Chapter 89
Exchange rates: Saint Helenian pounds (LS) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January 1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991); note - the Saint Helenian pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation --------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: NA km (mainland 118 km, Ascension NA km, Tristan da Cunha NA km) paved: 180.7 km (mainland 98 km, Ascension 80 km, Tristan da Cunha 2.70 km) unpaved: NA km (mainland 20 km, Ascension NA km, Tristan da Cunha NA km)
Ports: Georgetown, Jamestown
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 550
Telephone system: domestic: automatic network; HF radiotelephone to Ascension, then into worldwide submarine cable and satellite networks international: major coaxial submarine cable relay point between South Africa, Portugal, and UK at Ascension; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 2,500 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Defense -------
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
======================================================================
@Saint Kitts and Nevis ---------------------
Map ---
Location: 17 20 N, 62 45 W -- Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
Flag ----
Description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red
Geography ---------
Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 17 20 N, 62 45 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total area: 269 sq km land area: 269 sq km comparative area: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 135 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Terrain: volcanic with mountainous interiors lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 22% permanent crops: 17% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 17% other: 41%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: hurricanes (July to October) international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
People ------
Population: 41,369 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 35% (male 7,371; female 7,026) 15-64 years: 58% (male 12,090; female 12,057) 65 years and over: 7% (male 1,162; female 1,663) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.98% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 23.28 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 9.21 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 18.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.86 years male: 63.84 years female: 70.06 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.52 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Kittsian(s), Nevisian(s) adjective: Kittsian, Nevisian
Ethnic divisions: black African
Religions: Anglican, other Protestant sects, Roman Catholic
Languages: English
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1980 est.) total population: 97% male: 97% female: 98%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis
Data code: SC
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Basseterre
Administrative divisions: 14 parishs; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capisterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capisterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point
Independence: 19 September 1983 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983)
Constitution: 19 September 1983
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Dr. Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996), previously Governor General of the West Indies Associated States (since NA November 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995) were appointed by the governor general cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general in consultation with the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly: elections last held 3 July 1995 (next to be held by July 2000); results - SKLNP 58%, PAM 41%; seats - (14 total, 11 elected) SKNLP 7, PAM 1, NRP 1, CCM 2
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint Lucia)
Political parties and leaders: People's Action Movement (PAM), Dr. Kennedy SIMMONDS; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party (SKNLP), Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS; Nevis Reformation Party (NRP), Joseph PARRY; Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), Vance AMORY
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, IMF, Interpol, IOC, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Erstein Mallet EDWARDS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636 FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; US interests are monitored by the embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados
Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red
Economy -------
Economic overview: The economy has traditionally depended on the growing and processing of sugarcane; decreasing world prices have hurt the industry in recent years. Tourism and export-oriented manufacturing have begun to assume larger roles. Most food is imported. The newly elected government has undertaken a program designed to revitalize the faltering sugar sector. It is also working to improve revenue collection in order to better fund social programs.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $220 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,380 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 6.2% industry: 35.7% services: 58.1% (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.9% (1995)
Labor force: 18,172 (June 1995); by occupation - services 69%, manufacturing 31%
Unemployment rate: 4.3% (May 1995)
Budget: revenues: $100.2 million expenditures: $100.1 million, including capital expenditures of $41.4 million (1996 est.)
Industries: sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages
Industrial production growth rate: 5.9% (1992 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 15,800 kW production: 45 million kWh consumption per capita: 990 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fishing potential not fully exploited
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US
Exports: $35.4 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery, food, electronics, beverages and tobacco partners: US 46.6%, UK 26.4%, Caricom nations 9.8% (1994)
Imports: $112.4 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: machinery, manufactures, food, fuels partners: US 45%, Caricom nations 18.8%, UK 12.5%, Canada 4.2%, Japan 4.2%, (1994)
External debt: $45.3 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation --------------
Railways: total: 58 km narrow gauge: 58 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts to serve sugarcane plantations (1995)
Highways: total: 300 km paved: 125 km unpaved: 175 km
Ports: Basseterre, Charlestown
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 2 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 3,800 (1986 est.)
Telephone system: good interisland VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone connections and international link via Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) domestic: interisland links are handled by VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone international: international calls are carried by radiotelephone to Antigua and Barbuda and from there switched to submarine cable or to Intelsat, or carried to Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) by radiotelephone and switched to Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 25,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4
Televisions: 9,500 (1993 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force, Coast Guard
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Saint Lucia -----------
Map ---
Location: 13 53 N, 60 68 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Flag ----
Description: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
Geography ---------
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 53 N, 60 68 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total area: 620 sq km land area: 610 sq km comparative area: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 158 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August
Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m
Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential
Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 20% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 13% other: 54%
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region natural hazards: hurricanes and volcanic activity international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
People ------
Population: 157,862 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 34% (male 27,068; female 26,491) 15-64 years: 61% (male 47,470; female 48,612) 65 years and over: 5% (male 3,136; female 5,085) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.14% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 22.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 20 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.09 years male: 66.52 years female: 73.91 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.31 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Saint Lucian(s) adjective: Saint Lucian
Ethnic divisions: African descent 90.3%, mixed 5.5%, East Indian 3.2%, white 0.8%
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3%
Languages: English (official), French patois
Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1980 est.) total population: 67% male: 65% female: 69%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Lucia
Data code: ST
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Castries
Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse La Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux Fort
Independence: 22 February 1979 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979)
Constitution: 22 February 1979
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Sir Stanislaus Anthony JAMES (since 10 October 1988) head of government: Prime Minister John George Melvin COMPTON (since 3 May 1982) was appointed by the governor general cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate: consists of an 11-member body, six appointed on the advice of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups House of Assembly: elections last held 27 April 1992 (next to be held by April 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (17 total) UWP 11, SLP 6
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, jurisdiction extends to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Political parties and leaders: United Workers' Party (UWP), Vaughn LEWIS; Saint Lucia Labor Party (SLP), Julian HUNTE; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), Jon ODLUM; Citizen's Democratic Party (CDP) Calixte GEORGE
International organization participation: ACCT (associate), ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), NAM, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Joseph Edsel EDMUNDS chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6728 consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the Ambassador to Saint Lucia resides in Bridgetown (Barbados)
Flag: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border
Economy -------
Economic overview: Though foreign investment in manufacturing and information processing in recent years has increased Saint Lucia's industrial base, the economy remains vulnerable due to its heavy dependence on banana production, which is subject to periodic droughts and tropical storms. Indeed, the destructive effect of Tropical Storm Iris in mid-1995 caused the loss of 20% of the year's banana crop. Increased competition from Latin American bananas will probably further reduce market prices, exacerbating Saint Lucia's need to diversify its economy in coming years, e.g., by expanding tourism, manufacturing, and construction.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $640 million (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $4,080 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 13.8% industry: 17.4% services: 68.8% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.8% (1993)
Labor force: 43,800 by occupation: agriculture 43.4%, services 38.9%, industry and commerce 17.7% (1983 est.)
Unemployment rate: 25% (1993 est.)
Budget: revenues: $121 million expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of $104 million (1992 est.)
Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing
Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (1990 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 20,000 kW production: 112 million kWh consumption per capita: 693 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops, cocoa
Illicit drugs: transit country for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe
Exports: $122.8 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: bananas 60%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil partners: UK 56%, US 22%, Caricom countries19% (1991)
Imports: $276 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 21%, food and live animals, chemicals, fuels partners: US 34%, Caricom countries 17%, UK 14%, Japan 7%, Canada 4% (1991)
External debt: $222.7 million (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation --------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 760 km paved: 500 km unpaved: 260 km
Ports: Castries, Vieux Fort
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 3 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 26,000 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: system is automatically switched international: direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados; international calls beyond these countries are carried by Intelsat from Martinique
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 104,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 cable
Televisions: 26,000 (1992 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Coast Guard
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5.0 million, 2.0% of GDP (1991); note - for police forces
======================================================================
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon -------------------------
(territorial collectivity of France)
Map ---
Location: 46 50 N, 56 20 E -- Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)
Flag ----
Description: a yellow sailing ship rides on a dark blue background with a black wave line under the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical band is divided into three parts: the top part is red with a green diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross dividing the square into four sections; the middle part has a white background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one on top of the other; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Geography ---------
Location: Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)
Geographic coordinates: 46 50 N, 56 20 E
Map references: North America
Area: total area: 242 sq km land area: 242 sq km comparative area: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 120 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: focus of maritime boundary dispute between Canada and France; in 1992 an arbitration panel awarded the islands an exclusive economic zone area of 12,348 sq km to settle the dispute
Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy
Terrain: mostly barren rock lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m
Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports
Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 4% other: 83%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard international agreements: NA
Geographic note: vegetation scanty
People ------
Population: 6,809 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0.77% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.82 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.34 years male: 74.76 years female: 78.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French
Ethnic divisions: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)
Religions: Roman Catholic 99%
Languages: French
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982 est.) total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
Data code: SB
Type of government: territorial collectivity of France
Capital: Saint-Pierre
Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France)
Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763)
National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system: French law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May 1995) represented by Prefect Rene MAURICE (since NA) who was appointed by the French Ministry of the Interior head of government: President of the General Council Gerard GRIGNON (since NA)