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Compare Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2006) - Switzerland (2003)

Compare Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2006) z Switzerland (2003)

 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2006)Switzerland (2003)
 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)Switzerland
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
0-14 years: 16.6% (male 623,428; female 591,709)


15-64 years: 67.8% (male 2,519,302; female 2,439,560)


65 years and over: 15.6% (male 470,257; female 674,382) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs
Airports 5 (2006) 66 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
total: 41


over 3,047 m: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 10


914 to 1,523 m: 9


under 914 m: 14 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 3


under 914 m: 3 (2006)
total: 25


1524 to 2437 m: 1


under 914 m: 24 (2002)
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: 41,290 sq km


land: 39,770 sq km


water: 1,520 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Connecticut slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
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. Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and Switzerland was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations, but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.
Birth rate NA births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 9.59 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $66.2 million


expenditures: $67.9 million; including capital expenditures of $23.2 million (FY98/99 est.)
revenues: $30 billion


expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Capital name: Stanley


geographic coordinates: 51 42 S, 57 41 W


time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends third Sunday in April
Bern
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 temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Coastline 1,288 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998 18 December 1998
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
conventional long form: Swiss Confederation


conventional short form: Switzerland


local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German), Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)


local short form: Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera (Italian)
Currency - Swiss franc (CHF)
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population 8.82 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $NA $NA
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 Mercer REYNOLDS III


embassy: Jubilaeumsstrasse 93, 3005 Bern


mailing address: use embassy street address


telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11


FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) chief of mission: Ambassador Christian BLICKENSTORFER


chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900


FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco


consulate(s): Boston
Disputes - international Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks none
Economic aid - donor - ODA, $1.1 billion (1995)
Economic aid - recipient $0 (1997 est.) -
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 Falkland Islands' 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. Switzerland is a prosperous and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big western European economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to about 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003.
Electricity - consumption 20.68 million kWh (2003) 53.43 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2003) 34.54 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2003) 24.1 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 22.23 million kWh (2003) 68.68 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 1.3%


hydro: 59.5%


nuclear: 37.1%


other: 2% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m
lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m


highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 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 pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
Environment - international agreements - party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups British German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%
Exchange rates Falkland pounds per US dollar - 0.55 (2005), 0.5462 (2004), 0.6125 (2003), 0.6672 (2002), 0.6947 (2001)


note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.56 (2002), 1.69 (2001), 1.69 (2000), 1.5 (1999), 1.45 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)


head of government: Governor Alan HUCKLE (since 25 August 2006); Chief Executive Chris SIMPKINS (since 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 Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Ruth METZLER (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Ruth METZLER (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its own members for a four-year term


elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for one-year terms that run concurrently; election last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2003)


election results: Pascal COUCHEPIN elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - NA%; Ruth METZLER elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - NA%
Exports NA bbl/day 10,420 bbl/day (2001)
Exports - commodities wool, hides, meat machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products
Exports - partners Spain 81.9%, US 6%, UK 4.5% (2005) Germany 19.2%, US 10.2%, Italy 9.6%, France 8.9%, UK 7.7% (2002)
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 was once 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 red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag
GDP - purchasing power parity - $233.4 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 95%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
agriculture: 2%


industry: 34%


services: 64% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $32,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 0.1% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 51 45 S, 59 00 W 47 00 N, 8 00 E
Geography - note deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps
Heliports - 1 (2002)
Highways - total: 71,011 km


paved: 71,011 km (including 1,638 of expressways)


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 2.6%


highest 10%: 25.2% (1992)
Illicit drugs - because of more stringent government regulations, used significantly less as a money-laundering center; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin
Imports NA bbl/day 289,500 bbl/day (2001)
Imports - commodities fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles
Imports - partners UK 72.5%, US 15.1%, Netherlands 8.5% (2005) Germany 27.4%, France 11.4%, Italy 9.7%, US 8.5%, Russia 5.8%, UK 5.4%, Austria 4.6%, Netherlands 4.1% (2002)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) 1 August 1291 (Founding of the Swiss Confederation)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 3.2% (2001)
Industries fish and wool processing; tourism machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total: 4.36 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 4.47 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.6% (1998) 0.5% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ICFTU, UPU ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 44 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) (2000)
Irrigated land NA 250 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly)
Labor force 1,724 (est.) 4 million (2001)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing)


industry and services: 5%
services 69.1%, industry 26.3%, agriculture 4.6% (1998)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,852 km


border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005)
arable land: 10.57%


permanent crops: 0.61%


other: 88.82% (1998 est.)
Languages English German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 19.2%, Italian (official) 7.6%, Romansch (official) 0.6%, other 8.9%
Legal system English common law civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats - two ex officio, eight elected by popular vote, members serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor


elections: last held 17 November 2005 (next to be held November 2009)


election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8
bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats - members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats - members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: Council of States - last held NA 1999 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held 19 October 2003 (next to be held NA October 2007)


election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 18, CVP 15, SVP 7, SPS 6; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 27.7%, SPS 24.2%, FDP 16%, CVP 12.9%, Greens 7.7%, other small parties all under 5%; seats by party - SVP 55, SPS 52, FDP 36, CVP 28, Green Party 13, other small parties 16
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total population: 79.99 years


male: 77.11 years


female: 83.02 years (2003 est.)
Literacy NA definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99% (1980 est.)


male:


female:
Location Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Map references South America Europe
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine - total: 29 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 597,049 GRT/1,051,380 DWT


ships by type: bulk 16, cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, container 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, specialized tanker 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: UK 6, US 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches no regular military forces Army, Air Force, Frontier Guards, Fortification Guards
Military expenditures - dollar figure NA $2.548 billion (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA 1% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 1,834,638 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 1,552,728 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 20 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 42,761 (2003 est.)
National holiday Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)
Nationality noun: Falkland Islander(s)


adjective: Falkland Island
noun: Swiss (singular and plural)


adjective: Swiss
Natural hazards strong winds persist throughout the year avalanches, landslides, flash floods
Natural resources fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss hydropower potential, timber, salt
Net migration rate NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) 1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines - gas 1,831 km; oil 212 km; refined products 7 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders none; all independents Christian Democratic People's Party (Christichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Philipp STAEHELIN, president]; Green Party (Grune Partei der Schweiz or Grune, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ruth GENNER and Patrice MUGNY, co-presidents]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Christiane LANGENBERGER, president]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christiane BRUNNER, president]; Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Ueli MAURER, president]; and other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders none NA
Population 2,967 (July 2006 est.) 7,318,638 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.44% (2006 est.) 0.21% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors - Basel
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 7, shortwave 0


note: British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 (FM) and Radio 2 (AM) service (2006)
AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2 (1998)
Railways - total: 4,511 km


standard gauge: 3,483 km 1.435-m gauge (3,472 km electrified)


narrow gauge: 982 km 1.000-m gauge (975 km electrified); 46 km 0.800-m gauge (46 km electrified) (2002)
Religions primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9% (1990)
Sex ratio - at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
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: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries
general assessment: excellent domestic and international services


domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 2,400 (2002) 4.82 million (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular 0 (2001) 1.967 million (1999)
Television broadcast stations 2 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to members of UK Forces as well as islanders)


note: cable television is available in Stanley (2006)
115 (plus 1,919 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman 1.48 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate full employment; labor shortage (2001) 1.9% (2002 est.)
Waterways - 65 km


note: The Rhine carries heavy traffic on the Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee stretches; there are also 12 navigable lakes
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