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Compare Virgin Islands (2008) - Palau (2007)

Compare Virgin Islands (2008) z Palau (2007)

 Virgin Islands (2008)Palau (2007)
 Virgin IslandsPalau
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 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
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: 26% (male 2,796/female 2,633)


15-64 years: 69.2% (male 7,767/female 6,665)


65 years and over: 4.7% (male 465/female 516) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish
Airports 2 (2007) 3 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


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


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2007)
Area total: 1,910 sq km


land: 346 sq km


water: 1,564 sq km
total: 458 sq km


land: 458 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative twice the size of Washington, DC slightly more than 2.5 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. After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986, but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year, when the islands gained independence.
Birth rate 13.68 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 17.7 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
revenues: $72.07 million


expenditures: $72.43 million (FY04/05 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)
name: Melekeok


geographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 E


time difference: UTC+9 (14 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 and humid; wet season May to November
Coastline 188 km 1,519 km
Constitution Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 1 January 1981
Country name conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands


conventional short form: Virgin Islands


former: Danish West Indies


abbreviation: USVI
conventional long form: Republic of Palau


conventional short form: Palau


local long form: Beluu er a Belau


local short form: Belau


former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District
Death rate 6.59 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 6.77 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external $NA $0 (FY99/00)
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: Charge d'Affaires Mark BEZNER


embassy: Koror (no street address)


mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940


telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990


FAX: [680] 488-2911
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of the US) chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA


chancery: 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20006


telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814


FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281


consulate(s) general: Honolulu


consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)
Disputes - international none maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia
Economic aid - recipient $NA $23.46 million; note - the Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provides Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities (2005)
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 consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 63,000 in 2003. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly 50% higher than that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.
Electricity - consumption 926.4 million kWh (2005) -
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) -
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) -
Electricity - production 996.1 million kWh (2005) -
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


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


highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Environment - current issues lack of natural freshwater resources inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling


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) Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%, Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%, Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.2% (2000 census)
Exchange rates the US dollar is used the US dollar is used
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 Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001); Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. (since 19 January 2001); Vice President Camsek CHIN (since 1 January 2005)


cabinet: NA


elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2008)


election results: Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. reelected president; percent of vote - Tommy Esang REMENGESAU, Jr. 64%, Polycarp BASILIUS 33%; Elias Camsek CHIN elected vice president; percent of vote - Elias Camsek CHIN 70%, Sandra PIERANTOZZI 29%
Exports 397,400 bbl/day (2004) $5.882 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities refined petroleum products shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Exports - partners US, Puerto Rico (2006) US, Japan, Singapore (2006)
Fiscal year 1 October - 30 September 1 October - 30 September
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 light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1%


industry: 19%


services: 80% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 6.2%


industry: 12%


services: 81.8% (2003)
GDP - real growth rate 2% (2002 est.) 5.5% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 20 N, 64 50 W 7 30 N, 134 30 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 westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Imports 493,000 bbl/day (2004) $107.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Imports - partners US, Puerto Rico (2006) US, Singapore, Japan, South Korea (2006)
Independence none (territory of the US) 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
Industrial production growth rate NA% NA%
Industries tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making
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: 14.07 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 15.78 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 12.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.2% (2003) 2.7% (2005 est.)
International organization participation IOC, UPU ACP, AsDB, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Irrigated land NA NA
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) Supreme Court; Court of Common Pleas; Land Court
Labor force 43,980 (2004 est.) 9,777 (2005)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 1%


industry: 19%


services: 80% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 20%


industry: NA%


services: NA% (1990)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 5.71%


permanent crops: 2.86%


other: 91.43% (2005)
arable land: 8.7%


permanent crops: 4.35%


other: 86.95% (2005)
Languages English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census) Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%, English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)
Legal system based on US laws based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws
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)
bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: Senate - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2008); House of Delegates - last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2008)


election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 16
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.2 years


male: 75.4 years


female: 83.22 years (2007 est.)
total population: 70.71 years


male: 67.54 years


female: 74.06 years (2007 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: 92%


male: 93%


female: 90% (1980 est.)
Location Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Oceania
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the US defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years, but no military forces are stationed there (2005)
Military branches - no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2006)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - NA
National holiday Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Nationality noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)


adjective: Virgin Islander
noun: Palauan(s)


adjective: Palauan
Natural hazards several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes typhoons (June to December)
Natural resources sun, sand, sea, surf forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Net migration rate -8.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 1.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] none
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 108,448 (July 2007 est.) 20,842 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line 28.9% (2002) NA%
Population growth rate -0.171% (2007 est.) 1.233% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005) AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
Religions Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other 3.1%, unspecified or none 16.4% (2000 census)
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: 1.06 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.062 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.165 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.901 male(s)/female


total population: 1.124 male(s)/female (2007 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: NA


international: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 71,700 (2005) 6,700 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular 80,300 (2005) 1,000 (2002)
Television broadcast stations 5 (2006) 1 (cable) (2005)
Terrain mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Total fertility rate 2.16 children born/woman (2007 est.) 2.46 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate 6.2% (2004) 4.2% (2005 est.)
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