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Compare Tuvalu (2003) - Christmas Island (2007)

Compare Tuvalu (2003) z Christmas Island (2007)

 Tuvalu (2003)Christmas Island (2007)
 TuvaluChristmas Island
Administrative divisions none none (territory of Australia)
Age structure 0-14 years: 31.9% (male 1,838; female 1,772)


15-64 years: 63% (male 3,432; female 3,687)


65 years and over: 5.1% (male 231; female 345) (2003 est.)
0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA
Agriculture - products coconuts; fish NA
Airports 1 (2002) 1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways - total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
-
Area total: 26 sq km


land: 26 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Background In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over the next dozen years. Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement began by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park.
Birth rate 21.58 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) NA
Budget revenues: $22.5 million


expenditures: $11.2 million, including capital expenditures of $4.2 million (2000 est.)
revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
Capital Funafuti name: The Settlement


geographic coordinates: 10 25 S, 105 43 E


time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds
Coastline 24 km 138.9 km
Constitution 1 October 1978 Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Tuvalu


former: Ellice Islands


note: "Tuvalu" means "group of eight," referring to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands
conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island


conventional short form: Christmas Island
Currency Australian dollar (AUD); note - there is also a Tuvaluan dollar -
Death rate 7.34 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) NA
Debt - external $NA -
Dependency status - non-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation in the US Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US - the country's only diplomatic post is in Fiji - Tuvalu does, however, have a UN office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, New York 10017, telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534 none (territory of Australia)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $13 million ; note - major donors are Australia, Japan, and the US (1999 est.) $NA
Economy - overview Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. Fewer than 1,000 tourists, on average, visit Tuvalu annually. Government revenues largely come from the sale of stamps and coins and worker remittances. About 1,000 Tuvaluans work in Nauru in the phosphate mining industry. Nauru has begun repatriating Tuvaluans, however, as phosphate resources decline. Substantial income is received annually from an international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. Thanks to wise investments and conservative withdrawals, this Fund has grown from an initial $17 million to over $35 million in 1999. The US government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu, because of payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries. In an effort to reduce its dependence on foreign aid, the government is pursuing public sector reforms, including privatization of some government functions and personnel cuts of up to 7%. In 1998, Tuvalu began deriving revenue from use of its area code for "900" lines and in 2000, from the lease of its ".tv" Internet domain name. Royalties from these new technology sources could increase substantially over the next decade. With merchandise exports only a fraction of merchandise imports, continued reliance must be placed on fishing and telecommunications license fees, remittances from overseas workers, official transfers, and investment income from overseas assets. Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993, but closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, expected to begin operations in the near future.
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: NA%


hydro: NA%


nuclear: NA%


other: NA%
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location 5 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
Environment - current issues since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one desalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is very concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country's underground water table; in 2000, the government appealed to Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels should make evacuation necessary loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining
Environment - international agreements party to: Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution


signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
-
Ethnic groups Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4% Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%


note: no indigenous population (2001)
Exchange rates Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.8406 (2002), 1.9320 (2001), 1.7173 (2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998) Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Faimalaga LUKA (since 9 September 2003)


head of government: Prime Minister Saufatu SOPOANGA (since 2 August 2002)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister


elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of Parliament; election last held 2 August 2002 (next to be held NA)


election results: Saufatu SOPOANGA elected prime minister; Parliamentary vote - Saufatu SOPOANGA 8, Amasone KILEI 7
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general


head of government: Administrator Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006)


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Exports $276,000 f.o.b. (1997) $NA
Exports - commodities copra, fish phosphate
Exports - partners UK 58.3%, Italy 16.7%, Denmark 8.3%, Fiji 8.3% (2002) Australia, NZ (2006)
Fiscal year calendar year 1 July - 30 June
Flag description light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, while the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island; the flag of Australia is used for official purposes
GDP purchasing power parity - $12.2 million (2000 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
-
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.) -
GDP - real growth rate 3% (2000 est.) -
Geographic coordinates 8 00 S, 178 00 E 10 30 S, 105 40 E
Geography - note one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean
Highways total: 8 km


paved: 0 km


unpaved: 8 km (1999 est.)
-
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
-
Imports $7.2 million c.i.f. (1998) $NA
Imports - commodities food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods consumer goods
Imports - partners Hungary 68.2%, Japan 12.9%, Fiji 11.9% (2002) principally Australia (2006)
Independence 1 October 1978 (from UK) none (territory of Australia)
Industrial production growth rate NA% -
Industries fishing, tourism, copra tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Infant mortality rate total: 21.34 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 24.35 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 18.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 5% (2000 est.) -
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, IFRCS (associate), ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTrO (applicant) none
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) -
Irrigated land NA sq km NA
Judicial branch High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over its sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction) Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court
Labor force 7,000 (2001 est.) NA
Labor force - by occupation people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors) -
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (1998 est.)
arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park) (2005)
Languages Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) English (official), Chinese, Malay
Legal system NA under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 25 July 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)


election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 15
unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held 20 October 2007 (next to be held in 2009)


election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
Life expectancy at birth total population: 67.32 years


male: 65.15 years


female: 69.59 years (2003 est.)
total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
Literacy definition: NA%


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
NA
Location Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
Map references Oceania Southeast Asia
Maritime claims contiguous zone: 24 NM


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Merchant marine total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 33,199 GRT/56,187 DWT


ships by type: cargo 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 5 (2002 est.)
-
Military - note - defense is the responsibility of Australia
Military branches no regular military forces; Police Force (includes Maritime Surveillance Unit for search and rescue missions and surveillance operations) -
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA -
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% -
National holiday Independence Day, 1 October (1978) Australia Day, 26 January (1788)
Nationality noun: Tuvaluan(s)


adjective: Tuvaluan
noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
Natural hazards severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Natural resources fish phosphate, beaches
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) NA
Political parties and leaders there are no political parties but members of Parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings none
Political pressure groups and leaders none none
Population 11,305 (July 2003 est.) 1,402 (July 2006 est.) (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% -
Population growth rate 1.42% (2003 est.) 0% (2007 est.)
Ports and harbors Funafuti, Nukufetau -
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1999) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2006)
Railways 0 km -
Religions Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha'i 1%, other 0.6% Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female


total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
NA
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal -
Telephone system general assessment: serves particular needs for internal communications


domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands


international: NA
general assessment: service provided by the Australian network


domestic: GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system in February 2005


international: country code - 61-8; satellite earth stations - 1 INTELSAT earth station provides telephone and telex service (2005)
Telephones - main lines in use 1,000 (1997) NA
Telephones - mobile cellular 0 (1994) -
Television broadcast stations 0 (1997) 0 (TV broadcasts received via satellite from mainland Australia) (2006)
Terrain very low-lying and narrow coral atolls steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
Total fertility rate 3.05 children born/woman (2003 est.) NA
Unemployment rate NA% -
Waterways none -
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