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Compare Solomon Islands (2002) - Palau (2002)

Compare Solomon Islands (2002) z Palau (2002)

 Solomon Islands (2002)Palau (2002)
 Solomon IslandsPalau
Administrative divisions 9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul (Lauru), Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell/Bellona, Temotu, Western 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatobohei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsoral
Age structure 0-14 years: 43.4% (male 109,339; female 105,170)


15-64 years: 53.5% (male 134,125; female 130,804)


65 years and over: 3.1% (male 7,467; female 7,881) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 26.8% (male 2,678; female 2,522)


15-64 years: 68.6% (male 7,241; female 6,074)


65 years and over: 4.6% (male 426; female 468) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products cocoa, beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; timber; fish coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes
Airports 31 (2001) 3 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


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


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 30


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 9


under 914 m: 20 (2002)
total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
Area total: 28,450 sq km


land: 27,540 sq km


water: 910 sq km
total: 458 sq km


land: 458 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Maryland slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Background The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the most bitter fighting of World War II occurred on these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence.
Birth rate 33.26 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 19.32 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $38 million (2001)


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001)
revenues: $57.7 million


expenditures: $80.8 million, including capital expenditures of $17.1 million
Capital Honiara Koror; note - a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast of Koror
Climate tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather wet season May to November; hot and humid
Coastline 5,313 km 1,519 km
Constitution 7 July 1978 1 January 1981
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Solomon Islands


former: British Solomon Islands
conventional long form: Republic of Palau


conventional short form: Palau


local long form: Beluu er a Belau


local short form: Belau


former: Palau District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Currency Solomon Islands dollar (SBD) US dollar (USD)
Death rate 4.19 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 7.11 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $137 million (2001 est.) $0 (FY99/00)
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closed July 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands chief of mission: the Ambassador to the Philippines is accredited to Palau; Charge d'Affaires Ronald A. HARMS


embassy: address NA, Koror


mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940


telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990


FAX: [680] 488-2911
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jeremiah MANELE


chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017


telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193


FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925
chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA


chancery: 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036


telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814


FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281


consulate(s): Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $28 million mainly from Japan, Australia, China, and NZ (2001 est.) $155.8 million (1995); note - the Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities
Economy - overview The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. However, severe ethnic violence, the closing of key business enterprises, and an empty government treasury have led to serious economic disarray, indeed near collapse. Tanker deliveries of crucial fuel supplies (including those for electrical generation) have become sporadic due to the government's inability to pay and attacks against ships. Telecommunications are threatened by the nonpayment of bills and by the lack of technical and maintenance staff many of whom have left the country. The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 50,000 in FY00/01. The population enjoys a per capita income twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.
Electricity - consumption 29.76 million kWh (2000) -
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) -
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) -
Electricity - production 32 million kWh (2000) -
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4% Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70%, Asian (mainly Filipinos, followed by Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese) 28%, white 2% (2000 est.)
Exchange rates Solomon Islands dollars per US dollar - 5.3728 (December 2001), 5.0889 (2000), 4.8381 (1999), 4.8156 (1998), 3.7169 (1997) the US dollar is used
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir John LAPLI (since NA 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Allan KEMAKEZA (since 17 December 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Snyder RINI (since 17 December 2001)


cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to five years; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament
chief of state: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001) and Vice President Sandra PIERANTOZZI (since 19 January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet


elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. elected president; percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 53%, Peter SUGIYAMA 46%; Sandra PIERANTOZZI elected vice president; percent of vote - Sandra PIERANTOZZI 52%, Alan SEID 45%
Exports $165 million f.o.b. (1999 est.) $11 million f.o.b. (1999)
Exports - commodities timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Exports - partners Japan 22%, China 15%, Philippines 13%, South Korea 12%, UK 12%, Thailand 5% (2000) US, Japan, Singapore
Fiscal year calendar year 1 October - 30 September
Flag description divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
GDP purchasing power parity - $800 million (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $174 million


note: GDP numbers reflect US spending (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 42%


industry: 11%


services: 47% (2000 est.)
agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $9,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -10% (2001 est.) 1% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 8 00 S, 159 00 E 7 30 N, 134 30 E
Geography - note strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
Highways total: 1,360 km


paved: 34 km


unpaved: 1,326 km (includes about 800 km of private plantation roads) (1996 est.)
total: 61 km


paved: 36 km


unpaved: 25 km
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Imports $152 million f.o.b. (1999 est.) $126 million f.o.b. (1999)
Imports - commodities plant and equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals, fuels, chemicals machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners Australia 27%, Singapore 25%, NZ 5.5%, Japan 5.3%, US 5.1% (2000) US
Independence 7 July 1978 (from UK) 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
Industrial production growth rate NA% NA%
Industries fish (tuna), mining, timber tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making
Infant mortality rate 23.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 16.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 7.9% (2001 est.) 3.4% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO ACP, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 1 (2002)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch Court of Appeal Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas
Labor force 26,842 8,300 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 75%, industry 5%, services 20% (2000 est.) agriculture 20%, industry NA%, services NA% (1990)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 1.5%


permanent crops: 0.64%


other: 97.86% (1998 est.)
arable land: 21.74%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 78.26% (1998 est.)
Languages Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English is official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population


note: 120 indigenous languages
English and Palauan official in all states except Sonsoral (Sonsorolese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official)
Legal system English common law, which is widely disregarded based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
Legislative branch unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 5 December 2001 (next to be held by December 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 40%, SIACC 40%, PPP 20%; seats by party - PAP 16, SIACC 13, PPP 2, SILP 1, independents 18
bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004); House of Delegates - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 16
Life expectancy at birth total population: 71.82 years


male: 69.38 years


female: 74.39 years (2002 est.)
total population: 69.19 years


male: 66.07 years


female: 72.5 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 92%


male: 93%


female: 90% (1980 est.)
Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Map references Oceania Oceania
Maritime claims measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


continental shelf: 200 NM


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM


extended fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 3 NM
Merchant marine none (2002 est.) none (2002 est.)
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years
Military branches no regular military forces; Solomon Islands National Reconnaissance and Surveillance Force; Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) NA
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% NA%
National holiday Independence Day, 7 July (1978) Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Nationality noun: Solomon Islander(s)


adjective: Solomon Islander
noun: Palauan(s)


adjective: Palauan
Natural hazards typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity typhoons (June to December)
Natural resources fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 3.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders Association of Independents [Snyder RINI]; People's Alliance Party or PAP [Allan KEMAKEZA]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Mannaseh Damukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon Islands Alliance for Change Coalition or SIACC [Bartholomew ULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Labor Party or SILP [Joses TUHANUKU]


note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions
none
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 494,786 (July 2002 est.) 19,409 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.91% (2002 est.) 1.61% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Aola Bay, Honiara, Lofung, Noro, Viru Harbor, Yandina Koror
Radio broadcast stations AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios 57,000 (1997) 12,000 (1997)
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Anglican 45%, Roman Catholic 18%, United (Methodist/Presbyterian) 12%, Baptist 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, other Protestant 5%, indigenous beliefs 4% Christian (Roman Catholics 49%, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population observes this religion which is indigenous to Palau)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female


total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female


total population: 1.14 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 8,000 (1997) 6,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 658 (1997) 1,000 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 0 (1997) 1 (1997)
Terrain mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Total fertility rate 4.5 children born/woman (2002 est.) 2.47 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 2.3% (2000 est.)
Waterways none none
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