Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
Jah-Jah.pl / Index countries / Poland (2001) - Aruba (2001) / Compare countries
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Poland (2001) - Aruba (2001)

Compare Poland (2001) z Aruba (2001)

 Poland (2001)Aruba (2001)
 PolandAruba
Administrative divisions 16 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular - wojewodztwo); Dolnoslaskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Lodzkie, Lubelskie, Lubuskie, Malopolskie, Mazowieckie, Opolskie, Podkarpackie, Podlaskie, Pomorskie, Slaskie, Swietokrzyskie, Warminsko-Mazurskie, Wielkopolskie, Zachodniopomorskie none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Age structure 0-14 years:
18.39% (male 3,640,451; female 3,463,604)

15-64 years:
69.17% (male 13,288,471; female 13,434,753)

65 years and over:
12.44% (male 1,836,816; female 2,969,817) (2001 est.)
0-14 years:
21.29% (male 7,709; female 7,193)

15-64 years:
68.52% (male 23,111; female 24,859)

65 years and over:
10.19% (male 2,954; female 4,181) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products potatoes, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry, eggs, pork aloes; livestock; fish
Airports 122 (2000 est.) 1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total:
83

over 3,047 m:
3

2,438 to 3,047 m:
29

1,524 to 2,437 m:
42

914 to 1,523 m:
6

under 914 m:
3 (2000 est.)
total:
1

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
39

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1

1,524 to 2,437 m:
4

914 to 1,523 m:
13

under 914 m:
21 (2000 est.)
-
Area total:
312,685 sq km

land:
304,465 sq km

water:
8,220 sq km
total:
193 sq km

land:
193 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than New Mexico slightly larger than Washington, DC
Background Poland gained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite country following the war, but one that was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, boosting hopes for acceptance to the EU. Poland joined the NATO alliance in 1999. Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
Birth rate 10.2 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 12.64 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues:
$49.6 billion

expenditures:
$52.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999)
revenues:
$NA

expenditures:
$541 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Capital Warsaw Oranjestad
Climate temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline 491 km 68.5 km
Constitution 16 October 1997; adopted by the National Assembly 2 April 1997; passed by national referendum 23 May 1997 1 January 1986
Country name conventional long form:
Republic of Poland

conventional short form:
Poland

local long form:
Rzeczpospolita Polska

local short form:
Polska
conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Aruba
Currency zloty (PLN) Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)
Death rate 9.98 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 6.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $57 billion (2000) $285 million (1996)
Dependency status - part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Christopher R. HILL

embassy:
Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31 00-054, Warsaw P1

mailing address:
American Embassy Warsaw, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5010 (pouch)

telephone:
[48] (22) 628-30-41

FAX:
[48] (22) 628-82-98

consulate(s) general:
Krakow
chief of mission:
Consul General Barbara J. STEPHENSON

embassy:
J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao

mailing address:
P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao

telephone:
[599] (9) 461-3066

FAX:
[599] (9) 461-6489
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission:
Ambassador Przemyslaw GRUDZINSKI

chancery:
2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone:
[1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802

FAX:
[1] (202) 328-6271

consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $NA $26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996
Economy - overview Poland has steadfastly pursued a policy of liberalizing the economy and today stands out as one of the most successful and open transition economies. GDP growth has been strong and steady since 1992 - the best performance in the region. The privatization of small and medium state-owned companies and a liberal law on establishing new firms has allowed for the rapid development of a vibrant private sector. In contrast, Poland's large agricultural sector remains handicapped by structural problems, surplus labor, inefficient small farms, and lack of investment. Restructuring and privatization of "sensitive sectors" (e.g., coal, steel, railroads, and energy) has begun. Structural reforms in health care, education, the pension system, and state administration have resulted in larger than expected fiscal pressures. Further progress in public finance depends mainly on privatization of Poland's remaining state sector. The government's determination to enter the EU as soon as possible affects most aspects of its economic policies. Improving Poland's outsized current account deficit and reining in inflation are priorities. Warsaw leads the region in foreign investment and needs a continued large inflow. Tourism is the mainstay of the Aruban economy, although offshore banking and oil refining and storage are also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and less than 1% unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years.
Electricity - consumption 120.007 billion kWh (1999) 418.5 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 8.43 billion kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 3.491 billion kWh (1999) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 134.351 billion kWh (1999) 450 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
96.43%

hydro:
3.16%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0.41% (1999)
fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Raczki Elblaskie -2 m

highest point:
Rysy 2,499 m
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point:
Mount Jamanota 188 m
Environment - current issues situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by postcommunist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes NA
Environment - international agreements party to:
Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
-
Ethnic groups Polish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%, Byelorussian 0.5% (1990 est.) mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Exchange rates zlotych per US dollar - 4.3126 (December 2000), 4.3461 (2000), 3.9671 (1999), 3.4754 (1998), 3.2793 (1997), 2.6961 (1996) Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.7900 (fixed rate since 1986)
Executive branch chief of state:
President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23 December 1995)

head of government:
Prime Minister Jerzy BUZEK - Solidarity Electoral Union - (since 31 October 1997), Deputy Prime Ministers Janusz STEINHOFF (since 12 June 2000), Longin KOMOLOWSKI (since 19 October 1999)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers responsible to the prime minister and the Sejm; the prime minister proposes, the president appoints, and the Sejm approves the Council of Ministers

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election held 8 October 2000 (next to be held NA October 2005); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the Sejm

election results:
Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI reelected president; percent of popular vote - Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 53.9%, Andrzj OLECHOWSKI 17.3%, Marian KRZAKLEWSKI 15.6%, Lech WALESA 1%
chief of state:
Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992)

head of government:
Prime Minister Jan (Henny) H. EMAN (since 29 July 1994) and Deputy Prime Minister Lili BEKE-MARTINEZ

cabinet:
Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)

elections:
the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 12 July 1997 (next to be held by December 2001)

election results:
Jan (Henny) H. EMAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA%; Lili BEKE-MARTINEZ elected deputy prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA%
Exports $28.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $2.2 billion (including oil reexports) (2000 est.)
Exports - commodities machinery and transport equipment 30.2%, intermediate manufactured goods 25.5%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 20.9%, food and live animals 8.5% (1999) live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners Germany 36.1%, Italy 6.5%, Netherlands 5.3%, France 4.8%, UK 4.0%, Czech Republic 3.8% (1999) US 42%, Colombia 20%, Netherlands 12% (1999)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner
GDP purchasing power parity - $327.5 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $2 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
3.8%

industry:
36.6%

services:
59.6% (1999)
agriculture:
NA%

industry:
NA%

services:
NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $8,500 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 4.8% (2000 est.) 3.5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 52 00 N, 20 00 E 12 30 N, 69 58 W
Geography - note historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain -
Heliports 3 (2000 est.) -
Highways total:
381,046 km

paved:
249,966 km (including 268 km of expressways)

unpaved:
131,080 km (1998)
total:
800 km

paved:
513 km

unpaved:
287 km

note:
most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
3%

highest 10%:
26.3% (1996)
lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs major illicit producer of amphetamine for the international market; minor transshipment point for Asian and Latin American illicit drugs to Western Europe drug-money-laundering center and transit point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe
Imports $42.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000) $2.5 billion (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and transport equipment 38.2%, intermediate manufactured goods 20.8%, chemicals 14.3%, miscellaneous manufactured goods 9.5% (1999) machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners Germany 25.2%, Italy 9.4%, France 6.8%, Russia 5.8%, UK 4.6%, Netherlands 3.7% (1999) US 63%, Netherlands 11%, Netherlands Antilles 3%, Japan (1999)
Independence 11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed) none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Industrial production growth rate 4.3% (1999) NA%
Industries machine building, iron and steel, coal mining, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Infant mortality rate 9.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 6.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 10.2% (2000 est.) 4.2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA (observer), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 19 (2000) NA
Irrigated land 1,000 sq km (1993 est.) 0.01 sq km
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council of the Judiciary for an indefinite period); Constitutional Tribunal (judges are chosen by the Sejm for nine-year terms) Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch)
Labor force 17.2 million (1999 est.) 41,501 (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation industry 22.1%, agriculture 27.5%, services 50.4% (1999) most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Land boundaries total:
2,888 km

border countries:
Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Slovakia 444 km, Ukraine 428 km
0 km
Land use arable land:
47%

permanent crops:
1%

permanent pastures:
13%

forests and woodland:
29%

other:
10% (1993 est.)
arable land:
7% (including aloe 0.01%)

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
93% (1993 est.)
Languages Polish Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Legal system mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts although under the new constitution, the Constitutional Tribunal ruling will become final as of October 1999; court decisions can be appealed to the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Legislative branch bicameral National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe consists of the Sejm (460 seats; members are elected under a complex system of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) and the Senate or Senat (100 seats; members are elected by a majority vote on a provincial basis to serve four-year terms)

elections:
Sejm elections last held 21 September 1997 (next to be held by NA September 2001); Senate - last held 21 September 1997 (next to be held by NA September 2001)

election results:
Sejm - percent of vote by party - AWS 33.8%, SLD 27.1%, UW 13.4%, PSL 7.3%, ROP 5.6%, MNSO 0.4%, other 12.4%; seats by party - AWS 201, SLD 164, UW 60, PSL 27, ROP 6, MNSO 2; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - AWS 51, SLD 28, UW 8, ROP 5, PSL 3, independents 5; note - seats by party in the Sejm as of February 2001: AWS 175, SLD 161, UW 49, PSL 26, PP 6, KdP 7, ROP-PC 4, independents 31, one seat vacant

note:
two seats are assigned to ethnic minority parties
unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held by NA December 2001)

election results:
percent of vote by party - AVP 43%, MEP 39%, OLA 9% PPA 4%, ADN 2%, PARA 1%, MAS 0.5%; seats by party - AVP 10, MEP 9, OLA 2
Life expectancy at birth total population:
73.42 years

male:
69.26 years

female:
77.82 years (2001 est.)
total population:
78.52 years

male:
75.16 years

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

total population:
99%

male:
99%

female:
98% (1978 est.)
definition:
NA

total population:
97%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
Location Central Europe, east of Germany Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Map references Europe Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone:
defined by international treaties

territorial sea:
12 NM
territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total:
46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 943,540 GRT/1,532,694 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 41, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)
total:
1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,120 GRT/3,635 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 1 (2000 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Military branches Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $3.17 billion (FY00) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.95% (FY00) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49:
10,447,931 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49:
8,139,245 (2001 est.)
-
Military manpower - military age 19 years of age -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males:
344,781 (2001 est.)
-
National holiday Constitution Day, 3 May (1791) Flag Day, 18 March
Nationality noun:
Pole(s)

adjective:
Polish
noun:
Aruban(s)

adjective:
Aruban; Dutch
Natural hazards NA lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Natural resources coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, arable land NEGL; white sandy beaches
Net migration rate -0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) NEGL
Pipelines crude oil and petroleum products 2,280 km; natural gas 17,000 km (1996) -
Political parties and leaders Coalition for Poland or KdP [first name unknown GRABOWSKI]; Confederation for an Independent Poland-Patriotic Camp or KPN-OP (KPN-Fatherland or KPN-O is a small group within the KPN-OP) [Michal JANISZEWSKI]; Democratic Left Alliance or SLD (Social Democracy of Poland) [Leszek MILLER]; Freedom Union or UW [Bronislaw GEREMEK]; German Minority of Lower Silesia or MNSO [Henryk KROLL]; Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland or ROP-PC [Jan OLSZEWSKI]; Polish Accord or PP [Jan LOPUSZANSKI]; Polish Peasant Party or PSL [Jaroslaw KALINOWSKI]; Polish Socialist Party or PPS [Piotr IKONOWICZ]; Solidarity Electoral Action or AWS (includes RS-AWS and Solidarity) [Marian KRZAKLEWSKI]; Social Movement-Solidarity Electoral Action or RS-AWS [Jerzy BUZEK] Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Tico CROES]; Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [leader NA]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY]
Political pressure groups and leaders All Poland Trade Union Alliance or OPZZ (trade union); Roman Catholic Church; Solidarity (trade union) NA
Population 38,633,912 (July 2001 est.) 70,007 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line 18.4% (2000 est.) NA%
Population growth rate -0.03% (2001 est.) 0.64% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Gdansk, Gdynia, Gliwice, Kolobrzeg, Szczecin, Swinoujscie, Ustka, Warsaw, Wroclaw Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Radio broadcast stations AM 14, FM 777, shortwave 1 (1998) AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 20.2 million (1997) 50,000 (1997)
Railways total:
23,420 km

broad gauge:
646 km 1.524-m gauge

standard gauge:
21,639 km 1.435-m gauge (11,626 km electrified; 8,978 km double track)

narrow gauge:
1,135 km various gauges including 1.000-m, 0.785-m, 0.750-m, and 0.600-m (1998)
0 km
Religions Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and other 5% Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
Sex ratio at birth:
1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.94 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.07 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.93 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment:
underdeveloped and outmoded system; government aimed to have 10 million telephones in service by 2000; the process of partial privatization of the state-owned telephone monopoly has begun; in 1998 there were over 2 million applicants on the waiting list for telephone service

domestic:
cable, open wire, and microwave radio relay; 3 cellular networks; local exchanges 56.6% digital

international:
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat, NA Eutelsat, 2 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions), and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region)
general assessment:
NA

domestic:
more than adequate

international:
1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
Telephones - main lines in use 8.07 million (1998) 33,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1.78 million (1998) 3,402 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 179 (plus 256 repeaters) (September 1995) 1 (1997)
Terrain mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Total fertility rate 1.37 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 12% (1999) 0.6% (1999 est.)
Waterways 3,812 km (navigable rivers and canals) (1996) none
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.