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

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

 British Virgin Islands (2002)Palau (2003)
 British Virgin IslandsPalau
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsoral
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: 26.7% (male 2,714; female 2,552)


15-64 years: 68.7% (male 7,352; female 6,197)


65 years and over: 4.6% (male 429; female 473) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes
Airports 3 (2001) 3 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (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: 458 sq km


land: 458 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC slightly more than 2.5 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. After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year, when the islands gained independence.
Birth rate 15.09 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 19.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $121.5 million


expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
revenues: $57.7 million


expenditures: $80.8 million, including capital expenditures of $17.1 million (FY 98/99 est.)
Capital Road Town Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of Koror
Climate subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds wet season May to November; hot and humid
Coastline 80 km 1,519 km
Constitution 1 June 1977 1 January 1981
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: British Virgin Islands


abbreviation: BVI
conventional long form: Republic of Palau


conventional short form: Palau


local long form: Beluu er a Belau


local short form: Belau


former: Palau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Currency US dollar (USD) US dollar (USD)
Death rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $36.1 million (1997) $0 (FY 99/00)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: the Ambassador to the Philippines is accredited to Palau


embassy: address NA, Koror


mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940


telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990


FAX: [680] 488-2911
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA


chancery: 1800 K Street NW, Suite 714, Washington, DC 20006


telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814


FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281


consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient NA $155.8 million ; note - the Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities
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 consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 50,000 in FY00/01. The population enjoys a per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.
Electricity - consumption 39.1 million kWh (1999) -
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) -
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) -
Electricity - production 42 million kWh (1999) -
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


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


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


highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 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) inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70%, Asian (mainly Filipinos, followed by Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese) 28%, white 2% (2000 est.)
Exchange rates the US dollar is used the US dollar is used
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 Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet


elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. elected president; percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 53%, Peter SUGIYAMA 46%; Sandra PIERANTOZZI elected vice president; percent of vote - Sandra PIERANTOZZI 52%, Alan SEID 45%
Exports $6.2 million $18 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Exports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US US, Japan, Singapore (2000)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 October - 30 September
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) light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $311 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $174 million


note: $174 million $174 million GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 2%


industry: 6%


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


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $9,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.4% (2000 est.) 1% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 30 N, 64 30 W 7 30 N, 134 30 E
Geography - note strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
Highways total: 177 km


paved: 177 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
total: 61 km


paved: 36 km


unpaved: 25 km
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.) $99 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US US, Guam, Japan, Singapore, Korea (2000)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
Industrial production growth rate 4% (1985) NA%
Industries tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making
Infant mortality rate 19.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 15.76 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 17.55 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 13.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.3% (2000) 3.4% (2000 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) ACP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 16 (2000) 1 (2002)
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 Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas
Labor force 4,911 (1980) 9,845 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% agriculture 20%, industry NA%, services NA% (1990)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 73.33% (1998 est.)
arable land: 21.74%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 78.26% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official) English and Palauan official in all states except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official)
Legal system English law based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
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 or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Delegates - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.85 years


male: 74.9 years


female: 76.84 years (2002 est.)
total population: 69.5 years


male: 66.37 years


female: 72.82 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: 92%


male: 93%


female: 90% (1980 est.)
Location Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Oceania
Maritime claims exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 3 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM


extended fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 3 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.)
none (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years
Military branches - NA
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA%
National holiday Territory Day, 1 July Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Nationality noun: British Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: British Virgin Islander
noun: Palauan(s)


adjective: Palauan
Natural hazards hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) typhoons (June to December)
Natural resources NEGL forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Net migration rate 10.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 3.4 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] none
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 21,272 (July 2002 est.) 19,717 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.16% (2002 est.) 1.54% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Road Town Koror
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (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) Christian (Roman Catholics 49%, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population observes this religion, which is indigenous to Palau)
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: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female


total population: 1.14 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: NA


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 10,000 (1996) 6,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 1,000 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus one cable company) (1997) 1 (1997)
Terrain coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Total fertility rate 1.72 children born/woman (2002 est.) 2.47 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 3% (1995) 2.3% (2000 est.)
Waterways none none
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