Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Northern Mariana Islands (2001) - Belize (2001)

Compare Northern Mariana Islands (2001) z Belize (2001)

 Northern Mariana Islands (2001)Belize (2001)
 Northern Mariana IslandsBelize
Administrative divisions none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order; Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Age structure 0-14 years:
23.55% (male 8,929; female 8,639)

15-64 years:
74.72% (male 26,242; female 29,509)

65 years and over:
1.73% (male 639; female 654) (2001 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 coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish, cultured shrimp
Airports 6 (2000 est.) 44 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
3

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
2 (2000 est.)
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

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
total:
40

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
10

under 914 m:
29 (2000 est.)
Area total:
477 sq km

land:
477 sq km

water:
0 sq km

note:
includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
total:
22,966 sq km

land:
22,806 sq km

water:
160 sq km
Area - comparative 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Background Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978. 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 20.6 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 31.69 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$221 million

expenditures:
$213 million, including capital expenditures of $17.7 million (1996)
revenues:
$157 million

expenditures:
$279 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)
Capital Saipan Belmopan
Climate tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Coastline 1,482 km 386 km
Constitution Covenant Agreement effective 4 November 1986 and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978 21 September 1981
Country name conventional long form:
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

conventional short form:
Northern Mariana Islands

former:
Mariana Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Belize

former:
British Honduras
Currency US dollar (USD) Belizean dollar (BZD)
Death rate 2.4 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $NA $338 million (1998)
Dependency status commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs -
Diplomatic representation from the US - 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 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 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 extensive funding from US $NA
Economy - overview The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment production is by far the most important industry with employment of 12,000 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under duty and quota exemptions. 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 NA kWh 172.1 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production NA kWh 185 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
56.76%

hydro:
43.24%

nuclear:
0%

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

highest point:
unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point:
Victoria Peak 1,160 m
Environment - current issues contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid 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 Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean mestizo 43.7%, Creole 29.8%, Maya 10%, Garifuna 6.2%, other 10.3%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Belizean dollars per US dollar - 2.0000 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)
Executive branch 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 Pedro P. TENORIO (since NA January 1998) and Lieutenant Governor Jesus R. SABLAN (since NA January 1998)

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 in NA November 1997 (next to be held NA November 2001)

election results:
Pedro P. TENORIO elected governor in a three-way race; percent of vote - Pedro P. TENORIO (Republican Party) 47%
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 $NA $235.7 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities garments sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood
Exports - partners US US 42%, UK 33%, EU 12%, Caricom 4.8%, Canada 2%, Mexico 1% (1999)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September 1 April - 31 March
Flag description blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath 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 - $900 million (2000 est.)

note:
GDP numbers reflect US spending
purchasing power parity - $790 million (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
NA%

industry:
NA%

services:
NA%
agriculture:
18%

industry:
24%

services:
58% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $12,500 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $3,200 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 4% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 15 12 N, 145 45 E 17 15 N, 88 45 W
Geography - note strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
Heliports 1 (2000 est.) -
Highways total:
362 km

paved:
NA km

unpaved:
NA km (1991)
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 transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor money-laundering center
Imports $NA $413 million (c.i.f., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products machinery and transportation equipment, manufactured goods; food, beverages, tobacco; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners US, Japan US 58%, Mexico 12%, UK 5% EU 5%, Central America 5%, Caricom 4% (1998)
Independence none (commonwealth in political union with the US) 21 September 1981 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 4.6% (1999)
Industries tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts garment production, food processing, tourism, construction
Infant mortality rate 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 25.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.2% (1997 est.) 2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), SPC 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) 1 (2000) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 20 sq km (1993 est.)
Judicial branch Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister)
Labor force 6,006 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717 foreign workers (1995) 71,000

note:
shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation NA 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:
21%

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
19%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
60%
arable land:
10%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
2%

forests and woodland:
84%

other:
3% (2000 est.)
Languages English, Chamorro, Carolinian

note:
86% of population speaks a language other than English at home
English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole
Legal system based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation English law
Legislative branch bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held 9 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2001); House of Representatives - last held 9 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2001)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 6, Democratic Party 2, Reform Party 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Republican Party 10, Democratic Party 8

note:
the Commonwealth does not have a nonvoting delegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or "resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party - Republican Party 1 (Juan N. BABAUTA)
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:
75.74 years

male:
72.65 years

female:
79.02 years (2001 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:
97%

male:
97%

female:
96% (1980 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 Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
Map references Oceania Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims 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 none (2000 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 - note defense is the responsibility of the US -
Military branches - Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Maritime Wing, Air Wing, and Volunteer Guard)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $17 million (FY98/99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 2.4% (FY98/99)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49:
62,698 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - 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 Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
Nationality noun:
NA

adjective:
NA
noun:
Belizean(s)

adjective:
Belizean
Natural hazards active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) 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 18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Benigno R. FITIAL] People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean BARROW, Doug SINGH]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Diane HAYLOCK]; United Worker's Front
Population 74,612 (July 2001 est.) 256,062 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 33% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate 3.62% (2001 est.) 2.7% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Saipan, Tinian Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 1, FM 12, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios NA 133,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) 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:
1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.03 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.92 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:
0.95 male(s)/female

total population:
1.03 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
NA

domestic:
NA

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific 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 21,000 (1996) 31,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,200 (1995) 3,023 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 1 (on Saipan and one station planned for Rota; in addition, two cable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (1997) 2 (1997)
Terrain southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Total fertility rate 1.76 children born/woman (2001 est.) 4.05 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 12.8% (1999)
Waterways none 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.