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Compare Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2003) - Latvia (2001)

Compare Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2003) z Latvia (2001)

 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2003)Latvia (2001)
 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)Latvia
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
Age structure 0-14 years: NA%


15-64 years: NA%


65 years and over: NA%
0-14 years:
16.55% (male 201,746; female 193,036)

15-64 years:
68.15% (male 776,509; female 848,908)

65 years and over:
15.3% (male 118,110; female 246,922) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, milk, eggs; fish
Airports 5 (2002) 25 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total:
13

2,438 to 3,047 m:
7

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
4 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 3


under 914 m: 3 (2002)
total:
12

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
2

914 to 1,523 m:
2

under 914 m:
7 (2000 est.)
Area total: 12,173 sq km


land: 12,173 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands
total:
64,589 sq km

land:
64,589 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Connecticut slightly larger than West Virginia
Background Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions.
Birth rate NA births/1,000 population 8.03 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $66.2 million


expenditures: $67.9 million, including capital expenditures of $23.2 million (FY98/99 est.)
revenues:
$1.33 billion

expenditures:
$1.27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Capital Stanley Riga
Climate cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 24 inches in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate maritime; wet, moderate winters
Coastline 1,288 km 531 km
Constitution 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998 the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
conventional long form:
Republic of Latvia

conventional short form:
Latvia

local long form:
Latvijas Republika

local short form:
Latvija

former:
Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Currency Falkland pound (FKP) Latvian lat (LVL)
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population 14.8 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $NA $800 million (2000 est.)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) chief of mission:
Ambassador James H. HOLMES

embassy:
Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga

mailing address:
American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723

telephone:
[371] 721-0005

FAX:
[371] 782-0047
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) chief of mission:
Ambassador Aivis RONIS

chancery:
4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone:
[1] (202) 726-8213, 8214

FAX:
[1] (202) 726-6785
Disputes - international claimed by Argentina whose forces briefly occupied it in 1982, but now declares it will no longer seek settlement by force draft treaty delimiting the boundary with Russia has not been signed; has not ratified 1998 maritime boundary agreement with Lithuania (primary concern is oil exploration rights)
Economic aid - recipient none $96.2 million (1995)
Economy - overview The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987 the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which goes to support the island's health, education, and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date no exploitable site has been identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost. In 2000, Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 - the first Baltic state to join - and was invited at the Helsinki EU Summit in December 1999 to begin accession talks in early 2000. Unemployment fell to 7.8% in 2000, down from 9.6% in 1999, and 9.2% in 1998. Privatization of large state-owned utilities and the shipping industry faced more delays in 2000, and political instability will continue to delay completion of the privatization process over the next year. Latvia projects 6% GDP growth, 2.5%-3.0% inflation, and a 1.7% fiscal deficit in 2001. Preparing for EU membership over the next few years remains a top foreign policy goal.
Electricity - consumption 15.19 million kWh (2001) 4.316 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 400 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 1 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 16.33 million kWh (2001) 3.996 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
fossil fuel:
31.78%

hydro:
68.22%

nuclear:
0%

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


highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
lowest point:
Baltic Sea 0 m

highest point:
Gaizinkalns 312 m
Environment - current issues overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer were introduced to the islands in 2001 for commercial reasons; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the Chornobyl disaster air and water pollution because of a lack of waste conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and petroleum products at military bases
Environment - international agreements - party to:
Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups British Latvian 56.5%, Russian 30.4%, Byelorussian 4.3%, Ukrainian 2.8%, Polish 2.6%, other 3.4%
Exchange rates Falkland pounds per US dollar - 0.67 (2002), 0.69 (2001), 0.66 (2000), 0.62 (1999), 0.6 (1998); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound lati per US dollar - 0.614 (January 2001), 0.607 (2000), 0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997), 0.551 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)


head of government: Governor Howard PEARCE (since 3 December 2002); Chief Executive Chris SIMPKINS (since NA March 2003); Financial Secretary Derek F. HOWATT (since NA)


cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor


elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch
chief of state:
President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)

head of government:
Prime Minister Andris BERZINS (since 5 May 2000)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament

elections:
president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by NA June 2003); prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA elected as a compromise candidate in second phase of balloting, second round (after five rounds in first phase failed); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%
Exports NA (2001) $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities wool, hides, meat wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners Spain 76.2%, UK 9.2%, US 7.1% (2002) Germany 16%, UK 11%, Sweden 11%, Russia 7% (1999)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
GDP purchasing power parity - $75 million (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $17.3 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
agriculture:
5%

industry:
33%

services:
62% (1999)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $25,000 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $7,200 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 5.5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 51 45 S, 59 00 W 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Geography - note deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season -
Highways total: 440 km


paved: 50 km


unpaved: 390 km (2002)
total:
59,178 km

paved:
22,843 km

unpaved:
36,335 km (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%:
2.9%

highest 10%:
25.9% (1998)
Illicit drugs - transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; limited production of illicit amphetamine, ephedrine, and ecstasy for export
Imports NA (2001) $3.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels
Imports - partners UK 57.9%, Spain 19.8%, Italy 16.7% (2002) Russia 15%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Sweden 7% (1999)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) 18 November 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 6.3% (2000 est.)
Industries fish and wool processing; tourism buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate products
Infant mortality rate total: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
15.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.6% (1998) 2.7% (2000)
International organization participation ICFTU BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 42 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 160 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)
Labor force 1,100 (est.) 1.4 million (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing) agriculture 10%, industry 25%, services 65% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total:
1,150 km

border countries:
Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (1998 est.)
arable land:
27%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
13%

forests and woodland:
46%

other:
14% (1993 est.)
Languages English Latvian or Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Legal system English common law based on civil law system
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - 2 ex officio, 8 elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor


elections: last held 22 November 2001 (next to be held NA November 2005)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 8; note - 71% voter turnout
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 3 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - People's Party 21%, LC 18%, TSP 14%, TB/LNNK 14%, Social Democrats 13%, New Party 7%; seats by party - People's Party 24, LC 21, TB/LNNK 17, TSP 16, Social Democrats 14, New Party 8
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years
total population:
68.7 years

male:
62.8 years

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

total population:
100%

male:
100%

female:
99% (1989 est.)
Location Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Map references South America Europe
Maritime claims continental shelf: 200 NM


exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine none (2002 est.) total:
8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,984 GRT/29,978 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 2, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 3 (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches British Forces Falkland Islands no regular indigenous military forces; (includes Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy), Police Force Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Security Forces, Border Guard, Home Guard (Zemessardze)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA $60 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% 0.9% (FY99)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
590,784 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
463,944 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
19,114 (2001 est.)
National holiday Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 18 November 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union
Nationality noun: Falkland Islander(s)


adjective: Falkland Island
noun:
Latvian(s)

adjective:
Latvian
Natural hazards strong winds persist throughout the year NA
Natural resources fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, arable land
Net migration rate NA migrant(s)/1,000 population -1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines - crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)
Political parties and leaders none; all independents Anticommunist Union or PA [P. MUCENIEKS]; Christian Democrat Union or LKDS [Talavs JUNDZIS]; Christian People's Party or KTP [Uldis AUGSTKALNS]; Democratic Party "Saimnieks" or DPS [Ziedonis CEVERS, chairman]; For Fatherland and Freedom or TB [Maris GRINBLATS], merged with LNNK; For Human Rights in a United Latvia [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Green Party or LZP [Olegs BATAREVSKI]; Latvian Liberal Party or LLP [J. DANOSS]; Latvian National Conservative Party or LNNK [Andrejs KRASTINS]; Latvian National Democratic Party or LNDP [A. MALINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDWU [Juris BOJARS and Janis ADAMSONS, leaders]; Latvian Unity Party or LVP [Alberis KAULS]; Latvia's Way or LC [Andrei PANTELEJEVS]; New Christian Party [Ainars SLESERS]; New Faction [Ingrida UDRE]; "Our Land" or MZ [M. DAMBEKALNE]; Party of Russian Citizens or LKPP [V. SOROCHIN, V. IVANOV]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Political Union of Economists or TPA [Edvins KIDE]
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 2,967 (July 2003 est.) 2,385,231 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.44% (2003 est.) -0.81% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Stanley


note: the primary port is located in Stanley Harbour and known locally as FIPASS (Falkland Interim Port and Storage System); the facility consists of seven permanently moored barges providing 300 meters of berthing space; it was installed by the military after 1982 and handed over to the Falkland Islands Government in 1988
Daugavpils, Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios - 1.76 million (1997)
Railways 0 km total:
2,412 km

broad gauge:
2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified) (1992)

narrow gauge:
33 km 0.750-m gauge (1994)
Religions primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Sex ratio - at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.85 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries
general assessment:
inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use

domestic:
expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications

international:
international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)
Telephones - main lines in use NA 748,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 77,100 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 2 (operated by the British Forces Broadcasting Service)


note: cable television is available in Stanley (2002)
44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains low plain
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman 1.15 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate full employment; labor shortage 7.8% (2000 est.)
Waterways none 300 km (perennially navigable)
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