Martinique, Fort-de-France Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Martinique. Status: Overseas department of France.

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

Country Climate: Subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average.

Country Terrain: Mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano.

Major Languages: French (official), Creole.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.4 million (2008 est.) 0.4 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy is based on trade. Agriculture accounts for about 6% of GDP and the small industrial sector for 11%. Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed in the service sector and in administration.

Currency: Euro (EUR).

Country Inflation: 3.2% (2008 est.) 0.4% (2009 est.).

City: Fort-de-France is the capital of Martinique.

City Economy: Fort-de-France is one of the major cities in the Caribbean. Exports include sugar, rum, tinned fruit, and cacao.

Cost of Living: Fort-de-France has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Fort-de-France is currently ranked 137 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Haiti, Port-au-Prince Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Haiti.

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

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

Country Terrain: Mostly rough and mountainous.

Major Languages: Creole, French.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 8.8 million (2008 est.) 8.9 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Haiti is amongst the poorest in the world. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the agriculture sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, and remain vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters, exacerbated by the country’s widespread deforestation. The country was devastated by a powerful earthquake in January 2010 which destroyed much of the infrastructure.

Currency: Haitan Gourde (HTG).

Country Inflation: 14.4% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2009 est.).

City: Port-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti.

City Economy: Port-au-Prince is the nation’s largest center of economy and finance, however it has suffered considerable damage in the January 2010 earthquake. The city exports its most widely consumed produce of coffee and sugar.

Cost of Living: Port-au-Prince has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Port-au-Prince is currently ranked 100 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Guyana, Georgetown Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

Location: Guyana is in Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela.

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

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

Major Languages: English, indigenous languages, Creole, Hindi, Urdu.

Major Religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam.

Country Population: 0.765 million (2008 est.) 0.767 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Guyana is mainly based on agriculture (production of rice and Demerara sugar), bauxite mining, gold mining, timber, shrimp fishing and minerals. Guyana is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labour and a deficient infrastructure.

Currency: Guyanese Dollar (GYD).

Country Inflation: 8.1% (2008 est.) 2.9% (2009 est.).

City: Georgetown is the capital and largest city of Guyana.

City Economy: Georgetown is Guyana’s largest city and it contains a large portion of the major businesses.

Cost of Living: Georgetown has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Georgetown is currently ranked 223 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Luxembourg, Luxembourg Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

Location: Luxembourg is in Western Europe, between France and Germany.

Country Climate: Modified continental with mild winters, cool summers.

Country Terrain: Mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast.

Major Languages: French, German, Luxembourgish.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.5 million (2008 est.) 0.5 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Luxembourg is largely dependent on the banking, steel, and industrial sectors. Although Luxembourg in tourist literature is aptly called the Green Heart of Europe, its pastoral land coexists with a highly industrialized and export-intensive economy. Luxembourg enjoys a degree of economic prosperity almost unique among industrialized democracies.

Currency: Euro (EUR).

Country Inflation: 3.4% (2008 est.) 0.2% (2009 est.).

City: The city of Luxembourg, also known as Luxembourg City, is a commune with city status, and the capital of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

City Economy: Luxembourg City is one of the wealthiest cities in the world, having developed into a banking and administrative centre. Luxembourg is a seat of several institutions of the European Union, including the European Court of Justice, the European Court of Auditors, and the European Investment Bank.

Cost of living: Luxembourg has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Luxembourg is currently ranked 78 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Guinea-Bissau, Bissau Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

Location: Guinea-Bissau is in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal.

Country Climate: Tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds.

Country Terrain: Mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east.

Major Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo, African languages.

Major Religions: Indigenous beliefs, Islam, Christianity.

Country Population: 1.75 million (2008 est.) 1.8 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Guinea-Bissau is among the world’s least developed and one of the 10 poorest countries in the world, dependant mainly on agriculture and fishing.

Currency: CFA Franc (XOF).

Country Inflation: 10.5% (2008 est.) 0.4% (2009 est.).

City: Bissau is the capital city of Guinea-Bissau.

City Economy: Bissau is the country’s largest city, major port, educational, administrative and military center. Peanuts, hardwoods, copra, palm oil, and rubber are the chief products.

Cost of Living: Bissau has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Bissau is currently ranked 89 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Lithuania, Vilnius Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Lithuania.

Location: Lithuania is in Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia.

Country Climate: Transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers.

Country Terrain: Lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil.

Major Languages: Lithuanian, Russian.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 3.4 million (2008 est.) 3.4 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Lithuania changed radically after the country established its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. It then made a transition towards capitalist free market principles, enjoying high growth rates after entering the European Union along with other Baltic states.

Currency: Lithuanian Litas (LTL).

Country Inflation: 11.1% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2009 est.).

City: Vilnius is the largest city and the capital of Lithuania.

City Economy: Vilnius is the major economic centre of Lithuania and one of the largest financial centres of the Baltic states. Even though it is home to only 15% of Lithuania’s population, it generates approximately 25% of Lithuania’s GDP.

Cost of Living: Vilnius has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Vilnius is currently ranked 127 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Liechtenstein, Vaduz Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Principality of Liechtenstein.

Location: Liechtenstein is in Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland.

Country Climate: Continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third.

Major Languages: German.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.036 million (2008 est.) 0.036 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Liechtenstein is a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with the urban areas of its large European neighbors. Low business taxes – the maximum tax rate is 18% – and easy incorporation rules have induced about 73,700 holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues.

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF).

Country Inflation: 1% (2001 est.) 0.0% (2009 est.).

City: Vaduz is the capital of the principality of Liechtenstein.

City Economy: Vaduz has a lively tourist industry, despite being one of the very few capital cities in the world without an airport or railway station.

Cost of Living: Vaduz has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Vaduz is currently ranked 9 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Guinea, Conakry Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Republic of Guinea.

Location: Guinea is in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone.

Country Climate: Generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds.

Country Terrain: Generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior.

Major Languages: French, various tribal languages.

Major Religions: Islam, Christianity, indigenous beliefs.

Country Population: 10.3 million (2008 est.) 10.6 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Guinea has abundant natural resources including 25% or more of the world’s known bauxite reserves. Guinea also has diamonds, gold, and other metals.

Currency: Guinea Franc (GNF).

Country Inflation: 18.4% (2008 est.) 4.9% (2009 est.).

City: Conakry is the capital and largest city of Guinea.

City Economy: Conakry is a port city on the Atlantic Ocean and serves as the economic, financial and cultural center of Guinea. Conakry is Guinea’s largest city and its administrative, communications, and economic center. The city’s economy revolves largely around the port, which has modern facilities for handling and storing cargo, through which alumina and bananas are shipped.

Cost of Living: Conakry has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Conakry is currently ranked 145 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Liberia, Monrovia Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Liberia.

Location: Liberia is in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone.

Country Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers.

Country Terrain: Mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast.

Major Languages: English, 29 African languages belonging to the Mande, Kwa or Mel linguistic groups.

Major Religions: Christianity, Islam, indigenous beliefs.

Country Population: 3.9 million (2008 est.) 4.1 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Liberia was negatively impacted by the civil war and government mismanagement, especially the infrastructure in and around the capital, Monrovia. Many businesses fled the country, taking capital and expertise with them, but with the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically-elected government in 2006, some have returned.

Currency: Liberian Dollar (LRD).

Country Inflation: 17.5% (2008 est.) 7.3% (2009 est.).

City: Monrovia is the capital city of the West African nation of Liberia.

City Economy: The city’s economy is dominated by its harbour. Monrovia is Liberia’s financial centre.

Cost of Living: Monrovia has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Monrovia is currently ranked 165 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Lesotho, Maseru Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 16, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Kingdom of Lesotho.

Location: Lesotho is in Southern Africa, enclaved by South Africa.

Country Climate: Temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers.

Country Terrain: Mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains.

Major Languages: Sesotho, English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 2.4 million (2008 est.) 2.5 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Lesotho’s economy is based on diamonds exported all over the world and water sold to South Africa, manufacturing, agriculture, livestock, and to some extent the earnings of laborers employed in South Africa.

Currency: Lesotho Loti (LSL).

Country Inflation: 10.7% (2008 est.) 7.7% (2009 est.).

City: Maseru is the capital and only sizable city of Lesotho.

City Economy: Commerce in Maseru is centered around two neighboring central business districts. The western business district holds larger office buildings, department stores and several banks. The eastern business district hosts mainly smaller businesses, markets and street vendors. The central business districts are the largest employment centers within the city.

Cost of Living: Maseru has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Maseru is currently ranked 233 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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