Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (12)

total population: 81.2%

male: 80.4%

female: 81.8% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 12 years

male: 12 years

female: 12 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

8.7% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 10

Government ::Botswana

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Botswana

conventional short form: Botswana

local long form: Republic of Botswana

local short form: Botswana

former: Bechuanaland

Government type:

parliamentary republic

Capital:

name: Gaborone

geographic coordinates: 24 45 S, 25 55 E

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

Administrative divisions:

9 districts and 5 town councils*; Central, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Northeast, Northwest, Selebi-Pikwe*, Southeast, Southern

Independence:

30 September 1966 (from the UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)

Constitution:

March 1965; effective 30 September 1966

Legal system:

based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008); Vice President Mompati MERAFHE (since 1 April 2008)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president indirectly elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held on 9 October 2009); vice president appointed by the president

election results: Festus G. MOGAE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 52%: note - MOGAE stepped down on 1 April 2008 and designated KHAMA to serve out the remainder of his term

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body with 8 ex-officio members consisting of the chiefs of the principal tribes, and 7 non-permanent members serving 5-year terms, consisting of 4 elected subchiefs and 3 members selected by the other 12 members) and the National Assembly (63 seats, 57 members are directly elected by popular vote, 4 are appointed by the majority party, and 2, the President and Attorney-General, serve as ex-officio members; members serve five-year terms)

elections: National Assembly elections last held 16 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 53.3%, BNF 21.9%, BCP 19.2%, 2.3%, other 4.3%; seats by party - BDP 45, BNF 6, BCP 4, BAM 1, other 1

Judicial branch:

High Court; Court of Appeal; Magistrates' Courts (one in each district)

Political parties and leaders:

Botswana Alliance Movement or BAM [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Gilson SALESHANDO]; Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Daniel KWELAGOBE]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Otswoletse MOUPO]; Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Bernard BALIKANI]; MELS Movement of Botswana or MELS [Themba JOINA]; New Democratic Front or NDF [Dick BAYFORD]

note: a number of minor parties joined forces in 1999 to form the BAM but did not capture any parliamentary seats - includes the United Action Party [Ephraim Lepetu SETSHWAELO]; the Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO]; the Botswana Progressive Union [D. K. KWELE]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

First People of the Kalahari (Bushman organization); Pitso Ya Ba Tswana; Society for the Promotion of Ikalanga Language (Kalanga elites)

other: diamond mining companies

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Lapologang Caesar LEKOA

chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990

FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen J. NOLAN

embassy: Embassy Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone

mailing address: Embassy Enclave, P. O. Box 90, Gaborone

telephone: [267] 395-3982

FAX: [267] 395-6947

Flag description:

light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center

Economy ::Botswana

Economy - overview:

Botswana has maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since independence in 1966, though growth fell below 5% in 2007-08. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world to a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of $13,300 in 2008. Two major investment services rank Botswana as the best credit risk in Africa. Diamond mining has fueled much of the expansion and currently accounts for more than one-third of GDP and for 70-80% of export earnings. Tourism, financial services, subsistence farming, and cattle raising are other key sectors. On the downside, the government must deal with high rates of unemployment and poverty. Unemployment officially was 23.8% in 2004, but unofficial estimates place it closer to 40%. HIV/AIDS infection rates are the second highest in the world and threaten Botswana's impressive economic gains. An expected leveling off in diamond mining production overshadows long-term prospects.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$27.11 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $26.35 billion (2007 est.)

$25.23 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$13.46 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 4.4% (2007 est.)

5.1% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$13,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $13,800 (2007 est.)

$13,400 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 1.6%

industry: 52.6% (including 36% mining)

services: 45.8% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

685,300 formal sector employees (2007) country comparison to the world: 146

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Unemployment rate:

7.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Population below poverty line:

30.3% (2003)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

63 (1993) country comparison to the world: 4

Investment (gross fixed):

23.4% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Budget:

revenues: $4.326 billion

expenditures: $4.808 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

5.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 8.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

12.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 7.1% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

15% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 17 14.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

16.54% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 34 16.22% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$1.008 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 87 $1.026 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$4.183 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 75 $4.336 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$NA (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$3.556 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 82 $5.887 billion (31 December 2007)

$3.947 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts

Industries:

diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

-2.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Electricity - production:

1.052 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Electricity - consumption:

2.648 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

2.181 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Oil - consumption:

15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Oil - imports:

15,180 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 46

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Current account balance:

$750.3 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $2.434 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$4.707 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $5.158 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles

Imports:

$4.486 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $3.447 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$9.119 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $9.79 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$409 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $408 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

pulas (BWP) per US dollar - 6.7907 (2008 est.), 6.2035 (2007), 5.8447 (2006), 5.1104 (2005), 4.6929 (2004)

Communications ::Botswana

Telephones - main lines in use:

142,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 135

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.486 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 133

Telephone system:

general assessment: the system is expanding with the growth of mobile-cellular service and participation in regional development; system is fully digital with fiber-optic cables linking the major population centers in the east; fixed-line connections declined in recent years and now stand at roughly 8 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density currently is about 80 per 100 persons

domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations; mobile-cellular service is growing fast

international: country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

2 (1 state-owned, 1 private)

Internet country code:

.bw

Internet hosts:

7,341 (2009) country comparison to the world: 128

Internet users:

120,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 146

Transportation ::Botswana

Airports:

77 (2009) country comparison to the world: 71

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 9

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 68

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 54

under 914 m: 10 (2009)

Railways:

total: 888 km country comparison to the world: 97 narrow gauge: 888 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 25,798 km country comparison to the world: 103 paved: 8,410 km

unpaved: 17,388 km (2005)

Military ::Botswana

Military branches:

Botswana Defense Force: Ground Forces (includes Air Arm) (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

18 is the apparent age of voluntary military service; the official qualifications for determining minimum age are unknown (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 487,853

females age 16-49: 464,278 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 341,190

females age 16-49: 315,588 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 23,420

female: 22,904 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

3.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 42

Transnational Issues ::Botswana

Disputes - international:

Botswana still struggles to seal its border from thousands of Zimbabweans who flee economic collapse and political persecution; Namibia has long supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River at Kazungula crossing, thereby de facto recognizing the short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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@Bouvet Island (Antarctica)

Introduction ::Bouvet Island

Background:

This uninhabited volcanic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers and is difficult to approach. It was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom the island was named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. In 1928, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island the previous year. In 1971, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, it has run an automated meteorological station on the island.

Geography ::Bouvet Island

Location:

island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)

Geographic coordinates:

54 26 S, 3 24 E

Map references:

Antarctic Region

Area:

total: 49 sq km country comparison to the world: 232 land: 49 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

29.6 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 4 nm

Climate:

antarctic

Terrain:

volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: South Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Olav Peak 935 m

Natural resources:

none

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (93% ice) (2005)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

covered by glacial ice; declared a nature reserve by Norway

People ::Bouvet Island

Population:

uninhabited

Government ::Bouvet Island

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Bouvet Island

Dependency status:

territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police

Legal system:

the laws of Norway, where applicable, apply

Flag description:

the flag of Norway is used

Economy ::Bouvet Island

Economy - overview:

no economic activity; declared a nature reserve

Communications ::Bouvet Island

Internet country code:

.bv

Internet hosts:

0 (2009) country comparison to the world: 230

Communications - note:

automatic meteorological station

Transportation ::Bouvet Island

Ports and terminals:

none; offshore anchorage only

Military ::Bouvet Island

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of Norway

Transnational Issues ::Bouvet Island

Disputes - international:

none

page last updated on October 28, 2009

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@Brazil (South America)

Introduction ::Brazil

Background:

Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil peacefully gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil underwent more than half a century of populist and military government until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader. Highly unequal income distribution and crime remain pressing problems.

Geography ::Brazil

Location:

Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean

Geographic coordinates:

10 00 S, 55 00 W

Map references:

South America

Area:

total: 8,514,877 sq km country comparison to the world: 5 land: 8,459,417 sq km

water: 55,460 sq km

note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than the US

Land boundaries:

total: 16,885 km

border countries: Argentina 1,261 km, Bolivia 3,423 km, Colombia 1,644 km, French Guiana 730 km, Guyana 1,606 km, Paraguay 1,365 km, Peru 2,995 km, Suriname 593 km, Uruguay 1,068 km, Venezuela 2,200 km

Coastline:

7,491 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

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

Climate:

mostly tropical, but temperate in south

Terrain:

mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m

Natural resources:

bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber

Land use:

arable land: 6.93%

permanent crops: 0.89%

other: 92.18% (2005)

Irrigated land:

29,200 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

8,233 cu km (2000)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 59.3 cu km/yr (20%/18%/62%)

per capita: 318 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south

Environment - current issues:

deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; there is a lucrative illegal wildlife trade; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills

Environment - international agreements:

party to: 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, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador

People ::Brazil

Population:

198,739,269 country comparison to the world: 5 note: Brazil conducted a census in August 2000, which reported a population of 169,872,855; that figure was about 3.8% lower than projections by the US Census Bureau, and is close to the implied underenumeration of 4.6% for the 1991 census (July 2009 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 26.7% (male 27,092,880/female 26,062,244)

15-64 years: 66.8% (male 65,804,108/female 67,047,725)

65 years and over: 6.4% (male 5,374,230/female 7,358,082) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 28.6 years

male: 27.8 years

female: 29.3 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.199% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Birth rate:

18.43 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Death rate:

6.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Net migration rate:

-0.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Urbanization:

urban population: 86% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 1.8% 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: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 22.58 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 97 male: 26.16 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 18.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 71.99 years country comparison to the world: 121 male: 68.43 years

female: 75.73 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.21 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

730,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

15,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Nationality:

noun: Brazilian(s)

adjective: Brazilian

Ethnic groups:

white 53.7%, mulatto (mixed white and black) 38.5%, black 6.2%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2000 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic (nominal) 73.6%, Protestant 15.4%, Spiritualist 1.3%, Bantu/voodoo 0.3%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.2%, none 7.4% (2000 census)

Languages:

Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 88.6%

male: 88.4%

female: 88.8% (2004 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

4% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 105

Government ::Brazil

Country name:

conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil

conventional short form: Brazil

local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil

local short form: Brasil

Government type:

federal republic

Capital:

name: Brasilia

geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W

time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins third Sunday in October; ends third Sunday in February

note: Brazil is divided into four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands

Administrative divisions:

26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins

Independence:

7 September 1822 (from Portugal)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 7 September (1822)

Constitution:

5 October 1988

Legal system:

based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age; note - military conscripts do not vote

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (since 1 January 2003); Vice President Jose ALENCAR (since 1 January 2003)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 1 October 2006 with runoff 29 October 2006 (next to be held 3 October 2010 and, if necessary, 31 October 2010)

election results: Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (PT) reelected president - 60.83%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 39.17%

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members from each state and federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third and two-thirds elected every four years, alternately) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

elections: Federal Senate - last held 1 October 2006 for one-third of the Senate (next to be held in October 2010 for two-thirds of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 1 October 2006 (next to be held in October 2010)

election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PFL 6, PSDB 5, PMDB 4, PTB 3, PT 2, PDT 1, PSB 1, PL 1, PPS 1, PRTB 1, PP 1, PCdoB 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 89, PT 83, PFL 65, PSDB 65, PP 42, PSB 27, PDT 24, PL 23, PTB 22, PPS 21, PCdoB 13, PV 13, PSC 9, other 17; note - as of 1 January 2009, the composition of the entire legislature is as follows: Federal Senate - seats by party - PMDB 21, DEM (formerly PFL) 12, PSDB 13, PT 12, PTB 7, PDT 5, PR 4, PSB 2, PCdoB 1, PRB 1, PP 1, PSC 1, PSOL 1; Chamber of Deputies - seats by party - PMDB 95, PT 79, PSDB 59, DEM (formerly PFL) 53, PR 44, PP 40, PSB 29, PDT 25, PTB 19, PPS 14, PV 14, PCdoB 13, PSC 11, PMN 5, PRB 4, PHS 3, PSOL 3, PTC 1, PTdoB 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Federal Tribunal or STF (11 ministers are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate); Higher Tribunal of Justice; Regional Federal Tribunals (judges are appointed for life); note - though appointed "for life," judges, like all federal employees, have a mandatory retirement age of 70

Political parties and leaders:

Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Federal Deputy Michel TEMER]; Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Roberto JEFFERSON]; Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB [Jose Levy FIDELIX da Cruz]; Brazilian Republican Party or PRB [Vitor Paulo Araujo DOS SANTOS]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Senator Sergio GUERRA]; Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Governor Eduardo Henrique Accioly CAMPOS]; Christian Labor Party or PTC [Daniel TOURINHO]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Jose Renato RABELO]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos Roberto LUPI]; the Democrats or DEM (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL) [Federal Deputy Rodrigo MAIA]; Freedom and Socialism Party or PSOL [Heloisa HELENA]; Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz de Franca PENNA]; Humanist Party of Solidarity or PHS [Paulo Roberto MATOS]; Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB [Luis Henrique de Oliveira RESENDE]; Liberal Front Party or PFL (now known as the Democrats or DEM); National Mobilization Party or PMN [Oscar Noronha FILHO]; Party of the Republic or PR [Sergio TAMER]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Federal Deputy Fernando CORUJA]; Progressive Party or PP [Francisco DORNELLES]; Social Christian Party or PSC [Vitor Jorge Abdala NOSSEIS]; Workers' Party or PT [Ricardo Jose Ribeiro BERZOINI]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Landless Workers' Movement or MST

other: labor unions and federations; large farmers' associations; religious groups including evangelical Christian churches and the Catholic Church

International organization participation:

AfDB (nonregional member), BIS, CAN (associate), CPLP, FAO, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar PATRIOTA

chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 238-2805

FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827

consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL

embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, Distrito Federal Cep 70403-900, Brasilia

mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030

telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000

FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136

consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo

consulate(s): Recife

Flag description:

green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress)

Economy ::Brazil

Economy - overview:

Characterized by large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and Brazil is expanding its presence in world markets. From 2003 to 2007, Brazil ran record trade surpluses and recorded its first current account surpluses since 1992. Productivity gains coupled with high commodity prices contributed to the surge in exports. Brazil improved its debt profile in 2006 by shifting its debt burden toward real denominated and domestically held instruments. LULA da Silva restated his commitment to fiscal responsibility by maintaining the country's primary surplus during the 2006 election. Following his second inauguration in October of that year, LULA da Silva announced a package of further economic reforms to reduce taxes and increase investment in infrastructure. Brazil's debt achieved investment grade status early in 2008, but the government's attempt to achieve strong growth while reducing the debt burden created inflationary pressures. For most of 2008, the Central Bank embarked on a restrictive monetary policy to stem these pressures. Since the onset of the global financial crisis in September, Brazil's currency and its stock market - Bovespa - have significantly lost value, -41% for Bovespa for the year ending 30 December 2008. Brazil incurred another current account deficit in 2008, as world demand and prices for commodities dropped in the second-half of the year.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.998 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $1.901 trillion (2007 est.)

$1.798 trillion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$1.573 trillion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 5.7% (2007 est.)

4% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$10,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $9,800 (2007 est.)

$9,400 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 6.7%

industry: 28%

services: 65.3% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

93.65 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 20%

industry: 14%

services: 66% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:

7.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 9.3% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

31% (2005)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 1.1%

highest 10%: 43% (2007)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

56.7 (2005) country comparison to the world: 10 60.7 (1998)

Investment (gross fixed):

19% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Budget:

revenues: NA

expenditures: NA

Public debt:

38.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 52% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 3.6% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

20.48% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 9 17.85% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

47.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 4 43.72% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$95.03 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 12 $131.1 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$724.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 6 $792.8 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.249 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 11 $1.377 trillion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$589.4 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 12 $1.37 trillion (31 December 2007)

$711.1 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef

Industries:

textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment

Industrial production growth rate:

4.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Electricity - production:

438.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Electricity - consumption:

404.3 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Electricity - exports:

2.034 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:

42.06 billion kWh; note - supplied by Paraguay (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

2.422 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Oil - consumption:

2.52 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Oil - exports:

570,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Oil - imports:

632,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Oil - proved reserves:

12.62 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Natural gas - production:

12.62 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Natural gas - consumption:

23.65 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 200

Natural gas - imports:

11.03 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Natural gas - proved reserves:

365 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Current account balance:

-$28.19 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $1.551 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$197.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $160.6 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

transport equipment, iron ore, soybeans, footwear, coffee, autos

Exports - partners:

US 14.4%, China 12.4%, Argentina 8.4%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.5% (2008)

Imports:

$173.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $120.6 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil, automotive parts, electronics

Imports - partners:

US 14.9%, China 11.6%, Argentina 7.9%, Germany 7% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$193.8 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $180.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$262.9 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 27 $240.5 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$294 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $248.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$127.5 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $107.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

reals (BRL) per US dollar - 1.8644 (2008 est.), 1.85 (2007 est.), 2.1761 (2006), 2.4344 (2005), 2.9251 (2004)

Communications ::Brazil

Telephones - main lines in use:

41.141 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 6

Telephones - mobile cellular:

150.641 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 5

Telephone system:

general assessment: good working system; fixed-line connections have remained relatively stable in recent years and stand at about 20 per 100 persons; less expensive mobile cellular technology is a major driver in expanding telephone service to the low-income segment of the population with mobile-cellular telephone density reaching 80 per 100 persons

domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations; mobile-cellular usage has more than tripled in the past 5 years

international: country code - 55; landing point for a number of submarine cables, including Atlantis 2, that provide direct links to South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1,365, FM 296, shortwave 161 (of which 91 are collocated with AM stations) (1999)

Television broadcast stations:

138 (1997)

Internet country code:

.br

Internet hosts:

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

Internet users:

64.948 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 5

Transportation ::Brazil

Airports:

4,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 2

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 721

over 3,047 m: 7

2,438 to 3,047 m: 27

1,524 to 2,437 m: 171

914 to 1,523 m: 460

under 914 m: 56 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 3,279

1,524 to 2,437 m: 87

914 to 1,523 m: 1,547

under 914 m: 1,645 (2009)

Heliports:

13 (2009)

Pipelines:

condensate/gas 62 km; gas 9,892 km; liquid petroleum gas 353 km; oil 4,517 km; refined products 4,465 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 28,857 km country comparison to the world: 10 broad gauge: 5,709 km 1.600-m gauge (459 km electrified)

standard gauge: 194 km 1.440-m gauge

narrow gauge: 22,954 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 1,751,868 km country comparison to the world: 4 paved: 96,353 km

unpaved: 1,655,515 km (2004)

Waterways:

50,000 km (most in areas remote from industry and population) (2008) country comparison to the world: 3

Merchant marine:

total: 136 country comparison to the world: 45 by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 22, carrier 1, chemical tanker 7, container 11, liquefied gas 12, passenger/cargo 12, petroleum tanker 45, roll on/roll off 7

foreign-owned: 25 (Chile 1, Denmark 2, Germany 6, Greece 1, Mexico 1, Norway 5, Spain 9)

registered in other countries: 8 (Argentina 1, Bahamas 2, Ghana 1, Liberia 3, Marshall Islands 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Guaiba, Ilha Grande, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao

Transportation - note:

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Atlantic Ocean as a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen

Military ::Brazil

Military branches:

Brazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil (MB), includes Naval Air and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

21-45 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 9 to 12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service; an increasing percentage of the ranks are "long-service" volunteer professionals; women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps (2001)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 52,449,957

females age 16-49: 52,375,921 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 38,043,555

females age 16-49: 44,267,520 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 1,690,031

female: 1,630,851 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

2.6% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Transnational Issues ::Brazil

Disputes - international:

unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations; uncontested boundary dispute with Uruguay over Isla Brasilera at the confluence of the Quarai/Cuareim and Invernada rivers, that form a tripoint with Argentina; the Itaipu Dam reservoir covers over a once contested section of Brazil-Paraguay boundary west of Guaira Falls on the Rio Parana; an accord placed the long-disputed Isla Suarez/Ilha de Guajara-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Rio Mamore, under Bolivian administration in 1958, but sovereignty remains in dispute

Illicit drugs:

second-largest consumer of cocaine in the world; illicit producer of cannabis; trace amounts of coca cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian, and Peruvian cocaine headed for Europe; also used by traffickers as a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling; important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine; illicit narcotics proceeds are often laundered through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity in the Tri-Border Area (2008)

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@British Indian Ocean Territory (South Asia)

Introduction ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Background:

Formerly administered as part of the British Crown Colony of Mauritius, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was established as an overseas territory of the UK in 1965. A number of the islands of the territory were later transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Between 1967 and 1973, former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius, but also to the Seychelles. Negotiations between 1971 and 1982 resulted in the establishment of a trust fund by the British Government as compensation for the displaced islanders, known as Chagossians. Beginning in 1998, the islanders pursued a series of lawsuits against the British Government seeking further compensation and the right to return to the territory. In 2006 and 2007, British court rulings invalidated the immigration policies contained in the 2004 BIOT Constitution Order that had excluded the islanders from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. In 2008, the House of Lords, as the final court of appeal in the UK, ruled in favor of the British Government by overturning the lower court rulings and finding no right of return on the part of the Chagossians.

Geography ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Location:

archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about halfway between Africa and Indonesia

Geographic coordinates:

6 00 S, 71 30 E; note - Diego Garcia 7 20 S, 72 25 E

Map references:

Political Map of the World

Area:

total: 54,400 sq km country comparison to the world: 127 land: 60 sq km; Diego Garcia 44 sq km

water: 54,340 sq km

note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago of 55 islands

Area - comparative:

land area is about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

698 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds

Terrain:

flat and low (most areas do not exceed two meters in elevation)

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m

Natural resources:

coconuts, fish, sugarcane

Land use:

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2005)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

archipelago of 55 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility

People ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois, were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960s and 1970s; in November 2004, approximately 4,000 UK and US military personnel and civilian contractors were living on the island of Diego Garcia

Government ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Country name:

conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory

conventional short form: none

abbreviation: BIOT

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London

Legal system:

the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Commissioner Colin ROBERTS (since July 2008); Administrator Joanne YEADON (since December 2007); note - both reside in the UK and are represented by the officer commanding British Forces on Diego Garcia

cabinet: NA

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag

Economy ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Economy - overview:

All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where a joint UK-US military facility is located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installation are performed by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. The territory earns foreign exchange by selling fishing licenses and postage stamps.

Electricity - production:

NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Communications ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Telephones - main lines in use:

NA

Telephone system:

general assessment: separate facilities for military and public needs are available

domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet

international: country code (Diego Garcia) - 246; international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (1997)

Internet country code:

.io

Internet hosts:

160 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194

Transportation ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Airports:

1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 225

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 1

over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Roadways:

note: short section of paved road between port and airfield on Diego Garcia

Ports and terminals:

Diego Garcia

Military ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Royal Overseas Police Officers (ROPOs) (2008)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016

Transnational Issues ::British Indian Ocean Territory

Disputes - international:

Mauritius claims the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia; in 2001, the former inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, evicted in 1967 and 1973 and now residing chiefly in Mauritius, were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation; in May 2007, the UK Court of Appeals upheld the May 2006 High Court of London judgment reversing the UK government's 2004 Orders of Council that banned habitation on the islands; a small group of Chagossians visited Diego Garcia in April 2006; repatriation is complicated by the exclusive US military lease of Diego Garcia that restricts access to the largest viable island in the chain

page last updated on October 28, 2009

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

@British Virgin Islands (Central America and Caribbean)

Introduction ::British Virgin Islands

Background:

First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency.

Geography ::British Virgin Islands

Location:

Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates:

18 30 N, 64 30 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 151 sq km country comparison to the world: 219 land: 151 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke

Area - comparative:

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

80 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

Terrain:

coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Sage 521 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land: 20%

permanent crops: 6.67%

other: 73.33% (2005)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)

Environment - current issues:

limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments)

Geography - note:

strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

People ::British Virgin Islands

Population:

24,491 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 215

Age structure:

0-14 years: 19.8% (male 2,454/female 2,387)

15-64 years: 74.4% (male 9,346/female 8,881)

65 years and over: 5.8% (male 734/female 689) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 32.3 years

male: 32.4 years

female: 32.2 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.837% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Birth rate:

14.62 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Death rate:

4.37 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Net migration rate:

8.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Urbanization:

urban population: 40% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female

total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 14.65 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 129 male: 16.61 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 77.26 years country comparison to the world: 58 male: 76.03 years

female: 78.55 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.71 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: British Virgin Islander(s)

adjective: British Virgin Islander

Ethnic groups:

black 83.4%, white 7%, other 9.6% (includes Indian and mixed) (2004 Census)

Religions:

Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, other 2%, none 2% (1991)

Languages:

English (official)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)

male: NA

female: NA

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 17 years

male: 15 years

female: 19 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

3.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 123

Government ::British Virgin Islands

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: British Virgin Islands

abbreviation: BVI

Dependency status:

overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing

Government type:

NA

Capital:

name: Road Town

geographic coordinates: 18 27 N, 64 37 W

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

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Independence:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Territory Day, 1 July (1956)

Constitution:

13 June 2007

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 David PEAREY (since 18 April 2006)

head of government: Premier Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 23 August 2007)

cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly

elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor

Legislative branch:

unicameral House of Assembly (13 elected seats and 1 non-voting ex officio member in the attorney general; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; members serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 20 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011)

election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 45.2%, NDP 39.6%, independent 15.2%; seats by party - VIP 10, NDP 2, independent 1

Judicial branch:

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction

Political parties and leaders:

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

The Family Support Network; The Women's Desk

other: environmentalists

International organization participation:

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)

Economy ::British Virgin Islands

Economy - overview:

The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 820,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2005. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$853.4 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

GDP (official exchange rate):

$839.7 million (2003)

GDP - real growth rate:

1% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$38,500 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 1.8%

industry: 6.2%

services: 92% (1996 est.)

Labor force:

12,770 (2004) country comparison to the world: 206

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 0.6%

industry: 40%

services: 59.4% (2005)

Unemployment rate:

3.6% (1997) country comparison to the world: 43

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Budget:

revenues: $204.7 million

expenditures: $180.4 million (2004)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2% (2005) country comparison to the world: 17

Agriculture - products:

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

Industries:

tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

45 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Electricity - consumption:

41.85 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Oil - consumption:

1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Oil - imports:

691.4 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 116

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 92

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Current account balance:

$134.3 million (1999) country comparison to the world: 55

Exports:

$25.3 million (2002) country comparison to the world: 202 $25.3 million (2002)

Exports - commodities:

rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand

Imports:

$187 million f.o.b.

Imports - commodities:

building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery

Debt - external:

$36.1 million (1997) country comparison to the world: 194

Exchange rates: