 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (1999)
fossil fuel:
34.62%

hydro:
65.38%

nuclear:
0%

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


highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
lowest point:
Sea of Japan 0 m

highest point:
Paektu-san 2,744 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) water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; water-borne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation
Environment - international agreements - party to:
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified:
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese
Exchange rates the US dollar is used official: North Korean won per US dollar - 2.15 (May 1994), 2.13 (May 1992), 2.14 (September 1991), 2.1 (January 1990), 2.3 (December 1989); market: North Korean won per US dollar - 200
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:
KIM Chong-il (since NA July 1994); note - in September 1998, KIM Chong-il was reelected Chairman of the National Defense Commission, a position accorded the nation's "highest administrative authority"; KIM Yong-nam was named President of the Supreme People's Assembly Presidium and given the responsibility of representing the state and receiving diplomatic credentials

head of government:
Premier HONG Song-nam (since 5 September 1998)

cabinet:
Cabinet (Naegak), members, except for the Minister of People's Armed Forces, are appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly

elections:
premier elected by the Supreme People's Assembly; election last held NA September 1998 (next to be held NA)

election results:
HONG Song-nam elected premier; percent of Supreme People's Assembly vote - NA%
Exports $6.2 million $520 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand minerals, metallurgical products, manufactures (including armaments); agricultural and fishery products
Exports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Japan 28%, South Korea 21%, China 5%, Germany 4%, Russia 1% (1995)
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) three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star
GDP purchasing power parity - $311 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $22 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 2%


industry: 6%


services: 92% (1996 est.)
agriculture:
30%

industry:
42%

services:
28% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.4% (2000 est.) -3% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 30 N, 64 30 W 40 00 N, 127 00 E
Geography - note strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated
Highways total: 177 km


paved: 177 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
total:
31,200 km

paved:
1,997 km

unpaved:
29,203 km (1996)
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.) $960 million (c.i.f., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery petroleum, coking coal, machinery and equipment; consumer goods, grain
Imports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US China 33%, Japan 17%, Russia 5%, South Korea 4%, Germany 3% (1995)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 15 August 1945 (from Japan)
Industrial production growth rate 4% (1985) NA%
Industries tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism
Infant mortality rate 19.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 23.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.3% (2000) NA%
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) ARF (dialogue partner), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 16 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 14,600 sq km (1993 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 Central Court (judges are elected by the Supreme People's Assembly)
Labor force 4,911 (1980) 9.6 million
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% agricultural 36%, nonagricultural 64%
Land boundaries 0 km total:
1,673 km

border countries:
China 1,416 km, South Korea 238 km, Russia 19 km
Land use arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 73.33% (1998 est.)
arable land:
14%

permanent crops:
2%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
61%

other:
23% (1993 est.)
Languages English (official) Korean
Legal system English law based on German civil law system with Japanese influences and Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; 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
unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 26 July 1998 (next to be held NA 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - the KWP approves a single list of candidates who are elected without opposition; minor parties hold a few seats
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.85 years


male: 74.9 years


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

male:
68.04 years

female:
74.15 years (2001 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 can read and write Korean

total population:
99%

male:
99%

female:
99% (1990 est.)
Location Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Asia
Maritime claims exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 3 NM
territorial sea:
12 NM

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

note:
military boundary line 50 NM in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned
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:
110 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 661,792 GRT/903,367 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 4, cargo 94, combination bulk 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 1, short-sea passenger 2 (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches - Korean People's Army (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), Civil Security Forces
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $3.7 billion to $4.9 billion (FY98 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 25% to 33% (FY98 est.)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
5,943,735 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
3,574,050 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
179,136 (2001 est.)
National holiday Territory Day, 1 July Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)
Nationality noun: British Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: British Virgin Islander
noun:
Korean(s)

adjective:
Korean
Natural hazards hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall
Natural resources NEGL coal, lead, tungsten, zinc, graphite, magnesite, iron ore, copper, gold, pyrites, salt, fluorspar, hydropower
Net migration rate 10.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines - crude oil 37 km; petroleum product 180 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] Chondoist Chongu Party [YU Mi-yong, chairwoman]; Korean Social Democratic Party [KIM Pyong-sik, chairman]; major party - Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Chong-il, General Secretary]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 21,272 (July 2002 est.) 21,968,228 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.16% (2002 est.) 1.22% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Road Town Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong, Najin, Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang, Wonsan
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 16, FM 14, shortwave 12 (1999)
Radios 9,000 (1997) 3.36 million (1997)
Railways 0 km total:
5,000 km

standard gauge:
4,095 km 1.435-m gauge (3,500 km electrified; 159 km double track)

narrow gauge:
665 km 0.762-m gauge

dual gauge:
240 km 1.435-m and 1.600-m gauges (four rails interlaced) (1996 est.)
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) traditionally Buddhist and Confucianist, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way)

note:
autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom
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:
0.97 male(s)/female

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

total population:
0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 17 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: worldwide telephone service


domestic: NA


international: submarine cable to Bermuda
general assessment:
NA

domestic:
NA

international:
satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Russian (Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and Beijing
Telephones - main lines in use 10,000 (1996) 1.1 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA NA
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus one cable company) (1997) 38 (1999)
Terrain coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; coastal plains wide in west, discontinuous in east
Total fertility rate 1.72 children born/woman (2002 est.) 2.26 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 3% (1995) NA%
Waterways none 2,253 km

note:
mostly navigable by small craft only
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