Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 7.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.92 years male: 75.9 years female: 82.11 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.88 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) adjective: Virgin Islander
Ethnic groups:
black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census)
Religions:
Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
Languages:
English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or FrenchCreole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90-95% est. male: NA% female: NA% (2005 est.)
Education expenditures:
GovernmentVirgin Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies abbreviation: USVI
Dependency status:
organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:
Capital:
name: Charlotte Amalie geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
Independence:
none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)
Constitution:
Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Legal system:
based on US laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007) cabinet: NA elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 and 21 November 2006 (next to be held November 2010) election results: John DeJONGH elected governor; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM 4, independent 3 note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008)
Judicial branch:
US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of the US)
Flag description:
white field with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
EconomyVirgin Islands
Economy - overview:
Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.6 million visitors in 2005. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are small but growing components of the economy. The islands are vulnerable to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the private sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.577 billion (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
GDP - real growth rate:
2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$14,500 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)
Labor force:
43,980 (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.2% (2004)
Population below poverty line:
28.9% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.2% (2003)
Agriculture - products:
fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Industries:
tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
960 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
892.8 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
17,620 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
91,680 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - exports:
398,500 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
492,300 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Exports:
$4.234 billion (2001)
Exports - commodities:
refined petroleum products
Exports - partners:
US, Puerto Rico (2006)
Imports:
$4.609 billion (2001)
Imports - commodities:
crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Imports - partners:
US, Puerto Rico (2006)
Economic aid - recipient:
Debt - external:
Currency (code):
US dollar (USD)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
CommunicationsVirgin Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
71,700 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
80,300 (2005)
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay domestic: full range of services available international: country code - 1-340; submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005)
Radios:
107,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
5 (2006)
Televisions:
68,000 (1997)
Internet country code:
.vi
Internet hosts:
4,610 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
50 (2000)
Internet users:
30,000 (2007)
TransportationVirgin Islands
Airports:
2 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 1,257 km (2007)
Ports and terminals:
Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay
MilitaryVirgin Islands
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 861 female: 897 (2008 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational IssuesVirgin Islands
Disputes - international:
none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Wake Island
IntroductionWake Island
Background:
The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military, as well as for emergency landings. All operations on the island were suspended and all personnel evacuated in August 2006 with the approach of super typhoon IOKE (category 5), which struck the island with sustained winds of 250 kph and a 6 m storm surge inflicting major damage. A US Air Force assessment and repair team returned to the island in September and restored limited function to the airfield and facilities. The future status of activities on the island will be determined upon completion of the survey and assessment.
GeographyWake Island
Location:
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 6.5 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
19.3 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
atoll of three low coral islands, Peale, Wake, and Wilkes, built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 6 m
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
occasional typhoons
Environment - current issues:
Geography - note:
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights
PeopleWake Island
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants note: since super typhoon IOKE, a small military contingent along with 75 contractor personnel have returned to the island to conduct clean-up and restore basic operations on the island (July 2008 est.)
GovernmentWake Island
Country name:
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island
Dependency status:
unorganized, unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities in the atoll are currently conducted by the US Air Force
Legal system:
the laws of the US, where applicable, apply
Flag description:
the flag of the US is used
EconomyWake Island
Economy - overview:
Economic activity is limited to providing services to military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
CommunicationsWake Island
Telephone system:
general assessment: satellite communications; 2 DSN circuits off the Overseas Telephone System (OTS) domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0 (Armed Forces Radio/Television Service(AFRTS) radio service provided by satellite (2005)
Television broadcast stations:
0 (2005)
TransportationWake Island
Airports:
1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2007)
Ports and terminals:
none; two offshore anchorages for large ships
Transportation - note:
there are no commercial or civilian flights to and from Wake Island, except in direct support of island missions; emergency landing is available
MilitaryWake Island
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US; the US Air Force is responsible for overall administration and operation of the island; the launch support facility is administered by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Transnational IssuesWake Island
Disputes - international:
claimed by Marshall Islands
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Wallis and Futuna
IntroductionWallis and Futuna
Background:
The Futuna island group was discovered by the Dutch in 1616 and Wallis by the British in 1767, but it was the French who declared a protectorate over the islands in 1842. In 1959, the inhabitants of the islands voted to become a French overseas territory.
GeographyWallis and Futuna
Location:
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 274 sq km land: 274 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets
Area - comparative:
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
129 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 2,500-3,000 mm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees C
Terrain:
volcanic origin; low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Singavi 765 m
Natural resources:
Land use:
arable land: 7.14% permanent crops: 35.71% other: 57.15% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural fresh water resources
Geography - note:
both island groups have fringing reefs
PeopleWallis and Futuna
Population:
15,237 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: (male 2,215/female 1,999) 15-64 years: (male 4,982/female 4,996) 65 years and over: (male 465/female 580)
Population growth rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Death rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
NA (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander
Ethnic groups:
Polynesian
Religions:
Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
Languages:
Wallisian 58.9% (indigenous Polynesian language), Futunian 30.1%,French 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 50% male: 50% female: 50% (1969 est.)
GovernmentWallis and Futuna
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna
Dependency status:
overseas territory of France
Government type:
Capital:
name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three kingdoms at the second order named Alo, Sigave, Wallis
Independence:
none (overseas territory of France)
National holiday:
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High Administrator Philippe PAOLANTONI (since 28 July 2008) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Patalione KANIMOA (since January 2001) cabinet: Council of the Territory consists of three kings and three members appointed by the high administrator on the advice of the Territorial Assembly note: there are three traditional kings with limited powers elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high administrator appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly
Legislative branch:
unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 11 March 2002 (next to be held 22 April 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPR and affiliates 13, Socialists and affiliates 7 note: Wallis and Futuna elects one senator to the French Senate and one deputy to the French National Assembly; French Senate - elections last held 26 September 2004 (next to be held by September 2010); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - RPR (now UMP) 1; French National Assembly - elections last held 17 June 2007 (next to be held by 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats - PS 1
Judicial branch:
justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the three traditional kings administer customary law and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu; a court of appeal is located in Noumea, New Caledonia
Political parties and leaders:
Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians); Mouvement des Radicaux de Gauche or MRG;Rally for the Republic or RPR (UMP) [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU];Socialist Party or PS; Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]; UnionPopulaire Locale or UPL [Falakiko GATA]; Union Pour la DemocratieFrancaise or UDF
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
PIF (observer), SPC, UPU, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of France)
Flag description:
unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant; the flag of France is the only official flag
EconomyWallis and Futuna
Economy - overview:
The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of labor force earnings from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. About 4% of the population is employed in government. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$60 million (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
GDP - real growth rate:
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,800 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Labor force:
3,104 (2003)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 80% industry: 4% services: 16% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15.2% (2003)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $29,730 expenditures: $31,330 (2004)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Public debt:
5.6% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.8% (2005)
Agriculture - products:
breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish
Industries:
copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0%
Exports:
$47,450 f.o.b. (2004)
Exports - commodities:
copra, chemicals, construction materials
Exports - partners:
Italy 40%, Croatia 15%, US 14%, Denmark 13% (2006)
Imports:
$61.17 million f.o.b. (2004)
Imports - commodities:
chemicals, machinery, passenger ships, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
France 97%, Australia 2%, NZ 1% (2006)
Economic aid - recipient:
assistance from France, $NA
Debt - external:
$3.67 million (2004)
Currency (code):
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (XPF)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - NA (2007), 95.03 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003)
CommunicationsWallis and Futuna
Telephones - main lines in use:
1,900 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 681
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (2000)
Radios:
Television broadcast stations:
2 (2000)
Televisions:
Internet country code:
.wf
Internet hosts:
1 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
900 (2002)
TransportationWallis and Futuna
Airports:
2 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 8 by type: chemical tanker 2, passenger 6 foreign-owned: 8 (France 6, French Polynesia 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Leava, Mata-Utu
MilitaryWallis and Futuna
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 172 female: 170 (2008 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational IssuesWallis and Futuna
Disputes - international:
none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@West Bank
IntroductionWest Bank
Background:
The September 1993 Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements provided for a transitional period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under a series of agreements signed between May 1994 and September 1999, Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West Bank and Gaza stalled following the outbreak of an intifada in September 2000, as Israeli forces reoccupied most Palestinian-controlled areas. In April 2003, the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement was postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides had not followed through on their commitments. Following Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT's death in late 2004, Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA president in January 2005. A month later, Israel and the PA agreed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments in an effort to move the peace process forward. In September 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew all its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and withdrew settlers and redeployed soldiers from four small northern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel controls maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. A November 2005 PA-Israeli agreement authorized the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint PA and Egyptian control. In January 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS, won control of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). The international community refused to accept the HAMAS-led government because it did not recognize Israel, would not renounce violence, and refused to honor previous peace agreements between Israel and the PA. HAMAS took control of the PA government in March 2006, but President ABBAS had little success negotiating with HAMAS to present a political platform acceptable to the international community so as to lift economic sanctions on Palestinians. The PLC was unable to convene throughout most of 2006 as a result of Israel's detention of many HAMAS PLC members and Israeli-imposed travel restrictions on other PLC members. Violent clashes took place between Fatah and HAMAS supporters in the Gaza Strip in 2006 and early 2007, resulting in numerous Palestinian deaths and injuries. ABBAS and HAMAS Political Bureau Chief MISHAL in February 2007 signed the Mecca Agreement in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) headed by HAMAS member Ismail HANIYA. However, fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, and in June, HAMAS militants succeeded in a violent takeover of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip. ABBAS dismissed the NUG and through a series of presidential decrees formed a PA government in the West Bank led by independent Salam FAYYAD. HAMAS rejected the NUG's dismissal and has called for resuming talks with Fatah, but ABBAS has ruled out negotiations until HAMAS agrees to a return of PA control over the Gaza Strip and recognizes the FAYYAD-led government. FAYYAD and his PA government initiated a series of security and economic reforms to improve conditions in the West Bank. ABBAS participated in talks with Israel's Prime Minister OLMERT and secured the release of some Palestinian prisoners and previously withheld customs revenue. During a November 2007 international meeting in Annapolis Maryland, ABBAS and OLMERT agreed to resume peace negotiations with the goal of reaching a final peace settlement by the end of 2008.
GeographyWest Bank
Location:
Middle East, west of Jordan
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 5,860 sq km land: 5,640 sq km water: 220 sq km note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries:
total: 404 km border countries: Israel 307 km, Jordan 97 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters
Terrain:
mostly rugged dissected upland, some vegetation in west, but barren in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m highest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m
Natural resources:
arable land
Land use:
arable land: 16.9% permanent crops: 18.97% other: 64.13% (2001)
Irrigated land:
150 sq km; note - includes Gaza Strip (2003)
Natural hazards:
droughts
Environment - current issues:
adequacy of fresh water supply; sewage treatment
Geography - note:
landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are about 340 Israeli civilian sites—including 100 small outpost communities in the West Bank and 29 sites in East Jerusalem (July 2008 est.)
PeopleWest Bank
Population:
2,407,681 note: in addition, there are about 187,000 Israeli settlers in the West Bank and fewer than 177,000 in East Jerusalem (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 469,754/female 445,999) 15-64 years: 58.3% (male 719,267/female 684,790) 65 years and over: 3.6% (male 36,606/female 51,265) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.2 years male: 20 years female: 20.4 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.225% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
25.95 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
3.7 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.29 years male: 72.32 years female: 76.38 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.31 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: NA adjective: NA
Ethnic groups:
Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%
Religions:
Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8%
Languages:
Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians),English (widely understood)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.4% male: 96.7% female: 88% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
GovernmentWest Bank
Country name:
conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank
EconomyWest Bank
Economy - overview:
The West Bank - the larger of the two areas comprising the Palestinian Authority (PA) - has experienced a general decline in economic conditions since the second intifada began in September 2000. The downturn has been largely a result of Israeli closure policies - the imposition of closures and access restrictions in response to security concerns in Israel - which disrupted labor and trading relationships. In 2001, and even more severely in 2002, Israeli military measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction of capital, the disruption of administrative structures, and widespread business closures. International aid of at least $1.14 billion to the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 2004 prevented the complete collapse of the economy and allowed some reforms in the government's financial operations. In 2005, high unemployment and limited trade opportunities - due to continued closures both within the West Bank and externally - stymied growth. Israel's and the international community's financial embargo of the PA when HAMAS ran the PA during March 2006 - June 2007 has interrupted the provision of PA social services and the payment of PA salaries. Since June the Fayyad government in the West Bank has restarted salary payments and the provision of services but would be unable to operate absent high levels of international assistance.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$5.034 billion (includes Gaza Strip) (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.328 billion (includes Gaza Strip) (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-8% (includes Gaza Strip) (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,100 (includes Gaza Strip) (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8% industry: 13% services: 79% (includes Gaza Strip) (2006 est.)
Labor force:
605,000 (2006)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 18% industry: 15% services: 67% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
18.6% (2006)
Population below poverty line:
46% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $1.149 billion expenditures: $2.31 billion note: includes Gaza Strip (2006)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.6% (includes Gaza Strip) (2006)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.73% (31 December 2006)
Stock of money:
$1.574 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$3.048 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.455 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products
Industries:
generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale, modern industries in the settlements and industrial centers
Industrial production growth rate:
2.4% (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Electricity - production:
NA kWh; note - most electricity imported from Israel; East Jerusalem Electric Company buys and distributes electricity to Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its concession in the West Bank; the Israel Electric Company directly supplies electricity to most Jewish residents and military facilities; some Palestinian municipalities, such as Nablus and Janin, generate their own electricity from small power plants
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - imports:
NA kWh
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Exports:
$301 million f.o.b.; (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Exports - commodities:
olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone
Exports - partners:
Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2006)
Imports:
$2.44 billion c.i.f.; (includes Gaza Strip) (2005)
Imports - commodities:
food, consumer goods, construction materials
Imports - partners:
Israel, Jordan, Gaza Strip (2006)
Economic aid - recipient:
$1.4 billion; (includes Gaza Strip) (2006 est.)
Debt - external:
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$4.461 billion (2005)
Currency (code):
new Israeli shekel (ILS); Jordanian dinar (JOD)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004), 4.5541 (2003)
CommunicationsWest Bank
Telephones - main lines in use:
350,400 (includes Gaza Strip) (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.026 million (includes Gaza Strip) (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed line services; the Palestinian JAWAL company provides cellular services international: country code - 970 (2004)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 25, shortwave 0 (2008)
Radios: