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Compare British Virgin Islands (2002) - Swaziland (2004)

Compare British Virgin Islands (2002) z Swaziland (2004)

 British Virgin Islands (2002)Swaziland (2004)
 British Virgin IslandsSwaziland
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni
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% (male 242,090; female 237,395)


15-64 years: 55.3% (male 323,004; female 324,029)


65 years and over: 3.7% (male 18,685; female 24,038) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep
Airports 3 (2001) 18 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total: 17


914 to 1,523 m: 7


under 914 m: 10 (2004 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: 17,363 sq km


land: 17,203 sq km


water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than New Jersey
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. Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured the monarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection
Birth rate 15.09 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 28.55 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues: $121.5 million


expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
revenues: $462.4 million


expenditures: $563.4 million, including capital expenditures of $147 million (2003)
Capital Road Town Mbabane; note - Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital
Climate subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds varies from tropical to near temperate
Coastline 80 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 1 June 1977 a constitution was adopted 14 November 2003
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: British Virgin Islands


abbreviation: BVI
conventional long form: Kingdom of Swaziland


conventional short form: Swaziland
Currency US dollar (USD) lilangeni (SZL)
Death rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 23.06 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $36.1 million (1997) $320 million (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 James D. McGEE


embassy: Central Bank Building, Warner Street, Mbabane


mailing address: P. O. Box 199, Mbabane


telephone: [268] 404-6441 through 404-6445


FAX: [268] 404-5959
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Madzandza KANYA


chancery: 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 362-6683


FAX: [1] (202) 244-8059
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient NA $104 million (2001)
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. In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies more than 80% of the population. The manufacturing sector has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remain important foreign exchange earners. Mining has declined in importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines remaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives about nine-tenths of its imports and to which it sends nearly three-quarters of its exports. Customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union and worker remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign investment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2002 because of drought, and more than one-third of the adult population was infected by HIV/AIDS.
Electricity - consumption 39.1 million kWh (1999) 962.9 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 639 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2001)
Electricity - production 42 million kWh (1999) 348.3 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


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


highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m


highest point: Emlembe 1,862 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) limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed African 97%, European 3%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used emalangeni per US dollar - 7.5648 (2003), 10.5407 (2002), 8.6092 (2001), 6.9398 (2000), 6.1095 (1999)
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: King MSWATI III (since 25 April 1986)


head of government: Prime Minister Absolom Themba DLAMINI (since 14 November 2003)


cabinet: Cabinet recommended by the prime minister and confirmed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Exports $6.2 million NA (2001)
Exports - commodities rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit
Exports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US South Africa 72%, EU 14.2%, Mozambique 3.7%, US 3.5% (1999)
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) three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally
GDP purchasing power parity - $311 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $5.702 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 2%


industry: 6%


services: 92% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 16.2%


industry: 43.2%


services: 40.5% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $4,900 (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.4% (2000 est.) 2.2% (2003 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 30 N, 64 30 W 26 30 S, 31 30 E
Geography - note strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
Highways total: 177 km


paved: 177 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
total: 3,247 km


paved: NA


unpaved: NA (1998)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 1%


highest 10%: 50.2% (1995)
Illicit drugs transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center -
Imports $230 million (2000 est.) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US South Africa 88.8%, EU 5.6%, Japan 0.6%, Singapore 0.4% (1999)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 6 September 1968 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 4% (1985) 3.7% (FY95/96)
Industries tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center mining (coal), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textile and apparel
Infant mortality rate 19.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 68.35 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 71.64 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 64.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.3% (2000) 7.3% (2003 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 16 (2000) -
Irrigated land NA sq km 690 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 High Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the monarch
Labor force 4,911 (1980) 383,200 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% NA
Land boundaries 0 km total: 535 km


border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
Land use arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 73.33% (1998 est.)
arable land: 10.35%


permanent crops: 0.7%


other: 88.95% (2001)
Languages English (official) English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
Legal system English law based on South African Roman-Dutch law in statutory courts and Swazi traditional law and custom in traditional courts; 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 or Libandla, an advisory body, consists of the Senate (30 seats - 10 appointed by the House of Assembly and 20 appointed by the monarch; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (65 seats - 10 appointed by the monarch and 55 elected by popular vote; members serve five-year terms)


elections: House of Assembly - last held 18 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2008)


election results: House of Assembly - balloting is done on a nonparty basis; candidates for election are nominated by the local council of each constituency and for each constituency the three candidates with the most votes in the first round of voting are narrowed to a single winner by a second round
Life expectancy at birth total population: 75.85 years


male: 74.9 years


female: 76.84 years (2002 est.)
total population: 37.54 years


male: 39.1 years


female: 35.94 years (2004 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: 81.6%


male: 82.6%


female: 80.8% (2003 est.)
Location Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Africa
Maritime claims exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 3 NM
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,285 GRT/6,946 DWT


ships by type: passenger 1 (2002 est.)
-
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches - Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (Army, including Air Wing)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $29 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.8% (2003)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 289,985 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 168,257 (2004 est.)
National holiday Territory Day, 1 July Independence Day, 6 September (1968)
Nationality noun: British Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: British Virgin Islander
noun: Swazi(s)


adjective: Swazi
Natural hazards hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) drought
Natural resources NEGL asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Net migration rate 10.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 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] political parties are banned by the constitution - the following are considered political associations; Imbokodvo National Movement or INM [leader NA]; Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Obed DLAMINI, president]; People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mario MASUKU, president]; Swaziland National Front or SWANAFRO [Elmond SHONGWE, president]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 21,272 (July 2002 est.) 1,169,241


note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 40% (1995)
Population growth rate 2.16% (2002 est.) 0.55% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Road Town none
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 3, FM 2 plus 4 repeaters, shortwave 3 (2001)
Radios 9,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km total: 301 km


narrow gauge: 301 km 1.067-m gauge (2003)
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) Zionist (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship) 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish and other 30%
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: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age
Telephone system general assessment: worldwide telephone service


domestic: NA


international: submarine cable to Bermuda
general assessment: a somewhat modern but not an advanced system


domestic: system consists of carrier-equipped, open-wire lines and low-capacity, microwave radio relay


international: country code - 268; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 10,000 (1996) 46,200 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 88,000 (2003)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus one cable company) (1997) 5 plus 7 relay stations (2001)
Terrain coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Total fertility rate 1.72 children born/woman (2002 est.) 3.81 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate 3% (1995) 34% (2000 est.)
Waterways none -
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