Dominican Republic

Geography

Dominican Republic is located between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti. The population of the Dominican Republic is approximately 8 million people. It is roughly twice the size of New Hampshire with rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys interspersed. The climate of the Dominican Republic is primarily tropical, with temperatures varying according to altitude. Seasons are defined more by rainfall than by temperature. For most of the country, rainy season (May through November). The dry season (November through April). Rainfall not uniform throughout country because of mountain ranges. Dominican Republic lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and is subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding is prevalent during the rainy season.

Economy

The exchange rate as of 5 February 2001 was $1 US=16.225(RD$). The Dominican Republic has a Gross Domestic Product per capita of $5,400. The labor force is primarily focused in services and government 58%, industry 24% and agriculture 17%. The major export partner is the United States who makes up 61% of the countries export, while Belgium, Asia, and Canada make up the rest of the exports. The export commodities are ferronickel, sugar, gold, silver, coffee, cocoa, tobacco and some meat. The import partners are the United States with 56% while Venezuela, Mexico, and Japan make up the rest of the imports. The major imports that the Dominican Republic relies upon are foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

In the last four years with the help of President Fernandez the Dominican Republic’s economy has grown vigorously. Construction, tourism and telecommunications are leading the advance. In the past ten years the tourism has grown by leaps and bounds. On the average tourists will stay from ten days to fourteen days at the Dominican Republic, where the average for the rest of the Caribbean is only seven days. This is a encouraging statistic for the country because the longer that the tourists stay then the more money that they will spend. The government is also working to increase the countries electric generating capacity, which is a key to the economic growth. From 1995 the exchange rate has grown by almost 3 dollars, which is an excellent sign to a growing economy. The current inflation rate is 5%, while the unemployment rate hangs around14%. In the past few years the GDP growth rate has been around 8%. The population percentage that is below the poverty line is 25%, this is a concern for the government. With a rather high unemployment rate coupled with the population that is below the poverty line the government needs to address these issues if they want the countries economy to prosper.

Government

The Dominican Republic is comparable to that of the United States, the governmental type is that of a representative democracy. The executive power is vested in President Leonel Fernandez, who is also the commander in chief of the armed forces. In comparison to the U.S. the vice president Jaime Fernandez Mirabal assists the president. Both were elected into office in August of 1996, in May the next election is to be held to elect the next president of the Dominican Republic. The present constitution, like its numerous predecessors, guarantees human rights, prescribes the division of governmental powers, and provides for popular sovereignty. It also accords suffrage to all Dominicans of either sex over 18 years of age, unless they are members of the armed forces or the police. The right to private property is guaranteed but is limited by the right of the state to expropriate for the general good of the country.

The nation is divided into 29 provinces. The central government administers the outlying provinces through governors appointed by the president. Each province elects representatives to the bicameral National Congress. The judicial branch is made up of the Supreme Court; a council that consists of legislative and executive members with the president presiding elects judges.

The legislative branch is called the bicameral National Congress, which consists of the senate, and the Chamber of Deputies. The senate members are elected by popular vote every four years, and consist of 30 seats. The Chamber of Deputies consists of 149 seats and they are also elected by popular vote every four years. All incumbents at the time of election may seek reelection if they so choose.

People

Tainos, an Arawak-speaking people, originally occupied the island of Hispaniola, of which the Dominican Republic forms the eastern two-thirds and Haiti the remainder. The Tainos welcomed Columbus in his first voyage in 1492, but subsequent colonizers were brutal, reducing the Taino population from about 1 million to about 500 in 50 years. To ensure adequate labor for plantations, the Spanish brought African slaves to the island beginning in 1503.In the next century; French settlers occupied the western end of the island, which Spain ceded to France in 1697. In 1804 this island became known as the Republic of Haiti. A battle in 1844 drove the Haitians out and established the Dominican Republic as an independent state. Mulatto is 73% of the population’s ethnic group, which is a legacy of black slavery during the colonial period. While whites make up 16% and blacks 11% of the rest of the populations ethnic groups.

Roman Catholicism is the state recognized religion. The population of the Dominican Republic is 8,442,533 (July 2000 est.). The age structure of the population is 0-14 years old is 34% (male 1,486,902; female 1,422,977), 15-64 years: 61% (male 2,609,934; female 2,518,330), and 65 years and over: 5% (male 192,254; female 212,136) (2000 est.). The population growth rate is at a rate of 1.64% (2000 est.). The life expectancy at birth for the total population: 73.2 years, for males: 71.12, and for females: 75.38 years (2000 est.).

Diet

The cuisine in the Dominican Republic is widely diverse, and uses many different ingredients in their recipes. With the wide array of fruits and vegetables that are raised on the island, the people know of various different uses for fruits and vegetables. Plantain is a cousin to the banana, although this cousin is much larger then the common banana. Platino Frito is a way that the plantain is prepared, with slices cut from the plantain these are then fried in oil and served with pork chops and other dishes. Meat is part of almost every meal in the Dominican Republic; chicken, beef and pork are widely used. Sancocho is soup with many different ingredients. Pork and fried chicken is the meat that is used along with onions, garlic, corn and other vegetables. The people of the Dominican Republic take great pride in their cooking practices which shows when you sit down to enjoy one of their homemade meals.

Belize

Geography

Belize is bordered by Mexico and Guatemala. The Caribbean coastline has over 200 islands called cayes. It is about 8,866 miles sq (22695 km sq), or slightly smaller than the state of Massachusetts.

Along the coastland Belize is covered with mangrove wetlands but as you move inland the land gradually rises upward. The Mayan mountains and Cockscomb range cover almost the whole southern half of Belize. There are many rivers, waterfalls, creeks, and lagoons throughout the country. Right around 70% of the country is tropical forest and about 33% of the land is used for agriculture.

Temperature averages around 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Trade winds cool the cayes and the coastlands. Belize can suffer some sever droughts but on average rainfall varies from 60 inches in the north to 150 inches in the south. Also Belize is in the Hurricane belt and has suffered from 3 hurricanes in the last few years.

Economy

The exchange rate for Belize is 1$’-Bz$2.0 and this is constant

The private sector is mainly based on; agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, while tourism and construction are gaining importance. The per capita GDP is $3,100 and the annual GDP is 740 million with a real growth rate of 4%. 22% of this is made up equally by both agriculture and industry while services account for 56%. Belize exports about $150 million and imports $320 million a year. Main exporting partners are the US with 45%, UK with 30%, EU at 10%. The main import commodities are machinery and transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Main importing countries are the US with 52% and Mexico at 13%.

In the agricultural sector the products produced are bananas, coca, citrus, and sugarcane; also produced is lumber, fish, and cultured shrimp. There is a pretty good industry sector forming with garment production, food processing, tourism and construction. The unemployment rate is decent at 4.3%. A major problem is the fact that there is a shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel.

Government

The type of government in Belize is a parliamentary democracy. The capital is located in Belmopan. The country has administrative divisions in 6 districts, those being Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Toledo.

Belize gained its independence 21 September 1981 (from UK). The national holiday is Independence Day, 21 September (1981). The constitution was written the 21 September 1981.

The Legal system in Belize is based on English law. Suffrage is granted at 18 years of age. The legal system is divided into three different areas. The executive branch, which is lead by the chief of state; Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993) the head of government; Prime Minister Said MUSA (since 27 August 1998); Deputy Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 1 September 1998). The cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister. There are no elections because the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; governor general appoints the member of the House of Representatives who is leader of the majority party to be prime minister. The legislative branch is a bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (eight members, five appointed on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one by the governor general; members are appointed for five-year terms); and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms). Elections for the House of Representatives - last held 27 August 1998 (next to be held NA August 2003). The results were: percent of vote by party - NA, seats by party - PUP 26, UDP 3. The Judicial branch is comprised of the Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister. The political parties and their leaders are the People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA], United Democratic Party or UDP [Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean BARROW].

Political pressure groups and leaders: Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Assad SHOMAN]; United Worker's Front.

People

Belize has a population of 249,183. The people are mainly made up of four different ethnic groups: 44% Mestizo, 31% are Creole, 9% are Maya, and 6% are Garifuna. The population density, of Belize, is one of the lowest in the world. There are many other groups that have located in this area, but these groups are highly intermixed and it is hard to distinguish between them. Religions consist mainly of Catholicism, Protestantism. Although there has been talk of people taking retirement in Belize the population is pretty young with 43% under the age of 15, and 54% below 65. The official language here is English and that is what is instructed in schools, yet in the northern parts of Belize and in the western parts there is some Spanish spoken, while in the south some peoples first language is Mayan or Garifuna. The literacy rate in Belize is listed at 75%. Most people are centered in the nation’s capital of Belmopan, which is pretty much located in the center of Belize. It was built in 1970 after the old capital was pretty much destroyed by Hurricane Hattie earlier

Diet

In Belize there is a mixture of food from Creole, Spanish, and Mayan Flavors. Preferences differ greatly from one ethnic group to the other. One of the favorite dishes of Belize is rice and beans stewed chicken and potato salad. The Spanish and Mexican dishes consist of many different things including Chimole, tamales, tacos, and burritos. Food exports are much greater than food imports and cereals are the greatest imports, while sweeteners are the biggest export.

In Belize there is also a wide variety of Seafood restaurants. They serve lobster (in season), conch, fish, squid, and even some shark. With this you will also see a wide variety of fruits on the table. These include Pineapples, bananas, cantaloupe, watermelons, oranges, and grapefruits just to name a few. Production of fruit has just grown recently. Although there is no shortage of food nutritional values of children are quite low.

Costa Rica

Geography

Costa Rica is located between Nicaragua and Panama and has a population of 3.7 million people. It is slightly smaller than the state of Tennessee. The terrain is mainly coastal plain separated by rugged mountains. The climate of Costa Rica is tropical and subtropical with a dry season (December-April); rainy season (May-November); with cooler temperatures in the highlands. Natural Hazards include occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along the Atlantic coast, active volcanoes, and frequent flooding of the lowlands with the onset of the rainy season.

Economy

The currency exchange rate is Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1 - 299.63 (February 2000). The fiscal year is the same as the calendar year.

Costa Rica’s basically stable economy depends largely on tourism, agriculture, and electronic exports. Within the 5 years economic growth has rebounded from –0.9% in 1996 to over 7% in 1999. Inflation rates have also been more favorable of late. From a high of 22.5% in 1996, inflation rates have dropped to around 11% in 1999. Of the approximately 1.4 million labor workers in Costa Rica roughly 20% are in agriculture, 22% in industry, and 58% are in the service industry.

Costa Rica’s purchasing power parity is $26b (1999 est.). The real growth rate is at 7% annually, and $7100 in GDP/capita purchasing power parity. The GDP of Costa Rica is mainly comprised of agriculture: 14%, industry: 22%, and services: 64% (1998). The inflation rate is 10.8%.

Costa Rican exports account for $6.4 billion and imports $6.5 billion. The exports are comprised of coffee, bananas, sugar; textiles, electronic components, and electricity. The imports are raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum, and electricity.

Government

The government of Costa Rica is much like that of the United States. It is a democratic republic that is divided up into 7 provinces. The capital of Costa Rica is in San Jose, which is where the three branches of government meet. Costa Rica’s government is made up of Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches. An elected chief of state leads the Executive branch. Elections in Costa Rica are just like the U.S., and held every four years. The chief of state is responsible for picking his/her cabinet. The Legislative branch is composed of a unicameral Legislative Assembly, comprised of 57 seats elected every four years. The Judicial branch is a Supreme Court, where the Legislative Assembly elects the justices for eight-year terms.

Overall Costa Rica’s government functions and operates much like our own. There are several political parties and pressure groups. Some of these are like U.S. unions and others such as Confederated Union of Workers are affiliated with the Communists party. These however would be classified as minority parties, consisting of less than 7% of the population that is of voting age. (18 years)

People

The population of Costa Rica is 3,710,558, with a current growth rate of 1.69%. The age structure is broken down as follows; 0-14 years: 32% (male 609,051; female 581,302), 15-64 years: 63% (male 1,177,262; female 1,150,673), and 65 years and over: 5% (male 89,541; female 102,729) (2000 est.). The Life expectancy at birth for the total population: 75.82 years, for males: 73.3 years, and for females: 78.47 years (2000 est.). The nationality is known as Costa Rican. The ethnic groups are white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, and other 1%. They are almost all Roman Catholic. Much of this has to do with the influence that the Spanish had on the region. Other religions include Evangelical Protestant, approximately 14%, other less than 1%. Spanish is the country’s official language but English can be found around most of the urban areas.

Diet

The diets of the people in Costa Rica resemble a well balanced diet of beef, chicken, and pork. Gallo pinto, the national dish of fried rice and black beans, is as ubiquitous as is the hamburger in North America, particularly as a breakfast (desayuno) staple. Many meals are derivatives, including arroz con pollo (rice and chicken) or arroz con tuna. At lunch, gallo pinto becomes the casado (married): rice and beans supplemented with cabbage-and-tomato salad, fried plantains, and meat. Vegetables do not form a large part of the diet.

Food staples include carne (beef, sometimes called bistek), pollo (chicken), and pescado (fish). Beef and steaks are relatively inexpensive, but don't expect your steak to match its North American counterpart; at its worst you may be served a leathery slab cooked in grease. They're also lean (cattle is grass-fed). Despite 1,227 kilometers (767 miles) of coastline, seafood — especially shrimp (camarones) or lobster (langosto) — is expensive, because Costa Rica exports most of its seafood.

Jamaica

Geography

Jamaica is an island located in the Caribbean Sea south of Cuba. The total land area is comparable to the size of Connecticut. The Climate is tropical; hot, humid; and on the temperate interior. The terrain is a mostly mountain, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain. Natural resources include bauxite, gypsum, and limestone. The land usage is 14% arable land, 6% cropland, 24% pastureland, and 17% forests and woodland. The natural hazards that exist are hurricanes from July to November. Jamaica is in a strategic geographical location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea-lanes for the Panama Canal.

Economy

Key sectors in this island economy are bauxite (alumina and bauxite account for more than half of exports) and tourism. Since assuming office in 1992, Prime Minister Patterson has eliminated most price controls, streamlined tax schedules, and privatized government enterprises. Continued tight monetary and fiscal policies have helped slow inflation - although inflationary pressures are mounting and stabilize the exchange rate, but have resulted in the slowdown of economic growth (moving from 1.5% in 1992 to 0.5% in 1995). In 1996, GDP showed negative growth (-1.4%) and remained negative through 1999. Serious problems include: high interest rates; increased foreign competition; the weak financial condition of business in general resulting in receiverships or closures and downsizing of companies; the shift in investment portfolios to non-productive, short-term high yield instruments; a pressured, sometimes sliding, exchange rate; a widening merchandise trade deficit; and a growing internal debt for government bailouts to various ailing sectors of the economy, particularly the financial sector. Depressed economic conditions in 1999 led to increased civil unrest, including a mounting crime rate. Jamaica's medium-term prospects will depend upon encouraging investment in the productive sectors, maintaining a competitive exchange rate, stabilizing the labor environment, selling off reacquired firms, and implementing proper fiscal and monetary policies. GDP is comprised of the following in each sector: agriculture: 7.4%, industry: 42.1%, services: 50.5% (1997 est.). The labor force is divided in the following sectors: services 60%, agriculture 21%, and industry 19% (1998). The Jamaican industries include tourism, bauxite, textiles, food processing, light manufactures, rum, cement, metal, paper, and chemical products. The Currency is 1 Jamaican dollar (J$) = 100 cents. The exchange rates: Jamaican dollars (J$) per US$1 - 44.97 (December 1999). The Jamaican fiscal year begins 1 April and ends 31 March.

Government

The government is a constitutional parliamentary democracy. The capital is located in Kingston. The administrative divisions are made up of 14 parishes; Clarendon, Hanover, Kingston, Manchester, Portland, Saint Andrew, Saint Ann, Saint Catherine, Saint Elizabeth, Saint James, Saint Mary, Saint Thomas, Trelawny, and Westmoreland. Jamaica gained independence 6 August 1962 (from UK). The National holiday is Independence Day (first Monday in August) (1962). The constitution was written 6 August 1962.

The legal system is based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. The age at which suffrage is obtained is 18 years. The executive branch of their government consists of the chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Howard Felix COOKE (since 1 August 1991). The head of government: Prime Minister Percival James PATTERSON (since 30 March 1992) and Deputy Prime Minister Seymour MULLINGS (since NA 1993). The governor general on the advice of the prime minister appoints the cabinet. There are no elections, the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general. The legislative branch is a bicameral Parliament, which consists of the Senate (a 21-member body appointed by the governor general on the recommendations of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; ruling party is allocated 13 seats, and the opposition is allocated eight seats) and the House of Representatives (60 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms). The elections last held 18 December 1997 (next to be held by March 2002) had the following results, percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 50, JLP 10. The judicial branch is a Supreme Court, judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister; Court of Appeal.

The political parties and leaders are the Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Edward SEAGA]; National Democratic Movement or NDM [Bruce GOLDING]; People's National Party or PNP [P. J. PATTERSON]. Like any other country there are political pressure groups. The groups and there leaders are the New Beginnings Movement or NBM; Rastafarians (black religious/racial cultists, pan-Africanists). The military branch consists of the Jamaica Defense Force (includes Ground Forces, Coast Guard, and Air Wing), and Jamaica Constabulary Force.

People

With slavery out of the picture, the English brought in Indians and Chinese to help the mainly African population work the plantations. While most Jamaicans are of African descent, there has been much inter-marriage over the centuries. This is reflected in the diverse appearance of Jamaicans. The population in Jamaica is 2,652,689 (July 2000 est.). The age structure of the population is 0-14 years old is 30% (male 411,448; female 392,559), 15-64 years: 63% (male 832,314; female 837,133), and 65 years and over: 7% (male 80,059; female 99,176) (2000 est.). The population growth is at a rate of 0.46% (2000 est.). The life expectancy at birth for the total population: 75.21 years, for males: 73.26, and for females: 77.26 years (2000 est.).The nationality is known as Jamaican(s). The breakdown of ethnic groups in the population is black 90.9%, East Indian 1.3%, white 0.2%, Chinese 0.2%, mixed 7.3%, and other 0.1%. The Religions are Protestant 61.3% (Church of God 21.2%, Baptist 8.8%, Anglican 5.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 9%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Methodist 2.7%, United Church 2.7%, Brethren 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.6%, Moravian 1.1%), Roman Catholic 4%, other, and include some spiritual cults 34.7%. The languages spoken are English, and Creole. Most Jamaicans speak a Creole patois - a mixture of Elizabethan English and West African that's often hard to understand, but always absolutely charming. The Literacy in Jamaica is defined by being age 15 and over has ever attended school. With that definition the literacy rate for the total population is 85%, males at 80.8%, and females at 89.1% (1995 est.).

Diet

The Jamaican diet consists mainly of the following dishes. Manish Water, this soup is an old time favorite in Jamaica. You'll find it served at "real Jamaican parties", wakes, celebrations, and reggae concerts and at roadside stalls. Made from the head, feet of a goat, bananas, yam, pepper, and your optional white rum. Another favorite is Cows Cod. This soup is Jamaican delicacy; therefore it is very rare to find good Cow Cod soup. It is believed that Cow Cod soup is drank by men to give them strength and stamina needed to play vigorous sports. The ingredients for this soup are 'The Cows Cod’ (which is a big Jamaican secret), bananas, yam, pepper and your optional white rum. Another staple in the Jamaican diet is Curry goat. This dish has put Jamaica on the world map because it is known that Jamaican's are experts at cooking curry goat and it would be totally unacceptable if it were not cooked in a Jamaican household once a week. You can find it at almost any hotel or restaurant in Jamaica but to get the real curry you need to visit the household of a Jamaican native. Cooking curry is like planting a garden or putting a chip in your computer. It has to be nourished and handled carefully. You want to feel the personal touch when you eat curry goat. Made from goat meat, curry, pepper and various "secret" home seasonings. Jamaicans also love Jerk Chicken. Jamaicans loves this sweet and spicy rub on both chicken and meat. The strong flavors in this recipe will be best with a refreshing wine that combines low alcohol and good acidity. Try slightly chilled Beaujolais from France. The foods above are generally served all days but Friday. Friday no one cooks. People either eat out or go and pick up some "buy and bring home" food.

The Bahamas

Geography

The Bahamas are a chain of islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean, Southeast of Florida. The total land size is comparatively slightly smaller than the State of Connecticut. The climate is tropical marine, with moderated by warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The terrain is long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills. The natural resources are salt, aragonite, and timber. The land use is 1% arable land, 0% for crops and pastures, 32% forests and woodland, and 67% for other. The natural hazards include hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause extensive flood and wind damage.

Economy

The Bahamas are a stable, developing nation with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism alone accounts for more than 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs 40% of the archipelago's labor force. Moderate growth in tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts, and residences led to an increase of the country's GDP by an estimated 3% in 1998. Manufacturing and agriculture together contribute less than 10% of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. Overall growth prospects in the short run will depend heavily on the fortunes of the tourism sector and continued income growth in the US, which accounts for the majority of tourist visitors.

The Bahamas GDP is made up of agriculture: 3%, industry: 5%, services: 92% (1997 est.). The labor force is comprised of the following: tourism 40%, other services 50%, industry 5%, and agriculture 5% (1995 est.). The GDP/Capita in the Bahamas is $20,000 (1998 est.), with a real growth rate of 3% annually. The GDP purchasing power parity for the Bahamas is $5.58 billion (1998 est.).

The Bahamas export $362.8 billion, while importing $1.74 billion.

The Bahamas currency is 1 Bahamian dollar (B$) = 100 cents. The Currency exchange rate is Bahamian dollar (B$) per US$1 - 1.000 (fixed rate pegged to the dollar). The Bahamian fiscal year starts 1 July and ends 30.June.

Government

The Government type is a constitutional parliamentary democracy. The capital is located in Nassau. The administrative divisions are made up of 21 districts; Acklins and Crooked Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma, Freeport, Fresh Creek, Governor's Harbour, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, High Rock, Inagua, Kemps Bay, Long Island, Marsh Harbour, Mayaguana, New Providence, Nicholls Town and Berry Islands, Ragged Island, Rock Sound, Sandy Point, San Salvador and Rum Cay. The Independence was gained on10 July 1973 (from UK), with their National holiday, called National Day, 10 July (1973). The Bahamas constitution was enacted on 10 July 1973.

The Legal system is based on English common law. Suffrage is 18 years of age. The Executive branch consists of the following: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Orville TURNQUEST (since 2 January 1995) head of government: Prime Minister Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM (since 19 August 1992) and Deputy Prime Minister Frank WATSON (since December 1994) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime minister's recommendation. There are no elections; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general. Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16-member body appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime minister and the opposition leader for a five-year term) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms). The elections were last held 14 March 1997 (next to be held by March 2002). The election results by percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FNM 35, PLP 5. The Judicial branch consists of Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; magistrate's courts.

The political parties and leaders are: Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM]; Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]. The flag description is three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side. The military branches are the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (Coast Guard only), and Royal Bahamas Police Force.

People

The population is 294,982 people. With a not that estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2000 est.) The age structure for the Bahamas is 0-14 years: 30% (male 44,339; female 43,667), 15-64 years: 64% (male 93,072; female 96,457), and 65 years and over: 6% (male 7,298; female 10,149) (2000 est.). The population is growing at a rate of 1.01% (2000 est.). Life expectancy at birth is for the total population 71.07 years, for males 68.25 years, and for females 73.94 years (2000 est.). The nationality is Bahamian(s). The ethnic groups are comprised of the following: black 85%, white 12%, and Asian and Hispanic 3%. Religions are: Baptist 32%, Anglican 20%, Roman Catholic 19%, Methodist 6%, Church of God 6%, other Protestant 12%, none or unknown 3%, other 2%. The main languages are English, and Creole (among Haitian immigrants). Literacy is defined as age 15 and over who can read and write. The literacy rate for the total population is 98.2%, for the males 98.5%, and for the females 98%.

Diet

One of the mainstays in the Bahamian diet is boiled fish served with grits. This dish is often the most flavorful way to enjoy the taste of a fresh catch. It is popularly served as brunch. Being in the Caribbean fish, and other ocean life are mainly eaten on the islands. Since tourism is the big business in the Bahamas, the cuisine is mainly catered toward making the visitors happy. This allows for a great amount of importation. Menus across the whole Caribbean include things such as duck, shrimp, lobster, and even Conch. The main diet for the locals includes chicken, baby back ribs, mussels, crab, conch, peas and rice, and ocean cuisine. Rum is also an industry that does well in the Caribbean.

Bahamas
Jamaica

Idea 1. Tourism enhancing gift box

This box will be sent to businessmen and gentlemen across the world. The idea is to promote increase tourism, and business gatherings. The box will have rum from each country, cigars, coffee, and rum cake.

Idea 2. Web site with Caribbean Vices.

RUM: Nassau Royale ( Bahamas)

Purchase price $ 17.87 for 1 bottle
    $ 50.87 for 3 bottles
    $ 96.39 for 6 bottles
    $ 182.97 for 12 bottles

Appleton special gold rum (Jamaica)
    $ 17.87 for 1 bottle
    $ 50.92 for 3 bottles
    $ 96.49 for 6 bottles
    189.42 for 12 bottles

Cigars: (Jamaican)

Royal Jamaica Churchill cigars 25 51x8 $147.71
Royal Jamaican toro cigars 25 50x6 $122.59

Also available are Humidors, cutters, lighters and ashtrays.

Coffee: (Jamaica)

Blue Mountain coffee (100% Jamaican)

- Roasted whole bean
        8 oz Burlap Bag : Grade 1 Price: $14.20
        16 oz Burlap Bag : Grade 1 Price: $26.90
        16 oz Blue Mountain Peaberry Price: $27.90
        16 oz Blue Mountain Organic Price: $27.90
        10 lb Bulk Roasted : Grade 1 Price: $235.00
- Roasted Ground Coffee
        8 oz Burlap Bag : Grade 1 Price: $14.20
        6 oz Burlap Bag : Grade 1 Price: $26.90
        10 lb Bulk Pack : Grade 1 Price: $235.00
        5 lb Factory Light Wash : Grade 3 Price: $49.50
        10 lb Factory Light Wash : Grade 3 Price: $93.00
Green Bean : Unroasted 3 lb Green Bean Price: $55.00

Rum Cake: (Jamaican)

"Jamaican fruit cake"
1 LB.- $13.95, 2 LBS.- $24.- 95, 3 LBS.- $34.95 and 4 LBS.- $44.95

Dominican Republic

Café Bueno Premium Santo Domingo Coffee. Fresh roasted whole bean, heat-sealed poly valve bags.
1 lb- $10.70
2.2lbs-$18.90
5lbs-$42.00

Café Santo Domingo Coffee. Ground coffee packed in 10 oz. cans.
½ case= 6 cans-$35.00
Case=12 cans-$65.00

Belize

We plan to export fruit baskets. These baskets will include a number of different things including citrus, bananas, apples, oranges, grapefruit, and grapes, fruit juices (3/basket), and different types of fruit jams (11/basket). These baskets will run from $22.50 $ Bz $45.

Citrus

Western Caribbean Fruit Growers LTD Mr. Sonny Sell
P.O. Box 405 Ph. 8-12032
Belmopan, Belize Fax 8-12032

Fruit Juices

DeloroBelize Citrus
www.belizecitrus.com

Fruit Jams

Caribbean Fruit Jams $6.75
www.caribcon.com/jelly.html

All products that are imported will be shipped to Nassau, Bahamas. This is where all the products will be gathered, and then arranged together for shipment to each country for our Hotels, and Cruise guests. All rates are from the city listed using Fed Ex air transportation.

Imports:

Wine:

We will be importing the finest wine from Perallion, Chile. The Chilean wine is "Chateau La Joya", it cost $30, with a markup to $40 selling price. Shipping cost is $.50 per bottle, and will be shipped in 4,000 shipments at a transport cost of $2,000. The wine from Argentina, "Mendoza", cost $20 with a markup of $7 and shipping cost of $.50 per bottle. We will ship 4,000 bottles at a cost of $2,000. The shipment will be from Mendoza, Argentina.

Cheese:

The finest cheese from West Europe-Dutch Cheese will cost us $19.50 from Henri Welling, Henriwilling.com, Hoogedijk 8, 1145 pm kutwarde, Volendam, Holland. in the Netherlands. It will be shipped to Nassau, Bahamas. It will be shipped in 2.8 lbs. containers. We will ship 20,000 lbs. per order. The cost of shipping from the Netherlands will be $3,750 for 20,000 lbs of cheese.

Baskets:

Thai Bath and Beauty Basket costs from Pacific Rim to Nassau, Bahamas. The price of the gift baskets is $120 . Shipping from Sabori, Thailand will cost $10,000 for 50,000lbs.

Chocolate:

Chocoholic Delight

This unique package will include a combination of chocolate vodka and chocolate truffles with alcohol to bring new meaning to the word chocoholic. The chocolate vodka is a Ukrainian brand called Goldenbarr. The truffles comes from and can be ordered in a variety of flavors. This package can be purchased in three different sizes based on the size of the vodka bottle: 750 ml, 1 L, or 1.75 L. Each bottled is packaged with a 20 pieces of assorted chocolate truffles from Rothschild Chocolates of Europe. The combination of the package will cost UAH269, UAH286, or UAH342 ( $49.88, $53, and $63.40) depending on size purchased. Shipping from Eastern Europe to Nassau, Bahamas. The cost of shipping from Warsaw, Poland will be $2,650 for 5,000 lbs.