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Compare British Virgin Islands (2002) - Oman (2002)

Compare British Virgin Islands (2002) z Oman (2002)

 British Virgin Islands (2002)Oman (2002)
 British Virgin IslandsOman
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 6 regions (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah) and 2 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*, Zufar*; note - the US Embassy in Oman reports that Masqat is a governorate, but this has not been confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN)
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: 41.9% (male 579,065; female 556,923)


15-64 years: 55.7% (male 914,494; female 597,948)


65 years and over: 2.4% (male 34,555; female 30,477) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Airports 3 (2001) 143 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total: 6


over 3,047 m: 4


2,438 to 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: 133


over 3,047 m: 2


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 55


914 to 1,523 m: 37


under 914 m: 32 (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: 212,460 sq km


land: 212,460 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Kansas
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. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing political and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.
Birth rate 15.09 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 37.76 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $121.5 million


expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
revenues: $9.2 billion


expenditures: $6.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Capital Road Town Muscat
Climate subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Coastline 80 km 2,092 km
Constitution 1 June 1977 none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: British Virgin Islands


abbreviation: BVI
conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman


conventional short form: Oman


local long form: Saltanat Uman


local short form: Uman


former: Muscat and Oman
Currency US dollar (USD) Omani rial (OMR)
Death rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 4.03 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $36.1 million (1997) $5.3 billion (2000 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 Richard Lewis BALTIMORE III


embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat


mailing address: international: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos, Muscat


telephone: [968] 698989, extension 203


FAX: [968] 699771
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Ali AL KHUSAIBY


chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988


FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
Disputes - international none Oman signed a boundary treaty with the UAE in 1999, but the completed boundary is not expected until the end of 2002; undefined segments of the Oman-UAE boundary remain with Ra's al-Khaymah and Ash Shariqah (Sharjah) emirates, including the Musandam Peninsula, where an administrative boundary substitutes for an international boundary
Economic aid - recipient NA $76.4 million (1995) (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. Oman's economic performance improved significantly in 2000 due largely to the upturn in oil prices. The government is moving ahead with privatization of its utilities, the development of a body of commercial law to facilitate foreign investment, and increased budgetary outlays. Oman continues to liberalize its markets and joined the World Trade Organization (WTrO) in November 2000. GDP growth improved in 2001 despite the global slowdown.
Electricity - consumption 39.1 million kWh (1999) 7.533 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 42 million kWh (1999) 8.1 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (1999)
fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


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


highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 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) rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Omani rials per US dollar - 0.3845 (fixed rate since 1986)
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: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Exports $6.2 million $10.9 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Japan 21%, Thailand 18%, China 16%, South Korea 12%, UAE 12%, US 3% (2001)
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 white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band
GDP purchasing power parity - $311 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $21.5 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 2%


industry: 6%


services: 92% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 3%


industry: 40%


services: 57% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $8,200 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.4% (2000 est.) 7.4% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 30 N, 64 30 W 21 00 N, 57 00 E
Geography - note strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
Heliports - 1 (2002)
Highways total: 177 km


paved: 177 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
total: 32,800 km


paved: 9,840 km (including 550 km of expressways)


unpaved: 22,960 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.) $5.4 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US UAE 23% (largely reexports), Japan 16%, UK 13%, Italy 7%, Germany 5%, US 5% (2001)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
Industrial production growth rate 4% (1985) 4% (2000 est.)
Industries tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper
Infant mortality rate 19.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 21.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.3% (2000) 1% (2001 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 16 (2000) 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 620 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


note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has non-Islamic judges as well as traditional Islamic judges
Labor force 4,911 (1980) 920,000
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,374 km


border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Land use arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 73.33% (1998 est.)
arable land: 0.08%


permanent crops: 0.22%


other: 99.7% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official) Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Legal system English law based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; 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 Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlis al-Dawla (48 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisory powers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats; members elected by limited suffrage for three-year term, however, the monarch makes final selections and can negate election results; body has some limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has only advisory powers)


elections: last held NA September 2000 (next to be held NA September 2003)


election results: NA; note - two women were elected for the first time to the Majlis al-Shura, about 100,000 people voted
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.85 years


male: 74.9 years


female: 76.84 years (2002 est.)
total population: 72.31 years


male: 70.15 years


female: 74.57 years (2002 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: approaching 80%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Middle East
Maritime claims exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 3 NM
contiguous zone: 24 NM


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: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,291 GRT/9,457 DWT


ships by type: cargo 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1


note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Singapore 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches - Royal Omani Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force), Royal Omani Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $2,424.4 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 12.2% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 780,292 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 434,026 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 14 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 26,470 (2002 est.)
National holiday Territory Day, 1 July Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
Nationality noun: British Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: British Virgin Islander
noun: Omani(s)


adjective: Omani
Natural hazards hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts
Natural resources NEGL petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Net migration rate 10.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines - crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 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] none
Political pressure groups and leaders NA none
Population 21,272 (July 2002 est.) 2,713,462


note: includes 527,078 non-nationals (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.16% (2002 est.) 3.41% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Road Town Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)
Radios 9,000 (1997) 1.4 million (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) Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu
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: 1.53 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female


total population: 1.29 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal in Oman's most recent elections in 2000, limited to approximately 175,000 Omanis chosen by the government to vote in elections for the Majlis ash-Shura
Telephone system general assessment: worldwide telephone service


domestic: NA


international: submarine cable to Bermuda
general assessment: modern system consisting of open wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable


domestic: open wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Telephones - main lines in use 10,000 (1996) 201,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 59,822 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus one cable company) (1997) 13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999)
Terrain coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Total fertility rate 1.72 children born/woman (2002 est.) 5.99 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 3% (1995) NA%
Waterways none none
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