Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Switzerland (2002) - Montserrat (2004)

Compare Switzerland (2002) z Montserrat (2004)

 Switzerland (2002)Montserrat (2004)
 SwitzerlandMontserrat
Administrative divisions 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; kantone, singular - kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausser-Rhoden, Appenzell Inner-Rhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubunden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zurich 3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Age structure 0-14 years: 16.8% (male 629,513; female 597,472)


15-64 years: 67.7% (male 2,512,273; female 2,433,396)


65 years and over: 15.5% (male 461,722; female 667,618) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 23.3% (male 1,092; female 1,062)


15-64 years: 65.5% (male 2,889; female 3,162)


65 years and over: 11.2% (male 543; female 497) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs cabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers, livestock products
Airports 66 (2001) 1 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 41


over 3,047 m: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 10


914 to 1,523 m: 9


under 914 m: 14 (2002)
total: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 25


under 914 m: 24 (2002)
-
Area total: 41,290 sq km


land: 39,770 sq km


water: 1,520 sq km
total: 102 sq km


land: 102 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC
Background Switzerland's independence and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers and Switzerland was not involved in either of the two World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations, but retains a strong commitment to neutrality. Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995.
Birth rate 9.84 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 17.63 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues: $30 billion


expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
revenues: $31.4 million


expenditures: $31.6 million, including capital expenditures of $8.4 million (1997 est.)
Capital Bern Plymouth (abandoned in 1997 due to volcanic activity; interim government buildings have been built at Brades Estate, in the Carr's Bay/Little Bay vicinity at the northwest end of Montserrat)
Climate temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
Coastline 0 km (landlocked) 40 km
Constitution 29 May 1874 present constitution came into force 19 December 1989
Country name conventional long form: Swiss Confederation


conventional short form: Switzerland


local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German), Confederation Suisse (French), Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)


local short form: Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera (Italian)
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Montserrat
Currency Swiss franc (CHF) East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Death rate 8.79 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 7.36 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $NA $8.9 million (1997)
Dependency status - overseas territory of the UK
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Mercer REYNOLDS III


embassy: Jubilaeumsstrasse 93, 3001 Bern


mailing address: use embassy street address


telephone: [41] (031) 357 70 11


FAX: [41] (031) 357 73 44
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Christian BLICKENSTORFER


chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900


FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco


consulate(s): Boston
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor ODA, $1.1 billion (1995) (1995) -
Economic aid - recipient - As of 31 March 2003, UK's DFID had provided about $328 million in economic relief from volcanic activity, and by 31 March 2006, DFID aid is expected to total $411 million.
Economy - overview Switzerland is a prosperous and stable modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP larger than that of the big western European economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness. Although the Swiss are not pursuing full EU membership in the near term, in 1999 Bern and Brussels signed agreements to further liberalize trade ties. They continue to discuss further areas for cooperation. Switzerland remains a safe haven for investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to about 0.8% and to about 0% in 2002. 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 has launched a three-year $122.8 million aid program to help reconstruct the economy. Half of the island is expected to remain uninhabitable for another decade.
Electricity - consumption 52.62 billion kWh (2000) 2.325 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 31.4 billion kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 24.33 billion kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 64.182 billion kWh (2000) 2.5 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 4%


hydro: 57%


nuclear: 37%


other: 2% (2000)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m


highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Chances Peak (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) 914 m
Environment - current issues air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity land erosion occurs on slopes that have been cleared for cultivation
Environment - international agreements party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
-
Ethnic groups German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6% black, white
Exchange rates Swiss francs per US dollar - 1.6668 (January 2002), 1.6876 (2001), 1.6888 (2000), 1.5022 (1999), 1.4498 (1998), 1.4513 (1997) East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Executive branch chief of state: President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Ruth METZLER (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Pascal COUCHEPIN (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Ruth METZLER (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its own members for a four-year term


elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for one-year terms that run concurrently; election last held NA December 2002 (next to be held NA December 2003)


election results: Pascal COUCHEPIN elected president; percent of Federal Assembly vote - NA%; Ruth METZLER elected vice president; percent of legislative vote - NA%
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Deborah Barnes JONES (since 10 May 2004)


head of government: Chief Minister John OSBORNE (since 5 April 2001)


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
Exports $100.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products electronic components, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants, cattle
Exports - partners EU 61% (Germany 22.2%, France 9%, Italy 8%, UK 5.3%), US 10.6%, Japan 3.9% (2001) US, Antigua and Barbuda
Fiscal year calendar year 1 April - 31 March
Flag description red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag 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
GDP purchasing power parity - $231 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $29 million (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 2%


industry: 34%


services: 64% (2002 est.)
agriculture: 5.4%


industry: 13.6%


services: 81% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $31,700 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $3,400 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2% (2002 est.) -1% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 47 00 N, 8 00 E 16 45 N, 62 12 W
Geography - note landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps the island is entirely volcanic in origin and contains seven active volcanoes
Heliports 1 (2002) -
Highways total: 71,059 km (including 1,638 km of expressways)


paved: 71,059 km


unpaved: 0 km (1999)
total: 227 km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km


note: volcanic eruptions beginning in 1995 destroyed most of the road system (2003)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 25% (1992)
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs because of more stringent government regulations, used significantly less as a money-laundering center; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe
Imports $94.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
Imports - partners EU 79.9% (Germany 32.2%, France 11%, Italy 10.2%, Netherlands 5.9%, UK 4.6%), US 5.1% (2001) US, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada
Independence 1 August 1291 (Founding of the Swiss Confederation) none (overseas territory of the UK)
Industrial production growth rate 3.2% (2001) NA
Industries machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments tourism, rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Infant mortality rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 7.56 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 6.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 0.5% (2002 est.) 2.6% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MONUC, NAM (guest), NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Caricom, CDB, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 44 (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) (2000) -
Irrigated land 250 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly) 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)
Labor force 4 million (2001) 4,521 ; note - lowered by flight of people from volcanic activity (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation services 69%, industry 26%, agriculture 5% (1998) agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA
Land boundaries total: 1,852 km


border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 10.57%


permanent crops: 0.61%


other: 88.82% (1998 est.)
arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 80% (2001)
Languages German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 19.2%, Italian (official) 7.6%, Romansch 0.6%, other 8.9% English
Legal system civil law system influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts, except with respect to federal decrees of general obligatory character; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations English common law and statutory law
Legislative branch bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Standerat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats - members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats - members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: Council of States - last held NA 1999 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held 24 October 1999 (next to be held NA October 2003)


election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - FDP 18, CVP 15, SVP 7, SPS 6; National Council - percent of vote by party - SPS 22.5%, SVP 22.6%, FDP 19.9%, CVP 15.8%, other small parties all under 5%; seats by party - SPS 51, SVP 44, FDP 43, CVP 35, Green Party 9, other small parties 18
unicameral Legislative Council (11 seats, 9 popularly elected; members serve five-year terms)


note: expanded in 2001 from 7 to 9 elected members with attorney general and financial secretary sitting as ex-officio members


elections: last held April 2001 (next to be held by November 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NPLM 7, NPP 2


note: in 2001, the Elections Commission instituted a single constituency/voter-at-large system whereby all eligible voters cast ballots for all nine seats of the Legislative Council
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.86 years


male: 76.98 years


female: 82.89 years (2002 est.)
total population: 78.53 years


male: 76.39 years


female: 80.78 years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99% (1980 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school


total population: 97%


male: 97%


female: 97% (1970 est.)
Location Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
Map references Europe Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims none (landlocked) territorial sea: 3 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Merchant marine total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 509,943 GRT/896,309 DWT


ships by type: bulk 15, cargo 6, chemical tanker 4, petroleum tanker 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience:, United Kingdom 6, United States 1 (2002 est.)
none
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of the UK
Military branches Army, Air Force, Frontier Guards, Fortification Guards no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure $2.548 billion (FY01) -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1% (FY01) -
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 1,841,867 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 1,561,689 (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - military age 20 years of age (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 42,597 (2002 est.) -
National holiday Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291) Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Nationality noun: Swiss (singular and plural)


adjective: Swiss
noun: Montserratian(s)


adjective: Montserratian
Natural hazards avalanches, landslides, flash floods severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1995)
Natural resources hydropower potential, timber, salt negligible
Net migration rate 1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 314 km; natural gas 1,506 km -
Political parties and leaders Christian Democratic People's Party (Christichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Democratico-Cristiano Popolare Svizzero or PDC, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Philipp STAEHELIN, president]; Green Party (Grune Partei der Schweiz or Grune, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Ruth GENNER and Patrice MUGNY, co-presidents]; Radical Free Democratic Party (Freisinnig-Demokratische Partei der Schweiz or FDP, Parti Radical-Democratique Suisse or PRD, Partitio Liberal-Radicale Svizzero or PLR) [Gerold BUEHRER, president]; Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialist Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christiane BRUNNER, president]; Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica de Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Ueli MAURER, president]; and other minor parties National Progressive Party or NPP [Reuben T. MEADE]; New People's Liberation Movement or NPLM [John A. OSBORNE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 7,301,994 (July 2002 est.) 9,245


note: an estimated 8,000 refugees left the island following the resumption of volcanic activity in July 1995; some have returned (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA
Population growth rate 0.24% (2002 est.) 1.03% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Basel Plymouth (abandoned), Little Bay (anchorages and ferry landing), Carr's Bay
Radio broadcast stations AM 4, FM 113 (plus many low power stations), shortwave 2 (1998) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 7.1 million (1997) -
Railways total: 4,406 km


standard gauge: 3,440 km 1.435-m gauge


narrow gauge: 900 km 1.000-m gauge; 10 km 0.800-m gauge


dual gauge: 56 km 1.435-m and 1.000-m gauges (3 rail system)


note: Swiss railways are virtually all electrified (2001)
-
Religions Roman Catholic 46.1%, Protestant 40%, other 5%, none 8.9% (1990) Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female


total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.09 male(s)/female


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: excellent domestic and international services


domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)
general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: country code - 1-664
Telephones - main lines in use 4.82 million (1998) NA
Telephones - mobile cellular 1.967 million (1999) 70 (1994)
Television broadcast stations 115 (plus 1,919 repeaters) (1995) 1 (1997)
Terrain mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
Total fertility rate 1.47 children born/woman (2002 est.) 1.79 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate 1.9% (2002 est.) 6% (1998 est.)
Waterways 65 km


note: The Rhine carries heavy traffic on the Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee stretches; there are also 12 navigable lakes
-
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.