Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
Jah-Jah.pl / Index countries / Macau (2004) - Belize (2002) / Compare countries
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Macau (2004) - Belize (2002)

Compare Macau (2004) z Belize (2002)

 Macau (2004)Belize (2002)
 MacauBelize
Administrative divisions none (special administrative region of China) 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Age structure 0-14 years: 18% (male 41,460; female 38,595)


15-64 years: 74.2% (male 157,629; female 172,810)


65 years and over: 7.8% (male 14,380; female 20,412) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 41.6% (male 55,716; female 53,581)


15-64 years: 54.9% (male 73,068; female 71,368)


65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,511; female 4,755) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products vegetables, livestock bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish, cultured shrimp
Airports 1 (2003 est.) 44 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


over 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 4


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 38


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 10


under 914 m: 27 (2002)
Area total: 25.4 sq km


land: 25.4 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 22,966 sq km


land: 22,806 sq km


water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Background Colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China on 20 December 1999. China has promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic system will not be practiced in Macau, and that Macau will enjoy a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize (formerly British Honduras) until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. The country remains plagued by high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, and increased urban crime.
Birth rate 8.04 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 31.08 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $1.9 billion


expenditures: $1.68 billion, including capital expenditures of $194 million (2002)
revenues: $186 million


expenditures: $253 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.) (2000 est.)
Capital - Belmopan
Climate subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Coastline 41 km 386 km
Constitution Basic Law, approved in March 1993 by China's National People's Congress, is Macau's "mini-constitution" 21 September 1981
Country name conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region


conventional short form: Macau


local long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese); Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese)


local short form: Aomen (Chinese); Macau (Portuguese)
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Belize


former: British Honduras
Currency pataca (MOP) Belizean dollar (BZD)
Death rate 4.23 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 4.6 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $121 million (2001 est.) $500 million (2000 est.)
Dependency status special administrative region of China -
Diplomatic representation from the US the US has no offices in Macau; US interests are monitored by the US Consulate General in Hong Kong chief of mission: Ambassador Russell F. FREEMAN


embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City


mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025


telephone: [501] 227-7161


FAX: [501] 230-802
Diplomatic representation in the US none (special administrative region of China) chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN


chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636


FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888


consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
Disputes - international none the "Line of Adjacency" established in 2000 as an agreed limit to check squatters settling in Belize, remains in place while the Organization of American States (OAS) assists states to resolve Guatemalan territorial claims in Belize and Guatemalan maritime access to the Caribbean Sea; Honduras claims the Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize
Economic aid - recipient NA (1997) $NA
Economy - overview Macau's well-to-do economy has remained one of the most open in the world since its reversion to China in 1999. The territory's net exports of goods and services account for roughly 41% of GDP with tourism and apparel exports as the mainstays. Although the territory was hit hard by the 1998 Asian financial crisis and the global downturn in 2001, its economy grew 9.5% in 2002. A rapid rise in the number of mainland visitors because of China's easing of restrictions on travel drove the recovery. The budget also returned to surplus in 2002 because of the surge in visitors from China and a hike in taxes on gambling profits, which generated about 70% of government revenue. The liberalization of Macao's gambling monopoly contributes to GDP growth, as the three companies awarded gambling licenses have pledged to invest $2.2 billion in the territory. Much of Macau's textile industry may move to the mainland as the Multi-Fiber Agreement is phased out. The territory may have to rely more on gambling and trade-related services to generate growth. The government estimated GDP growth at 4% in 2003 with the drop in large measure due to concerns over the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), but private sector analysts think the figure may have been higher because of the continuing boom in tourism. The small, essentially private enterprise economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming greater importance. Sugar, the chief crop, accounts for nearly half of exports, while the banana industry is the country's largest employer. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth of 6.4% in 1999 and 10.5% in 2000. Growth decelerated in 2001 to 3% due to the global slowdown and severe hurricane damage to agriculture, fishing, and tourism. Major concerns continue to be the rapidly expanding trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors.
Electricity - consumption 1.688 billion kWh (2002) 178.56 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 1 million kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 193 million kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 1.611 billion kWh (2002) 192 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 58%


hydro: 42%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: South China Sea 0 m


highest point: Coloane Alto 172.4 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Environment - current issues NA deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Chinese 95%, Macanese (mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry), Portuguese, other mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
Exchange rates patacas per US dollar - 8.0212 (2003), 8.0334 (2002), 8.0335 (2001), 8.0259 (2000), 7.9919 (1999) Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)
Executive branch chief of state: President of China HU Jintao (since 15 March 2003)


head of government: Chief Executive Edmund HO Hau-wah (since 20 December 1999)


cabinet: Executive Council consists of all one government secretary, four legislators, four businessmen, and one pro-Beijing unionist


elections: chief executive chosen by a 300-member selection committee for up to two five-year terms


election results: Edmund HO Hau-wah reelected on 29 August 2004; received 296 votes in Election Committee out of 300 possible; 3 members submitted blank ballots; 1 member was absent
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993)


head of government: Prime Minister Said Wilbert MUSA (since 28 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Exports NA (2001) $239.6 million f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities clothing, textiles, footwear, cement, machines, and parts sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
Exports - partners US 49.4%, China 14.1%, Germany 8.1%, Hong Kong 6.7%, UK 4.5% (2003) EU 45% (UK 33%), US 42%, Caricom 6%, Canada 1% (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
Flag description light green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, beneath an arc of five gold, five-pointed stars: one large in center of arc and four smaller blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland
GDP purchasing power parity - $9.1 billion (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $830 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1%


industry: 12%


services: 87% (2002 est.)
agriculture: 18%


industry: 24%


services: 58% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $19,400 (2003 est.) purchasing power parity - $3,250 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4% (2003 est.) 3% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 22 10 N, 113 33 E 17 15 N, 88 45 W
Geography - note essentially urban; one causeway and two bridges connect the two islands of Coloane and Taipa to the peninsula on mainland only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Highways total: 271 km


paved: 271 km


unpaved: 0 km (2000)
total: 2,880 km


paved: 490 km


unpaved: 2,390 km (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs - major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; some money-laundering activity related to offshore sector
Imports NA (2001) $505 million c.i.f. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities clothing, textiles, yarn, foodstuffs, fuel, automobiles, capital goods machinery and transportation equipment, manufactured goods; food, beverages, tobacco; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners China 43%, Hong Kong 12.7%, Japan 8.7%, Taiwan 5.6% (2003) US 51%, Mexico 12%, Central America 5%, UK 4% (1999)
Independence none (special administrative region of China) 21 September 1981 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA 4.6% (1999) (1999)
Industries tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
Infant mortality rate total: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 4.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
24.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) -2.6% (2003 est.) 1.7% (2001 est.)
International organization participation IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (sub-bureau), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCO, WMO, WToO (associate), WTO ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 2 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 30 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch The Court of Final Appeal in the Macau Special Administrative Region Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister)
Labor force 214,000 (2002) 90,000


note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation manufacturing 20%, construction 7%, transport and communications 6%, wholesale and retail trade 15%, restaurants and hotels 12%, gambling 7%, public sector 8%, other services and agriculture 25% (2002 est.) agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.)
Land boundaries total: 0.34 km


regional border: China 0.34 km
total: 516 km


border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100%


note: "green areas" represent 22.4% (2001)
arable land: 2.81%


permanent crops: 1.1%


other: 96.09% (1998 est.)
Languages Portuguese, Chinese (Cantonese) English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Legal system based on Portuguese civil law system English law
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council or LEGCO (27 seats; 10 elected by popular vote, 10 by indirect vote, and sevem appointed by the chief executive; members serve four-year terms); number of legislators will increase to 29 from September 2005


elections: last held 23 September 2001 (next to be September 2005)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats by political bloc - Entertainment Industry 3, pro-democracy 2, pro-Beijing Labor Union 2, pro-Beijing Neighborhood Association 2, pro-business 1
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 members appointed by the governor general - six on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; members are appointed for five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 March 2003 (next to be held NA March 2008)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 21, UDP 8
Life expectancy at birth total population: 82.03 years


male: 79.2 years


female: 84.99 years (2004 est.)
total population: 71.46 years


male: 69.17 years


female: 73.87 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 94.5%


male: 97.2%


female: 92% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 70.3%


male: 70.3%


female: 70.3% (1991 est.)


note: other sources list the literacy rate as high as 75%
Location Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Map references Southeast Asia Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims not specified exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM in the north, 3 NM in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 NM; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala
Merchant marine none total: 315 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,240,551 GRT/1,761,168 DWT


ships by type: bulk 26, cargo 204, chemical tanker 6, combination ore/oil 1, container 12, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 39, refrigerated cargo 15, roll on/roll off 8, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 2, Belgium 3, British Virgin Islands 6, Cambodia 1, China 38, Cyprus 1, Ecuador 1, Egypt 1, Equatorial Guinea 1, Eritrea 1, Estonia 7, Germany 3, Greece 4, Grenada 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 20, Indonesia 6, Italy 2, Japan 4, Jordan 1, Lebanon 1, Liberia 5, Malaysia 3, Malta 2, Man, Isle of 1, Marshall Islands 13, Mexico 1, Netherlands 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 12, Philippines 4, Portugal 1, Romania 1, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 22, South Korea 10, Spain 4, Switzerland 1, Taiwan 1, Thailand 6, Tunisia 1, Turkey 1, Ukraine 3, United Arab Emirates 9, United Kingdom 2, United States 4, Virgin Islands (UK) 6, Yemen 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches responsibility for defense reverted to China on 20 December 1999; there are local police forces Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $7.7 million (FY00/01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.87% (FY00/01)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 125,060 (2004 est.) males age 15-49: 64,909 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 68,913 (2004 est.) males age 15-49: 38,472 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 2,847 (2002 est.)
National holiday National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Nationality noun: Chinese


adjective: Chinese
noun: Belizean(s)


adjective: Belizean
Natural hazards typhoons frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Natural resources NEGL arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 4.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders Some civic associations operate as de facto political parties: Electoral Union; Pro-Macao and Flower of Friendship and Development of Macao; Associacao para a Defesa dos Interesses de Macao; Centro Democratico de Macao; Grupo Independente de Macao; Macau Economic Promotion Association; Progress Promotion Union; Development Union People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party chairman]
Political pressure groups and leaders Catholic Church [LAI Hung-sing, bishop]; Macau Society of Tourism and Entertainment or STDM [Stanley HO, managing director]; Union for Democracy Development [Antonio NG Kuok-cheong, leader] Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Adele CATZIM]
Population 445,286 (July 2004 est.) 262,999 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 33% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate 0.87% (2004 est.) 2.65% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Macau Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Radio broadcast stations AM 0, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 133,000 (1997)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Buddhist 50%, Roman Catholic 15%, none and other 35% (1997 est.) Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Anglican 5.3%, Methodist 3.5%, Mennonite 4.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Pentecostal 7.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), none 9.4%, other 14% (2000)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female


total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage direct election 18 years of age, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past seven years; indirect election limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" (257 are currently registered) and a 300-member Election Committee drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, and central government bodies 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: fairly modern communication facilities maintained for domestic and international services


domestic: NA


international: country code - 853; HF radiotelephone communication facility; access to international communications carriers provided via Hong Kong and China; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
general assessment: above-average system


domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 174,600 (2003) 31,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 364,000 (2003) 3,023 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 1 (2003) 2 (1997)
Terrain generally flat flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Total fertility rate 0.93 children born/woman (2004 est.) 3.96 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 6.3% (2003) 11.5% (2000) (2000)
Waterways - 825 km (river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable)
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.