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Compare Christmas Island (2007) - Belize (2001)

Compare Christmas Island (2007) z Belize (2001)

 Christmas Island (2007)Belize (2001)
 Christmas IslandBelize
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA
0-14 years:
42.04% (male 54,876; female 52,780)

15-64 years:
54.43% (male 70,534; female 68,837)

65 years and over:
3.53% (male 4,403; female 4,632) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products NA bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish, cultured shrimp
Airports 1 (2007) 44 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
total:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total:
40

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
10

under 914 m:
29 (2000 est.)
Area total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total:
22,966 sq km

land:
22,806 sq km

water:
160 sq km
Area - comparative about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Massachusetts
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. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increased urban crime.
Birth rate NA 31.69 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
revenues:
$157 million

expenditures:
$279 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
Capital name: The Settlement


geographic coordinates: 10 25 S, 105 43 E


time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Belmopan
Climate tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Coastline 138.9 km 386 km
Constitution Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 21 September 1981
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island


conventional short form: Christmas Island
conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Belize

former:
British Honduras
Currency - Belizean dollar (BZD)
Death rate NA 4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external - $338 million (1998)
Dependency status non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission:
Ambassador Carolyn CURIEL

embassy:
29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City

mailing address:
P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025

telephone:
[501] (2) 77161

FAX:
[501] (2) 30802
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission:
Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN

chancery:
2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 332-9636

FAX:
[1] (202) 332-6888

consulate(s) general:
Los Angeles
Disputes - international none Guatemala periodically asserts claims to territory in southern Belize; to deter cross-border squatting, both states in 2000 agreed to a "line of adjacency" based on the de facto boundary, which is not recognized by Guatemala
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, but closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, expected to begin operations in the near future. The small, essentially private enterprise economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming greater importance. Sugar, the chief crop, accounts for nearly half of exports, while the banana industry is the country's largest employer. The government's tough austerity program in 1997 resulted in an economic slowdown that continued in 1998. The trade deficit has been growing, mostly as a result of low export prices for sugar and bananas. The tourist and construction sectors strengthened in early 1999, supporting growth of 6% in 1999 and 4% in 2000. Aided by international donors, the government's key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty.
Electricity - consumption - 172.1 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production - 185 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
56.76%

hydro:
43.24%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


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

highest point:
Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Environment - current issues loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements - party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%


note: no indigenous population (2001)
mestizo 43.7%, Creole 29.8%, Maya 10%, Garifuna 6.2%, other 10.3%
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002) Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)
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:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993)

head of government:
Prime Minister Said MUSA (since 27 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; governor general appoints the member of the House of Representatives who is leader of the majority party to be prime minister
Exports $NA $235.7 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities phosphate sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
Exports - partners Australia, NZ (2006) US 42%, UK 33%, EU 12%, Caricom 4.8%, Canada 2%, Mexico 1% (1999)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June 1 April - 31 March
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 blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland
GDP - purchasing power parity - $790 million (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector - agriculture:
18%

industry:
24%

services:
58% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate - 4% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 30 S, 105 40 E 17 15 N, 88 45 W
Geography - note located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Highways - total:
2,872 km

paved:
488 km

unpaved:
2,384 km (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs - minor transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor money-laundering center
Imports $NA $413 million (c.i.f., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities consumer goods machinery and transportation equipment, manufactured goods; food, beverages, tobacco; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners principally Australia (2006) US 58%, Mexico 12%, UK 5% EU 5%, Central America 5%, Caricom 4% (1998)
Independence none (territory of Australia) 21 September 1981 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate - 4.6% (1999)
Industries tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
25.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation none ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 2 (2000)
Irrigated land NA 20 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister)
Labor force NA 71,000

note:
shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture 38%, industry 32%, services 30% (1994)
Land boundaries 0 km total:
516 km

border countries:
Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 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:
10%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
2%

forests and woodland:
84%

other:
3% (2000 est.)
Languages English (official), Chinese, Malay English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Legal system under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law English law
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 20 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009)


election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (eight members, five appointed on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one by the governor general; members are appointed for five-year terms); and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
House of Representatives - last held 27 August 1998 (next to be held by NA August 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - PUP 59.2%, UDP 40.8%; seats by party - PUP 26, UDP 3
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total population:
71.19 years

male:
68.91 years

female:
73.57 years (2001 est.)
Literacy NA definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
70.3%

male:
70.3%

female:
70.3% (1991 est.)

note:
other sources list the literacy rate as high as 75%
Location Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Map references Southeast Asia Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM in the north, 3 NM in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 NM; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala
Merchant marine - total:
402 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,575,851 GRT/2,241,731 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 27, cargo 265, chemical tanker 6, combination ore/oil 1, container 14, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 56, refrigerated cargo 18, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 3

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Cuba 1, Singapore 1, US 1 (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia -
Military branches - Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $17 million (FY98/99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 2.4% (FY98/99)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
62,698 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
37,174 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
2,847 (2001 est.)
National holiday Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Nationality noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
noun:
Belizean(s)

adjective:
Belizean
Natural hazards the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard frequent, devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Natural resources phosphate, beaches arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Net migration rate NA 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders none People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean BARROW, Doug SINGH]
Political pressure groups and leaders none Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Diane HAYLOCK]; United Worker's Front
Population 1,402 (July 2006 est.) (July 2007 est.) 256,062 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line - 33% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate 0% (2007 est.) 2.7% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors - Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2006) AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 133,000 (1997)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980)
Sex ratio NA 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:
0.95 male(s)/female

total population:
1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage - 18 years of age; universal
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 - 1 INTELSAT earth station provides telephone and telex service (2005)
general assessment:
above-average system

domestic:
trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use NA 31,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular - 3,023 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 0 (TV broadcasts received via satellite from mainland Australia) (2006) 2 (1997)
Terrain steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Total fertility rate NA 4.05 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate - 12.8% (1999)
Waterways - 825 km (river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable)
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