Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)
Constitution:
1 January 2009
Legal system:
English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Governor Nigel HAYWOOD (since 16 October 2010) is the Queen's representative; Chief Executive Dr. Tim THOROGOOD (since 3 January 2008)
cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor; the governor must obey the rulings of the Executive Council on domestic affairs (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (10 seats; 2 members are ex officio and 8 are elected by popular vote; members to serve four-year terms); presided over by the governor
elections: last held on 5 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2013)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (chief justice is a nonresident); Magistrates Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders:
none; all independents
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Falkland Islands Association (supports freedom of the people from external causes)
International organization participation:
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina)
Flag description:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT
National anthem:
name: "Song of the Falklands""
lyrics/music: Christopher LANHAM
note: adopted 1930s; the song is the local unofficial anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Economy ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Economy - overview:
The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but today fishing contributes the bulk of economic activity. In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year, which help support the island's health, education, and welfare system. Squid accounts for 75% of the fish taken. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Foreign exchange earnings come from shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day; to date, no exploitable site has been identified. An agreement between Argentina and the UK in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. Political tensions between the UK and Argentina rose in early 2010 after a UK company began oil drilling activities in the waters around the Falkland Islands but abated somewhat when the drilling operation failed to discover commercially exploitable oil reserves. Tourism, especially eco-tourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 30,000 visitors in 2001. Another large source of income is interest paid on money the government has in the bank. The British military presence also provides a sizeable economic boost.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$105.1 million (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 220
GDP (official exchange rate):
$105.1 million (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$35,400 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 95%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1996)
Labor force:
1,724 (1996) (1996) country comparison to the world: 224
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 95% (mostly sheepherding and fishing)
industry and services: 5% (1996)
Unemployment rate:
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.6% (1998) country comparison to the world: 105
Agriculture - products:
fodder and vegetable crops; sheep, dairy products; fish, squid
Industries:
fish and wool processing; tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
Electricity - production:
16 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - consumption:
14.88 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 176
Oil - consumption:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 205
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 196
Oil - imports:
271 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Exports:
$125 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Exports - commodities:
wool, hides, meat, fish, squid
Imports:
$90 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 210
Imports - commodities:
fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing
Debt - external:
Exchange rates:
Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004)
note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
Communications ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Telephones - main lines in use:
2,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 223
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 212
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands
international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries
Broadcast media:
television service provided by a multi-channel service provider; radio services provided by the public broadcaster Falkland Islands Radio Service (FIRS), broadcasting on both AM and FM frequencies, and by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) (2007)
Internet country code:
.fk
Internet hosts:
91 (2010) country comparison to the world: 203
Internet users:
2,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 208
Transportation ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Airports:
7 (2010) country comparison to the world: 167
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 5
under 914 m: 5 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 440 km country comparison to the world: 197 paved: 50 km
unpaved: 390 km (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Stanley
Military ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Military expenditures:
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Disputes - international:
Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks
page last updated on January 10, 2011
======================================================================
@Faroe Islands (Europe)
Introduction ::Faroe Islands
Background:
The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was granted the Faroese in 1948, who have autonomy over most internal affairs while Denmark is responsible for justice, defense, and foreign affairs. The Faroe Islands are not part of the European Union.
Geography ::Faroe Islands
Location:
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and theNorth Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 1,393 sq km country comparison to the world: 182 land: 1,393 sq km
water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Area - comparative:
eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,117 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Climate:
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain:
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources:
fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Land use:
arable land: 2.14%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.86% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
Environment - current issues:
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution
Geography - note:
archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands
People ::Faroe Islands
Population:
49,057 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21.6% (male 5,451/female 5,108)
15-64 years: 64% (male 16,708/female 14,544)
65 years and over: 14.4% (male 3,324/female 3,721) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 37.1 years
male: 36.5 years
female: 37.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.424% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Birth rate:
12.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Death rate:
8.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Urbanization:
urban population: 41% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.069 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.18 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 176 male: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.58 years country comparison to the world: 33 male: 77.13 years
female: 82.21 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.43 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective: Faroese
Ethnic groups:
Scandinavian
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 census)
Languages:
Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy:
NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper
Government ::Faroe Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Foroyar
Dependency status:
Government type:
Capital:
name: Torshavn
geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities
Independence:
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday:
Olaifest (Olavsoka ), 29 July
Constitution:
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system:
the laws of Denmark where applicable apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Dan Michael KNUDSEN, chief administrative officer (since 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26 September 2008)
cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held on 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)
election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister in 2008; governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN becomes prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.3%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Independence Party 7.2%, other 0.7%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2
note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1
Judicial branch:
none
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party [Jenis av RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD];People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL];Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj LeoJOHANNESEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
conservationists
International organization participation:
Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description:
white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); referred to as Merkid, meaning "the banner" or "the mark," the flag resembles those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same three colors - but in a different sequence; white represents the clear Faroese sky as well as the foam of the waves; red and blue are traditional Faroese colors
National anthem:
name: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)
lyrics/music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG
note: adopted 1948; the anthem is also known as "Tu alfagra land mitt" (Thou Fairest Land of Mine); as an autonomous overseas division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own national anthem
Economy ::Faroe Islands
Economy - overview:
The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. The sector accounts for about 95% of exports and nearly half of GDP. In early 2008 the Faroese economy began to slow as a result of smaller catches and historically high oil prices that continue to trouble the economy. Though oil prices have come down, reduced catches, especially of cod and haddock, have continued to strain the Faroese economy. GDP grew 0.5% in 2008-09. The slowdown in the Faroese economy followed a strong performance since the mid-1990s with annual growth rates averaging close to 6%, mostly a result of increased fish landings and salmon farming, and high export prices. Unemployment reached its lowest level in the first half of 2008, but increased to 3.9% in 2009 and is rising. The Faroese Home Rule Government produced increasing budget surpluses that helped to reduce the large public debt, most of it to Denmark. However, total dependence on fishing and salmon farming make the Faroese economy very vulnerable to fluctuations in world demand. In addition, budget surpluses turned to deficits in 2008-09, and the economy at both the country and local level is running large deficits. Initial discoveries of oil in the Faroese area give hope for eventual oil production, which may provide a foundation for a more diversified economy and less dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by an annual subsidy from Denmark amounting to about 6% of Faroese GDP, the Faroese have a standard of living almost equal to that of Denmark and Greenland.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.642 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.45 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$34,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 16%
industry: 29%
services: 55% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
34,680 (November 2008) country comparison to the world: 201
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 20.5%
services: 69.2% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
3.9% (2009) country comparison to the world: 34 1.2% (2008)
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-1.1% (2009) country comparison to the world: 6 6.4% (2008)
Agriculture - products:
milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Industries:
fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Electricity - production:
275.8 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171
Electricity - consumption:
264.4 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Oil - consumption:
5,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 195
Oil - imports:
4,922 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 157
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Exports:
$848 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 157 $634 million (2006)
Exports - commodities:
fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships
Exports - partners:
Hungary 36.26%, Denmark 21.36%, UK 12.21%, Nigeria 7.72%, US 6.49%,Norway 5.46% (2009)
Imports:
$983 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 171 $751 million (2006)
Imports - commodities:
consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt
Imports - partners:
Denmark 54.42%, Norway 20.76%, Sweden 4.79% (2009)
Debt - external:
$68.1 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 185
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.774 (2009), 5.0236 (2008), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006)
Communications ::Faroe Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
20,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 192
Telephones - mobile cellular:
57,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194
Telephone system:
general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities
domestic: conversion to digital system completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed
international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
Broadcast media:
1 publicly-owned TV station; the Faroese telecommunications company distributes local and international channels through its digital terrestrial network; publicly-owned radio station supplemented by 2 privately-owned stations broadcasting over multiple frequencies (2008)
Internet country code:
.fo
Internet hosts:
8,936 (2010) country comparison to the world: 128
Internet users:
37,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 175
Transportation ::Faroe Islands
Airports:
1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 230
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 463 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 194
Merchant marine:
total: 26 country comparison to the world: 91 by type: cargo 11, chemical tanker 6, container 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 11 (Norway 6, Sweden 5) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur
Military ::Faroe Islands
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 11,788 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,792
females age 16-49: 8,354 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 379
female: 368 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Transnational Issues ::Faroe Islands
Disputes - international:
because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Fiji (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Fiji
Background:
Fiji became independent in 1970 after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987 caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president but in January 2007 became interim prime minister. Since taking power BAINIMARAMA has neutralized his opponents, crippled Fiji's democratic institutions, and refused to hold elections.
Geography ::Fiji
Location:
Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 18,274 sq km country comparison to the world: 156 land: 18,274 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,129 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added
Climate:
tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly mountains of volcanic origin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
Natural resources:
timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 10.95%
permanent crops: 4.65%
other: 84.4% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
28.6 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.07 cu km/yr (14%/14%/71%)
per capita: 82 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited
People ::Fiji
Population:
875,983 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.3% (male 146,327/female 140,327)
15-64 years: 64.9% (male 307,077/female 305,886)
65 years and over: 4.8% (male 20,300/female 24,803) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 26.6 years
male: 26.4 years
female: 26.8 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.827% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Birth rate:
21.52 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Death rate:
5.88 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Net migration rate:
-7.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 209
Urbanization:
urban population: 52% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.28 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 146 male: 12.42 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.03 years country comparison to the world: 136 male: 68.46 years
female: 73.73 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.65 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
600 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Nationality:
noun: Fijian(s)
adjective: Fijian
Ethnic groups:
Fijian 57.3% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture),Indian 37.6%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 3.9% (European, other PacificIslanders, Chinese) (2007 census)
Religions:
Christian 64.5% (Methodist 34.6%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Assembly ofGod 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, Anglican 0.8%, other 10.4%),Hindu 27.9%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other or unspecified 0.3%, none0.7% (2007 census)
Languages:
English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.7%
male: 95.5%
female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
6.2% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 33
Government ::Fiji
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands
conventional short form: Fiji
local long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands/Matanitu ko Viti
local short form: Fiji/Viti
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Suva (on Viti Levu)
geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins fourth Sunday in October; ends last Sunday in March
Administrative divisions:
4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western
Independence:
10 October 1970 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)
Constitution:
enacted on 25 July 1997; effective on 28 July 1998; note - it encourages multiculturalism and makes multiparty government mandatory
Legal system:
based on British system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU (since 30 July 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10 September 2000); note - although QARASE is still the legal prime minister, he has been confined to his home island; former President ILOILOVATU appointed Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA interim prime minister under the military regime
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and responsible to Parliament; note - coup leader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA has appointed an interim cabinet (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: under the constitution, president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in 2007 the Great Council of Chiefs was suspended from its role in electing the president; prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU was appointed by Chief Justice Anthony GATES
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 members appointed by the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 1 appointed on the advice of the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 members reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held on 6-13 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - SDL 44.6%, FLP 39.2%, UPP 0.8%, independents 4.9%, other 10.5%; seats by party - SDL 36, FLP 31, UPP 2, independents 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court ofAppeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji DemocraticParty or FDP [Filipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian DemocratAlliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party orFAP, Fijian Political Party or SVT [Sitiveni RABUKA] (primarilyFijian), and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Ofa SWANN]); Fiji LaborParty or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP(became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP;Justice and Freedom Party or AIM; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR;National Federation Party or NFP [Pramond RAE] (primarily Indian);Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party ofNational Unity or PANU [Ponipate LESAVUA]; Party of the Truth orPOTT; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL[Laisenia QARASE]; United Peoples Party or UPP [Millis Mick BEDDOES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Group Against Racial Discrimination or GARD [Dr. Anirudk SINGH] (for restoration of a democratic government); Viti Landowners Association
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C (suspended), CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO,ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Winston THOMPSON
chancery: 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 466-8320
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador C. Steven MCGANN
embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva
mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva
telephone: [679] 331-4466
Flag description:
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the blue symbolizes the Pacific ocean and the Union Jack reflects the links with Great Britain; the shield - taken from Fiji's coat of arms - depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George; the four quarters depict stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove
National anthem:
name: "God Bless Fiji"
lyrics/music: Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT)