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Compare Tonga (2008) - Belgium (2005)

Compare Tonga (2008) z Belgium (2005)

 Tonga (2008)Belgium (2005)
 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


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
Age structure 0-14 years: 34.6% (male 20,624/female 19,779)


15-64 years: 61.2% (male 35,551/female 36,052)


65 years and over: 4.2% (male 2,087/female 2,828) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 16.9% (male 892,995/female 855,177)


15-64 years: 65.7% (male 3,435,282/female 3,373,917)


65 years and over: 17.4% (male 745,178/female 1,061,839) (2005 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 (2007) 43 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2007)
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 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
total: 18


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)
Area total: 748 sq km


land: 718 sq km


water: 30 sq km
total: 30,528 sq km


land: 30,278 sq km


water: 250 sq km
Area - comparative four times the size of Washington, DC about the size of Maryland
Background Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900; it withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga 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 23.67 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 10.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues: $56.97 million


expenditures: $83.88 million (FY04/05)
revenues: $173.7 billion


expenditures: $174.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.56 billion (2004 est.)
Capital name: Nuku'alofa


geographic coordinates: 21 08 S, 175 12 W


time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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 66.5 km
Constitution 4 November 1875; revised 1 January 1967 7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state
Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga


conventional short form: Tonga


local long form: Pule'anga Tonga


local 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
Death rate 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 10.22 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external $80.7 million (2004) $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 Tom C. KOROLOGOS


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 Fekitamoeloa 'UTOIKAMANU


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, Los Angeles, and New York
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - donor - ODA, $1.072 billion (2002)
Economic aid - recipient $31.75 million (2005) -
Economy - overview Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy. It 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. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. 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, a continuing upturn in inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures 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 nearly 100% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004.
Electricity - consumption 32.55 million kWh (2005) 78.82 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 9.1 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 16.7 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 35 million kWh (2005) 76.58 billion kWh (2002)
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-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, 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 Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Exchange rates pa'anga per US dollar - NA (2007), 2.0277 (2006), 1.96 (2005), 1.9716 (2004), 2.142 (2003) euros per US dollar - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)
Executive branch chief of state: King George TUPOU V (since 11 September 2006)


head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Feleti SEVELE (since 11 February 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Viliami TANGI (since 16 May 2006)


cabinet: Cabinet consists of 14 members, 10 appointed by the monarch for life; four appointed from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly, including two each from the nobles' and peoples' representatives serving three-year terms


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 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 formally appointed by the monarch


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.A-Spirit
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) 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 39.7%, Japan 27.8%, NZ 8.2%, South Korea 7.6% (2006) Germany 19.9%, France 17.2%, Netherlands 11.8%, UK 8.6%, US 6.5%, Italy 5.2% (2004)
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 - composition by sector agriculture: 23%


industry: 27%


services: 50% (FY03/04 est.)
agriculture: 1.3%


industry: 25.7%


services: 73% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $30,600 (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.4% (2005 est.) 2.6% (2004 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 (2004 est.)
Highways - total: 149,028 km


paved: 116,540 km (including 1,729 km of expressways)


unpaved: 32,488 km (2002)
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; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco
Imports 842.3 bbl/day (2004) 1.042 million bbl/day (2001)
Imports - commodities foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products
Imports - partners Fiji 30.3%, NZ 27.7%, US 8.2%, Australia 7.5%, France 5.7%, UK 4.7% (2006) Germany 18.4%, Netherlands 17%, France 12.5%, UK 6.8%, Ireland 6.3%, US 5.5% (2004)
Independence 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate) 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declares independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King Leopold I ascends to the throne)
Industrial production growth rate 1% (2003 est.) 3.5% (2004 est.)
Industries tourism, fishing engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum
Infant mortality rate total: 11.99 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 13.3 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 10.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
total: 4.68 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 4.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 11.1% (2005 est.) 1.9% (2004 est.)
International organization participation ACP, ADB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, 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, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Irrigated land NA 40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (Chief Justice and high court justices from overseas chosen and approved by Privy Council) Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the Government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council)
Labor force 33,910 (2003) 4.75 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 65%


industry and services: 35% (1997 est.)
agriculture 1.3%, industry 24.5%, services 74.2% (2003 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: 20%


permanent crops: 14.67%


other: 65.33% (2005)
arable land: 23.28%


permanent crops: 0.4%


other: 76.32%


note: includes Luxembourg (2001)
Languages Tongan, English Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Legal system based on English common 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 (32 seats - 14 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 on 21 March 2005 (next to be held in 2008)


election results: Peoples Representatives: percent of vote - HRDMT 70%, other 30%; seats - HRDMT 7, independents 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 May 2003 (next to be held no later than 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
Life expectancy at birth total population: 70.12 years


male: 67.6 years


female: 72.76 years (2007 est.)
total population: 78.62 years


male: 75.44 years


female: 81.94 years (2005 est.)
Literacy definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English


total population: 98.9%


male: 98.8%


female: 99% (1999 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
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit


continental shelf: median line with neighbors
Merchant marine total: 14 ships (1000 GRT or over) 58,756 GRT/67,889 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 9, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, passenger/cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1


foreign-owned: 3 (Australia 1, Switzerland 1, UK 1) (2007)
total: 53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,146,301 GRT/1,588,184 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 15, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 17, petroleum tanker 9


foreign-owned: 12 (Denmark 4, France 4, Greece 4)


registered in other countries: 101 (2005)
Military branches Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Naval Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2008) Land, Naval, and Air Components (2005)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $3.999 billion (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 0.9% (2006 est.) 1.3% (2003)
National holiday Emancipation 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 along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Natural resources fish, fertile soil construction materials, silica sand, carbonates
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Pipelines - gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2004)
Political parties and leaders People's Democratic Party [Tesina FUKO] Flemish parties: Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Jo VANDEURZEN]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Bart SOMERS]; GROEN! (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) [Vera DUA]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Bart DE WEVER]; Socialist Party.Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; Spirit [Geert LAMBERT] (new party now associated with SP.A); Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Frank VANHECKE]


Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; Reformist Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chairman]; Public Servant's Association [Finau TUTONE] Christian, Socialist, and Liberal 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 116,921 (July 2007 est.) 10,364,388 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line 24% (FY03/04) 4% (1989 est.)
Population growth rate 1.847% (2007 est.) 0.15% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors - Antwerp, Brussels, Gent, Liege, Oostende, Zeebrugge
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)
Railways - total: 3,521 km


standard gauge: 3,521 km 1.435-m gauge (2,927 km electrified) (2004)
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: 1.043 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.986 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.738 male(s)/female


total population: 0.993 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female


total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Telephone system general assessment: competition between Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Shoreline Communications Tonga (SCT) is accelerating expansion of telecommunications; SCT recently granted authority to develop high-speed digital service for telephone, Internet, and television


domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 40 telephones per 100 persons; fully automatic switched network


international: country code - 676; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2004)
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: country code - 32; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
Telephones - main lines in use 13,700 (2005) 5,120,400 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 29,900 (2005) 8,135,500 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 3 (2004) 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 2.75 children born/woman (2007 est.) 1.64 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate 13% (FY03/04 est.) 12% (first half, 2004)
Waterways - 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2003)
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