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Compare Mauritius (2002) - Belize (2001)

Compare Mauritius (2002) z Belize (2001)

 Mauritius (2002)Belize (2001)
 MauritiusBelize
Administrative divisions 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Age structure 0-14 years: 25.4% (male 153,810; female 150,464)


15-64 years: 68.3% (male 409,028; female 411,070)


65 years and over: 6.3% (male 30,170; female 45,664) (2002 est.)
0-14 years:
42.04% (male 54,876; female 52,780)

15-64 years:
54.43% (male 70,534; female 68,837)

65 years and over:
3.53% (male 4,403; female 4,632) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish, cultured shrimp
Airports 5 (2001) 44 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total:
4

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total:
40

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
10

under 914 m:
29 (2000 est.)
Area total: 2,040 sq km


land: 2,030 sq km


water: 10 sq km


note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues
total:
22,966 sq km

land:
22,806 sq km

water:
160 sq km
Area - comparative almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Background Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently held by the Dutch, French, and British before independence was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather and declining sugar prices have slowed economic growth leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community. 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 16.34 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 31.69 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $1.1 billion


expenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
revenues:
$157 million

expenditures:
$279 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
Capital Port Louis Belmopan
Climate tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Coastline 177 km 386 km
Constitution 12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992 21 September 1981
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius


conventional short form: Mauritius
conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Belize

former:
British Honduras
Currency Mauritian rupee (MUR) Belizean dollar (BZD)
Death rate 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $2.3 billion (2000 est.) $338 million (1998)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador John PRICE


embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis


mailing address: international mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2450


telephone: [230] 202-4400


FAX: [230] 208-9534
chief of mission:
Ambassador Carolyn CURIEL

embassy:
29 Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City

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

telephone:
[501] (2) 77161

FAX:
[501] (2) 30802
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Usha JEETAH


chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491, 1492


FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983
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 Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius, but were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation in 2001; claims French-administered Tromelin Island Guatemala periodically asserts claims to territory in southern Belize; to deter cross-border squatting, both states in 2000 agreed to a "line of adjacency" based on the de facto boundary, which is not recognized by Guatemala
Economic aid - recipient $42 million (1997) (1997) $NA
Economy - overview Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 25% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on foreign investment. Mauritius has attracted more than 9,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India and South Africa, and investment in the banking sector alone has reached over $1 billion. Mauritius, with its strong textile sector and responsible fiscal management, was well-poised to take advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). 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 tough austerity program in 1997 resulted in an economic slowdown that continued in 1998. The trade deficit has been growing, mostly as a result of low export prices for sugar and bananas. The tourist and construction sectors strengthened in early 1999, supporting growth of 6% in 1999 and 4% in 2000. Aided by international donors, the government's key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty.
Electricity - consumption 1.195 billion kWh (2000) 172.1 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 1.285 billion kWh (2000) 185 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 91%


hydro: 9%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel:
56.76%

hydro:
43.24%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Piton 828 m
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point:
Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Environment - current issues water pollution, degradation of coral reefs deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected 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 Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2% mestizo 43.7%, Creole 29.8%, Maya 10%, Garifuna 6.2%, other 10.3%
Exchange rates Mauritian rupees per US dollar - 30.345 (January 2002), 29.129 (2001), 26.250 (2000), 25.186 (1999), 22.993 (1998), 21.057 (1997) Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)
Executive branch chief of state: President Karl OFFMANN (since 25 February 2002) and Vice President Raouf BUNDHUN (since 25 February 2002)


head of government: Prime Minister Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 17 September 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister Paul BERENGER (since 17 September 2000)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister


elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 25 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly


election results: Karl OFFMANN elected president and Raouf BUNDHUN elected vice president; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA%
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993)

head of government:
Prime Minister Said MUSA (since 27 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; governor general appoints the member of the House of Representatives who is leader of the majority party to be prime minister
Exports $1.6 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) $235.7 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
Exports - partners UK 25.8%, France 20.8%, US 16.0%, South Africa 10.9%, Germany, Italy (2000 est.) US 42%, UK 33%, EU 12%, Caricom 4.8%, Canada 2%, Mexico 1% (1999)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June 1 April - 31 March
Flag description four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green 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 - $12.9 billion (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $790 million (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 6%


industry: 33%


services: 61% (1999 est.)
agriculture:
18%

industry:
24%

services:
58% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $10,800 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.2% (2001 est.) 4% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 20 17 S, 57 33 E 17 15 N, 88 45 W
Geography - note the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Highways total: 1,860 km


paved: 1,786 km (including 36 km of expressways)


unpaved: 74 km (2001)
total:
2,872 km

paved:
488 km

unpaved:
2,384 km (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs minor consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the government appears generally to be committed to regulating its banking industry minor transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor money-laundering center
Imports $2 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) $413 million (c.i.f., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals (1996) machinery and transportation equipment, manufactured goods; food, beverages, tobacco; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners South Africa 20.0%, France 19.0%, India 9.0%, Hong Kong 5.2%, UK (2000 est.) US 58%, Mexico 12%, UK 5% EU 5%, Central America 5%, Caricom 4% (1998)
Independence 12 March 1968 (from UK) 21 September 1981 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 8% (2000 est.) 4.6% (1999)
Industries food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing; chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery; tourism garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
Infant mortality rate 16.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 25.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 4.2% (2001 est.) 2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 200 sq km (1998 est.) 20 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister)
Labor force 514,000 (1995) (1995) 71,000

note:
shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation construction and industry 36%, services 24%, agriculture and fishing 14%, trade, restaurants, hotels 16%, transportation and communication 7%, finance 3% (1995) (1995) agriculture 38%, industry 32%, services 30% (1994)
Land boundaries 0 km total:
516 km

border countries:
Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Land use arable land: 49.26%


permanent crops: 2.96%


other: 47.78% (1998 est.)
arable land:
10%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
2%

forests and woodland:
84%

other:
3% (2000 est.)
Languages English (official), Creole, French (official), Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bhojpuri English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Legal system based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas English law
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly (66 seats; 62 elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the election commission from the losing political parties to give representation to various ethnic minorities; members serve five-year terms)


elections: last held on 11 September 2000 (next to be held by September 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - MSM/MMM 52.3%, MLP/PMSD 36.9%, OPR 10.8%; seats by party - MSM/MMM 54, MLP/PMSD 6, OPR 2
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (eight members, five appointed on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one by the governor general; 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 27 August 1998 (next to be held by NA August 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - PUP 59.2%, UDP 40.8%; seats by party - PUP 26, UDP 3
Life expectancy at birth total population: 71.53 years


male: 67.54 years


female: 75.58 years (2002 est.)
total population:
71.19 years

male:
68.91 years

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


total population: 82.9%


male: 87.1%


female: 78.8% (1995 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 Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Map references Political Map of the World Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
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 total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 66,004 GRT/90,017 DWT


ships by type: cargo 2, combination bulk 2, container 2, refrigerated cargo 2


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience:, Belgium 1, India 3, Norway 1, Switzerland 2 (2002 est.)
total:
402 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,575,851 GRT/2,241,731 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 27, cargo 265, chemical tanker 6, combination ore/oil 1, container 14, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 56, refrigerated cargo 18, roll on/roll off 7, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 3

note:
includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Cuba 1, Singapore 1, US 1 (2000 est.)
Military branches National Police Force (includes the paramilitary Special Mobile Force or SMF and National Coast Guard) Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard)
Military expenditures - dollar figure $9.1 million (FY01) $17 million (FY98/99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.2% (FY01) 2.4% (FY98/99)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 340,050 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
62,698 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 171,239 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
37,174 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males:
2,847 (2001 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 12 March (1968) Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Nationality noun: Mauritian(s)


adjective: Mauritian
noun:
Belizean(s)

adjective:
Belizean
Natural hazards cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards frequent, devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Natural resources arable land, fish arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Net migration rate -0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders Hizbullah [Cehl Mohamed FAKEEMEEAH]; Mauritian Labor Party or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM [Paul BERENGER] - in coalition with MSM; Mauritian Militant Renaissance or MMR [Dr. Paramhansa NABABSING]; Mauritian Social Democrat Party or PMSD [Charles Xavier-Luc DUVAL]; Militant Socialist Movement or MSM [Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH] - governing party; Rodrigues Movement or OPR [Joseph (Nicholas) Von MALLY] People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean BARROW, Doug SINGH]
Political pressure groups and leaders various labor unions Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Diane HAYLOCK]; United Worker's Front
Population 1,200,206 (July 2002 est.) 256,062 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 10% (2001 est.) 33% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate 0.86% (2002 est.) 2.7% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Port Louis Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Radio broadcast stations AM 4, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2002) AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 420,000 (1997) 133,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km (2002) 0 km
Religions Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1% Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2002 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 (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: small system with good service


domestic: primarily microwave radio relay trunk system


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries
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 280,900 (2000) 31,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 180,000 (2000) 3,023 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 2 (plus several repeaters) (1997) 2 (1997)
Terrain small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Total fertility rate 2 children born/woman (2002 est.) 4.05 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 8.6% (2001 est.) 12.8% (1999)
Waterways none 825 km (river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable)
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