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Compare Virgin Islands (2005) - Mauritius (2005)

Compare Virgin Islands (2005) z Mauritius (2005)

 Virgin Islands (2005)Mauritius (2005)
 Virgin IslandsMauritius
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 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne
Age structure 0-14 years: 23.1% (male 12,676/female 12,421)


15-64 years: 66.2% (male 34,069/female 37,918)


65 years and over: 10.7% (male 5,125/female 6,499) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 24.4% (male 151,043/female 148,847)


15-64 years: 69.1% (male 424,472/female 425,974)


65 years and over: 6.5% (male 31,506/female 48,760) (2005 est.)
Agriculture - products fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish
Airports 2 (2004 est.) 6 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


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


over 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
Area total: 352 sq km


land: 349 sq km


water: 3 sq km
total: 2,040 sq km


land: 2,030 sq km


water: 10 sq km


note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues
Area - comparative twice the size of Washington, DC almost 11 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. Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently held by the Dutch, French, and British before independence was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather and declining sugar prices have slowed economic growth, leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community.
Birth rate 14.2 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 15.62 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues: $560


expenditures: NA (2003)
revenues: $1.231 billion


expenditures: $1.582 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
Capital Charlotte Amalie Port Louis
Climate subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)
Coastline 188 km 177 km
Constitution Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992
Country name conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands


conventional short form: Virgin Islands


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


conventional short form: Mauritius
Death rate 6.26 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 6.83 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external NA $1.78 billion (2004 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 John PRICE


embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis


mailing address: international mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2450


telephone: [230] 202-4400


FAX: [230] 208-9534
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of the US) chief of mission: Ambassador Usha JEETAH


chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491, 1492


FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983
Disputes - international none Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory), and its former inhabitants, who reside chiefly in Mauritius, were granted UK citizenship but no right to patriation in the UK; claims French-administered Tromelin Island
Economic aid - recipient NA $42 million (1997)
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. Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 25% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on expanding local financial institutions and building a domestic information telecommunications industry. Mauritius has attracted more than 9,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India and South Africa, and investment in the banking sector alone has reached over $1 billion. Mauritius, with its strong textile sector, has been well poised to take advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Electricity - consumption 962.6 million kWh (2002) 1.707 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 1.035 billion kWh (2002) 1.836 billion kWh (2002)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


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


highest point: Mont Piton 828 m
Environment - current issues lack of natural freshwater resources water pollution, degradation of coral reefs
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census) Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Mauritian rupees per US dollar - 27.499 (2004), 27.902 (2003), 29.962 (2002), 29.129 (2001), 26.25 (2000)
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 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 Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 7 October 2003) and Vice President Abdool Raouf BUNDHUN (since 25 February 2002)


head of government: Prime Minister Paul BERENGER (since 30 September 2003)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister


elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 25 February 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly


election results: Karl OFFMANN elected president and Raouf BUNDHUN elected vice president; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA%; note - Karl OFFMANN stepped down on 30 September 2003
Exports NA NA
Exports - commodities refined petroleum products clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses
Exports - partners US, Puerto Rico UK 33.1%, France 20.4%, US 14.8%, Madagascar 5.1%, Italy 4.1% (2004)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September 1 July - 30 June
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 four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1%


industry: 19%


services: 80% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 7.6%


industry: 30%


services: 62.4% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $17,200 (2002 est.) purchasing power parity - $12,800 (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2% (2002 est.) 4.7% (2004 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 20 N, 64 50 W 20 17 S, 57 33 E
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 main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs
Highways total: 1,257 km


paved: 1,192 km


unpaved: 65 km


note: the only US possession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (2003)
total: 2,000 km


paved: 1,960 km (including 60 km of expressways)


unpaved: 40 km (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Illicit drugs - minor consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the government appears generally to be committed to regulating its banking industry
Imports NA NA
Imports - commodities crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners US, Puerto Rico South Africa 11.3%, China 9.4%, India 9.3%, France 9.2%, Bahrain 5.3%, Japan 4.1% (2004)
Independence - 12 March 1968 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 8% (2000 est.)
Industries tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing; chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery; tourism
Infant mortality rate total: 8.03 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 9.11 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
total: 15.03 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 17.74 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.2% (2003) 4.5% (2004 est.)
International organization participation Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Irrigated land NA 200 sq km (2000 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
Labor force 48,900 (2003 est.) 560,000 (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 1%, industry 19%, services 80% (2003 est.) agriculture and fishing 14%, construction and industry 36%, transportation and communication 7%, trade, restaurants, hotels 16%, finance 3%, other services 24% (1995)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 11.76%


permanent crops: 2.94%


other: 85.3% (2001)
arable land: 49.26%


permanent crops: 2.96%


other: 47.78% (2001)
Languages English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census) Creole 80.5%, Bhojpuri 12.1%, French 3.4% (official), other 3.7%, unspecified 0.3% (2000 census)
Legal system based on US laws based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas
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 National Assembly (66 seats; 62 elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the election commission from the losing political parties to give representation to various ethnic minorities; members serve five-year terms)


elections: last held on 11 September 2000 (next to be held September 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - MSM/MMM 52.3%, MLP/PMSD 36.9%, OPR 10.8%; seats by party - MSM/MMM 54, MLP/PMSD 6, OPR 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 78.91 years


male: 75.08 years


female: 82.96 years (2005 est.)
total population: 72.38 years


male: 68.4 years


female: 76.41 years (2005 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


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


total population: 85.6%


male: 88.6%


female: 82.7% (2003 est.)
Location Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Political Map of the World
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Merchant marine - total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 22,946 GRT/27,102 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 4, passenger/cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 2


foreign-owned: 6 (India 4, Switzerland 2) (2005)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the US -
Military branches - National Police Force (includes the paramilitary Special Mobile Force or SMF and National Coast Guard)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $12.5 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 0.2% (2004)
National holiday Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) Independence Day, 12 March (1968)
Nationality noun: Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: Virgin Islander
noun: Mauritian(s)


adjective: Mauritian
Natural hazards several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards
Natural resources sun, sand, sea, surf arable land, fish
Net migration rate -8.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] Hizbullah [Cehl Mohamed FAKEEMEEAH]; Mauritian Labor Party or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM]; Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM [Paul BERENGER] - in coalition with MSM; Mauritian Social Democrat Party or PMSD [Charles Xavier-Luc DUVAL]; Militant Socialist Movement or MSM [Pravind JUGNAUTH] - governing party; Rodrigues Movement or MR [Joseph (Nicholas) Von MALLY]; Rodrigues Peoples Organization or OPR [Serge CLAIR]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA various labor unions
Population 108,708 (July 2005 est.) 1,230,602 (July 2005 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 10% (2001 est.)
Population growth rate -0.07% (2005 est.) 0.84% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay Port Louis
Radio broadcast stations AM 6, FM 17, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 4, FM 9, shortwave 0 (2002)
Religions Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Hindu 48%, Roman Catholic 23.6%, other Christian 8.6%, Muslim 16.6%, other 2.5%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.4% (2000 census)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female


total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female


total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2005 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
Telephone system general assessment: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay


domestic: full range of services available


international: country code - 1-340; 2 submarine cable connections (Taino Carib, Americas-1); satellite earth stations - NA
general assessment: small system with good service


domestic: primarily microwave radio relay trunk system


international: country code - 230; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries; fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC/SAFE) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia
Telephones - main lines in use 69,400 (2002) 348,200 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular 41,000 (2002) 462,400 (2003)
Television broadcast stations 16 (2004) 2 (plus several repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau
Total fertility rate 2.19 children born/woman (2005 est.) 1.96 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate 9.3% (2003 est.) 10.8% (2004 est.)
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