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Compare Chile (2001) - Belgium (2004)

Compare Chile (2001) z Belgium (2004)

 Chile (2001)Belgium (2004)
 ChileBelgium
Administrative divisions 13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso

note:
the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen


note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities
Age structure 0-14 years:
27.25% (male 2,135,755; female 2,041,552)

15-64 years:
65.39% (male 4,993,416; female 5,029,739)

65 years and over:
7.36% (male 467,477; female 660,528) (2001 est.)
0-14 years: 17.1% (male 901,486; female 863,092)


15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,424,438; female 3,364,057)


65 years and over: 17.3% (male 739,479; female 1,055,724) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, fruit; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
Airports 366 (2000 est.) 42 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
69

over 3,047 m:
6

2,438 to 3,047 m:
6

1,524 to 2,437 m:
22

914 to 1,523 m:
21

under 914 m:
14 (2000 est.)
total: 25


over 3,047 m: 6


2,438 to 3,047 m: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
297

over 3,047 m:
1

2,438 to 3,047 m:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
11

914 to 1,523 m:
62

under 914 m:
219 (2000 est.)
total: 18


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)
Area total:
756,950 sq km

land:
748,800 sq km

water:
8,150 sq km

note:
includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez
total: 30,528 sq km


land: 30,278 sq km


water: 250 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana about the size of Maryland
Background A three-year-old Marxist government was overthrown in 1973 by a dictatorial military regime led by Augusto PINOCHET, which ruled until a freely elected president was installed in 1990. Sound economic policies, first implemented by the PINOCHET dictatorship, led to unprecedented growth in 1991-97 and have helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Growth slowed in 1998-99, but recovered strongly in 2000. Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.
Birth rate 16.8 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 10.59 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues:
$16 billion

expenditures:
$17 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
revenues: $151.6 billion


expenditures: $151.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.56 billion (2003)
Capital Santiago Brussels
Climate temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Coastline 6,435 km 66.5 km
Constitution 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981, amended 30 July 1989, 1993, and 1997 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state
Country name conventional long form:
Republic of Chile

conventional short form:
Chile

local long form:
Republica de Chile

local short form:
Chile
conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium


conventional short form: Belgium


local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie


local short form: Belgique/Belgie
Currency Chilean peso (CLP) euro (EUR)


note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Death rate 5.55 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 10.2 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $39 billion (2000) $28.3 billion (1999 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador John O'LEARY

embassy:
Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago

mailing address:
APO AA 34033

telephone:
[56] (2) 232-2600

FAX:
[56] (2) 339-3710
chief of mission: Ambassador Tom C. KOROLOGOS


embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels


mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710


telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111


FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Andres BIANCHI

chancery:
1140 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone:
[1] (202) 785-1746

FAX:
[1] (202) 887-5579

consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE


chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900


FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York
Disputes - international Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Bolivia over Rio Lauca water rights; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims none
Economic aid - donor - ODA, $1.072 billion (2002)
Economic aid - recipient ODA, $40 million (2001 est.) -
Economy - overview Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of Patricio AYLWIN - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real GDP averaged 8% during 1991-97, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the current account deficit in check and lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. A severe drought exacerbated the recession in 1999, reducing crop yields and causing hydroelectric shortfalls and electricity rationing, and Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 15 years. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. By the end of 1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover, and growth rebounded to 5.5% in 2000. Unemployment remains stubbornly high, however, putting pressure on President LAGOS to improve living standards. Meanwhile, Chile has launched free trade negotiations with the US. This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is about 100% of GDP, and the government has succeeded in balancing its budget. Belgium, together with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2004 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US.
Electricity - consumption 35.426 billion kWh (1999) 78.18 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 6.712 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 15.82 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 38.092 billion kWh (1999) 74.28 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
61%

hydro:
35%

nuclear:
0%

other:
4% (1999)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m
lowest point: North Sea 0 m


highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
Environment - current issues air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges
Environment - international agreements party to:
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified:
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Ethnic groups white and white-Amerindian 95%, Amerindian 3%, other 2% Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Exchange rates Chilean pesos per US dollar - 571.12 (January 2001), 535.47 (2000), 508.78 (1999), 460.29 (1998), 419.30 (1997), 412.27 (1996) euros per US dollar - 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:
President Ricardo LAGOS Escobar (since 11 March 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 12 December 1999, with runoff election held 16 January 2000 (next to be held NA December 2005)

election results:
Ricardo LAGOS Escobar elected president; percent of vote - Ricardo LAGOS Escobar 51.32%, Joaquin LAVIN 48.68%
chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch


head of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999)


cabinet: Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by Parliament


note: government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP.A-Spirit
Exports $18 billion (f.o.b., 2000) 450,000 bbl/day (2001)
Exports - commodities copper, fish, fruits, paper and pulp, chemicals machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Exports - partners EU 27%, US 16%, Japan 14%, Brazil 6%, Argentina 5% (1998) Germany 19.5%, France 17.4%, Netherlands 11.7%, UK 9%, US 6.7%, Italy 5.4% (2003)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center; design was based on the US flag three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France
GDP purchasing power parity - $153.1 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $299.1 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
8%

industry:
38%

services:
54% (2000)
agriculture: 1.9%


industry: 26.3%


services: 71.8% (2003)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $10,100 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $29,100 (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.5% (2000 est.) 1.1% (2003 est.)
Geographic coordinates 30 00 S, 71 00 W 50 50 N, 4 00 E
Geography - note strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO
Heliports - 1 (2003 est.)
Highways total:
79,800 km

paved:
11,012 km

unpaved:
68,788 km (1996)
total: 148,216 km


paved: 116,687 km (including 1,727 km of expressways)


unpaved: 31,529 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
1.2%

highest 10%:
41.3% (1998)
lowest 10%: 3.2%


highest 10%: 23% (1996)
Illicit drugs a growing transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US and Europe; economic prosperity has made Chile more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol and tobacco
Imports $17 billion (f.o.b., 2000) 1.042 million bbl/day (2001)
Imports - commodities consumer goods, chemicals, motor vehicles, fuels, electrical machinery, heavy industrial machinery, food machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products
Imports - partners US 24%, EU 23%, Argentina 11%, Brazil 6%, Japan 6%, Mexico 5% (1998) Germany 17.7%, Netherlands 16.5%, France 13.2%, UK 7.5%, US 5.9%, Ireland 5.7% (2003)
Independence 18 September 1810 (from Spain) 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declares independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King Leopold I ascends to the throne)
Industrial production growth rate 6% (2000 est.) -1.5% (2003 est.)
Industries copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum
Infant mortality rate 9.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) total: 4.76 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 5.36 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4.5% (2000 est.) 1.6% (2003 est.)
International organization participation APEC, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOGIP, UNTAET, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 7 (2000) -
Irrigated land 12,650 sq km (1993 est.) 40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (judges are appointed by the president and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; the president of the Supreme Court is elected by the 21-member court); Constitutional Tribunal Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the Government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council)
Labor force 5.8 million (1999 est.) 4.73 million (2003)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 14%, industry 27%, services 59% (1997 est.) agriculture 1.3%, industry 24.5%, services 74.2% (2003 est.)
Land boundaries total:
6,171 km

border countries:
Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km
total: 1,385 km


border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
Land use arable land:
5%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
18%

forests and woodland:
22%

other:
55% (1993 est.)
arable land: 23.28%


permanent crops: 0.4%


other: 76.32%


note: includes Luxembourg (2001)
Languages Spanish Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Legal system based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (48 seats, 38 elected by popular vote and 10 appointed (all former presidents who served 6 years are senators for life); members serve eight-year terms - one-half elected every four years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held 11 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2001); Chamber of Deputies - last held 11 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2001)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CPD (PDC 14, PS 4, PPD 2), RN 7, UDI 10, UCCP 1, independents 10; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CPD 50.55% (PDC 22.98%, PS 11.10%, PPD 12.55%, PRSD 3.13%), RN 16.78%, UDI 14.43%; seats by party - CPD 70 (PDC 39, PPD 16, PRSD 4, PS 11), RN 24, UDI 21, Socialist Party 1, right-wing independents 4
bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 May 2003 (next to be held no later than May 2007)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit 15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH 5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5, VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR 11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit 23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8 Ecolo 4, other 2


note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly; for other acronyms of the listed parties see the Political parties and leaders entry
Life expectancy at birth total population:
75.94 years

male:
72.63 years

female:
79.42 years (2001 est.)
total population: 78.44 years


male: 75.26 years


female: 81.75 years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
95.2%

male:
95.4%

female:
95% (1995 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 98%


male: NA


female: NA
Location Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Map references South America Europe
Maritime claims contiguous zone:
24 NM

continental shelf:
200/350 NM

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit


continental shelf: median line with neighbors
Merchant marine total:
44 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 606,506 GRT/884,023 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 11, cargo 7, chemical tanker 8, container 4, liquefied gas 2, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 2 (2000 est.)
total: 50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,146,301 GRT/1,588,184 DWT


by type: bulk 1, cargo 8, chemical tanker 11, container 6, liquefied gas 18, petroleum tanker 6


foreign-owned: Denmark 6, Finland 1, France 2, Netherlands 3


registered in other countries: 69 (2004 est.)
Military branches Army, Navy (includes Naval Air, Coast Guard, and Marines), Air Force, Carabineros of Chile (National Police), Investigations Police

note:
Carabineros and Investigations Police are normally administered by the Ministry of Interior, but in times of national emergency, they are considered part of the military
Army, Naval, and Air Operations Commands
Military expenditures - dollar figure $2.5 billion (FY99) $3.999 billion (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 3.1% (FY99) 1.3% (2003)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
4,057,466 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 2,509,538 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
3,003,134 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49: 2,068,221 (2004 est.)
Military manpower - military age 19 years of age -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
136,830 (2001 est.)
males: 61,270 (2004 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 18 September (1810) 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I
Nationality noun:
Chilean(s)

adjective:
Chilean
noun: Belgian(s)


adjective: Belgian
Natural hazards severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Natural resources copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower coal, natural gas, construction materials, silica sand, carbonates
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural gas 320 km gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2004)
Political parties and leaders Center-Center Union Party or UCCP [Francisco Javier ERRAZURIZ]; Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Ricardo HORMAZABAL]; Coalition of Parties for Democracy ("Concertacion") or CPD - including PDC, PS, PPD, PRSD; Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Pablo LONGUEIRA]; National Renewal or RN [Alberto CARDEMIL]; Party for Democracy or PPD [Guido GIRARDI]; Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Anselmo SULE]; Socialist Party or PS [Ricardo NUNEZ] Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Jo VANDEURZEN]; Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Bart SOMERS]; Flemish Socialist Party.Alternative or SP.A [Steve STEVAERT]; Francophone Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; Francophone Reformist Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; GROEN! (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) [Vera DUA]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Bart DE WEVER]; Spirit [Els VAN WEERT]; note - new party now associated with SP.A; Vlaams Belang or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders revitalized university student federations at all major universities; Roman Catholic Church; United Labor Central or CUT includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants
Population 15,328,467 (July 2001 est.) 10,348,276 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line 22% (1998 est.) 4% (1989 est.)
Population growth rate 1.13% (2001 est.) 0.16% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Antofagasta, Arica, Chanaral, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge
Radio broadcast stations AM 180 (eight inactive), FM 64, shortwave 17 (one inactive) (1998) FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 5.18 million (1997) -
Railways total:
6,701 km

broad gauge:
2,831 km 1.676-m gauge (1317 km electrified)

narrow gauge:
117 km 1.067-m gauge (28 km electrified); 3,754 km 1.000-m gauge (37 km electrified) (2000)
total: 3,518 km


standard gauge: 3,518 km 1.435-m gauge (2,631 km electrified) (2003)
Religions Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish NEGL% Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Telephone system general assessment:
modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities

domestic:
extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities


domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network


international: country code - 32; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
Telephones - main lines in use 2.603 million (1998) 5,120,400 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 944,225 (1998) 8,135,500 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 63 (plus 121 repeaters) (1997) 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Total fertility rate 2.16 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.64 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate 9% (December 2000) 8.1% (2003 est.)
Waterways 725 km 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2003)
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