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Compare Tonga (2004) - Belgium (2003)

Compare Tonga (2004) z Belgium (2003)

 Tonga (2004)Belgium (2003)
 TongaBelgium
Administrative divisions 3 island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen
Age structure 0-14 years: 37.1% (male 20,873; female 20,050)


15-64 years: 58.7% (male 32,018; female 32,707)


65 years and over: 4.2% (male 2,005; female 2,584) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 17.2% (male 905,856; female 865,589)


15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,400,419; female 3,346,182)


65 years and over: 17.2% (male 725,162; female 1,045,880) (2003 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 (2003 est.) 42 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 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: 3


under 914 m: 1 (2004 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 24.87 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 10.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $39.9 million


expenditures: $52.4 million, including capital expenditures of $1.9 million (FY99/00 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)


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 5.45 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 10.07 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $63.4 million (2001) $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 chief of mission: Ambassador Sonatane T. T. TUPOU


chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022


telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025


FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024


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)
Economic aid - recipient Australia $5.5 million, New Zealand $2.3 million (FY01/02) -
Economy - overview Tonga, a small, open, South Pacific island economy, has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. 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. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. The country remains dependent on 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 reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. High unemployment among the young and the continuing upturn in inflation are major issues facing the government. 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. Roughly 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 the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply due to the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2004 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US.
Electricity - consumption 25.36 million kWh (2001) 78.18 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 6.712 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 15.82 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 27.27 million kWh (2001) 74.28 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 38.4%


hydro: 0.6%


nuclear: 59.3%


other: 1.8% (2001)
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, extensive 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 Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, 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, Kyoto Protocol, 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
Ethnic groups Polynesian, Europeans about 300 Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Exchange rates pa'anga per US dollar - NA (2003), 2.1952 (2002), 2.1236 (2001), 1.7585 (2000), 1.5991 (1999) euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 36.3 (1998)
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 James C. COCKER (since NA January 2001)


cabinet: Cabinet, appointed by the monarch, consists of 12 members


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


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, MR, PS, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO
Exports NA (2001) 450,000 bbl/day (2001)
Exports - commodities squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Exports - partners US 50%, Japan 35.7%, Italy 3.6% (2003) Germany 18.6%, France 16.3%, Netherlands 11.6%, UK 9.6%, US 7.9%, Italy 5.4% (2002)
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 - $236 million (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $299.7 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 26%


industry: 12%


services: 62% (2002 est.)
agriculture: 1.3%


industry: 24.4%


services: 74.3% (2001)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $29,200 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 3% (2001 est.) 0.7% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 20 00 S, 175 00 W 50 50 N, 4 00 E
Geography - note archipelago of 169 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 (1999 est.)
total: 148,216 km


paved: 116,687 km (including 1,727 km of expressways)


unpaved: 31,529 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: 3.2%


highest 10%: 23% (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 NA (2001) 1.042 million bbl/day (2001)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Imports - partners New Zealand 43.4%, Fiji 22.2%, Australia 11.1%, US 6.1% (2003) Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 15.6%, France 12.8%, UK 7.3%, Ireland 7%, US 6.4%, Italy 4% (2002)
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 total: 12.99 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 14.36 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 11.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: 4.57 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 3.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 10.3% (2002 est.) 1.7% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 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 33,910 (1996) 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: 23.61%


permanent crops: 43.06%


other: 33.33% (2001)
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 7 March 2002 (next to be held NA 2005)


election results: percent of vote - HRDMT 70%; seats - HRDMT 7, traditionalist 2
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 18 June 2003 (next to be held in NA May 2007)


election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit 15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH 5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5, VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR 11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit 23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8 Ecolo 4, other 2


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: 69.2 years


male: 66.74 years


female: 71.79 years (2004 est.)
total population: 78.29 years


male: 74.97 years


female: 81.78 years (2003 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 territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
continental shelf: median line with neighbors


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


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 136,977 GRT/200,751 DWT


by type: bulk 3, cargo 21, chemical tanker 2, container 1, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1


foreign-owned: Albania 1, Australia 4, Brazil 1, Cyprus 1, Egypt 1, Greece 1, Lebanon 1, Liberia 1, Marshall Islands 1, Norway 1, Panama 2, Romania 1, Russia 1, Saudi Arabia 1, Switzerland 3, Syria 1, United (2004 est.)
total: 20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,215 GRT/55,725 DWT


ships by type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 10, petroleum tanker 4, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Finland 1, Netherlands 3 (2002 est.)
Military branches Tonga Defense Services: Ground Forces (Royal Marines, Royal Guard), Maritime Force (including Air Wing) Army, Navy, Air Components, Federal Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure NA $3.077 billion (FY01/02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA 1.4% (FY01/02)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 2,497,423 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 2,059,131 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 19 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 60,921 (2003 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 4 June (1970) 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I
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 (2004 est.) 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines - gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders there are no political parties AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Dirk HOLEMANS]; Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Yves LETERME]; note - used to be the Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP; Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUK, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT]; Francophone Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH (used to be Social Christian Party or PSC) [Joelle MILQUET]; Francophone Reformist Movement or MR (used to be Liberal Reformation Party or PRL) [Antoine DUQUESNE]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; 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 [Steve STEVAERT]; note - was Flemish Socialist Party or SP; Spirit [Els VAN WEERT]; 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 Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chair] 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 110,237 (July 2004 est.) 10,289,088 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 4%
Population growth rate 1.94% (2004 est.) 0.14% (2003 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)
Railways - total: 3,471 km


standard gauge: 3,471 km 1.435-m gauge (2,631 km electrified) (2002)
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: 0.98 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female


total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2004 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 (2003 est.)
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (1996)
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 11,200 (2002) 4.769 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 3,400 (2002) 974,494 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 2 (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 (2004 est.) 1.62 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 13.3% (1996 est.) 7.2% (2002 est.)
Waterways - 1,570 km (route length in regular commercial use) (2001)
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