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Compare Iceland (2008) - Cook Islands (2003)

Compare Iceland (2008) z Cook Islands (2003)

 Iceland (2008)Cook Islands (2003)
 IcelandCook Islands
Administrative divisions 8 regions; Austurland, Hofudhborgarsvaedhi, Nordhurland Eystra, Nordhurland Vestra, Sudhurland, Sudhurnes, Vestfirdhir, Vesturland none
Age structure 0-14 years: 21.4% (male 32,759/female 31,845)


15-64 years: 66.8% (male 102,161/female 99,411)


65 years and over: 11.8% (male 16,162/female 19,593) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: NA%


15-64 years: NA%


65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products potatoes, green vegetables; mutton, dairy products; fish copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Airports 99 (2007) 7 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 5


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 94


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 28


under 914 m: 63 (2007)
total: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Area total: 103,000 sq km


land: 100,250 sq km


water: 2,750 sq km
total: 240 sq km


land: 240 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Kentucky 1.3 times the size of 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. Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
Birth rate 13.57 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $9.495 billion


expenditures: $8.432 billion (2007 est.)
revenues: $28 million


expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY 00/01 est.)
Capital name: Reykjavik


geographic coordinates: 64 09 N, 21 57 W


time difference: UTC (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Avarua
Climate temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers tropical; moderated by trade winds
Coastline 4,970 km 120 km
Constitution 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944; amended many times 4 August 1965
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Iceland


conventional short form: Iceland


local long form: Lydveldid Island


local short form: Island
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Cook Islands


former: Harvey Islands
Currency - New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Death rate 6.77 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $3.073 billion (2002) $141 million (1996 est.)
Dependency status - self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Carol VAN VOORST


embassy: Laufasvegur 21, 101 Reykjavik


mailing address: US Department of State, 5640 Reykjavik Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-5640


telephone: [354] 562-9100


FAX: [354] 562-9118
none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Albert JONSSON


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 (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Disputes - international Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm none
Economic aid - donor $6.7 million (2004) -
Economic aid - recipient - $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995)
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 nearly 70% of export earnings and employs 6% 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. Substantial foreign investment in the aluminum and hydropower sectors has boosted economic growth which, nevertheless, has been volatile and characterized by recurrent imbalances. Government policies include reducing the current account deficit, limiting foreign borrowing, containing inflation, revising agricultural and fishing policies, and diversifying the economy. 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. The 2006 closure of the US military base at Keflavik had very little impact on the national economy; Iceland's low unemployment rate aided former base employees in finding alternate employment. Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.
Electricity - consumption 8.152 billion kWh (2005) 25.51 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 8.533 billion kWh (2005) 27.43 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Hvannadalshnukur 2,110 m (at Vatnajokull glacier)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Te Manga 652 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, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6% Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%
Exchange rates Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 63.391 (2007), 70.195 (2006), 62.982 (2005), 70.192 (2004), 76.709 (2003) New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.3535 (January 2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: President Olafur Ragnar GRIMSSON (since 1 August 1996)


head of government: Prime Minister Geir H. HAARDE (since 7 June 2006)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister


elections: president, largely a ceremonial post, is elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held 26 June 2004 (next to be held in 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 85.6%, Baldur AGUSTSSON 12.5%, Astthor MAGNUSSON 1.9%
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since NA), representative of New Zealand


head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Robert WOONTON (since 12 February 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Ngamau MUNOKOA (since 5 November 2003)


cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities fish and fish products 70%, aluminum, animal products, ferrosilicon, diatomite copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports - partners Netherlands 16.5%, UK 15.7%, Germany 15%, US 10.8%, Spain 6.4% (2006) Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
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 the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
GDP - purchasing power parity - $105 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 5.3%


industry: 26.3%


services: 68.4% (2007 est.)
agriculture: 17%


industry: 7.8%


services: 75.2% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 1.8% (2007 est.) 7.1% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 65 00 N, 18 00 W 21 14 S, 159 46 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 the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives
Highways - total: 320 km


paved: 33 km


unpaved: 287 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Imports 17,450 bbl/day (2004) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Imports - partners US 12.8%, Germany 12.3%, Norway 7.1%, Sweden 6.9%, Denmark 6.1%, UK 5.3%, China 5.3%, Netherlands 4.8%, Japan 4.1% (2006) NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000)
Independence 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark) none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
Industrial production growth rate 9% (2007 est.) 1% (2002)
Industries fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production; geothermal power, tourism fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate total: 3.27 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 3.41 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
total: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4.9% (2007 est.) 3.2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO ACP, AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS (associate), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 3 (2000)
Irrigated land NA NA sq km
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) High Court
Labor force 180,000 (2007 est.) 8,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 5.1%


industry: 23%


services: 71.4% (2005)
agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56%


note: shortage of skilled labor (1995)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 0.07%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.93% (2005)
arable land: 17.39%


permanent crops: 13.04%


other: 69.57% (1998 est.)
Languages Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken English (official), Maori
Legal system civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction based on New Zealand law and 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 12 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2011)


election results: percent of vote by party - Independence Party 36.6%, Social Democratic Alliance 26.8%, Progressive Party 11.7%, Left-Green Movement 14.3%, Liberal Party 7.3%, other 3.3%; seats by party - Independence Party 25, Social Democratic Alliance 18, Progressive Party 7, Left-Green Alliance 9, Liberal Party 4
unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 16 June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1


note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers
Life expectancy at birth total population: 80.43 years


male: 78.33 years


female: 82.62 years (2007 est.)
total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99%


male: 99%


female: 99% (2003 est.)
definition: NA


total population: 95%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references Arctic Region Oceania
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 2 ships (1000 GRT or over) 4,704 GRT/729 DWT


by type: passenger/cargo 2


registered in other countries: 41 (Antigua and Barbuda 9, Bahamas 1, Belize 1, Faroe Islands 4, Gibraltar 1, Malta 7, Norway 3, St Vincent and The Grenadines 15) (2007)
-
Military - note under a 1951 bilateral agreement, Iceland's defense was provided by a US-manned Icelandic Defense Force (IDF) headquartered in Keflavik; in October 2006, all US military forces in Iceland were withdrawn; nonetheless, the US and Iceland signed a Joint Understanding to strengthen their bilateral defense relationship, including regular security consultations, military communications in the event of national emergencies, annual bilateral exercises on Icelandic territory, and future bilateral and NATO support to four Iceland Air Defense System (IADS) radar sites defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
Military branches no regular military forces; Icelandic National Police (2006) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0% (2005 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 17 June (1944) Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Nationality noun: Icelander(s)


adjective: Icelandic
noun: Cook Islander(s)


adjective: Cook Islander
Natural hazards earthquakes and volcanic activity typhoons (November to March)
Natural resources fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite NEGL
Net migration rate 1.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) -
Political parties and leaders Independence Party or IP [Geir H. HAARDE]; Left-Green Movement or LGM [Steingrimur SIGFUSSON]; Liberal Party or LP [Gudjon KRISTJANSSON]; Progressive Party or PP [Gudni AGUSTSSON]; Social Democratic Alliance or SDA [Ingibjorg Solrun GISLADOTTIR] (includes People's Alliance or PA, Social Democratic Party or SDP, Women's List) Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]; Cook Islands National Party or CIN [Teariki HEATHER]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 301,931 (July 2007 est.) 21,008 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 0.824% (2007 est.) NA% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors - Avarua, Avatiu
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Railways - 0 km
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) Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.029 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.028 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.825 male(s)/female


total population: 1.002 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
NA (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal NA years of age; universal adult
Telephone system general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is modern and fully digitized, with satellite-earth stations, fiber-optic cables, and an extensive broadband network


domestic: liberalization of the telecommunications sector beginning in the late 1990s has led to increased competition especially in the mobile services segment of the market


international: country code - 354; the CANTAT-3 and FARICE-1 submarine cable systems provide connectivity to Canada, the Faroe Islands, UK, Denmark, and Germany; a planned new section of the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable will provide additional connectivity to Canada, US, and Ireland; 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: NA


domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 193,700 (2006) 5,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 328,500 (2006) 0 (1994)
Television broadcast stations 14 (plus 156 repeaters) (1997) 2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Total fertility rate 1.91 children born/woman (2007 est.) NA children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 1% (2007 est.) 13% (1996)
Waterways - none
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