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Compare Virgin Islands (2006) - Aruba (2001)

Compare Virgin Islands (2006) z Aruba (2001)

 Virgin Islands (2006)Aruba (2001)
 Virgin IslandsAruba
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 (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Age structure 0-14 years: 22.4% (male 12,261/female 12,056)


15-64 years: 66.4% (male 34,174/female 37,949)


65 years and over: 11.2% (male 5,385/female 6,780) (2006 est.)
0-14 years:
21.29% (male 7,709; female 7,193)

15-64 years:
68.52% (male 23,111; female 24,859)

65 years and over:
10.19% (male 2,954; female 4,181) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle aloes; livestock; fish
Airports 2 (2006) 1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
total:
1

2,438 to 3,047 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Area total: 1,910 sq km


land: 346 sq km


water: 1,564 sq km
total:
193 sq km

land:
193 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative twice the size of Washington, DC slightly larger than 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 and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
Birth rate 13.96 births/1,000 population (2006 est.) 12.64 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
revenues:
$NA

expenditures:
$541 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Capital name: Charlotte Amalie


geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W


time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Oranjestad
Climate subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline 188 km 68.5 km
Constitution Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 1 January 1986
Country name conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands


conventional short form: Virgin Islands


former: Danish West Indies


abbreviation: USVI
conventional long form:
none

conventional short form:
Aruba
Currency - Aruban guilder/florin (AWG)
Death rate 6.43 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) 6.21 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $NA $285 million (1996)
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 part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of the US) chief of mission:
Consul General Barbara J. STEPHENSON

embassy:
J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao

mailing address:
P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao

telephone:
[599] (9) 461-3066

FAX:
[599] (9) 461-6489
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of the US) none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $NA $26 million (1995); note - the Netherlands provided a $127 million aid package to Aruba and Suriname in 1996
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 small but growing components 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. Tourism is the mainstay of the Aruban economy, although offshore banking and oil refining and storage are also important. The rapid growth of the tourism sector over the last decade has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction has boomed, with hotel capacity five times the 1985 level. In addition, the reopening of the country's oil refinery in 1993, a major source of employment and foreign exchange earnings, has further spurred growth. Aruba's small labor force and less than 1% unemployment rate have led to a large number of unfilled job vacancies, despite sharp rises in wage rates in recent years.
Electricity - consumption 967.3 million kWh (2003) 418.5 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2003) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 1.04 billion kWh (2003) 450 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel:
100%

hydro:
0%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point:
Mount Jamanota 188 m
Environment - current issues lack of natural freshwater resources NA
Ethnic groups black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census) mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.7900 (fixed rate since 1986)
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)


cabinet: NA


elections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 and 21 November 2006 (next to be held November 2010)


election results: John DeJONGH elected governor and takes office in January 2007; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7%
chief of state:
Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Olindo KOOLMAN (since 1 January 1992)

head of government:
Prime Minister Jan (Henny) H. EMAN (since 29 July 1994) and Deputy Prime Minister Lili BEKE-MARTINEZ

cabinet:
Council of Ministers (elected by the Staten)

elections:
the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held 12 July 1997 (next to be held by December 2001)

election results:
Jan (Henny) H. EMAN elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA%; Lili BEKE-MARTINEZ elected deputy prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA%
Exports NA bbl/day $2.2 billion (including oil reexports) (2000 est.)
Exports - commodities refined petroleum products live animals and animal products, art and collectibles, machinery and electrical equipment, transport equipment
Exports - partners US, Puerto Rico (2004) US 42%, Colombia 20%, Netherlands 12% (1999)
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 blue, with two narrow, horizontal, yellow stripes across the lower portion and a red, four-pointed star outlined in white in the upper hoist-side corner
GDP - purchasing power parity - $2 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1%


industry: 19%


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

industry:
NA%

services:
NA%
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $28,000 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2% (2002 est.) 3.5% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 20 N, 64 50 W 12 30 N, 69 58 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 -
Highways - total:
800 km

paved:
513 km

unpaved:
287 km

note:
most coastal roads are paved, while unpaved roads serve large tracts of the interior (1995)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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

highest 10%:
NA%
Illicit drugs - drug-money-laundering center and transit point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe
Imports NA bbl/day $2.5 billion (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials machinery and electrical equipment, crude oil for refining and reexport, chemicals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners US, Puerto Rico (2004) US 63%, Netherlands 11%, Netherlands Antilles 3%, Japan (1999)
Independence - none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Industrial production growth rate NA% NA%
Industries tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics tourism, transshipment facilities, oil refining
Infant mortality rate total: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 8.93 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 6.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
6.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.2% (2003) 4.2% (2000 est.)
International organization participation IOC, UPU Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), WCL, WToO (associate)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - NA
Irrigated land NA 0.01 sq km
Judicial branch US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms) Joint High Court of Justice (judges are appointed by the monarch)
Labor force 43,980 (2004 est.) 41,501 (1997 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 1%


industry: 19%


services: 80% (2003 est.)
most employment is in wholesale and retail trade and repair, followed by hotels and restaurants; oil refining
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 5.71%


permanent crops: 2.86%


other: 91.43% (2005)
arable land:
7% (including aloe 0.01%)

permanent crops:
0%

permanent pastures:
0%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
93% (1993 est.)
Languages English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census) Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English dialect), English (widely spoken), Spanish
Legal system based on US laws based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Legislative branch unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)


elections: last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM 4, independent 3


note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008); results - Donna M. CHRISTENSEN (Democrat) reelected
unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held 12 December 1997 (next to be held by NA December 2001)

election results:
percent of vote by party - AVP 43%, MEP 39%, OLA 9% PPA 4%, ADN 2%, PARA 1%, MAS 0.5%; seats by party - AVP 10, MEP 9, OLA 2
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.05 years


male: 75.24 years


female: 83.09 years (2006 est.)
total population:
78.52 years

male:
75.16 years

female:
82.04 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 90-95% est.


male: NA%


female: NA% (2005 est.)
definition:
NA

total population:
97%

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
Location Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine - total:
1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,120 GRT/3,635 DWT

ships by type:
cargo 1 (2000 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the US defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Military branches - Royal Dutch Navy and Marines, Coast Guard
National holiday Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) Flag Day, 18 March
Nationality noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)


adjective: Virgin Islander
noun:
Aruban(s)

adjective:
Aruban; Dutch
Natural hazards several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Natural resources sun, sand, sea, surf NEGL; white sandy beaches
Net migration rate -8.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.) NEGL
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] Aruba Solidarity Movement or MAS [leader NA]; Aruban Democratic Party or PDA [Leo BERLINSKI]; Aruban Liberal Party or OLA [Glenbert CROES]; Aruban Patriotic Party or PPA [Benny NISBET]; Aruban People's Party or AVP [Tico CROES]; Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Nelson ODUBER]; For a Restructured Aruba Now or PARA [leader NA]; National Democratic Action or ADN [Pedro Charro KELLY]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 108,605 (July 2006 est.) 70,007 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate -0.12% (2006 est.) 0.64% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors - Barcadera, Oranjestad, Sint Nicolaas
Radio broadcast stations AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2006) AM 4, FM 6, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios - 50,000 (1997)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Roman Catholic 82%, Protestant 8%, Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish
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 (2006 est.)
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.07 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.93 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal; 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:
NA

domestic:
more than adequate

international:
1 submarine cable to Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles); extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
Telephones - main lines in use 70,900 (2004) 33,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 64,200 (2004) 3,402 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 5 (2006) 1 (1997)
Terrain mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
Total fertility rate 2.17 children born/woman (2006 est.) 1.8 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 6.2% (2004) 0.6% (1999 est.)
Waterways - none
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