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Compare Cayman Islands (2002) - Latvia (2003)

Compare Cayman Islands (2002) z Latvia (2003)

 Cayman Islands (2002)Latvia (2003)
 Cayman IslandsLatvia
Administrative divisions 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland, South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
Age structure 0-14 years: 22% (male 3,836; female 4,156)


15-64 years: 69.7% (male 12,335; female 12,929)


65 years and over: 8.3% (male 1,399; female 1,618) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 15.1% (male 180,976; female 172,988)


15-64 years: 68.9% (male 774,133; female 844,856)


65 years and over: 16% (male 122,850; female 252,981) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products vegetables, fruit; livestock, turtle farming grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
Airports 3 (2001) 38 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
total: 22


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 12 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total: 16


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 10 (2002)
Area total: 262 sq km


land: 262 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 64,589 sq km


land: 63,589 sq km


water: 1,000 sq km
Area - comparative 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC slightly larger than West Virginia
Background The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries. Administered by Jamaica from 1863, they remained a British dependency after 1962 when the former became independent. After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions and was invited to join NATO and the EU in 2002.
Birth rate 13.45 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 8.55 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $265.2 million


expenditures: $248.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
revenues: $2.4 billion


expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)
Capital George Town Riga
Climate tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) maritime; wet, moderate winters
Coastline 160 km 531 km
Constitution 1959, revised 1972 and 1992 the 1991 Constitutional Law, which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Cayman Islands
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia


conventional short form: Latvia


local long form: Latvijas Republika


local short form: Latvija


former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Currency Caymanian dollar (KYD) Latvian lat (LVL)
Death rate 5.24 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 14.7 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $70 million (1996) $3.4 billion (2000 est.)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Brian E. CARLSON


embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510


mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723


telephone: [371] 703-6200


FAX: [371] 781-0047
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Aivis RONIS


chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011


telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214


FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785
Disputes - international none the Russian Duma refuses to ratify boundary delimitation treaty with Latvia; the Latvian Parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights
Economic aid - recipient $NA $96.2 million (1995)
Economy - overview With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 40,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 1998, including almost 600 banks and trust companies; banking assets exceed $500 billion. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 1.2 million in 1997, with 600,000 from the US. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of the highest standards of living in the world. Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. Preparing for EU membership continues as a top foreign policy goal. The current account and internal government deficits remain major concerns, but the government's efforts to increase efficiency in revenue collection may lessen the budget deficit.
Electricity - consumption 330.15 million kWh (2000) 6.046 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 703 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 2.69 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 355 million kWh (2000) 4.365 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel: 29.1%


hydro: 70.9%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: The Bluff 43 m
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m


highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Environment - current issues no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household and hazardous waste management, and reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010
Environment - international agreements - party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20% Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2%
Exchange rates Caymanian dollars per US dollar - 0.82 (29 October 2001), 0.83 (3 November 1995), 0.85 (22 November 1993) lati per US dollar - 0.62 (2002), 0.63 (2001), 0.61 (2000), 0.59 (1999), 0.59 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Governor Bruce DINWIDDY (since 29 May 2002)


head of government: Chief Secretary W. McKeeva BUSH (since NA December 2001)


cabinet: Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; the chief secretary is appointed by the governor
chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Einars REPSE (since 7 November 2002)


cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament


elections: president reelected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 20 June 2003 (next to be held by June 2007); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA reelected president; parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 88 of 94 votes cast
Exports $1.2 million (1999) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities turtle products, manufactured consumer goods wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners mostly US UK 21.6%, Sweden 13.1%, Germany 12.5%, US 6.4%, Lithuania 5.9%, Russia 4.6%, Estonia 4.2%, Denmark 4% (2002)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
GDP purchasing power parity - $1.18 billion (1999 est.) purchasing power parity - $20.99 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1%


industry: 3%


services: 95% (1994 est.)
agriculture: 4.5%


industry: 26%


services: 69.5% (2001)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $30,000 (1999 est.) purchasing power parity - $8,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.5% (2000) 6.1% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 19 30 N, 80 30 W 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Geography - note important location between Cuba and Central America most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east
Highways total: 406 km


paved: 304 km


unpaved: 102 km
total: 73,202 km


paved: 28,256 km


unpaved: 44,946 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 2.9%


highest 10%: 25.9% (1998)
Illicit drugs offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug transshipment to the US and Europe transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; money laundering remains a concern despite changes to banking legislation
Imports $457.4 million (1999) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, manufactured goods machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan Germany 17.9%, Russia 15.1%, Finland 6.6%, Lithuania 6.4%, Sweden 5.5%, Italy 4.8%, Estonia 4.8% (2002)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 5.7% (2002 est.)
Industries tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction, construction materials, furniture buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials
Infant mortality rate 9.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 14.59 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 16.74 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 12.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.3% (2000) (2000) 2% (2002 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (observer), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate) BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 16 (2000) 41 (2001)
Irrigated land NA sq km 200 sq km


note: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Summary Court; Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)
Labor force 19,820 (1995) 1.1 million (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 1%, industry 13%, services 86% (1995) agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,150 km


border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (1998 est.)
arable land: 29.01%


permanent crops: 0.48%


other: 70.51% (1998 est.)
Languages English Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Legal system British common law and local statutes based on civil law system
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Assembly (18 seats, three appointed members from the Executive Council and 15 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 8 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - NA
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - New Era 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%, People's Party 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - New Era 26, PCTVL 24, People's Party 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.18 years


male: 76.38 years


female: 81.59 years (2002 est.)
total population: 69.31 years


male: 63.46 years


female: 75.45 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 98%


male: 98%


female: 98% (1970 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.8%


male: 99.8%


female: 99.8% (2003 est.)
Location Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Europe
Maritime claims exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 121 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,034,181 GRT/3,191,597 DWT


ships by type: bulk 24, cargo 4, chemical tanker 34, container 1, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 14, refrigerated cargo 40, roll on/roll off 2, specialized tanker 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Bahrain 2, China 1, Germany 4, Greece 27, Hong Kong 3, Italy 2, Japan 1, Norway 14, Sweden 13, United Kingdom 15, United States 35 (2002 est.)
total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 52,607 GRT/35,650 DWT


ships by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 3 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF) Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, National Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $87 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.2% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 592,562 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 465,788 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 19,477 (2003 est.)
National holiday Constitution Day, first Monday in July Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 21 August 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union
Nationality noun: Caymanian(s)


adjective: Caymanian
noun: Latvian(s)


adjective: Latvian
Natural hazards hurricanes (July to November) NA
Natural resources fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism peat, limestone, dolomite, amber, hydropower, wood, arable land
Net migration rate 12.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population


note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US (2002 est.)
-1.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines - gas 1,097 km; oil 412 km; refined products 421 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders there are no formal political parties but the following loose groupings act as political organizations; National Team [leader NA]; Democratic Alliance [leader NA]; Team Cayman [leader NA]; United Democratic Party [leader NA] Alliance of the Greens and Farmers Union or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS (Farmer's Union); Indulis EMSIS (Green Party)]; CENTER Political Alliance [Juris CELMINS]; First Party of Latvia [Eriks JEKABSONS]; For Fatherland and Freedom or LNNK [Maris GRINBLATS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Freedom Party [Ziedonis CEVERS]; Land of Mara [Irena SAPROVSKA]; Latvian Rebirth Party [Andris RUBINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvia's Way Union or LC [Janis NAGLIS]; Light of Latgale or LG [Rihards EIGIMS]; New Era Party [Einars REPSE]; Our Land Party [Ilmars ANCANS]; Party of Latvians [Aivars GARDA]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Progressive Center Party [Inta STAMGUTE]; Russian Party [Mihails GAVRILOVS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]; Social Democratic Welfare Party or SLP [Juris ZURAVLOVS]; United Republican Party of Latvia or LARP [Eriks Andrejs SAULUNS, Janis PUKIS, Sarmite JEGERE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 36,273 (July 2002 est.) 2,348,784 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.03% (2002 est.) -0.73% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Cayman Brac, George Town Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 36,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km total: 2,347 km


broad gauge: 2,314 km 1.520-m gauge (270 km electrified)


narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2002)
Religions United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational), Anglican, Baptist, Church of God, other Protestant, Roman Catholic Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Sex ratio at birth: 0.86 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 0.92 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female


total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female


total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use


domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications


international: international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)
Telephones - main lines in use 19,000 (1995) 734,693 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 2,534 (1995) 401,263 (2000)
Television broadcast stations 1 with cable system 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs low plain
Total fertility rate 2.03 children born/woman (2002 est.) 1.2 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 4.1% (1997) 7.6% (2001 est.)
Waterways none 300 km (perennially navigable)
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