Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Hong Kong (2002) - Virgin Islands (2002)

Compare Hong Kong (2002) z Virgin Islands (2002)

 Hong Kong (2002)Virgin Islands (2002)
 Hong KongVirgin Islands
Administrative divisions none (special administrative region of China) 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: 17.5% (male 679,311; female 599,811)


15-64 years: 71.6% (male 2,587,509; female 2,641,418)


65 years and over: 10.9% (male 364,864; female 430,421) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 26.7% (male 16,926; female 16,012)


15-64 years: 64.2% (male 35,801; female 43,443)


65 years and over: 9.1% (male 4,851; female 6,465) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products fresh vegetables; poultry, fish, pork fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Airports 3 (2001) 2 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
Area total: 1,092 sq km


land: 1,042 sq km


water: 50 sq km
total: 352 sq km


land: 349 sq km


water: 3 sq km
Area - comparative six times the size of Washington, DC twice the size of Washington, DC
Background Occupied by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year; various adjacent lands were added later in the 19th century. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. 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 10.92 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 15.85 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $22.9 billion


expenditures: $24.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $465 million (FY00/01)
revenues: $364.4 million


expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)
Capital - Charlotte Amalie
Climate tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November
Coastline 733 km 188 km
Constitution Basic Law approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Country name conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region


conventional short form: Hong Kong


local long form: Xianggang Tebie Xingzhengqu


local short form: Xianggang


abbreviation: HK
conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands


conventional short form: Virgin Islands


former: Danish West Indies
Currency Hong Kong dollar (HKD) US dollar (USD)
Death rate 6.11 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 5.58 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $58.8 billion (2001 est.) $NA
Dependency status special administrative region of China 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 chief of mission: Consul General Michael KLOSSON


consulate(s) general: 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong


mailing address: PSC 464, Box 30, FPO AP 96522-0002


telephone: [852] 2523-9011


FAX: [852] 2845-1598
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation in the US none (special administrative region of China) none (territory of the US)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient - $NA
Economy - overview Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy highly dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. Indeed, imports and exports, including reexports, each exceed GDP in dollar value. Even before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese administration on 1 July 1997 it had extensive trade and investment ties with China. Per capita GDP compares with the level in the four big economies of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% in 1989-97. The widespread Asian economic difficulties in 1998 hit this trade-dependent economy quite hard, with GDP down 5%. The economy, with growth of 10% in 2000, recovered rapidly from the Asian financial crisis. The recent global downturn has badly hurt Hong Kong's exports and GDP growth is estimated to be 0% in 2001. Private sector analysts project 2002 GDP growth to be 1.8%. Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of 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 a small but growing component 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, support construction projects in the private sector, expand tourist facilities, reduce crime, and protect the environment.
Electricity - consumption 35.402 billion kWh (2000) 948.6 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 1.181 billion kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 9.195 billion kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 29.449 billion kWh (2000) 1.02 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: South China Sea 0 m


highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
Environment - current issues air and water pollution from rapid urbanization lack of natural freshwater resources
Environment - international agreements party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member) -
Ethnic groups Chinese 95%, other 5% black 80%, white 15%, other 5%


note: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%, other 8%
Exchange rates Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.798 (January 2002), 7.7994 (2001), 7.7918 (2000), 7.7589 (1999), 7.7462 (1998), 7.7425 (1997); note - the Hong Kong dollar is linked to the US dollar at a rate of about 7.8 Hong Kong dollars per US dollar the US dollar is used
Executive branch chief of state: President of China JIANG Zemin (since 27 March 1993)


head of government: Chief Executive TUNG Chee-hwa (since 1 July 1997)


cabinet: Executive Council consists of three ex-officio members and 10 appointed members; ex-officio members are: Chief Secretary Donald TSANG Yam-kuen (since 1 May 2001), Financial Secretary Antony LEUNG (since 1 May 2001), and Secretary of Justice Elsie LEUNG (since 1 July 1997)


elections: NA
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) and Lieutenant Governor Gererd LUZ James II (since 5 January 1999)


cabinet: NA


elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006)


election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor; percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John de Jongh 24.4%
Exports $191 billion f.o.b., including reexports (2001 est.) $NA
Exports - commodities clothing, textiles, footwear, electrical appliances, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones refined petroleum products
Exports - partners China 34%, US 23%, Japan 6%, Germany 4%, UK 4%, Taiwan 3%, Singapore 2% (2000) US, Puerto Rico
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 October - 30 September
Flag description red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center 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 purchasing power parity - $180 billion (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $1.8 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 0%


industry: 14%


services: 86% (1999 est.)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $25,000 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 0% (2001 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 22 15 N, 114 10 E 18 20 N, 64 50 W
Geography - note more than 200 islands 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
Heliports 2 (2002) -
Highways total: 1,831 km


paved: 1,831 km


unpaved: 0 km (1997)
total: 856 km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km


note: the only US posession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces serious challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides a conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people -
Imports $203 billion (2001 est.) $NA
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleum, plastics, machinery, electrical equipment; a large share is reexported crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Imports - partners China 43%, Japan 12%, Taiwan 8%, US 7%, South Korea 5%, Singapore 3% (2000) US, Puerto Rico
Independence none (special administrative region of China) -
Industrial production growth rate -9% (2001 est.) NA%
Industries textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Infant mortality rate 5.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 9.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) -1.6% (2001 est.) NA%
International organization participation APEC, AsDB, BIS, CCC, ESCAP (associate), ICC, ICFTU, IHO, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WMO, WToO (associate), WTrO ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 17 (2000) 50 (2000)
Irrigated land 20 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch The Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)
Labor force 3.44 million (2001 est.) 48,356
Labor force - by occupation wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 31%, financing, insurance, and real estate 13%, community and social services 11%, manufacturing 7%, transport and communications 6%, construction 2%, other 30% (2001 est.) agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.)
Land boundaries total: 30 km


border countries: China 30 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 5.05%


permanent crops: 1.01%


other: 93.94% (1998 est.)
arable land: 15%


permanent crops: 6%


other: 79% (1998 est.)
Languages Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official English (official), Spanish, Creole
Legal system based on English common law based on US laws
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (60 seats; 30 indirectly elected by functional constituencies, 24 elected by popular vote, and 6 elected by an 800-member election committee; members serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 10 September 2000 (next to be held NA 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 12, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong 10, Liberal Party 7, Frontier Party 5, Hong Kong Progressive Alliance 4, New Century Forum 2, Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood 1, independents 19
unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)


elections: last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM NA, no party affiliation NA


note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.8 years


male: 77.1 years


female: 82.69 years (2002 est.)
total population: 78.43 years


male: 74.55 years


female: 82.53 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 92.2%


male: 96%


female: 88.2% (1996 est.)
definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Map references Southeast Asia Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 433 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 13,539,257 GRT/22,682,757 DWT


ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 264, cargo 38, chemical tanker 10, combination bulk 2, container 73, liquefied gas 8, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, petroleum tanker 32, refrigerated cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 2


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 5, Belize 1, British Virgin Islands 1, China 115, Denmark 2, Germany 19, Greece 2, India 8, Japan 8, Liberia 1, Malaysia 7, Norway 1, Panama 2, Philippines 5, Singapore 7, South Korea 2, Taiwan 1, United Kingdom 27, Virgin Islands (UK) 1 (2002 est.)
none (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of China defense is the responsibility of the US
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) including elements of the PLA Ground Forces, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Guangzhou Military Region -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 2,028,208 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 1,523,378 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 47,139 (2002 est.) -
National holiday National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)
Nationality noun: Chinese


adjective: Chinese
noun: Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: Virgin Islander
Natural hazards occasional typhoons several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Natural resources outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar sun, sand, sea, surf
Net migration rate 7.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood [Frederick FUNG Kin-kee, chairman]; Citizens Party [Alex CHAN Kai-chung]; Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong [Jasper TSANG Yok-sing, chairman]; Democratic Party [Martin LEE Chu-ming, chairman]; Frontier Party [Emily LAU Wai-hing, chairwoman]; Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood [leader NA]; Hong Kong Progressive Alliance [Ambrose LAU Hon-chuen]; Liberal Party [James TIEN Pei-chun, chairman]; New Century Forum [NQ Ching-fai, chairman]


note: political blocs include: pro-democracy - Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood, Citizens Party, Democratic Party, Frontier Party; pro-Beijing - Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, Liberal Party, New Century Forum
Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
Political pressure groups and leaders Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (pro-China); Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong; Confederation of Trade Unions (pro-democracy) [LAU Chin-shek, president; LEE Cheuk-yan, general secretary]; Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China) [LEE Chark-tim, president]; Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China [Szeto WAH, chairman]; Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union [CHEUNG Man-kwong, president]; Liberal Democratic Federation [HU Fa-kuang, chairman] NA
Population 7,303,334 (July 2002 est.) 123,498 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 1.26% (2002 est.) 1.04% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Hong Kong Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix
Radio broadcast stations AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (2002)
Radios 4.45 million (1997) 107,000 (1997)
Railways total: 34 km


standard gauge: 34 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified and double-tracked)


note: connects to China railway system at Hong Kong-China border (2001)
0 km
Religions eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female


total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage direct election 18 years of age; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years; indirect election limited to about 100,000 members of functional constituencies and an 800-member election committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Telephone system general assessment: modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services


domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic network


international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China; access to 5 international submarine cables providing connections to ASEAN member nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe
general assessment: NA


domestic: modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay


international: submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA
Telephones - main lines in use 3.839 million (1999) 62,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 3.7 million (December 1999) 2,000 (1992)
Television broadcast stations 4 (plus two repeaters) (1997) 2 (2002)
Terrain hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Total fertility rate 1.3 children born/woman (2002 est.) 2.24 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 5.2% (2001 est.) 4.9% (March 1999)
Waterways none none
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.