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Compare Costa Rica (2007) - Greenland (2008)

Compare Costa Rica (2007) z Greenland (2008)

 Costa Rica (2007)Greenland (2008)
 Costa RicaGreenland
Administrative divisions 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose 3 districts (landsdele); Avannaa (Nordgronland), Tunu (Ostgronland), Kitaa (Vestgronland)


note: there are 18 municipalities in Greenland
Age structure 0-14 years: 27.8% (male 587,395/female 560,408)


15-64 years: 66.4% (male 1,388,114/female 1,357,157)


65 years and over: 5.8% (male 111,758/female 129,052) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 24% (male 6,926/female 6,597)


15-64 years: 69.1% (male 20,901/female 18,012)


65 years and over: 6.9% (male 1,873/female 2,035) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables; sheep, reindeer; fish
Airports 151 (2007) 14 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 36


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 21


under 914 m: 11 (2007)
total: 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 5 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 115


914 to 1,523 m: 19


under 914 m: 96 (2007)
total: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 2 (2007)
Area total: 51,100 sq km


land: 50,660 sq km


water: 440 sq km


note: includes Isla del Coco
total: 2,166,086 sq km


land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered) (2000 est.)
Area - comparative slightly smaller than West Virginia slightly more than three times the size of Texas
Background Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including: disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland was made an integral part of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973, but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Denmark continues to exercise control of Greenland's foreign affairs in consultation with Greenland's Home Rule Government.
Birth rate 18.02 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 16.01 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $3.129 billion


expenditures: $3.282 billion (2006 est.)
revenues: $1.36 billion


expenditures: $1.27 billion (2005)
Capital name: San Jose


geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W


time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
name: Nuuk (Godthab)


geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 45 W


time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October


note: Greenland is divided into four time zones
Climate tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Coastline 1,290 km 44,087 km
Constitution 7 November 1949 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
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: none


conventional short form: Greenland


local long form: none


local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat
Death rate 4.39 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 7.93 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $6.332 billion (2006 est.) $25 million (1999)
Dependency status - part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Mark LANGDALE


embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose


mailing address: APO AA 34020


telephone: [506] 519-2000


FAX: [506] 519-2305
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
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, Hammond (temporary location in Louisiana), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa (temporarily closed), Washington, DC


consulate(s): San Francisco
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Disputes - international in September 2005, Costa Rica took its case before the ICJ to advocate the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels using the Río San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland
Economic aid - recipient - $512 million; note - subsidy from Denmark (2005)
Economy - overview Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has remained at roughly 20% for nearly 20 years, and the strong social safety net that had been put into place by the government has eroded due to increased financial constraints on government expenditures. Immigration from Nicaragua has increasingly become a concern for the government. The estimated 300,000-500,000 Nicaraguans estimated to be in Costa Rica legally and illegally are an important source of (mostly unskilled) labor, but also place heavy demands on the social welfare system. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. The government continues to grapple with its large internal and external deficits and sizable internal debt. Reducing inflation remains a difficult problem because of rising import prices, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits. The country also needs to reform its tax system and its pattern of public expenditure. The current administration has made it a priority to pass the necessary reforms to implement the US-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). CAFTA implementation would result in an improved investment climate. The economy remains critically dependent on exports of fish and a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government, which supplies about half of government revenues. The public sector, including publicly-owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays the dominant role in the economy. Several interesting hydrocarbon and mineral exploration activities are ongoing. Press reports in early 2007 indicated that two international aluminum companies were considering building smelters in Greenland to take advantage of local hydropower potential. Tourism is the only sector offering any near-term potential, and even this is limited due to a short season and high costs. Air Greenland began summer-season direct flights to the U.S. east coast in May 2007, potentially opening a major new tourism market.
Electricity - consumption 7.776 billion kWh (2005) 279 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 70 million kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 81 million kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 8.349 billion kWh (2005) 300 million kWh (2005)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Gunnbjorn 3,700 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 protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting
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
-
Ethnic groups white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1% Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12% (2000)
Exchange rates Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 511.3 (2006), 477.79 (2005), 437.91 (2004), 398.66 (2003), 359.82 (2002) Danish kroner per US dollar - 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003)
Executive branch chief of state: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President Laura CHINCHILLA (since 8 May 2006); Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President Laura CHINCHILLA (since 8 May 2006); Second Vice President (vacant)


cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president


elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010)


election results: Oscar ARIAS Sanchez elected president; percent of vote - Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (PLN) 40.9%; Otton SOLIS (PAC) 39.8%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (PML) 8%, Ricardo TOLEDO (PUSC) 3%
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Soren MOLLER (since April 2005)


head of government: Prime Minister Hans ENOKSEN (since 14 December 2002)


cabinet: Home Rule Government is elected by the parliament (Landstinget) on the basis of the strength of parties


elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; prime minister is elected by parliament (usually the leader of the majority party);


election results: Hans ENOKSEN reelected prime minister


note: government coalition - Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit
Exports NA bbl/day 149.1 bbl/day (2004)
Exports - commodities bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons, ornamental plants, sugar; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment fish and fish products 94% (prawns 63%)
Exports - partners US 27.4%, Netherlands 12.2%, China 11.7%, UK 6.2%, Mexico 5.8% (2006) Denmark 67.1%, Japan 12.1%, China 5.6% (2006)
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 white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 8.7%


industry: 28.9%


services: 62.4% (2006 est.)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - real growth rate 7.9% (2006 est.) 2% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 00 N, 84 00 W 72 00 N, 40 00 W
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 dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast, but close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice cap
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 1%


highest 10%: 37.4% (2003)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising; significant consumption of amphetamines -
Imports NA bbl/day 4,013 bbl/day (2004)
Imports - commodities raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products
Imports - partners US 41.2%, Venezuela 5.4%, Mexico 5.2%, Ireland 5%, Japan 4.9%, Brazil 4.3%, China 4.1% (2006) Denmark 69.9%, Sweden 16.3%, Norway 3.7% (2006)
Independence 15 September 1821 (from Spain) none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland)
Industrial production growth rate 8.4% (2006 est.) NA%
Industries microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, niobium, tantalite, uranium, iron and diamond mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards
Infant mortality rate total: 9.45 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 10.32 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 8.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
total: 14.98 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 16.32 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 13.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 11.5% (2006 est.) 1% (2005 est.)
International organization participation BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Arctic Council, NC, NIB, UPU
Irrigated land 1,080 sq km (2003) NA
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly) High Court or Landsret (appeals can be made to the Ostre Landsret or Eastern Division of the High Court or Supreme Court in Copenhagen)
Labor force 1.874 million


note: this official estimate excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica (2006 est.)
32,120 (2004)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 20%


industry: 22%


services: 58% (1999 est.)
-
Land boundaries total: 639 km


border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 4.4%


permanent crops: 5.87%


other: 89.73% (2005)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (2005)
Languages Spanish (official), English Greenlandic (East Inuit), Danish, English
Legal system based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply
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 5 February 2006 (next to be held in February 2010)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 17, PML 6, PUSC 5, other 4
unicameral Parliament or Landstinget (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held on 15 November 2005 (next to be held by December 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - Siumut 30.7%, Demokratiit 22.8%, IA 22.6%, Atassut Party 19.1%; Katusseqatigiit 4.1%, other 0.7%; seats by party - Siumut 10, Demokratiit 7, IA 7, Atassut 6, Katusseqatigiit 1


note: two representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 13 November 2007 (next to be held in November 2011); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Siumut 1, Inuit Ataqatigiit 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 77.21 years


male: 74.61 years


female: 79.94 years (2007 est.)
total population: 70.23 years


male: 66.65 years


female: 73.9 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 96%


male: 95.9%


female: 96.1% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 100%


male: 100%


female: 100% (2001 est.)
Location Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Arctic Region
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line


continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Merchant marine total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 1,058 GRT/255 DWT


by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2007)
total: 2 ships (1000 GRT or over) 3,422 GRT/2,340 DWT


by type: cargo 1, passenger 1


registered in other countries: 1 (Denmark 1) (2007)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Military branches no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police (2006) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.4% (2006) -
National holiday Independence Day, 15 September (1821) June 21 (longest day)
Nationality noun: Costa Rican(s)


adjective: Costa Rican
noun: Greenlander(s)


adjective: Greenlandic
Natural hazards occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island
Natural resources hydropower coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Net migration rate 0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) -8.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Pipelines refined products 242 km (2006) -
Political parties and leaders Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Vladimir DE LA CRUZ]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First or PP [Juan Jose VARGAS Fallas]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Juan Carlos CHAVEZ Mora]; 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 Restoration Party or PRN [Carlos AVENDANO]; Nationalist Democratic Alliance or ADN [Jose Miguel VILLALOBOS Umana]; Patriotic Union or UP [Humberto ARCE Salas]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis FILMAN]; Union for Change Party or UPC [Antonio ALVAREZ Desanti]; United Leftist Coalition or IU [Humberto VARGAS Carbonel] Atassut Party (Solidarity) [Finn KARLSEN] (a conservative party favoring continuing close relations with Denmark); Demokratiit [Per BERTHELSEN]; Inuit Ataqatigiit or IA (Eskimo Brotherhood) [Josef MOTZFELDT] (a leftist party favoring complete independence from Denmark rather than home rule); Kattusseqatigiit (Candidate List) (an independent right-of-center party with no official platform); Siumut (Forward Party) [Hans ENOKSEN] (a social democratic party advocating more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from Denmark)
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); Costa Rican Exporter's Chamber or CADEXCO; Costa Rican Solidarity Movement; Costa Rican Union of Private Sector Enterprises or UCCAEP [Rafael CARRILLO]; Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; National Association of Public and Private Employees or ANEP [Albino VARGAS]; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert BROWN] NA
Population 4,133,884 (July 2007 est.) 56,344 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line 18% (2004 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 1.412% (2007 est.) -0.03% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002) AM 5, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Railways total: 278 km


narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge


note: none of the railway network is in use (2007)
-
Religions Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2% Evangelical Lutheran
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.048 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.023 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.866 male(s)/female


total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female


total population: 1.115 male(s)/female (2007 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; state-run monopoly provider is struggling with the demand for new lines, resulting in long waiting times


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; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable and the MAYA-1 submarine cable that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digitalized in 1995


domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite


international: country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean) (2000)
Telephones - main lines in use 1.351 million (2006) 25,300 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1.444 million (2006) 32,200 (2004)
Television broadcast stations 20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002) 1 (plus some local low-power stations, and 3 Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) stations (1997)
Terrain coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast
Total fertility rate 2.21 children born/woman (2007 est.) 2.4 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 6.6% (2006 est.) 9.3% (2005 est.)
Waterways 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2007) -
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