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Compare British Virgin Islands (2008) - Kuwait (2001)

Compare British Virgin Islands (2008) z Kuwait (2001)

 British Virgin Islands (2008)Kuwait (2001)
 British Virgin IslandsKuwait
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli
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:
28.76% (male 299,080; female 288,125)

15-64 years:
68.82% (male 897,839; female 507,527)

65 years and over:
2.42% (male 31,843; female 17,547) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish practically no crops; fish
Airports 3 (2007) 8 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
total:
4

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
total:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

under 914 m:
3 (2000 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:
17,820 sq km

land:
17,820 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than New Jersey
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. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait has spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.
Birth rate 14.82 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 21.91 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $204.7 million


expenditures: $180.4 million (2004)
revenues:
$11.5 billion

expenditures:
$17.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY01/02)
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)
Kuwait
Climate subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Coastline 80 km 499 km
Constitution 13 June 2007 approved and promulgated 11 November 1962
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: British Virgin Islands


abbreviation: BVI
conventional long form:
State of Kuwait

conventional short form:
Kuwait

local long form:
Dawlat al Kuwayt

local short form:
Al Kuwayt
Currency - Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)
Death rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 2.45 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $36.1 million (1997) $6.9 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 James A. LAROCCO

embassy:
Bayan, near the Bayan palace, Kuwait City

mailing address:
P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000

telephone:
[965] 539-5307

FAX:
[965] 538-0282
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant)

chancery:
2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 966-0702

FAX:
[1] (202) 966-0517
Disputes - international none in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands
Economic aid - recipient $NA $27.6 million (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 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. Kuwait is a small, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 75% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Higher oil prices put the FY99/00 budget into a $2 billion surplus. The FY00/01 budget covers only nine months because of a change in the fiscal year. The budget for FY01/02, which begins 1 April, contains higher expenditures for salaries, construction, and other general categories. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country.
Electricity - consumption 41.85 million kWh (2005) 29.357 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 45 million kWh (2005) 31.567 billion kWh (1999)
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:
Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point:
unnamed location 306 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; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification
Environment - international agreements - party to:
Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified:
Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping
Ethnic groups black 83%, other 17% (includes white, Indian, Asian and mixed) Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.3057 (January 2001), 0.3067 (2000), 0.3044 (1999), 0.3047 (1998), 0.3033 (1997), 0.2994 (1996)
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:
Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977)

head of government:
Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah al-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978); First Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamud Al Sabah (since NA) and MUHAMMAD KHALID al-Hamed Al Sabah (since NA)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) $23.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand oil and refined products, fertilizers
Exports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US (2006) Japan 23%, US 12%, Singapore 8%, Netherlands 7% (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 equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side
GDP - purchasing power parity - $29.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1.8%


industry: 6.2%


services: 92% (1996 est.)
agriculture:
0%

industry:
55%

services:
45% (1996)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 1% (2002 est.) 6% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 30 N, 64 30 W 29 30 N, 45 45 E
Geography - note strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
Heliports - 3 (2000 est.)
Highways - total:
4,450 km

paved:
3,590 km

unpaved:
860 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 604.3 bbl/day (2004) $7.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing
Imports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US (2006) US 15%, Japan 10%, UK 7%, Germany 7% (1999)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 19 June 1961 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 1% (1997 est.)
Industries tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials
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.)
11.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2% (2005) 3% (2000)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 3 (2000)
Irrigated land NA 20 sq km (1993 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 of Appeal
Labor force 12,770 (2004) 1.3 million (1998 est.)

note:
68% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 0.6%


industry: 40%


services: 59.4% (2005)
agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Land boundaries 0 km total:
464 km

border countries:
Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Land use arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 73.33% (2005)
arable land:
0%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
8%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
92% (1993 est.)
Languages English (official) Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Legal system English law civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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
unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 3 July 1999 (next to be held NA 2003)

election results:
percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly
Life expectancy at birth total population: 76.86 years


male: 75.71 years


female: 78.07 years (2007 est.)
total population:
76.27 years

male:
75.42 years

female:
77.15 years (2001 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:
78.6%

male:
82.2%

female:
74.9% (1995 est.)
Location Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Middle East
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine - total:
45 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,461,072 GRT/3,966,645 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 1, cargo 6, container 6, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 20 (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches - Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police Force, National Guard, Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $1.9 billion (FY00/01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 8.7% (FY00/01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
780,559 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
466,521 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
18,309 (2001 est.)
National holiday Territory Day, 1 July (1956) National Day, 25 February (1950)
Nationality noun: British Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: British Virgin Islander
noun:
Kuwaiti(s)

adjective:
Kuwaiti
Natural hazards hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August
Natural resources NEGL petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Net migration rate 8.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 14.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines - crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 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; formation of political parties is illegal
Political pressure groups and leaders NA several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists
Population 23,552 (July 2007 est.) 2,041,961

note:
includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 1.923% (2007 est.) 3.38% (2001 est.)

note:
this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates
Ports and harbors - Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios - 1.175 million (1997)
Railways - 0 km
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) Muslim 85% (Sunni 45%, Shi'a 40%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%
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:
1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.51 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21

note:
only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the first time
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:
the quality of service is excellent

domestic:
new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, open wire, and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones

international:
coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 2 Arabsat
Telephones - main lines in use 11,700 (2002) 412,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 8,000 (2002) 210,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus 1 cable company) (1997) 13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)
Terrain coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Total fertility rate 1.72 children born/woman (2007 est.) 3.2 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 3.6% (1997) 1.8% (official 1996 est.)
Waterways - none
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