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Compare French Guiana (2001) - Belize (2001)

Compare French Guiana (2001) z Belize (2001)

 French Guiana (2001)Belize (2001)
 French GuianaBelize
Administrative divisions none (overseas department of France) 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Age structure 0-14 years:
30.47% (male 27,669; female 26,428)

15-64 years:
64.05% (male 61,457; female 52,266)

65 years and over:
5.48% (male 4,937; female 4,805) (2001 est.)
0-14 years:
42.04% (male 54,876; female 52,780)

15-64 years:
54.43% (male 70,534; female 68,837)

65 years and over:
3.53% (male 4,403; female 4,632) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products rice, manioc (tapioca), sugar, cocoa, vegetables, bananas; cattle, pigs, poultry bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish, cultured shrimp
Airports 11 (2000 est.) 44 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
4

over 3,047 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
2

under 914 m:
1 (2000 est.)
total:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
7

914 to 1,523 m:
2

under 914 m:
5 (2000 est.)
total:
40

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
10

under 914 m:
29 (2000 est.)
Area total:
91,000 sq km

land:
89,150 sq km

water:
1,850 sq km
total:
22,966 sq km

land:
22,806 sq km

water:
160 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Indiana slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Background First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was the site of notorious penal settlements until 1951. The European Space Agency launches its communication satellites from Kourou. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increased urban crime.
Birth rate 22.02 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 31.69 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$225 million

expenditures:
$390 million, including capital expenditures of $105 million (1996)
revenues:
$157 million

expenditures:
$279 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
Capital Cayenne Belmopan
Climate tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Coastline 378 km 386 km
Constitution 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) 21 September 1981
Country name conventional long form:
Department of Guiana

conventional short form:
French Guiana

local long form:
none

local short form:
Guyane
conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Belize

former:
British Honduras
Currency French franc (FRF); euro (EUR) Belizean dollar (BZD)
Death rate 4.77 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $1.2 billion (1988) $338 million (1998)
Dependency status overseas department of France -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas department of France) chief of mission:
Ambassador Carolyn CURIEL

embassy:
29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City

mailing address:
P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025

telephone:
[501] (2) 77161

FAX:
[501] (2) 30802
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas department of France) chief of mission:
Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN

chancery:
2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 332-9636

FAX:
[1] (202) 332-6888

consulate(s) general:
Los Angeles
Disputes - international Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) Guatemala periodically asserts claims to territory in southern Belize; to deter cross-border squatting, both states in 2000 agreed to a "line of adjacency" based on the de facto boundary, which is not recognized by Guatemala
Economic aid - recipient $NA $NA
Economy - overview The economy is tied closely to that of France through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou, fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry which provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops is limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated; rice and manioc are the major crops. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers. The small, essentially private enterprise economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming greater importance. Sugar, the chief crop, accounts for nearly half of exports, while the banana industry is the country's largest employer. The government's tough austerity program in 1997 resulted in an economic slowdown that continued in 1998. The trade deficit has been growing, mostly as a result of low export prices for sugar and bananas. The tourist and construction sectors strengthened in early 1999, supporting growth of 6% in 1999 and 4% in 2000. Aided by international donors, the government's key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty.
Electricity - consumption 409.2 million kWh (1999) 172.1 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 440 million kWh (1999) 185 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel:
56.76%

hydro:
43.24%

nuclear:
0%

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

highest point:
Bellevue de l'Inini 851 m
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point:
Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Environment - current issues NA deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements - party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups black or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10% mestizo 43.7%, Creole 29.8%, Maya 10%, Garifuna 6.2%, other 10.3%
Exchange rates Euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996) Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Dominique VIAN (since NA January 1997)

head of government:
President of the General Council Andre LECANTE (since NA March 1998); President of the Regional Council Antoine KARAM (since 22 March 1992)

cabinet:
NA

elections:
French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; presidents of the General and Regional Councils are appointed by the members of those councils
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993)

head of government:
Prime Minister Said MUSA (since 27 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; governor general appoints the member of the House of Representatives who is leader of the majority party to be prime minister
Exports $155 million (f.o.b., 1997) $235.7 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities shrimp, timber, gold, rum, rosewood essence, clothing sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
Exports - partners France 62%, Switzerland 7%, US 2% (1997) US 42%, UK 33%, EU 12%, Caricom 4.8%, Canada 2%, Mexico 1% (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
Flag description the flag of France is used blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland
GDP purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1998 est.) purchasing power parity - $790 million (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
NA%

industry:
NA%

services:
NA%
agriculture:
18%

industry:
24%

services:
58% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $6,000 (1998 est.) purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 4% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 4 00 N, 53 00 W 17 15 N, 88 45 W
Geography - note mostly an unsettled wilderness only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Highways total:
1,817 km

paved:
817 km

unpaved:
1,000 km (1998)
total:
2,872 km

paved:
488 km

unpaved:
2,384 km (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

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

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe minor transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor money-laundering center
Imports $625 million (c.i.f., 1997) $413 million (c.i.f., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities food (grains, processed meat), machinery and transport equipment, fuels and chemicals machinery and transportation equipment, manufactured goods; food, beverages, tobacco; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners France 52%, US 14%, Trinidad and Tobago 6% (1997) US 58%, Mexico 12%, UK 5% EU 5%, Central America 5%, Caricom 4% (1998)
Independence none (overseas department of France) 21 September 1981 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 4.6% (1999)
Industries construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
Infant mortality rate 13.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 25.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.5% (1992) 2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation FZ, WCL, WFTU ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 20 sq km (1993 est.) 20 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel (highest local court based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana) Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister)
Labor force 58,800 (1997) 71,000

note:
shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980) agriculture 38%, industry 32%, services 30% (1994)
Land boundaries total:
1,183 km

border countries:
Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km
total:
516 km

border countries:
Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Land use arable land:
0%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
90%

other:
10% (1996 est.)
arable land:
10%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
2%

forests and woodland:
84%

other:
3% (2000 est.)
Languages French English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Legal system French legal system English law
Legislative branch unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)

elections:
General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be held NA 2006); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004)

election results:
General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - PS 28.28%, various left parties 22.56%, RPR 15.91%, independents 8.6%, Walwari Committee 6%; seats by party - PS 11, various left parties 9, RPR 6, independents 3, Walwari Committee 2

note:
one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; 2 seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 25 May - 1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR 1, PSG 1
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (eight members, five appointed on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one by the governor general; members are appointed for five-year terms); and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
House of Representatives - last held 27 August 1998 (next to be held by NA August 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - PUP 59.2%, UDP 40.8%; seats by party - PUP 26, UDP 3
Life expectancy at birth total population:
76.3 years

male:
72.97 years

female:
79.79 years (2001 est.)
total population:
71.19 years

male:
68.91 years

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

total population:
83%

male:
84%

female:
82% (1982 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
70.3%

male:
70.3%

female:
70.3% (1991 est.)

note:
other sources list the literacy rate as high as 75%
Location Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Map references South America Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM in the north, 3 NM in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 NM; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala
Merchant marine none (2000 est.) total:
402 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,575,851 GRT/2,241,731 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 27, cargo 265, chemical tanker 6, combination ore/oil 1, container 14, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 56, refrigerated cargo 18, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 3

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Cuba 1, Singapore 1, US 1 (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of France -
Military branches French Forces, Gendarmerie Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA $17 million (FY98/99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% 2.4% (FY98/99)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
49,495 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
62,698 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
32,052 (2001 est.)
males age 15-49:
37,174 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
2,847 (2001 est.)
National holiday Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Nationality noun:
French Guianese (singular and plural)

adjective:
French Guianese
noun:
Belizean(s)

adjective:
Belizean
Natural hazards high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding frequent, devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Natural resources bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 10.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders Guianese Socialist Party or PSG [Antoine KARAM]; Guyana Democratic Forces or FDG [Georges OTHILY]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Roland HO-WEN-SZE]; Socialist Party or PS [Pierre RIBARDIERE] (may be a subset of PSG); Walwari Committee [Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON] People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean BARROW, Doug SINGH]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Diane HAYLOCK]; United Worker's Front
Population 177,562 (July 2001 est.) 256,062 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 33% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate 2.74% (2001 est.) 2.7% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Cayenne, Degrad des Cannes, Saint-Laurent du Maroni Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 14 (including 6 repeaters), shortwave 6 (including 5 repeaters) (1998) AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 104,000 (1997) 133,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km (1995) 0 km
Religions Roman Catholic Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980)
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1.13 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

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

domestic:
fair open wire and microwave radio relay system

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment:
above-average system

domestic:
trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 47,000 (1997) 31,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 3,023 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 3 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997) 2 (1997)
Terrain low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Total fertility rate 3.17 children born/woman (2001 est.) 4.05 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 21.4% (1998) 12.8% (1999)
Waterways 3,300 km navigable by native craft

note:
460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers
825 km (river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable)
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