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Compare Tonga (2001) - Belgium (2002)

Compare Tonga (2001) z Belgium (2002)

 Tonga (2001)Belgium (2002)
 TongaBelgium
Administrative divisions 3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincien, singular - provincie) and 1 region* (French: region; Dutch: gewest); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, West-Vlaanderen
Age structure 0-14 years:
40.93% (male 21,739; female 20,916)

15-64 years:
54.99% (male 28,231; female 29,082)

65 years and over:
4.08% (male 1,912; female 2,347) (2001 est.)
0-14 years: 17.3% (male 911,729; female 871,470)


15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,395,885; female 3,341,536)


65 years and over: 17.1% (male 716,673; female 1,037,302) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products squash, coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper; fish sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
Airports 6 (2000 est.) 42 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total:
1

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1 (2000 est.)
total: 25


over 3,047 m: 6


2,438 to 3,047 m: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 7 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total:
5

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
2

under 914 m:
2 (2000 est.)
total: 17


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 15 (2002)
Area total:
748 sq km

land:
718 sq km

water:
30 sq km
total: 30,510 sq km


land: 30,230 sq km


water: 280 sq km
Area - comparative four times the size of Washington, DC about the size of Maryland
Background The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It remains the only monarchy in the Pacific. Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.
Birth rate 23.59 births/1,000 population (2001 est.) 10.58 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues:
$49 million

expenditures:
$120 million, including capital expenditures of $75 million (FY96/97 est.)
revenues: $113.4 billion


expenditures: $106 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.17 billion (2000)
Capital Nuku'alofa Brussels
Climate tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Coastline 419 km 66 km
Constitution 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state
Country name conventional long form:
Kingdom of Tonga

conventional short form:
Tonga

former:
Friendly Islands
conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium


conventional short form: Belgium


local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie


local short form: Belgique/Belgie
Currency pa'anga (TOP) euro (EUR); Belgian franc (BEF)


note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Death rate 5.74 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.) 10.08 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $62 million (1998) $28.3 billion (1999 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen Franklin BRAUER


embassy: Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels


mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710


telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111


FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725
Diplomatic representation in the US Tonga does not have an embassy in the US; Ambassador Fetu'utolo TUPOU, resides in London; address: Embassy of the Kingdom of Tonga, c/o Tonga High Commission, 36 Molyneux Street, London W1H 6AB, telephone [44] (171) 724-5828, FAX [44] (171) 723-9074

consulate(s) general:
San Francisco
chief of mission: Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE


chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900


FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor - ODA, $764 million (1997) (1997)
Economic aid - recipient $38.8 million (1995) -
Economy - overview Tonga has a small, open economy with a narrow export base in agricultural goods, which contributes 30% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The industrial sector accounts for only 10% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings. The country remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonable basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. About three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is about 100% of GDP, and the government has succeeded in balancing its budget. Belgium, together with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-02 dropped sharply due to the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2003 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US.
Electricity - consumption 32.6 million kWh (1999) 78.13 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 7.309 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 11.645 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 35 million kWh (1999) 79.348 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
fossil fuel: 40%


hydro: 1%


nuclear: 58%


other: 1% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point:
unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m
lowest point: North Sea 0 m


highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
Environment - current issues deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, intense animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges
Environment - international agreements party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Polynesian, Europeans about 300 Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Exchange rates pa'anga per US dollar - 1.9885 (January 2001), 1.7585 (2000), 1.5991 (1999), 1.4920 (1998), 1.2635 (1997), 1.2323 (1996) euros per US dollar - 1.1324 (January 2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Belgian francs per US dollar - 34.77 (January 1999), 36.229 (1998), 35.774 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state:
King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965)

head of government:
Prime Minister Prince Lavaka ata ULUKALALA (since NA February 2000) and Deputy Prime Minister Tevita TOPOU (since NA January 2001)

cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the monarch

note:
there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch and the Cabinet

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the monarch
chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch


head of government: Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament


elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by Parliament


note: government coalition - VLD, PRL-FDF, PS, MCC, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO
Exports $8 million (f.o.b., 1998) $162 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)
Exports - commodities squash, fish, vanilla beans machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Exports - partners Japan 53%, US 18%, NZ 6%, Australia 6% (1997 est.) EU 75.3% (Germany 18.1%, France 17.3%, Netherlands 12.1%, UK 9.6%), US 5.6% (2001)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June calendar year
Flag description red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France
GDP purchasing power parity - $225 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $297.6 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture:
30%

industry:
10%

services:
60% (1997)
agriculture: 1%


industry: 24%


services: 74% (2001)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $29,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5% (2000 est.) 0.6% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 20 00 S, 175 00 W 50 50 N, 4 00 E
Geography - note archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited) crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO
Heliports - 1 (2002)
Highways total:
680 km

paved:
184 km

unpaved:
496 km (1996)
total: 145,774 km


paved: 116,182 km (including 1,674 km of expressways)


unpaved: 29,592 km (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%:
NA%

highest 10%:
NA%
lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 23% (1992) (1996)
Illicit drugs - growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; money laundering related to trafficking of drugs, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco
Imports $69 million (f.o.b., 1998) $152 billion f.o.b. (2001)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Imports - partners NZ 30%, Australia 19%, US 11%, UK 11%, Japan 3% (1997 est.) EU 68.7% (Netherlands 17.5%, Germany 16.8%, France 13.8%, UK 8.0%), US 7.2% (2001)
Independence 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate) 4 October 1830 a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands; 21 July 1831 the ascension of King Leopold I to the throne
Industrial production growth rate 8.6% (FY98/99) 4.5% (2000 est.)
Industries tourism, fishing engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal
Infant mortality rate 14.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.) 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 7% (2000 est.) 1.7% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 61 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (consists of the Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court) Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the monarch, although selected by the Government)
Labor force 34,000 (FY96/97) 4.44 million (2001)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 65% (1997 est.) services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,385 km


border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
Land use arable land:
24%

permanent crops:
43%

permanent pastures:
6%

forests and woodland:
11%

other:
16% (1993 est.)
arable land: 25%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 75%


note: includes Luxembourg (1998 est.)
Languages Tongan, English Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Legal system based on English law civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms)

elections:
last held NA March 1999 (next to be held NA 2002)

election results:
percent of vote - pro-democratic 40%; seats - pro-democratic 5, traditionalist 4
bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)


elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 13 June 1999 (next to be held in NA 2003)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, CVP 14.7%, PRL 10.6%, PS 9.7%, VB 9.4%, SP 8.9%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.1%, PSC 6.0%, VU 5.1%; seats by party - VLD 11, CVP 10, PS 10, PRL 9, VB 6, SP 6, ECOLO 6, AGALEV 5, PSC 5, VU 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 14.3%, CVP 14.1%, PS 10.2%, PRL 10.1%, VB 9.9%, SP 9.5%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.0%, PSC 5.9%, VU 5.6%; seats by party - VLD 23, CVP 22, PS 19, PRL 18, VB 15, SP 14, ECOLO 11, PSC 10, AGALEV 9, VU 8, FN 1


note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly; for other acronyms of the listed parties see the Political parties and leaders entry
Life expectancy at birth total population:
68.25 years

male:
65.83 years

female:
70.78 years (2001 est.)
total population: 78.13 years


male: 74.8 years


female: 81.62 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition:
can read and write Tongan and/or English

total population:
98.5%

male:
98.4%

female:
98.7% (1996 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 98%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Map references Oceania Europe
Maritime claims continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
continental shelf: median line with neighbors


exclusive fishing zone: median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total:
8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,626 GRT/29,468 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 1, cargo 2, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 (2000 est.)
total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 31,362 GRT/54,058 DWT


ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 9, petroleum tanker 5, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Finland 1, Netherlands 3 (2002 est.)
Military branches Tonga Defense Services (includes Royal Tongan Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Maritime Force, Police); note - a new Air Wing which will be subordinate to the Defense Ministry is being developed Army, Navy, Air Components, Federal Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA $3,076.5 million (FY01/02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% 1.4% (FY01/02)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 2,508,557 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 2,070,016 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 19 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 63,247 (2002 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 4 June (1970) Independence Day, 21 July (1831)
Nationality noun:
Tongan(s)

adjective:
Tongan
noun: Belgian(s)


adjective: Belgian
Natural hazards cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Natural resources fish, fertile soil coal, natural gas
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.) 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines - crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 km
Political parties and leaders Human Rights and Democracy Movement [Huliki WATAB, chairman, Viliami FUKOFUKA, president, 'Akilisi POHIVA, vice president] AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Jos GEYSELS]; Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Stefaan DE CLERCK, president]; note - used to be the Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP; ECOLO (Francophone Greens) [no president; led by three person federal secretariat]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT, president]; Francophone Christian Democrats or PSC (Social Christian Party) [Joelle MILQUET, president]; Francophone Liberal Reformation Party or PRL [Daniel DUCARME, president]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO, president]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Geert BOURGEOIS]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Social Progressive Alternative Party or SP.A [Patrick JANSSENS, president]; note - was Flemish Socialist Party or SP; Spirit [Annemie VAN DE CASTEELE]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders Pro-Democracy and Human Rights Movement [leader NA] Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants
Population 104,227 (July 2001 est.) 10,274,595 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 4%
Population growth rate 1.79% (2001 est.) 0.15% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2001) FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 61,000 (1997) 8.075 million (1997)
Railways 0 km total: 3,422 km


standard gauge: 3,422 km 1.435-m gauge (2,517 km electrified; 2,563 km double-tracked) (2001)
Religions Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents) Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%
Sex ratio at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female

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

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

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


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


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


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Telephone system general assessment:
NA

domestic:
NA

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities


domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network


international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
Telephones - main lines in use 8,000 (1996) 4.769 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 302 (1996) 974,494 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 1 (2001) 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Total fertility rate 3 children born/woman (2001 est.) 1.61 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 13.3% (FY96/97) 7.2% (2002 est.)
Waterways none 1,570 km (route length in regular commercial use) (2001)
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