Main page Compare countries Index countries Index fields

Query:
##ciekawa_strona##

Compare Vanuatu (2004) - Solomon Islands (2004)

Compare Vanuatu (2004) z Solomon Islands (2004)

 Vanuatu (2004)Solomon Islands (2004)
 VanuatuSolomon Islands
Administrative divisions 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba 9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western
Age structure 0-14 years: 34.1% (male 35,281; female 33,785)


15-64 years: 62.4% (male 64,669; female 61,829)


65 years and over: 3.5% (male 3,740; female 3,305) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 42.4% (male 113,183; female 108,816)


15-64 years: 54.4% (male 144,157; female 140,769)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 8,058; female 8,634) (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products copra, coconuts, cocoa, coffee, taro, yams, coconuts, fruits, vegetables; fish, beef cocoa beans, coconuts, palm kernels, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit; cattle, pigs; timber; fish
Airports 30 (2003 est.) 33 (2003 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1524 to 2437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 27


914 to 1,523 m: 10


under 914 m: 17 (2004 est.)
total: 31


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 9


under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)
Area total: 12,200 sq km


land: 12,200 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited
total: 28,450 sq km


land: 27,540 sq km


water: 910 sq km
Area - comparative slightly larger than Connecticut slightly smaller than Maryland
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. The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003, Prime Minister Sir Allen KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the following month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been very effective in restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.
Birth rate 23.67 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 31.6 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Budget revenues: $94.4 million


expenditures: $99.8 million, including capital expenditures of $30.4 million (1996 est.)
revenues: $38 million


expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA (2001)
Capital Port-Vila (Efate) Honiara
Climate tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Coastline 2,528 km 5,313 km
Constitution 30 July 1980 7 July 1978
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu


conventional short form: Vanuatu


former: New Hebrides
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Solomon Islands


former: British Solomon Islands
Currency vatu (VUV) Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
Death rate 8.02 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 4.04 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Debt - external $65.8 million (2001 est.) $162.5 million (2001 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 the US does not have an embassy in Solomon Islands (embassy closed July 1993); the ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Ambassador Robert W. FITTS, is accredited to the Solomon Islands
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 Collin David BECK


chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400L, New York, NY 10017


telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192, 6193


FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925
Disputes - international Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France Australian defense personnel are dispatched at the invitation of the Solomon Islands' Government to restore law and order on the islands and reinforce regional security
Economic aid - recipient $45.8 million (1995) $28 million annually, mainly from Australia (2001 est.)
Economy - overview This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on 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 rose 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. In mid-2002 the government stepped up efforts to boost tourism. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of tourists and foreign aid. Growth expanded moderately in 2003. The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. However, severe ethnic violence, the closing of key business enterprises, and an empty government treasury have led to serious economic disarray, indeed near collapse. Tanker deliveries of crucial fuel supplies (including those for electrical generation) have become sporadic due to the government's inability to pay and attacks against ships. Telecommunications are threatened by the nonpayment of bills and by the lack of technical and maintenance staff many of whom have left the country. The disintegration of law and order left the economy in tatters by mid-2003, and on 24 July 2003 more than 2000 Australian soldiers entered the Solomon Islands to restore order and to facilitate the restoration of basic services.
Electricity - consumption 40.42 million kWh (2001) 29.76 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 43.46 million kWh (2001) 32 million kWh (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m
Environment - current issues a majority of the population does not have access to a potable and reliable supply of water; deforestation deforestation; soil erosion; many of the surrounding coral reefs are dead or dying
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: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups indigenous Melanesian 98%, French, Vietnamese, Chinese, other Pacific Islanders Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4%
Exchange rates vatu per US dollar - 122.189 (2003), 139.198 (2002), 145.312 (2001), 137.643 (2000), 129.075 (1999) Solomon Islands dollars per US dollar - NA (2003), 6.7488 (2002), 5.278 (2001), 5.0889 (2000), 4.8381 (1999)
Executive branch chief of state: President Kalkot Matas KELEKELE (since 16 August 2004)


head of government: Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 11 December 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Sato KILMAN (since 11 December 2004); Prime Minister Serge VOHOR ousted in no-confidence vote on 11 December 2004


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


elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils; election for president last held 16 August 2004 (next to be held in 2009); 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 29 July 2004 (next to be held following general elections in 2008)


election results: Kalkot Matas KELEKELE elected president, with 49 votes out of 56, after several ballots on 16 August 2004
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Nathaniel WAENA (since 7 July 2004)


head of government: Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA (since 17 December 2001); Deputy Prime Minister Snyder RINI (since 17 December 2001)


cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to five years; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament
Exports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa
Exports - partners India 32.8%, Thailand 25.5%, Indonesia 9.6%, Japan 7.6%, Australia 4%, Poland 4% (2003) China 25.2%, South Korea 17.6%, Japan 13.4%, Philippines 8.4%, Singapore 5.9%, Thailand 5.9% (2003)
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 divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green
GDP purchasing power parity - $563 million (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $800 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 26%


industry: 12%


services: 62% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 42%


industry: 11%


services: 47% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $2,900 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,700 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -0.3% (2002 est.) -10% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 16 00 S, 167 00 E 8 00 S, 159 00 E
Geography - note a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea
Government - note - June 2003 Prime Minister Sir Allen KEMAKEZA sought the intervention of Australia to aid in restoring order; parliament approved the request for intervention in July 2003; troops from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga arrived 24 July 2003
Highways total: 1,070 km


paved: 256 km


unpaved: 814 km (1999 est.)
total: 1,360 km


paved: 34 km


unpaved: 1,326 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Imports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels food, plant and equipment, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners Australia 15.3%, Japan 10.6%, Singapore 7.4%, New Zealand 6%, Fiji 5.1% (2003) Australia 29.7%, Singapore 21.9%, Fiji 4.7%, New Zealand 4.7% (2003)
Independence 30 July 1980 (from France and UK) 7 July 1978 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate 1% (1997 est.) NA
Industries food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning fish (tuna), mining, timber
Infant mortality rate total: 56.63 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 59.25 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 53.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
total: 22.09 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 25.15 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 18.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2% (2002 est.) 9% (2002 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, ACP, AsDB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (observer) ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
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) Court of Appeal
Labor force NA 26,840 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (2000 est.) agriculture 75%, industry 5%, services 20% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 2.46%


permanent crops: 7.38%


other: 90.16% (2001)
arable land: 0.64%


permanent crops: 2%


other: 97.36% (2001)
Languages three official languages: English, French, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama), plus more than 100 local languages Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English is official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population


note: 120 indigenous languages
Legal system unified system being created from former dual French and British systems English common law, which is widely disregarded
Legislative branch unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 6 July 2004 (next to be held 2008)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP 8, VP 8, NUP 10, VRP 4, MPP 3, VGP 3, other and independent 16; note - political party associations are fluid


note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language
unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 5 December 2001 (next to be held not later than December 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 40%, SIACC 40%, PPP 20%; seats by party - PAP 16, SIACC 13, PPP 2, SILP 1, independents 18
Life expectancy at birth total population: 62.1 years


male: 60.64 years


female: 63.63 years (2004 est.)
total population: 72.38 years


male: 69.9 years


female: 74.98 years (2004 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 53%


male: 57%


female: 48% (1979 est.)
definition: NA


total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea
Map references Oceania Oceania
Maritime claims measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines


territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm
Merchant marine total: 51 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,192,474 GRT/1,560,828 DWT


by type: bulk 28, cargo 2, combination bulk 3, container 2, liquefied gas 2, multi-functional large load carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 6, roll on/roll off 2, vehicle carrier 5


foreign-owned: Australia 2, Canada 1, Estonia 1, Germany 1, Japan 25, Monaco 4, New Zealand 2, Panama 1, Poland 7, Switzerland 3, United Kingdom 5, United States 2


registered in other countries: 1 (2004 est.)
none
Military branches no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; including the paramilitary Mobile Force or VMF) no regular military forces; Solomon Islands National Reconnaissance and Surveillance Force; Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP)
Military expenditures - dollar figure NA NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA NA
National holiday Independence Day, 30 July (1980) Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Nationality noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)


adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
noun: Solomon Islander(s)


adjective: Solomon Islander
Natural hazards tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity
Natural resources manganese, hardwood forests, fish fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Political parties and leaders Jon Frum Movement [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]; National United Party or NUP [NA]; Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]; Greens (Vanuatu) [Moana CARCASSES] Association of Independents [Snyder RINI]; People's Alliance Party or PAP [Allan KEMAKEZA]; People's Progressive Party or PPP [Mannaseh Damukana SOGAVARE]; Solomon Islands Alliance for Change Coalition or SIACC [Bartholomew ULUFA'ALU]; Solomon Islands Labor Party or SILP [Joses TUHANUKU]


note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 202,609 (July 2004 est.) 523,617 (July 2004 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA
Population growth rate 1.57% (2004 est.) 2.76% (2004 est.)
Ports and harbors Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo) Aola Bay, Honiara, Lofung, Noro, Viru Harbor, Yandina
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 1 (2002) AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
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) Anglican 45%, Roman Catholic 18%, United (Methodist/Presbyterian) 12%, Baptist 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, other Protestant 5%, indigenous beliefs 4%
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: 1.13 male(s)/female


total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female


total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 21 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: country code - 678; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
general assessment: NA


domestic: NA


international: country code - 677; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 6,500 (2003) 6,600 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 7,800 (2003) 1,000 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 1 (2002) 0 (1997)
Terrain mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Total fertility rate 2.87 children born/woman (2004 est.) 4.19 children born/woman (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate NA NA
Sitemap: Compare countries listing (map site) | Country listing (map site)
Links: Add to favorites | Information about this website | Stats | Polityka prywatnosci
This page was generated in ##czas## s. Size this page: ##rozmiar_strony## kB.