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Compare Liechtenstein (2008) - Costa Rica (2001)

Compare Liechtenstein (2008) z Costa Rica (2001)

 Liechtenstein (2008)Costa Rica (2001)
 LiechtensteinCosta Rica
Administrative divisions 11 communes (Gemeinden, singular - Gemeinde); Balzers, Eschen, Gamprin, Mauren, Planken, Ruggell, Schaan, Schellenberg, Triesen, Triesenberg, Vaduz 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Age structure 0-14 years: 17.1% (male 2,902/female 2,963)


15-64 years: 70% (male 11,887/female 12,101)


65 years and over: 12.8% (male 1,862/female 2,532) (2007 est.)
0-14 years:
31.38% (male 605,728; female 578,128)

15-64 years:
63.37% (male 1,209,084; female 1,181,754)

65 years and over:
5.25% (male 92,314; female 106,049) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber
Airports - 152 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways - total:
29

2,438 to 3,047 m:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
19

under 914 m:
7 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total:
123

914 to 1,523 m:
28

under 914 m:
95 (2000 est.)
Area total: 160 sq km


land: 160 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total:
51,100 sq km

land:
50,660 sq km

water:
440 sq km

note:
includes Isla del Coco
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than West Virginia
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 enter into 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. Shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money-laundering legislation over the past several years and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US went into effect in 2003. Costa Rica is a Central American success story: since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred its democratic development. Although still a largely agricultural country, it has achieved a relatively high standard of living. Land ownership is widespread. Tourism is a rapidly expanding industry.
Birth rate 10.02 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 20.27 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $424.2 million


expenditures: $414.1 million (1998 est.)
revenues:
$1.95 billion

expenditures:
$2.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Capital name: Vaduz


geographic coordinates: 47 08 N, 9 31 E


time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
San Jose
Climate continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Coastline 0 km (doubly landlocked) 1,290 km
Constitution 5 October 1921 7 November 1949
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 Costa Rica

conventional short form:
Costa Rica

local long form:
Republica de Costa Rica

local short form:
Costa Rica
Currency - Costa Rican colon (CRC)
Death rate 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 4.3 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $0 (2001) $4.2 billion (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein chief of mission:
Ambassador Thomas J. DODD

embassy:
Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose

mailing address:
APO AA 34020

telephone:
[506] 220-3939

FAX:
[506] 220-2305
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Claudia FRITSCHE


chancery: 888 17th Street NW, Suite 1250, Washington, DC 20006


telephone: [1] (202) 331-0590


FAX: [1] (202) 331-3221
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jaime DAREMBLUM Rosenstein

chancery:
2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 234-2945

FAX:
[1] (202) 265-4795

consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, St. Paul, and Tampa

consulate(s):
Austin
Disputes - international none legal dispute over navigational rights of Rio San Juan on border with Nicaragua
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 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 many 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 the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe. Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. However, traditional export sectors have not kept pace. Low coffee prices and an overabundance of bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large deficit and massive internal debt and with the need to modernize the state-owned electricity and telecommunications sector.
Electricity - consumption - 5.303 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports - 165 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports - 69 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production - 5.805 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
2.41%

hydro:
83.32%

nuclear:
0%

other:
14.27% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Ruggeller Riet 430 m


highest point: Vorder-Grauspitz 2,599 m
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point:
Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Environment - current issues NA deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; water pollution (rivers); coastal marine pollution; wetlands degradation; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified:
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups Alemannic 86%, Italian, Turkish, and other 14% white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%
Exchange rates Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.1973 (2007), 1.2539 (2006), 1.2452 (2005), 1.2435 (2004), 1.3467 (2003) Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 318.95 (2001), 308.19 (2000), 285.68 (1999), 257.23 (1998), 232.60 (1997), 207.69 (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); note - on 15 August 2004, HANS ADAM transferred the official duties of the ruling prince to ALOIS, but HANS ADAM retains status of chief of state


head of government: Head of Government Otmar HASLER (since 5 April 2001); Deputy Head of Government Klaus TSCHUETSCHER (since 21 April 2005)


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 Landtag is usually appointed the head of government by the monarch and the leader of the largest minority party in the Landtag is usually appointed the deputy head of government by the monarch if there is a coalition government
chief of state:
President Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (since 8 May 1998); First Vice President Astrid FISCHEL Volio (since 8 May 1998), Second Vice President Elizabeth ODIO Benito (since 8 May 1998); note - president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government:
President Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (since 8 May 1998); First Vice President Astrid FISCHEL Volio (since 8 May 1998), Second Vice President Elizabeth ODIO Benito (since 8 May 1998); note - president is both the chief of state and head of government

cabinet:
Cabinet selected by the president

elections:
president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 1 February 1998 (next to be held 3 February 2002)

election results:
Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ elected president; percent of vote - Miguel Angel RODRIGUEZ (PUSC) 46.6%, Jose Miguel CORRALES (PLN) 44.6%
Exports $2.47 billion (1996) $6.1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities small specialty machinery, connectors for audio and video, parts for motor vehicles, dental products, hardware, prepared foodstuffs, electronic equipment, optical products coffee, bananas, sugar; pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment
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% (2006) US 54.1%, EU 21.3%, Central America 8.6% (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 five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band
GDP - purchasing power parity - $25 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 6%


industry: 39%


services: 55% (2001)
agriculture:
12.5%

industry:
30.7%

services:
56.8% (1999)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $6,700 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 11% (1999 est.) 3% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 47 16 N, 9 32 E 10 00 N, 84 00 W
Geography - note along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation -
Highways - total:
37,273 km

paved:
7,827 km

unpaved:
29,446 km (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%:
1.3%

highest 10%:
34.7% (1996)
Illicit drugs has strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, particularly crack cocaine; those who previously only trafficked are now becoming users
Imports $917.3 million (1996) $5.9 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities agricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum
Imports - partners EU, Switzerland (2006) US 56.4%, EU 9%, Mexico 5.4%, Japan 4.7%, (1999)
Independence 23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire) 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 4.3% (2000)
Industries electronics, metal manufacturing, dental products, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, food products, precision instruments, tourism, optical instruments microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Infant mortality rate total: 4.58 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 6.13 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
11.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1% (2001) 11% (2000 est.)
International organization participation CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WCL, WIPO, WTO BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 3 (of which only one is legal) (2000)
Irrigated land NA 1,200 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court or Oberster Gerichtshof; Court of Appeal or Obergericht Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)
Labor force 29,500 of whom 13,900 commute from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany to work each day (31 December 2001) 1.9 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 2%


industry: 47%


services: 51% (31 December 2001)
agriculture 20%, industry 22%, services 58% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries total: 76 km


border countries: Austria 34.9 km, Switzerland 41.1 km
total:
639 km

border countries:
Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Land use arable land: 25%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 75% (2005)
arable land:
6%

permanent crops:
5%

permanent pastures:
46%

forests and woodland:
31%

other:
12% (1993 est.)
Languages German (official), Alemannic dialect Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon
Legal system local civil and penal codes based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members are elected by popular vote under proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 11 and 13 March 2005 (next to be held by 2009)


election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 48.7%, VU 38.2%, FL 13%; seats by party - FBP 12, VU 10, FL 3
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 1 February 1998 (next to be held 3 February 2002)

election results:
percent of vote by party - PUSC 41%, PLN 35%, minority parties 24%; seats by party - PUSC 27, PLN 23, minority parties 7
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.81 years


male: 76.24 years


female: 83.4 years (2007 est.)
total population:
76.02 years

male:
73.49 years

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


total population: 100%


male: 100%


female: 100%
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
94.8%

male:
94.7%

female:
95% (1995 est.)
Location Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Map references Europe Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims none (landlocked) exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine - total:
1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,716 GRT/NA DWT

ships by type:
passenger 1 (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Switzerland -
Military branches - Coast Guard, Air Section, Ministry of Public Security Force (Fuerza Publica)

note:
Costa Rica has no military, only domestic police forces, including the Coast Guard and Air Section
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $69 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.6% (FY99)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
1,035,090 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49:
692,973 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
39,411 (2001 est.)
National holiday Assumption Day, 15 August Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Nationality noun: Liechtensteiner(s)


adjective: Liechtenstein
noun:
Costa Rican(s)

adjective:
Costa Rican
Natural hazards NA occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes
Natural resources hydroelectric potential, arable land hydropower
Net migration rate 4.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines gas 20 km (2007) petroleum products 176 km
Political parties and leaders Patriotic Union or VU [Adolf HEEB] (was Fatherland Union); Progressive Citizens' Party or FBP [Marcus VOGT]; The Free List or FL [Claudia HEEB-FLECK and Egon MATT] Agricultural Labor Action or PALA [Carlos Alberto SOLIS Blanco]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Jose M. NUNEZ]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Alejandro MADRIGAL]; National Independent Party or PNI [Jorge GONZALEZ Marten]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Sonia PICADO]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Luis Manuel CHACON]

note:
mainly a two-party system - PUSC and PLN; numerous small parties share less than 25% of population's support
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert Brown]
Population 34,247 (July 2007 est.) 3,773,057 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 20.6% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate 0.745% (2007 est.) 1.65% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors - Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos, Puntarenas
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 50, FM 43, shortwave 19 (1998)
Radios - 980,000 (1997)
Railways 9 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified)


note: belongs to the Austrian Railway System connecting Austria and Switzerland (2006)
total:
950 km

narrow gauge:
950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified) (2000)
Religions Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 7%, unknown 10.6%, other 6.2% (June 2002) Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, other Protestant 0.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 0.979 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.982 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.735 male(s)/female


total population: 0.946 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

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

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

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


domestic: NA


international: country code - 423; linked to Swiss networks by cable and microwave radio relay
general assessment:
very good domestic telephone service

domestic:
point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available

international:
connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); two submarine cables (1999)
Telephones - main lines in use 20,000 (2005) 450,000 (1998)

note:
584,000 installed in 1997, but only about 450,000 were in use 1998
Telephones - mobile cellular 27,500 (2005) 143,000 (2000)
Television broadcast stations NA (linked to Swiss networks) (1997) 6 (plus 11 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third coastal plains separated by rugged mountains
Total fertility rate 1.51 children born/woman (2007 est.) 2.47 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 1.3% (September 2002) 5.2% (2000 est.)
Waterways 28 km (2006) 730 km (seasonally navigable)
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