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Compare Malta (2002) - Belize (2008)

Compare Malta (2002) z Belize (2008)

 Malta (2002)Belize (2008)
 MaltaBelize
Administrative divisions none (administered directly from Valletta); note - Local Councils carry out administrative orders 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Age structure 0-14 years: 19.7% (male 40,609; female 37,882)


15-64 years: 67.5% (male 135,047; female 133,207)


65 years and over: 12.8% (male 21,215; female 29,539) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 38.9% (male 58,459/female 56,183)


15-64 years: 57.5% (male 85,686/female 83,717)


65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,979/female 5,361) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat, barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers; pork, milk, poultry, eggs bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments
Airports 1 (2001) 44 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


over 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
total: 4


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 2 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 40


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 12


under 914 m: 27 (2007)
Area total: 316 sq km


land: 316 sq km


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


land: 22,806 sq km


water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Background Great Britain formally acquired possession of Malta in 1814. The island staunchly supported the UK through both World Wars and remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964. A decade later Malta became a republic. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has become a freight transshipment point, financial center, and tourist destination. It is an official candidate for EU membership. Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include an unsustainable foreign debt, high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, growing urban crime, and increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS.
Birth rate 12.76 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 28.34 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $1.5 billion


expenditures: $1.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000)
revenues: $328.5 million


expenditures: $365 million (2007 est.)
Capital Valletta name: Belmopan


geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W


time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Coastline 196.8 km (does not include 56.01 km for the island of Gozo) 386 km
Constitution 1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974 and again in 1987 21 September 1981
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Malta


conventional short form: Malta


local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta


local short form: Malta
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Belize


former: British Honduras
Currency Maltese lira (MTL) -
Death rate 7.77 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 5.76 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $130 million (1997) (1997) $1.2 billion (June 2005 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Anthony H. GIOIA


embassy: 3rd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Malta VLT 01


mailing address: P. O. Box 535, Valletta, Malta, CMR 01


telephone: [356] 2561-4000


FAX: [356] 2124-3229
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert J. DIETER


embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Cayo District


mailing address: P.O. Box 497, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize


telephone: [501] 822-4011


FAX: [501] 822-4012
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador George SALIBA; note - newly-appointed Ambassador John LOWELL is expected to present his credentials in early 2003


chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611, 3612


FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470


consulate(s): New York
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)


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 annual ministerial meetings under the OAS-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures continue to address Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and Caribbean Sea; the Line of Adjacency created under the 2002 Differendum serves in lieu of the contiguous international boundary to control squatting in the sparsely inhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; Honduras claims Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays in its constitution but agreed to a joint ecological park under the Differendum
Economic aid - recipient $NA $12.91 million (2005)
Economy - overview Major resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location, and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism. Malta is privatizing state-controlled firms and liberalizing markets in order to prepare for membership in the European Union. The island remains divided politically, however, over the question of joining the EU. Continued sluggishness in the global economy is holding back exports and tourism. In this small, essentially private-enterprise economy, tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007. Oil discoveries in 2006 bolstered the economic growth in 2006 and 2007. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and unsustainable foreign debt. In February 2007, the government restructured nearly all of its public external commercial debt, which will reduce interest payments and create the liquidity relief needed for an increase in public spending in the run-up to the March 2008 elections. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors.
Electricity - consumption 1.628 billion kWh (2000) 162.8 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - production 1.75 billion kWh (2000) 200 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m


highest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Environment - current issues very limited natural fresh water resources; increasing reliance on desalination deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians, with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock) mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
Exchange rates Maltese liri per US dollar - 0.4542 (January 2002), 0.4499 (2001), 0.4376 (2000), 0.3994 (1999), 0.3885 (1998), 0.3857 (1997) Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004), 2 (2003)
Executive branch chief of state: President Guido DE MARCO (since 4 April 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Eddie FENECH ADAMI (since 6 September 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence GONZI (since 4 April 1999)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister


elections: president elected by the House of Representatives for a five-year term; election last held NA April 1999 (next to be held by April 2004); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president for a five-year term; the deputy prime minister is appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister


election results: Guido DE MARCO elected president; percent of House of Representatives vote - 54%
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 Dean BARROW (since 8 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar VEGA (since 12 February 2008)


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 $2 billion f.o.b. (2001) 1,960 bbl/day (2006)
Exports - commodities machinery and transport equipment, manufactures sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
Exports - partners US 20.2%, Germany 14.1%, France 10.2%, UK 8.8%, Italy 3.4% (2001) US 33.9%, UK 33.6%, Cote d'Ivoire 3.7% (2006)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 April - 31 March
Flag description two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red 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 - $7 billion (2002 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 3%


industry: 26%


services: 72% (1999)
agriculture: 21.3%


industry: 13.7%


services: 65% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $17,000 (2002 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 2.2% (2002 est.) 3% (2007 est.)
Geographic coordinates 35 50 N, 14 35 E 17 15 N, 88 45 W
Geography - note the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Highways total: 1,742 km


paved: 1,677 km


unpaved: 65 km (1997)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and offshore sector
Imports $2.8 billion f.o.b. (2001) 6,754 bbl/day (2004)
Imports - commodities machinery and transport equipment, manufactured and semi-manufactured goods; food, drink, and tobacco machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco
Imports - partners Italy 19.9%, France 15.0%, US 11.6%, UK 10.0%, Germany 8.7% (2001) US 35.7%, Mexico 13%, Cuba 7.7%, Guatemala 7.2%, China 4.3% (2006)
Independence 21 September 1964 (from UK) 21 September 1981 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 0.5% (2007 est.)
Industries tourism; electronics, ship building and repair, construction; food and beverages, textiles, footwear, clothing, tobacco garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil
Infant mortality rate 5.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 24.38 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 27.43 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 21.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.4% (2002 est.) 2.8% (2007 est.)
International organization participation C, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 6 (2002) -
Irrigated land 20 sq km (1998 est.) 30 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Constitutional Court; Court of Appeal; judges for both courts are appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister)
Labor force 160,000 (2002 est.) 113,000


note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation industry 24%, services 71%, agriculture 5% (1999 est.) agriculture: 22.5%


industry: 15.2%


services: 62.3% (2005 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 516 km


border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Land use arable land: 31.25%


permanent crops: 3.13%


other: 65.62% (1998 est.)
arable land: 3.05%


permanent crops: 1.39%


other: 95.56% (2005)
Languages Maltese (official), English (official) Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, English 3.9% (official), Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown 0.2% (2000 census)
Legal system based on English common law and Roman civil law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations English law
Legislative branch unicameral House of Representatives (usually 65 seats; note - additional seats are given to the party with the largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 5 September 1998 (next to be held by September 2003)


election results: percent of vote by party - PN 51.8%, MLP 46.9%, AD 1.2%; seats by party - PN 35, MLP 30
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 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; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: House of Representatives - last held 6 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UDP 25, PUP 6
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.26 years


male: 75.78 years


female: 80.96 years (2002 est.)
total population: 68.25 years


male: 66.44 years


female: 70.16 years (2007 est.)
Literacy definition: age 10 and over can read and write


total population: 88.76%


male: 86.91%


female: 89.55% (1995 census)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 76.9%


male: 76.7%


female: 77.1% (2000 census)
Location Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Map references Europe Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation


exclusive fishing zone: 25 NM


territorial sea: 12 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 negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Merchant marine total: 1,323 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,208,819 GRT/44,617,877 DWT


ships by type: bulk 440, cargo 334, chemical tanker 54, combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 12, container 75, liquefied gas 4, livestock carrier 3, multi-functional large-load carrier 1, passenger 6, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 270, refrigerated cargo 39, roll on/roll off 45, short-sea passenger 9, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 17


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 4, Austria 6, Bangladesh 1, Belgium 3, Bulgaria 19, Canada 2, China 16, Croatia 14, Cuba 1, Cyprus 7, Denmark 3, Estonia 5, Finland 1, Germany 54, Greece 627, Hong Kong 12, Iceland 3, India 10, Iran 2, Israel 26, Italy 36, Japan 2, Latvia 24, Lebanon 6, Monaco 29, Netherlands 10, Nigeria 2, Norway 43, Poland 29, Portugal 2, Romania 15, Russia 85, Saudi Arabia 1, Slovenia 2, South Korea 5, Spain 1, Switzerland 54, Syria 4, Turkey 84, Ukraine 25, United Arab Emirates 3, United Kingdom 4, United States 10 (2002 est.)
total: 261 ships (1000 GRT or over) 940,852 GRT/1,275,111 DWT


by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 36, cargo 190, chemical tanker 5, container 5, petroleum tanker 9, refrigerated cargo 8, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 1


foreign-owned: 217 (China 107, Croatia 1, Cyprus 1, Estonia 1, Hong Kong 5, Iceland 1, Italy 4, Japan 2, South Korea 4, Latvia 14, Norway 3, Peru 1, Philippines 1, Russia 39, Singapore 3, Spain 2, Turkey 11, Ukraine 10, UAE 4, US 3) (2007)
Military branches Armed Forces (including land forces [with subordinate air squadron and maritime squadron] and the Revenue Security Corps), Maltese Police Force Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $60 million (2000 est.) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.7% (2000) 1.4% (2006)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 99,107 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 78,909 (2002 est.) -
National holiday Independence Day, 21 September (1964) Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Nationality noun: Maltese (singular and plural)


adjective: Maltese
noun: Belizean(s)


adjective: Belizean
Natural hazards NA frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Natural resources limestone, salt, arable land arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Political parties and leaders Alternativa Demokratika/Alliance for Social Justice or AD [Harry VASSALLO]; Malta Labor Party or MLP [Alfred SANT]; Nationalist Party or PN [Edward FENECH ADAMI] National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR; National Reform Party or NRP [Cornelius DUECK]; People's National Party or PNP [Wil MAHEIA]; People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW]; Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Paul MORGAN]; We the People Reform Movement or WTP [Hipolito BAUTISTA]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Gustavo PERERA]; Association of Concerned Belizeans or ACB [David VASQUEZ]; National Trade Union Congress of Belize or NTUC/B [Rene GOMEZ]
Population 397,499 (July 2002 est.) 294,385 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 33.5% (2002 est.)
Population growth rate 0.73% (2002 est.) 2.258% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Marsaxlokk, Valletta -
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 18, shortwave 6 (1999) AM 1, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2006)
Radios 255,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km -
Religions Roman Catholic 98% Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.041 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.024 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.929 male(s)/female


total population: 1.027 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: automatic system satisfies normal requirements


domestic: submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands


international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: above-average system; fixed-line teledensity of 12 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density of about 40 per 100 persons


domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay


international: country code - 501; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2007)
Telephones - main lines in use 187,000 (1997) 33,900 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular 17,691 (1997) 118,300 (2006)
Television broadcast stations 6 (2000) 5 (2006)
Terrain mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Total fertility rate 1.91 children born/woman (2002 est.) 3.52 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 7% (2002 est.) 9.4% (2006)
Waterways none 825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2007)
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