Compare Liechtenstein (2002) - British Virgin Islands (2003)

Compare Liechtenstein (2002) z British Virgin Islands (2003)

	Liechtenstein (2002)	British Virgin Islands (2003)

Administrative divisions	11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Age structure	0-14 years: 18.3% (male 3,003; female 3,001) 15-64 years: 70.5% (male 11,530; female 11,639) 65 years and over: 11.2% (male 1,494; female 2,175) (2002 est.)	0-14 years: 21.9% (male 2,401; female 2,358) 15-64 years: 73.1% (male 8,181; female 7,709) 65 years and over: 5% (male 578; female 503) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products	wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products	fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish
Airports	none (2001)	3 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways	-	total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways	-	total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
Area	total: 160 sq km land: 160 sq km water: 0 sq km	total: 153 sq km land: 153 sq km water: 0 sq km note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the island of Anegada
Area - comparative	about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC	about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
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.	First settled by the Dutch in 1648, the islands were annexed in 1672 by the English. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency.
Birth rate	11.24 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)	15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget	revenues: $424.2 million expenditures: $414.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)	revenues: $121.5 million expenditures: $115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
Capital	Vaduz	Road Town
Climate	continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers	subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Coastline	0 km (doubly landlocked)	80 km
Constitution	5 October 1921	1 June 1977
Country name	conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein conventional short form: Liechtenstein local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein local short form: Liechtenstein	conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI
Currency	Swiss franc (CHF)	US dollar (USD)
Death rate	6.76 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)	4.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external	$0 (1996) (2001)	$36.1 million (1997)
Dependency status	-	overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing
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	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation in the US	chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE chancery: 1300 Eye Street NW, Suite 550W, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 216-0460 FAX: [1] (202) 216-0459	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Disputes - international	Liechtenstein's royal family claims restitution for 1,600 sq km of land in the Czech Republic confiscated in 1918	none
Economic aid - recipient	none	NA%
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. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes - the maximum tax rate is 20% - and easy incorporation rules have induced a large number of 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.	The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 350,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 1998. Tourism suffered in 2002 because of the lackluster US economy. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the dollar as its currency since 1959.
Electricity - consumption	313.45 million kWh NA kWh (2001)	35.43 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports	NA kWh (2001)	0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports	232.847 million kWh NA kWh (2001)	0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production	-	38.1 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source	fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% 98% nuclear: NA% other: NA% 2% (2001)	fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes	lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m highest point: Grauspitz 2,599 m	lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
Environment - current issues	NA	limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments)
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	-
Ethnic groups	Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14%	black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed
Exchange rates	Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.6668 (January 2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000), 1.5022 (1999), 1.4498 (1998), 1.4513 (1997)	the US dollar is used
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 Otmar HASLER (since 5 April 2001) and Deputy Head of Government Rita KIEBER-BECK (since 5 April 2001) cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Parliament, 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: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Tom MACAN (since 14 October 2002) head of government: Chief Minister Orlando SMITH (since 17 June 2003) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the Legislative Council elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor
Exports	$2.47 billion (1996)	NA (2001)
Exports - commodities	small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products	rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand
Exports - partners	EU 62.6% (Germany 24.3%, Austria 9.5%, France 8.9%, Italy 6.6%, UK 4.6%), US 18.9%, Switzerland 15.7%	Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
Fiscal year	calendar year	1 April - 31 March
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 the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
GDP	purchasing power parity - $730 million (1998 est.)	purchasing power parity - $320 million (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector	agriculture: NA% industry: NA% 40% services: NA% (1999)	agriculture: 1.8% industry: 6.2% services: 92% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita	purchasing power parity - $23,000 (1998 est.)	purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate	NA%	1% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates	47 16 N, 9 32 E	18 30 N, 64 30 W
Geography - note	along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation	strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
Highways	total: 250 km paved: 250 km unpaved: 0 km	total: 177 km paved: 177 km unpaved: 0 km (2000)
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 found gaps in Liechtenstein's financial services controls that made it vulnerable to money laundering, but Liechtenstein has become less attractive as a haven for illicit funds, based on implementation in 2001 of new anti-money-laundering legislation and improved mutual legal assistance cooperation with other countries	transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center
Imports	$917.3 million (1996)	NA (2001)
Imports - commodities	agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles	building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery
Imports - partners	EU countries, Switzerland	Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
Independence	23 January 1719 Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established; 12 July 1806 established independence from the Holy Roman Empire	none (overseas territory of the UK)
Industrial production growth rate	NA%	NA
Industries	electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments	tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center
Infant mortality rate	4.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)	total: 18.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)	1% (2001)	2.5% (2002)
International organization participation	CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, IAEA, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTrO	Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	44 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (2000)	16 (2000)
Irrigated land	NA sq km	NA sq km
Judicial branch	Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht	Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Labor force	28,783 of which 13,847 are foreigners; 8,231 commute from Austria and Switzerland to work each day	4,911 (1980)
Labor force - by occupation	industry, trade, and building 48%, services 51%, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 1% (37256 est.)	agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Land boundaries	total: 76 km border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km	0 km
Land use	arable land: 25% permanent crops: 0% other: 75% (1998 est.)	arable land: 20% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 73.33% (1998 est.)
Languages	German (official), Alemannic dialect	English (official)
Legal system	local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations	English law
Legislative branch	unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 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 Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, one member from each of 9 electoral districts, four at-large members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 16 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NDP 8, VIP 5
Life expectancy at birth	total population: 79.1 years male: 75.47 years female: 82.74 years (2002 est.)	total population: 76.06 years male: 75.07 years female: 77.1 years (2003 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: 97.8% (1991 est.) male: NA% female: NA%
Location	Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland	Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Map references	Europe	Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims	none (landlocked)	exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 3 NM
Merchant marine	-	total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 19,203 GRT/28,864 DWT ships by type: cargo 1 (2002 est.)
Military - note	defense is the responsibility of Switzerland	defense is the responsibility of the UK
National holiday	Assumption Day, 15 August	Territory Day, 1 July
Nationality	noun: Liechtensteiner(s) adjective: Liechtenstein	noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander
Natural hazards	NA	hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)
Natural resources	hydroelectric potential, arable land	NEGL
Net migration rate	4.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)	10.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Political parties and leaders	Fatherland Union or VU [Dr. Heinz FROMMELT]; Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Johannes MATT]; The Free List or FL [Dr. Pepo FRICK, Karin JENNY, Rene HASLER]	Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]
Political pressure groups and leaders	NA	NA
Population	32,842 (July 2002 est.)	21,730 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line	NA%	NA%
Population growth rate	0.94% (2002 est.)	2.1% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors	none	Road Town
Radio broadcast stations	AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)	AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios	21,000 (1997)	-
Railways	total: 18.5 km standard gauge: 18.5 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified) note: owned, operated, and included in statistics of Austrian Federal Railways (2001)	0 km
Religions	Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002)	Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%, other 2% (1991)
Sex ratio	at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2002 est.)	at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.15 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage	18 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: worldwide telephone service domestic: NA international: submarine cable to Bermuda
Telephones - main lines in use	20,072 (2000)	10,000 (1996)
Telephones - mobile cellular	NA	NA
Television broadcast stations	NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997)	1 (plus one cable company) (1997)
Terrain	mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third	coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
Total fertility rate	1.5 children born/woman (2002 est.)	1.72 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate	1.3% (1999)	3% (1995)
Waterways	none	none

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