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Compare Hong Kong (2003) - Holy See (Vatican City) (2005)

Compare Hong Kong (2003) z Holy See (Vatican City) (2005)

 Hong Kong (2003)Holy See (Vatican City) (2005)
 Hong KongHoly See (Vatican City)
Administrative divisions none (special administrative region of China) none
Age structure 0-14 years: 17.3% (male 680,973; female 599,309)


15-64 years: 71.7% (male 2,619,929; female 2,679,430)


65 years and over: 11% (male 375,058; female 439,471) (2003 est.)
-
Agriculture - products fresh vegetables; poultry, fish, pork -
Airports 3 (2002) none (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1523 m: 1 (2002)
-
Area total: 1,092 sq km


land: 1,042 sq km


water: 50 sq km
total: 0.44 sq km


land: 0.44 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative six times the size of Washington, DC about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in 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. Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include religious freedom, international development, the Middle East, terrorism, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith.
Birth rate 10.71 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) -
Budget revenues: $22.8 billion


expenditures: $30.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY02/03)
revenues: $245.2 million


expenditures: $260.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2002)
Capital - Vatican City
Climate tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Coastline 733 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution Basic Law approved in March 1990 by China's National People's Congress is Hong Kong's "mini-constitution" new Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law of 1929)
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: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)


conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City)


local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)


local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
Currency Hong Kong dollar (HKD) -
Death rate 6.19 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) -
Debt - external $49.5 billion (2002 est.) -
Dependency status special administrative region of China -
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Consul General James KEITH


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


mailing address: PSC 461, Box 1, FPO AP 96521-0006


telephone: [852] 2523-9011


FAX: [852] 2524-0860
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)


embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome


mailing address: PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624


telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428


FAX: [39] (06) 575-8346
Diplomatic representation in the US none (special administrative region of China) chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO


chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121


FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient - none
Economy - overview Hong Kong has a free market economy highly dependent on international trade. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. 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. Hong Kong has been further integrating its economy with China because China's growing openness to the world economy has increased competitive pressure on Hong Kong's service industries, and Hong Kong's re-export business from China is a major driver of growth. Per capita GDP compares with the level in the four big economies of Western Europe. GDP growth averaged a strong 5% in 1989-1997, but Hong Kong suffered two recessions in the past 6 years because of the Asian financial crisis in 1998 and the global downturn of 2001-2002. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak has also battered Hong Kong's economy but the resumption of strong growth began in 2003. This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual contribution from Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world (known as Peter's Pence); by the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; by fees for admission to museums; and by the sale of publications. Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.
Electricity - consumption 37.12 billion kWh (2001) NA kWh
Electricity - exports 1.581 billion kWh (2001) 0 kWh
Electricity - imports 10.36 billion kWh (2001) NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy
Electricity - production 30.48 billion kWh (2001) NA kWh
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: South China Sea 0 m


highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m
lowest point: unnamed location 19 m


highest point: unnamed location 75 m
Environment - current issues air and water pollution from rapid urbanization NA
Environment - international agreements party to: Marine Dumping (associate member), Ship Pollution (associate member) party to: none of the selected agreements


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Ethnic groups Chinese 95%, other 5% Italians, Swiss, other
Exchange rates Hong Kong dollars per US dollar - 7.8 (2002), 7.8 (2001), 7.79 (2000), 7.76 (1999), 7.75 (1998) euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)
Executive branch chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)


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: TUNG Chee-Hwa was elected to a second term in March 2002 by an 800-member election committee dominated by pro-Beijing forces; the next election is scheduled to be held in 2007
chief of state: Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19 April 2005)


head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 1 December 1990)


cabinet: Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope


elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope


election results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI
Exports NA (2001) 0 kWh
Exports - commodities electrical machinery and appliances, textiles, apparel, footwear, watches and clocks, toys, plastics, precious stones -
Exports - partners China 34%, US 19.5%, UK 5.5%, Japan 4.8% (2002) -
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description red with a stylized, white, five-petal bauhinia flower in the center two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band
GDP purchasing power parity - $198.5 billion (2002 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 0.1%


industry: 13.4%


services: 86.5% (2001 est.)
-
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $27,200 (2002 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 2.3% (2002 est.) -
Geographic coordinates 22 15 N, 114 10 E 41 54 N, 12 27 E
Geography - note more than 200 islands urban; landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights
Heliports 2 (2002) -
Highways total: 1,831 km


paved: 1,831 km


unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)
none; all city streets
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs Makes 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 NA (2001) NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleum, plastics, machinery, electrical equipment; a large share is reexported -
Imports - partners China 37.5%, Japan 12.2%, Taiwan 7.3%, US 6.2%, Singapore 5.3%, South Korea 5% (2002) -
Independence none (special administrative region of China) 11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century
Industrial production growth rate -9.7% (2002 est.) -
Industries textiles, clothing, tourism, banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Infant mortality rate total: 5.63 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 5.44 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 5.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
-
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3% (2002 est.) -
International organization participation APEC, AsDB, BIS, ESCAP (associate), ICC, ICFTU, IHO, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTrO CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WToO (observer), WTO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 17 (2000) -
Irrigated land 20 sq km (1998 est.) 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Court of Final Appeal in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See


note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pius XII on 1 May 1946
Labor force 3.52 million (2001 est.) NA
Labor force - by occupation wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels 31%, financing, insurance, and real estate 13%, community and social services 12%, manufacturing 6%, transport and communications 6%, construction 5%, other 25% (2002 est.) essentially services with a small amount of industry; note - dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican
Land boundaries total: 30 km


border countries: China 30 km
total: 3.2 km


border countries: Italy 3.2 km
Land use arable land: 5.05%


permanent crops: 1.01%


other: 93.94% (1998 est.)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (urban area) (2001)
Languages Chinese (Cantonese), English; both are official Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
Legal system based on English common law based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it
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 in September 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 Pontifical Commission
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.93 years


male: 77.23 years


female: 82.83 years (2003 est.)
-
Literacy definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 94%


male: 97.1%


female: 90.5% (2003 est.)
definition: NA


total population: 100%


male: 100%


female: 100%
Location Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Map references Southeast Asia Europe
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 NM none (landlocked)
Merchant marine total: 549 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 16,176,728 GRT/27,119,764 DWT


ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 315, cargo 66, chemical tanker 15, combination bulk 2, container 86, liquefied gas 16, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, petroleum tanker 40, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 2, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 2, 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, UK 27, Virgin Islands (UK) 1


note: (2002 est.)
-
Military - note defense is the responsibility of China defense is the responsibility of Italy; ceremonial and limited security duties performed by Pontifical Swiss Guard
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 Pontifical Swiss Guard (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% (FY02) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 2,033,716 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 1,524,903 (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2003 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 47,477 (2003 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 Coronation Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 24 April (2005)
Nationality noun: Chinese


adjective: Chinese
noun: none


adjective: none
Natural hazards occasional typhoons NA
Natural resources outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar none
Net migration rate 7.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 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
none
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] none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
Population 7,394,170 (July 2003 est.) 921 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 1.22% (2003 est.) 0.01% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors Hong Kong -
Radio broadcast stations AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 2 (1998)
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)
-
Religions eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10% Roman Catholic
Sex ratio at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.14 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 (2003 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 limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
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: automatic exchange


domestic: tied into Italian system


international: country code - 39; uses Italian system
Telephones - main lines in use 3.839 million (1999) NA
Telephones - mobile cellular 3.7 million (December 1999) NA
Television broadcast stations 4 (plus two repeaters) (1997) 1 (1996)
Terrain hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north low hill
Total fertility rate 1.32 children born/woman (2003 est.) -
Unemployment rate 7.5% (2002 est.) -
Waterways none -
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