Y (continued 5)

consulate(s): Los Angeles

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affaires D. Brent HARDT

embassy: U.S. Embassy, Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB 14006

mailing address: P. O. Box 302, Bridgetown BB 11000; CMR 1014, APO AA 34055

telephone: [1] (246) 227-4399

FAX: [1] (246) 431-0179

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold, and blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the band colors represent the blue of the sea and sky and the gold of the beaches; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident)

National anthem:

name: "The National Anthem of Barbados"

lyrics/music: Irving BURGIE/C. Van Roland EDWARDS

note: adopted 1966; the anthem is also known as "In Plenty and In Time of Need"

Economy ::Barbados

Economy - overview:

Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, in recent years the economy has diversified into light industry and tourism with about three-quarters of GDP and 80% of exports being attributed to services. Growth has rebounded since 2003, bolstered by increases in construction projects and tourism revenues, reflecting its success in the higher-end segment, but the sector faced declining revenues in 2009 with the global economic downturn. The country enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the region. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners and thrive from having the same time zone as eastern US financial centers and a relatively highly educated workforce. The government continues its efforts to reduce unemployment, to encourage direct foreign investment, and to privatize remaining state-owned enterprises. The public debt-to-GDP ratio rose to over 100% in 2009, largely because a sharp slowdown in tourism and financial services led to a wide budget deficit.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$6.196 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154 $6.24 billion (2009 est.)

$6.603 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$3.963 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-0.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 -5.5% (2009 est.)

-0.2% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$21,700 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $21,900 (2009 est.)

$23,300 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 6%

industry: 16%

services: 78% (2000 est.)

Labor force:

175,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 10%

industry: 15%

services: 75% (1996 est.)

Unemployment rate:

10.7% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Public debt:

NA (2009)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Central bank discount rate:

7% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 45 10% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

9.25% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 10.03% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$1.793 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 123 $1.748 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of broad money:

$4.563 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 124 $4.618 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of domestic credit:

$4.554 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $4.124 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 81 $4.964 billion (31 December 2008)

$5.599 billion (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, vegetables, cotton

Industries:

tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export

Industrial production growth rate:

-3.2% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 163

Electricity - production:

1.003 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Electricity - consumption:

939.9 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

765 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Oil - consumption:

9,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Oil - exports:

1,750 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Oil - imports:

10,390 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Oil - proved reserves:

1.79 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Natural gas - production:

29.17 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Natural gas - consumption:

29.17 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Natural gas - proved reserves:

113.3 million cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Current account balance:

-$254 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Exports:

$385 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 172

Exports - commodities:

manufactures, sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components

Exports - partners:

Trinidad and Tobago 17.48%, Jamaica 15.63%, US 8.93%, Saint Lucia 8.13%, UK 5.36%, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 5.04%, Antigua and Barbuda 4.12% (2009)

Imports:

$1.586 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 159

Imports - commodities:

consumer goods, machinery, foodstuffs, construction materials, chemicals, fuel, electrical components

Imports - partners:

Trinidad and Tobago 28.52%, US 27.96%, Colombia 7.13%, China 4.76%, UK 4.39% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$620 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 117

Debt - external:

$668 million (2003) country comparison to the world: 155

Exchange rates:

Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004), 2 (2003)

Communications ::Barbados

Telephones - main lines in use:

135,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 136

Telephones - mobile cellular:

337,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 168

Telephone system:

general assessment: island-wide automatic telephone system

domestic: fixed-line teledensity of roughly 50 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density approaching 125 per 100 persons

international: country code - 1-246; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 1 (Intelsat -Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia (2009)

Broadcast media:

government-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) operates the lone terrestrial television station; CBC also operates a multi-channel cable TV subscription service; roughly a dozen radio stations, consisting of a CBC-operated network alongside privately-owned radio stations, in operation (2007)

Internet country code:

.bb

Internet hosts:

1,508 (2010) country comparison to the world: 159

Internet users:

188,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 143

Transportation ::Barbados

Airports:

1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 233

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2010)

Roadways:

total: 1,600 km country comparison to the world: 176 paved: 1,600 km (2004)

Merchant marine:

total: 95 country comparison to the world: 52 by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 55, chemical tanker 9, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned: 89 (Canada 13, Greece 14, Iran 4, Lebanon 2, Norway 41, Sweden 6, Syria 1, Turkey 1, UK 7)

registered in other countries: 1 (unknown 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals:

Bridgetown

Military ::Barbados

Military branches:

Royal Barbados Defense Force: Troops Command, Barbados Coast Guard (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger volunteers require parental consent); no conscription (2009)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 74,418

females age 16-49: 74,450 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 58,532

females age 16-49: 58,542 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 1,897

female: 1,884 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

0.8% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 151

Military - note:

the Royal Barbados Defense Force includes a land-based Troop Command and a small Coast Guard; the primary role of the land element is to defend the island against external aggression; the Command consists of a single, part-time battalion with a small regular cadre that is deployed throughout the island; it increasingly supports the police in patrolling the coastline to prevent smuggling and other illicit activities (2007)

Transnational Issues ::Barbados

Disputes - international:

Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a maritime boundary and limiting catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone; joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea

Illicit drugs:

one of many Caribbean transshipment points for narcotics bound for Europe and the US; offshore financial center

page last updated on January 11, 2011

======================================================================

@Belarus (Europe)

Introduction ::Belarus

Background:

After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place. Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first president, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means. Government restrictions on freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion remain in place.

Geography ::Belarus

Location:

Eastern Europe, east of Poland

Geographic coordinates:

53 00 N, 28 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 207,600 sq km country comparison to the world: 85 land: 202,900 sq km

water: 4,700 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Kansas

Land boundaries:

total: 3,306 km

border countries: Latvia 171 km, Lithuania 680 km, Poland 605 km, Russia 959 km, Ukraine 891 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none (landlocked)

Climate:

cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime

Terrain:

generally flat and contains much marshland

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Nyoman River 90 m

highest point: Dzyarzhynskaya Hara 346 m

Natural resources:

timber, peat deposits, small quantities of oil and natural gas, granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, clay

Land use:

arable land: 26.77%

permanent crops: 0.6%

other: 72.63% (2005)

Irrigated land:

1,310 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

58 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 2.79 cu km/yr (23%/47%/30%)

per capita: 286 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

soil pollution from pesticide use; southern part of the country contaminated with fallout from 1986 nuclear reactor accident at Chornobyl' in northern Ukraine

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes

People ::Belarus

Population:

9,612,632 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.3% (male 707,550/female 667,560)

15-64 years: 71.3% (male 3,337,253/female 3,540,916)

65 years and over: 14.5% (male 446,746/female 948,508) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 38.8 years

male: 35.8 years

female: 41.8 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.368% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 221

Birth rate:

9.76 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Death rate:

13.81 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19

Net migration rate:

0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Urbanization:

urban population: 73% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.062 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female

total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 6.34 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 174 male: 7.34 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 70.92 years country comparison to the world: 139 male: 65.26 years

female: 76.93 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.25 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 215

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

13,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

1,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Nationality:

noun: Belarusian(s)

adjective: Belarusian

Ethnic groups:

Belarusian 81.2%, Russian 11.4%, Polish 3.9%, Ukrainian 2.4%, other 1.1% (1999 census)

Religions:

Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.)

Languages:

Belarusian (official) 36.7%, Russian (official) 62.8%, other 0.5% (includes small Polish- and Ukrainian-speaking minorities) (1999 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.6%

male: 99.8%

female: 99.4% (1999 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 15 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2007)

Education expenditures:

5.2% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 56

Government ::Belarus

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Belarus

conventional short form: Belarus

local long form: Respublika Byelarus'

local short form: Byelarus'

former: Belorussian (Byelorussian) Soviet Socialist Republic

Government type:

republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship

Capital:

name: Minsk

geographic coordinates: 53 54 N, 27 34 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions:

6 provinces (voblastsi, singular - voblasts') and 1 municipality* (horad); Brest, Homyel' (Gomel), Horad Minsk* (Minsk City), Hrodna (Grodno), Mahilyow (Mogilev), Minsk, Vitsyebsk (Vitebsk)

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers; Russian spelling provided for reference when different from Belarusian

Independence:

25 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note - 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union

Constitution:

15 March 1994; revised by national referendum of 24 November 1996 giving the presidency greatly expanded powers and became effective 27 November 1996; revised again 17 October 2004 removing presidential term limits

Legal system:

based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Aleksandr LUKASHENKO (since 20 July 1994)

head of government: Prime Minister Mikhail MYASNIKOVICH (since 28 December 2010); First Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir SEMASHKO (since December 2003)

cabinet: Council of Ministers (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; first election took place on 23 June and 10 July 1994; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999, however, Aleksandr LUKASHENKO extended his term to 2001 via a November 1996 referendum; subsequent election held on 9 September 2001; an October 2004 referendum ended presidential term limits and allowed the president to run in a third (19 March 2006) and fourth election (19 December 2010); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president

election results: Aleksandr LUKASHENKO reelected president; percent of vote - Aleksandr LUKASHENKO 79.7%, Andrey SANNIKAU 2.6%, other candidates 17.7%; note - election marred by electoral fraud

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Assembly or Natsionalnoye Sobraniye consists of the Council of the Republic or Sovet Respubliki (64 seats; 56 members elected by regional and Minsk city councils and 8 members appointed by the president, to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Palata Predstaviteley (110 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Palata Predstaviteley - last held on 28 September 2008 (next to be held in the spring of 2012); international observers determined that despite minor improvements the election ultimately fell short of democratic standards; pro-LUKASHENKO candidates won every seat

election results: Sovet Respubliki - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Palata Predstaviteley - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Constitutional Court (half of the judges appointed by the president and half appointed by the Chamber of Representatives)

Political parties and leaders:

pro-government parties: Belarusian Agrarian Party or AP [Mikhail SHIMANSKY]; Belarusian Patriotic Movement (Belarusian Patriotic Party) or BPR [Nikolay ULAKHOVICH, chairman]; Communist Party of Belarus or KPB [Tatsyana HOLUBEVA]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Sergey GAYDUKEVICH]; Republican Party of Labor and Justice [Vasiliy ZADNEPRYANYY]

opposition parties: Belarusian Christian Democracy Party [Pavel SEVERINETS] (unregistered); Belarusian Party of Communists or PKB [Sergey KALYAKIN]; Belarusian Party of Labor [Aleksandr BUKHVOSTOV] (unregistered); Belarusian Popular Front or BPF [Aleksey YANUKEVICH]; Belarusian Social-Democratic Hramada [Stanislav SHUSHKEVICH]; Belarusian Social Democratic Party Hramada ("Assembly") or BSDPH [Anatoliy LEVKOVICH]; Belarusian Social Democratic Party People's Assembly ("Narodnaya Hramada") [Nikolay STATKEVICH] (unregistered); Belarusian Women's Party Nadzeya ("Hope") [Yelena YESKOVA, chairperson]; Christian Conservative Party or BPF [Zyanon PAZNIAK]; European Belarus Campaign [Andrey SANNIKOV]; Party of Freedom and Progress [Vladimir NOVOSYAD] (unregistered); "Tell the Truth" Campaign [Vladimir NEKLYAYEV]; United Civic Party or UCP [Anatoliy LEBEDKO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Assembly of Pro-Democratic NGOs (unregistered) [Sergey MATSKEVICH]; Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Unions [Aleksandr YAROSHUK]; Belarusian Association of Journalists [Zhana LITVINA]; Belarusian Helsinki Committee [Aleh HULAK]; Belarusian Independence Bloc (unregistered) and For Freedom movement [Aleksandr MILINKEVICH]; Belarusian Organization of Working Women [Irina ZHIKHAR]; BPF-Youth [Andrus KRECHKA]; Charter 97 (unregistered) [Andrey SANNIKOV]; Perspektiva small business association [Anatol SHUMCHENKO]; Nasha Vyasna (unregistered) ("Our Spring") human rights center; "Tell the Truth" Movement [Vladimir NEKLYAYEV]; Women's Independent Democratic Movement [Ludmila PETINA]; Young Belarus (Malady Belarus) [Zmitser KASPYAROVICH]; Youth Front (Malady Front) [Zmitser DASHKEVICH]

International organization participation:

BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CEI, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Oleg KRAVCHENKO

chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 986-1604

FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael SCANLAN

embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya Street, Minsk 220002

mailing address: PSC 78, Box B Minsk, APO 09723

telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83, 217-7347 through 7348

FAX: [375] (17) 334-7853

Flag description:

red horizontal band (top) and green horizontal band one-half the width of the red band; a white vertical stripe on the hoist side bears Belarusian national ornamentation in red; the red band color recalls past struggles from oppression, the green band represents hope and the many forests of the country

National anthem:

name: "My, Bielarusy" (We Belarusians)

lyrics/music: Mikhas KLIMKOVICH and Uladzimir KARYZNA/Nester SAKALOUSKI

note: music adopted 1955, lyrics adopted 2002; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Belarus kept the music of its Soviet-era anthem but adopted new lyrics; also known as "Dziarzauny himn Respubliki Bielarus" (State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus)

Economy ::Belarus

Economy - overview:

Belarus has seen limited structural reform since 1995, when President LUKASHENKO launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, LUKASHENKO reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprises. Since 2005, the government has re-nationalized a number of private companies. In addition, businesses have been subjected to pressure by central and local governments, including arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. Continued state control over economic operations hampers market entry for businesses, both domestic and foreign. Government statistics indicate GDP growth was strong, surpassing 10% in 2008, despite the roadblocks of a tough, centrally directed economy with a high rate of inflation and a low rate of unemployment. However, the global crisis pushed the country into recession in 2009, and GDP grew only 0.2% for the year. Slumping foreign demand hit the industrial sector hard. Minsk has depended on a standby-agreement with the IMF to assist with balance of payments shortfalls. In line with IMF conditions, in 2009, Belarus devalued the ruble more than 40% and tightened some fiscal and monetary policies. On 1 January 2010, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus launched a customs union, with unified trade regulations and customs codes still under negotiation. In late January, Russia and Belarus amended their 2007 oil supply agreement. The new terms raised prices for above quota purchases, increasing Belarus' current account deficit. GDP grew 4.8% in 2010, in part, on the strength of renewed export growth. In December 2010, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement to form a Common Economic Space and Russia removed all Belarusian oil duties.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$128.4 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $122.5 billion (2009 est.)

$122.3 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$52.89 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 0.2% (2009 est.)

10.2% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$13,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 $12,700 (2009 est.)

$12,600 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 9%

industry: 42.9%

services: 48.1% (2010 est.)

Labor force:

5 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 75

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 14%

industry: 34.7%

services: 51.3% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 1.6% (2005)

note: official registered unemployed; large number of underemployed workers

Population below poverty line:

27.1% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3.6%

highest 10%: 22% (2005)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

27.9 (2005) country comparison to the world: 124 21.7 (1998)

Investment (gross fixed):

36% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 12.9% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

13.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 30 12% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

11.68% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 8.55% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$4.747 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 92 $4.381 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Stock of broad money:

$13.62 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 92 $14.07 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of domestic credit:

$19.99 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $17.15 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk

Industries:

metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, televisions, synthetic fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators

Industrial production growth rate:

10.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Electricity - production:

29.92 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Electricity - consumption:

30.54 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Electricity - exports:

5.062 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:

9.406 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Oil - production:

31,400 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Oil - consumption:

173,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Oil - exports:

303,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Oil - imports:

444,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

Oil - proved reserves:

198 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Natural gas - production:

152 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Natural gas - consumption:

17 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2009) country comparison to the world: 58

Natural gas - imports:

17.6 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Natural gas - proved reserves:

2.832 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Current account balance:

-$5.062 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 -$6.402 billion (2009 est.)

Exports:

$24.49 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $21.34 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, textiles, foodstuffs

Exports - partners:

Russia 33.6%, Netherlands 13.78%, Ukraine 8.68%, Latvia 6.32%, Poland 4.19%, Germany 4.17% (2009)

Imports:

$29.79 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $28.31 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities:

mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals

Imports - partners:

Russia 56.42%, Germany 8.31%, Ukraine 4.79%, China 4.04% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$5.755 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $4.831 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt - external:

$24.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $19.74 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates:

Belarusian rubles (BYB/BYR) per US dollar - 3,019.9 (2010), 2,789.5 (2009), 2,130 (2008), 2,145 (2007), 2,144.6 (2006)

Communications ::Belarus

Telephones - main lines in use:

3.969 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 40

Telephones - mobile cellular:

9.686 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 67

Telephone system:

general assessment: Belarus lags behind its neighbors in upgrading telecommunications infrastructure; modernization of the network progressing with roughly two-thirds of switching equipment now digital

domestic: state-owned Beltelcom is the sole provider of fixed-line local and long distance service; fixed-line teledensity is improving although rural areas continue to be underserved; multiple GSM mobile-cellular networks are experiencing rapid growth; mobile-cellular teledensity reached 100 telephones per 100 persons in 2009

international: country code - 375; Belarus is a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line, and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); 3 fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations (2008)

Broadcast media:

4 state-controlled national TV channels; Polish and Russian TV broadcasts are available in some areas; state-run Belarusian Radio operates 3 national networks and an external service; Russian and Polish radio broadcasts are available (2007)

Internet country code:

.by

Internet hosts:

147,311 (2010) country comparison to the world: 71

Internet users:

2.643 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 69

Transportation ::Belarus

Airports:

67 (2010) country comparison to the world: 74

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 35

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 22

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 7 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 32

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 27 (2010)

Heliports:

1 (2010)

Pipelines:

gas 5,250 km; oil 1,528 km; refined products 1,730 km (2009)

Railways:

total: 5,537 km country comparison to the world: 32 broad gauge: 5,512 km 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified)

standard gauge: 25 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 94,797 km country comparison to the world: 49 paved: 84,028 km

unpaved: 10,769 km (2005)

Waterways:

2,500 km (use limited by location on perimeter of country and by shallowness) (2003) country comparison to the world: 36

Ports and terminals:

Mazyr

Military ::Belarus

Military branches:

Belarus Armed Forces: Land Force, Air and Air Defense Force, Special Operations Force (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12-18 months, depending on academic qualifications (2010)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,435,318

females age 16-49: 2,466,762 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,708,634

females age 16-49: 2,043,083 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 55,758

female: 52,572 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Transnational Issues ::Belarus

Disputes - international:

Boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania in 2006; 1997 boundary delimitation treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and diminishing border security

Illicit drugs:

limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; a small and lightly regulated financial center; anti-money-laundering legislation does not meet international standards and was weakened further when know-your-customer requirements were curtailed in 2008; few investigations or prosecutions of money-laundering activities (2008)

page last updated on January 20, 2011

======================================================================

@Belgium (Europe)

Introduction ::Belgium

Background:

Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.

Geography ::Belgium

Location:

Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands

Geographic coordinates:

50 50 N, 4 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 30,528 sq km country comparison to the world: 140 land: 30,278 sq km

water: 250 sq km

Area - comparative:

about the size of Maryland

Land boundaries:

total: 1,385 km

border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km

Coastline:

66.5 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit

continental shelf: median line with neighbors

Climate:

temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Terrain:

flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: North Sea 0 m

highest point: Botrange 694 m

Natural resources:

construction materials, silica sand, carbonates

Land use:

arable land: 27.42%

permanent crops: 0.69%

other: 71.89%

note: includes Luxembourg (2005)

Irrigated land:

400 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

20.8 cu km (2005)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 7.44 cu km/yr (13%/85%/1%)

per capita: 714 cu m/yr (1998)

Natural hazards:

flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes

Environment - current issues:

the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO

People ::Belgium

Population:

10,423,493 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Age structure:

0-14 years: 16.1% (male 857,373/female 822,303)

15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,480,072/female 3,419,721)

65 years and over: 17.6% (male 760,390/female 1,074,477) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 42 years

male: 40.7 years

female: 43.3 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.082% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Birth rate:

10.1 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Death rate:

10.5 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Net migration rate:

1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Urbanization:

urban population: 97% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.045 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

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

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 195 male: 4.92 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 79.37 years country comparison to the world: 37 male: 76.21 years

female: 82.68 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.65 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

15,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Nationality:

noun: Belgian(s)

adjective: Belgian

Ethnic groups:

Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%

Languages:

Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 16 years

male: 16 years

female: 16 years (2008)

Education expenditures:

6.1% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 36

Government ::Belgium

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium

conventional short form: Belgium

local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie

local short form: Belgique/Belgie

Government type:

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Capital:

name: Brussels

geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions:

3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form)

note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities

Independence:

4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)

National holiday:

21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I

Constitution:

7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state

Legal system:

based on civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch

head of government: Prime Minister Yves LETERME (since 25 November 2009); note - the king accepted the resignation of LETERME on 26 April 2010; LETERME remains as caretaker

cabinet: Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by parliament

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members directly elected by popular vote, 31 indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held on 13 June 2010 (next to be held no later than June 2014)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - N-VA 19.6%, PS 13.6%, CD&V 10%, sp.a 9.5%, MR 9.3%, Open VLD 8.2%, VB 7.6%, Ecolo 5.5%, CDH 5.1% Groen! 3.9%, other 7.7%; seats by party - N-VA 9, PS 7, CD&V 4, sp.a 4, MR 4, Open VLD 4, VB 3, Ecolo 2, CDH 2, Groen! 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - N-VA 17.4%, PS 13.7%, CD&V 10.9%, MR 9.3%, sp.a 9.2%, Open VLD 8.6%, VB 7.8%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 4.8%, Groen! 4.4%, List Dedecker 2.3%, the Popular Party 1.3%, other 4.8%; seats by party - N-VA 27, PS 26, CD&V 17, MR 18, sp.a 13, Open VLD 13, VB 12, CDH 9, Ecolo 8, Groen! 5, List Dedecker 1, the Popular Party 1

note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments, each with its own legislative assembly

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council)

Political parties and leaders:

Flemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV [Wouter BEKE]; Dedecker List or LDD [Lode VEREECK]; Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Alexander DE CROO]; Groen! [Wouter VAN BESIEN] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens); New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Bruno VALKENIERS]

Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Sarah TURINE]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; Popular Party or PP [ Mischael MODRIKAMEN]; Reform Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries

other: numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants

International organization participation:

ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Jan MATTHYSEN

chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900

FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Howard W. GUTMAN

embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels

mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710

telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111

FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field)

National anthem:

name: "La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant)

lyrics/music: Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT

note: adopted 1830; Louis-Alexandre DECHET was an actor at the theater in which the revolution against the Netherlands began; according to legend, he wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe

Economy ::Belgium

Economy - overview:

This modern, private-enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium imports substantial quantities of raw materials and exports a large volume of manufactures, making its economy vulnerable to volatility in world markets. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries. In 2009 Belgian GDP contracted by 2.7%, the unemployment rate rose slightly, and the budget deficit worsened because of large-scale bail-outs in the financial sector. Belgium's budget deficit widened to 4.8% of GDP in 2010, while public debt was just over 100% of GDP. Belgian banks have been severely affected by the international financial crisis with three major banks receiving capital injections from the government. An ageing population and rising social expenditures are also increasing pressure on public finances, making it likely the government will need to implement unpopular austerity measures to assuage investor concerns about Belgium's ability to restore fiscal balance.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$394.9 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $388.7 billion (2009 est.)

$399.5 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$461.3 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 -2.7% (2009 est.)

0.8% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$37,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $37,300 (2009 est.)

$38,400 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0.7%

industry: 22.1%

services: 77.2% (2010 est.)

Labor force:

5.02 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 2%

industry: 25%

services: 73% (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate:

8.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 7.9% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line:

15.2% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 28.4% (2006)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

28 (2005) country comparison to the world: 121 28.7 (1996)

Investment (gross fixed):

20.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Public debt:

102.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 101% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 0% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

1.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 113 3% (31 December 2008)

note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

6.15% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 7.03% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$172.9 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 19 $178.7 billion (31 December 2009 est)

note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Stock of broad money:

$539.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $536.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$801.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $767.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$261.4 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 26 $167.4 billion (31 December 2008)

$386.4 billion (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:

sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk

Industries:

engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum

Industrial production growth rate:

4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79

Electricity - production:

82.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Electricity - consumption:

84.88 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Electricity - exports:

6.561 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

17.16 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

11,220 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Oil - consumption:

608,200 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Oil - exports:

433,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Oil - imports:

1.12 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Natural gas - consumption:

16.87 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Natural gas - imports:

16.78 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Current account balance:

-$1.129 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 $1.251 billion (2009 est.)

Exports:

$279.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $261.1 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs

Exports - partners:

Germany 19.58%, France 17.71%, Netherlands 11.84%, UK 7.21%, US 5.37%, Italy 4.77% (2009)

Imports:

$281.7 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $261.3 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities:

raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products

Imports - partners:

Netherlands 17.93%, Germany 17.14%, France 11.69%, Ireland 6.26%, US 5.74%, UK 5.07%, China 4.09% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$NA (31 December 2010 est.)

$23.98 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.241 trillion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 12 $1.354 trillion (31 December 2008)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$741.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $705.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$632.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $595.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates:

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)

Communications ::Belgium

Telephones - main lines in use:

4,255 (2009) country comparison to the world: 215

Telephones - mobile cellular:

12.419 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 55

Telephone system:

general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities

domestic: nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network

international: country code - 32; landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007)

Broadcast media:

a segmented market with the three major communities (Flemish, French, and German-speaking) each having responsibility for their own broadcast media; multiple TV channels exist for each community; additionally, in excess of 90% of households are connected to cable and can access broadcasts of TV stations from neighboring countries; each community has a public radio network co-existing with private broadcasters (2007)

Internet country code:

.be

Internet hosts:

4.465 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 19

Internet users:

8.113 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 36

Transportation ::Belgium

Airports:

43 (2010) country comparison to the world: 99

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 27

over 3,047 m: 6

2,438 to 3,047 m: 9

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 9 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 16

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 15 (2010)

Heliports:

1 (2010)

Pipelines:

gas 1,330 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2009)

Railways:

total: 3,233 km country comparison to the world: 54 standard gauge: 3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways:

total: 152,256 km country comparison to the world: 35 paved: 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways)

unpaved: 33,177 km (2006)

Waterways:

2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2008) country comparison to the world: 44

Merchant marine:

total: 81 country comparison to the world: 55 by type: bulk carrier 21, cargo 8, chemical tanker 5, container 4, liquefied gas 23, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 7

foreign-owned: 13 (Denmark 4, France 5, UK 2, US 2)

registered in other countries: 104 (Bahamas 9, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 2, France 7, Gibraltar 2, Greece 16, Hong Kong 16, Liberia 1, Luxembourg 9, Malta 14, Moldova 2, Mozambique 2, North Korea 1, Panama 2, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Vanuatu 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals:

cargo ports (tonnage): Antwerp, Gent, Liege, Zeebrugge

container ports (TEUs): Antwerp (8,662,891), Zeebrugge (2,209,715)

Military ::Belgium

Military branches:

Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Commands (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription suspended (2010)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,377,191

females age 16-49: 2,309,941 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,949,361

females age 16-49: 1,891,966 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 60,726

female: 57,882 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Transnational Issues ::Belgium

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy

page last updated on January 20, 2011

======================================================================

@Belize (Central America and Caribbean)

Introduction ::Belize

Background:

Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992 and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute. Guatemala and Belize plan to hold a simultaneous referendum to determine if this dispute will go before the International Court of Justice at The Hague, though they have not yet set a date. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include the country's heavy foreign debt burden, high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, high crime rates, and increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS.

Geography ::Belize

Location:

Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico

Geographic coordinates:

17 15 N, 88 45 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 22,966 sq km country comparison to the world: 151 land: 22,806 sq km

water: 160 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Land boundaries:

total: 516 km

border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km

Coastline:

386 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)

Terrain:

flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,160 m

Natural resources:

arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 3.05%

permanent crops: 1.39%

other: 95.56% (2005)

Irrigated land:

30 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

18.6 cu km (2000)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.15 cu km/yr (7%/73%/20%)

per capita: 556 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean

People ::Belize

Population:

314,522 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Age structure:

0-14 years: 37.9% (male 59,462/female 57,117)

15-64 years: 58.6% (male 91,298/female 89,170)

65 years and over: 3.5% (male 5,185/female 5,667) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 20.7 years

male: 20.5 years

female: 20.9 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.102% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Birth rate:

26.84 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Death rate:

5.82 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 90

Urbanization:

urban population: 52% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 22.52 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 92 male: 25.22 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 68.23 years country comparison to the world: 150 male: 66.54 years

female: 70 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.28 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

2.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

3,600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria

water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)

Nationality:

noun: Belizean(s)

adjective: Belizean

Ethnic groups:

mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% (2000 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 27% (Pentecostal 7.4%, Anglican 5.3%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5.2%, Mennonite 4.1%, Methodist 3.5%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.5%), other 14%, none 9.4% (2000)

Languages:

Spanish 46%, Creole 32.9%, Mayan dialects 8.9%, English 3.9% (official), Garifuna 3.4% (Carib), German 3.3%, other 1.4%, unknown 0.2% (2000 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 76.9%

male: 76.7%

female: 77.1% (2000 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 12 years

male: 13 years

female: 12 years (2004)

Education expenditures:

5.1% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 62

Government ::Belize

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Belize

former: British Honduras

Government type:

parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Capital:

name: Belmopan

geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W

time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

Independence:

21 September 1981 (from the UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

Constitution:

21 September 1981

Legal system:

English law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG, Sr. (since 17 November 1993)

head of government: Prime Minister Dean Oliver BARROW (since 8 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar VEGA (since 12 February 2008)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (31 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: House of Representatives - last held on 6 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013)

election results: percent of vote by party - UDP 56.3%, PUP 40.9%; seats by party - UDP 25, PUP 6

Judicial branch:

Summary Jurisdiction Courts (criminal) and District Courts (civil jurisdiction); Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister); Court of Appeal; Privy Council in the UK; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)

Political parties and leaders:

National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR; National Reform Party or NRP [Cornelius DUECK]; People's National Party or PNP [Wil MAHEIA]; People's United Party or PUP [John BRICENO]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW]; Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Paul MORGAN]; We the People Reform Movement or WTP [Hipolito BAUTISTA]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Nicole HAYLOCK]; Association of Concerned Belizeans or ACB [David VASQUEZ]; National Trade Union Congress of Belize or NTUC/B [Rene GOMEZ]

International organization participation:

ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, PetroCaribe, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Nestor MENDEZ

chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636

FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Vinai THUMMALAPALLY

embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan City, Cayo District

mailing address: P.O. Box 497, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize

telephone: [501] 822-4011

FAX: [501] 822-4012

Flag description:

blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland of 50 mahogany leaves; the colors are those of the two main political parties: blue for the PUP and red for the UDP; various elements of the coat of arms - the figures, the tools, the mahogany tree, and the garland of leaves - recall the logging industry that led to British settlement of Belize

note: Belize's flag is the only national flag that depicts human beings; two British overseas territories, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands, also depict humans

National anthem:

name: "Land of the Free"

lyrics/music: Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG

note: adopted 1981; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

Economy ::Belize

Economy - overview:

In this small, essentially private-enterprise economy, tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner followed by exports of marine products, citrus, cane sugar, bananas, and garments. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to sturdy GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007, though growth slipped to 3.8% in 2008, 0% in 2009, and 1.5% in 2010 as a result of the global slowdown, natural disasters, and the drop in the price of oil. Oil discoveries in 2006 bolstered economic growth. Exploration efforts continue and production increased a small amount in 2009. Major concerns continue to be the sizable trade deficit and heavy foreign debt burden. In February 2007, the government restructured nearly all of its public external commercial debt, which helped reduce interest payments and relieved some of the country's liquidity concerns. A key objective remains the reduction of poverty and inequality with the help of international donors.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.652 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $2.613 billion (2009 est.)

$2.613 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$1.431 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166 0% (2009 est.)

3.6% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$8,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $8,500 (2009 est.)

$8,700 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 29%

industry: 16.9%

services: 54.1% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

120,500 country comparison to the world: 179 note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (2008 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 10.2%

industry: 18.1%

services: 71.7% (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate:

13.1% (2009) country comparison to the world: 137 8.2% (2008)

Population below poverty line:

33.5% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Investment (gross fixed):

26.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 -1.1% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

12% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 31 12% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

14.08% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 14.14% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$389.5 million (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 161 $336.5 million (31 December 2009 est)

Stock of broad money:

$1.351 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $1.084 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.291 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 $1.036 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

bananas, cacao, citrus, sugar; fish, cultured shrimp; lumber

Industries:

garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil

Industrial production growth rate:

1.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity - production:

213.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Electricity - consumption:

198.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

248.4 million kWh (2005)

Oil - production:

3,990 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Oil - consumption:

7,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Oil - exports:

2,260 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Oil - imports:

7,204 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Oil - proved reserves:

6.7 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Current account balance:

-$151 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 -$93.3 million (2009 est.)

Exports:

$404 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $381.9 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities:

sugar, bananas, citrus, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood, crude oil

Exports - partners:

US 30.7%, UK 29.77%, Nigeria 4.9%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.45% (2009)

Imports:

$740 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $620.5 million (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods; fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals; food, beverages, tobacco

Imports - partners:

US 33.65%, Mexico 14.17%, Cuba 8.51%, Guatemala 6.75%, Spain 6.07%, China 4.12% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$219 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $213.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt - external:

$1.01 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $954.1 million (2008 est.)

Exchange rates:

Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2010), 2 (2009), 2 (2008), 2 (2007), 2 (2006)

Communications ::Belize

Telephones - main lines in use:

31,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 178

Telephones - mobile cellular:

161,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 175

Telephone system:

general assessment: above-average system; trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay

domestic: fixed-line teledensity of 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 55 per 100 persons

international: country code - 501; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (2008)

Broadcast media:

8 privately-owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV provides access to foreign stations; about 25 radio stations broadcasting on roughly 50 different frequencies; state-run radio was privatized in 1998 (2007)

Internet country code:

.bz

Internet hosts:

2,880 (2010) country comparison to the world: 147

Internet users:

36,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 177

Transportation ::Belize

Airports:

45 (2010) country comparison to the world: 96

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 41

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 13

under 914 m: 27 (2010)

Roadways:

total: 3,007 km country comparison to the world: 165 paved: 575 km

unpaved: 2,432 km (2006)

Waterways:

825 km (navigable only by small craft) (2010) country comparison to the world: 71

Merchant marine:

total: 231 country comparison to the world: 33 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 37, cargo 146, chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 7, refrigerated cargo 27, roll on/roll off 10

foreign-owned: 171 (Chile 1, China 64, Croatia 1, Cyprus 1, Estonia 1, Germany 1, Greece 2, Iceland 2, Italy 3, Japan 1, Latvia 10, Lithuania 2, Netherlands 1, Nigeria 2, Norway 3, Peru 1, Russia 32, Singapore 7, Spain 1, Syria 2, Turkey 18, UAE 5, UK 4, Ukraine 6) (2010)

Ports and terminals:

Belize City, Big Creek

Military ::Belize

Military branches:

Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, BDF Air Wing (includes Special Boat Unit), BDF Volunteer Guard (2010)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1 (2008)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 79,088

females age 16-49: 77,147 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 57,759

females age 16-49: 55,903 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 3,678

female: 3,543 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.4% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 107

Transnational Issues ::Belize

Disputes - international:

OAS-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures saw cooperation in repatriation of Guatemalan squatters and other areas, but Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea remain unresolved; the Line of Adjacency created under the 2002 Differendum serves in lieu of the contiguous international boundary to control squatting in the sparsely inhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; Honduras claims Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays in its constitution but agreed to a joint ecological park under the Differendum

Trafficking in persons:

current situation: Belize is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; the most common form of trafficking in Belize is the internal sex trafficking of minors; some Central American men, women, and children, particularly from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, migrate voluntarily to Belize in search of work but are subsequently subjected to conditions of forced labor or forced prostitution

tier rating: Belize is placed on Tier 2 Watch List because it does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; despite efforts to raise public awareness of human trafficking and provide protection services for trafficking victims, the government did not show evidence of progress in convicting and sentencing trafficking offenders last year (2009)

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis, primarily for local consumption; offshore sector money-laundering activity related to narcotics trafficking and other crimes (2008)

page last updated on January 12, 2011

======================================================================

@Benin (Africa)

Introduction ::Benin

Background:

Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent. YAYI has begun a high profile fight against corruption and has strongly promoted accelerating Benin's economic growth.

Geography ::Benin

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo

Geographic coordinates:

9 30 N, 2 15 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 112,622 sq km country comparison to the world: 101 land: 110,622 sq km

water: 2,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries:

total: 1,989 km

border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km

Coastline:

121 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Terrain:

mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m

Natural resources:

small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Land use:

arable land: 23.53%

permanent crops: 2.37%

other: 74.1% (2005)

Irrigated land:

120 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

25.8 cu km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.13 cu km/yr (32%/23%/45%)

per capita: 15 cu m/yr (2001)

Natural hazards:

hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March

Environment - current issues:

inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands

People ::Benin

Population:

9,056,010 country comparison to the world: 90 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 45.2% (male 2,028,493/female 1,948,353)

15-64 years: 52.1% (male 2,275,662/female 2,308,945)

65 years and over: 2.6% (male 94,569/female 135,810) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 17.3 years

male: 16.9 years

female: 17.8 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.944% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Birth rate:

38.67 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17

Death rate:

9.23 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Urbanization:

urban population: 41% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 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: 0.69 male(s)/female

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 63.13 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 30 male: 66.51 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 59.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 59.42 years country comparison to the world: 188 male: 58.21 years

female: 60.68 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.4 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

64,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

3,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever

respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis

animal contact disease: rabies (2009)

Nationality:

noun: Beninese (singular and plural)

adjective: Beninese

Ethnic groups:

Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related 12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Peulh and related 7%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%, other 1.6% (includes Europeans), unspecified 2.9% (2002 census)

Religions:

Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census)

Languages:

French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 34.7%

male: 47.9%

female: 23.3% (2002 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 9 years

male: 10 years

female: 6 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

3.6% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 130

Government ::Benin

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Benin

conventional short form: Benin

local long form: Republique du Benin

local short form: Benin

former: Dahomey

Government type:

republic

Capital:

name: Porto-Novo (official capital)

geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

note: Cotonou (seat of government)

Administrative divisions:

12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou

Independence:

1 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

National Day, 1 August (1960)

Constitution:

adopted by referendum 2 December 1990

Legal system:

based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); runoff election held on 19 March 2006 (next to be held in March 2011)

election results: Thomas YAYI Boni elected president; percent of vote - Thomas YAYI Boni 74.5%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 25.5%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held on 31 March 2007 (next to be held by March 2011)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FCBE 35, ADD 20, PRD 10, other and independents 18

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice

Political parties and leaders:

African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance for Dynamic Democracy or ADD; Alliance of Progress Forces or AFP; Benin Renaissance or RB [Rosine SOGLO]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Force Cowrie for an Emerging Benin or FCBE; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Theophile NATA]; Key Force or FC [Lazare SEHOUETO]; Movement for the People's Alternative or MAP [Olivier CAPO-CHICHI]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Dominique HOUNGNINOU]; Social Democrat Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity or UDS [Sacca LAFIA]; Union for the Relief or UPR [Issa SALIFOU]

note: approximately 20 additional minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:

other: economic groups; environmentalists; political groups; teachers' unions and other educational groups

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN

chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656

FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador James A. KNIGHT

embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou

mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou

telephone: [229] 21-30-06-50

FAX: [229] 21-30-03-84

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side; green symbolizes hope and revival, yellow wealth, and red courage

note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

National anthem:

name: "L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day)

lyrics/music: Gilbert Jean DAGNON

note: adopted 1960

Economy ::Benin

Economy - overview:

The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output had averaged about 4% before the global recession, but fell to 2.5% in 2009 and 3% in 2010. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. Specific projects to improve the business climate by reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice system, and the financial sector were included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006. The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture. As result of these reforms, Benin has become the most competitive country in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, according to the World Economic Forum. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G-8 debt reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. An insufficient electrical supply continues to adversely affect Benin's economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to increase domestic power production.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$14.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $13.79 billion (2009 est.)

$13.42 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$6.494 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 2.7% (2009 est.)

5.1% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$1,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 $1,600 (2009 est.)

$1,600 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 33.2%

industry: 14.5%

services: 52.3% (2007 est.)

Labor force:

3.662 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Population below poverty line:

37.4% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3.1%

highest 10%: 29% (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

36.5 (2003) country comparison to the world: 82

Investment (gross fixed):

18.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 2.2% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

4.25% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 91 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

NA% (31 December 2009 est.)

NA% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$1.551 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 125 $1.619 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Stock of broad money:

$2.424 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $2.517 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.222 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $1.269 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, cashews; livestock

Industries:

textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement

Industrial production growth rate:

3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Electricity - production:

124 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Electricity - consumption:

597 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

588 million kWh (2007 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Oil - consumption:

23,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Oil - exports:

8,770 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Oil - imports:

28,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Oil - proved reserves:

8 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Natural gas - proved reserves:

1.133 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Current account balance:

-$582 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 -$644 million (2009 est.)

Exports:

$1.125 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 $994 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities:

cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood

Exports - partners:

India 19.72%, China 13.18%, Niger 6.94%, Nigeria 6.56%, Indonesia 5.73%, Togo 5.63%, Namibia 4.17% (2009)

Imports:

$1.812 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $1.703 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products

Imports - partners:

China 35.62%, US 7.51%, France 7.38%, Thailand 6.71%, Malaysia 6.13%, Netherlands 4.83%, Belgium 4.02% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.254 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $1.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.894 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $986.2 million (31 December 2008 est.)

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 506.04 (2010), 472.19 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006)

Communications ::Benin

Telephones - main lines in use:

127,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 141

Telephones - mobile cellular:

5.033 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 94

Telephone system:

general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections; fixed-line network characterized by aging, deteriorating equipment

domestic: fixed-line teledensity only about 2 per 100 persons; spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular providers, cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly

international: country code - 229; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; long distance fiber-optic links with Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Broadcast media:

state-run Office de Radiodiffusion et de Television du Benin (ORTB) operates a TV station with multiple channels giving it a wide broadcast reach; several privately-owned TV stations broadcast from Cotonou; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio, under ORTB control, includes a national station supplemented by a number of regional stations; substantial number of privately-owned radio broadcast stations; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available on FM in Cotonou (2007)

Internet country code:

.bj

Internet hosts:

1,286 (2010) country comparison to the world: 165

Internet users:

200,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 139

Transportation ::Benin

Airports:

5 (2010) country comparison to the world: 180

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)

Railways:

total: 578 km country comparison to the world: 112 narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 16,000 km country comparison to the world: 120 paved: 1,400 km

unpaved: 14,600 km (2006)

Waterways:

150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2007) country comparison to the world: 102

Ports and terminals:

Cotonou

Military ::Benin

Military branches:

Benin Armed Forces (FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin People's Air Force (Force Aerienne Populaire de Benin, FAPB) (2008)

Military service age and obligation:

21 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; in practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2006)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,023,449

females age 16-49: 1,971,788 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,331,242

females age 16-49: 1,345,145 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 105,468

female: 101,603 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

1% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 129

Transnational Issues ::Benin

Disputes - international:

in September 2007, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) intervened to attempt to resolve the dispute over two villages along the Benin-Burkina Faso border that remain from 2005 ICJ decision; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; in 2005, Nigeria ceded thirteen villages to Benin, but border relations remain strained by rival cross-border gang clashes; talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 9,444 (Togo) (2007)

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point used by traffickers for cocaine destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations (2008)

page last updated on January 20, 2011

======================================================================

@Bermuda (North America)

Introduction ::Bermuda

Background:

Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists headed for Virginia. Tourism to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. Although a referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995, the present government has reopened debate on the issue.

Geography ::Bermuda

Location:

North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US)

Geographic coordinates:

32 20 N, 64 45 W

Map references:

North America

Area:

total: 54 sq km country comparison to the world: 231 land: 54 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about one-third the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

103 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

Terrain:

low hills separated by fertile depressions

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Town Hill 76 m

Natural resources:

limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Land use:

arable land: 20%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 80% (55% developed, 45% rural/open space) (2005)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

hurricanes (June to November)

Environment - current issues:

sustainable development

Geography - note:

consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by the US Government from 1941 to 1995

People ::Bermuda

Population:

68,265 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Age structure:

0-14 years: 18.3% (male 6,271/female 6,163)

15-64 years: 67.5% (male 22,555/female 23,215)

65 years and over: 14.2% (male 3,979/female 5,654) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 41.6 years

male: 40.2 years

female: 43.1 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.62% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Birth rate:

11.47 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 171

Death rate:

7.43 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

Net migration rate:

2.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Urbanization:

urban population: 100% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.018 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

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

total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 2.46 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 221 male: 2.57 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 80.6 years country comparison to the world: 19 male: 77.37 years

female: 83.88 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.98 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.3% (2005) country comparison to the world: 90

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

163 (2005) country comparison to the world: 161

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

392 (2005) country comparison to the world: 100

Nationality:

noun: Bermudian(s)

adjective: Bermudian

Ethnic groups:

black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2000 census)

Religions:

Anglican 23%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal 11%, other Protestant 18%, other 12%, unaffiliated 6%, unspecified 1%, none 14% (2000 census)

Languages:

English (official), Portuguese

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: 98%

female: 99% (2005 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 13 years

male: 13 years

female: 14 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

1.2% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 180

Government ::Bermuda

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Bermuda

former: Somers Islands

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK

Government type:

parliamentary; self-governing territory

Capital:

name: Hamilton

geographic coordinates: 32 17 N, 64 47 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

Administrative divisions:

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint George's, Sandys, Smith's, Southampton, Warwick

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Bermuda Day, 24 May

Constitution:

8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003

Legal system:

English law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Sir Richard GOZNEY (since 12 December 2007)

head of government: Premier Paula COX (since 29 October 2010); Deputy Premier Derrick BURGESS

cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (11 seats; members appointed by the governor, the premier, and the opposition) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve up to five-year terms)

elections: last general election held on 18 December 2007 (next to be held not later than 2012)

election results: percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, UBP 47.3%; seats by party - PLP 22, UBP 14

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrate Courts

Political parties and leaders:

Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Ewart BROWN]; United Bermuda Party or UBP [Kim SWAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Bermuda Employer's Union [Eddie SAINTS]; Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS]; Bermuda Public Services Union or BPSU [Ed BALL]; Bermuda Union of Teachers [Michael CHARLES]

International organization participation:

Caricom (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC, UPU, WCO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Consul General Grace W. SHELTON

consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DVO3

mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, US Department of State, 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300

telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342

FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592, 296-9233

Flag description:

red, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (a white shield with a red lion standing on a green grassy field holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag; it was the shipwreck of the vessel, filled with English colonists originally bound for Virginia, that led to settling of Bermuda

note: the flag is unusual in that it is only British overseas territory that uses a red ensign, all others use blue

National anthem:

name: "Hail to Bermuda"

lyrics/music: Bette JOHNS

note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

Economy ::Bermuda

Economy - overview:

Bermuda enjoys the third highest per capita income in the world, more than 50% higher than that of the US; the average cost of a house by the mid-2000s exceeded $1,000,000. Its economy is primarily based on providing financial services for international business and luxury facilities for tourists. A number of reinsurance companies relocated to the island following the 11 September 2001 attacks and again after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 contributing to the expansion of an already robust international business sector. Bermuda's tourism industry - which derives over 80% of its visitors from the US - continues to struggle but remains the island's number two industry. Most capital equipment and food must be imported. Bermuda's industrial sector is largely focused on construction and agriculture is limited, with only 20% of the land being arable.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$4.5 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

GDP (official exchange rate):

$NA

GDP - real growth rate:

4.6% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$69,900 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 4

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 1%

industry: 10%

services: 89% (2002 est.)

Labor force:

38,360 (2004) country comparison to the world: 200

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture and fishing: 3%

laborers: 17%

clerical: 19%

professional and technical: 21%

administrative and managerial: 15%

sales: 7%

services: 19% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

2.1% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Population below poverty line:

19% (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.8% (November 2005) country comparison to the world: 86

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$1.36 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 95 $1.912 billion (31 December 2008)

$2.731 billion (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:

bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey

Industries:

international business, tourism, light manufacturing

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

675.6 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Electricity - consumption:

628.3 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Oil - consumption:

5,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Oil - exports: