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Compare Iceland (2005) - Aruba (2005)

Compare Iceland (2005) z Aruba (2005)

 Iceland (2005)Aruba (2005)
 IcelandAruba
Administrative divisions 8 regions; Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra, Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, Vesturland none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Age structure 0-14 years: 22.1% (male 33,302/female 32,257)


15-64 years: 66.2% (male 99,513/female 96,886)


65 years and over: 11.7% (male 15,723/female 19,056) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 19.9% (male 7,308/female 6,960)


15-64 years: 68.2% (male 23,736/female 25,068)


65 years and over: 11.9% (male 3,486/female 5,008) (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products potatoes, green vegetables, mutton, dairy products, fish aloes; livestock; fish
Airports 98 (2004 est.) 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 5


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 93


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 29


under 914 m: 61 (2004 est.)
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Area total: 103,000 sq km


land: 100,250 sq km


water: 2,750 sq km
total: 193 sq km


land: 193 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Kentucky slightly larger than Washington, DC
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. Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
Birth rate 13.73 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 11.26 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues: $4.154 billion


expenditures: $4.058 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (2004 est.)
revenues: $135.8 million


expenditures: $147 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000)
Capital Reykjavik Oranjestad
Climate temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline 4,988 km 68.5 km
Constitution 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944; amended many times 1 January 1986
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Iceland


conventional short form: Iceland


local long form: Lydhveldidh Island


local short form: Island
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Aruba
Death rate 6.68 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 6.57 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external $3.073 billion (2002) $285 million (1996)
Dependency status - part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador James I. GADSDEN


embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik


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


telephone: [354] 562-9100


FAX: [354] 562-9118
the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Netherlands Antilles is accredited to Aruba
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Helgi AGUSTSSON


chancery: Suite 1200, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-1704


telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653


FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656


consulate(s) general: New York
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Henry Baarh, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Disputes - international Iceland disputes Denmark's alignment of the Faroe Islands' fisheries median line; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm none
Economic aid - donor $NA -
Economic aid - recipient - $26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996
Economy - overview Iceland's Scandinavian-type economy is basically capitalistic, yet with an extensive welfare system (including generous housing subsidies), low unemployment, and remarkably even distribution of income. In the absence of other natural resources (except for abundant geothermal power), the economy depends heavily on the fishing industry, which provides 70% of export earnings and employs 8% of the work force. The economy remains sensitive to declining fish stocks as well as to fluctuations in world prices for its main exports: fish and fish products, aluminum, and ferrosilicon. Government policies include 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 had been remarkably steady in 1996-2001 at 3%-5%, but could not be sustained in 2002 in an environment of global recession. Growth resumed in 2003, and estimates call for strong growth until 2007, slowly dropping until the end of the decade. Tourism is the mainstay of the small, open Aruban economy, with offshore banking and oil refining and storage also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and exceptionally low unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years. Tourist arrivals have declined in the aftermath of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. The government now must deal with a budget deficit and a negative trade balance.
Electricity - consumption 7.692 billion kWh (2002) 751.2 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 8.271 billion kWh (2002) 807.7 million kWh (2002)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m
Environment - current issues water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment NA
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Transboundary Air Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
-
Ethnic groups homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6% mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Exchange rates Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 70.192 (2004), 76.709 (2003), 91.662 (2002), 97.425 (2001), 78.616 (2000) Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2004), 1.79 (2003), 1.79 (2002), 1.79 (2001), 1.79 (2000)
Executive branch chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996)


head of government: Prime Minister Halldor ASGRIMSSON (since 15 September 2004); note - Former Prime Minister David ODDSSON switched positions with former Foreign Minister Halldor ASGRIMMSON


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


elections: president, which is largely a ceremonial post, elected by popular vote for a four-year term; election last held 26 June 2004 (next to be held June 2008); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually the prime minister


election results: Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON wins with 85.6% of the vote, Baldur AGUSTSSON 12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004)


head of government: Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001)


cabinet: Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)


elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 28 September 2001 (next to be held by December 2005)


election results: Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA
Exports 0 bbl/day (2001) NA
Exports - commodities fish and fish products 70%, aluminum, animal products, ferrosilicon, diatomite live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners UK 19.1%, Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 11.5%, US 9.8%, Spain 6.8%, Denmark 4.6% (2004) Netherlands 28.5%, Panama 17.5%, Venezuela 14.7%, Netherlands Antilles 11.2%, Colombia 10.7%, US 10.4% (2004)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description blue with a red cross outlined in white extending 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) blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 11.2%


industry: 9.6%


services: 79.2% (2004 est.)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $31,900 (2004 est.) purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 1.8% (2004 est.) -1.5% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 65 00 N, 18 00 W 12 30 N, 69 58 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 a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Highways total: 13,004 km


paved/oiled gravel: 4,331 km


unpaved: 8,673 km (2004)
total: 800 km


paved: 513 km


unpaved: 287 km


note: most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs - transit point for US- and Europe-bound narcotics with some accompanying money-laundering activity
Imports 15,470 bbl/day (2001) NA
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners Germany 12.3%, US 9.9%, Norway 9.7%, Denmark 7.9%, UK 7.2%, Sweden 6.7%, Netherlands 6% (2004) US 55.5%, Netherlands 14.1%, Venezuela 3.3% (2004)
Independence 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Industrial production growth rate 8.8% (2004 est.) NA%
Industries fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Infant mortality rate total: 3.31 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 3.45 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
total: 5.89 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 6.71 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 5.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4% (2004 est.) 3.2% (2002 est.)
International organization participation Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WToO (associate)
Irrigated land NA sq km 0.01 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice); eight district courts (justices are appointed for life by the Minister of Justice) Common Court of Justice of Aruba (judges are appointed by the monarch)
Labor force 158,100 (2004 est.) 41,500 (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture, fishing and fish processing 10.3%, industry 18.3%, services 71.4% (2003) most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 0.07%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.93% (2001)
arable land: 10.53% (including aloe 0.01%)


permanent crops: 0%


other: 89.47% (2001)
Languages Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Legal system civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Althing (63 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 10 May 2003 (next to be held by May 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 33.7%, Social Democratic Alliance 31.0%, Progressive Party 17.7%, Left-Green Alliance 8.8%, Liberal Party 7.4%; seats by party - Independence Party 22, Social Democratic Alliance 20, Progressive Party 12, Left-Green Alliance 5, Liberal Party 4
unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 23 September 2005 (next to be held by NA 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - MEP 43%, AVP 32%, MPA 7%, RED 7%, PDR 6%, OLA 4%, PPA 2%; seats by party - MEP 11, AVP 8, MPA 1, RED 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 80.19 years


male: 78.13 years


female: 82.34 years (2005 est.)
total population: 79.14 years


male: 75.8 years


female: 82.65 years (2005 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.9% (1997 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition:


total population: 97%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Map references Arctic Region Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
territorial sea: 12 nm
Merchant marine total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,341 GRT/6,019 DWT


by type: cargo 2, passenger/cargo 1


registered in other countries: 30 (2005)
-
Military - note defense is provided by the US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered at Keflavik defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Military branches no regular armed forces; Icelandic National Police, Icelandic Coast Guard (Islenska Landhelgisgaeslan) no regular indigenous military forces; Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure 0 -
National holiday Independence Day, 17 June (1944) Flag Day, 18 March
Nationality noun: Icelander(s)


adjective: Icelandic
noun: Aruban(s)


adjective: Aruban; Dutch
Natural hazards earthquakes and volcanic activity lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Natural resources fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite NEGL; white sandy beaches
Net migration rate 2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Political parties and leaders Independence Party or IP [David ODDSSON]; Left-Green Alliance or LGP [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Halldor ASGRIMSSON]; Social Democratic Alliance (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List) or SDA [Ingibjorg Solrun GISLADOTTIR] Aliansa/Aruban Social Movement or MSA [Robert WEVER]; Aruban Liberal Organization or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Movement or MPA [Monica ARENDS-KOCK]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Mike EMAN]; People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson O. ODUBER]; Real Democracy or PDR [Andin BIKKER]; RED [Rudy LAMPE]; Workers Political Platform or PTT [Gregorio WOLFF]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 296,737 (July 2005 est.) 71,566 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA
Population growth rate 0.91% (2005 est.) 0.47% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors Grundartangi, Hafnarfjordur, Hornafjordhur, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) AM 2, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2004)
Religions Lutheran Church of Iceland 85.5%, Reykjavik Free Church 2.1%, Roman Catholic Church 2%, Hafnarfjorour Free Church 1.5%, other Christian 2.7%, other or unspecified 3.8%, unaffiliated 2.4% (2004) Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
Sex ratio at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female


total population: 1 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: extensive domestic service


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


international: country code - 354; 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 fully automatic telecommunications system


domestic: increased competition through privatization; 3 wireless service providers are now licensed


international: country code - 297; 1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
Telephones - main lines in use 190,700 (2003) 37,100 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 279,100 (2003) 53,000 (2001)
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 flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Total fertility rate 1.92 children born/woman (2005 est.) 1.79 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate 3.1% (2004 est.) 0.6% (2003 est.)
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