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Compare Christmas Island (2006) - Virgin Islands (2008)

Compare Christmas Island (2006) z Virgin Islands (2008)

 Christmas Island (2006)Virgin Islands (2008)
 Christmas IslandVirgin Islands
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
0-14 years: 21.8% (male 11,897/female 11,696)


15-64 years: 66.5% (male 34,204/female 37,911)


65 years and over: 11.7% (male 5,642/female 7,098) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products NA fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Airports 1 (2006) 2 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Area total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 1,910 sq km


land: 346 sq km


water: 1,564 sq km
Area - comparative about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC twice the size of Washington, DC
Background Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement began by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.
Birth rate NA 13.68 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
Capital name: The Settlement


geographic coordinates: 18 44 N, 64 19 W


time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
name: Charlotte Amalie


geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W


time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season (December to April) subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November
Coastline 138.9 km 188 km
Constitution Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island


conventional short form: Christmas Island
conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands


conventional short form: Virgin Islands


former: Danish West Indies


abbreviation: USVI
Death rate NA 6.59 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external - $NA
Dependency status non-self governing territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of Australia) none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia) none (territory of the US)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $NA $NA
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. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, projected to begin operations in the near future. Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.6 million visitors in 2005. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are small but growing components of the economy. The islands are vulnerable to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the private sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment.
Electricity - consumption - 926.4 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - production - 996.1 million kWh (2005)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


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


highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m
Environment - current issues loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining lack of natural freshwater resources
Ethnic groups Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%


note: no indigenous population (2001)
black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census)
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001) the US dollar is used
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general


head of government: Administrator Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006)


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)


head of government: Governor John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007)


cabinet: NA


elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 and 21 November 2006 (next to be held November 2010)


election results: John DeJONGH elected governor; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7%
Exports $NA 397,400 bbl/day (2004)
Exports - commodities phosphate refined petroleum products
Exports - partners Australia, NZ (2004) US, Puerto Rico (2006)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June 1 October - 30 September
Flag description territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, while the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island; the flag of Australia is used for official purposes white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
GDP - composition by sector - agriculture: 1%


industry: 19%


services: 80% (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate - 2% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 30 S, 105 40 E 18 20 N, 64 50 W
Geography - note located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports $NA 493,000 bbl/day (2004)
Imports - commodities consumer goods crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Imports - partners principally Australia (2004) US, Puerto Rico (2006)
Independence none (territory of Australia) none (territory of the US)
Industrial production growth rate - NA%
Industries tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total: 7.69 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 8.75 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 6.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 2.2% (2003)
International organization participation none IOC, UPU
Irrigated land NA NA
Judicial branch Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)
Labor force NA 43,980 (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture: 1%


industry: 19%


services: 80% (2003 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park) (2005)
arable land: 5.71%


permanent crops: 2.86%


other: 91.43% (2005)
Languages English (official), Chinese, Malay English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)
Legal system under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law based on US laws
Legislative branch unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in May 2005 (next to be held in May 2007)


election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)


elections: last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM 4, independent 3


note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008)
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total population: 79.2 years


male: 75.4 years


female: 83.22 years (2007 est.)
Literacy NA definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 90-95% est.


male: NA%


female: NA% (2005 est.)
Location Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Map references Southeast Asia Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia defense is the responsibility of the US
National holiday Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)
Nationality noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)


adjective: Virgin Islander
Natural hazards the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Natural resources phosphate, beaches sun, sand, sea, surf
Net migration rate NA -8.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Political parties and leaders none Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 1,493 (July 2006 est.) 108,448 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line - 28.9% (2002)
Population growth rate 0% (2006 est.) -0.171% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2006) AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005)
Religions Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
Sex ratio NA at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.017 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.902 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.795 male(s)/female


total population: 0.912 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage - 18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Telephone system general assessment: service provided by the Australian network


domestic: GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system in February 2005


international: country code - 61-8; satellite earth stations - one INTELSAT earth station provides telephone and telex service (2005)
general assessment: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay


domestic: full range of services available


international: country code - 1-340; submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA
Telephones - main lines in use NA 71,700 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 80,300 (2005)
Television broadcast stations 0; note - TV broadcasts received via satellite from mainland Australia (2006) 5 (2006)
Terrain steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Total fertility rate NA 2.16 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate - 6.2% (2004)
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