Compare British Virgin Islands (2008) - American Samoa (2004)

Compare British Virgin Islands (2008) z American Samoa (2004)

	British Virgin Islands (2008)	American Samoa (2004)

Administrative divisions	none (overseas territory of the UK)	none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island, Swains Island, Western
Age structure	0-14 years: 20.2% (male 2,410/female 2,337) 15-64 years: 74.5% (male 9,004/female 8,534) 65 years and over: 5.4% (male 665/female 602) (2007 est.)	0-14 years: 36.6% (male 10,983; female 10,208) 15-64 years: 60.3% (male 18,010; female 16,933) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 699; female 1,069) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products	fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish	bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock
Airports	3 (2007)	3 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways	total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007)	total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)	total: 1 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 islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke	total: 199 sq km land: 199 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Area - comparative	about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC	slightly larger than Washington, DC
Background	First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency.	Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.
Birth rate	14.82 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)	24.46 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget	revenues: $204.7 million expenditures: $180.4 million (2004)	revenues: $121 million (37% in local revenue and 63% in US grants) expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY96/97)
Capital	name: Road Town geographic coordinates: 18 27 N, 64 37 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)	Pago Pago
Climate	subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds	tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline	80 km	116 km
Constitution	13 June 2007	ratified 1966, in effect 1967
Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI	conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa abbreviation: AS
Currency	-	US dollar (USD)
Death rate	4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)	3.39 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external	$36.1 million (1997)	NA (2002 est.)
Dependency status	overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing	unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Diplomatic representation from the US	none (overseas territory of the UK)	none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation in the US	none (overseas territory of the UK)	none (territory of the US)
Disputes - international	none	none
Economic aid - recipient	$NA	important financial support from the US, more than $40 million in 1994
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 820,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2005. 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, made 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 US dollar as its currency since 1959.	This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts most of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector.
Electricity - consumption	41.85 million kWh (2005)	120.9 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2005)	0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2005)	0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production	45 million kWh (2005)	130 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: Lata 966 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 natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines
Ethnic groups	black 83%, other 17% (includes white, Indian, Asian and mixed)	Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, other 5%
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 David PEAREY (since 18 April 2006) head of government: Premier Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 23 August 2007) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly 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 premier by the governor	chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 7 April 2003) cabinet: NA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 2 and 16 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008) election results: Togiola TULAFONO elected governor; percent of vote: Togiola TULAFONO 55.7%, Afoa Moega LUTU 44.3%
Exports	0 bbl/day (2004)	NA (2001)
Exports - commodities	rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand	canned tuna 93%
Exports - partners	Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US (2006)	Samoa 33.3%, Japan 22.2%, Australia 11.1%, Canada 11.1%, New Zealand 11.1% (2003)
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)	blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club
GDP	-	purchasing power parity - $500 million (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 1.8% industry: 6.2% services: 92% (1996 est.)	agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA
GDP - per capita	-	purchasing power parity - $8,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate	1% (2002 est.)	NA
Geographic coordinates	18 30 N, 64 30 W	14 20 S, 170 00 W
Geography - note	strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico	Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
Highways	-	total: 350 km paved: 150 km unpaved: 200 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 makes it vulnerable to money laundering	-
Imports	604.3 bbl/day (2004)	NA (2001)
Imports - commodities	building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery	materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6%
Imports - partners	Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US (2006)	Australia 33.3%, New Zealand 33.3%, Mauritius 9%, Japan 5.1%, South Korea 5.1%, UK 5.1% (2003)
Independence	none (overseas territory of the UK)	none (territory of the US)
Industrial production growth rate	NA%	NA
Industries	tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center	tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts
Infant mortality rate	total: 16.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)	total: 9.48 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)	2% (2005)	NA (2003 est.)
International organization participation	Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU	Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU
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	High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)
Labor force	12,770 (2004)	14,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation	agriculture: 0.6% industry: 40% services: 59.4% (2005)	tuna canneries 34%, government 33%, other 33% (1990)
Land boundaries	0 km	0 km
Land use	arable land: 20% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 73.33% (2005)	arable land: 10% permanent crops: 15% other: 75% (2001)
Languages	English (official)	Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English note: most people are bilingual
Legal system	English law	NA
Legislative branch	unicameral House of Assembly (13 elected seats and 1 non-voting ex officio member in the attorney general; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 45.2%, NDP 39.6%, independent 15.2%; seats by party - VIP 10, NDP 2, independent 1	bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2002 (next to be held 2 November 2004); Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held 2 November 2004) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 18 note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2002 (next to be held 2 November 2004); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat) reelected as delegate
Life expectancy at birth	total population: 76.86 years male: 75.71 years female: 78.07 years (2007 est.)	total population: 75.62 years male: 72.05 years female: 79.41 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: 97% male: 98% female: 97% (1980 est.)
Location	Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico	Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and 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
Merchant marine	-	none
Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the UK	defense is the responsibility of the US
National holiday	Territory Day, 1 July (1956)	Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Nationality	noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander	noun: American Samoan(s) adjective: American Samoan
Natural hazards	hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)	typhoons common from December to March
Natural resources	NEGL	pumice, pumicite
Net migration rate	8.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)	-20.71 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]	Democratic Party [leader NA]; Republican Party [leader NA]
Political pressure groups and leaders	NA	NA
Population	23,552 (July 2007 est.)	57,902 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line	NA%	NA
Population growth rate	1.923% (2007 est.)	0.04% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors	-	Aunu'u (new construction), Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu, Pago Pago, Ta'u
Radio broadcast stations	AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)	AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)
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%, other 2%, none 2% (1991)	Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
Sex ratio	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.031 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.055 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.105 male(s)/female total population: 1.053 male(s)/female (2007 est.)	at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal	18 years of age; universal
Telephone system	general assessment: worldwide telephone service domestic: NA international: country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) optic submarine cable provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean (2007)	general assessment: NA domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station international: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use	11,700 (2002)	15,000 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular	8,000 (2002)	2,377 (1999)
Television broadcast stations	1 (plus 1 cable company) (1997)	1 (2004)
Terrain	coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly	five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Total fertility rate	1.72 children born/woman (2007 est.)	3.41 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate	3.6% (1997)	6% (2000)

Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.