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Compare Virgin Islands (2008) - United Arab Emirates (2003)

Compare Virgin Islands (2008) z United Arab Emirates (2003)

 Virgin Islands (2008)United Arab Emirates (2003)
 Virgin IslandsUnited Arab Emirates
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 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn
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: 26.7% (male 338,245; female 324,866)


15-64 years: 70.4% (male 1,087,927; female 661,349)


65 years and over: 2.9% (male 52,059; female 20,372) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish
Airports 2 (2007) 41 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


over 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
total: 22


over 3,047 m: 8


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3


1,524 to 2,437 m: 4


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 4 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 19


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3


914 to 1,523 m: 9


under 914 m: 5 (2002)
Area total: 1,910 sq km


land: 346 sq km


water: 1,564 sq km
total: 82,880 sq km


land: 82,880 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative twice the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Maine
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. The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is not far below those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region.
Birth rate 13.68 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 18.48 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
revenues: $20 billion


expenditures: $22 billion, 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)
Abu Dhabi
Climate subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Coastline 188 km 1,318 km
Constitution Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996)
Country name conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands


conventional short form: Virgin Islands


former: Danish West Indies


abbreviation: USVI
conventional long form: United Arab Emirates


conventional short form: none


local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah


local short form: none


former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States


abbreviation: UAE
Currency - Emirati dirham (AED)
Death rate 6.59 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 4.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $NA $18.5 billion (2002 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 Marcelle M. WAHBA


embassy: Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi


mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi


telephone: [971] (2) 4436691


FAX: [971] (2) 4435441


consulate(s) general: Dubai
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of the US) chief of mission: Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad al-DHAHIRI


chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20037


telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400


FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432
Disputes - international none because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment of the boundary with Saudi Arabia is still unknown and labeled approximate; boundary agreement signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves; UAE engage direct talks and Arab League support to resolve disputes over Iran's occupation of Lesser and Greater Tunb islands and Abu Musa island
Economic aid - donor - $NA
Economic aid - recipient $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 UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for more than 100 years. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private sector involvement.
Electricity - consumption 926.4 million kWh (2005) 35.1 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 996.1 million kWh (2005) 37.74 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m
Environment - current issues lack of natural freshwater resources lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census) Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982)


note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Emirati dirhams per US dollar - 3.67 (2002), 3.67 (2001), 3.67 (2000), 3.67 (1999), 3.67 (1998)
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 ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 6 August 1966) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai)


head of government: Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power


elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC (a group of seven electors) for five-year terms; election last held 2 December 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president


election results: ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan reelected president; percent of FSC vote - NA%, but believed to be unanimous; MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum elected vice president; percent of FSC vote - NA%, but believed to be unanimous
Exports 397,400 bbl/day (2004) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities refined petroleum products crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates
Exports - partners US, Puerto Rico (2006) Japan 27.8%, South Korea 10.1%, Singapore 3.8% (2002)
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 three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side
GDP - purchasing power parity - $53.97 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1%


industry: 19%


services: 80% (2003 est.)
agriculture: 3%


industry: 46%


services: 51% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $22,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2% (2002 est.) 1.8% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 20 N, 64 50 W 24 00 N, 54 00 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 strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
Heliports - 2 (2002)
Highways - total: 1,088 km


paved: 1,088 km (including 253 km of expressways)


unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs - the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to southwest Asian drug producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering legislation was signed into law by the president on 25 January 2002
Imports 493,000 bbl/day (2004) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food
Imports - partners US, Puerto Rico (2006) US 8.1%, China 7.8%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 6.5%, India 5.7%, France 5.6%, UK 5.4%, South Korea 5.1%, Iran 4.2% (2002)
Independence none (territory of the US) 2 December 1971 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 4% (2000)
Industries tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling
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: 15.58 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 18.32 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 12.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.2% (2003) 2.8% (2002 est.)
International organization participation IOC, UPU ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA 720 sq km (1998 est.)
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) Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)
Labor force 43,980 (2004 est.) 1.6 million (2000 est.)


note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 2002 est.) (2000 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 1%


industry: 19%


services: 80% (2003 est.)
services 78%, industry 15%, agriculture 7% (2000 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 867 km


border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km
Land use arable land: 5.71%


permanent crops: 2.86%


other: 91.43% (2005)
arable land: 0.48%


permanent crops: 0.49%


other: 99.03% (1998 est.)
Languages English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census) Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
Legal system based on US laws federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah are not fully integrated into the federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts
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 Federal National Council or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states to serve two-year terms)


elections: none


note: reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto
Life expectancy at birth total population: 79.2 years


male: 75.4 years


female: 83.22 years (2007 est.)
total population: 74.75 years


male: 72.28 years


female: 77.35 years (2003 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: 77.9%


male: 76.1%


female: 81.7% (2003 est.)
Location Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Middle East
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - total: 61 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 815,428 GRT/1,207,346 DWT


ships by type: cargo 12, chemical tanker 4, container 7, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 25, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 2, Italy 1, Kuwait 2 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the US -
Military branches - Army, Navy (including Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force, Air Defense, paramilitary forces (includes Federal Police Force)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $1.6 billion (FY00)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 3.1% (FY00)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 764,413


note: includes non-nationals (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 416,963 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 18 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 26,636 (2003 est.)
National holiday Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) Independence Day, 2 December (1971)
Nationality noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)


adjective: Virgin Islander
noun: Emirati(s)


adjective: Emirati
Natural hazards several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes frequent sand and dust storms
Natural resources sun, sand, sea, surf petroleum, natural gas
Net migration rate -8.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines - condensate 383 km; gas 1,765 km; liquid petroleum gas 186 km; oil 1,266 km (2003)
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.) 2,484,818


note: includes an estimated 1,606,079 non-nationals; the 17 December 1995 census presents a total population figure of 2,377,453, and there are estimates of 3.44 million for 2002 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line 28.9% (2002) NA%
Population growth rate -0.171% (2007 est.) 1.57% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors - 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Umm al Qaywayn
Radio broadcast stations AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005) AM 13, FM 7, shortwave 2 (1998)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%
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: 1.04 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.65 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 2.56 male(s)/female


total population: 1.47 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections none
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: modern system of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai


domestic: microwave radio relay and coaxial cable


international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia
Telephones - main lines in use 71,700 (2005) 915,223 (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular 80,300 (2005) 1 million (1999)
Television broadcast stations 5 (2006) 15 (1997)
Terrain mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east
Total fertility rate 2.16 children born/woman (2007 est.) 3.09 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 6.2% (2004) NA%
Waterways - none
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