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Compare Cocos (Keeling) Islands (2006) - Belgium (2002)

Compare Cocos (Keeling) Islands (2006) z Belgium (2002)

 Cocos (Keeling) Islands (2006)Belgium (2002)
 Cocos (Keeling) IslandsBelgium
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincien, singular - provincie) and 1 region* (French: region; Dutch: gewest); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, West-Vlaanderen
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
0-14 years: 17.3% (male 911,729; female 871,470)


15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,395,885; female 3,341,536)


65 years and over: 17.1% (male 716,673; female 1,037,302) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
Airports 1 (2006) 42 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
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 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 17


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 15 (2002)
Area total: 14 sq km


land: 14 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
total: 30,510 sq km


land: 30,230 sq km


water: 280 sq km
Area - comparative about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC about the size of Maryland
Background There are 27 coral islands in the group. Captain William KEELING discovered the islands in 1609, but they remained uninhabited until the 19th century. Annexed by the UK in 1857, they were transferred to the Australian Government in 1955. The population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island. 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 NA 10.58 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
revenues: $113.4 billion


expenditures: $106 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.17 billion (2000)
Capital name: West Island


geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 96 55 E


time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Brussels
Climate tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Coastline 26 km 66 km
Constitution Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 (23 November 1955) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands


conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium


conventional short form: Belgium


local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie


local short form: Belgique/Belgie
Currency - euro (EUR); Belgian franc (BEF)


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 NA deaths/1,000 population 10.08 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external - $28.3 billion (1999 est.)
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 Stephen Franklin BRAUER


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 none (territory of Australia) 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, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor - ODA, $764 million (1997) (1997)
Economic aid - recipient $NA -
Economy - overview Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry. 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. About 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 euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-02 dropped sharply due to the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2003 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US.
Electricity - consumption - 78.13 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports - 7.309 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports - 11.645 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production - 79.348 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 40%


hydro: 1%


nuclear: 58%


other: 1% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location 5 m
lowest point: North Sea 0 m


highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
Environment - current issues fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, intense 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: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, 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, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Europeans, Cocos Malays Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001) euros per US dollar - 1.1324 (January 2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Belgian francs per US dollar - 34.77 (January 1999), 36.229 (1998), 35.774 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general


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


cabinet: NA


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
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 appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament


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, PRL-FDF, PS, MCC, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO
Exports $NA $162 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities copra machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Exports - partners Australia (2004) EU 75.3% (Germany 18.1%, France 17.3%, Netherlands 12.1%, UK 9.6%), US 5.6% (2001)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June calendar year
Flag description the flag of Australia is used three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France
GDP - purchasing power parity - $297.6 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector - agriculture: 1%


industry: 24%


services: 74% (2001)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $29,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate - 0.6% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 12 30 S, 96 50 E 50 50 N, 4 00 E
Geography - note islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation 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 (2002)
Highways - total: 145,774 km


paved: 116,182 km (including 1,674 km of expressways)


unpaved: 29,592 km (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 23% (1992) (1996)
Illicit drugs - 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; money laundering related to trafficking of drugs, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco
Imports $NA $152 billion f.o.b. (2001)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Imports - partners Australia (2004) EU 68.7% (Netherlands 17.5%, Germany 16.8%, France 13.8%, UK 8.0%), US 7.2% (2001)
Independence none (territory of Australia) 4 October 1830 a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands; 21 July 1831 the ascension of King Leopold I to the throne
Industrial production growth rate - 4.5% (2000 est.)
Industries copra products and tourism engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
4.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 1.7% (2002 est.)
International organization participation none ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 61 (2000)
Irrigated land NA 40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; Magistrate's Court Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the monarch, although selected by the Government)
Labor force NA 4.44 million (2001)
Labor force - by occupation note: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage workers; tourism employs others services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,385 km


border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (2005)
arable land: 25%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 75%


note: includes Luxembourg (1998 est.)
Languages Malay (Cocos dialect), English Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Legal system based upon the laws of Australia and local laws civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats)


elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in May 2005 (next to be held in May 2007)
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 13 June 1999 (next to be held in NA 2003)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, CVP 14.7%, PRL 10.6%, PS 9.7%, VB 9.4%, SP 8.9%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.1%, PSC 6.0%, VU 5.1%; seats by party - VLD 11, CVP 10, PS 10, PRL 9, VB 6, SP 6, ECOLO 6, AGALEV 5, PSC 5, VU 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 14.3%, CVP 14.1%, PS 10.2%, PRL 10.1%, VB 9.9%, SP 9.5%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.0%, PSC 5.9%, VU 5.6%; seats by party - VLD 23, CVP 22, PS 19, PRL 18, VB 15, SP 14, ECOLO 11, PSC 10, AGALEV 9, VU 8, FN 1


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: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total population: 78.13 years


male: 74.8 years


female: 81.62 years (2002 est.)
Literacy NA definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 98%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Map references Southeast Asia Europe
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: median line with neighbors


exclusive fishing zone: median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 31,362 GRT/54,058 DWT


ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 9, petroleum tanker 5, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Finland 1, Netherlands 3 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia; the territory has a five-person police force -
Military branches - Army, Navy, Air Components, Federal Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $3,076.5 million (FY01/02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.4% (FY01/02)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 2,508,557 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 2,070,016 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 19 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 63,247 (2002 est.)
National holiday Australia Day, 26 January (1788) Independence Day, 21 July (1831)
Nationality noun: Cocos Islander(s)


adjective: Cocos Islander
noun: Belgian(s)


adjective: Belgian
Natural hazards cyclone season is October to April flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Natural resources fish coal, natural gas
Net migration rate NA 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines - crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 km
Political parties and leaders none AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Jos GEYSELS]; Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Stefaan DE CLERCK, president]; note - used to be the Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP; ECOLO (Francophone Greens) [no president; led by three person federal secretariat]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT, president]; Francophone Christian Democrats or PSC (Social Christian Party) [Joelle MILQUET, president]; Francophone Liberal Reformation Party or PRL [Daniel DUCARME, president]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO, president]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Geert BOURGEOIS]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Social Progressive Alternative Party or SP.A [Patrick JANSSENS, president]; note - was Flemish Socialist Party or SP; Spirit [Annemie VAN DE CASTEELE]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders none Christian and Socialist 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 574 (July 2006 est.) 10,274,595 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line - 4%
Population growth rate 0% (2006 est.) 0.15% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors - Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2004) FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios - 8.075 million (1997)
Railways - total: 3,422 km


standard gauge: 3,422 km 1.435-m gauge (2,517 km electrified; 2,563 km double-tracked) (2001)
Religions Sunni Muslim 80%, other 20% (2002 est.) 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: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage NA 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Telephone system general assessment: connected within Australia's telecommunication system


domestic: NA


international: country code - 61; telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with Australia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 INTELSAT satellite earth station
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: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
Telephones - main lines in use 287 (1992) 4.769 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular note - analog cellular service available 974,494 (1997)
Television broadcast stations NA 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain flat, low-lying coral atolls flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Total fertility rate NA 1.61 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 60% (2000 est.) 7.2% (2002 est.)
Waterways - 1,570 km (route length in regular commercial use) (2001)
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