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Compare Luxembourg (2001) - Antarctica (2008)

Compare Luxembourg (2001) z Antarctica (2008)

 Luxembourg (2001)Antarctica (2008)
 LuxembourgAntarctica
Administrative divisions 3 districts; Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Luxembourg -
Age structure 0-14 years:
18.91% (male 43,051; female 40,711)

15-64 years:
67.03% (male 149,781; female 147,165)

65 years and over:
14.06% (male 24,921; female 37,343) (2001 est.)
-
Agriculture - products barley, oats, potatoes, wheat, fruits, wine grapes; livestock products -
Airports 2 (2000 est.) 26 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total:
1

over 3,047 m:
1 (2000 est.)
-
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
1

under 914 m:
1 (2000 est.)
total: 26


over 3,047 m: 5


2,438 to 3,047 m: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 9


under 914 m: 6 (2007)
Area total:
2,586 sq km

land:
2,586 sq km

water:
0 sq km
total: 14 million sq km


land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km ice-covered) (est.)


note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Rhode Island slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Background Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union) and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area. Speculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up year-round research stations on Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961.
Birth rate 12.25 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Budget revenues:
$5.6 billion

expenditures:
$5.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
-
Capital Luxembourg -
Climate modified continental with mild winters, cool summers severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 17,968 km
Constitution 17 October 1868, occasional revisions -
Country name conventional long form:
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

conventional short form:
Luxembourg

local long form:
Grand Duche de Luxembourg

local short form:
Luxembourg
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Antarctica
Currency Luxembourg franc (LUF); euro (EUR)

note:
on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Luxembourg at a fixed rate of 40.3399 Luxembourg francs per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002
-
Death rate 8.88 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Debt - external $NA -
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador James C. HORMEL

embassy:
22 Boulevard Emmanuel-Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City

mailing address:
American Embassy Luxembourg, Unit 1410, APO AE 09126-1410 (official mail); American Embassy Luxembourg, PSC 9, Box 9500, APO AE 09123 (personal mail)

telephone:
[352] 46 01 23

FAX:
[352] 46 14 01
-
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Arlette CONZEMIUS

chancery:
2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 265-4171

FAX:
[1] (202) 328-8270

consulate(s) general:
New York and San Francisco
-
Disputes - international none Antarctic Treaty freezes claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary in Government type entry); Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and UK claim land and maritime sectors (some overlapping) for a large portion of the continent; the US and many other states do not recognize these territorial claims and have made no claims themselves (the US and Russia reserve the right to do so); no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west
Economic aid - donor ODA, $160 million (1999) -
Economy - overview The stable, high-income economy features solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. The industrial sector, initially dominated by steel, has become increasingly diversified to include chemicals, rubber, and other products. Growth in the financial sector has more than compensated for the decline in steel. Services, especially banking, account for a substantial proportion of the economy. Agriculture is based on small family-owned farms. The economy depends on foreign and trans-border workers for 30% of its labor force. Luxembourg has a custom union with Belgium and the Netherlands, and, as a member of the EU, enjoys the advantages of the open European market. It joined with 10 other EU members to launch the euro on 1 January 1999. Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for Antarctica's limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2004-05 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 147,000 metric tons (estimated fishing from the area covered by the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which extends slightly beyond the Antarctic Treaty area). Unregulated fishing, particularly of Patagonian toothfish, is a serious problem. The CCAMLR determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 26,245 tourists visited in the 2005-06 Antarctic summer, up from the 22,712 visitors the previous year. Nearly all of them were passengers on commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer. Most tourist trips last approximately two weeks.
Electricity - consumption 6.149 billion kWh (1999) -
Electricity - exports 655 million kWh (1999) -
Electricity - imports 6.201 billion kWh (1999) -
Electricity - production 648 million kWh (1999) -
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
36.88%

hydro:
53.09%

nuclear:
0%

other:
10.03% (1999)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Moselle River 133 m

highest point:
Buurgplaatz 559 m
lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m


highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m


note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater
Environment - current issues air and water pollution in urban areas, soil pollution of farmland in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the Antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passing through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an Antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled Antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming
Environment - international agreements party to:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Environmental Modification
-
Ethnic groups Celtic base (with French and German blend), Portuguese, Italian, Slavs (from Montenegro, Albania, and Kososvo) and European (guest and resident workers) -
Exchange rates euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Luxembourg francs per US dollar - 34.77 (January 1999), 36.299 (1998), 35.774 (1997), 30.962 (1996); note - the Luxembourg franc is at par with the Belgian franc, which circulates freely in Luxembourg -
Executive branch chief of state:
Grand Duke HENRI (since 7 October 2000); Heir Apparent Prince GUILLAUME (son of the monarch, born 11 November 1981);

head of government:
Prime Minister Jean-Claude JUNCKER (since 1 January 1995) and Vice Prime Minister Lydie POLFER (since 7 August 1999)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and vice prime minister appointed by the monarch, following popular election to the Chamber of Deputies; they are responsible to the Chamber of Deputies

note:
government coalition - CSV and DP
-
Exports $7.6 billion (f.o.b., 2000) -
Exports - commodities machinery and equipment, steel products, chemicals, rubber products, glass -
Exports - partners EU 75% (Germany 25%, France 21%, Belgium 13%, UK 8%, Italy 6%, Netherlands 5%), US 4% (1999) -
Fiscal year calendar year -
Flag description three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and light blue; similar to the flag of the Netherlands, which uses a darker blue and is shorter; design was based on the flag of France -
GDP purchasing power parity - $15.9 billion (2000 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
1%

industry:
30%

services:
69% (2000 est.)
-
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $36,400 (2000 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 5.7% (2000 est.) -
Geographic coordinates 49 45 N, 6 10 E 90 00 S, 0 00 E
Geography - note landlocked the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable
Heliports 1 (2000 est.) 53


note: all 37 year-round and 16 seasonal stations operated by National Antarctic Programs stations have restricted helicopter landing facilities (helipads) (2007)
Highways total:
5,166 km

paved:
5,166 km (including 118 km of expressways)

unpaved:
0 km (1999)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
-
Imports $10 billion (c.i.f., 2000) -
Imports - commodities minerals, metals, foodstuffs, quality consumer goods -
Imports - partners EU 81% (Belgium 35%, Germany 26%, France 12%, Netherlands 4%), US 9% (1999) -
Independence 1839 (from the Netherlands) -
Industrial production growth rate 7.8% (2000 est.) -
Industries banking, iron and steel, food processing, chemicals, metal products, engineering, tires, glass, aluminum -
Infant mortality rate 4.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) -
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 7.8% (2000 est.) -
International organization participation ACCT, Australia Group, Benelux, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NATO, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC -
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 8 (2000) -
Irrigated land 10 sq km (including Belgium) (1993 est.) -
Judicial branch judicial courts and tribunals (3 Justices of the Peace, 2 district courts, and 1 Supreme Court of Appeals); administrative courts and tribunals (State Prosecutor's Office, administrative courts and tribunals, and the Constitutional Court); judges for all courts are appointed for life by the monarch -
Labor force 248,000 (of whom 70,200 are foreign cross-border workers primarily from France, Belgium, and Germany) (2000) -
Labor force - by occupation services 83.2%, industry 14.3%, agriculture 2.5% (1998 est.) -
Land boundaries total:
356 km

border countries:
Belgium 148 km, France 73 km, Germany 135 km
0 km


note: see entry on Disputes - international
Land use arable land:
24%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
20%

forests and woodland:
35%

other:
20%
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2005)
Languages Luxembourgish (national language), German (administrative language), French (administrative language) -
Legal system based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extraterritorially; some US laws directly apply to Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica; violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison; the National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty; for more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov; more generally, access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees south latitude, is subject to a number of relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states party to the Antarctic Treaty
Legislative branch unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 13 June 1999 (next to be held by NA June 2004)

election results:
percent of vote by party - CSV 29.79%, DP 21.58%, LSAP 23.75%, ADR 10.36%, Green Party 9.09%, the Left 3.77%; seats by party - CSV 19, DP 15, LSAP 13, ADR 6, Green Party 5, the Left 2

note:
the Council of State or Conseil d'Etat, which has 21 members who are appointed and dismissed by the Grand Duke based on proposals from the government, the Chamber of Deputies, or the Council of State, is an advisory body whose views are considered by the Chamber of Deputies
-
Life expectancy at birth total population:
77.3 years

male:
74.02 years

female:
80.8 years (2001 est.)
-
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
100%

male:
100%

female:
100% (2000 est.)
-
Location Western Europe, between France and Germany continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Map references Europe Antarctic Region
Maritime claims none (landlocked) Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are not accepted by other countries; 21 of 28 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes - international entry
Merchant marine total:
50 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 988,450 GRT/1,313,498 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 2, chemical tanker 11, container 2, liquefied gas 18, passenger 4, petroleum tanker 6, roll on/roll off 7

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 4 (2000 est.)
-
Military - note - the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes
Military branches Army; note - the government abolished the Gendarmerie -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $131 million (FY98/99) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1% (FY98/99) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
112,714 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
92,817 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - military age 19 years of age -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
2,565 (2001 est.)
-
National holiday National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June -
Nationality noun:
Luxembourger(s)

adjective:
Luxembourg
-
Natural hazards NA katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf
Natural resources iron ore (no longer exploited), arable land iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries
Net migration rate 9.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) -
Pipelines petroleum products 48 km -
Political parties and leaders Action Committee for Democracy and Justice or ADR [Robert MEHLEN]; Christian Social People's Party or CSV (known also as Christian Social Party or PCS) [Erna HENNICOT-SCHOEPGES]; Democratic Party or DP [Lydie POLFER]; Green Party [Abbes JACOBY and Felix BRAS]; Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Jean ASSELBORN]; Marxist and Reformed Communist Party DEI LENK (the Left) [no formal leadership]; other minor parties -
Political pressure groups and leaders ABBL (bankers' association); ALEBA (financial sector trade union); Centrale Paysanne (federation of agricultural producers); CEP (professional sector chamber); CGFP (trade union representing civil service); Chambre de Commerce (Chamber of Commerce); Chambre des Metiers (Chamber of Artisans); FEDIL (federation of industrialists); LCGP (center-right trade union); OGBL (center-left trade union) -
Population 442,972 (July 2001 est.) no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both permanent and summer-only staffed research stations


note: 28 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, operate through their National Antarctic Program a number of seasonal-only (summer) and year-round research stations on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty); these stations' population of persons doing and supporting science or engaged in the management and protection of the Antarctic region varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel, including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research, are present in the waters of the treaty region; peak summer (December-February) population - 3,944 total; Argentina 417, Australia 200, Brazil 40, Bulgaria 15, Chile 224, China 70, Czech Republic 20, Ecuador 26, Finland 20, France 122, Germany 78, India 65, Italy 113, Japan 125, South Korea 60, NZ 85, Norway 44, Peru 28, Poland 40, Romania 13, Russia 429, South Africa 80, Spain 28, Sweden 20, Ukraine 24, UK 205, US 1,293, Uruguay 60 (2006-2007); winter (June-August) station population - 1,077 total; Argentina 176, Australia 62, Brazil 12, Chile 88, China 29, France 37, Germany 9, India 25, Italy 2, Japan 40, South Korea 15, NZ 10, Norway 7, Poland 12, Russia 148, South Africa 10, Ukraine 12, UK 37, US 337, Uruguay 9 (2006); research stations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (south of 60 degrees south latitude) by National Antarctic Programs: year-round stations - 37 total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 3, China 2, France 1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 5, South Africa 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1, Italy and France jointly 1 (2005); seasonal-only (summer) stations - 16 total; Bulgaria 1, Chile 1, Czech Republic 1, Ecuador 1, Finland 1, Germany 1, Italy 1, Japan 1, Norway 1, Peru 1, Romania 1, Russia 1, Spain 2, Sweden 1, UK 1 (2006-2007); in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% -
Population growth rate 1.26% (2001 est.) -
Ports and harbors Mertert -
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999) AM NA, FM 2, shortwave 1 (information for US bases only) (2002)
Radios 285,000 (1997) -
Railways total:
274 km

standard gauge:
274 km 1.435-m gauge (242 km electrified; 178 km double track) (1998)
-
Religions the greatest preponderance of the population is Roman Catholic with a very few Protestants, Jews, and Muslims

note:
1979 legislation forbids the collection of religious statistics
-
Sex ratio at birth:
1.07 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.06 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
-
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal and compulsory -
Telephone system general assessment:
highly developed, completely automated and efficient system, mainly buried cables

domestic:
nationwide cellular telephone system; buried cable

international:
3 channels leased on TAT-6 coaxial submarine cable (Europe to North America)
general assessment: local systems at some research stations


domestic: commercial cellular networks operating in a small number of locations


international: country code - 672; via satellite (including mobile Inmarsat and Iridium systems) from all research stations, ships, aircraft, and most field parties (2001)
Telephones - main lines in use 314,700 (1999) 0; note - information for US bases only (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular 215,741 (2000) -
Television broadcast stations 5 (1999) 1 (cable system with 6 channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo - information for US bases only) (2002)
Terrain mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent
Total fertility rate 1.7 children born/woman (2001 est.) -
Unemployment rate 2.7% (2000 est.) -
Waterways 37 km (on the Moselle) -
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