Compare Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2006) - Virgin Islands (2006)

Compare Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2006) z Virgin Islands (2006)

	Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (2006)	Virgin Islands (2006)

Administrative divisions	none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)	none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
Age structure	0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)	0-14 years: 22.4% (male 12,261/female 12,056) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 34,174/female 37,949) 65 years and over: 11.2% (male 5,385/female 6,780) (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products	fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products	fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Airports	5 (2006)	2 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways	total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)	total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways	total: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2006)	-
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: 1,910 sq km land: 346 sq km water: 1,564 sq km
Area - comparative	slightly smaller than Connecticut	twice the size of Washington, DC
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.	During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.
Birth rate	NA births/1,000 population (2006 est.)	13.96 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Budget	revenues: $66.2 million expenditures: $67.9 million; including capital expenditures of $23.2 million (FY98/99 est.)	revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA
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	name: Charlotte Amalie geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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	subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November
Coastline	1,288 km	188 km
Constitution	3 October 1985; amended 1997 and 1998	Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Country name	conventional long form: none conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)	conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies abbreviation: USVI
Death rate	NA deaths/1,000 population	6.43 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Debt - external	$NA	$NA
Dependency status	overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina	organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Diplomatic representation from the US	none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)	none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation in the US	none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)	none (territory of the US)
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 - recipient	$0 (1997 est.)	$NA
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.	Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are small but growing components of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the private sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment.
Electricity - consumption	20.68 million kWh (2003)	967.3 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports	0 kWh (2003)	0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports	0 kWh (2003)	0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - production	22.23 million kWh (2003)	1.04 billion kWh (2003)
Elevation extremes	lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m	lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 475 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	lack of natural freshwater resources
Ethnic groups	British	black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census)
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	the US dollar is used
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 George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5 January 1999) cabinet: NA elections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 and 21 November 2006 (next to be held November 2010) election results: John DeJONGH elected governor and takes office in January 2007; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7%
Exports	NA bbl/day	NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities	wool, hides, meat	refined petroleum products
Exports - partners	Spain 81.9%, US 6%, UK 4.5% (2005)	US, Puerto Rico (2004)
Fiscal year	1 April - 31 March	1 October - 30 September
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	white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: 95% industry: NA% services: NA%	agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate	NA%	2% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates	51 45 S, 59 00 W	18 20 N, 64 50 W
Geography - note	deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season	important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
Household income or consumption by percentage share	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%	lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports	NA bbl/day	NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities	fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing	crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Imports - partners	UK 72.5%, US 15.1%, Netherlands 8.5% (2005)	US, Puerto Rico (2004)
Independence	none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)	-
Industrial production growth rate	NA%	NA%
Industries	fish and wool processing; tourism	tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Infant mortality rate	total: NA male: NA female: NA	total: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)	3.6% (1998)	2.2% (2003)
International organization participation	ICFTU, UPU	IOC, UPU
Irrigated land	NA	NA
Judicial branch	Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction	US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)
Labor force	1,724 (est.)	43,980 (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation	agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing) industry and services: 5%	agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)
Land boundaries	0 km	0 km
Land use	arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (99% permanent pastures, 1% other) (2005)	arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 2.86% other: 91.43% (2005)
Languages	English	English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)
Legal system	English common law	based on US laws
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	unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM 4, independent 3 note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008); results - Donna M. CHRISTENSEN (Democrat) reelected
Life expectancy at birth	total population: NA male: NA female: NA	total population: 79.05 years male: 75.24 years female: 83.09 years (2006 est.)
Literacy	NA	definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90-95% est. male: NA% female: NA% (2005 est.)
Location	Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina	Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Map references	South America	Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims	territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm	territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Military - note	defense is the responsibility of the UK	defense is the responsibility of the US
Military branches	no regular military forces	-
Military expenditures - dollar figure	NA	-
Military expenditures - percent of GDP	NA	-
National holiday	Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)	Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)
Nationality	noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island	noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) adjective: Virgin Islander
Natural hazards	strong winds persist throughout the year	several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Natural resources	fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss	sun, sand, sea, surf
Net migration rate	NA migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)	-8.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Political parties and leaders	none; all independents	Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
Political pressure groups and leaders	none	NA
Population	2,967 (July 2006 est.)	108,605 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line	NA%	NA%
Population growth rate	2.44% (2006 est.)	-0.12% (2006 est.)
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 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2006)
Religions	primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist	Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
Sex ratio	-	at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Suffrage	18 years of age; universal	18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
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: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay domestic: full range of services available international: country code - 1-340; 2 submarine cable connections (Taino Carib, Americas-1); satellite earth stations - NA
Telephones - main lines in use	2,400 (2002)	70,900 (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular	0 (2001)	64,200 (2004)
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)	5 (2006)
Terrain	rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains	mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Total fertility rate	NA children born/woman	2.17 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate	full employment; labor shortage (2001)	6.2% (2004)

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