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Compare Liechtenstein (2001) - Iceland (2001)

Compare Liechtenstein (2001) z Iceland (2001)

 Liechtenstein (2001)Iceland (2001)
 LiechtensteinIceland
Administrative divisions 11 communes (gemeinden, singular - gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz 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
Age structure 0-14 years:
18.41% (male 2,992; female 2,996)

15-64 years:
70.6% (male 11,455; female 11,511)

65 years and over:
10.99% (male 1,439; female 2,135) (2001 est.)
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.)
Agriculture - products wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products potatoes, turnips; cattle, sheep; fish
Airports none 87 (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.)
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.)
Area total:
160 sq km

land:
160 sq km

water:
0 sq km
total:
103,000 sq km

land:
100,250 sq km

water:
2,750 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Kentucky
Background The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to conclude a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral) the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. However, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money laundering. 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.
Birth rate 11.53 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 14.62 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$424.2 million

expenditures:
$414.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
revenues:
$3.5 billion

expenditures:
$3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $467 million (1999)
Capital Vaduz Reykjavik
Climate continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 4,988 km
Constitution 5 October 1921 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944
Country name conventional long form:
Principality of Liechtenstein

conventional short form:
Liechtenstein

local long form:
Fuerstentum Liechtenstein

local short form:
Liechtenstein
conventional long form:
Republic of Iceland

conventional short form:
Iceland

local long form:
Lyoveldio Island

local short form:
Island
Currency Swiss franc (CHF) Icelandic krona (ISK)
Death rate 6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 6.89 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $0 (1996) $2.6 billion (1999)
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein, but the US Ambassador to Switzerland is also accredited to Liechtenstein 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
Diplomatic representation in the US Liechtenstein's Ambassador to the US, Claudia FRITSCHE, is dually accredited to the UN in New York 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
Disputes - international Liechtenstein's royal family claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1918 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
Economic aid - donor - $NA
Economic aid - recipient none -
Economy - overview Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with the urban areas of its large European neighbors. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 18% - and easy incorporation rules have induced 73,700 holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. 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%.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 6.574 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports NA kWh 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports NA kWh 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production - 7.069 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
NA%

hydro:
NA%

nuclear:
NA%

other:
NA%
fossil fuel:
0.07%

hydro:
84.64%

nuclear:
0%

other:
15.29% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Ruggeller Riet 430 m

highest point:
Grauspitz 2,599 m
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Hvannadalshnukur 2,119 m
Environment - current issues NA water pollution from fertilizer runoff; inadequate wastewater treatment
Environment - international agreements party to:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
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
Ethnic groups Alemannic 87.5%, Italian, Turkish, and other 12.5% homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts
Exchange rates Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.6303 (January 2001), 1.6888 (2000), 1.5022 (1999), 1.4498 (1998), 1.4513 (1997), 1.2360 (1996) Icelandic kronur per US dollar - 84.810 (January 2001), 78.676 (2000), 72.335 (1999), 70.958 (1998), 70.904 (1997), 66.500 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state:
Prince HANS ADAM II (since 13 November 1989, assumed executive powers 26 August 1984); Heir Apparent Prince ALOIS, son of the monarch (born 11 June 1968)

head of government:
Head of Government Mario FRICK (since 15 December 1993) and Deputy Head of Government Michael RITTER (since 2 February 1997)

cabinet:
Cabinet elected by the Diet; confirmed by the monarch

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party in the Diet is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Diet is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch
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
Exports $2.47 billion (1996) $2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities small specialty machinery, dental products, stamps, hardware, pottery fish and fish products 70%, animal products, aluminum, diatomite, ferrosilicon
Exports - partners EU and EFTA countries 60.57% (Switzerland 15.7%) (1995) EU 64% (UK 20%, Germany 13%, France 5%, Denmark 5%), US 15%, Japan 5% (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band 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)
GDP purchasing power parity - $730 million (1998 est.) purchasing power parity - $6.85 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
NA%

industry:
NA%

services:
NA%
agriculture:
15% (includes fishing 13%)

industry:
21%

services:
64% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $23,000 (1998 est.) purchasing power parity - $24,800 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 4.3% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 47 10 N, 9 32 E 65 00 N, 18 00 W
Geography - note along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation 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
Highways total:
250 km

paved:
250 km

unpaved:
0 km
total:
12,691 km

paved:
3,262 km

unpaved:
9,429 km (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

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

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs multilateral organizations engaged in issuing international guidelines for financial sector oversight have found gaps in Liechtenstein's financial services controls that make it vulnerable to money laundering -
Imports $917.3 million (1996) $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles machinery and equipment, petroleum products; foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners EU countries, Switzerland (1996) EU 56% (Germany 12%, UK 9%, Denmark 8%, Sweden 6%), US 11%, Norway 10% (1999)
Independence 23 January 1719 Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established; 12 July 1806 established independence from the Holy Roman Empire 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 1.5% (2000 est.)
Industries electronics, metal manufacturing, textiles, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism fish processing; aluminum smelting, ferrosilicon production, geothermal power; tourism
Infant mortality rate 4.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 0.5% (1997 est.) 3.5% (2000 est.)
International organization participation CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, IAEA, ICRM, IFRCS, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO (observer), WIPO, WTrO 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
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 44 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (2000) 7 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Superior Court or Obergericht Supreme Court or Haestirettur (justices are appointed for life by the president)
Labor force 22,891 of which 13,847 are foreigners; 8,231 commute from Austria and Switzerland to work each day 159,000 (2000)
Labor force - by occupation industry, trade, and building 45%, services 53%, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 2% (1997 est.) agriculture 5.1%, fishing and fish processing 11.8%, manufacturing 12.9%, construction 10.7%, other services 59.5% (1999)
Land boundaries total:
76 km

border countries:
Austria 35 km, Switzerland 41 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
24%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
16%

forests and woodland:
35%

other:
25% (1993 est.)
arable land:
0%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
23%

forests and woodland:
1%

other:
76% (1993 est.)
Languages German (official), Alemannic dialect Icelandic
Legal system local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations civil law system based on Danish law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Diet or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held on 9-11 February 2001 (next to be held by NA 2005)

election results:
percent of vote by party - FBP 49.90%, VU 41.35%, FL 8.71%; seats by party - FBP 13, VU 11, FL 1
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
Life expectancy at birth total population:
78.95 years

male:
75.32 years

female:
82.6 years (2001 est.)
total population:
79.52 years

male:
77.31 years

female:
81.92 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 10 and over can read and write

total population:
100%

male:
100%

female:
100% (1981 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
99.9% (1997 est.)

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
Location Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the UK
Map references Europe Arctic Region
Maritime claims none (landlocked) 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 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,435 GRT/4,538 DWT

ships by type:
chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 1 (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Switzerland 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
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $0
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 Assumption Day, 15 August Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
Nationality noun:
Liechtensteiner(s)

adjective:
Liechtenstein
noun:
Icelander(s)

adjective:
Icelandic
Natural hazards NA earthquakes and volcanic activity
Natural resources hydroelectric potential, arable land fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Net migration rate 4.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -2.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders Fatherland Union or VU [Dr. Oswald KRANZ]; Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Dr. Ernst WALCH]; The Free List or FL [Dr. Pepo FRICK, Karin JENNY, Rene HASLER] 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]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 32,528 (July 2001 est.) 277,906 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 0.98% (2001 est.) 0.54% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors none Akureyri, Hornafjordur, Isafjordhur, Keflavik, Raufarhofn, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Straumsvik, Vestmannaeyjar
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 3, FM about 70 (including repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 21,000 (1997) 260,000 (1997)
Railways total:
18.5 km; note - owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways

standard gauge:
18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)
0 km
Religions Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 7.4%, unknown 7.7%, other 4.9% (1996) Evangelical Lutheran 93%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic, none (1997)
Sex ratio at birth:
1.01 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.95 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
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.)
Suffrage 20 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
automatic telephone system

domestic:
NA

international:
linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay
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)
Telephones - main lines in use 20,000 (1997) 168,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 65,746 (1997)
Television broadcast stations NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997) 14 (plus 156 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Total fertility rate 1.5 children born/woman (2001 est.) 2.01 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 1.8% (February 1999) 2.7% (January 2001)
Waterways none none
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