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Compare British Virgin Islands (2005) - Tonga (2004)

Compare British Virgin Islands (2005) z Tonga (2004)

 British Virgin Islands (2005)Tonga (2004)
 British Virgin IslandsTonga
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u
Age structure 0-14 years: 21% (male 2,400/female 2,358)


15-64 years: 73.9% (male 8,607/female 8,115)


65 years and over: 5.1% (male 614/female 549) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 37.1% (male 20,873; female 20,050)


15-64 years: 58.7% (male 32,018; female 32,707)


65 years and over: 4.2% (male 2,005; female 2,584) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish
Airports 3 (2004 est.) 6 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 1


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


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 1 (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: 748 sq km


land: 718 sq km


water: 30 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC four 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. The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific.
Birth rate 14.96 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 24.87 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues: $121.5 million


expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1997)
revenues: $39.9 million


expenditures: $52.4 million, including capital expenditures of $1.9 million (FY99/00 est.)
Capital Road Town Nuku'alofa
Climate subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Coastline 80 km 419 km
Constitution 1 June 1977 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: British Virgin Islands


abbreviation: BVI
conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga


conventional short form: Tonga


former: Friendly Islands
Currency - pa'anga (TOP)
Death rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 5.45 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $36.1 million (1997) $63.4 million (2001)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Sonatane T. T. TUPOU


chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022


telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025


FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024


consulate(s) general: San Francisco
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient NA Australia $5.5 million, New Zealand $2.3 million (FY01/02)
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. Tourism suffered in 2002 because of the lackluster US economy. 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. Tonga, a small, open, South Pacific island economy, has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. High unemployment among the young and the continuing upturn in inflation are major issues facing the government.
Electricity - consumption 33.74 million kWh (2002) 25.36 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 36.28 million kWh (2002) 27.27 million kWh (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


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


highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 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) deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed Polynesian, Europeans about 300
Exchange rates the US dollar is used pa'anga per US dollar - NA (2003), 2.1952 (2002), 2.1236 (2001), 1.7585 (2000), 1.5991 (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 Orlando D. SMITH (since 17 June 2003)


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 Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965)


head of government: Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister James C. COCKER (since NA January 2001)


cabinet: Cabinet, appointed by the monarch, consists of 12 members


note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the Cabinet, and two governors


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch
Exports NA NA (2001)
Exports - commodities rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops
Exports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US US 50%, Japan 35.7%, Italy 3.6% (2003)
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) red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
GDP - purchasing power parity - $236 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1.8%


industry: 6.2%


services: 92% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 26%


industry: 12%


services: 62% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $38,500 (2004 est.) purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 1% (2002 est.) 3% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 30 N, 64 30 W 20 00 S, 175 00 W
Geography - note strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)
Highways total: 177 km


paved: 177 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
total: 680 km


paved: 184 km


unpaved: 496 km (1999 est.)
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 makes it vulnerable to money laundering -
Imports NA NA (2001)
Imports - commodities building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US New Zealand 43.4%, Fiji 22.2%, Australia 11.1%, US 6.1% (2003)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 8.6% (FY98/99)
Industries tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center tourism, fishing
Infant mortality rate total: 18.05 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 21.02 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 14.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
total: 12.99 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 14.36 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 11.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.5% (2003) 10.3% (2002 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate), UPU ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Irrigated land NA 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 (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court)
Labor force 12,770 (2004) 33,910 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% agriculture 65% (1997 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 73.33% (2001)
arable land: 23.61%


permanent crops: 43.06%


other: 33.33% (2001)
Languages English (official) Tongan, English
Legal system English law based on English law
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 16 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NDP 8, VIP 5
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms)


elections: last held 7 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote - HRDMT 70%; seats - HRDMT 7, traditionalist 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 76.49 years


male: 75.41 years


female: 77.62 years (2005 est.)
total population: 69.2 years


male: 66.74 years


female: 71.79 years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English


total population: 98.5%


male: 98.4%


female: 98.7% (1996 est.)
Location Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Oceania
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Merchant marine total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 83,825 GRT/155,909 DWT


by type: cargo 1


registered in other countries: 7 (2005)
total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 136,977 GRT/200,751 DWT


by type: bulk 3, cargo 21, chemical tanker 2, container 1, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1


foreign-owned: Albania 1, Australia 4, Brazil 1, Cyprus 1, Egypt 1, Greece 1, Lebanon 1, Liberia 1, Marshall Islands 1, Norway 1, Panama 2, Romania 1, Russia 1, Saudi Arabia 1, Switzerland 3, Syria 1, United (2004 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches - Tonga Defense Services: Ground Forces (Royal Marines, Royal Guard), Maritime Force (including Air Wing)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA
National holiday Territory Day, 1 July Independence Day, 4 June (1970)
Nationality noun: British Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: British Virgin Islander
noun: Tongan(s)


adjective: Tongan
Natural hazards hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
Natural resources NEGL fish, fertile soil
Net migration rate 10.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 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] there are no political parties
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chair]
Population 22,643 (July 2005 est.) 110,237 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA
Population growth rate 2.06% (2005 est.) 1.94% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Road Town Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2001)
Religions Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%, other 2% (1991) Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female


total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 21 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: worldwide telephone service


domestic: NA


international: country code - 1-284; submarine cable to Bermuda
general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (1996)
Telephones - main lines in use 11,700 (2002) 11,200 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 8,000 (2002) 3,400 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus one cable company) (1997) 2 (2001)
Terrain coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base
Total fertility rate 1.72 children born/woman (2005 est.) 3 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate 3% (1995) 13.3% (1996 est.)
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