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Compare Virgin Islands (2008) - French Guiana (2006)

Compare Virgin Islands (2008) z French Guiana (2006)

 Virgin Islands (2008)French Guiana (2006)
 Virgin IslandsFrench Guiana
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 (overseas department of France)
Age structure 0-14 years: 21.8% (male 11,897/female 11,696)


15-64 years: 66.5% (male 34,204/female 37,911)


65 years and over: 11.7% (male 5,642/female 7,098) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 28.9% (male 29,540/female 28,210)


15-64 years: 64.8% (male 69,302/female 59,980)


65 years and over: 6.3% (male 6,350/female 6,127) (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sugar, cocoa, vegetables, bananas; cattle, pigs, poultry
Airports 2 (2007) 11 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
total: 4


over 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 7


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 5 (2006)
Area total: 1,910 sq km


land: 346 sq km


water: 1,564 sq km
total: 91,000 sq km


land: 89,150 sq km


water: 1,850 sq km
Area - comparative twice the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Indiana
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. First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was the site of notorious penal settlements until 1951. The European Space Agency launches its communication satellites from Kourou.
Birth rate 13.68 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 20.46 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
revenues: $135.5 million


expenditures: $135.5 million; including capital expenditures of $105 million (1996)
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)
name: Cayenne


geographic coordinates: 4 56 N, 52 20 W


time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline 188 km 378 km
Constitution Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Country name conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands


conventional short form: Virgin Islands


former: Danish West Indies


abbreviation: USVI
conventional long form: Department of Guiana


conventional short form: French Guiana


local long form: none


local short form: Guyane
Death rate 6.59 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 4.88 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Debt - external $NA $800.3 million (2003)
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 overseas department of France
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of the US) none (overseas department of France)
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of the US) none (overseas department of France)
Disputes - international none Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) in French Guiana
Economic aid - recipient $NA $NA
Economy - overview Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.6 million visitors in 2005. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are small but growing components of the economy. The islands are vulnerable 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. The economy is tied closely to the much larger French economy through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou (which accounts for 25% of GDP), fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities. Forest and woodland cover 90% of the country. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops is limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated; rice and manioc are the major crops. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers.
Electricity - consumption 926.4 million kWh (2005) 432.6 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - production 996.1 million kWh (2005) 465.2 million kWh (2003)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Bellevue de l'Inini 851 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) black or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10%
Exchange rates the US dollar is used euros per US dollar - 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001)
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 John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007)


cabinet: NA


elections: under the US Constitution, 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; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7%
chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Jean-Pierre LAFLAQUIERE (since 19 July 2006)


head of government: President of the General Council Pierre DESERT (since 26 March 2004); President of the Regional Council Antoine KARAM (since 22 March 1992)


cabinet: NA


elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; presidents of the General and Regional Councils are appointed by the members of those councils
Exports 397,400 bbl/day (2004) NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities refined petroleum products shrimp, timber, gold, rum, rosewood essence, clothing
Exports - partners US, Puerto Rico (2006) France 62%, Switzerland 7%, US 2% (2004)
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 the flag of France is used
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1%


industry: 19%


services: 80% (2003 est.)
agriculture: NA% 6.6%


industry: NA% 15.6%


services: NA% 77.8%
GDP - real growth rate 2% (2002 est.) NA%
Geographic coordinates 18 20 N, 64 50 W 4 00 N, 53 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 mostly an unsettled wilderness; the only non-independent portion of the South American continent
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs - small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe
Imports 493,000 bbl/day (2004) NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials food (grains, processed meat), machinery and transport equipment, fuels and chemicals
Imports - partners US, Puerto Rico (2006) France 63%, US, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy (2004)
Independence none (territory of the US) none (overseas department of France)
Industrial production growth rate NA% NA%
Industries tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining
Infant mortality rate total: 7.69 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 8.75 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 6.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
total: 11.76 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 12.58 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 10.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.2% (2003) 1% (2003)
International organization participation IOC, UPU UPU, WCL, WFTU
Irrigated land NA 20 sq km (2003)
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) Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel (highest local court based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana)
Labor force 43,980 (2004 est.) 62,630 (1999)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 1%


industry: 19%


services: 80% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 18.2%


industry: 21.2%


services: 60.6% (1980)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 1,240.4 km


border countries: Brazil 730.4 km, Suriname 510 km
Land use arable land: 5.71%


permanent crops: 2.86%


other: 91.43% (2005)
arable land: 0.13%


permanent crops: 0.04%


other: 99.83% (90% forest, 10% other) (2005)
Languages English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census) French
Legal system based on US laws French legal system
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)
unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)


elections: General Council - last held in March 2000 (next to be held March 2006); Regional Council - last held 21 and 28 March 2004 (next to be held in 2010)


election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSG 5, various left-wing parties 5, independents 7, other 2; Regional Council - (second election results) percent of vote by party - PS 37.24%, UMP 31.58%, FDG/Walwari 31.18%; seats by party - PS 17, UMP 7, FDG/Walwari 7


note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998 (next to be held September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; 2 seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held in 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, Walwari Committee 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.2 years


male: 75.4 years


female: 83.22 years (2007 est.)
total population: 77.27 years


male: 73.95 years


female: 80.75 years (2006 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 90-95% est.


male: NA%


female: NA% (2005 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 83%


male: 84%


female: 82% (1982 est.)
Location Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname
Map references Central America and the Caribbean South America
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the US defense is the responsibility of France
Military branches - no regular military forces; Gendarmerie
Military expenditures - dollar figure - NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA
National holiday Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Nationality noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)


adjective: Virgin Islander
noun: French Guianese (singular and plural)


adjective: French Guianese
Natural hazards several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding
Natural resources sun, sand, sea, surf bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), petroleum, kaolin, fish, niobium, tantalum, clay
Net migration rate -8.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 4.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] Guyana Democratic Forces or FDG [Georges OTHILY]; Guyanese Democratic Action or ADG [Andre LECANTE]; Guyanese Socialist Party or PSG [Marie-Claude VERDAN]; Popular National Guyanese Party or PNPG [Jose DORCY]; Socialist Party or PS [Alix LABBE]; Union for French Democracy or UDF [Georges HABRAN-MERY]; Union for a Popular Movement or UMP (includes RPR) [Remi Louis DUBOC]; Walwari Committee (aligned with the PRG in France) [Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 108,448 (July 2007 est.) 199,509 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line 28.9% (2002) NA%
Population growth rate -0.171% (2007 est.) 1.96% (2006 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005) AM 2, FM 14 (including 6 repeaters), shortwave 6 (including 5 repeaters) (1998)
Religions Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Roman Catholic
Sex ratio at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.017 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.902 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.795 male(s)/female


total population: 0.912 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female


total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2006 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; submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA
general assessment: NA


domestic: fair open-wire and microwave radio relay system


international: country code - 594; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 71,700 (2005) 51,000 (2001)
Telephones - mobile cellular 80,300 (2005) 98,000 (2004)
Television broadcast stations 5 (2006) 3 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains
Total fertility rate 2.16 children born/woman (2007 est.) 2.98 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate 6.2% (2004) 19.2% (December 2003)
Waterways - 3,760 km


note: 460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers, 3,300 km by native craft (2003)
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