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Compare Virgin Islands (2002) - Cook Islands (2003)

Compare Virgin Islands (2002) z Cook Islands (2003)

 Virgin Islands (2002)Cook Islands (2003)
 Virgin IslandsCook Islands
Administrative divisions none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas none
Age structure 0-14 years: 26.7% (male 16,926; female 16,012)


15-64 years: 64.2% (male 35,801; female 43,443)


65 years and over: 9.1% (male 4,851; female 6,465) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: NA%


15-64 years: NA%


65 years and over: NA% (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, beans, pawpaws, bananas, yams, taro, coffee; pigs, poultry
Airports 2 (2001) 7 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 6


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2002)
Area total: 352 sq km


land: 349 sq km


water: 3 sq km
total: 240 sq km


land: 240 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative twice the size of Washington, DC 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Background During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965 residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
Birth rate 15.85 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) NA births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $364.4 million


expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)
revenues: $28 million


expenditures: $27 million, including capital expenditures of $3.3 million (FY 00/01 est.)
Capital Charlotte Amalie Avarua
Climate subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November tropical; moderated by trade winds
Coastline 188 km 120 km
Constitution Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 4 August 1965
Country name conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands


conventional short form: Virgin Islands


former: Danish West Indies
conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Cook Islands


former: Harvey Islands
Currency US dollar (USD) New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Death rate 5.58 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) NA deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $NA $141 million (1996 est.)
Dependency status organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense, in consultation with the Cook Islands
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of the US) none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of the US) none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $NA $13.1 million; note - New Zealand continues to furnish the greater part (1995)
Economy - overview Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, support construction projects in the private sector, expand tourist facilities, reduce crime, and protect the environment. Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country lived beyond its means, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth.
Electricity - consumption 948.6 million kWh (1999) 25.51 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (1999) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 1.02 billion kWh (1999) 27.43 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (1999)
fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Te Manga 652 m
Environment - current issues lack of natural freshwater resources NA
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups black 80%, white 15%, other 5%


note: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%, other 8%
Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%, other 0.9%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 2.3535 (January 2002), 2.3776 (2001), 2.1863 (2000), 1.8886 (1999), 1.8632 (1998), 1.5083 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (Since 20 January 2001)


head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5 January 1999) and Lieutenant Governor Gererd LUZ James II (since 5 January 1999)


cabinet: NA


elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006)


election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor; percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John de Jongh 24.4%
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Frederick GOODWIN (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Kurt MEYER (since NA), representative of New Zealand


head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Robert WOONTON (since 12 February 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Ngamau MUNOKOA (since 5 November 2003)


cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively responsible to Parliament


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually becomes prime minister
Exports $NA NA (2001)
Exports - commodities refined petroleum products copra, papayas, fresh and canned citrus fruit, coffee; fish; pearls and pearl shells; clothing
Exports - partners US, Puerto Rico Australia 34%, Japan 27%, New Zealand 25%, US 8% (2000)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September 1 April - 31 March
Flag description white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag
GDP purchasing power parity - $1.8 billion (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $105 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
agriculture: 17%


industry: 7.8%


services: 75.2% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2000 est.) purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 7.1% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 20 N, 64 50 W 21 14 S, 159 46 W
Geography - note important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives
Highways total: 856 km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km


note: the only US posession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (2000)
total: 320 km


paved: 33 km


unpaved: 287 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Imports $NA NA (2001)
Imports - commodities crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber, capital goods
Imports - partners US, Puerto Rico NZ 61%, Fiji 19%, US 9%, Australia 6%, Japan 2% (2000)
Independence - none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 1% (2002)
Industries tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics fruit processing, tourism, fishing, clothing, handicrafts
Infant mortality rate 9.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA% 3.2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC ACP, AsDB, ESCAP (associate), FAO, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, IFRCS (associate), IOC, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 50 (2000) 3 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms) High Court
Labor force 48,356 8,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.) agriculture 29%, industry 15%, services 56%


note: shortage of skilled labor (1995)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 15%


permanent crops: 6%


other: 79% (1998 est.)
arable land: 17.39%


permanent crops: 13.04%


other: 69.57% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official), Spanish, Creole English (official), Maori
Legal system based on US laws based on New Zealand law and English common law
Legislative branch unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)


elections: last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM NA, no party affiliation NA


note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected
unicameral Parliament (25 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 16 June 1999 (next to be held by NA 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CIP 12, DAP 12, NAP 1


note: the House of Ariki (chiefs) advises on traditional matters and maintains considerable influence, but has no legislative powers
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.43 years


male: 74.55 years


female: 82.53 years (2002 est.)
total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: NA


total population: 95%


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Oceania
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine none (2002 est.) -
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the US defense is the responsibility of New Zealand, in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request
National holiday Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
Nationality noun: Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: Virgin Islander
noun: Cook Islander(s)


adjective: Cook Islander
Natural hazards several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes typhoons (November to March)
Natural resources sun, sand, sea, surf NEGL
Net migration rate 0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) -
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] Cook Islands People's Party or CIP [Geoffrey HENRY]; Democratic Alliance Party or DAP [Terepai MAOATE]; New Alliance Party or NAP [Norman GEORGE]; Cook Islands National Party or CIN [Teariki HEATHER]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 123,498 (July 2002 est.) 21,008 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 1.04% (2002 est.) NA% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix Avarua, Avatiu
Radio broadcast stations AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (2002) AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 107,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Christian (majority of populace are members of the Cook Islands Christian Church)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female


total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
NA (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections NA years of age; universal adult
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay


international: submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA
general assessment: NA


domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 62,000 (1997) 5,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 2,000 (1992) 0 (1994)
Television broadcast stations 2 (2002) 2 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
Total fertility rate 2.24 children born/woman (2002 est.) NA children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 4.9% (March 1999) 13% (1996)
Waterways none none
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