:Netherlands People
Population:15,112,064 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992)Birth rate:13 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:8 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:75 years male, 81 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women); adjective - DutchEthnic divisions:Dutch 96%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 4% (1988)Religions:Roman Catholic 36%, Protestant 27%, other 6%, unaffiliated 31% (1988)Languages:DutchLiteracy:99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)Labor force:5,300,000; services 50.1%, manufacturing and construction 28.2%, government15.9%, agriculture 5.8% (1986)Organized labor:29% of labor force
:Netherlands Government
Long-form name:Kingdom of the NetherlandsType:constitutional monarchyCapital:Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of governmentAdministrative divisions:12 provinces (provincien, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland,Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland,Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-HollandIndependence:1579 (from Spain)Constitution:17 February 1983Dependent areas:Aruba, Netherlands AntillesLegal system:civil law system incorporating French penal theory; judicial review in theSupreme Court of legislation of lower order rather than Acts of the StatesGeneral; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)Executive branch:monarch, prime minister, vice prime minister, Cabinet, Cabinet of MinistersLegislative branch:bicameral legislature (Staten Generaal) consists of an upper chamber orFirst Chamber (Eerste Kamer) and a lower chamber or Second Chamber (TweedeKamer)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (De Hoge Raad)Leaders:Chief of State:Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980); Heir ApparentWILLEM-ALEXANDER, Prince of Orange, son of Queen Beatrix (born 27 April1967)Head of Government:Prime Minister Ruud (Rudolph) F. M. LUBBERS (since 4 November 1982); VicePrime Minister Wim KOK (since 2 November 1989)Political parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), Willem van VELZEN; Labor (PvdA), Wim KOK;Liberal (VVD), Joris VOORHOEVE; Democrats '66 (D'66), Hans van MIERIO; ahost of minor partiesSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:First Chamber:last held on 9 June l991 (next to be held 9 June 1995); results - elected bythe country's 12 provincial councils; seats - (75 total) percent of seats byparty NASecond Chamber:last held on 6 September 1989 (next to be held by September 1993); results -CDA 35.3%, PvdA 31. 9%, VVD 14.6%, D'66 7.9%, other 10.3%; seats - (150total) CDA 54, PvdA 49, VVD 22, D'66 12, other 13Communists:about 6,000
:Netherlands Government
Other political or pressure groups:large multinational firms; Federation of Netherlands Trade Union Movement(comprising Socialist and Catholic trade unions) and a Protestant tradeunion; Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers Associations; thenondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises; and IKV -Interchurch Peace CouncilMember of:AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN,COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMS, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, G-10, GATT,IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO,INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO,NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation:Ambassador Johan Hendrick MEESMAN; Chancery at 4200 Linnean Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 244-5300; there are Dutch ConsulatesGeneral in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San FranciscoUS:Ambassador C. Howard WILKINS, Jr.; Embassy at Lange Voorhout 102, The Hague(mailing address PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715); telephone [31] (70)310-9209; FAX [31] (70) 361-4688; there is a US Consulate General inAmsterdamFlag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to theflag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer
:Netherlands Economy
Overview:This highly developed and affluent economy is based on private enterprise.The government makes its presence felt, however, through many regulations,permit requirements, and welfare programs affecting most aspects of economicactivity. The trade and financial services sector contributes over 50% ofGDP. Industrial activity provides about 25% of GDP and is led by thefood-processing, oil-refining, and metalworking industries. The highlymechanized agricultural sector employs only 5% of the labor force, butprovides large surpluses for export and the domestic food-processingindustry. An unemployment rate of 6.2% and a sizable budget deficit arecurrently the most serious economic problems.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $249.6 billion, per capita $16,600; realgrowth rate 2.2% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.6% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:6.2% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $98.7 billion; expenditures $110.8 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1991)Exports:$131.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:agricultural products, processed foods and tobacco, natural gas, chemicals,metal products, textiles, clothingpartners:EC 74.9% (FRG 28.3%, Belgium-Luxembourg 14.2%, France 10.7%, UK 10.2%), US4.7% (1988)Imports:$125.9 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:raw materials and semifinished products, consumer goods, transportationequipment, crude oil, food productspartners:EC 63.8% (FRG 26.5%, Belgium-Luxembourg 23.1%, UK 8.1%), US 7.9% (1988)External debt:noneIndustrial production:growth rate 1.7% (1991 est.); accounts for 25% of GDPElectricity:22,216,000 kW capacity; 63,570 million kWh produced, 4,300 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery andequipment, chemicals, petroleum, fishing, construction, microelectronicsAgriculture:accounts for 4% of GDP; animal production predominates; crops - grains,potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; shortages of grain, fats, andoilsIllicit drugs:European producer of illicit amphetamines and other synethic drugsEconomic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $19.4 billionCurrency:Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (plural - guilders, gulden, orflorins); 1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 cents
:Netherlands Economy
Exchange rates:Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per US$1 - 1.7753 (January1992), 1.8697 (1991), 1.8209 (1990), 2.1207 (1989), 1.9766 (1988), 2.0257(1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Netherlands Communications
Railroads:3,037 km track (includes 1,871 km electrified and 1,800 km double track);2,871 km 1.435-meter standard gauge operated by Netherlands Railways (NS);166 km privately ownedHighways:108,360 km total; 92,525 km paved (including 2,185 km of limited access,divided highways); 15,835 km gravel, crushed stoneInland waterways:6,340 km, of which 35% is usable by craft of 1,000 metric ton capacity orlargerPipelines:crude oil 418 km; petroleum products 965 km; natural gas 10,230 kmPorts:maritime - Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Den Helder, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Ijmuiden,Rotterdam, Scheveningen, Terneuzen, Vlissingen; inland - 29 portsMerchant marine:345 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,630,962 GRT/3,687,598 DWT; includes3 short-sea passenger, 191 cargo, 30 refrigerated cargo, 24 container, 12roll-on/roll-off, 2 livestock carrier, 10 multifunction large-load carrier,22 oil tanker, 27 chemical tanker, 10 liquefied gas, 2 specialized tanker, 9bulk, 3 combination bulk; note - many Dutch-owned ships are also registeredon the captive Netherlands Antilles registerCivil air:98 major transport aircraftAirports:28 total, 28 usable; 19 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 11 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 6 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:highly developed, well maintained, and integrated; extensive redundantsystem of multiconductor cables, supplemented by radio relay links;9,418,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 (3 relays) AM, 12 (39repeaters) FM, 8 (7 repeaters) TV; 5 submarine cables; 1 communicationsatellite earth station operating in INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 2 AtlanticOcean antenna) and EUTELSAT systems; nationwide mobile phone system
:Netherlands Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (including Naval Air Serviceand Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal ConstabularyManpower availability:males 15-49, 4,144,477; 3,649,746 fit for military service; 111,952 reachmilitary age (20) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $7.2 billion, 2.9% of GDP (1991)
:Netherlands Antilles Geography
Total area:960 km2Land area:960 km2; includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten(Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin)Comparative area:slightly less than 5.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:364 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:12 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade windsTerrain:generally hilly, volcanic interiorsNatural resources:phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only)Land use:arable land 8%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 92%Environment:Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt, so rarelythreatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanesfrom July to OctoberNote:consists of two island groups - Curacao and Bonaire are located off thecoast of Venezuela, and Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius lie 800 km tothe north
:Netherlands Antilles People
Population:184,325 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992)Birth rate:18 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-9 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:11 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:73 years male, 77 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.0 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Netherlands Antillean(s); adjective - Netherlands AntilleanEthnic divisions:mixed African 85%; remainder Carib Indian, European, Latin, and OrientalReligions:predominantly Roman Catholic; Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day AdventistLanguages:Dutch (official); Papiamento, a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialectpredominates; English widely spoken; SpanishLiteracy:94% (male 94%, female 93%) age 15 and over can read and write (1981)Labor force:89,000; government 65%, industry and commerce 28% (1983)Organized labor:60-70% of labor force
:Netherlands Antilles Government
Long-form name:noneDigraph:political parties are indigenous to each island ***Type:part of the Dutch realm - full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954Capital:WillemstadAdministrative divisions:none (part of the Dutch realm)Independence:none (part of the Dutch realm)Constitution:29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amendedLegal system:based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influenceNational holiday:Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)Executive branch:Dutch monarch, governor, prime minister, vice prime minister, Council ofMinisters (cabinet)Legislative branch:legislature (Staten)Judicial branch:Joint High Court of JusticeLeaders:Chief of State:Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980), represented byGovernor General Jaime SALEH (since October 1989)Head of Government:Prime Minister Maria LIBERIA-PETERS (since 17 May 1988, previously servedfrom September 1984 to November 1985)Political parties and leaders:political parties are indigenous to each islandBonaire:Patriotic Union of Bonaire (UPB), Rudy ELLIS; Democratic Party of Bonaire(PDB), Franklin CRESTIANCuracao:National People's Party (PNP), Maria LIBERIA-PETERS; New Antilles Movement(MAN), Domenico Felip Don MARTINA; Workers' Liberation Front (FOL), Wilson(Papa) GODETT; Socialist Independent (SI), George HUECK and Nelson MONTE;Democratic Party of Curacao (DP), Augustin DIAZ; Nos Patria, Chin BEHILIASaba:Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM Saba), Will JOHNSON; SabaDemocratic Labor Movement, Vernon HASSELL; Saba Unity Party, Carmen SIMMONDSSint Eustatius:Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius (DP-St.E), K. Van PUTTEN; WindwardIslands People's Movement (WIPM); St. Eustatius Alliance (SEA), Ralph BERKELSint Maarten:Democratic Party of Sint Maarten (DP-St.M), Claude WATHEY; PatrioticMovement of Sint Maarten (SPA), Vance JAMESSuffrage:universal at age 18
:Netherlands Antilles Government
Elections:Staten:last held on 16 March 1990 (next to be held March 1994); results - percentof vote by party NA; seats - (22 total) PNP 7, FOL-SI 3, UPB 3, MAN 2,DP-St. M 2, DP 1, SPM 1, WIPM 1, DP-St. E 1, Nos Patria 1; note - thegovernment of Prime Minister Maria LIBERIA-PETERS is a coalition of severalpartiesMember of:CARICOM (observer), ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL, IOC, UNESCO(associate), UPU, WCL, WMO, WTO (associate)Diplomatic representation:as an autonomous part of the Netherlands, Netherlands Antillean interests inthe US are represented by the NetherlandsUS:Consul General Sharon P. WILKINSON; Consulate General at Sint Anna Boulevard19, Willemstad, Curacao (mailing address P. O. Box 158, Willemstad,Curacao); telephone [599] (9) 613066; FAX [599] (9) 616489Flag:white with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a verticalred band also centered; five white five-pointed stars are arranged in anoval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent thefive main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and SintMaarten
:Netherlands Antilles Economy
Overview:Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of theeconomy. The islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developedinfrastructure as compared with other countries in the region. Unlike manyLatin American countries, the Netherlands Antilles has avoided largeinternational debt. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, withthe US being the major supplier.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $1.4 billion, per capita $7,600; real growth rate1.5% (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):5% (1990 est.)Unemployment rate:21% (1991)Budget:revenues $454 million; expenditures $525 million, including capitalexpenditures of $42 million (1989 est.)Exports:$1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1988)commodities:petroleum products 98%partners:US 40%, Italy 6%, The Bahamas 5%Imports:$1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1988)commodities:crude petroleum 64%, food, manufacturespartners:Venezuela 42%, US 18%, Netherlands 6%External debt:$701.2 million (December 1987)Industrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:125,000 kW capacity; 365 million kWh produced, 1,985 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:tourism (Curacao and Sint Maarten), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleumtransshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing(Curacao)Agriculture:hampered by poor soils and scarcity of water; chief products - aloes,sorghum, peanuts, fresh vegetables, tropical fruit; not self-sufficient infoodEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),$513 millionCurrency:Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (plural - guilders, gulden,or florins); 1 Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (NAf.) = 100centsExchange rates:Netherlands Antillean guilders, gulden, or florins (NAf.) per US$1 - 1.79(fixed rate since 1989; 1.80 fixed rate 1971-88)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Netherlands Antilles Communications
Highways:950 km total; 300 km paved, 650 km gravel and earthPorts:Willemstad, Philipsburg, KralendijkMerchant marine:80 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 607,010 GRT/695,864 DWT; includes 4passenger, 27 cargo, 13 refrigerated cargo, 7 container, 9 roll-on/roll-off,11 multifunction large-load carrier, 4 chemical tanker, 3 liquefied gas, 1bulk, 1 oil tanker; note - all but a few are foreign owned, mostly in theNetherlandsCivil air:8 major transport aircraftAirports:7 total, 6 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:generally adequate facilities; extensive interisland radio relay links;broadcast stations - 9 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; 2 submarine cables; 2 Atlantic OceanINTELSAT earth stations
:Netherlands Antilles Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal Netherlands Air Force, NationalGuard, Police ForceManpower availability:males 15-49 49,082; 27,656 fit for military service; 1,673 reach militaryage (20) annuallyNote:defense is responsibility of the Netherlands
:New Caledonia Geography
Total area:19,060 km2Land area:18,760 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than New JerseyLand boundaries:noneCoastline:2,254 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humidTerrain:coastal plains with interior mountainsNatural resources:nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copperLand use:arable land NEGL%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 14%; forestand woodland 51%; other 35%Environment:typhoons most frequent from November to MarchNote:located 1,750 km east of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean
:New Caledonia People
Population:174,805 (July 1992), growth rate 1.9% (1992)Birth rate:23 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:17 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:70 years male, 76 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.7 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - New Caledonian(s); adjective - New CaledonianEthnic divisions:Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%,Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3.0%Religions:Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%Languages:French; 28 Melanesian-Polynesian dialectsLiteracy:91% (male 91%, female 90%) age 15 and over can read and write (1976)Labor force:50,469; foreign workers for plantations and mines from Wallis and Futuna,Vanuatu, and French Polynesia (1980 est.)Organized labor:NA
:New Caledonia Government
Long-form name:Territory of New Caledonia and DependenciesType:overseas territory of France since 1956Capital:NoumeaAdministrative divisions:none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrativedivisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces namedIles Loyaute, Nord, and SudIndependence:none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independencewill be held in 1998, with a review of the issue in 1992Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)Legal system:the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands;formerly under French lawNational holiday:Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)Executive branch:French President, high commissioner, Consultative Committee (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral Territorial AssemblyJudicial branch:Court of AppealLeaders:Chief of State:President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)Head of Government:High Commissioner and President of the Council of Government AlainCHRISTNACHT (since 15 January 1991)Suffrage:universal adult at age 18Elections:Territorial Assembly:last held 11 June 1989 (next to be held 1993); results - RPCR 44.5%, FLNKS28.5%, FN 7%, CD 5%, UO 4%, other 11%; seats - (54 total) RPCR 27, FLNKS 19,FN 3, other 5; note - election boycotted by FULKFrench Senate:last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPCR 1French National Assembly:last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results - RPR83.5%, FN 13.5%, other 3%; seats - (2 total) RPCR 2Member of:FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMODiplomatic representation:as an overseas territory of France, New Caledonian interests are representedin the US by FranceFlag:the flag of France is used
:New Caledonia Economy
Overview:New Caledonia has more than 25% of the world's known nickel resources. Inrecent years the economy has suffered because of depressed internationaldemand for nickel, the principal source of export earnings. Only anegligible amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accountsfor about 25% of imports.GNP:exchange rate conversion - $1.0 billion, per capita $6,000 (1991 est.); realgrowth rate 2.4% (1988)Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.1% (1989)Unemployment rate:16.0% (1989)Budget:revenues $224.0 million; expenditures $211.0 million, including capitalexpenditures of NA (1985)Exports:$671 million (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:nickel metal 87%, nickel orepartners:France 52.3%, Japan 15.8%, US 6.4%Imports:$764 million (c.i.f., 1989)commodities:foods, fuels, minerals, machines, electrical equipmentpartners:France 44.0%, US 10%, Australia 9%External debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:400,000 kW capacity; 2,200 million kWh produced, 12,790 kWh per capita(1990)Industries:nickel miningAgriculture:large areas devoted to cattle grazing; coffee, corn, wheat, vegetables; 60%self-sufficient in beefIllicit drugs:illicit cannabis cultivation is becoming a principal source of income forsome familiesEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),$4,185 millionCurrency:Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (plural - francs); 1 CFP franc (CFPF)= 100 centimesExchange rates:Comptoirs Francais duPacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 97.81 (January1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988), 109.27(1987); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French francFiscal year:calendar year
:New Caledonia Communications
Highways:6,340 km total; only about 10% paved (1987)Ports:Noumea, Nepoui, Poro, ThioCivil air:1 major transport aircraftAirports:29 total, 27 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:32,578 telephones (1987); broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 7 TV; 1 PacificOcean INTELSAT earth station
:New Caledonia Defense Forces
Branches:Gendarmerie, Police ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 46,388; NA fit for military serviceNote:defense is the responsibility of France
:New Zealand Geography
Total area:268,680 km2Land area:268,670 km2; includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands,Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec IslandsComparative area:about the size of ColoradoLand boundaries:noneCoastline:15,134 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:edge of continental margin or 200 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)Climate:temperate with sharp regional contrastsTerrain:predominately mountainous with some large coastal plainsNatural resources:natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestoneLand use:arable land 2%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 53%; forest andwoodland 38%; other 7%; includes irrigated 1%Environment:earthquakes are common, though usually not severe
:New Zealand People
Population:3,347,369 (July 1992), growth rate 0.7% (1992)Birth rate:16 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:8 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:9 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:72 years male, 80 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.1 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - New Zealander(s); adjective - New ZealandEthnic divisions:European 88%, Maori 8.9%, Pacific Islander 2.9%, other 0.2%Religions:Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 9% (1986)Languages:English (official), MaoriLiteracy:99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970)Labor force:1,603,500 (June 1991); services 67.4%, manufacturing 19.8%, primaryproduction 9.3% (1987)Organized labor:681,000 members; 43% of labor force (1986)
:New Zealand Government
Long-form name:none; abbreviated NZType:parliamentary democracyCapital:WellingtonAdministrative divisions:93 counties, 9 districts*, and 3 town districts**; Akaroa, Amuri, Ashburton,Bay of Islands, Bruce, Buller, Chatham Islands, Cheviot, Clifton, Clutha,Cook, Dannevirke, Egmont, Eketahuna, Ellesmere, Eltham, Eyre, Featherston,Franklin, Golden Bay, Great Barrier Island, Grey, Hauraki Plains, Hawera*,Hawke's Bay, Heathcote, Hikurangi**, Hobson, Hokianga, Horowhenua, Hurunui,Hutt, Inangahua, Inglewood, Kaikoura, Kairanga, Kiwitea, Lake, Mackenzie,Malvern, Manaia**, Manawatu, Mangonui, Maniototo, Marlborough, Masterton,Matamata, Mount Herbert, Ohinemuri, Opotiki, Oroua, Otamatea, Otorohanga*,Oxford, Pahiatua, Paparua, Patea, Piako, Pohangina, Raglan, Rangiora*,Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua*, Runanga, Saint Kilda, Silverpeaks, Southland,Stewart Island, Stratford, Strathallan, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo,Tauranga, Thames-Coromandel*, Tuapeka, Vincent, Waiapu, Waiheke, Waihemo,Waikato, Waikohu, Waimairi, Waimarino, Waimate, Waimate West, Waimea, Waipa,Waipawa*, Waipukurau*, Wairarapa South, Wairewa, Wairoa, Waitaki, Waitomo*,Waitotara, Wallace, Wanganui, Waverley**, Westland, Whakatane*, Whangarei,Whangaroa, WoodvilleIndependence:26 September 1907 (from UK)Constitution:no formal, written constitution; consists of various documents, includingcertain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments; Constitution Act 1986was to have come into force 1 January 1987, but has not been enactedDependent areas:Cook Islands, Niue, TokelauLegal system:based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts forMaoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty), 6February (1840)Executive branch:British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister,CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral House of Representatives (commonly called Parliament)Judicial branch:High Court, Court of AppealLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor GeneralDame Catherine TIZARD (since 12 December 1990)Head of Government:Prime Minister James BOLGER (since 29 October 1990); Deputy Prime MinisterDonald McKINNON (since 2 November 1990)Political parties and leaders:National Party (NP; government), James BOLGER; New Zealand Labor Party(NZLP; opposition), Michael MOORE; NewLabor Party (NLP), Jim ANDERTON;Democratic Party, Dick RYAN; New Zealand Liberal Party, Hanmish MACINTYREand Gilbert MYLES; Green Party, no official leader; Mana Motuhake, MartinRATA; Socialist Unity Party (SUP; pro-Soviet), Kenneth DOUGLAS; note - theNew Labor, Democratic, and Mana Motuhake parties formed a coalition inSeptember 1991; the Green Party joined the coalition in May 1992
:New Zealand Government
Suffrage:universal at age 18Elections:House of Representatives:last held on 27 October 1990 (next to be held October 1993); results - NP49%, NZLP 35%, Green Party 7%, NLP 5%; seats - (97 total) NP 67, NZLP 29,NLP 1Member of:ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC,AsDB, Australia Group, C, CCC, CP, COCOM, (cooperating country), EBRD,ESCAP, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS,MTCR, OECD, PCA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UNTSO, UPU,WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador - Denis Bazely Gordon McLEAN; Chancery at 37 Observatory CircleNW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 328-4800; there are New ZealandConsulates General in Los Angeles and New YorkUS:Ambassador Della M. NEWMAN; Embassy at 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon,Wellington (mailing address is P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1,FPO AP 96531-1001); telephone [64] (4) 722-068; FAX [64] (4) 723-537; thereis a US Consulate General in AucklandFlag:blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four redfive-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag;the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation
:New Zealand Economy
Overview:Since 1984 the government has been reorienting an agrarian economy dependenton a guaranteed British market to an open free market economy that cancompete on the global scene. The government has hoped that dynamic growthwould boost real incomes, reduce inflationary pressures, and permit theexpansion of welfare benefits. The results have been mixed: inflation isdown from double-digit levels, but growth has been sluggish andunemployment, always a highly sensitive issue, has exceeded 10% since May1991. In 1988, GDP fell by 1%, in 1989 grew by a moderate 2.4%, and was flatin 1990-91.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $46.2 billion, per capita $14,000; real growthrate - 0.4% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.0% (1991)Unemployment rate:10.7% (September 1991)Budget:revenues $17.6 billion; expenditures $18.3 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (FY91 est.)Exports:$9.4 billion (f.o.b., FY91)commodities:wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fruit, fish, cheese, manufactures, chemicals,forestry productspartners:EC 18.3%, Japan 17.9%, Australia 17.5%, US 13.5%, China 3.6%, South Korea3.1%Imports:$8.4 billion (f.o.b., FY91)commodities:petroleum, consumer goods, motor vehicles, industrial equipmentpartners:Australia 19.7%, Japan 16.9%, EC 16.9%, US 15.3%, Taiwan 3.0%External debt:$17.4 billion (1989)Industrial production:growth rate 1.9% (1990); accounts for about 20% of GDPElectricity:7,800,000 kW capacity; 28,000 million kWh produced, 8,500 kWh per capita(1990)Industries:food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery,transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, miningAgriculture:accounts for about 9% of GDP and 10% of the work force; livestockpredominates - wool, meat, dairy products all export earners; crops - wheat,barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, and vegetables; surplus producer of farmproducts; fish catch reached a record 503,000 metric tons in 1988Economic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $526 millionCurrency:New Zealand dollar (plural - dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100centsExchange rates:New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.8245 (March 1992), 1.7265 (1991),1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
:New Zealand Communications
Railroads:4,716 km total; all 1.067-meter gauge; 274 km double track; 113 kmelectrified; over 99% government ownedHighways:92,648 km total; 49,547 km paved, 43,101 km gravel or crushed stoneInland waterways:1,609 km; of little importance to transportationPipelines:natural gas 1,000 km; petroleum products 160 km; condensate 150 kmPorts:Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, TaurangaMerchant marine:18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 182,206 GRT/246,446 DWT; includes 2cargo, 5 roll-on/roll-off, 1 railcar carrier, 4 oil tanker, 1 liquefied gas,5 bulkCivil air:about 40 major transport aircraftAirports:118 total, 118 usable; 34 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 43 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:excellent international and domestic systems; 2,110,000 telephones;broadcast stations - 64 AM, 2 FM, 14 TV; submarine cables extend toAustralia and Fiji; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
:New Zealand Defense Forces
Branches:New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 874,703; 739,923 fit for military service; 30,297 reachmilitary age (20) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $792 million, 2% of GDP (FY92)
:Nicaragua Geography
Total area:129,494 km2Land area:120,254 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than New York StateLand boundaries:1,231 km total; Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 kmCoastline:910 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:25 nm security zone (status of claim uncertain)Continental shelf:not specifiedTerritorial sea:200 nmDisputes:territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres yProvidencia and Quita Sueno Bank; unresolved maritime boundary in Golfo deFonsecaClimate:tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlandsTerrain:extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains;narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoesNatural resources:gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fishLand use:arable land 9%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 43%; forest andwoodland 35%; other 12%; including irrigated 1%Environment:subject to destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasionalsevere hurricanes; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
:Nicaragua People
Population:3,878,150 (July 1992), growth rate 2.8% (1992)Birth rate:37 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:57 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:60 years male, 66 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:4.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Nicaraguan(s); adjective - NicaraguanEthnic divisions:mestizo 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Indian 5%Religions:Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5%Languages:Spanish (official); English- and Indian-speaking minorities on AtlanticcoastLiteracy:57% (male 57%, female 57%) age 15 and over can read and write (1971)Labor force:1,086,000; service 43%, agriculture 44%, industry 13% (1986)Organized labor:35% of labor force
:Nicaragua Government
Long-form name:Republic of NicaraguaType:republicCapital:ManaguaAdministrative divisions:9 administrative regions encompassing 17 departments (departamentos,singular - departamento); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli,Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, North AtlanticCoast Autonomous Zone (RAAN), Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas, SouthAtlantic Coast Autonomous Zone (RAAS)Independence:15 September 1821 (from Spain)Constitution:January 1987Legal system:civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative actsNational holiday:Independence Day, 15 September (1821)Executive branch:president, vice president, CabinetLegislative branch:National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) and municipal courtsLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (since 25 April 1990); Vice PresidentVirgilio GODOY (since 25 April 1990)Political parties and leaders:ruling coalition:National Opposition Union (UNO) is a 14-party alliance - NationalConservative Party (PNC), Silviano MATAMOROS; Conservative Popular AllianceParty (PAPC), Myriam ARGUELLO; National Conservative Action Party (PANC),Hernaldo ZUNIGA; National Democratic Confidence Party (PDCN), AugustinJARQUIN; Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Wilfredo NAVARRO; Neo-LiberalParty (PALI), Andres ZUNIGA; Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), JoseErnesto SOMARRIBA; National Action Party (PAN), Eduardo RIVAS; NicaraguanSocialist Party (PSN), Gustavo TABLADA; Communist Party of Nicaragua(PCdeN), Eli ALTIMIRANO; Popular Social Christian Party (PPSC), LuisHumberto GUZMAN; Nicaraguan Democratic Movement (MDN), Roberto URROZ; SocialDemocratic Party (PSD), Guillermo POTOY; Central American IntegrationistParty (PIAC), Alejandro PEREZopposition parties:Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel ORTEGA; Central AmericanUnionist Party (PUCA), Blanca ROJAS; Democratic Conservative Party ofNicaragua (PCDN), Jose BRENES; Liberal Party of National Unity (PLUIN),Eduardo CORONADO; Movement of Revolutionary Unity (MUR), Francisco SAMPER;Social Christian Party (PSC), Erick RAMIREZ; Revolutionary Workers' Party(PRT), Bonifacio MIRANDA; Social Conservative Party (PSOC), FernandoAGUERRO; Popular Action Movement - Marxist-Leninist (MAP-ML), Isidro TELLEZ;Popular Social Christian Party (PPSC), Mauricio DIAZSuffrage:universal at age 16
:Nicaragua Government
Elections:President:last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held February 1996); results -Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (UNO) 54.7%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN)40.8%, other 4.5%National Assembly:last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held February 1996); results - UNO53.9%, FSLN 40.8%, PSC 1.6%, MUR 1.0%; seats - (92 total) UNO 51, FSLN 39,PSC 1, MUR 1Communists:15,000-20,000Other political or pressure groups:National Workers Front (FNT) is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight laborunions: Sandinista Workers' Central (CST), Farm Workers Association (ATC),Health Workers Federation (FETASALUD), National Union of Employees (UNE),National Association of Educators of Nicaragua (ANDEN), Union of Journalistsof Nicaragua (UPN), Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of ProfessionalAssociations (CONAPRO), and the National Union of Farmers and Ranchers(UNAG); Permanent Congress of Workers (CPT) is an umbrella group of fournon-Sandinista labor unions: Confederation of Labor Unification (CUS),Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN-A), Independent GeneralConfederation of Labor (CGT-I), and Labor Action and Unity Central (CAUS);Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN) is an independent labor union; SuperiorCouncil of Private Enterprise (COSEP) is a confederation of business groupsMember of:BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LORCS,NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU,WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Ernesto PALAZIO; Chancery at 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 939-6570US:Ambassador Harry W. SHLAUDEMAN; Embassy at Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur.,Managua (mailing address is APO AA 34021); telephone [505] (2) 666010 or666013, 666015 through 18, 666026, 666027, 666032 through 34; FAX [505] (2)666046Flag:three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with thenational coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms featuresa triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top andAMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, whichfeatures a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR ENLA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag ofHonduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in thewhite band
:Nicaragua Economy
Overview:Government control of the economy historically has been extensive, althoughthe CHAMORRO government has pledged to greatly reduce intervention. Fourprivate banks have been licensed, and the government has liberalized foreigntrade and abolished price controls on most goods. Over 50% of theagricultural and industrial firms remain state owned. Sandinista economicpolicies and the war had produced a severe economic crisis. The foundationof the economy continues to be the export of agricultural commodities,largely coffee and cotton. Farm production fell by roughly 7% in 1989 and 4%in 1990, and remained about even in 1991. The agricultural sector employs44% of the work force and accounts for 15% of GDP and 80% of exportearnings. Industry, which employs 13% of the work force and contributesabout 25% to GDP, showed a drop of 7% in 1989, fell slightly in 1990, andremained flat in 1991; output still is below pre-1979 levels. External debtis one of the highest in the world on a per capita basis. In 1991 theinflation rate was 766%, down sharply from the 13,490% of 1990.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $1.6 billion, per capita $425; real growth rate-1.0% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):766% (1991)Unemployment rate:13%; underemployment 50% (1991)Budget:revenues $347 million; expenditures $499 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA million (1991)Exports:$342 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:coffee, cotton, sugar, bananas, seafood, meat, chemicalspartners:OECD 75%, USSR and Eastern Europe 15%, other 10%Imports:$738 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.)commodities:petroleum, food, chemicals, machinery, clothingpartners:Latin America 30%, US 25%, EC 20%, USSR and Eastern Europe 10%, other 15%(1990 est.)External debt:$10 billion (December 1991)Industrial production:growth rate NA; accounts for about 25% of GDPElectricity:423,000 kW capacity; 1,409 million kWh produced, 376 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleumrefining and distribution, beverages, footwearAgriculture:accounts for 15% of GDP and 44% of work force; cash crops - coffee, bananas,sugarcane, cotton; food crops - rice, corn, cassava, citrus fruit, beans;variety of animal products - beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy; normallyself-sufficient in foodEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $294 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1,381 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $3.5 billionCurrency:cordoba (plural - cordobas); 1 cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos
:Nicaragua Economy
Exchange rates:cordobas (C$) per US$1 - 25,000,000 (March 1992), 21,354,000 (1991), 15,655(1989), 270 (1988), 102.60 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Nicaragua Communications
Railroads:373 km 1.067-meter narrow gauge, government owned; majority of system notoperating; 3 km 1.435-meter gauge line at Puerto Cabezas (does not connectwith mainline)Highways:25,930 km total; 4,000 km paved, 2,170 km gravel or crushed stone, 5,425 kmearth or graded earth, 14,335 km unimproved; Pan-American highway 368.5 kmInland waterways:2,220 km, including 2 large lakesPipelines:crude oil 56 kmPorts:Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, RamaMerchant marine:2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,161 GRT/2,500 DWTCivil air:9 major transport aircraftAirports:228 total, 155 usable; 11 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:low-capacity radio relay and wire system being expanded; connection intoCentral American Microwave System; 60,000 telephones; broadcast stations -45 AM, no FM, 7 TV, 3 shortwave; earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
:Nicaragua Defense Forces
Branches:Ground Forces, Navy, Air ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 878,066; 541,090 fit for military service; 42,997 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $70 million, 3.8% of GDP (1991 budget)
:Niger Geography
Total area:1,267,000 km2Land area:1,266,700 km2Comparative area:slightly less than twice the size of TexasLand boundaries:5,697 km total; Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina 628 km, Chad 1,175 km,Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 kmCoastline:none - landlockedMaritime claims:none - landlockedDisputes:Libya claims about 19,400 km2 in northern Niger; demarcation ofinternational boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has led to borderincidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon,Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundarydemarcation, including the tripoint with NigerClimate:desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme southTerrain:predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south;hills in northNatural resources:uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphatesLand use:arable land 3%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 7%; forest andwoodland 2%; other 88%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:recurrent drought and desertification severely affecting marginalagricultural activities; overgrazing; soil erosionNote:landlocked
:Niger People
Population:8,052,945 (July 1992), growth rate 3.5% (1992)Birth rate:58 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:23 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:115 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:42 years male, 45 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:7.4 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Nigerien(s); adjective - NigerienEthnic divisions:Hausa 56%; Djerma 22%; Fula 8.5%; Tuareg 8%; Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%; Arab,Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%; about 4,000 French expatriatesReligions:Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and ChristiansLanguages:French (official); Hausa, DjermaLiteracy:28% (male 40%, female 17%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:2,500,000 wage earners (1982); agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%,government 4%; 51% of population of working age (1985)Organized labor:negligible
:Niger Government
Long-form name:Republic of NigerType:as of November 1991, transition government appointed by national reformconference; scheduled to turn over power to democratically electedgovernment in January 1993Capital:NiameyAdministrative divisions:7 departments (departements, singular - departement); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso,Maradi, Niamey, Tahoua, ZinderIndependence:3 August 1960 (from France)Constitution:December 1989 constitution revised November 1991 by National DemocraticReform ConferenceLegal system:based on French civil law system and customary law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:Republic Day, 18 December (1958)Executive branch:president (ceremonial), prime minister (interim), CabinetLegislative branch:National AssemblyJudicial branch:State Court (Cour d'Etat), Court of Appeal (Cour d'Apel)Leaders:Chief of State:President Brig. Gen. Ali SAIBOU (since 14 November 1987); ceremonial postsince national conference (1991)Head of Government:Interim Prime Minister Amadou CHEIFFOU (since November 1991)Political parties and leaders:National Movement of the Development Society (MNSD-NASSARA), Tanda MAMADOU;Niger Progressive Party - African Democratic Rally (PPN-RDA), Harou KOUKA;Union of Popular Forces for Democracy and Progress (UDFP-SAWABA), DjiboBAKARY; Niger Democratic Union (UDN-SAWABA), Mamoudou PASCAL; Union ofPatriots, Democrats, and Progressives (UPDP), Andre SALIFOU; Niger SocialDemocrat Party (PSDN-ALHERI), Mallam Adji WAZIRI; Niger Party for Democracyand Socialism (PNDS-TARAYA), Issoufou MAHAMADOU; Democratic and SocialConvention (CDS-RAHAMA), Mahamane OUSMANE; Union for Democracy and Progress(UDP), Bello TCHIOUSSO; Union for Democracy and Social Progress(UDPS-AMANA), Akoli DAOUEL; Masses Union for Democratic Action (UMAD-AIKI),Belko GARBA; Worker's Liberation Party (PLT), Idi Ango OUMAROU; Conventionfor Social Rehabilitation (CRS), Abdoul Karim SEYNI; Popular Movement forDemocracy in Niger (MPDN), Abdou SANDA; Popular Front for NationalLiberation (FPLN), Diallo SABO; Republican Party for Freedom and Progress inNiger (PRLPN), Alka ALMOU; other parties formingSuffrage:universal adult at age 18Elections:President:President Ali SAIBOU has been in office since December 1989, but thepresidency is now a largely ceremonial position
:Niger Government
National Assembly:last held 10 December 1989 (next to be held NA); results - MNSD was the onlyparty; seats - (150 total) MNSD 150 (indirectly elected); note - Niger helda national conference from July to November 1991 to decide upon atransitional government and an agenda for multiparty electionsMember of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE; Chancery at 2204 R Street NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-4224 through 4227US:Ambassador Jennifer C. WARD; Embassy at Avenue des Ambassades, Niamey(mailing address is B. P. 11201, Niamey); telephone [227] 72-26-61 through64Flag:three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a smallorange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar tothe flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band
:Niger Economy
Overview:About 90% of the population is engaged in farming and stock raising,activities that generate almost half the national income. The economy alsodepends heavily on exploitation of large uranium deposits. Uraniumproduction grew rapidly in the mid-1970s, but tapered off in the early 1980swhen world prices declined. France is a major customer, while Germany,Japan, and Spain also make regular purchases. The depressed demand foruranium has contributed to an overall sluggishness in the economy, a severetrade imbalance, and a mounting external debt.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion, per capita $300; real growth rate-3.4% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):NAUnemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $220 million; expenditures $446 million, including capitalexpenditures of $190 million (FY89 est.)Exports:$320 million (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:uranium 75%, livestock products, cowpeas, onionspartners:France 65%, Nigeria 11%, Ivory Coast, ItalyImports:$439 million (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:petroleum products, primary materials, machinery, vehicles and parts,electronic equipment, pharmaceuticals, chemical products, cereals,foodstuffspartners:France 32%, Ivory Coast 11%, Germany 5%, Italy 4%, Nigeria 4%External debt:$1.8 billion (December 1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 0% (1989); accounts for 18% of GDPElectricity:105,000 kW capacity; 230 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses, and afew other small light industries; uranium production began in 1971Agriculture:accounts for roughly 40% of GDP and 90% of labor force; cash crops -cowpeas, cotton, peanuts; food crops - millet, sorghum, cassava, rice;livestock - cattle, sheep, goats; self-sufficient in food except in droughtyearsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $380 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3,165 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $504 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $61millionCurrency:Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF)= 100 centimesExchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54(1987)
:Niger Economy
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
:Niger Communications
Highways:39,970 km total; 3,170 km bituminous, 10,330 km gravel and laterite, 3,470km earthen, 23,000 km tracksInland waterways:Niger River is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin frontierfrom mid-December through MarchCivil air:2 major transport aircraftAirports:29 total, 27 usable; 8 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 13 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:small system of wire, radiocommunications, and radio relay linksconcentrated in southwestern area; 14,260 telephones; broadcast stations -15 AM, 5 FM, 18 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 3 domestic, with 1 planned
:Niger Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican National Guard, National policeManpower availability:males 15-49, 1,724,293; 928,177 fit for military service; 83,528 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $27 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989)
:Nigeria Geography
Total area:923,770 km2Land area:910,770 km2Comparative area:slightly more than twice the size of CaliforniaLand boundaries:4,047 km total; Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 kmCoastline:853 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:30 nmDisputes:demarcation of international boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which hasled to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratificationby Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; boundary commission created withCameroon to discuss unresolved land and maritime boundaries - has not yetconvenedClimate:varies - equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in northTerrain:southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains insoutheast, plains in northNatural resources:crude oil, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, naturalgasLand use:arable land 31%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 23%; forest andwoodland 15%; other 28%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:recent droughts in north severely affecting marginal agriculturalactivities; desertification; soil degradation, rapid deforestation
:Nigeria People
Population:126,274,589 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992); note - a new populationfigure of 88.5 million is in the process of being incorporated into revisedCensus Bureau figures (April 1992)Birth rate:46 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:16 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:110 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:48 years male, 50 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.5 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Nigerian(s); adjective - NigerianEthnic divisions:more than 250 tribal groups; Hausa and Fulani of the north, Yoruba of thesouthwest, and Ibos of the southeast make up 65% of the population; about27,000 non-AfricansReligions:Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%Languages:English (official); Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani, and several other languagesalso widely usedLiteracy:51% (male 62%, female 40%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:42,844,000; agriculture 54%, industry, commerce, and services 19%,government 15%; 49% of population of working age (1985)Organized labor:3,520,000 wage earners belong to 42 recognized trade unions, which comeunder a single national labor federation - the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC)
:Nigeria Government
Long-form name:Federal Republic of NigeriaType:military government since 31 December 1983Capital:Abuja; note - on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially moved fromLagos to Abuja; many government offices remain in Lagos pending completionof facilities in AbujaAdministrative divisions:30 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Capital Territory*, Adamawa, AkwaIbom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo,Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo,Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, YobeIndependence:1 October 1960 (from UK)Constitution:1 October 1979, amended 9 February 1984, revised 1989Legal system:based on English common law, Islamic law, and tribal lawNational holiday:Independence Day, 1 October (1960)Executive branch:president of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, Armed Forces Ruling Council,National Council of State, Council of Ministers (cabinet)Legislative branch:National Assembly was dissolved after the military coup of 31 December 1983Judicial branch:Supreme Court, Federal Court of AppealLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces Gen. Ibrahim BABANGIDA(since 27 August 1985)Political parties and leaders:two political parties established by the government in 1989 - SocialDemocratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC)Suffrage:universal at age 21Elections:President:first presidential elections since the 31 December 1983 coup scheduled forlate 1992National Assembly:first elections since it was dissolved after the 31 December 1983 coupscheduled for 4 July 1992Communists:the pro-Communist underground consists of a small fraction of the Nigerianleft; leftist leaders are prominent in the country's central labororganization but have little influence on the governmentMember of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMO, IMF, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Zubair Mahmud KAZAURE; Chancery at 2201 M Street NW, Washington,DC 20037; telephone (202) 822-1500; there is a Nigerian Consulate General inNew York
:Nigeria Government
US:Ambassador Lannon WALKER; Embassy at 2 Eleke Crescent, Lagos (mailingaddress is P. O. Box 554, Lagos); telephone [234] (1) 610097; FAX [234] (1)610257; there is a US Consulate General in Kaduna; note - the US Governmenthas requested Nigerian Government permission to open an Embassy BranchOffice in Abuja; the US Embassy will remain in Lagos until a later date,when the Branch Office in Abuja will become the Embassy and the Embassy inLagos will become a Consulate GeneralFlag:three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green
:Nigeria Economy
Overview:Although Nigeria is Africa's leading oil-producing country, it remains poorwith a $250 per capita GDP. In 1991 massive government spending, much of itto help ensure a smooth transition to civilian rule, ballooned the budgetdeficit and caused inflation and interest rates to rise. The lack of fiscaldiscipline forced the IMF to declare Nigeria not in compliance with an18-month standby facility started in January 1991. Lagos has set ambitioustargets for expanding oil production capacity and is offering foreigncompanies more attractive investment incentives. Government efforts toreduce Nigeria's dependence on oil exports and to sustain noninflationarygrowth, however, have fallen short because of inadequate new investmentfunds and endemic corruption. Living standards continue to deteriorate fromthe higher level of the early 1980s oil boom.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $30 billion, per capita $250; real growth rate5.2% (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):40% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $10 billion; expenditures $10 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1992 est.)Exports:$13.6 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:oil 95%, cocoa, rubberpartners:EC 51%, US 32%Imports:$6.9 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:consumer goods, capital equipment, chemicals, raw materialspartners:EC, USExternal debt:$32 billion (December 1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 7.2% (1990); accounts for 8.5% of GDPElectricity:4,740,000 kW capacity; 11,280 million kWh produced, 90 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:crude oil and mining - coal, tin, columbite; primary processing industries -palm oil, peanut, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins; manufacturingindustries - textiles, cement, building materials, food products, footwear,chemical, printing, ceramics, steelAgriculture:accounts for 32% of GDP and half of labor force; inefficient small-scalefarming dominates; once a large net exporter of food and now an importer;cash crops - cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, rubber; food crops - corn, rice,sorghum, millet, cassava, yams; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats, pigs;fishing and forestry resources extensively exploitedIllicit drugs:illicit heroin and some cocaine trafficking; marijuana cultivation fordomestic consumption and export; major transit country for heroin en routefrom southeast and southwest Asia via Africa to Western Europe and the US;growing transit route for cocaine from South America via West Africa toWestern Europe and the US