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Compare Namibia (2008) - Virgin Islands (2003)

Compare Namibia (2008) z Virgin Islands (2003)

 Namibia (2008)Virgin Islands (2003)
 NamibiaVirgin Islands
Administrative divisions 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
Age structure 0-14 years: 37.7% (male 390,448/female 383,698)


15-64 years: 58.6% (male 606,239/female 597,512)


65 years and over: 3.8% (male 34,926/female 42,257) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 26% (male 16,685; female 15,794)


15-64 years: 64.4% (male 36,241; female 44,157)


65 years and over: 9.5% (male 5,078; female 6,823) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Airports 137 (2007) 2 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 21


over 3,047 m: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 13


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2007)
total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 116


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 22


914 to 1,523 m: 72


under 914 m: 20 (2007)
-
Area total: 825,418 sq km


land: 825,418 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 352 sq km


land: 349 sq km


water: 3 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than half the size of Alaska twice the size of Washington, DC
Background South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia has been governed by SWAPO since the country won independence in 1990. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule. During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.
Birth rate 23.52 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 15.8 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $2.561 billion


expenditures: $2.483 billion (2007 est.)
revenues: $364.4 million


expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)
Capital name: Windhoek


geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E


time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)


daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April
Charlotte Amalie
Climate desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November
Coastline 1,572 km 188 km
Constitution ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990 Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Namibia


conventional short form: Namibia


local long form: Republic of Namibia


local short form: Namibia


former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa
conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands


conventional short form: Virgin Islands


former: Danish West Indies
Currency - US dollar (USD)
Death rate 19.15 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 5.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $1.429 billion (31 December 2007 est.) $NA
Dependency status - organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador G. Dennise MATHIEU


embassy: 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek


mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek


telephone: [264] (61) 295-8500


FAX: [264] (61) 295-8603
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick NANDAGO


chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009


telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540


FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443
none (territory of the US)
Disputes - international concerns from international experts and local populations over the Okavango Delta ecology in Botswana and human displacement scuttled Namibian plans to construct a hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls along the Angola-Namibia border; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river none
Economic aid - recipient ODA, $123.4 million (2005 est.) $NA
Economy - overview The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 8% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides one of the world's most unequal income distributions. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Increased payments from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) put Namibia's budget into surplus in 2007 for the first time since independence, but SACU payments will decline after 2008 as part of a new revenue sharing formula. Increased fish production and mining of zinc, copper, uranium, and silver spurred growth in 2003-07, but growth in recent years was undercut by poor fish catches and high costs for metal inputs. Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, support construction projects in the private sector, expand tourist facilities, reduce crime, and protect the environment.
Electricity - consumption 2.863 billion kWh (2005) 957.9 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 78 million kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 1.567 billion kWh; note - electricity supplied by South Africa (2005) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 1.688 billion kWh (2005) 1.03 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
Environment - current issues very limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas lack of natural freshwater resources
Environment - international agreements party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
-
Ethnic groups black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%


note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups includes Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
black 78%, white 10%, other 12%


note: West Indian 81% (49% born in the Virgin Islands and 32% born elsewhere in the West Indies), US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 4%, other 2%
Exchange rates Namibian dollars per US dollar - 7.18 (2007), 6.7649 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004), 7.5648 (2003) the US dollar is used
Executive branch chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005)


head of government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009)


election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA elected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Den ULENGA 7.3%, Katuutire KAURA 5.1%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 4.2%, Justus GAROEB 3.8%, other 3.2%
chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (Since 20 January 2001)


head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5 January 1999) and Lieutenant Governor Vargrave RICHARDS (since NA January 2003)


cabinet: NA


elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006)


election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor; percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John de JONGH 24.4%
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins refined petroleum products
Exports - partners South Africa 33.4%, US 4% (2006) US, Puerto Rico
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March 1 October - 30 September
Flag description a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 10.6%


industry: 30.8%


services: 58.6% (2007 est.)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.5% (2007 est.) 2% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 22 00 S, 17 00 E 18 20 N, 64 50 W
Geography - note first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
Highways - total: 856 km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km


note: the only US possession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 0.5%


highest 10%: 64.5% (2003)
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports 17,580 bbl/day (2004) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Imports - partners South Africa 85.2%, US (2006) US, Puerto Rico
Independence 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) -
Industrial production growth rate 4.6% (2007 est.) NA%
Industries meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper) tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Infant mortality rate total: 47.23 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 51.03 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 43.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
total: 9 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 10.12 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 7.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 6.7% (2007 est.) 2% (1992)
International organization participation ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 50 (2000)
Irrigated land 80 sq km (2003) NA sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission) US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)
Labor force 660,000 (2007 est.) 49,000 (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 47%


industry: 20%


services: 33% (1999 est.)
agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.)
Land boundaries total: 3,936 km


border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 0.99%


permanent crops: 0.01%


other: 99% (2005)
arable land: 15%


permanent crops: 6%


other: 79% (1998 est.)
Languages English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages 1% (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama) English (official), Spanish, Creole
Legal system based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution based on US laws
Legislative branch bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held 29-30 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2010); National Assembly - last held 15-16 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2009)


election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 89.7%, UDF 4.7%, NUDO 2.8%, DTA 1.9%, other 0.9%; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 76.1%, COD 7.3%, DTA 5.1%, NUDO 4.2%, UDF 3.6%, RP 1.9%, MAG 0.8%, other 1.0%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 5, DTA 4, NUDO 3, UDF 3, RP 1, MAG 1


note: the National Council is primarily an advisory body
unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)


elections: last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM NA, no party affiliation NA


note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected
Life expectancy at birth total population: 43.11 years


male: 44.39 years


female: 41.79 years (2007 est.)
total population: 78.59 years


male: 74.73 years


female: 82.68 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 85%


male: 86.8%


female: 83.5% (2001 census)
definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Map references Africa Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 2,265 GRT/3,605 DWT


by type: cargo 1 (2007)
none (2002 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the US
Military branches Namibian Defense Force: Army, Navy, Air Wing (2006) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 3.7% (2006) -
National holiday Independence Day, 21 March (1990) Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)
Nationality noun: Namibian(s)


adjective: Namibian
noun: Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: Virgin Islander
Natural hazards prolonged periods of drought several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Natural resources diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish


note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore
sun, sand, sea, surf
Net migration rate 0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Political parties and leaders Congress of Democrats or COD [Ben ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [Jurie VILJOEN]; National Democratic Movement for Change or NamDMC; National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Kuaima RIRUAKO]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Hidipo HAMUTENYA]; Republican Party or RP [Henk MUDGE]; South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Rihupisa KANDANDO]; South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hifikepunye POHAMBA]; United Democratic Front or UDF [Justus GAROEB] Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 2,055,080


note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2007 est.)
124,778 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line the UNDP's 2005 Human Development Report indicated that 34.9% of the population live on $1 per day and 55.8% live on $2 per day NA%
Population growth rate 0.478% (2007 est.) 1.02% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors - Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001) AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (2002)
Railways total: 2,382 km


narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge (2006)
0 km
Religions Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20% Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.018 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.015 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.827 male(s)/female


total population: 1.008 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female


total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Telephone system general assessment: good system with a combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of about 30 per 100 persons


domestic: core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital; Namibia's first mobile-phone network, launched in 1994, provides coverage to 86 percent of Namibia by area


international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat
general assessment: NA


domestic: modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay


international: submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA
Telephones - main lines in use 138,900 (2005) 65,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 495,000 (2005) 2,000 (1992)
Television broadcast stations 2 (2007) 2 (2002)
Terrain mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Total fertility rate 2.94 children born/woman (2007 est.) 2.22 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 5.3% (2006 est.) 4.9% (March 1999)
Waterways - none
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