Jamaica - Caribbean Country Profiles

Anguilla

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:13:54 UT

Country Overview:
Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency.

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

Geographic coordinates:
18 15 N, 63 10 W

Area:
Total: 102 sq km, land: 102 sq km, water: 0 sq km
Area - Comparative:
About half the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
61 km

Climate:
Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds

Terrain:
Flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Highest Point:
Highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m

Natural Resources:
Salt, fish, lobster

Population:
14,108 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Noun: Anguillan(s)

Nationality:
Adjective: Anguillan

Ethnic groups:
Black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other 1.5% (2001 census)

Religions:
Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified 4.3% (2001 census)

Languages:
Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified 4.3% (2001 census)

Country Name:
Anguilla

Government Type:
NA (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital Name:
The Valley

Independence:
None (overseas territory of the UK)

National Holiday:
Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)

Constitution:
Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990

Legal System:
Based on English common law

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Andrew N. GEORGE (since 10 July 2006)

Head of Government:
Head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000)

Cabinet:
Cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly

Elections:
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 chief minister by the governor

US Virgin Islands

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:01:45 UT

Country Overview:
During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.

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

Geographic coordinates:
18 20 N, 64 50 W

Area - Comparative:
Total: 1,910 sq km, land: 346 sq km, water: 1,564 sq km

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
188 km

Climate:
Subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November

Terrain:
Mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land

Elevation extremes:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Crown Mountain 475 m

Natural Resources:
Sun, sand, sea, surf

Population:
109,840 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)

Nationality:
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 French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)

Country Name:
US Virgin Islands

Government Type:
NA 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

Capital Name:
Charlotte Amalie

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

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%

Turks and Caicos Islands

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory.

Location:
Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti

Geographic coordinates:
21 45 N, 71 35 W

Area:
Total: 430 sq km, land: 430 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
389 km

Climate:
Tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry

Terrain:
Low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps

Elevation extremes:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Blue Hills 49 m

Natural Resources:
Spiny lobster, conch

Population:
22,352 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
None

Ethnic groups:
Black 90%, mixed, European, or North American 10%

Religions:
Baptist 40%, Anglican 18%, Methodist 16%, Church of God 12%, other 14% (1990)

Languages:
English (official)

Country Name:
Turks and Caicos Islands

Government Type:
NA overseas territory of the UK

Capital Name:
Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)

Independence:
Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)

National Holiday:
Constitution Day, 30 August (1976)

Constitution:
Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2006 (effective 9 August 2006)

Legal System:
Based on laws of England and Wales, with a few adopted from Jamaica and The Bahamas

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gordon WETHERELL (since 5 August 2008)

Head of Government:
Premier Michael Eugene MISICK (chief minister since 15 August 2003, sworn in as premier on 9 August 2006); note - the office of premier was created in the 2006 constitution

Cabinet:
Cabinet consists of the governor, the premier, six ministers appointed by the governor from among the members of the House of Assembly, and the attorney general

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

Trinidad & Tobago

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
First colonized by the Spanish, the islands came under British control in the early 19th century. The islands' sugar industry was hurt by the emancipation of the slaves in 1834. Manpower was replaced with the importation of contract laborers from India between 1845 and 1917, which boosted sugar production as well as the cocoa industry. The discovery of oil on Trinidad in 1910 added another important export. Independence was attained in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing. The government is coping with a rise in violent crime.

Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Geographic coordinates:
11 00 N, 61 00 W

Area:
Total: 5,128 sq km, land: 5,128 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Slightly smaller than Delaware

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
362 km

Climate:
Tropical; rainy season (June to December)

Terrain:
Mostly plains with some hills and low mountains

Elevation extremes:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

Natural Resources:
Petroleum, natural gas, asphalt

Population:
1,047,366 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Trinidadian(s), Tobagonian(s)

Nationality:
Trinidadian, Tobagonian

Ethnic groups:
Indian (South Asian) 40%, African 37.5%, mixed 20.5%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2000 census)

Religions:
Roman Catholic 26%, Hindu 22.5%, Anglican 7.8%, Baptist 7.2%, Pentecostal 6.8%, Muslim 5.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4%, other Christian 5.8%, other 10.8%, unspecified 1.4%, none 1.9% (2000 census)

Languages:
English (official), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), French, Spanish, Chinese

Country Name:
Trinidada & Tobago

Government Type:
Parliamentary democracy

Capital Name:
Port-of-Spain

Independence:
31 August 1962 (from UK)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 31 August (1962)

Constitution:
1 August 1976

Legal System:
Based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: President George Maxwell RICHARDS (since 17 March 2003)

Head of Government:
Prime Minister Patrick MANNING (since 24 December 2001)

Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed from among the members of Parliament

Elections:
president elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 February 2008 (next to be held by February 2013); the president usually appoints as prime minister the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives election results: George Maxwell RICHARDS reelected president; percent of electoral college vote - NA

Suriname

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
The Spaniards first visited in the 16th century and then the English settled in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. Independence from the Netherlands was granted in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared a socialist republic. It continued to exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party New Front coalition - returned to power in 1991 and has ruled since; the coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005.

Location:
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana

Geographic coordinates:
4 00 N, 56 00 W

Area:
Total: 163,270 sq km, land: 161,470 sq km, water: 1,800 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Slightly larger than Georgia

Land boundaries:
Total: 1,703 km, border countries: Brazil 593 km, French Guiana 510 km, Guyana 600 km

Coastline:
386 km

Climate:
Tropical; moderated by trade winds

Terrain:
Mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps

Elevation extremes:
Unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m

Highest Point:
Juliana Top 1,230 m

Natural Resources:
Timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore

Population:
475,996 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Surinamer(s)

Nationality:
Surinamese

Ethnic groups:
Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%, "Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 10%, Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2%

Religions:
Hindu 27.4%, Protestant 25.2% (predominantly Moravian), Roman Catholic 22.8%, Muslim 19.6%, indigenous beliefs 5%

Languages:
Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese

Country Name:
Suriname

Government Type:
: constitutional democracy

Capital Name:
Paramaribo

Independence:
25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 25 November (1975)

Constitution:
Ratified 30 September 1987; effective 30 October 1987

Legal System:
Based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal theory; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Ramdien SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

Head of Government:
President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN (since 12 August 2000); Vice President Ram SARDJOE (since 3 August 2005)
Cabinet:
Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

Elections:
elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential or vice presidential candidate receives a two-thirds constitutional majority in the National Assembly after two votes, by a simple majority in the larger United People's Assembly (893 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils), for five-year terms (no term limits); election last held on 25 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN reelected president; percent of vote - Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN 62.9%, Rabin PARMESSAR 35.4%, other 1.7%; note - after two votes in the parliament failed to secure a two-thirds majority for a candidate, the vote then went to a special session of the United People's Assembly on 3 August 2005

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
Resistance by native Caribs prevented colonization on St. Vincent until 1719. Disputed between France and the United Kingdom for most of the 18th century, the island was ceded to the latter in 1783. Between 1960 and 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a separate administrative unit of the Federation of the West Indies. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979.

Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates:
13 15 N, 61 12 W

Area:
Total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km) , land: 389 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
84 km

Climate:
Tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Terrain:
Volcanic, mountainous

Elevation extremes:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
La Soufriere 1,234 m

Natural Resources:
Hydropower, cropland

Population:
118,432 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s)

Nationality:
Saint Vincentian or Vincentian

Ethnic groups:
Black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, European 4%, Carib Amerindian 2%, other 3%

Religions:
Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%, other (includes Hindu, Seventh - day Adventist, other Protestant) 12%

Languages:
English, French patois

Country Name:
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Government Type:
Parliamentary democracy

Capital Name:
Kingstown

Independence:
27 October 1979 (from UK)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 27 October (1979)

Constitution:
27 October 1979

Legal System:
Based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Fredrick Nathaniel BALLANTYNE (since 2 September 2002)

Head of Government:
Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29 March 2001)

Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Elections:
The monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

St. Martin (Marteen)

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
Although sighted by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and claimed for Spain, it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 and set about exploiting its salt deposits. The Spanish retook the island in 1633, but continued to be harassed by the Dutch. The Spanish finally relinquished St. Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it amongst themselves in 1648. The cultivation of sugar cane introduced slavery to the island in the late 18th century; the practice was not abolished until 1848. The island became a free port in 1939; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded during the 1970s and 1980s. In 2003, the populace of St. Martin voted to secede from Guadeloupe and in 2007, the northern portion of the island became a French overseas collectivity.

Location:
Island 300 km southeast of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates:
18 05 N, 63 57 W

Area:
Total: 54.4 sq km, land: 54.4 sq km, water: NEGL

Area - Comparative:
More than one-third the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
Total: 15 km , border countries: Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten) 15 km

Coastline:
58.9 km (for Entire Island)

Climate:
Temperature averages 80-85 degrees all year long; low humidity, gentle trade winds, brief, intense rain showers; July-Novemeber is the hurricane season

Elevation extremes:
Caribbean Ocean 0 m

Highest Point:
Pic du Paradis 424 m

Natural Resources:
Salt

Population:
29,376 (July 2008 est.)

Ethnic groups:
Creole (mulatto), black, Guadeloupe Mestizo (French-East Asia), white, East Indian

Religions:
Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Protestant, Hindu

Languages:
French (official language), English, Dutch, French Patois, Spanish, Papiamento (dialect of Netherlands Antilles)

Country Name:
Saint Martin

Government Type:
Overseas collectivity of France

Capital Name:
Marigot

Independence:
None (overseas collectivity of France)

National Holiday:
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); note - local holiday is Schoalcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) 12 July (1848)

Constitution:
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal System:
The laws of France, where applicable, apply

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by Prefect Dominique LACROIX (since 21 March 2007)

Head of Government:
President of the Territorial Council Frantz GUMBS (since 7 August 2008)

Cabinet:
Executive Council; note - there is also an advisory economic, social, and cultural council

Elections:
French president elected by popular vote to a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Council is elected by the members of the Council for a five-year term election results: Frantz GUMBS elected president by the Territorial Council on 7 August 2008

St. Lucia

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
The island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries, was contested between England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. Self-government was granted in 1967 and independence in 1979.

Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates:
13 53 N, 60 58 W

Area:
Total: 616 sq km, land: 606 sq km, water: 10 sq km

Area - Comparative:
3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
158 km

Climate:
Tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August

Terrain:
Volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys

Elevation extremes:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Mount Gimie 950 m

Natural Resources:
Forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential

Population:
159,585 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Saint Lucian(s)

Nationality:
Saint Lucian

Ethnic groups:
Black 82.5%, mixed 11.9%, East Indian 2.4%, other or unspecified 3.1% (2001 census)

Religions:
Roman Catholic 67.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.5%, Pentecostal 5.7%, Rastafarian 2.1%, Anglican 2%, Evangelical 2%, other Christian 5.1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.5%, none 4.5% (2001 census)

Languages:
English (official), French patois

Country Name:
Saint Lucia

Government Type:
Parliamentary democracy

Capital Name:
Castries

Independence:
22 February 1979 (from UK)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 22 February (1979)

Constitution:
22 February 1979

Legal System:
Based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Dame Pearlette LOUISY (since September 1997)

Head of Government:
Prime Minister Stephenson KING (since 9 September 2007); note - Sir John COMPTON died in office Friday, 7 September 2007

Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Elections:
Elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general

St. Kitts and Nevis

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
First settled by the British in 1623, the islands became an associated state with full internal autonomy in 1967. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. Saint Kitts and Nevis achieved independence in 1983. In 1998, a vote in Nevis on a referendum to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority needed. Nevis continues in its efforts to try and separate from Saint Kitts.

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

Area:
Total: 261 sq km (Saint Kitts 168 sq km; Nevis 93 sq km), land: 261 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
135 km

Climate:
Tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

Terrain:
Volcanic with mountainous interiors

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

Natural Resources:
Arable land

Population:
39,817 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Kittitian(s), Nevisian(s)

Nationality:
Kittitian, Nevisian

Ethnic groups:
Predominantly black; some British, Portuguese, and Lebanese

Religions:
Anglican, other Protestant, Roman Catholic

Languages:
English

Country Name:
Saint Kitts and Nevis

Government Type:
Parliamentary democracy

Capital Name:
Basseterre

Independence:
19 September 1983 (from UK)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 19 September (1983)

Constitution:
19 September 1983

Legal System:
Based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch:
Chief of State: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Cuthbert Montraville SEBASTIAN (since 1 January 1996)

Head of Government:
Prime Minister Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS (since 6 July 1995); Deputy Prime Minister Sam CONDOR (since 6 July 1995)

Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general in consultation with the prime minister

Elections:
Elections: the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general

Puerto Rico

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
Populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 when COLUMBUS visited the island during his second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly-elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status.

Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic

Geographic coordinates:
18 15 N, 66 30 W

Area - Comparative:
Total: 13,790 sq km, land: 8,870 sq km, water: 4,921 sq km

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
501 km

Climate:
Tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:
Mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas

Elevation extremes:
Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Cerro de Punta 1,339 m

Natural Resources:
Some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil

Population:
3,958,128 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)

Nationality:
Puerto Rican

Ethnic groups:
white (mostly Spanish origin) 80.5%, black 8%, Amerindian 0.4%, Asian 0.2%, mixed 4.2%, other 6.7% (2000 census)

Religions:
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15%

Languages:
Spanish, English

Country Name:
Puerto Rico

Government Type:
Commonwealth

Capital Name:
San Juan

Independence:
None (territory of the US with commonwealth status

National Holiday:
US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)

Constitution:
Ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3 July 1952; effective 25 July 1952

Legal System:
Based on Spanish civil code and within the US Federal system of justice

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 Anibal ACEVEDO-VILA (since 2 January 2005)

Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the legislature

Elections:
under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Puerto Rico, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor elected by popular vote for a four-year term (no term limits); election last held 2 November 2004 (next to be held in November 2008)

Panama

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitious plan to expand the Canal. The project, which began in 2007 and could double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in 2014-15.

Location:
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica

Geographic coordinates:
9 00 N, 80 00 W

Area:
Total: 78,200 sq km, land: 75,990 sq km, water: 2,210 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Slightly smaller than South Carolina

Land boundaries:
Total: 555 km, border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km

Coastline:
2,490 km

Climate:
Tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)

Terrain:
Interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: Volcan Baru 3,475 m

Natural Resources:
Copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower

Population:
3,309,679 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Panamanian(s)

Nationality:
Panamanian

Ethnic groups:
Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%

Religions:
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%

Languages:
Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual

Country Name:
Panama

Government Type:
Constitutional democracy

Capital Name:
Panama City

Independence:
3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 3 November (1903)

Constitution:
11 October 1972; major reforms adopted 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004

Legal System:
Based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Executive Branch:
chief of state: President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1 September 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

Head of Government:
President Martin TORRIJOS Espino (since 1 September 2004); First Vice President Samuel LEWIS Navarro (since 1 September 2004); Second Vice President Ruben AROSEMENA Valdes (since 1 September 2004)

Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president

Elections:
president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (not eligible for immediate reelection; president and vice presidents must sit out two additional terms (10 years) before becoming eligible for reelection); election last held 2 May 2004 (next to be held on 3 May 2009); note - beginning in 2009, Panama will have only one vice president election results: Martin TORRIJOS Espino elected president; percent of vote - Martin TORRIJOS Espino 47.5%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany 30.6%, Jose Miguel ALEMAN 17%, Ricardo MARTINELLI 4.9%

Montserrat

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
English and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possession of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid 19th century. Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in July 2003.

Location:
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Ric

Geographic coordinates:
16 45 N, 62 12 W

Area:
Total: 102 sq km, land: 102 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
About 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
40 km

Climate:
Tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:
Volcanic Island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: lava dome in English's Crater (in the Soufriere Hills volcanic complex) estimated at over 930 m (2006)

Natural Resources:
NEGL

Population:
5,079

Nationality:
Montserratian(s)

Nationality:
Montserratian

Ethnic groups:
Black, white

Religions:
Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist, other Christian denominations

Languages:
English

Country Name:
Montserrat

Government Type:
N/A overseas territory of the UK

Capital Name:
Plymouth

Independence:
None (overseas territory of the UK)

National Holiday:
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)

Constitution:
Effective 19 December 1989

Legal System:
English common law and statutory law

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Peter A. WATERWORTH (since 27 July 2007)

Head of Government:
Chief Minister Lowell LEWIS (since 2 June 2006)

Cabinet:
Executive Council consists of the governor, the chief minister, three other ministers, the attorney general, and the finance secretary

Elections:
the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually becomes chief minister

Jamaica

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
The island - discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1494 - was settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino Indians, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated and replaced by African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter million slaves, many of whom became small farmers. Jamaica gradually obtained increasing independence from Britain, and in 1958 it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica gained full independence when it withdrew from the Federation in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence as rival gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. Violent crime, drug trafficking, and poverty pose significant challenges to the government today. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy.

Haiti

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
The native Taino Amerindians - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when COLUMBUS arrived in 1492 - were virtually annihilated by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola, and in 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island, which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean, but only through the heavy importation of African slaves and considerable environmental degradation. In the late 18th century, Haiti's nearly half million slaves revolted under Toussaint L'OUVERTURE. After a prolonged struggle against the most powerful countries in the world, Haiti became the first black republic to declare its independence in 1804. France, Spain and the US imposed embargoes, trade boycotts and other neocolonial policies on the small island and helped to make it the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history. A US backed armed rebellion led to the kidnapping of the democratically elected (garnering over 90% of the vote) President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE in February 2004 by US forces, an interim government took office to organize new elections under the auspices of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Continued violence and technical delays prompted repeated postponements, but Haiti finally did inaugurate a democratically elected president and parliament in May of 2006.

Location:
Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic

Geographic coordinates:
19 00 N, 72 25 W

Area:
Total: 27,750 sq km, land: 27,560 sq km, water: 190 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries:
Total: 360 km, border countries: Dominican Republic 360 km

Coastline:
1,771 km

Climate:
Tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds

Terrain:
Mostly rough and mountainous

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m

Natural Resources:
Bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower

Population:
8,924,553

Nationality:
Haitian(s)

Nationality:
Haitian

Ethnic groups:
Black 95%, mulatto and white 5%

Religions:
Roman Catholic 80%, Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% note: roughly half of the population practices voodoo

Languages:
French (official), Creole (official)

Country Name:
Haiti

Government Type:
Republic

Capital Name:
Port-au-Prince

Independence:
1 January 1804 (from France)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 1 January (1804)

Constitution:
approved March 1987; suspended June 1988 with most articles reinstated March 1989; constitutional government ousted in a military coup in September 1991, although in October 1991, military government claimed to be observing the constitution; returned to constitutional rule in October 1994; constitution, while technically in force between 2004-2006, was not enforced; returned to constitutional rule in May 2006

Legal System:
Based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: President Rene PREVAL (since 14 May 2006)

Head of Government:
Prime Minister Michele PIERRE-LOUIS (since 5 September 2008)

Cabinet:
Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president

Elections:
President elected by popular vote for a five-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held 7 February 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister appointed by the president, ratified by the National Assembly election results: Rene PREVAL elected president; percent of vote - Rene PREVAL 51%

Guyana

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to black settlement of urban areas and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. This ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was reelected in 2001 and again in 2006.

Location:
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela

Geographic coordinates:
5 00 N, 59 00 W

Area:
Total: 214,970 sq km, land: 196,850 sq km, water: 18,120 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Slightly smaller than Idaho

Land boundaries:
Total: 2,949 km, border countries: Brazil 1,606 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela, 743 km

Coastline:
459 km

Climate:
Tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January)

Terrain:
Mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m

Natural Resources:
Bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish

Population:
770,794

Nationality:
Guyanese (singular and plural)

Nationality:
Adjective: Guyanese

Ethnic groups:
East Indian 43.5%, black (African) 30.2%, mixed 16.7%, Amerindian 9.1%, other 0.5% (2002 census)

Religions:
Hindu 28.4%, Pentecostal 16.9%, Roman Catholic 8.1%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, Methodist 1.7%, Jehovah Witness 1.1%, other Christian 17.7%, Muslim 7.2%, other 4.3%, none 4.3% (2002 census)

Languages:
English, Amerindian dialects, Creole, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Urdu

Country Name:
Guyana

Government Type:
Republic

Capital Name:
Georgetown

Independence:
26 May 1966 (from UK)

National Holiday:
Republic Day, 23 February (1970)

Constitution:
6 October 1980

Legal System:
Based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 11 August 1999); note - assumed presidency after resignation of President Janet JAGAN and was reelected in 2001, and again in 2006

Head of Government:
Prime Minister Samuel HINDS (since October 1992, except for a period as chief of state after the death of President Cheddi JAGAN on 6 March 1997)

Cabinet:
Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the legislature

Elections:
President elected by popular vote as leader of a party list in parliamentary elections, which must be held at least every five years (no term limits); elections last held 28 August 2006 (next to be held by August 2011); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President Bharrat JAGDEO reelected; percent of vote 54.6%

Grenada

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when COLUMBUS arrived to the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974, making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since that time. Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in September of 2004 causing severe damage.

Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates:
12 07 N, 61 40 W

Area:
Total: 344 sq km, land: 344 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
121 km

Climate:
Tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds

Terrain:
Volcanic in origin with central mountains

Elevation extremes:
Owes point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m

Natural Resources:
Timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors

Population:
90,343 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Grenadian(s)

Nationality:
Grenadian

Ethnic groups:
Black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian

Religions:
Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%

Languages:
English (official), French patois

Country Name:
Grenada

Government Type:
Parliamentary democracy

Capital Name:
Saint George's

Independence:
7 February 1974 (from UK)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 7 February (1974)

Constitution:
19 December 1973

Legal System:
Based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Daniel WILLIAMS (since 9 August 1996)

Head of Government:
Rime Minister Tillman THOMAS (since 9 July 2008)

Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Elections:
The monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general

Dominica Republic

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
Christopher COLUMBUS arrived to this island on his first voyage in 1492, the island of Hispaniola became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821, but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930-61. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962, but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the United States led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in an election to become president. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President (1996-2000) Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna won election to a second term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term.

Location:
Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti

Geographic coordinates:
19 00 N, 70 40 W

Area:
Total: 48,730 sq km, land: 48,380 sq km, water: 350 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire

Land boundaries:
Total: 360 km, border countries: Haiti 360 km

Coastline:
1,288 km

Climate:
Tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall

Terrain:
Rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m

Natural Resources:
Nickel, bauxite, gold, silver

Population:
9,507,133 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Dominican(s)

Nationality:
Dominican

Ethnic groups:
Mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11%

Religions:
Mixed 73%, white 16%, black 11%

Languages:
Spanish

Country Name:
Dominican Republic

Government Type:
Democratic republic

Capital Name:
Santo Domingo

Independence:
27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 27 February (1844)

Constitution:
28 November 1966; amended 25 July 2002

Legal System:
Based on French civil codes; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch:
President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

Head of Government:
President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (since 16 August 2004); Vice President Rafael ALBURQUERQUE de Castro (since 16 August 20

Cabinet:
Cabinet nominated by the president

Elections:
president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second consecutive term); election last held 16 May 2008 (next to be held in May 2012) election results: Leonel FERNANDEZ reelected president; percent of vote - Leonel FERNANDEZ 53.6%, Miguel VARGAS 41%, Amable ARISTY less than 5%

Dominica

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
Dominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which made the island a colony in 1805. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years. Some 3,000 Carib Indians still living on Dominica are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the eastern Caribbean.

Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates:
15 25 N, 61 20 W

Area:
Total: 754 sq km, land: 754 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Slightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
148 km

Climate:
Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall

Terrain:
Rugged mountains of volcanic origin

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: Morne Diablatins 1,447 m

Natural Resources:
Timber, hydropower, arable land

Population:
72,514 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Dominican(s)

Nationality:
Dominican

Ethnic groups:
Black 86.8%, mixed 8.9%, Carib Amerindian 2.9%, white 0.8%, other 0.7% (2001 census)

Religions:
Roman Catholic 61.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 6%, Pentecostal 5.6%, Baptist 4.1%, Methodist 3.7%, Church of God 1.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.2%, other Christian 7.7%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other or unspecified 1.6%, none 6.1% (2001 census)

Languages:
English (official), French patois

Country Name:
Dominica

Government Type:
Parliamentary democracy

Capital Name:
Roseau

Independence:
3 November 1978 (from UK)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 3 November (1978)

Constitution:
3 November 1978

Legal System:
Based on English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch:
President Nicholas J. O. LIVERPOOL (since October 2003)

Head of Government:
Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004)

Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister

Elections:
President elected by the House of Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 1 October 2003 (next to be held in October 2008); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Nicholas LIVERPOOL elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA%

Cuba

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule, marked initially by neglect, became increasingly repressive, provoking an independence movement and occasional rebellions that were harshly suppressed. It was US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 that finally overthrew Spanish rule. The subsequent Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence, which was granted in 1902 after a three-year transition period. In an uprising known as the "Revolt of the Sergeants," Ruben Fulgencio Batista Zaldívar took over the Cuban government on September 4, 1933. The coup overthrew the liberal government of Geraldo Machado, and marked the beginning of the army's influence as an organized force in the running of the government. It also signaled Batista's emergence as self-appointed chief of the armed forces, king-maker and favored U.S. strong man. With the support of the US government and the mafia Batista ruled Cuba with an iron fist with scant regard for democracy or the rights of Cubans. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly five decades, even with a US embargo that has lasted from 1960 till the present day. He stepped down as president in February 2008 in favor of his younger brother Raul CASTRO. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country is now slowly recovering from a severe economic downturn in 1990, following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as the result of the US embargo in place since 1961. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or via the southwest border - is a continuing problem. The US Coast Guard intercepted 2,864 individuals attempting to cross the Straits of Florida in fiscal year 2006.

Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida

Geographic coordinates:
21 30 N, 80 00 W

Area:
Total: 110,860 sq km, land: 110,860 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries:
Total: 29 km, border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km

Coastline:
3,735 km

Climate:
Tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)

Terrain:
Mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m

Natural Resources:
The east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common

Population:
11,423,952 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Noun: Cuban(s)

Nationality:
Adjective: Cuban

Ethnic groups:
White 65.1%, mulatto and mestizo 24.8%, black 10.1% (2002 census)

Religions:
Nominally 85% Roman Catholic prior to CASTRO assuming power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also represented

Languages:
Spanish

Country Name:
Cuba

Government Type:
Communist state

Capital Name:
Havana

Independence:
20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902); not acknowledged by the Cuban Government as a day of independence

National Holiday:
Triumph of the Revolution, 1 January (1959)

Constitution:
24 February 1976; amended July 1992 and June 2002

Legal System:
Based on Spanish civil law and influenced by American legal concepts, with large elements of Communist legal theory; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Executive Branch:
President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura (since 24 February 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

Head of Government:
President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (president since 24 February 2008); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Jose Ramon MACHADO Ventura (since 24 February 2008)

Cabinet:
Council of Ministers proposed by the president of the Council of State and appointed by the National Assembly or the 31-member Council of State, elected by the Assembly to act on its behalf when it is not in session

Elections:
President and vice presidents elected by the National Assembly for a term of five years; election last held 24 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013)

Cayman Islands

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
The Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries, and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies, but when the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency.

Location:
Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica

Geographic coordinates:
19 30 N, 80 30 W

Area:
Total: 262 sq km, land: 262 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
160 km

Climate:
Tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

Terrain:
Low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: The Bluff (Cayman Brac) 43 m

Natural Resources:
Fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Population:
47,862

Nationality:
Noun: Caymanian(s)

Nationality:
Adjective: Caymanian

Ethnic groups:
Mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20%

Religions:
Church of God 26%, United Church 11.8% (Presbyterian and Congregational), Roman Catholic 11%, Baptist 8.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.2%, Anglican 5.7%, Pentacostal 5.3%, other Christian 2.7%, non-denominational 5.8%, other 3.8%, none 9.8%, unspecified 1.1% (1999 census)

Languages:
English 95%, Spanish 3.2%, other 1.8% (1999 census)

Country Name:
Cayman Islands

Government Type:
British crown colony

Capital Name:
George Town (on Grand Cayman)

Independence:
None (overseas territory of the UK)

National Holiday:
Constitution Day, first Monday in July

Constitution:
1959; revised 1962, 1972, and 1994

Legal System:
British common law and local statutes

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Stuart JACK (since 23 November 2005)

Head of Government:
Leader of Government Business Kurt TIBBETTS (since 18 May 2005)

Cabinet:
Executive Council (three members appointed by the governor, four members elected by the Legislative Assembly)

Elections:
The monarch is hereditary; the governor is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition is appointed by the governor Leader of Government Business

British Virgin Islands

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
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.

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

Geographic coordinates:
18 30 N, 64 30 W

Area:
Total: 153 sq km, land: 153 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
About 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
80 km

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:
Highest point: Mount Sage 521 m

Natural Resources:
NEGL

Population:
24,041 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Noun: British Virgin Islander(s)

Nationality:
Adjective: British Virgin Islander

Ethnic groups:
Black 83.4%, white 7%, mixed 5.4%, Indian 3.4%, other 0.8% (1991 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)

Country Name:
British Virgin Islands

Government Type:
NA (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital Name:
Road Town

Independence:
None (overseas territory of the UK)

National Holiday:
Territory Day, 1 July (1956)

Constitution:
13 June 2007

Legal System:
English law

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

Bermuda

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

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

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

Geographic coordinates:
32 20 N, 64 45 W

Area:
Total: 53.3 sq km, land: 53.3 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
About one-third the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
103 km

Climate:
Subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

Terrain:
Low hills separated by fertile depressions

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources:
Highest point: Town Hill 76 m

Population:
66,536 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Noun: Bermudian(s)

Nationality:
Adjective: Bermudian

Ethnic groups:
Black 54.8%, white 34.1%, mixed 6.4%, other races 4.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2000 census)

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

Languages:
English (official), Portuguese

Country Name:
Bermuda

Government Type:
Parliamentary; self-governing territory

Capital Name:
Hamilton

Independence:
None (overseas territory of the UK)

National Holiday:
Bermuda Day, 24 May

Constitution:
8 June 1968; amended 1989 and 2003

Legal System:
English law

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

Head of Government:
Premier Ewart BROWN (since 30 October 2006); Deputy Premier Paula COX

Cabinet:
Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor

Belize

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy.

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

Geographic coordinates:
17 15 N, 88 45 W

Area:
Total: 22,966 sq km , land: 22,806 sq km, water: 160 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Land boundaries:
Total: 516 km, border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km

Coastline:
386 km

Climate:
Tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)

Terrain:
Flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,160 m

Natural Resources:
Arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower

Population:
301,270 (July 2008 est.)
Nationality:
Noun: Belizean(s)

Nationality:
Adjective: Belizean

Ethnic groups:
Mestizo 48.7%, Creole 24.9%, Maya 10.6%, Garifuna 6.1%, other 9.7% (2000 census)

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

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

Country Name:
Belize

Government Type:
Parliamentary democracy

Capital Name:
Belmopan

Independence:
21 September 1981 (from UK)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

Constitution:
21 September 1981

Legal System:
English law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

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

Head of Government:
Prime Minister Dean BARROW (since 8 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar VEGA (since 12 February 2008)

Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Barbados

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. Slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island until 1834 when slavery was abolished. The economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance.

Location:
Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela

Geographic coordinates:
13 10 N, 59 32 W

Area:
Total: 431 sq km, land: 431 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
97 km

Climate:
Tropical; rainy season (June to October)

Terrain:
Relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m

Natural Resources:
Petroleum, fish, natural gas

Population:
281,968 (July 2008 est.)

Nationality:
Noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial)

Nationality:
Adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial)

Ethnic groups:
Black 90%, white 4%, Asian and mixed 6%

Religions:
Protestant 63.4% (Anglican 28.3%, Pentecostal 18.7%, Methodist 5.1%, other 11.3%), Roman Catholic 4.2%, other Christian 7%, other 4.8%, none or unspecified 20.6% (2008 est.)

Languages:
English

Country Name:
Barbados

Government Type:
Parliamentary democracy

Capital Name:
Bridgetown

Independence:
30 November 1966 (from UK)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 30 November (1966)

Constitution:
30 November 1966

Legal System:
English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Sir Clifford Straughn HUSBANDS (since 1 June 1996)

Head of Government:
Prime Minister David THOMPSON (since 16 January 2008)

Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

Bahamas

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas have prospered through tourism and international banking and investment management. Because of its geography, the country is a major transshipment point for illegal drugs, particularly shipments to the US and Europe, and its territory is used for smuggling illegal migrants into the US.

Location:
Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba

Geographic coordinates:
24 15 N, 76 00 W

Area:
Total: 13,940 sq km, land: 10,070 sq km, water: 3,870 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
3,542 km

Climate:
Tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Terrain:
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m

Natural Resources:
Salt, aragonite, timber, arable land

Population:
307,451

Nationality:
Noun: Bahamian(s)

Nationality:
adjective: Bahamian

Ethnic groups:
black 85%, white 12%, Asian and Hispanic 3%

Religions:
Baptist 35.4%, Anglican 15.1%, Roman Catholic 13.5%, Pentecostal 8.1%, Church of God 4.8%, Methodist 4.2%, other Christian 15.2%, none or unspecified 2.9%, other 0.8% (2000 census)

Languages:
English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants)

Country Name:
Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Government Type:
Constitutional parliamentary democracy

Capital Name:
Nassau

Independence:
10 July 1973 (from UK)

National Holiday:
Independence Day, 10 July (1973)

Constitution:
10 July 1973

Legal System:
Based on English common law

Executive Branch:
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Arthur D. HANNA (since 1 February 2006)

Head of Government:
Prime Minister Hubert A. INGRAHAM (since 4 May 2007)

Cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation

Aruba

Sat, 30 May 2009 03:26:07 UT

Country Overview:
Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.

Location:
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela

Geographic coordinates:
12 30 N, 69 58 W

Area:
Total: 193 sq km, land: 193 sq km, water: 0 sq km

Area - Comparative:
Slightly larger than Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
68.5 km

Climate:
Tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:
Flat with a few hills; scant vegetation

Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:
Highest point: Mount Jamanota 188 m

Natural Resources:
NEGL; white sandy beaches

Population:
101,541
Nationality:
Noun: Aruban(s)

Nationality:
Adjective: Aruban; Dutch

Ethnic groups:
Mixed white/Caribbean Amerindian 80%, other 20%

Religions:
Roman Catholic 80.8%, Protestant 9%, other (includes Hindu, Muslim, Confucian, Jewish) 5.6%, none or unspecified 4.6%

Languages:
Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 66.3%, Spanish 12.6%, English (widely spoken) 7.7%, Dutch (official) 5.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified or unknown 5.3% (2000 census)

Country Name: Aruba

Government Type:
Parliamentary democracy

Capital Name:
Oranjestad

Independence:
None (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

National Holiday:
Flag Day, 18 March (1976)

Constitution:
1 January 1986

Legal System:
Based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence

Executive Branch:
Chief of State: Queen BEATRIX of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Fredis REFUNJOL (since 11 May 2004)

Head of Government:
Prime Minister Nelson O. ODUBER (since 30 October 2001)

Cabinet:
The monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed for a six-year term by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by the Staten for four-year terms; election last held in 2005 (next to be held by 2009)

Elections:
Nelson O. ODUBER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - N/A.

Caribbean Country Profiles

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:17:59 UT