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Compare Liechtenstein (2002) - Virgin Islands (2003)

Compare Liechtenstein (2002) z Virgin Islands (2003)

 Liechtenstein (2002)Virgin Islands (2003)
 LiechtensteinVirgin Islands
Administrative divisions 11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
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: 26% (male 16,685; female 15,794)


15-64 years: 64.4% (male 36,241; female 44,157)


65 years and over: 9.5% (male 5,078; female 6,823) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Airports none (2001) 2 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways - total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
Area total: 160 sq km


land: 160 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 352 sq km


land: 349 sq km


water: 3 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC twice 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. During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.
Birth rate 11.24 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 15.8 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $424.2 million


expenditures: $414.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
revenues: $364.4 million


expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)
Capital Vaduz Charlotte Amalie
Climate continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November
Coastline 0 km (doubly landlocked) 188 km
Constitution 5 October 1921 Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Country name conventional long form: Principality of Liechtenstein


conventional short form: Liechtenstein


local long form: Fuerstentum Liechtenstein


local short form: Liechtenstein
conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands


conventional short form: Virgin Islands


former: Danish West Indies
Currency Swiss franc (CHF) US dollar (USD)
Death rate 6.76 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 5.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $0 (1996) (2001) $NA
Dependency status - organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
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 (territory of the US)
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 (territory of the US)
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. Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, support construction projects in the private sector, expand tourist facilities, reduce crime, and protect the environment.
Electricity - consumption 313.45 million kWh NA kWh (2001) 957.9 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 - 1.03 billion 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: Crown Mountain 474 m
Environment - current issues NA lack of natural freshwater resources
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 78%, white 10%, other 12%


note: West Indian 81% (49% born in the Virgin Islands and 32% born elsewhere in the West Indies), US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 4%, other 2%
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: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (Since 20 January 2001)


head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5 January 1999) and Lieutenant Governor Vargrave RICHARDS (since NA January 2003)


cabinet: NA


elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006)


election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor; percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John de JONGH 24.4%
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 refined petroleum products
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% US, Puerto Rico
Fiscal year calendar year 1 October - 30 September
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a gold crown on the hoist side of the blue band white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
GDP purchasing power parity - $730 million (1998 est.) purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: NA% 40%


services: NA% (1999)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $23,000 (1998 est.) purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 2% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 47 16 N, 9 32 E 18 20 N, 64 50 W
Geography - note along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
Highways total: 250 km


paved: 250 km


unpaved: 0 km
total: 856 km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km


note: the only US possession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (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 -
Imports $917.3 million (1996) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities agricultural products, raw materials, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Imports - partners EU countries, Switzerland US, Puerto Rico
Independence 23 January 1719 Imperial Principality of Liechtenstein established; 12 July 1806 established independence from the Holy Roman Empire -
Industrial production growth rate NA% NA%
Industries electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Infant mortality rate 4.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 9 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 10.12 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 7.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1% (2001) 2% (1992)
International organization participation CE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, IAEA, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTrO ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 44 (Liechtenstein and Switzerland) (2000) 50 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)
Labor force 28,783 of which 13,847 are foreigners; 8,231 commute from Austria and Switzerland to work each day 49,000 (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation industry, trade, and building 48%, services 51%, agriculture, fishing, forestry, and horticulture 1% (37256 est.) agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.)
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: 15%


permanent crops: 6%


other: 79% (1998 est.)
Languages German (official), Alemannic dialect English (official), Spanish, Creole
Legal system local civil and penal codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations based on US laws
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 Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)


elections: last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM NA, no party affiliation NA


note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.1 years


male: 75.47 years


female: 82.74 years (2002 est.)
total population: 78.59 years


male: 74.73 years


female: 82.68 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 10 and over can read and write


total population: 100%


male: 100%


female: 100% (1981 est.)
definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Caribbean, islands 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 economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - none (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Switzerland defense is the responsibility of the US
National holiday Assumption Day, 15 August Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)
Nationality noun: Liechtensteiner(s)


adjective: Liechtenstein
noun: Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: Virgin Islander
Natural hazards NA several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Natural resources hydroelectric potential, arable land sun, sand, sea, surf
Net migration rate 4.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0.12 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] Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 32,842 (July 2002 est.) 124,778 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 0.94% (2002 est.) 1.02% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors none Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (2002)
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) Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
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: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female


total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Telephone system general assessment: automatic telephone system


domestic: NA


international: linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay
general assessment: NA


domestic: modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay


international: submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA
Telephones - main lines in use 20,072 (2000) 65,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 2,000 (1992)
Television broadcast stations NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997) 2 (2002)
Terrain mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Total fertility rate 1.5 children born/woman (2002 est.) 2.22 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 1.3% (1999) 4.9% (March 1999)
Waterways none none
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