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Compare Cook Islands (2002) - Belgium (2007)

Compare Cook Islands (2002) z Belgium (2007)

 Cook Islands (2002)Belgium (2007)
 Cook IslandsBelgium
Administrative divisions none 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Brussels* (Bruxelles) capital region; Flanders* region (five provinces): Antwerpen (Antwerp), Limburg, Oost-Vlaanderen (East Flanders), Vlaams-Brabant (Flemish Brabant), West-Vlaanderen (West Flanders); Wallonia* region (five provinces): Brabant Wallon (Walloon Brabant), Hainaut, Liege, Luxembourg, Namur


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: NA%


15-64 years: NA%


65 years and over: NA%
0-14 years: 16.5% (male 873,130/female 836,785)


15-64 years: 66.1% (male 3,467,044/female 3,406,030)


65 years and over: 17.4% (male 746,969/female 1,062,268) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
Airports 7 (2001) 43 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
total: 27


over 3,047 m: 6


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 9 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
total: 16


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 15 (2007)
Area total: 240 sq km


land: 240 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 30,528 sq km


land: 30,278 sq km


water: 250 sq km
Area - comparative 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC about the size of Maryland
Background Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems. Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country 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 births/1,000 population 10.29 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $28 million


expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY00/01 est. )
revenues: $193.6 billion


expenditures: $193.2 billion (2006 est.)
Capital Avarua name: Brussels


geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E


time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Climate tropical; moderated by trade winds temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Coastline 120 km 66.5 km
Constitution 4 August 1965 7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Cook Islands


former: Harvey 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 New Zealand dollar (NZD) -
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population 10.32 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $141 million (1996 est.) $1.053 trillion (30 June 2006 est.)
Dependency status self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) chief of mission: Ambassador Sam FOX


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 (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) chief of mission: Ambassador Dominique STRUYE DE SWIELANDE


chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900


FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079


consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York


consulate(s): Atlanta
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor - ODA, $1.072 billion (2002)
Economic aid - recipient $13.1 million (1995); note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995) -
Economy - overview Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth. 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 more than 90% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004-06.
Electricity - consumption 22.32 million kWh (2000) 82.99 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 8.024 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 14.33 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 24 million kWh (2000) 80.84 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Te Manga 652 m
lowest point: North Sea 0 m


highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
Environment - current issues NA 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: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, 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, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9% Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Exchange rates New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.3535 (January 2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997) euros per US dollar - 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since NA), representative of New Zealand


head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Robert WOONTON (since 12 February 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey HENRY (since 12 February 2002)


cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
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 and constitutional; 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 - Open VLD, MR, PS, SP.A-Spirit
Exports $9.1 million (2000) 523,400 bbl/day (2004)
Exports - commodities copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Exports - partners Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000) Germany 19.7%, France 16.9%, Netherlands 12%, UK 7.9%, US 6.2%, Italy 5.2% (2006)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the 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 - $105 million (2001 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 17%


industry: 8%


services: 75% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 1%


industry: 24.3%


services: 74.7% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate NA% 3% (2006 est.)
Geographic coordinates 21 14 S, 159 46 W 50 50 N, 4 00 E
Geography - note the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives 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 (2007)
Highways total: 320 km (1992)


paved: NA


unpaved: NA
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 3.4%


highest 10%: 28.1% (2000)
Illicit drugs - growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; 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; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy
Imports $50.7 million (2000) 1.109 million bbl/day (2004)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products
Imports - partners NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000) Netherlands 18.3%, Germany 17.3%, France 11.2%, UK 6.6%, Ireland 5.7%, US 5.4% (2006)
Independence none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 3% (2006 est.)
Industries fruit processing, tourism, fishing engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum
Infant mortality rate NA deaths/1,000 live births total: 4.56 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 5.13 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.2% (2000 est.) 1.8% (2006 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS (associate), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO 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, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 3 (2000) -
Irrigated land NA sq km 400 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch High Court 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 8,000 (1996) 4.9 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56%


note: shortage of skilled labor (1995)
agriculture: 1.3%


industry: 24.5%


services: 74.2% (2003 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: 17.39%


permanent crops: 13.04%


other: 69.57% (1998 est.)
arable land: 27.42%


permanent crops: 0.69%


other: 71.89%


note: includes Luxembourg (2005)
Languages English (official), Maori Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Legal system based on New Zealand law and English common law based on civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held NA June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1


note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers
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; to 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 10 June 2007 (next to be held June 2011)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 19.4%, Open VLD 12.4%, MR 12.3%, VB 11.9%, PS 10.2%, SP.A-Spirit 10%, CDH 5.9%, Ecolo 5.8%, GROEN! 3.6%, List Dedecker 3.4%, FN 2.3%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV/N-VA 9, Open VLD 5, MR 6, VB 5, PS 4, SP.A-Spririt 4, CDH 2, Ecolo 2, GROEN! 1, List Dedecker 1, FN 1 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 18.5%, MR 12.5%, VB 12%, Open VLD 11.8%, PS 10.9%, SP.A-Spirit 10.3%, CDH 6.1%, Ecolo 5.1%, List Dedecker 4%, GROEN! 4%, FN 2%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV/N-VA 30, MR 23, VB 17, Open VLD 18, PS 20, SP.A-Spirit 14, CDH 10, Ecolo 8, List Dedecker 5, GROEN! 4, 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
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years
total population: 78.92 years


male: 75.75 years


female: 82.24 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: 95%


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99%


male: 99%


female: 99% (2003 est.)
Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Map references Oceania Europe
Maritime claims continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit


continental shelf: median line with neighbors
Merchant marine - total: 68 ships (1000 GRT or over) 3,786,089 GRT/6,074,664 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 5, chemical tanker 2, container 9, liquefied gas 16, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 5


foreign-owned: 9 (Denmark 3, France 1, Germany 1, Greece 4)


registered in other countries: 123 (Bahamas 15, Bermuda 3, Cyprus 1, France 6, Gibraltar 3, Greece 16, Hong Kong 4, Liberia 1, Luxembourg 9, Malta 10, Marshall Islands 1, Mozambique 2, Netherlands 2, Netherlands Antilles 1, Panama 11, Portugal 9, Russia 6, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 8, St Kitts and Nevis 1, St Vincent and The Grenadines 9, Vanuatu 4) (2007)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request -
Military branches - Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Commands (2005)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.3% (2005 est.)
National holiday Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I
Nationality noun: Cook Islander(s)


adjective: Cook Islander
noun: Belgian(s)


adjective: Belgian
Natural hazards typhoons (November to March) flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Natural resources NEGL construction materials, silica sand, carbonates
Net migration rate - 1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Pipelines - gas 1,561 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2006)
Political parties and leaders Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE] Flemish parties: Christian Democrats and Flemish or CDV [Jo VANDEURZEN]; Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Bart SOMERS]; GROEN! [Vera DUA] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens); List Dedecker [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]; New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Johan Vande LANOTTE]; Spirit [Geert LAMBERT] (new party now associated with SP.A); Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Frank VANHECKE]


Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Isabelle DURANT, Claude BROUIR]; Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; Reform Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders NA 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 20,811 (July 2002 est.) 10,392,226 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 4% (1989 est.)
Population growth rate NA% (2002 est.) 0.12% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Avarua, Avatiu -
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 7, FM 79, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 14,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km total: 3,536 km


standard gauge: 3,536 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2006)
Religions Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church) Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%
Sex ratio NA at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.043 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.018 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.703 male(s)/female


total population: 0.959 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage NA years of age; universal adult 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific 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; landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007)
Telephones - main lines in use 5,000 (1997) 4.719 million (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular 0 (1994) 9.66 million (2006)
Television broadcast stations 2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997) 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman 1.64 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 13% (1996) 8.1% (2006 est.)
Waterways none 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2006)
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