Introduction |
Virtual Tour – United States – Colorado |
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| Background: | Britain’s American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences in the nation’s history were the Civil War (1861-65) and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world’s most powerful nation state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology. |
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Geography |
Virtual Tour – United States – Colorado |
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| Location: | North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico |
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| Geographic coordinates: | 38 00 N, 97 00 W |
| Map references: | North America |
| Area: | total: 9,631,418 sq km land: 9,161,923 sq km water: 469,495 sq km note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia |
| Area – comparative: | about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; about two and a half times the size of Western Europe |
| Land boundaries: | total: 12,034 km border countries: Canada 8,893 km (including 2,477 km with Alaska), Mexico 3,141 km note: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and is part of Cuba; the base boundary is 29 km |
| Coastline: | 19,924 km |
| Maritime claims: | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified |
| Climate: | mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains |
| Terrain: | vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii |
| Elevation extremes: | lowest point: Death Valley -86 m highest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m |
| Natural resources: | coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber |
| Land use: | arable land: 19.13% other: 80.65% (2001) permanent crops: 0.22% |
| Irrigated land: | 214,000 sq km (1998 est.) |
| Natural hazards: | tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development |
| Environment – current issues: | air pollution resulting in acid rain in both the US and Canada; the US is the largest single emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; limited natural fresh water resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; desertification |
| Environment – international agreements: | party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Hazardous Wastes |
| Geography – note: | world’s third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley is highest point in North America and Death Valley the lowest point on the continent |
People |
Virtual Tour – United States – Colorado |
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| Population: | 293,027,571 (July 2004 est.) |
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| Age structure: | 0-14 years: 20.8% (male 31,122,974; female 29,713,748) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 97,756,380; female 98,183,309) 65 years and over: 12.4% (male 15,078,204; female 21,172,956) (2004 est.) |
| Median age: | total: 36 years male: 34.7 years female: 37.4 years (2004 est.) |
| Population growth rate: | 0.92% (2004 est.) |
| Birth rate: | 14.13 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
| Death rate: | 8.34 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
| Net migration rate: | 3.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
| Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2004 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate: | total: 6.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.) male: 7.31 deaths/1,000 live births |
| Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 77.43 years male: 74.63 years female: 80.36 years (2004 est.) |
| Total fertility rate: | 2.07 children born/woman (2004 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate: | 0.6% (2003 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS: | 950,000 (2003 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS – deaths: | 14,000 (2003 est.) |
| Nationality: | noun: American(s) adjective: American |
| Ethnic groups: | white 77.1%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1.5%, native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.3%, other 4% (2000) note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American descent (including persons of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin) living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.) |
| Religions: | Protestant 52%, Roman Catholic 24%, Mormon 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim 1%, other 10%, none 10% (2002 est.) |
| Languages: | English, Spanish (spoken by a sizable minority) |
| Literacy: | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 97% female: 97% (1999 est.) |
Government |
Virtual Tour – United States – Colorado |
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| Country name: | conventional long form: United States of America conventional short form: United States abbreviation: US or USA |
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| Government type: | Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition |
| Capital: | Washington, DC |
| Administrative divisions: | 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Dependent areas: | American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. It entered into a political relationship with all four political units: the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986) |
| Independence: | 4 July 1776 (from Great Britain) |
| National holiday: | Independence Day, 4 July (1776) |
| Constitution: | 17 September 1787, effective 4 March 1789 |
| Legal system: | federal court system based on English common law; each state has its own unique legal system, of which all but one (Louisiana’s) is based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations |
| Suffrage: | 18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch: | chief of state: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001); note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President George W. BUSH (since 20 January 2001) ; note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with Senate approval elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state; president and vice president serve four-year terms; election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2008) election results: George W. BUSH reelected president; percent of popular vote – George W. BUSH (Republican Party) 50.9%, John KERRY (Democratic Party) 48.1%, other 1.0% |
| Legislative branch: | bicameral Congress consists of the Senate (100 seats, one-third are renewed every two years; two members are elected from each state by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (435 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) election results: Senate – percent of vote by party – NA%; seats by party – Republican Party 55, Democratic Party 44, independent 1; House of Representatives – percent of vote by party – NA%; seats by party – Republican Party 231, Democratic Party 200, undecided 4 elections: Senate – last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2006); House of Representatives – last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held November 2006) |
| Judicial branch: | Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for life on condition of good behavior by the president with confirmation by the Senate); United States Courts of Appeal; United States District Courts; State and County Courts |
| Political parties and leaders: | Democratic Party [Terence McAULIFFE]; Green Party [leader NA]; Libertarian Party [Steve DASBACH]; Republican Party [Edward GILLESPIE] |
| Political pressure groups and leaders: | NA |
| International organization participation: | AfDB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CP, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-5, G-7, G- 8, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMOVIC, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC |
| Flag description: | 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; known as Old Glory; the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico |
Economy |
Virtual Tour – United States – Colorado |
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| Economy – overview: | The US has the largest and most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $37,800. In this market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy considerably greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, they face higher barriers to entry in their rivals’ home markets than the barriers to entry of foreign firms in US markets. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers and in medical, aerospace, and military equipment; their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. The onrush of technology largely explains the gradual development of a “two-tier labor market” in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. The years 1994-2000 witnessed solid increases in real output, low inflation rates, and a drop in unemployment to below 5%. The year 2001 saw the end of boom psychology and performance, with output increasing only 0.3% and unemployment and business failures rising substantially. The response to the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 showed the remarkable resilience of the economy. Moderate recovery took place in 2002 with the GDP growth rate rising to 2.4%. A major short-term problem in first half 2002 was a sharp decline in the stock market, fueled in part by the exposure of dubious accounting practices in some major corporations. The war in March/April 2003 between a US-led coalition and Iraq shifted resources to the military. In 2003, growth in output and productivity and the recovery of the stock market to above 10,000 for the Dow Jones Industrial Average were promising signs. Unemployment stayed at the 6% level, however, and began to decline only at the end of the year. Long-term problems include inadequate investment in economic infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, sizable trade and budget deficits, and stagnation of family income in the lower economic groups. |
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| GDP: | purchasing power parity – $10.99 trillion (2003 est.) |
| GDP – real growth rate: | 3.1% (2003 est.) |
| GDP – per capita: | purchasing power parity – $37,800 (2003 est.) |
| GDP – composition by sector: | agriculture: 1.4% industry: 26.2% services: 72.5% (2003 est.) |
| Investment (gross fixed): | 15.2% of GDP (2003) |
| Population below poverty line: | 12% (2003 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 30.5% (1997) |
| Distribution of family income – Gini index: | 45 (1997) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices): | 2.3% (2003) |
| Labor force: | 147.4 million (includes unemployed) (2003) |
| Labor force – by occupation: | managerial, professional, and technical 34.9%, sales and office 25.5%, manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts 22.7%, other services 16.3%, farming, forestry, and fishing 0.7% note: figures exclude the unemployed (2004) |
| Unemployment rate: | 6% (2003) |
| Budget: | revenues: $1.782 trillion expenditures: $2.156 trillion, including capital expenditures of NA (2003) |
| Public debt: | 62.4% of GDP (2003) |
| Agriculture – products: | wheat, corn, other grains, fruits, vegetables, cotton; beef, pork, poultry, dairy products; forest products; fish |
| Industries: | leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining |
| Industrial production growth rate: | 0.3% (2003 est.) |
| Electricity – production: | 3.719 trillion kWh (2001) |
| Electricity – consumption: | 3.602 trillion kWh (2001) |
| Electricity – exports: | 18.17 billion kWh (2001) |
| Electricity – imports: | 38.48 billion kWh (2001) |
| Oil – production: | 8.054 million bbl/day (2001 est.) |
| Oil – consumption: | 19.65 million bbl/day (2001 est.) |
| Oil – exports: | NA (2001) |
| Oil – imports: | NA (2001) |
| Oil – proved reserves: | 22.45 billion bbl (1 January 2002) |
| Natural gas – production: | 548.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) |
| Natural gas – consumption: | 640.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) |
| Natural gas – exports: | 11.16 billion cu m (2001 est.) |
| Natural gas – imports: | 114.1 billion cu m (2001 est.) |
| Natural gas – proved reserves: | 5.195 trillion cu m (1 January 2002) |
| Current account balance: | $-541.8 billion (2003) |
| Exports: | $714.5 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.) |
| Exports – commodities: | capital goods, automobiles, industrial supplies and raw materials, consumer goods, agricultural products |
| Exports – partners: | Canada 23.4%, Mexico 13.5%, Japan 7.2%, UK 4.7%, Germany 4% (2003) |
| Imports: | $1.26 trillion f.o.b. (2003 est.) |
| Imports – commodities: | crude oil and refined petroleum products, machinery, automobiles, consumer goods, industrial raw materials, food and beverages |
| Imports – partners: | Canada 17.4%, China 12.5%, Mexico 10.7%, Japan 9.3%, Germany 5.3% (2003) |
| Reserves of foreign exchange & gold: | $85.94 billion (2003) |
| Debt – external: | $1.4 trillion (2001 est.) |
| Economic aid – donor: | ODA, $6.9 billion (1997) |
| Currency: | US dollar (USD) |
| Currency code: | USD |
| Exchange rates: | British pounds per US dollar – 0.6139 (2003), 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999), Canadian dollars per US dollar – 1.4045 (2003), 1.5693 (2002), 1.5488 (2001), 1.4851 (2000), 1.4857 (1999), Japanese yen per US dollar – 116.08 (2003), 125.39 (2002), 121.53 (2001), 107.77 (2000), 113.91 (1999), euros per US dollar – 0.8866 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.08540 (2000), 0.93863 (1999) |
| Fiscal year: | 1 October – 30 September |
Communications |
Virtual Tour – United States – Colorado |
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| Telephones – main lines in use: | 181,599,900 (2003) |
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| Telephones – mobile cellular: | 158.722 million (2003) |
| Telephone system: | general assessment: a large, technologically advanced, multipurpose communications system domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile telephone traffic throughout the country international: country code – 1; 24 ocean cable systems in use; satellite earth stations – 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (2000) |
| Radio broadcast stations: | AM 4,762, FM 5,542, shortwave 18 (1998) |
| Radios: | 575 million (1997) |
| Television broadcast stations: | more than 1,500 (including nearly 1,000 stations affiliated with the five major networks – NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and PBS; in addition, there are about 9,000 cable TV systems) (1997) |
| Televisions: | 219 million (1997) |
| Internet country code: | .us |
| Internet hosts: | 115,311,958 (2002) |
| Internet Service Providers (ISPs): | 7,000 (2002 est.) |
| Internet users: | 159 million (2002) |
Transportation |
Virtual Tour – United States – Colorado |
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| Railways: | total: 228,464 km standard gauge: 228,464 km 1.435-m gauge (2003) |
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| Highways: | total: 6,406,296 km paved: 4,148,395 km (including 74,898 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,257,902 km (2002) |
| Waterways: | 41,009 km (19,312 km used for commerce) note: Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with Canada (2004) |
| Pipelines: | petroleum products 244,620 km; natural gas 548,665 km (2003) |
| Ports and harbors: | Anchorage, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Duluth, Hampton Roads, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Port Canaveral, Portland (Oregon), Prudhoe Bay, San Francisco, Savannah, Seattle, Tampa, Toledo |
| Merchant marine: | total: 466 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 12,436,658 GRT/14,630,116 DWT by type: barge carrier 8, bulk 69, cargo 75, chemical tanker 12, combination bulk 2, combination ore/oil 1, container 100, multi-functional large load carrier 3, passenger 12, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 81, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 83, short-sea/passenger 3, vehicle carrier 12 foreign-owned: Australia 2, Canada 7, Denmark 17, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 6, Singapore 3, United Kingdom 5 registered in other countries: 670 (2004 est.) |
| Airports: | 14,807 (2003 est.) |
| Airports – with paved runways: | total: 5,128 over 3,047 m: 188 2,438 to 3,047 m: 221 914 to 1,523 m: 2,383 under 914 m: 961 (2004 est.) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,375 |
| Airports – with unpaved runways: | total: 9,729 under 914 m: 7,843 (2004 est.) over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1,718 1,524 to 2,437 m: 160 |
| Heliports: | 155 (2003 est.) |
Military |
Virtual Tour – United States – Colorado |
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| Military branches: | Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard (Coast Guard administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy) |
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| Military manpower – military age and obligation: | 18 years of age (2004 est.) |
| Military manpower – availability: | males age 15-49: 73,597,731 (2004 est.) |
| Military manpower – fit for military service: | NA (2004 est.) |
| Military manpower – reaching military age annually: | males: 2,124,164 (2004 est.) |
| Military expenditures – dollar figure: | $370.7 billion (FY04 est.) (March 2003) |
| Military expenditures – percent of GDP: | 3.3% (FY03 est.) (February 2004) |
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Background:
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The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was attained in 1948. |
Geography |
Virtual Tour – Faroe Islands |
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Location:
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Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway |
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Geographic coordinates:
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62 00 N, 7 00 W |
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Map references:
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Europe |
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Area:
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total: 1,399 sq km land: 1,399 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams) |
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Area – comparative:
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eight times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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1,117 km |
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 3 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line |
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Climate:
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mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy |
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Terrain:
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rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas |
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Land use:
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arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (2005) |
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Irrigated land:
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0 sq km |
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Natural hazards:
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NA |
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Environment – current issues:
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NA |
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Environment – international agreements:
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party to: Marine Dumping -associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution |
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Geography – note:
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archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands |
People |
Virtual Tour – Faroe Islands |
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Population:
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48,668 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 21.9% (male 5,489/female 5,166) 15-64 years: 64% (male 16,650/female 14,482) 65 years and over: 14.1% (male 3,233/female 3,648) (2008 est.) |
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Median age:
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total: 36.7 years male: 36 years female: 37.5 years (2008 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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0.376% (2008 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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13.25 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
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Death rate:
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8.67 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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-0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2008 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 6.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 79.29 years male: 76.86 years female: 81.89 years (2008 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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2.45 children born/woman (2008 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate:
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NA |
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HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS:
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NA |
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HIV/AIDS – deaths:
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NA |
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Nationality:
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noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese |
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Ethnic groups:
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Scandinavian |
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Religions:
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Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 administrative data) |
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Languages:
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Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish |
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Literacy:
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NA; note – probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper |
Government |
Virtual Tour – Faroe Islands |
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Country name:
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conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form: none local short form: Foroyar |
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Dependency status:
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part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 |
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Government type:
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NA |
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Capital:
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name: Torshavn geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October |
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Administrative divisions:
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none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities |
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Independence:
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none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) |
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National holiday:
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Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July |
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Constitution:
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5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) |
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Legal system:
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the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26 September 2008) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN becomes Prime Minister |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: percent of vote by party – Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.4%, Republican Party 23.3%, People’s Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Self-Government Party 7.2%, other 0.6%; seats by party – Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People’s Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2 note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results – percent of vote by party – NA; seats by party – Republican Party 1, Union Party 1 |
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Judicial branch:
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none |
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Political parties and leaders:
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Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People’s Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN] |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Sea Shepard [Paul WATSON] (preservation of small whales) other: conservationists |
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International organization participation:
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Arctic Council, FAO, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) |
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Flag description:
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white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) |
Economy |
Virtual Tour – Faroe Islands |
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Economy – overview:
|
The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. The sector accounts for 95% of exports and nearly half of GDP. Since 2003 the Faroese economy has picked up as a result of higher prices for fish and for housing. Unemployment is minimal and government finances are relatively sound. Oil finds close to the Islands give hope for economically recoverable deposits, which could eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians. |
|
GDP (purchasing power parity):
|
$1 billion (2001 est.) |
|
GDP (official exchange rate):
|
$1.7 billion (2005 est.) |
|
GDP – real growth rate:
|
2.4% (2005 est.) |
|
GDP – per capita (PPP):
|
$31,000 (2001 est.) |
|
GDP – composition by sector:
|
agriculture: 27% industry: 11% services: 62% (1999) |
|
Labor force:
|
24,250 (October 2000) |
|
Labor force – by occupation:
|
agriculture: 11.2% industry: 21.9% services: 66.9% (2007) |
|
Unemployment rate:
|
1.4% (2007) |
|
Population below poverty line:
|
NA% |
|
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
|
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $588 million expenditures: $623 million (2005) |
|
Fiscal year:
|
calendar year |
|
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
|
1.8% (2005) |
|
Industries:
|
fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts |
|
Electricity – production:
|
295 million kWh (2006 est.) |
|
Electricity – consumption:
|
274.4 million kWh (2006 est.) |
|
Electricity – exports:
|
0 kWh (2007 est.) |
|
Electricity – imports:
|
0 kWh (2007 est.) |
|
Electricity – production by source:
|
fossil fuel: 62.4% hydro: 37.6% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) |
|
Oil – production:
|
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) |
|
Oil – consumption:
|
4,628 bbl/day (2006 est.) |
|
Oil – exports:
|
0 bbl/day (2005) |
|
Oil – imports:
|
4,636 bbl/day (2005) |
|
Oil – proved reserves:
|
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) |
|
Natural gas – production:
|
0 cu m (2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – consumption:
|
0 cu m (2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – exports:
|
0 cu m (2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – imports:
|
0 cu m (2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – proved reserves:
|
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) |
|
Exports:
|
$634 million f.o.b. (2006) |
|
Exports – commodities:
|
fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999) |
|
Exports – partners:
|
Denmark 29.6%, UK 24.5%, Norway 13.3%, Nigeria 10.5%, Netherlands 6.8% (2007) |
|
Imports:
|
$751 million c.i.f. (2006) |
|
Imports – commodities:
|
consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999) |
|
Imports – partners:
|
Denmark 51.9%, Norway 21.6%, Sweden 5%, UK 4.6% (2007) |
|
Economic aid – recipient:
|
$105 million; note – annual subsidy from Denmark (2005) |
|
Debt – external:
|
$64 million (1999) |
|
Currency (code):
|
Danish krone (DKK) |
|
Currency code:
|
DKK |
|
Exchange rates:
|
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar – 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004) |
Communications |
Virtual Tour – Faroe Islands |
|
Telephones – main lines in use:
|
23,000 (2006) |
|
Telephones – mobile cellular:
|
50,000 (2006) |
|
Telephone system:
|
general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization was completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed international: country code – 298; satellite earth stations – 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable |
|
Radio broadcast stations:
|
AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998) |
|
Radios:
|
26,000 (1997) |
|
Television broadcast stations:
|
3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995) |
|
Televisions:
|
15,000 (1997) |
|
Internet country code:
|
.fo |
|
Internet hosts:
|
8,516 (2008) |
|
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
|
2 (2000) |
|
Internet users:
|
34,000 (2006) |
Transportation |
Virtual Tour – Faroe Islands |
|
Airports:
|
1 (2007) |
|
Airports – with paved runways:
|
total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) |
|
Roadways:
|
total: 463 km (2006) |
|
Merchant marine:
|
total: 12 by type: cargo 9, passenger/cargo 3 foreign-owned: 5 (Iceland 1, Norway 4) (2008) |
|
Ports and terminals:
|
Torshavn, Vagur |
Military |
Virtual Tour – Faroe Islands |
|
Military branches:
|
no regular military forces |
|
Manpower available for military service:
|
males age 16-49: 11,725 (2008 est.) |
|
Manpower fit for military service:
|
males age 16-49: 9,735 (2008 est.) |
|
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
|
male: 400 female: 387 (2008 est.) |
|
Military expenditures:
|
NA |
|
Military – note:
|
defense is the responsibility of Denmark |
Transnational Issues |
Virtual Tour – Faroe Islands |
|
Disputes – international:
|
because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark’s claim that the Faroe Islands’ continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm |
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Introduction |
Virtual Tour – Antarctica |
|
Background:
|
Speculation over the existence of a “southern land” was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not just a group of islands. Several exploration “firsts” were achieved in the early 20th century. Following World War II, there was an upsurge in scientific research on the continent. A number of countries have set up a range of year-round and seasonal stations, camps, and refuges to support scientific research in Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims, but not all countries recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961. |
Geography |
Virtual Tour – Antarctica |
|
Location:
|
continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
90 00 S, 0 00 E |
|
Map references:
|
Antarctic Region |
|
Area:
|
total: 14 million sq km land: 14 million sq km (280,000 sq km ice-free, 13.72 million sq km ice-covered) (est.) note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe |
|
Area – comparative:
|
slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km note: see entry on Disputes – international |
|
Coastline:
|
17,968 km |
|
Maritime claims:
|
Australia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are not accepted by other countries; 21 of 28 Antarctic consultative nations have made no claims to Antarctic territory (although Russia and the US have reserved the right to do so) and do not recognize the claims of the other nations; also see the Disputes – international entry |
|
Climate:
|
severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing |
|
Terrain:
|
about 98% thick continental ice sheet and 2% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 meters; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 meters; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 m highest point: Vinson Massif 4,897 m note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Bentley Subglacial Trench; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world’s lowest elevation not under seawater |
|
Natural resources:
|
iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small uncommercial quantities; none presently exploited; krill, finfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries |
|
Land use:
|
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (ice 98%, barren rock 2%) (2005) |
|
Natural hazards:
|
katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf |
|
Environment – current issues:
|
in 1998, NASA satellite data showed that the Antarctic ozone hole was the largest on record, covering 27 million square kilometers; researchers in 1997 found that increased ultraviolet light passing through the hole damages the DNA of icefish, an Antarctic fish lacking hemoglobin; ozone depletion earlier was shown to harm one-celled Antarctic marine plants; in 2002, significant areas of ice shelves disintegrated in response to regional warming |
|
Geography – note:
|
the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period; mostly uninhabitable |
People |
Virtual Tour – Antarctica |
|
Population:
|
no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both permanent and summer-only staffed research stations note: 28 nations, all signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, operate through their National Antarctic Program a number of seasonal-only (summer) and year-round research stations on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty); these stations’ population of persons doing and supporting science or engaged in the management and protection of the Antarctic region varies from approximately 4,000 in summer to 1,000 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel, including ship’s crew and scientists doing onboard research, are present in the waters of the treaty region; peak summer (December-February) population – 4,219 total; Argentina 667, Australia 200, Brazil 40, Bulgaria 15, Chile 237, China 70, Czech Republic 20, Ecuador 26, Finland 20, France 100, France and Italy jointly 45, Germany 90, India 65, Italy 90, Japan 125, South Korea 70, NZ 85, Norway 44, Peru 28, Poland 40, Romania 3, Russia 429, South Africa 80, Spain 28, Sweden 20, Ukraine 24, UK 205, US 1,293, Uruguay 60 (2007-2008); winter (June-August) station population – 1,088 total; Argentina 176, Australia 62, Brazil 12, Chile 96, China 29, France 26, France and Italy jointly 13, Germany 9, India 25, Italy 2, Japan 40, South Korea 18, NZ 10, Norway 7, Poland 12, Russia 148, South Africa 10, Ukraine 12, UK 37, US 337, Uruguay 9 (2008); research stations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (south of 60 degrees south latitude) by National Antarctic Programs: year-round stations – 38 total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 4, China 2, France 1, France and Italy jointly 1, Germany 1, India 1, Japan 1, South Korea 1, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 5, South Africa 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 1 (2008); a range of seasonal-only (summer) stations, camps, and refuges – Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, US, and Uruguay (2007-2008); in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research (March 2008 est.) |
Government |
Virtual Tour – Antarctica |
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica |
|
Government type:
|
Antarctic Treaty Summary – the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica; the 30th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was held in Delhi, India in April/May 2007; at these periodic meetings, decisions are made by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative member nations; at the end of 2007, there were 46 treaty member nations: 28 consultative and 18 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 21 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the years in parentheses indicate when a consultative member-nation acceded to the Treaty and when it was accepted as a consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are – Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and the UK. Nonclaimant consultative nations are – Belgium, Brazil (1975/1983), Bulgaria (1978/1998) China (1983/1985), Ecuador (1987/1990), Finland (1984/1989), Germany (1979/1981), India (1983/1983), Italy (1981/1987), Japan, South Korea (1986/1989), Netherlands (1967/1990), Peru (1981/1989), Poland (1961/1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1982/1988), Sweden (1984/1988), Ukraine (1992/2004), Uruguay (1980/1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are – Austria (1987), Belarus (2006), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Czech Republic (1962/1993), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), North Korea (1987), Papua New Guinea (1981), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1962/1993), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1996), and Venezuela (1999); note – Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993; Article 1 – area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 – freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 – free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 – does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 – prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes; Article 6 – includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 – treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 – allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 – frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 – treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 – disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 – deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements – some 200 recommendations adopted at treaty consultative meetings and ratified by governments include – Agreed Measures for Fauna and Flora (1964) which were later incorporated into the Environmental Protocol; Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972); Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980); a mineral resources agreement was signed in 1988 but remains unratified; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment through six specific annexes: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, 5) area protection and management and 6) liability arising from environmental emergencies; it prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina |
|
Legal system:
|
Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extraterritorially; some US laws directly apply to Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities, unless authorized by regulation of statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica; violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison; the National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans, Room 5805, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty; for more information, contact Permit Office, Office of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone: (703) 292-8030, or visit their website at www.nsf.gov; more generally, access to the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees south latitude, is subject to a number of relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states party to the Antarctic Treaty |
Economy |
Virtual Tour – Antarctica |
|
Economy – overview:
|
Fishing off the coast and tourism, both based abroad, account for Antarctica’s limited economic activity. Antarctic fisheries in 2005-06 (1 July-30 June) reported landing 128,081 metric tons (estimated fishing from the area covered by the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), which extends slightly beyond the Antarctic Treaty area). Unregulated fishing, particularly of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides), is a serious problem. The CCAMLR determines the recommended catch limits for marine species. A total of 36,460 tourists visited the Antarctic Treaty area in the 2006-07 Antarctic summer, up from the 30,877 visitors the previous year (estimates provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO); this does not include passengers on overflights). Nearly all of them were passengers on commercial (nongovernmental) ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer. Most tourist trips last approximately two weeks. |
Communications |
Virtual Tour – Antarctica |
|
Telephones – main lines in use:
|
0; note – information for US bases only (2001) |
|
Telephone system:
|
general assessment: local systems at some research stations domestic: commercial cellular networks operating in a small number of locations international: country code – none allocated; via satellite (including mobile Inmarsat and Iridium systems) to and from all research stations, ships, aircraft, and most field parties (2007) |
|
Radio broadcast stations:
|
FM 2, shortwave 1 (information for US bases only); note – many research stations have a local FM radio station (2007) |
|
Radios:
|
NA |
|
Television broadcast stations:
|
1 (cable system with 6 channels; American Forces Antarctic Network-McMurdo – information for US bases only) (2002) |
|
Televisions:
|
several hundred at McMurdo Station (US) note: information for US bases only (2001) |
|
Internet country code:
|
.aq |
|
Internet hosts:
|
7,748 (2008) |
|
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
|
NA |
Transportation |
Virtual Tour – Antarctica |
|
Airports:
|
27 (2008) |
|
Airports – with unpaved runways:
|
total: 27 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 6 (2008) |
|
Heliports:
|
53 note: all year-round and seasonal stations operated by National Antarctic Programs stations have some kind of helicopter landing facilities, prepared (helipads) or unprepared (2007) |
|
Ports and terminals:
|
there are no developed ports and harbors in Antarctica; most coastal stations have offshore anchorages, and supplies are transferred from ship to shore by small boats, barges, and helicopters; a few stations have a basic wharf facility; US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E), and Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only except by permit (see Permit Office under “Legal System”); all ships at port are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; offshore anchorage is sparse and intermittent; relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states parties to the Antarctic Treaty regulating access to the Antarctic Treaty area, to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees of latitude south, have to be complied with (see “Legal System”); The Hydrographic Committee on Antarctica (HCA), a special hydrographic commission of International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in Antarctic Treaty area; it coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate charts and other aids to navigation in support of safety of navigation in region; membership of HCA is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and which contributes resources and/or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area; members of HCA are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, NZ, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, UK, and US (2007) |
Military |
Virtual Tour – Antarctica |
|
Military – note:
|
the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes |
Transnational Issues |
Virtual Tour – Antarctica |
|
Disputes – international:
|
the Antarctic Treaty freezes, and most states do not recognize, the land and maritime territorial claims made by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom (some overlapping) for three-fourths of the continent; the US and Russia reserve the right to make claims; no claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west; the International Whaling Commission created a sancturary around the entire continent to deter catches by countries claiming to conduct scientific whaling; Australia has established a similar preserve in the waters around its territorial claim |
]]>
Introduction |
Virtual Tour – Wallis and Futuna |
|
Background:
|
The Futuna island group was discovered by the Dutch in 1616 and Wallis by the British in 1767, but it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory. |
Geography |
Virtual Tour – Wallis and Futuna |
|
Location:
|
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
13 18 S, 176 12 W |
|
Map references:
|
Oceania |
|
Area:
|
total: 274 sq km land: 274 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets |
|
Area – comparative:
|
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
|
Coastline:
|
129 km |
|
Maritime claims:
|
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
|
Climate:
|
tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C |
|
Terrain:
|
volcanic origin; low hills |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Singavi 765 m |
|
Natural resources:
|
NEGL |
|
Land use:
|
arable land: 7.14% permanent crops: 35.71% other: 57.15% (2005) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
NA |
|
Natural hazards:
|
NA |
|
Environment – current issues:
|
deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural fresh water resources |
|
Geography – note:
|
both island groups have fringing reefs |
People |
Virtual Tour – Wallis and Futuna |
|
Population:
|
15,237 (July 2008 est.) |
|
Age structure:
|
0-14 years: (male 2,215/female 1,999) 15-64 years: (male 4,982/female 4,996) 65 years and over: (male 465/female 580) |
|
Population growth rate:
|
NA (2008 est.) |
|
Birth rate:
|
NA (2008 est.) |
|
Death rate:
|
NA (2008 est.) |
|
Net migration rate:
|
NA note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2008 est.) |
|
Infant mortality rate:
|
total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) |
|
Life expectancy at birth:
|
total population: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) |
|
Total fertility rate:
|
NA (2008 est.) |
|
HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate:
|
NA |
|
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS:
|
NA |
|
HIV/AIDS – deaths:
|
NA |
|
Nationality:
|
noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander |
|
Ethnic groups:
|
Polynesian |
|
Religions:
|
Roman Catholic 99%, other 1% |
|
Languages:
|
Wallisian 58.9% (indigenous Polynesian language), Futunian 30.1%, French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census) |
|
Literacy:
|
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50% male: 50% female: 50% (1969 est.) |
Government |
Virtual Tour – Wallis and Futuna |
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna |
|
Dependency status:
|
overseas territory of France |
|
Government type:
|
NA |
|
Capital:
|
name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
|
Administrative divisions:
|
none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis |
|
Independence:
|
none (overseas territory of France) |
|
National holiday:
|
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) |
|
Constitution:
|
4 October 1958 (French Constitution) |
|
Legal system:
|
the laws of France, where applicable, apply |
|
Suffrage:
|
18 years of age; universal |
|
Executive branch:
|
chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High Administrator Philippe PAOLANTONI (since 28 July 2008) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Pesamino TAPUTAI (since 11 April 2007) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are three traditional kings with limited powers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly |
|
Legislative branch:
|
unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 1 April 2007 (next to be held April 2012) election results: percent of vote by party – NA; seats by party – UMP 13, other 7 note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate – elections last held 21 September 2008 (next to be held by September 2014); results – percent of vote by party – NA; seats – UMP 1; French National Assembly – elections last held 17 June 2007 (next to be held by 2012); results – percent of vote by party – NA; seats – PS 1 |
|
Judicial branch:
|
justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu; a court of appeal is located in Noumea, New Caledonia |
|
Political parties and leaders:
|
Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG; Rally for the Republic or RPR (UMP) [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]; Socialist Party or PS; Taumu’a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; Union Populaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF |
|
Political pressure groups and leaders:
|
NA |
|
International organization participation:
|
PIF (observer), SPC, UPU, WFTU |
|
Diplomatic representation in the US:
|
none (overseas territory of France) |
|
Diplomatic representation from the US:
|
none (overseas territory of France) |
|
Flag description:
|
unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is the only official flag |
Economy |
Virtual Tour – Wallis and Futuna |
|
Economy – overview:
|
The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of labor force earnings from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. |
|
GDP (purchasing power parity):
|
$60 million (2004 est.) |
|
GDP (official exchange rate):
|
$NA |
|
GDP – real growth rate:
|
NA% |
|
GDP – per capita (PPP):
|
$3,800 (2004 est.) |
|
GDP – composition by sector:
|
agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% |
|
Labor force:
|
3,104 (2003) |
|
Labor force – by occupation:
|
agriculture: 80% industry: 4% services: 16% (2001 est.) |
|
Unemployment rate:
|
15.2% (2003) |
|
Population below poverty line:
|
NA% |
|
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
|
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $29,730 expenditures: $31,330 (2004) |
|
Fiscal year:
|
calendar year |
|
Public debt:
|
5.6% of GDP (2004 est.) |
|
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
|
2.8% (2005) |
|
Industries:
|
copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber |
|
Electricity – production:
|
NA kWh |
|
Electricity – consumption:
|
NA kWh |
|
Electricity – exports:
|
0 kWh (2002) |
|
Electricity – imports:
|
0 kWh (2002) |
|
Electricity – production by source:
|
fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% |
|
Exports:
|
$47,450 f.o.b. (2004) |
|
Exports – commodities:
|
copra, chemicals, construction materials |
|
Imports:
|
$61.17 million f.o.b. (2004) |
|
Imports – commodities:
|
chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer goods |
|
Economic aid – recipient:
|
assistance from France, $NA |
|
Debt – external:
|
$3.67 million (2004) |
|
Currency (code):
|
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF) |
|
Currency code:
|
XPF |
|
Exchange rates:
|
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar – NA (2007), 95.03 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) |
Communications |
Virtual Tour – Wallis and Futuna |
|
Telephones – main lines in use:
|
1,900 (2002) |
|
Telephones – mobile cellular:
|
NA |
|
Telephone system:
|
general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code – 681 |
|
Radio broadcast stations:
|
AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000) |
|
Radios:
|
NA |
|
Television broadcast stations:
|
2 (2000) |
|
Televisions:
|
NA |
|
Internet country code:
|
.wf |
|
Internet hosts:
|
1 (2008) |
|
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
|
1 (2000) |
|
Internet users:
|
900 (2002) |
Transportation |
Virtual Tour – Wallis and Futuna |
|
Airports:
|
2 (2007) |
|
Airports – with paved runways:
|
total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) |
|
Airports – with unpaved runways:
|
total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) |
|
Merchant marine:
|
total: 8 by type: chemical tanker 2, passenger 6 foreign-owned: 8 (France 6, French Polynesia 2) (2008) |
|
Ports and terminals:
|
Leava, Mata-Utu |
Military |
Virtual Tour – Wallis and Futuna |
|
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
|
male: 172 female: 170 (2008 est.) |
|
Military – note:
|
defense is the responsibility of France |
Transnational Issues |
Virtual Tour – Wallis and Futuna |
|
Disputes – international:
|
none |
]]>
Introduction |
Virtual Tour – Wake Island |
|
Background:
|
The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island’s airstrip has been used by the US military, as well as for emergency landings. All operations on the island were suspended and all personnel evacuated in August 2006 with the approach of super typhoon IOKE (category 5), which struck the island with sustained winds of 250 kph and a 6 m storm surge inflicting major damage. A US Air Force assessment and repair team returned to the island in September and restored limited function to the airfield and facilities. The future status of activities on the island will be determined upon completion of the survey and assessment. |
Geography |
Virtual Tour – Wake Island |
|
Location:
|
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
19 17 N, 166 39 E |
|
Map references:
|
Oceania |
|
Area:
|
total: 6.5 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km |
|
Area – comparative:
|
about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
|
Coastline:
|
19.3 km |
|
Maritime claims:
|
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
|
Climate:
|
tropical |
|
Terrain:
|
atoll of three low coral islands, Peale, Wake, and Wilkes, built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m |
|
Natural resources:
|
none |
|
Land use:
|
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
0 sq km |
|
Natural hazards:
|
occasional typhoons |
|
Environment – current issues:
|
NA |
|
Geography – note:
|
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights |
People |
Virtual Tour – Wake Island |
|
Population:
|
no indigenous inhabitants note: since super typhoon IOKE, a small military contingent along with 75 contractor personnel have returned to the island to conduct clean-up and restore basic operations on the island (July 2008 est.) |
Government |
Virtual Tour – Wake Island |
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island |
|
Dependency status:
|
unorganized, unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities in the atoll are currently conducted by the US Air Force |
|
Legal system:
|
the laws of the US, where applicable, apply |
|
Flag description:
|
the flag of the US is used |
Economy |
Virtual Tour – Wake Island |
|
Economy – overview:
|
Economic activity is limited to providing services to military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. |
|
Electricity – production:
|
NA kWh |
Communications |
Virtual Tour – Wake Island |
|
Telephone system:
|
general assessment: satellite communications; 2 DSN circuits off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS) domestic: NA international: NA |
|
Radio broadcast stations:
|
AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 (Armed Forces Radio/Television Service (AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite (2005) |
|
Television broadcast stations:
|
0 (2005) |
Transportation |
Virtual Tour – Wake Island |
|
Airports:
|
1 (2007) |
|
Airports – with paved runways:
|
total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2007) |
|
Ports and terminals:
|
none; two offshore anchorages for large ships |
|
Transportation – note:
|
there are no commercial or civilian flights to and from Wake Island, except in direct support of island missions; emergency landing is available |
Military |
Virtual Tour – Wake Island |
|
Military – note:
|
defense is the responsibility of the US; the US Air Force is responsible for overall administration and operation of the island; the launch support facility is administered by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) |
Transnational Issues |
Virtual Tour – Wake Island |
|
Disputes – international:
|
claimed by Marshall Islands |
]]>
Introduction |
Virtual Tour – Vanuatu |
|
Background:
|
Multiple waves of colonizers, each speaking a distinct language, migrated to the New Hebrides in the millennia preceding European exploration in the 18th century. This settlement pattern accounts for the complex linguistic diversity found on the archipelago to this day. The British and French, who settled the New Hebrides in the 19th century, agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium, which administered the islands until independence in 1980, when the new name of Vanuatu was adopted. |
Geography |
Virtual Tour – Vanuatu |
|
Location:
|
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
16 00 S, 167 00 E |
|
Map references:
|
Oceania |
|
Area:
|
total: 12,200 sq km land: 12,200 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited |
|
Area – comparative:
|
slightly larger than Connecticut |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
|
Coastline:
|
2,528 km |
|
Maritime claims:
|
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin |
|
Climate:
|
tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April |
|
Terrain:
|
mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m |
|
Natural resources:
|
manganese, hardwood forests, fish |
|
Land use:
|
arable land: 1.64% permanent crops: 6.97% other: 91.39% (2005) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
NA |
|
Natural hazards:
|
tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis |
|
Environment – current issues:
|
most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; deforestation |
|
Environment – international agreements:
|
party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
|
Geography – note:
|
a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes |
People |
Virtual Tour – Vanuatu |
|
Population:
|
215,446 (July 2008 est.) |
|
Age structure:
|
0-14 years: 31.3% (male 34,441/female 33,000) 15-64 years: 64.8% (male 71,159/female 68,435) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 4,352/female 4,059) (2008 est.) |
|
Median age:
|
total: 23.8 years male: 23.8 years female: 23.8 years (2008 est.) |
|
Population growth rate:
|
1.434% (2008 est.) |
|
Birth rate:
|
21.95 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
|
Death rate:
|
7.61 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
|
Net migration rate:
|
NA (2008 est.) |
|
Sex ratio:
|
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.) |
|
Infant mortality rate:
|
total: 50.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 53.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) |
|
Life expectancy at birth:
|
total population: 63.61 years male: 62.04 years female: 65.27 years (2008 est.) |
|
Total fertility rate:
|
2.57 children born/woman (2008 est.) |
|
HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate:
|
NA |
|
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS:
|
NA |
|
HIV/AIDS – deaths:
|
NA |
|
Nationality:
|
noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural) adjective: Ni-Vanuatu |
|
Ethnic groups:
|
Ni-Vanuatu 98.5%, other 1.5% (1999 Census) |
|
Religions:
|
Presbyterian 31.4%, Anglican 13.4%, Roman Catholic 13.1%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10.8%, other Christian 13.8%, indigenous beliefs 5.6% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 9.6%, none 1%, unspecified 1.3% (1999 Census) |
|
Languages:
|
local languages (more than 100) 72.6%, pidgin (known as Bislama or Bichelama) 23.1%, English 1.9%, French 1.4%, other 0.3%, unspecified 0.7% (1999 Census) |
|
Literacy:
|
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 74% male: NA female: NA (1999 census) |
|
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
|
total: 10 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2004) |
|
Education expenditures:
|
9.5% of GDP (2003) |
Government |
Virtual Tour – Vanuatu |
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu conventional short form: Vanuatu local long form: Ripablik blong Vanuatu local short form: Vanuatu former: New Hebrides |
|
Government type:
|
parliamentary republic |
|
Capital:
|
name: Port-Vila (on Efate) geographic coordinates: 17 44 S, 168 19 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
|
Administrative divisions:
|
6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba |
|
Independence:
|
30 July 1980 (from France and UK) |
|
National holiday:
|
Independence Day, 30 July (1980) |
|
Constitution:
|
30 July 1980 |
|
Legal system:
|
unified system being created from former dual French and British systems; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
|
Suffrage:
|
18 years of age; universal |
|
Executive branch:
|
chief of state: President Kalkot Matas KELEKELE (since 16 August 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Edward NATAPEI (since 22 September 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Ham LINI (since 22 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and the presidents of the regional councils; election for president last held 16 August 2004 (next to be held in 2009); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held 22 September 2008 (next to be held following general elections in 2012) election results: Kalkot Matas KELEKELE elected president, with 49 votes out of 56, after several ballots on 16 August 2004 |
|
Legislative branch:
|
unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 2 September 2008 (next to be held 2012) election results: percent of vote by party – NA; seats by party – VP 11, NUP 8, UMP 7, VRP 7, PPP 4, GC 2, MPP 1, NA 1, NAG 1, PAP 1, Shepherds Alliance 1, VFFP 1, VLP 1, VNP 1, VPRFP 1, and independent 4; note – political party associations are fluid note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language |
|
Judicial branch:
|
Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, three other justices are appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission) |
|
Political parties and leaders:
|
Greens Confederation or GC [Moana CARCASSES]; Jon Frum Movement or JF [Song KEASPAI]; Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]; Nagriamel movement or NAG [Havo MOLI]; Namangi Aute or NA [Paul TELUKLUK]; National United Party or NUP [Ham LINI]; People’s Action Party or PAP [Peter VUTA]; People’s Progressive Party or PPP [Sato KILMAN]; Shepherds Alliance Party [leader NA]; Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]; Vanuatu Family First Party or VFFP [Eta RORI]; Vanuatu Labor Party or VLP [Joshua KALSAKAU]; Vanuatu National Party or VNP [Issac HAMARILIU]; Vanua’aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]; Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]; Vanuatu Republican Farmers Party or VPRFP [Jean RAVOU] |
|
Political pressure groups and leaders:
|
NA |
|
International organization participation:
|
ACCT, ACP, ADB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO (observer) |
|
Diplomatic representation in the US:
|
Vanuatu does not have an embassy in the US; it does, however, have a Permanent Mission to the UN |
|
Diplomatic representation from the US:
|
the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu |
|
Flag description:
|
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar’s tusk encircling two crossed namele leaves, all in yellow |
Economy |
Virtual Tour – Vanuatu |
|
Economy – overview:
|
This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for over 70% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with more than 167,000 visitors in 2007, are other mainstays of the economy. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. In mid-2002 the government stepped up efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort development, and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth. Australia and New Zealand are the main suppliers of tourists and foreign aid. |
|
GDP (purchasing power parity):
|
$1.01 billion (2008 est.) |
|
GDP (official exchange rate):
|
$560 million (2008 est.) |
|
GDP – real growth rate:
|
6.5% (2008 est.) |
|
GDP – per capita (PPP):
|
$4,700 (2008 est.) |
|
GDP – composition by sector:
|
agriculture: 26% industry: 12% services: 62% (2000 est.) |
|
Labor force:
|
76,410 (1999) |
|
Labor force – by occupation:
|
agriculture: 65% industry: 5% services: 30% (2000 est.) |
|
Unemployment rate:
|
1.7% (1999) |
|
Population below poverty line:
|
NA% |
|
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
|
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $78.7 million expenditures: $72.23 million (2005 est.) |
|
Fiscal year:
|
calendar year |
|
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
|
3.9% (2007 est.) |
|
Central bank discount rate:
|
6% (31 December 2007) |
|
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
|
8.16% (31 December 2007) |
|
Stock of money:
|
$107.1 million (31 December 2007) |
|
Stock of quasi money:
|
$421.8 million (31 December 2007) |
|
Stock of domestic credit:
|
$229.5 million (31 December 2007) |
|
Market value of publicly traded shares:
|
$NA |
|
Industries:
|
food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning |
|
Electricity – production:
|
46 million kWh (2007 est.) |
|
Electricity – consumption:
|
39.99 million kWh (2006 est.) |
|
Electricity – exports:
|
0 kWh (2007 est.) |
|
Electricity – imports:
|
0 kWh (2007 est.) |
|
Electricity – production by source:
|
fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) |
|
Oil – production:
|
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) |
|
Oil – consumption:
|
660 bbl/day (2006 est.) |
|
Oil – exports:
|
0 bbl/day (2005) |
|
Oil – imports:
|
671.1 bbl/day (2005) |
|
Oil – proved reserves:
|
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.) |
|
Natural gas – production:
|
0 cu m (2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – consumption:
|
0 cu m (2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – exports:
|
0 cu m (2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – imports:
|
0 cu m (2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – proved reserves:
|
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.) |
|
Current account balance:
|
-$60 million (2007 est.) |
|
Exports:
|
$40 million f.o.b. (2006) |
|
Exports – commodities:
|
copra, beef, cocoa, timber, kava, coffee |
|
Exports – partners:
|
Thailand 58.3%, India 18.5%, Japan 11.3% (2007) |
|
Imports:
|
$156 million c.i.f. (2006) |
|
Imports – commodities:
|
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, fuels |
|
Imports – partners:
|
Australia 20.7%, Singapore 11.8%, NZ 11.2%, Norway 8.5%, US 8.3%, Fiji 8.1%, China 7.2%, New Caledonia 4.5% (2007) |
|
Economic aid – recipient:
|
$39.48 million (2005) |
|
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
|
$40.54 million (2003) |
|
Debt – external:
|
$81.2 million (2004) |
|
Currency (code):
|
vatu (VUV) |
|
Currency code:
|
VUV |
|
Exchange rates:
|
vatu (VUV) per US dollar – NA (2007), 111.93 (2006), NA (2005), 111.79 (2004), 122.19 (2003) |
Communications |
Virtual Tour – Vanuatu |
|
Telephones – main lines in use:
|
8,800 (2007) |
|
Telephones – mobile cellular:
|
26,000 (2007) |
|
Telephone system:
|
general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code – 678; satellite earth station – 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) |
|
Radio broadcast stations:
|
AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) |
|
Radios:
|
67,000 (1997) |
|
Television broadcast stations:
|
1 (2004) |
|
Televisions:
|
2,300 (1999) |
|
Internet country code:
|
.vu |
|
Internet hosts:
|
990 (2008) |
|
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
|
1 (2000) |
|
Internet users:
|
17,000 (2007) |
Transportation |
Virtual Tour – Vanuatu |
|
Airports:
|
31 (2007) |
|
Airports – with paved runways:
|
total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007) |
|
Airports – with unpaved runways:
|
total: 28 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 22 (2007) |
|
Roadways:
|
total: 1,070 km paved: 256 km unpaved: 814 km (1999) |
|
Merchant marine:
|
total: 54 by type: bulk carrier 32, cargo 8, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 4, vehicle carrier 5 foreign-owned: 54 (Australia 2, Belgium 4, Canada 5, Estonia 1, Greece 1, Japan 29, Monaco 1, Poland 7, Russia 2, Switzerland 1, US 1) (2008) |
|
Ports and terminals:
|
Forari, Port-Vila, Santo (Espiritu Santo) |
Military |
Virtual Tour – Vanuatu |
|
Military branches:
|
no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF), Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF; includes Police Maritime Wing (PMW)) (2008) |
|
Manpower available for military service:
|
males age 16-49: 58,900 (2008 est.) |
|
Manpower fit for military service:
|
males age 16-49: 40,577 (2008 est.) |
|
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
|
male: 2,385 female: 2,290 (2008 est.) |
|
Military expenditures:
|
NA |
Transnational Issues |
Virtual Tour – Vanuatu |
|
Disputes – international:
|
Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by Vanuatu and France |
]]>
Introduction |
Virtual Tour – Tuvalu |
|
Background:
|
In 1974, ethnic differences within the British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands caused the Polynesians of the Ellice Islands to vote for separation from the Micronesians of the Gilbert Islands. The following year, the Ellice Islands became the separate British colony of Tuvalu. Independence was granted in 1978. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name “.tv” for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period. |
Geography |
Virtual Tour – Tuvalu |
|
Location:
|
Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Australia |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
8 00 S, 178 00 E |
|
Map references:
|
Oceania |
|
Area:
|
total: 26 sq km land: 26 sq km water: 0 sq km |
|
Area – comparative:
|
0.1 times the size of Washington, DC |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
|
Coastline:
|
24 km |
|
Maritime claims:
|
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
|
Climate:
|
tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) |
|
Terrain:
|
very low-lying and narrow coral atolls |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m |
|
Natural resources:
|
fish |
|
Land use:
|
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 66.67% other: 33.33% (2005) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
NA |
|
Natural hazards:
|
severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level |
|
Environment – current issues:
|
since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, most water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities (the Japanese Government has built one desalination plant and plans to build one other); beachhead erosion because of the use of sand for building materials; excessive clearance of forest undergrowth for use as fuel; damage to coral reefs from the spread of the Crown of Thorns starfish; Tuvalu is concerned about global increases in greenhouse gas emissions and their effect on rising sea levels, which threaten the country’s underground water table; in 2000, the government appealed to Australia and New Zealand to take in Tuvaluans if rising sea levels should make evacuation necessary |
|
Environment – international agreements:
|
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
|
Geography – note:
|
one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the nine coral atolls – Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae – have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon |
People |
Virtual Tour – Tuvalu |
|
Population:
|
12,177 (July 2008 est.) |
|
Age structure:
|
0-14 years: 29.4% (male 1,826/female 1,754) 15-64 years: 65.4% (male 3,891/female 4,073) 65 years and over: 5.2% (male 236/female 397) (2008 est.) |
|
Median age:
|
total: 25.2 years male: 24.2 years female: 26.4 years (2008 est.) |
|
Population growth rate:
|
1.577% (2008 est.) |
|
Birth rate:
|
22.75 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
|
Death rate:
|
6.98 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
|
Net migration rate:
|
NA (2008 est.) |
|
Sex ratio:
|
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.) |
|
Infant mortality rate:
|
total: 18.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) |
|
Life expectancy at birth:
|
total population: 68.97 years male: 66.7 years female: 71.36 years (2008 est.) |
|
Total fertility rate:
|
2.94 children born/woman (2008 est.) |
|
HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate:
|
NA |
|
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS:
|
NA |
|
HIV/AIDS – deaths:
|
NA |
|
Nationality:
|
noun: Tuvaluan(s) adjective: Tuvaluan |
|
Ethnic groups:
|
Polynesian 96%, Micronesian 4% |
|
Religions:
|
Church of Tuvalu (Congregationalist) 97%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, Baha’i 1%, other 0.6% |
|
Languages:
|
Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) |
|
Literacy:
|
NA |
|
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
|
total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2001) |
|
Education expenditures:
|
NA |
Government |
Virtual Tour – Tuvalu |
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tuvalu local long form: none local short form: Tuvalu former: Ellice Islands note: “Tuvalu” means “group of eight,” referring to the country’s eight traditionally inhabited islands |
|
Government type:
|
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy |
|
Capital:
|
name: Funafuti geographic coordinates: 8 30 S, 179 12 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: administrative offices are located in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet |
|
Administrative divisions:
|
none |
|
Independence:
|
1 October 1978 (from UK) |
|
National holiday:
|
Independence Day, 1 October (1978) |
|
Constitution:
|
1 October 1978 |
|
Legal system:
|
NA |
|
Suffrage:
|
18 years of age; universal |
|
Executive branch:
|
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Filoimea TELITO (since 15 April 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Apisai IELEMIA (since 14 August 2006) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from the members of Parliament; election last held 14 August 2006 (next to be held following parliamentary elections in 2010) election results: Apisai IELEMIA elected Prime Minister in a Parliamentary election on 14 August 2006 |
|
Legislative branch:
|
unicameral Parliament or Fale I Fono, also called House of Assembly (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 August 2006 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote – NA; seats – independents 15 |
|
Judicial branch:
|
High Court (a chief justice visits twice a year to preside over its sessions; its rulings can be appealed to the Court of Appeal in Fiji); eight Island Courts (with limited jurisdiction) |
|
Political parties and leaders:
|
there are no political parties but members of Parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings |
|
Political pressure groups and leaders:
|
none |
|
International organization participation:
|
ACP, ADB, C, FAO, IFRCS (observer), IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO |
|
Diplomatic representation in the US:
|
Tuvalu does not have an embassy in the US – the country’s only diplomatic post is in Fiji – Tuvalu does, however, have a UN office located at 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017, telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534 |
|
Diplomatic representation from the US:
|
the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu |
|
Flag description:
|
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the outer half of the flag represents a map of the country with nine yellow five-pointed stars symbolizing the nine islands |
Economy |
Virtual Tour – Tuvalu |
|
Economy – overview:
|
Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. The country has no known mineral resources and few exports and is almost entirely dependent upon imported food and fuel. Subsistence farming and fishing are the primary economic activities. Fewer than 1,000 tourists, on average, visit Tuvalu annually. Job opportunities are scarce and public sector workers make up the majority of those employed. About 15% of the adult male population work as seamen on merchant ships abroad and remittances are a vital source of income, contributing around $4 million in 2006. Substantial income is received annually from the Tuvalu Trust Fund (TTF), an international trust fund established in 1987 by Australia, NZ, and the UK and supported also by Japan and South Korea. Thanks to wise investments and conservative withdrawals, this fund grew from an initial $17 million to an estimated value of $77 million in 2006. The TFF contributed nearly $9 million towards the government budget in 2006 and is an important cushion for meeting shortfalls in the government’s budget. The US Government is also a major revenue source for Tuvalu because of payments from a 1988 treaty on fisheries. In an effort to ensure financial stability and sustainability, the government is pursuing public sector reforms, including privatization of some government functions and personnel cuts. Tuvalu also derives royalties from the lease of its “.tv” Internet domain name, with revenue of more than $2 million in 2006. A minor source of government revenue comes from the sale of stamps and coins. With merchandise exports only a fraction of merchandise imports, continued reliance must be placed on fishing and telecommunications license fees, remittances from overseas workers, official transfers, and income from overseas investments. Growing income disparities and the vulnerability of the country to climatic change are among leading concerns for the nation. |
|
GDP (purchasing power parity):
|
$14.94 million (2002 est.) |
|
GDP (official exchange rate):
|
$14.94 million (2002) |
|
GDP – real growth rate:
|
3% (2006 est.) |
|
GDP – per capita (PPP):
|
$1,600 (2002 est.) |
|
GDP – composition by sector:
|
agriculture: 16.6% industry: 27.2% services: 56.2% (2002) |
|
Labor force:
|
3,615 (2004 est.) |
|
Labor force – by occupation:
|
note: people make a living mainly through exploitation of the sea, reefs, and atolls and from wages sent home by those abroad (mostly workers in the phosphate industry and sailors) |
|
Unemployment rate:
|
NA% |
|
Population below poverty line:
|
NA% |
|
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
|
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $21.54 million expenditures: $23.05 million (2006) |
|
Fiscal year:
|
calendar year |
|
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
|
3.8% (2006 est.) |
|
Industries:
|
fishing, tourism, copra |
|
Electricity – production by source:
|
fossil fuel: NA hydro: NA nuclear: NA other: NA |
|
Current account balance:
|
-$11.68 million (2003) |
|
Exports:
|
$1 million f.o.b. (2004 est.) |
|
Exports – commodities:
|
copra, fish |
|
Imports:
|
$12.91 million c.i.f. (2005) |
|
Imports – commodities:
|
food, animals, mineral fuels, machinery, manufactured goods |
|
Economic aid – recipient:
|
$10.49 million note: includes distributions from the Tuvalu Trust Fund (2006) |
|
Debt – external:
|
$NA |
|
Currency (code):
|
Australian dollar (AUD); note – there is also a Tuvaluan dollar |
|
Currency code:
|
AUD |
|
Exchange rates:
|
Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars (AUD) per U 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004) |
Communications |
Virtual Tour – Tuvalu |
|
Telephones – main lines in use:
|
900 (2005) |
|
Telephones – mobile cellular:
|
1,300 (2005) |
|
Telephone system:
|
general assessment: serves particular needs for internal communications domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands international: country code – 688; international calls can be made by satellite |
|
Radio broadcast stations:
|
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004) |
|
Radios:
|
4,000 (1997) |
|
Television broadcast stations:
|
0 (2004) |
|
Televisions:
|
800 |
|
Internet country code:
|
.tv |
|
Internet hosts:
|
56,209 (2008) |
|
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
|
1 (2000) |
|
Internet users:
|
1,300 (2002) |
Transportation |
Virtual Tour – Tuvalu |
|
Airports:
|
1 (2007) |
|
Airports – with unpaved runways:
|
total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) |
|
Roadways:
|
total: 8 km paved: 8 km (2002) |
|
Merchant marine:
|
total: 80 by type: bulk carrier 7, cargo 30, chemical tanker 14, container 2, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 1, specialized tanker 1 foreign-owned: 63 (China 16, Hong Kong 7, Kenya 1, South Korea 1, Malaysia 1, Maldives 1, Norway 1, Russia 2, Singapore 23, Thailand 1, Turkey 2, Ukraine 1, US 1, Vietnam 5) (2008) |
|
Ports and terminals:
|
Funafuti |
Military |
Virtual Tour – Tuvalu |
|
Military branches:
|
no regular military forces; Tuvalu Police Force (2008) |
|
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
|
male: 128 female: 125 (2008 est.) |
|
Military expenditures:
|
NA |
Transnational Issues |
Virtual Tour – Tuvalu |
|
Disputes – international:
|
none |
]]>
Introduction |
Virtual Tour – Tonga |
|
Background:
|
Tonga – unique among Pacific nations – never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of “The Friendly Islands” were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900; it withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga remains the only monarchy in the Pacific. |
Geography |
Virtual Tour – Tonga |
|
Location:
|
Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
20 00 S, 175 00 W |
|
Map references:
|
Oceania |
|
Area:
|
total: 748 sq km land: 718 sq km water: 30 sq km |
|
Area – comparative:
|
four times the size of Washington, DC |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
|
Coastline:
|
419 km |
|
Maritime claims:
|
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation |
|
Climate:
|
tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) |
|
Terrain:
|
most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m |
|
Natural resources:
|
fish, fertile soil |
|
Land use:
|
arable land: 20% permanent crops: 14.67% other: 65.33% (2005) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
NA |
|
Natural hazards:
|
cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo’ou |
|
Environment – current issues:
|
deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations |
|
Environment – international agreements:
|
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
|
Geography – note:
|
archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited) |
People |
Virtual Tour – Tonga |
|
Population:
|
119,009 (July 2008 est.) |
|
Age structure:
|
0-14 years: 33.7% (male 20,484/female 19,633) 15-64 years: 62% (male 36,699/female 37,108) 65 years and over: 4.3% (male 2,135/female 2,950) (2008 est.) |
|
Median age:
|
total: 21.8 years male: 21.3 years female: 22.3 years (2008 est.) |
|
Population growth rate:
|
1.669% (2008 est.) |
|
Birth rate:
|
21.81 births/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
|
Death rate:
|
5.12 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.) |
|
Net migration rate:
|
NA (2008 est.) |
|
Sex ratio:
|
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2008 est.) |
|
Infant mortality rate:
|
total: 11.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.) |
|
Life expectancy at birth:
|
total population: 70.44 years male: 67.9 years female: 73.1 years (2008 est.) |
|
Total fertility rate:
|
2.5 children born/woman (2008 est.) |
|
HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate:
|
NA |
|
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS:
|
NA |
|
HIV/AIDS – deaths:
|
NA |
|
Nationality:
|
noun: Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan |
|
Ethnic groups:
|
Polynesian, Europeans |
|
Religions:
|
Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents) |
|
Languages:
|
Tongan, English |
|
Literacy:
|
definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English total population: 98.9% male: 98.8% female: 99% (1999 est.) |
|
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
|
total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2004) |
|
Education expenditures:
|
5% of GDP (2004) |
Government |
Virtual Tour – Tonga |
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga conventional short form: Tonga local long form: Pule’anga Tonga local short form: Tonga former: Friendly Islands |
|
Government type:
|
constitutional monarchy |
|
Capital:
|
name: Nuku’alofa geographic coordinates: 21 08 S, 175 12 W time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
|
Administrative divisions:
|
3 island groups; Ha’apai, Tongatapu, Vava’u |
|
Independence:
|
4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate) |
|
National holiday:
|
Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970) |
|
Constitution:
|
4 November 1875; revised 1 January 1967 |
|
Legal system:
|
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
|
Suffrage:
|
21 years of age; universal |
|
Executive branch:
|
chief of state: King George TUPOU V (since 11 September 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Feleti SEVELE (since 11 February 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Viliami TANGI (since 16 May 2006) cabinet: Cabinet consists of 14 members, 10 appointed by the monarch for life; four appointed from among the elected members of the Legislative Assembly, including two each from the nobles’ and peoples’ representatives serving three-year terms note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the monarch, the cabinet, and two governors elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the monarch |
|
Legislative branch:
|
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (32 seats – 14 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country’s 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held on 23-24 April 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Peoples Representatives: percent of vote – independents 54%, THRDM 28%, PDP 14%; seats – THRDM 4, independents 3, PDP 2 |
|
Judicial branch:
|
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the monarch); Court of Appeal (Chief Justice and high court justices from overseas chosen and approved by Privy Council) |
|
Political parties and leaders:
|
Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM [Uliti UATA]; People’s Democratic Party or PDP [Tesina FUKO] |
|
Political pressure groups and leaders:
|
Human Rights and Democracy Movement Tonga or HRDMT [Rev. Simote VEA, chairman]; Public Servant’s Association [Finau TUTONE] |
|
International organization participation:
|
ACP, ADB, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
|
Diplomatic representation in the US:
|
chief of mission: Ambassador Fekitamoeloa ‘UTOIKAMANU chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025 FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024 consulate(s) general: San Francisco |
|
Diplomatic representation from the US:
|
the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga |
|
Flag description:
|
red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner |
Economy |
Virtual Tour – Tonga |
|
Economy – overview:
|
Tonga has a small, open, South Pacific island economy. It has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main crops, and agricultural exports, including fish, make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from Tongan communities overseas to offset its trade deficit. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 41,000 visitors in 2004. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, especially the encouragement of investment, and is committing increased funds for health and education. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well-developed social services. High unemployment among the young, a continuing upturn in inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures are major issues facing the government. |
|
GDP (purchasing power parity):
|
$521.5 million (2008 est.) |
|
GDP (official exchange rate):
|
$258 million (2008 est.) |
|
GDP – real growth rate:
|
-3.5% (2008 est.) |
|
GDP – per capita (PPP):
|
$4,400 (2008 est.) |
|
GDP – composition by sector:
|
agriculture: 25% industry: 17% services: 57% (FY05/06 est.) |
|
Labor force:
|
33,910 (2003) |
|
Labor force – by occupation:
|
agriculture: 31.8% industry: 30.6% services: 2,003% (2003 est.) |
|
Unemployment rate:
|
13% (FY03/04 est.) |
|
Population below poverty line:
|
24% (FY03/04) |
|
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
|
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $80.48 million expenditures: $109.8 million (FY07/08 est.) |
|
Fiscal year:
|
1 July – 30 June |
|
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
|
5.9% (2007 est.) |
|
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
|
12.16% (31 December 2007) |
|
Stock of money:
|
$46.38 million (31 December 2007) |
|
Stock of quasi money:
|
$106.8 million (31 December 2007) |
|
Stock of domestic credit:
|
$163.1 million (31 December 2007) |
|
Market value of publicly traded shares:
|
$NA |
|
Industries:
|
tourism, construction, fishing |
|
Electricity – production:
|
43 million kWh (2007 est.) |
|
Electricity – consumption:
|
39.99 million kWh (2006 est.) |
|
Electricity – exports:
|
0 kWh (2007) |
|
Electricity – imports:
|
0 kWh (2007 est.) |
|
Electricity – production by source:
|
fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) |
|
Oil – production:
|
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) |
|
Oil – consumption:
|
870 bbl/day (2006 est.) |
|
Oil – exports:
|
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) |
|
Oil – imports:
|
1,035 bbl/day (2005) |
|
Oil – proved reserves:
|
0 bbl (1 January 2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – production:
|
0 cu m (2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – consumption:
|
0 cu m (2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – exports:
|
0 cu m (2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – imports:
|
0 cu m (2007 est.) |
|
Natural gas – proved reserves:
|
0 cu m (1 January 2007 est.) |
|
Current account balance:
|
-$23 million (2007 est.) |
|
Exports:
|
$22 million f.o.b. (2006) |
|
Exports – commodities:
|
squash, fish, vanilla beans, root crops |
|
Exports – partners:
|
US 36.7%, Japan 21.6%, NZ 10.1%, Fiji 5.8%, Samoa 4.9% (2007) |
|
Imports:
|
$139 million f.o.b. (2006) |
|
Imports – commodities:
|
foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, chemicals |
|
Imports – partners:
|
Fiji 32.5%, NZ 27.5%, US 9%, Australia 7.4%, China 5% (2007) |
|
Economic aid – recipient:
|
$31.75 million (2005) |
|
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
|
$40.83 million (yearend, FY 04/05) |
|
Debt – external:
|
$80.7 million (2004) |
|
Currency (code):
|
pa’anga (TOP) |
|
Currency code:
|
TOP |
|
Exchange rates:
|
pa’anga (TOP) per US dollar – NA (2007), 2.0277 (2006), 1.96 (2005), 1.9716 (2004), 2.142 (2003) |
Communications |
Virtual Tour – Tonga |
|
Telephones – main lines in use:
|
21,000 (2007) |
|
Telephones – mobile cellular:
|
46,500 (2007) |
|
Telephone system:
|
general assessment: competition between Tonga Telecommunications Corporation (TCC) and Shoreline Communications Tonga (SCT) is accelerating expansion of telecommunications; SCT recently granted authority to develop high-speed digital service for telephone, Internet, and television domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 40 telephones per 100 persons; fully automatic switched network international: country code – 676; satellite earth station – 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2004) |
|
Radio broadcast stations:
|
AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001) |
|
Radios:
|
61,000 (1997) |
|
Television broadcast stations:
|
3 (2004) |
|
Televisions:
|
2,000 (1997) |
|
Internet country code:
|
.to |
|
Internet hosts:
|
19,231 (2008) |
|
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
|
2 (2000) |
|
Internet users:
|
8,400 (2007) |
Transportation |
Virtual Tour – Tonga |
|
Airports:
|
6 (2007) |
|
Airports – with paved runways:
|
total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2007) |
|
Airports – with unpaved runways:
|
total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2007) |
|
Roadways:
|
total: 680 km paved: 184 km unpaved: 496 km (2000) |
|
Merchant marine:
|
total: 13 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 8, carrier 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1 foreign-owned: 4 (Australia 1, Cyprus 1, Switzerland 1, UK 1) (2008) |
|
Ports and terminals:
|
Nuku’alofa |
Military |
Virtual Tour – Tonga |
|
Military branches:
|
Tonga Defense Services (TDS): Land Force (Royal Guard), Naval Force (includes Royal Marines, Air Wing) (2008) |
|
Military service age and obligation:
|
18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2008) |
|
Manpower available for military service:
|
males age 16-49: 32,053 females age 16-49: 30,981 (2008 est.) |
|
Manpower fit for military service:
|
males age 16-49: 25,520 females age 16-49: 26,893 (2008 est.) |
|
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
|
male: 1,464 female: 1,412 (2008 est.) |
|
Military expenditures:
|
0.9% of GDP (2006 est.) |
Transnational Issues |
Virtual Tour – Tonga |
|
Disputes – international:
|
none |
]]>
Introduction |
Virtual Tour – Tokelau |
|
Background:
|
Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. Referenda held in 2006 and 2007 to change the status of the islands from that of a New Zealand territory to one of free association with New Zealand did not meet the needed threshold for approval. |
Geography |
Virtual Tour – Tokelau |
|
Location:
|
Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
9 00 S, 172 00 W |
|
Map references:
|
Oceania |
|
Area:
|
total: 10 sq km land: 10 sq km water: 0 sq km |
|
Area – comparative:
|
about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
|
Land boundaries:
|
0 km |
|
Coastline:
|
101 km |
|
Maritime claims:
|
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
|
Climate:
|
tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) |
|
Terrain:
|
low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m |
|
Natural resources:
|
NEGL |
|
Land use:
|
arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile) permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
NA |
|
Natural hazards:
|
lies in Pacific typhoon belt |
|
Environment – current issues:
|
limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand |
|
Geography – note:
|
consists of three atolls (Atafu, Fakaofo, Nukunonu), each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over 3 m above sea level |
People |
Virtual Tour – Tokelau |
|
Population:
|
1,433 (July 2008 est.) |
|
Age structure:
|
0-14 years: 42% 15-64 years: 53% 65 years and over: 5% |
|
Population growth rate:
|
-0.011% (2008 est.) |
|
Birth rate:
|
NA (2008 est.) |
|
Death rate:
|
NA (2008 est.) |
|
Net migration rate:
|
NA (2008 est.) |
|
Sex ratio:
|
NA |
|
Infant mortality rate:
|
total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) |
|
Life expectancy at birth:
|
total population: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.) |
|
Total fertility rate:
|
NA (2008 est.) |
|
HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate:
|
NA |
|
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS:
|
NA |
|
HIV/AIDS – deaths:
|
NA |
|
Nationality:
|
noun: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan |
|
Ethnic groups:
|
Polynesian |
|
Religions:
|
Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2% note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant |
|
Languages:
|
Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English |
|
Literacy:
|
NA |
|
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
|
total: 11 years male: 10 years female: 11 years (2004) |
|
Education expenditures:
|
NA |
Government |
Virtual Tour – Tokelau |
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tokelau |
|
Dependency status:
|
self-administering territory of New Zealand; note – Tokelau and New Zealand have agreed to a draft constitution as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand; a UN sponsored referendum on self governance in October 2007 did not produce the two-thirds majority vote necessary for changing the political status |
|
Government type:
|
NA |
|
Capital:
|
none; each atoll has its own administrative center time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
|
Administrative divisions:
|
none (territory of New Zealand) |
|
Independence:
|
none (territory of New Zealand) |
|
National holiday:
|
Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) |
|
Constitution:
|
administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948; amended in 1970 |
|
Legal system:
|
New Zealand and local statutes |
|
Suffrage:
|
21 years of age; universal |
|
Executive branch:
|
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006); New Zealand is represented by Administrator David PAYTON (since 17 October 2006) head of government: Pio TUIA (since 23 February 2008); note – position rotates annually among the three Faipule (village leaders) cabinet: the Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau, consisting of three Faipule (village leaders) and three Pulenuku (village mayors), functions as a cabinet elections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; the head of government is chosen from the Council of Faipule and serves a one-year term |
|
Legislative branch:
|
unicameral General Fono (20 seats; based upon proportional representation from the three islands elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; Atafu has seven seats, Fakaofo has seven seats, Nukunonu has six seats); note – the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power on the General Fono elections: last held 17-19 January 2008 (next to be held in 2011) election results: independents 20 |
|
Judicial branch:
|
Supreme Court in New Zealand exercises civil and criminal jurisdiction in Tokelau |
|
Political parties and leaders:
|
none |
|
Political pressure groups and leaders:
|
none |
|
International organization participation:
|
PIF (observer), SPC, UNESCO (associate), UPU |
|
Diplomatic representation in the US:
|
none (territory of New Zealand) |
|
Diplomatic representation from the US:
|
none (territory of New Zealand) |
|
Flag description:
|
the flag of New Zealand is used |
Economy |
Virtual Tour – Tokelau |
|
Economy – overview:
|
Tokelau’s small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people rely heavily on aid from New Zealand – about $4 million annually – to maintain public services with annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand. |
|
GDP (purchasing power parity):
|
$1.5 million (1993 est.) |
|
GDP (official exchange rate):
|
$NA |
|
GDP – real growth rate:
|
NA% |
|
GDP – per capita (PPP):
|
$1,000 (1993 est.) |
|
GDP – composition by sector:
|
agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% |
|
Labor force:
|
440 (2001) |
|
Unemployment rate:
|
NA% |
|
Population below poverty line:
|
NA% |
|
Budget:
|
revenues: $430,800 expenditures: $2.8 million (1987 est.) |
|
Fiscal year:
|
1 April – 31 March |
|
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
|
NA% |
|
Industries:
|
small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing |
|
Electricity – production:
|
NA kWh |
|
Electricity – consumption:
|
NA kWh |
|
Electricity – production by source:
|
fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) |
|
Exports:
|
$0 (2002) |
|
Exports – commodities:
|
stamps, copra, handicrafts |
|
Imports:
|
$969,200 c.i.f. (2002) |
|
Imports – commodities:
|
foodstuffs, building materials, fuel |
|
Currency (code):
|
New Zealand dollar (NZD) |
|
Currency code:
|
NZD |
|
Exchange rates:
|
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar – 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004) |
Communications |
Virtual Tour – Tokelau |
|
Telephones – main lines in use:
|
300 (2002) |
|
Telephone system:
|
general assessment: modern satellite-based communications system domestic: radiotelephone service between islands international: country code – 690; radiotelephone service to Samoa; government-regulated telephone service (TeleTok); satellite earth stations – 3 |
|
Radio broadcast stations:
|
AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA (one radio station provides service to all islands) (2002) |
|
Radios:
|
1,000 (1997) |
|
Internet country code:
|
.tk |
|
Internet hosts:
|
273 (2008) |
|
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
|
1 (2000) |
|
Internet users:
|
NA |
Transportation |
Virtual Tour – Tokelau |
|
Ports and terminals:
|
none; offshore anchorage only |
Military |
Virtual Tour – Tokelau |
|
Military – note:
|
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand |
Transnational Issues |
Virtual Tour – Tokelau |
|
Disputes – international:
|
Tokelau included American Samoa’s Swains Island (Olohega) in its 2006 draft constitution |
]]>