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Compare Costa Rica (2004) - Liechtenstein (2003)

Compare Costa Rica (2004) z Liechtenstein (2003)

 Costa Rica (2004)Liechtenstein (2003)
 Costa RicaLiechtenstein
Administrative divisions 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose 11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz
Age structure 0-14 years: 29.5% (male 597,332; female 570,008)


15-64 years: 65% (male 1,300,206; female 1,271,010)


65 years and over: 5.5% (male 101,270; female 116,681) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 18.1% (male 2,979; female 3,008)


15-64 years: 70.6% (male 11,646; female 11,740)


65 years and over: 11.3% (male 1,538; female 2,234) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products
Airports 149 (2003 est.) none (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 30


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 18


under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)
-
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 119


914 to 1,523 m: 24


under 914 m: 95 (2004 est.)
-
Area total: 51,100 sq km


land: 50,660 sq km


water: 440 sq km


note: includes Isla del Coco
total: 160 sq km


land: 160 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than West Virginia about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Background Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism sectors. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. However, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money laundering.
Birth rate 18.99 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 10.92 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $2.313 billion


expenditures: $2.851 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)
revenues: $424.2 million


expenditures: $414.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Capital San Jose Vaduz
Climate tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers
Coastline 1,290 km 0 km (doubly landlocked)
Constitution 7 November 1949 5 October 1921
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica


conventional short form: Costa Rica


local long form: Republica de Costa Rica


local short form: Costa Rica
conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein


conventional short form: Liechtenstein


local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein


local short form: Liechtenstein
Currency Costa Rican colon (CRC) Swiss franc (CHF)
Death rate 4.32 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 6.85 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $5.366 billion (2003 est.) $0 (2001)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Douglas M. BARNES


embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose


mailing address: APO AA 34020


telephone: [506] 220-3939


FAX: [506] 519-2305
the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but the US Ambassador to Switzerland is also accredited to Liechtenstein
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Tomas DUENAS


chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945


FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Durham (North Carolina), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Paul, and Tampa


consulate(s): Austin
chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE


chancery: 1300 Eye Street NW, Suite 550W, Washington, DC 20005


telephone: [1] (202) 216-0460


FAX: [1] (202) 216-0459
Disputes - international legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on the border with Nicaragua remains unsolved Liechtenstein's royal family claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1918
Economic aid - recipient - none
Economy - overview Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt. The reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits. Costa Rica recently concluded negotiations to participate in the US - Central American Free Trade Agreement, which, if ratified by the Costa Rican Legislature, would result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate. Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with its large European neighbors. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe.
Electricity - consumption 6.109 billion kWh (2001) NA kWh
Electricity - exports 379 million kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 128 million kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 6.839 billion kWh (2001) -
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 0%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2002)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m


highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m
Environment - current issues deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution NA
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14%
Exchange rates Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 398.663 (2003), 359.817 (2002), 328.871 (2001), 308.187 (2000), 285.685 (1999) Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.5586 (2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000), 1.5022 (1999), 1.4498 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since 8 May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since 8 May 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Abel PACHECO (since 8 May 2002); First Vice President Lineth SABORIO (since NA May 2002); Second Vice President Luis FISHMAN (since NA May 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president


elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 February 2002; run-off election held 7 April 2002 (next to be held NA February 2006)


election results: Abel PACHECO elected president; percent of vote - Abel PACHECO (PUSC) 58%; Rolando ARAYA (PLN) 42%
chief of state: Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968)


head of government: Head of Government Otmar HASLER (since 5 April 2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April 2001)


cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, confirmed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Diet is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Diet is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch
Exports NA (2001) $2.47 billion (1996)
Exports - commodities coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products
Exports - partners US 14.2%, Guatemala 3%, Nicaragua 2.7% (2003) EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7%
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band
GDP purchasing power parity - $35.34 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $825 million (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 8.5%


industry: 29.4%


services: 62.1% (2003 est.)
agriculture: NA%


industry: 40%


services: NA% (1999)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $9,100 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $25,000 (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.6% (2003 est.) 11% (1999 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 00 N, 84 00 W 47 16 N, 9 32 E
Geography - note four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65 along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation
Highways total: 35,892 km


paved: 7,896 km


unpaved: 27,996 km (2000)
total: 250 km


paved: 250 km


unpaved: 0 km
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 1.1%


highest 10%: 36.8% (2002)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, particularly crack cocaine multilateral organizations engaged in issuing international guidelines for financial sector oversight found gaps in Liechtenstein's financial services controls that made it vulnerable to money laundering, but Liechtenstein has become less attractive as a haven for illicit funds, based on implementation in 2001 of new anti-money-laundering legislation and improved mutual legal assistance cooperation with other countries
Imports NA (2001) $917.3 million (1996)
Imports - commodities raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles
Imports - partners US 23.2%, Mexico 4.7%, Venezuela 3.2% (2003) EU, Switzerland
Independence 15 September 1821 (from Spain) 23 January 1719 Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established; 12 July 1806 established independence from the Holy Roman Empire
Industrial production growth rate 8% (2003 est.) NA%
Industries microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments
Infant mortality rate total: 10.26 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 11.17 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 9.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 9.4% (2003 est.) 1% (2001)
International organization participation BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 44 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (2000)
Irrigated land 1,260 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht
Labor force 1.758 million (2003) 29,000 of which 19,000 are foreigners; 13,000 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (37256)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.) industry 47.4%, services 51.3%, agriculture 1.3% (37256 est.)
Land boundaries total: 639 km


border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
total: 76 km


border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km
Land use arable land: 4.41%


permanent crops: 5.88%


other: 89.71% (2001)
arable land: 25%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 75% (1998 est.)
Languages Spanish (official), English German (official), Alemannic dialect
Legal system based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 3 February 2002 (next to be held 3 February 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PUSC 19, PLN 17, PAC 14, PML 6, PRC 1; note - seats by party as of January 2005 - PUSC 19, PLN 16, PAC 8, PML 5, PRC 1, Patriotic Union 3, Homeland First 1, Authentic Member from Heredia 1, Democratic National Alliance 1, independent 2
unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 11 February 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 49.90%, VU 41.35%, FL 8.71%; seats by party - FBP 13, VU 11, FL 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 76.63 years


male: 74.07 years


female: 79.33 years (2004 est.)
total population: 79.25 years


male: 75.63 years


female: 82.87 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 96%


male: 95.9%


female: 96.1% (2003 est.)
definition: age 10 and over can read and write


total population: 100%


male: 100%


female: 100% (1981 est.)
Location Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Europe
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,716 GRT/ DWT


by type: passenger 1


registered in other countries: 1 (2004 est.)
-
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of Switzerland
Military branches no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $64 million (2003) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.4% (2003) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,101,887 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 736,007 (2004 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 41,709 (2004 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Assumption Day, 15 August
Nationality noun: Costa Rican(s)


adjective: Costa Rican
noun: Liechtensteiner(s)


adjective: Liechtenstein
Natural hazards occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes NA
Natural resources hydropower hydroelectric potential, arable land
Net migration rate 0.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 4.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines refined products 242 km (2004) gas 20 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Juan Carlos CHAVES Mora]; Democratic National Alliance [Emilia RODRIGUEZ]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First [Juan Jose VARGAS]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Victor GONZALEZ]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National Rescue Party or PRN [Carlos VARGAS Solano]; Patriotic Union [Humberto ARCE]; Popular Vanguard [Trino BARRANTES Araya]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Lorena VASQUEZ Badilla] Fatherland Union or VU [Oswald KRANZ]; Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Ernst WALCH]; The Free List or FL [Dr. Pepo FRICK, Karin JENNY, Rene HASLER]
Political pressure groups and leaders Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert Brown] NA
Population 3,956,507 (July 2004 est.) 33,145 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 20.6% (2002 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 1.52% (2004 est.) 0.9% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas none
Radio broadcast stations AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002) AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Railways total: 950 km


narrow gauge: 950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified) (2003)
total: 18.5 km


standard gauge: 18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)


note: owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways (2002)
Religions Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002)
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: 0.87 male(s)/female


total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth: 1 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service


domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available


international: country code - 506; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); two submarine cables (1999)
general assessment: automatic telephone system


domestic: NA


international: linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay
Telephones - main lines in use 1.132 million (2002) 20,072 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 528,047 (2002) NA
Television broadcast stations 20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002) NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997)
Terrain coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third
Total fertility rate 2.33 children born/woman (2004 est.) 1.5 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 6.7% (2003 est.) 1.3% (37500)
Waterways 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2004) none
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