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

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

 British Virgin Islands (2002)Mauritius (2003)
 British Virgin IslandsMauritius
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne
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: 25.1% (male 153,401; female 150,399)


15-64 years: 68.5% (male 413,660; female 415,534)


65 years and over: 6.4% (male 30,673; female 46,780) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish
Airports 3 (2001) 5 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 1 (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: 2,040 sq km


land: 2,030 sq km


water: 10 sq km


note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC almost 11 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. Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently held by the Dutch, French, and British before independence was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather and declining sugar prices have slowed economic growth, leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community.
Birth rate 15.09 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 16.1 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $121.5 million


expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
revenues: $1.1 billion


expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
Capital Road Town Port Louis
Climate subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)
Coastline 80 km 177 km
Constitution 1 June 1977 12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: British Virgin Islands


abbreviation: BVI
conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius


conventional short form: Mauritius
Currency US dollar (USD) Mauritian rupee (MUR)
Death rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $36.1 million (1997) $2.4 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 John PRICE


embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis


mailing address: international mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2450


telephone: [230] 202-4400


FAX: [230] 208-9534
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Usha JEETAH


chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491, 1492


FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983
Disputes - international none Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius, but were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation in 2001; claims French-administered Tromelin Island
Economic aid - recipient NA $42 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 independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 25% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on foreign investment. Mauritius has attracted more than 9,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India and South Africa, and investment in the banking sector alone has reached over $1 billion. Mauritius, with its strong textile sector and responsible fiscal management, has been well poised to take advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The government is encouraging foreign investment in the information technology field.
Electricity - consumption 39.1 million kWh (1999) 1.219 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) 1.311 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (1999)
fossil fuel: 90.8%


hydro: 9.2%


nuclear: 0%


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


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


highest point: Mont Piton 828 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, degradation of coral reefs
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, 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 Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Mauritian rupees per US dollar - 29.96 (2002), 29.13 (2001), 26.25 (2000), 25.19 (1999), 23.99 (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: President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 7 October 2003) and Vice President (vacant; a new Vice President will be determined by assembly elections on NA December 2003)


head of government: Prime Minister Paul BERENGER (since 30 September 2003)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister


elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 25 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly


election results: Karl OFFMANN elected president and Raouf BUNDHUN elected vice president; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA%; note - Karl OFFMANN and Raouf BUNDHUN stepped down on 30 September 2003
Exports $6.2 million NA (2001)
Exports - commodities rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses
Exports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US UK 27.7%, France 25.5%, US 16.4%, Madagascar 6.2%, Belgium 5% (2002)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 July - 30 June
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) four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green
GDP purchasing power parity - $311 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $12.15 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 2%


industry: 6%


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


industry: 33%


services: 61% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $10,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.4% (2000 est.) 2.3% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 30 N, 64 30 W 20 17 S, 57 33 E
Geography - note strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs
Highways total: 177 km


paved: 177 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
total: 1,926 km


paved: 1,868 km (including 44 km of expressways)


unpaved: 58 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 minor consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the government appears generally to be committed to regulating its banking industry
Imports $230 million (2000 est.) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US France 18.4%, South Africa 13.5%, India 7.8%, China 4.5%, UK 4.2% (2002)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 12 March 1968 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 4% (1985) 8% (2000 est.)
Industries tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing; chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery; tourism
Infant mortality rate 19.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 16.11 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 18.98 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 13.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.3% (2000) 6.4% (2002 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 16 (2000) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 200 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
Labor force 4,911 (1980) 514,000 (1995)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% construction and industry 36%, services 24%, agriculture and fishing 14%, trade, restaurants, hotels 16%, transportation and communication 7%, finance 3% (1995)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 73.33% (1998 est.)
arable land: 49.26%


permanent crops: 2.96%


other: 47.78% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official) English (official), Creole, French (official), Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bhojpuri
Legal system English law based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas
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 National Assembly (66 seats; 62 elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the election commission from the losing political parties to give representation to various ethnic minorities; members serve five-year terms)


elections: last held on 11 September 2000 (next to be held by September 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - MSM/MMM 52.3%, MLP/PMSD 36.9%, OPR 10.8%; seats by party - MSM/MMM 54, MLP/PMSD 6, OPR 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.85 years


male: 74.9 years


female: 76.84 years (2002 est.)
total population: 71.8 years


male: 67.82 years


female: 75.85 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 can read and write


total population: 85.6%


male: 88.6%


female: 82.7% (2003 est.)
Location Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Political Map of the World
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.)
total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 23,455 GRT/27,102 DWT


ships by type: cargo 1, combination bulk 4, passenger/cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 2


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience:, Belgium 1, India 3, Norway 1, Switzerland 2 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches - National Police Force (includes the paramilitary Special Mobile Force or SMF and National Coast Guard)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $9.712 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 0.2% (FY02)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 341,029 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 171,556 (2003 est.)
National holiday Territory Day, 1 July Independence Day, 12 March (1968)
Nationality noun: British Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: British Virgin Islander
noun: Mauritian(s)


adjective: Mauritian
Natural hazards hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards
Natural resources NEGL arable land, fish
Net migration rate 10.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) -0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 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] Hizbullah [Cehl Mohamed FAKEEMEEAH]; Mauritian Labor Party or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM [Paul BERENGER] - in coalition with MSM; Mauritian Social Democrat Party or PMSD [Charles Xavier-Luc DUVAL]; Militant Socialist Movement or MSM [Pravind JUGNAUTH] - governing party; Rodrigues Movement or MR [Joseph (Nicholas) Von MALLY]; Rodrigues Peoples Organization or OPR [Serge CLAIR]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA various labor unions
Population 21,272 (July 2002 est.) 1,210,447 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 10% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate 2.16% (2002 est.) 0.84% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Road Town Port Louis
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 4, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2002)
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) Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1%
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: 1.02 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 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: small system with good service


domestic: primarily microwave radio relay trunk system


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries
Telephones - main lines in use 10,000 (1996) 280,900 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 180,000 (2000)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus one cable company) (1997) 2 (plus several repeaters) (1997)
Terrain coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau
Total fertility rate 1.72 children born/woman (2002 est.) 1.98 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 3% (1995) 8.8% (2002 est.)
Waterways none none
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