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Compare Vanuatu (2002) - Latvia (2002)

Compare Vanuatu (2002) z Latvia (2002)

 Vanuatu (2002)Latvia (2002)
 VanuatuLatvia
Administrative divisions 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Liepaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preilu Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
Age structure 0-14 years: 35.6% (male 35,681; female 34,164)


15-64 years: 61.1% (male 61,384; female 58,473)


65 years and over: 3.3% (male 3,473; female 3,003) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 15.8% (male 191,116; female 182,692)


15-64 years: 68.6% (male 775,481; female 847,261)


65 years and over: 15.6% (male 120,304; female 249,661) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish, beef grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish
Airports 31 (2001) 25 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002)
total: 13


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 4 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 27


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 10


under 914 m: 17 (2002)
total: 12


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 7 (2002)
Area total: 12,200 sq km


land: 12,200 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes more than 80 islands
total: 64,589 sq km


land: 63,589 sq km


water: 1,000 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Connecticut slightly larger than West Virginia
Background The British and French who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980. After a brief period of independence between the two World Wars, Latvia was annexed by the USSR in 1940. It reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 30% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia continues to revamp its economy for eventual integration into various Western European political and economic institutions.
Birth rate 24.83 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 8.27 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $94.4 million


expenditures: $99.8 million, including capital expenditures of $30.4 million
revenues: $2.4 billion


expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2002 est.)
Capital Port-Vila Riga
Climate tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds maritime; wet, moderate winters
Coastline 2,528 km 531 km
Constitution 30 July 1980 the 1991 Constitutional Law which supplements the 1922 constitution, provides for basic rights and freedoms
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu


conventional short form: Vanuatu


former: New Hebrides
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia


conventional short form: Latvia


local long form: Latvijas Republika


local short form: Latvija


former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Currency vatu (VUV) Latvian lat (LVL)
Death rate 8.25 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 14.74 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $64.6 million (1999 est.) $3.4 billion (2000 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu chief of mission: Ambassador Brian E. CARLSON


embassy: 7 Raina Boulevard, Riga LV-1510


mailing address: American Embassy Riga, PSC 78, Box Riga, APO AE 09723


telephone: [371] 703-6200


FAX: [371] 781-4088
Diplomatic representation in the US Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US, it does, however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN chief of mission: Ambassador Aivis RONIS


chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011


telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214


FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785
Disputes - international Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France the Russian Duma refuses to ratify boundary delimitation treaty with Latvia; the Latvian Parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights
Economic aid - recipient $45.8 million (1995) $96.2 million (1995)
Economy - overview The economy is based primarily on subsistence or small-scale agriculture which provides a living for 65% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with about 50,000 visitors in 1997, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. A severe earthquake in November 1999 followed by a tsunami, caused extensive damage to the northern island of Pentecote and left thousands homeless. Another powerful earthquake in January 2002 caused extensive damage in the capital, Port-Vila, and surrounding areas, and also was followed by a tsunami. GDP growth has risen less than 3% on average in the 1990s. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. Latvia's transitional economy recovered from the 1998 Russian financial crisis, largely due to the SKELE government's budget stringency and a gradual reorientation of exports toward EU countries, lessening Latvia's trade dependency on Russia. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999. Preparing for EU membership over the next few years continues as a top foreign policy goal. The high current account and internal government deficits remain major concerns.
Electricity - consumption 36.27 million kWh (2000) 5.16 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 500 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 2.59 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 39 million kWh (2000) 3.301 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel: 33%


hydro: 67%


nuclear: 0%


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


highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m


highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m
Environment - current issues a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water; deforestation Latvia's environment has benefited from a shift to service industries after the country regained independence; the main environmental priorities are improvement of drinking water quality and sewage system, household and hazardous waste management, and reduction of air pollution; in 2001, Latvia closed the EU accession negotiation chapter on environment committing to full enforcement of EU environmental directives by 2010
Environment - international agreements party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups indigenous Melanesian 98%, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, other Pacific Islanders Latvian 57.7%, Russian 29.6%, Belarusian 4.1%, Ukrainian 2.7%, Polish 2.5%, Lithuanian 1.4%, other 2%
Exchange rates vatu per US dollar - 146.02 (December 2001), 145.31 (2001), 137.64 (2000), 129.08 (1999), 127.52 (1998), 115.87 (1997) lati per US dollar - 0.6384 (January 2002), 0.628 (2001), 0.607 (2000), 0.585 (1999), 0.590 (1998), 0.581 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: President Father John BANI (since 25 March 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Edward NATAPEI (since 16 April 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Serge VOHOR (since 16 April 2001)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament


elections: president elected for a four-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils for a five-year term; election for president last held 25 March 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held 2 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2003)


election results: Father John BANI elected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA%; Edward NATAPEI reelected prime minister by Parliament


note: the government of Prime Minister Barak SOPE was ousted in a no confidence vote on 14 April 2001 and Edward NATAPEI was elected the new prime minister by Parliament
chief of state: President Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA (since 8 July 1999)


head of government: Prime Minister Einars REPSE (since 7 November 2002)


cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the Parliament


elections: president elected by Parliament for a four-year term; election last held 17 June 1999 (next to be held by June 2003); prime minister appointed by the president


election results: Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA elected as a compromise candidate in second phase of balloting, second round (after five rounds in first phase failed to produce a clear winner); percent of parliamentary vote - Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA 53%, Valdis BIRKAVS 20%, Ingrida UDRE 9%
Exports $22.8 million f.o.b. (2000) $2.3 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities copra, kava, beef, cocoa, timber, coffee wood and wood products, machinery and equipment, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners Japan 32%, Belgium 17%, US 17%, Germany 8% (2000) Germany 17%, UK 16%, Sweden 10%, Lithuania 8%, Russia 6% (2001 est.)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow three horizontal bands of maroon (top), white (half-width), and maroon
GDP purchasing power parity - $257 million (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $20 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 26%


industry: 12%


services: 62% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 5%


industry: 26%


services: 70% (2001)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,300 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $8,300 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.7% (2000 est.) 4.5% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 16 00 S, 167 00 E 57 00 N, 25 00 E
Geography - note a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east
Highways total: 1,070 km


paved: 256 km


unpaved: 814 km (1996)
total: 59,178 km


paved: 22,843 km


unpaved: 36,335 km (1998 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: 26% (1998) (1998)
Illicit drugs - transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; money laundering remains a concern
Imports $87.5 million f.o.b. (2000) $3.9 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, vehicles
Imports - partners Australia 28%, Singapore 14%, New Zealand 8%, Japan 4%, US 1% (2000) Germany 17%, Russia 9%, Lithuania 8%, Finland 8%, Sweden 7% (2001 est.)
Independence 30 July 1980 (from France and UK) 21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
Industrial production growth rate 1% (1997 est.) 5.7% (2002 est.)
Industries food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines, radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles; note - dependent on imports for energy and raw materials
Infant mortality rate 59.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 14.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.5% (2000 est.) 2% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, NAM, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (observer) BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 41 (2001)
Irrigated land NA sq km 200 sq km


note: land in Latvia is often too wet, and in need of drainage, not irrigation; approximately 16,000 sq km or 85% of agricultural land has been improved by drainage (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission) Supreme Court (judges' appointments are confirmed by Parliament)
Labor force NA 1.1 million (2001 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (2000 est.) agriculture 15%, industry 25%, services 60% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,150 km


border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 339 km, Lithuania 453 km, Russia 217 km
Land use arable land: 2.46%


permanent crops: 7.38%


other: 90.16% (1998 est.)
arable land: 29.01%


permanent crops: 0.48%


other: 70.51% (1998 est.)
Languages three official languages: English, French, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama), plus more than 100 local languages Latvian (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other
Legal system unified system being created from former dual French and British systems based on civil law system
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 2 May 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 15, VP 14, VRP 3, MPP 2, other and independent 18; note - political party associations are fluid


note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of custom and land
unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 5 October 2002 (next to be held NA October 2006)


election results: percent of vote by party - New Era 23.9%, PCTVL 18.9%, People's Party 16.7%, ZZS 9.5%, First Party 7.6%, LNNK 5.4%; seats by party - New Era 26, PCTVL 24, People's Party 21, ZZS 12, First Party 10, LNNK 7
Life expectancy at birth total population: 61.33 years


male: 59.93 years


female: 62.8 years (2002 est.)
total population: 69 years


male: 63.13 years


female: 75.17 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 53%


male: 57%


female: 48% (1979 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99.8%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
Map references Oceania Europe
Maritime claims measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 54 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,092,838 GRT/1,329,576 DWT


ships by type: bulk 22, cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 3, container 2, liquefied gas 3, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 7, vehicle carrier 6


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Australia 3, Canada 2, China 1, Japan 25, Monaco 4, Netherlands 1, New Zealand 5, Panama 1, Poland 1, Switzerland 2, United Kingdom 4, US 2, Vietnam 1 (2002 est.)
total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,119 GRT/30,572 DWT


ships by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 4


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 3 (2002 est.)
Military branches no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; including the paramilitary Mobile Force or VMF) Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces, Border Guard, National Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA $87 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% 1.2% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 591,592 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 464,843 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 19,114 (2002 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 30 July (1980) Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 21 August 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union
Nationality noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)


adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
noun: Latvian(s)


adjective: Latvian
Natural hazards tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis NA
Natural resources manganese, hardwood forests, fish peat, limestone, dolomite, hydropower, wood, arable land, minimal; amber
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) -1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines - crude oil 750 km; refined products 780 km; natural gas 560 km (1992)
Political parties and leaders Jon Frum Movement [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]; National United Party or NUP [Dinh Van THAN]; Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanuaaku Party (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party [Maxime Carlot KORMAN] Alliance of the Greens and Farmers Union or ZZS [Augusts BRIGMANIS (Farmer's Union); Indulis EMSIS (Green Party)]; CENTER Political Alliance [Juris CELMINS]; First Party of Latvia [Eriks JEKABSONS]; For Fatherland and Freedom or LNNK [Maris GRINBLATS]; For Human Rights in a United Latvia or PCTVL [Janis JURKANS], a coalition of the People's Harmony Party or TSP, the Latvian Socialist Party or LSP, and the Equal Rights Movement; Freedom Party [Ziedonis CEVERS]; Land of Mara [Irena SAPROVSKA]; Latvian Rebirth Party [Andris RUBINS]; Latvian Social-Democratic Workers Party (Social Democrats) or LSDSP [Juris BOJARS]; Latvia's Way Union or LC [Andris BERZINS]; Light of Latgale or LG [Rihards EIGIMS]; New Era Party [Einars REPSE]; Our Land Party [Ilmars ANCANS]; Party of Latvians [Aivars GARDA]; People's Party [Andris SKELE]; Progressive Center Party [Inta STAMGUTE]; Russian Party [Mihails GAVRILOVS]; Social Democratic Union or SDS [Egils BALDZENS]; Social Democratic Welfare Party or SLP [Juris ZURAVLOVS]; United Republican Party of Latvia or LARP [Eriks Andrejs SAULUNS, Janis PUKIS, Sarmite JEGERE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 196,178 (July 2002 est.) 2,366,515 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 1.66% (2002 est.) -0.77% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo) Liepaja, Riga, Ventspils
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2002) AM 8, FM 56, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios 67,000 (1997) 1.76 million (1997)
Railways 0 km total: 2,412 km


broad gauge: 2,379 km 1.520-m gauge (271 km electrified)


narrow gauge: 33 km 0.750-m gauge (2001)
Religions Presbyterian 36.7%, Anglican 15%, Roman Catholic 15%, indigenous beliefs 7.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6.2%, Church of Christ 3.8%, other 15.7% (including Jon Frum Cargo cult) Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.16 male(s)/female


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


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female


total population: 0.85 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal for Latvian citizens
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: inadequate, but is being modernized to provide an international capability independent of the Moscow international switch; more facilities are being installed for individual use


domestic: expansion underway in intercity trunk line connections, rural exchanges, and mobile systems; still many unsatisfied subscriber applications


international: international connections are now available via cable and a satellite earth station at Riga, enabling direct connections for most calls (1998)
Telephones - main lines in use 5,500 (1998) 734,693 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular 310 (2000) 401,263 (2000)
Television broadcast stations 1 (2002) 44 (plus 31 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains low plain
Total fertility rate 3.08 children born/woman (2002 est.) 1.18 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 7.6% (2001 est.)
Waterways none 300 km (perennially navigable)
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