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Compare Montserrat (2001) - Belize (2005)

Compare Montserrat (2001) z Belize (2005)

 Montserrat (2001)Belize (2005)
 MontserratBelize
Administrative divisions 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter's 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Age structure 0-14 years:
23.83% (male 907; female 898)

15-64 years:
64.66% (male 2,341; female 2,556)

65 years and over:
11.51% (male 464; female 408) (2001 est.)
0-14 years: 40.1% (male 57,114/female 54,877)


15-64 years: 56.4% (male 79,694/female 77,881)


65 years and over: 3.5% (male 4,768/female 5,123) (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products bananas, coca, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber; garments
Airports 1 (2000 est.) 43 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
1

under 914 m:
1 (2000 est.)
total: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 38


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 11


under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)
Area total:
100 sq km

land:
100 sq km

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


land: 22,806 sq km


water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Background Much of this island has been devastated and two-thirds of the population has fled abroad due to the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano that began on 18 July 1995. 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 increasing urban crime.
Birth rate 17.43 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 29.34 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues:
$31.4 million

expenditures:
$31.6 million, including capital expenditures of $8.4 million (1997 est.)
revenues: $244.5 million


expenditures: $300 million, including capital expenditures of $70 million (2004 est.)
Capital Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades, in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat) Belmopan
Climate tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Coastline 40 km 386 km
Constitution present constitution came into force 19 December 1989 21 September 1981
Country name conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Montserrat
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Belize


former: British Honduras
Currency East Caribbean dollar (XCD) -
Death rate 7.53 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 6.04 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external $8.9 million (1997) $1.362 billion (June 2004 est.)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Russell F. FREEMAN


embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane, Belize City


mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Belize City


telephone: [501] 227-7161 through 7163


FAX: [501] 2-30802
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) 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 Guatemalan squatters continue to settle in the largely uninhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; OAS is attempting to revive the 2002 failed Differendum that created a small adjustment to land boundary, a Guatemalan maritime corridor in Caribbean, joint ecological park for disputed Sapodilla Cays, and substantial US-UK financial package
Economic aid - recipient $9.8 million (1995); note - about $100 million (1996-98) in reconstruction aid from the UK; Country Policy Plan (1999) is a three-year program for spending $122.8 million in British budgetary assistance NA
Economy - overview Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airports and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998, but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcano and on public sector construction activity. The UK committed to a three year $125 million aid program in 1999 to help reconstruct the economy. In this small, essentially private enterprise economy the tourism industry is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by 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 6% in 1999-2004. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and foreign debt. A key short-term objective remains the reduction of poverty with the help of international donors.
Electricity - consumption 9.3 million kWh (1999) 108.8 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 10 million kWh (1999) 117 million kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point:
Chances Peak (in the Soufriere Hills) 914 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Environment - current issues land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Environment - international 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


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups black, white mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7%
Exchange rates East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976) Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2 (2004), 2 (2003), 2 (2002), 2 (2001), 2 (2000)
Executive branch chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Anthony John ABBOTT (since NA September 1997)

head of government:
Chief Minister David BRANDT (since 22 August 1997)

cabinet:
Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary

elections:
the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister; note - as a result of the last election, a coalition party was formed between NPP, NDP, and one of the independent candidates
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 $1.5 million (1998) NA
Exports - commodities electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
Exports - partners US, Antigua and Barbuda (1993) US 37.2%, UK 26.8%, Jamaica 4.6% (2004)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 April - 31 March
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her arm around a black cross 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 - $31 million (1999 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
5.4%

industry:
13.6%

services:
81% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 17.7%


industry: 15%


services: 67.3% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $5,000 (1999 est.) purchasing power parity - $6,500 (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -1.5% (1999 est.) 3.5% (2004 est.)
Geographic coordinates 16 45 N, 62 12 W 17 15 N, 88 45 W
Geography - note - only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Highways total:
269 km

paved:
203 km

unpaved:
66 km (1995)
total: 2,872 km


paved: 488 km


unpaved: 2,384 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe major transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and offshore sector
Imports $26 million (1998) NA
Imports - commodities machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco
Imports - partners US, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada (1993) US 30.1%, Mexico 12%, Guatemala 7.4%, Cuba 7.2%, China 4.2%, Japan 4.1% (2004)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 21 September 1981 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 4.6% (1999)
Industries tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
Infant mortality rate 8.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) total: 25.69 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 28.97 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 22.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 5% (1998) 2.9% (2004 est.)
International organization participation Caricom, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, WCL ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 17 (2000) -
Irrigated land NA sq km 30 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based in Saint Lucia, one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court) Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister)
Labor force 4,521 (1992); note - recently lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity 90,000


note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% agriculture 27%, industry 18%, services 55% (2001 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 516 km


border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Land use arable land:
20%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
10%

forests and woodland:
40%

other:
30% (1993 est.)
arable land: 2.85%


permanent crops: 1.71%


other: 95.44% (2001)
Languages English English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Legal system English common law and statutory law English law
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 7 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held by NA November 2001)

election results:
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PPA 2, MNR 2, NPP 1, independent 2
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 March 2008)


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

male:
75.95 years

female:
80.22 years (2001 est.)
total population: 68.44 years


male: 66.54 years


female: 70.44 years (2005 est.)
Literacy definition:
age 15 and over has ever attended school

total population:
97%

male:
97%

female:
97% (1970 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 94.1%


male: 94.1%


female: 94.1% (2003 est.)
Location Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
3 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 none (2000 est.) total: 295 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,015,270 GRT/1,336,890 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 207, chemical tanker 9, container 6, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 20, refrigerated cargo 17, roll on/roll off 5


foreign-owned: 142 (Australia 2, Belgium 1, China 50, Cuba 1, Cyprus 1, Estonia 9, Germany 4, Hong Kong 6, Indonesia 3, Italy 2, Japan 5, Latvia 4, Malaysia 1, Nigeria 1, Pakistan 1, Poland 2, Russia 23, Singapore 5, South Korea 6, Spain 3, Switzerland 1, Turkey 2, Ukraine 4, UAE 3, United States 2) (2005)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches Police Force Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $18 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 2% (2003)
National holiday Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Nationality noun:
Montserratian(s)

adjective:
Montserratian
noun: Belizean(s)


adjective: Belizean
Natural hazards severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (full-scale eruptions of the Soufriere Hills volcano occurred during 1996-97) frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Natural resources NEGL arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 123.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Political parties and leaders Movement for National Reconstruction or MNR [Percival Austin BRAMBLE]; National Development Party or NDP [leader NA]; National Progressive Party or NPP [Reuben T. MEADE]; People's Progressive Alliance or PPA [John A. OSBORNE] 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 NA Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Adele CATZIM]
Population 7,574

note:
an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2001 est.)
279,457 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 33% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate 13.39% (2001 est.) 2.33% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors Plymouth (abandoned), Little Bay (anchorages and ferry landing), Carr's Bay Belize City
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 7,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km -
Religions Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations 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:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.96 male(s)/female (2001 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: 0.93 male(s)/female


total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
NA

domestic:
NA

international:
NA
general assessment: above-average system


domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay


international: country code - 501; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 4,000 (1997) 33,300 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular 70 (1994) 60,400 (2003)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) 2 (1997)
Terrain volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Total fertility rate 1.82 children born/woman (2001 est.) 3.68 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate 20% (1996 est.) 12.9% (2003)
Waterways none 825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2004)
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