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Compare Iceland (2001) - Bahamas, The (2001)

Compare Iceland (2001) z Bahamas, The (2001)

 Iceland (2001)Bahamas, The (2001)
 IcelandBahamas, The
Administrative divisions 23 counties (syslar, singular - sysla) and 14 independent towns* (kaupstadhir, singular - kaupstadhur); Akranes*, Akureyri*, Arnessysla, Austur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Austur-Hunavatnssysla, Austur-Skaftafellssysla, Borgarfjardharsysla, Dalasysla, Eyjafjardharsysla, Gullbringusysla, Hafnarfjordhur*, Husavik*, Isafjordhur*, Keflavik*, Kjosarsysla, Kopavogur*, Myrasysla, Neskaupstadhur*, Nordhur-Isafjardharsysla, Nordhur-Mulasys-la, Nordhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Olafsfjordhur*, Rangarvallasysla, Reykjavik*, Saudharkrokur*, Seydhisfjordhur*, Siglufjordhur*, Skagafjardharsysla, Snaefellsnes-og Hnappadalssysla, Strandasysla, Sudhur-Mulasysla, Sudhur-Thingeyjarsysla, Vesttmannaeyjar*, Vestur-Bardhastrandarsysla, Vestur-Hunavatnssysla, Vestur-Isafjardharsysla, Vestur-Skaftafellssysla

note:
there may be four other counties
21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nicholls Town and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay
Age structure 0-14 years:
23.18% (male 33,238; female 31,191)

15-64 years:
65.01% (male 91,095; female 89,583)

65 years and over:
11.81% (male 14,681; female 18,118) (2001 est.)
0-14 years:
29.43% (male 44,179; female 43,486)

15-64 years:
64.46% (male 94,329; female 97,674)

65 years and over:
6.11% (male 7,618; female 10,566) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products potatoes, turnips; cattle, sheep; fish citrus, vegetables; poultry
Airports 87 (2000 est.) 65 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
12

over 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
4

914 to 1,523 m:
7 (2000 est.)
total:
36

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
16

914 to 1,523 m:
13

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
75

1,524 to 2,437 m:
3

914 to 1,523 m:
20

under 914 m:
52 (2000 est.)
total:
29

914 to 1,523 m:
6

under 914 m:
23 (2000 est.)
Area total:
103,000 sq km

land:
100,250 sq km

water:
2,750 sq km
total:
13,940 sq km

land:
10,070 sq km

water:
3,870 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Kentucky slightly smaller than Connecticut
Background Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Limited home rule from Denmark was granted in 1874 and complete independence attained in 1944. Literacy, longevity, income, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.
Birth rate 14.62 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 19.1 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$3.5 billion

expenditures:
$3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (1999)
revenues:
$766 million

expenditures:
$845 million, including capital expenditures of $97 million (FY97/98)
Capital Reykjavik Nassau
Climate temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
Coastline 4,988 km 3,542 km
Constitution 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944 10 July 1973
Country name conventional long form:
Republic of Iceland

conventional short form:
Iceland

local long form:
Lyoveldio Island

local short form:
Island
conventional long form:
Commonwealth of The Bahamas

conventional short form:
The Bahamas
Currency Icelandic krona (ISK) Bahamian dollar (BSD)
Death rate 6.89 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 7.14 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $2.6 billion (1999) $385.8 million (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Barbara J. GRIFFITHS

embassy:
Laufasvegur 21, Reykjavik

mailing address:
US Embassy, PSC 1003, Box 40, FPO AE 09728-0340

telephone:
[354] 5629100

FAX:
[354] 5629118
chief of mission:
Ambassador-designate J. Richard BLANKENSHIP

embassy:
Queen Street, Nassau

mailing address:
local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197, Nassau; stateside address: American Embassy Nassau, P. O. Box 599009, Miami, FL 33159-9009; pouch address: Nassau, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-3370

telephone:
[1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206

FAX:
[1] (242) 356-0222
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Jon-Baldvin HANNIBALSSON

chancery:
Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

telephone:
[1] (202) 265-6653

FAX:
[1] (202) 265-6656

consulate(s) general:
New York
chief of mission:
Ambassador Joshua SEARS

chancery:
2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 319-2660

FAX:
[1] (202) 319-2668

consulate(s) general:
Miami and New York
Disputes - international Rockall continental shelf dispute involving Denmark and the UK (Ireland and the UK have signed a boundary agreement in the Rockall area); dispute with Denmark over the Faroe Islands fisheries median line boundary within 200 NM; disputes with Denmark, the UK, and Ireland over the Faroe Islands continental shelf boundary outside 200 NM none
Economic aid - donor $NA -
Economic aid - recipient - $9.8 million (1995)
Economy - overview Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system, low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant hydrothermal and geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 70% of export earnings and employs 12% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to drops in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. The center-right government plans to continue its policies of reducing the budget and current account deficits, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, diversifying the economy, and privatizing state-owned industries. The government remains opposed to EU membership, primarily because of Icelanders' concern about losing control over their fishing resources. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, and new developments in software production, biotechnology, and financial services are taking place. The tourism sector is also expanding, with the recent trends in ecotourism and whale watching. Growth has been remarkably steady over the past five years at 4%-5%. The Bahamas is a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs 40% of the archipelago's labor force. Moderate growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences led to an increase of the country's GDP by an estimated 3% in 1998, 6% in 1999, and 4.5% in 2000. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute only 10% of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run will depend heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector and continued sturdy growth in the US, which accounts for the majority of tourist visitors.
Electricity - consumption 6.574 billion kWh (1999) 1.362 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 7.069 billion kWh (1999) 1.465 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
0.07%

hydro:
84.64%

nuclear:
0%

other:
15.29% (1999)
fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

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

highest point:
Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m
Environment - current issues water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements party to:
Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%
Exchange rates Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 84.810 (January 2001), 78.676 (2000), 72.335 (1999), 70.958 (1998), 70.904 (1997), 66.500 (1996) Bahamian dollars per US dollar - 1.000 (fixed rate pegged to the dollar)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996)

head of government:
Prime Minister David ODDSSON (since 30 April 1991)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by Parliament

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 29 June 1996 (next to be held NA June 2004); President GRIMSSON ran unopposed in June 2000 so there were no elections; prime minister appointed by the president

election results:
Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON elected president; President GRIMSSON ran unopposed
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Orville TURNQUEST (since 2 January 1995)

head of government:
Prime Minister Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM (since 19 August 1992) and Deputy Prime Minister Frank WATSON (since December 1994)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general
Exports $2 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $376.8 million (2000 est.)
Exports - commodities fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon pharmaceuticals, cement, rum, crawfish, refined petroleum products
Exports - partners EU 64% (UK 20%, Germany 13%, France 5%, Denmark 5%), US 15%, Japan 5% (1999) US 22.3%, Switzerland 15.6%, UK 15%, Denmark 7.4% (1998)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June
Flag description blue with a red cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $6.85 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $4.5 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
15% (includes fishing 13%)

industry:
21%

services:
64% (1999 est.)
agriculture:
3%

industry:
7%

services:
90% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $24,800 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.3% (2000 est.) 4.5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 65 00 N, 18 00 W 24 15 N, 76 00 W
Geography - note strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain
Heliports - 1 (2000 est.)
Highways total:
12,691 km

paved:
3,262 km

unpaved:
9,429 km (1999)
total:
2,693 km

paved:
1,546 km

unpaved:
1,147 km (1997)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

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

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs - transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and Europe; banking industry vulnerable to money laundering
Imports $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $1.73 billion (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles foodstuffs, manufactured goods, crude oil, vehicles, electronics
Imports - partners EU 56% (Germany 12%, UK 9%, Denmark 8%, Sweden 6%), US 11%, Norway 10% (1999) US 27.3%, Italy 26.5%, Japan 10%, Denmark 4.2% (1998)
Independence 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) 10 July 1973 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 1.5% (2000 est.) NA%
Industries fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism tourism, banking, cement, oil refining and transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite, pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe
Infant mortality rate 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 17.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 3.5% (2000 est.) 1.9% (2000 est.)
International organization participation Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNU, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO ACP, C, Caricom, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 7 (2000) 19 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the president) Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrates courts
Labor force 159,000 (2000) 156,000 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 5.1%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, manufacturing 12.9%, construction 10.7%, other services 59.5% (1999) tourism 40%, other services 50%, industry 5%, agriculture 5% (1995 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land:
0%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
23%

forests and woodland:
1%

other:
76% (1993 est.)
arable land:
1%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
32%

other:
67% (1993 est.)
Languages Icelandic English, Creole (among Haitian immigrants)
Legal system civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on English common law
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held on 8 May 1999 (next to be held by April 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - Independence Party 40.7%, The Alliance (PA, People's Party, Women's List) 26.8%, Progressive Party 18.4%, Left-Green Alliance 9.1%, Liberal Party 4.2%; seats by party - Independence Party 26, The Alliance 17, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 6, Liberal Party 2
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for five-year terms) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 14 March 1997 (next to be held by March 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FNM 35, PLP 5
Life expectancy at birth total population:
79.52 years

male:
77.31 years

female:
81.92 years (2001 est.)
total population:
70.46 years

male:
67.27 years

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

total population:
99.9% (1997 est.)

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
98.2%

male:
98.5%

female:
98% (1995 est.)
Location Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida
Map references Arctic Region Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims continental shelf:
200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total:
2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,435 GRT/4,538 DWT

ships by type:
chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)
total:
1,049 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,000,221 GRT/44,601,471 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 185, cargo 214, chemical tanker 36, combination bulk 15, combination ore/oil 22, container 66, liquefied gas 33, livestock carrier 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 4, passenger 79, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 182, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 118, roll on/roll off 50, short-sea passenger 15, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 24

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Algeria 2, Australia 1, Austria 1, Bermuda 6, Belgium 14, Canada 1, Cuba 1, Cyprus 2, Denmark 17, Finland 7, France 9, Germany 9, Greece 89, Hong Kong 7, Indonesia 2, India 1, Israel 4, Italy 8, Japan 23, Jamaica 1, Kenya 1, Lebanon 2, Luxembourg 2, Monaco 15, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 16, Norway 139, Poland 3, Portugal 2, Russia 2, Saudi Arabia 5, Singapore 12, Spain 7, Sweden 14, Syria 1, Switzerland 7, UAE 1, Trinidad and Tobago 2, UK 67, Ukraine 3, US 50, British Virgin Islands 1, British Virgin Islands 1 (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik -
Military branches no regular armed forces; Police, Coast Guard; note - Iceland's defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), Royal Bahamas Police Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $0 $20 million (FY95/96)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA%
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
71,241 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
62,704 (2001 est.)
-
National holiday Independence Day, 17 June (1944) Independence Day, 10 July (1973)
Nationality noun:
Icelander(s)

adjective:
Icelandic
noun:
Bahamian(s)

adjective:
Bahamian
Natural hazards earthquakes and volcanic activity hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause extensive flood and wind damage
Natural resources fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite salt, aragonite, timber, arable land
Net migration rate -2.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -2.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders Independence Party (conservative) or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance [Steinsvimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party [Sverrir HERMANNSSON]; People's Party (Social Democratic Party) or SDP [Sighvatyr BJORGIVINSSON]; Progressive Party (liberal) or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; The Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SVP, People's Movement, Women's List) [Ossur SKARPHEDINSSON]; Women's List or WL [Kristin ASTGEIRSDOTTIR] Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 277,906 (July 2001 est.) 297,852

note:
estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 0.54% (2001 est.) 0.93% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Akureyri, Hornafjordur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vestmannaeyjar Freeport, Matthew Town, Nassau
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 260,000 (1997) 215,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Evangelical Lutheran 93%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic, none (1997) Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.08 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.07 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
1 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth:
1.02 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.02 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
adequate domestic service

domestic:
the trunk network consists of coaxial and fiber-optic cables and microwave radio relay links

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden)
general assessment:
modern facilities

domestic:
totally automatic system; highly developed

international:
tropospheric scatter and submarine cable to Florida; 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (1997)
Telephones - main lines in use 168,000 (1997) 96,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 65,746 (1997) 6,152 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997) 1 (1997)
Terrain mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
Total fertility rate 2.01 children born/woman (2001 est.) 2.3 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 2.7% (January 2001) 9% (1998 est.)
Waterways none none
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