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Compare Christmas Island (2001) - Aruba (2003)

Compare Christmas Island (2001) z Aruba (2003)

 Christmas Island (2001)Aruba (2003)
 Christmas IslandAruba
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Age structure 0-14 years:
NA%

15-64 years:
NA%

65 years and over:
NA%
0-14 years: 20.7% (male 7,540; female 7,121)


15-64 years: 68.3% (male 23,427; female 24,955)


65 years and over: 11% (male 3,215; female 4,586) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products NA aloes; livestock; fish
Airports 1 (2000 est.) 1 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1 (2000 est.)
total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
Area total:
135 sq km

land:
135 sq km

water:
0 sq km
total: 193 sq km


land: 193 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC slightly larger than Washington, DC
Background Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement was begun by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. The phosphate mine, closed in 1987, was reopened four years later, but the need for an alternative industry has spurred investment in tourism. Old mining areas are being restored, and almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
Birth rate NA births/1,000 population 11.86 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues:
$NA

expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
revenues: $135.81 million


expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000)
Capital The Settlement Oranjestad
Climate tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline 138.9 km 68.5 km
Constitution Christmas Island Act of 1958 1 January 1986
Country name conventional long form:
Territory of Christmas Island

conventional short form:
Christmas Island
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Aruba
Currency Australian dollar (AUD) Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population 6.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $NA $285 million (1996)
Dependency status territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport, and Territories part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of Australia) the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia) none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $NA $26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996
Economy - overview Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened by union workers. With the support of the government, Australian-based Casinos Austria International Ltd. built a $34 million casino on Christmas Island, which opened in 1993. As of yearend 1999, gaming facilities at the casino were temporarily closed but were expected to reopen in early 2000. Another economic prospect is the possible location of a space-launching site on the island. Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and low unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 494.7 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production NA kWh 531.9 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
NA%

hydro:
NA%

nuclear:
NA%

other:
NA%
fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Murray Hill 361 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Environment - current issues NA NA
Ethnic groups Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous population mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.7995 (January 2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996) Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000), 1.79 (1999), 1.79 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general

head of government:
Administrator William Leonard TAYLOR (since 4 February 1999)

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992)


head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Fredis REFUNJOL


cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)


elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005)


election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA%
Exports $NA NA (2001)
Exports - commodities phosphate live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners Australia, NZ Netherlands 28.6%, Colombia 21.7%, Panama 16.8%, US 12.1%, Netherlands Antilles 8.3%, Venezuela 7.6% (2002)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June calendar year
Flag description the flag of Australia is used blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner
GDP purchasing power parity - $NA purchasing power parity - $1.94 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
NA%

industry:
NA%

services:
NA%
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $NA purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% -1.5% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 30 S, 105 40 E 12 30 N, 69 58 W
Geography - note located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Highways total:
140 km (not including 100 km that is maintained by private industry)

paved:
30 km

unpaved:
110 km (1999)
total: 800 km


paved: 513 km


unpaved: 287 km


note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

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


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs - transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity
Imports $NA NA (2001)
Imports - commodities consumer goods machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners principally Australia US 54.7%, Netherlands 12.7%, UK 5.7% (2002)
Independence none (territory of Australia) none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Industrial production growth rate NA% NA
Industries tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Infant mortality rate NA deaths/1,000 live births total: 6.14 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 6.99 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 5.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA% 3.2% (2002 est.)
International organization participation none Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) NA
Irrigated land NA sq km 0.01 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch)
Labor force NA 41,501 (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation tourism 400 people, mining 100 people (1995) most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land:
NA%

permanent crops:
NA%

permanent pastures:
NA%

forests and woodland:
NA%

other:
NA%

note:
mainly tropical rainforest of which 60%-70% is in a national park
arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)


permanent crops: 0%


other: 89.47% (1998 est.)
Languages English, Chinese, Malay Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Legal system under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Legislative branch unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve one-year terms)

elections:
last held NA December 2000 (next to be held NA December 2001)

election results:
percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9
unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 52.4%, AVP 26.7%, PPA 9.6%, OLA 5.7%, Aliansa 3.5%, other 2.1%; seats by party - MEP 12, AVP 6, PPA 2, OLA 1
Life expectancy at birth total population:
NA years

male:
NA years

female:
NA years
total population: 78.83 years


male: 75.48 years


female: 82.34 years (2003 est.)
Literacy - definition:


total population: 97%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Map references Southeast Asia Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims contiguous zone:
12 NM

exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
3 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine none (2000 est.) total: 3


ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1


note: there is one foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Military branches - no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard
National holiday NA Flag Day, 18 March
Nationality noun:
Christmas Islander(s)

adjective:
Christmas Island
noun: Aruban(s)


adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Natural hazards the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Natural resources phosphate NEGL; white sandy beaches
Net migration rate NA migrant(s)/1,000 population 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Political parties and leaders none Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Alliance or Aliansa [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Jan (Henny) H. EMAN]; Concentration for the Liberation of Aruba or CLA [leader NA]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [Urbana LOPEZ]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY]
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 2,771 (July 2001 est.) 70,844 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 7.77% (2001 est.) 0.55% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Flying Fish Cove Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 1,000 (1997) -
Railways 24 km to serve phosphate mines 0 km
Religions Buddhist 55%, Christian 15%, Muslim 10%, other 20% (1991) Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
Sex ratio - at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage - 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
NA

domestic:
NA

international:
satellite earth stations - one Intelsat earth station provides telephone and telex service
general assessment: NA


domestic: more than adequate


international: 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
Telephones - main lines in use NA 33,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 0 (1999) 3,402 (1997)
Television broadcast stations NA 1 (1997)
Terrain steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman 1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 0.6%
Waterways none none
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