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Compare Virgin Islands (2004) - Panama (2002)

Compare Virgin Islands (2004) z Panama (2002)

 Virgin Islands (2004)Panama (2002)
 Virgin IslandsPanama
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 9 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas*, and Veraguas
Age structure 0-14 years: 23.8% (male 13,116; female 12,770)


15-64 years: 66% (male 33,944; female 37,870)


65 years and over: 10.2% (male 4,855; female 6,220) (2004 est.)
0-14 years: 29.6% (male 433,494; female 418,120)


15-64 years: 64.3% (male 939,550; female 914,646)


65 years and over: 6.1% (male 84,130; female 92,389) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp
Airports 2 (2003 est.) 107 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.)
total: 41


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5


914 to 1,523 m: 13


under 914 m: 21 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 62


914 to 1,523 m: 12


under 914 m: 50 (2002)
Area total: 352 sq km


land: 349 sq km


water: 3 sq km
total: 78,200 sq km


land: 75,990 sq km


water: 2,210 sq km
Area - comparative twice the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than South Carolina
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. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. On 7 September 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of 1999. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the intervening years. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were turned over to Panama by or on 31 December 1999.
Birth rate 14.49 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) 18.6 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $560


expenditures: NA (2003)
revenues: $1.9 billion


expenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $471 million (2000 est.)
Capital Charlotte Amalie Panama
Climate subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)
Coastline 188 km 2,490 km
Constitution Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983 and 1994
Country name conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands


conventional short form: Virgin Islands


former: Danish West Indies
conventional long form: Republic of Panama


conventional short form: Panama


local long form: Republica de Panama


local short form: Panama
Currency US dollar (USD) balboa (PAB); US dollar (USD)
Death rate 6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) 4.96 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external NA $7.6 billion (2001 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 -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of the US) chief of mission: Ambassador Linda Ellen WATT


embassy: Avenida Balboa and Calle 37, Apartado Postal 6959, Panama City 5


mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002


telephone: [507] 207-7000


FAX: [507] 227-1964
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of the US) chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto ALFARO


chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407


FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient NA $197.1 million (1995) (1995)
Economy - overview Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and 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, to support construction projects in the private sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment. Panama's economy is based primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for three-fourths of GDP. Services include the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. A slump in Colon Free Zone and agricultural exports, the global slowdown, and the withdrawal of US military forces held back economic growth in 2000-01. The government plans public works programs, tax reforms, and new regional trade agreements in order to stimulate growth.
Electricity - consumption 957.9 million kWh (2001) 4.651 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 20 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 120 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 1.03 billion kWh (2001) 4.894 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 29%


hydro: 69%


nuclear: 0%


other: 1% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


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


highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Environment - current issues lack of natural freshwater resources water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups black 78%, white 10%, other 12%


note: West Indian 81% (49% born in the Virgin Islands and 32% born elsewhere in the West Indies), US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 4%, other 2%
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used balboas per US dollar - 1.000 (fixed rate)
Executive branch chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001)


head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (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: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser" Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (since 1 September 1999); First Vice President Arturo Ulises VALLARINO (since 1 September 1999); Second Vice President Dominador "Kaiser" Baldonero BAZAN Jimenez (since 1 September 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president


elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004)


election results: Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez elected president; percent of vote - Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez (PA) 44%, Martin TORRIJOS (PRD) 37%


note: government coalition - PA, MOLIRENA, Democratic Change, MORENA, PLN, PS
Exports NA (2001) $5.9 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Exports - commodities refined petroleum products bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing
Exports - partners US, Puerto Rico US 45.9%, Sweden 8.1%, Benelux 5.3%, Costa Rica 5.1% (2000 est.)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September calendar year
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 divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center
GDP purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $16.9 billion (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1%


industry: 19%


services: 80% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 7%


industry: 17%


services: 76% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $17,200 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $5,900 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2% (2002 est.) 1.4% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 20 N, 64 50 W 9 00 N, 80 00 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 strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean
Highways total: 856 km


paved: NA km


unpaved: NA km


note: the only US possession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (2000)
total: 11,592 km


paved: 4,079 km (including 30 km of expressways)


unpaved: 7,513 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: 1%


highest 10%: 36% (1997) (1997)
Illicit drugs - major cocaine transshipment point and primary money laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem
Imports NA (2001) $6.7 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials capital goods, crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals
Imports - partners US, Puerto Rico US 33.1%, Ecuador 7.2%, Venezuela 6.6%, Japan 5.5% (2000 est.)
Independence - 3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)
Industrial production growth rate NA 2% (2000 est.)
Industries tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics construction, petroleum refining, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling
Infant mortality rate total: 8.21 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 9.31 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 7.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
19.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.2% (2003) 1% (2000 est.)
International organization participation Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 6 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 320 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms) Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appeal
Labor force 48,900 (2003 est.) 1.1 million


note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 1%, industry 19%, services 80% (2003 est.) agriculture 21%, industry 18%, services 61% (1995 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 555 km


border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Land use arable land: 11.76%


permanent crops: 2.94%


other: 85.29% (2001)
arable land: 6.72%


permanent crops: 2.08%


other: 91.2% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official), Spanish, Creole Spanish (official), English 14%


note: many Panamanians bilingual
Legal system based on US laws based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
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 2 November 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, ICM 2, independent 3


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 2 November 2004); results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (71 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 2 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PRD 34, PA 18, PDC 5, PS 4, MOLIRENA 3, PLN 3, Democratic Change 2, PRC 1, MORENA 1


note: legislators from outlying rural districts are chosen on a plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formula
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.75 years


male: 74.91 years


female: 82.82 years (2004 est.)
total population: 75.89 years


male: 73.14 years


female: 78.74 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 90.8%


male: 91.4%


female: 90.2% (1995 est.)
Location Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
contiguous zone: 24 NM


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine none total: 4,838 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 118,878,358 GRT/180,588,102 DWT


ships by type: bulk 1,445, cargo 907, chemical tanker 337, combination bulk 73, combination ore/oil 18, container 560, liquefied gas 207, livestock carrier 5, multi-functional large-load carrier 12, passenger 38, passenger/cargo 3, petroleum tanker 542, railcar carrier 2, refrigerated cargo 283, roll on/roll off 104, short-sea passenger 38, specialized tanker 34, vehicle carrier 230


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Albania 2, Angola 1, Antigua and Barbuda 1, Argentina 11, Australia 13, Austria 2, Bahamas, The 5, Belgium 2, Belize 6, Brazil 6, British Virgin Islands 8, Cambodia 1, Canada 9, Chile 12, China 259, Colombia 14, Croatia 2, Cuba 20, Cyprus 3, Denmark 3, Dominican Republic 1, Ecuador 3, Egypt 16, Equatorial Guinea 1, France 9, Germany 72, Greece 523, Haiti 1, Honduras 3, Hong Kong 299, Iceland 1, India 18, Indonesia 48, Ireland 1, Israel 5, Italy 9, Japan 1642, Kenya 1, Kuwait 2, Latvia 8, Liberia 5, Lithuania 1, Malaysia 18, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 1, Mexico 8, Monaco 112, Netherlands 19, Netherlands Antilles 1, Nigeria 3, Norway 98, Paraguay 1, Peru 15, Philippines 49, Poland 5, Portugal 7, Puerto Rico 2, Romania 7, Russia 12, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5, Saudi Arabia 4, Seychelles 1, Singapore 112, South Africa 3, South Korea 342, Spain 52, Sri Lanka 3, Sudan 1, Sweden 2, Switzerland 81, Taiwan 334, Thailand 14, Trinidad and Tobago 1, Tunisia 1, Turkey 4, Ukraine 1, United Arab Emirates 54, United Kingdom 73, United States 115, Venezuela 6, Virgin Islands (UK) 8 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the US on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force, but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression"
Military branches - an amendment to the Constitution abolished the armed forces, but there are security forces (Panamanian Public Forces or PPF includes the Panamanian National Police, National Maritime Service, and National Air Service)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $128 million (FY99)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.3% (FY99)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 789,973 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 540,052 (2002 est.)
National holiday Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Nationality noun: Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: Virgin Islander
noun: Panamanian(s)


adjective: Panamanian
Natural hazards several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Natural resources sun, sand, sea, surf copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower
Net migration rate -8.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) -1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines - crude oil 130 km (2001)
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] Arnulfista Party or PA [Mireya Elisa MOSCOSO Rodriguez]; Civic Renewal Party or PRC [Serguei DE LA ROSA]; Democratic Change [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Martin TORRIJOS]; National Liberal Party or PLN [Raul ARANGO Gasteazopo]; National Renovation Movement or MORENA [Pedro VALLARINO Cox]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Ramon MORALES]; Popular Party or PP (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) [Ruben AROSEMENA]; Solidarity Party or PS [Samuel LEWIS Galindo]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP
Population 108,775 (July 2004 est.) 2,882,329 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA 37% (1999 est.)
Population growth rate -0.05% (2004 est.) 1.26% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix Balboa, Cristobal, Coco Solo, Manzanillo (part of Colon area), Vacamonte
Radio broadcast stations AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (2002) AM 101, FM 134, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 815,000 (1997)
Railways - total: 355 km


broad gauge: 76 km 1.524-m gauge


narrow gauge: 279 km 0.914-m gauge (2001)
Religions Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female


total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female


total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay


international: country code - 1-340; submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA
general assessment: domestic and international facilities well developed


domestic: NA


international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System
Telephones - main lines in use 69,400 (2002) 396,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 41,000 (2002) 17,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 2 (2002) 38 (including repeaters) (1998)
Terrain mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
Total fertility rate 2.21 children born/woman (2004 est.) 2.22 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 9.3% (2003 est.) 13% (2000 est.)
Waterways - 882 km


note: 800 km navigable by shallow draft vessels; 82 km Panama Canal
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