:Nigeria Economy
Economic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $705 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.0 billion;Communist countries (1970-89), $2.2 billionCurrency:naira (plural - naira); 1 naira (N) = 100 koboExchange rates:naira (N) per US$1 - 10.226 (February 1992), 9.909 (1991), 8.038 (1990),7.3647 (1989), 4.5370 (1988), 4.0160 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Nigeria Communications
Railroads:3,505 km 1.067-meter gaugeHighways:107,990 km total 30,019 km paved (mostly bituminous-surface treatment);25,411 km laterite, gravel, crushed stone, improved earth; 52,560 kmunimprovedInland waterways:8,575 km consisting of Niger and Benue Rivers and smaller rivers and creeksPipelines:crude oil 2,042 km; natural gas 500 km; petroleum products 3,000 kmPorts:Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Onne, SapeleMerchant marine:28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 418,046 GRT/664,949 DWT; includes 17cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off, 7 petroleum tanker, 1chemical tanker, 1 bulkCivil air:57 major transport aircraftAirports:76 total, 64 usable; 33 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over3,659 m; 15 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:above-average system limited by poor maintenance; major expansion inprogress; radio relay and cable routes; broadcast stations - 35 AM, 17 FM,28 TV; satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian OceanINTELSAT, 20 domestic stations; 1 coaxial submarine cable
:Nigeria Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Police ForceManpower availability:males 15-49, 28,778,532; 16,451,582 fit for military service; 1,256,440reach military age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $300 million, 1% of GDP (1990 est.)\
:Niue Geography
Total area:260 km2Land area:260 km2Comparative area:slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:64 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical; modified by southeast trade windsTerrain:steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateauNatural resources:fish, arable landLand use:arable land 61%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest andwoodland 19%; other 12%Environment:subject to typhoonsNote:one of world's largest coral islands; located about 460 km east of Tonga
:Niue People
Population:1,751 (July 1992), growth rate - 6.4% (1992)Birth rate:NA births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:NA migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:NA years male, NA years female (1992)Total fertility rate:NA children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Niuean(s); adjective - NiueanEthnic divisions:Polynesian, with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and TongansReligions:Ekalesia Nieue (Niuean Church) - a Protestant church closely related to theLondon Missionary Society 75%, Mormon 10%, Roman Catholic, Jehovah'sWitnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%Languages:Polynesian tongue closely related to Tongan and Samoan; EnglishLiteracy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education age 5 to 14Labor force:1,000 (1981 est.); most work on family plantations; paid work exists only ingovernment service, small industry, and the Niue Development BoardOrganized labor:NA
:Niue Government
Long-form name:noneType:self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand; Niue fullyresponsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility forexternal affairsCapital:AlofiAdministrative divisions:noneIndependence:became a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand on 19October 1974Constitution:19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)Legal system:English common lawNational holiday:Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty), 6February (1840)Executive branch:British monarch, premier, CabinetLegislative branch:Legislative AssemblyJudicial branch:Appeal Court of New Zealand, High CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by New ZealandRepresentative John SPRINGFORD (since 1974)Head of Government:Premier Sir Robert R. REX (since October 1974)Political parties and leaders:Niue Island Party (NIP), Young VIVIANSuffrage:universal adult at age 18Elections:Legislative Assembly:last held on 8 April 1990 (next to be held March 1993); results - percent ofvote NA; seats - (20 total, 6 elected) NIP 1, independents 5Member of:ESCAP (associate), SPC, SPFDiplomatic representation:none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)Flag:yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag ofthe UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large one on a blue disk inthe center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross
:Niue Economy
Overview:The economy is heavily dependent on aid from New Zealand. Governmentexpenditures regularly exceed revenues, with the shortfall made up by grantsfrom New Zealand - the grants are used to pay wages to public employees. Theagricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although somecash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of smallfactories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. Thesale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source ofrevenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss ofpopulation because of migration of Niueans to New Zealand.GNP:exchange rate conversion - $2.1 million, per capita $1,000; real growth rateNA% (1989 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):9.6% (1984)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $5.5 million; expenditures $6.3 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (FY85 est.)Exports:$175,274 (f.o.b., 1985)commodities:canned coconut cream, copra, honey, passion fruit products, pawpaw, rootcrops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicraftspartners:NZ 89%, Fiji, Cook Islands, AustraliaImports:$3.8 million (c.i.f., 1985)commodities:food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants,chemicals, drugspartners:NZ 59%, Fiji 20%, Japan 13%, Western Samoa, Australia, USExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:1,500 kW capacity; 3 million kWh produced, 1,490 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:tourist, handicraftsAgriculture:copra, coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes; subsistence crops - taro,yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattleEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $62millionCurrency:New Zealand dollar (plural - dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 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 April - 31 March
:Niue Communications
Highways:123 km all-weather roads, 106 km access and plantation roadsPorts:none; offshore anchorage onlyAirports:1 with permanent-surface runway of 1,650 mTelecommunications:single-line telephone system connects all villages on island; 383telephones; 1,000 radio receivers (1987 est.); broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1FM, no TV
:Niue Defense Forces
Branches:Police ForceNote:defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
:Norfolk Island Geography
Total area:34.6 km2Land area:34.6 km2Comparative area:about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:32 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:3 nmDisputes:noneClimate:subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variationTerrain:volcanic formation with mostly rolling plainsNatural resources:fishLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 25%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 75%Environment:subject to typhoons (especially May to July)Note:located 1,575 km east of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean
:Norfolk Island People
Population:2,620 (July 1992), growth rate 1.7% (1992)Birth rate:NA births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:NA migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:NA deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:NA years male, NA years female (1992)Total fertility rate:NA children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Norfolk Islander(s); adjective - Norfolk Islander(s)Ethnic divisions:descendants of the Bounty mutiny; more recently, Australian and New ZealandsettlersReligions:Anglican 39%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Australia 16.4%,Seventh-Day Adventist 4.4%, none 9.2%, unknown 16.9%, other 2.4% (1986)Languages:English (official) and Norfolk - a mixture of 18th century English andancient TahitianLiteracy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%)Labor force:NAOrganized labor:NA
:Norfolk Island Government
Long-form name:Territory of Norfolk IslandType:territory of AustraliaCapital:Kingston (administrative center), Burnt Pine (commercial center)Administrative divisions:none (territory of Australia)Independence:none (territory of Australia)Constitution:Norfolk Island Act of 1957Legal system:wide legislative and executive responsibility under the Norfolk Island Actof 1979; Supreme CourtNational holiday:Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856)Executive branch:British monarch, governor general of Australia, administrator, ExecutiveCouncil (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative AssemblyJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Administrator H.B. MACDONALD (since NA 1989), who is appointed by the Governor General ofAustraliaHead of Government:Assembly President and Chief Minister John Terence BROWN (since NA)Political parties and leaders:NASuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Legislative Assembly:last held 1989 (held every three years); results - percent of vote by partyNA; seats - (9 total) percent of seats by party NAMember of:noneDiplomatic representation:none (territory of Australia)Flag:three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a largegreen Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band
:Norfolk Island Economy
Overview:The primary economic activity is tourism, which has brought a level ofprosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific Islands. The number ofvisitors has increased steadily over the years and reached 29,000 in FY89.Revenues from tourism have given the island a favorable balance of trade andhelped the agricultural sector to become self-sufficient in the productionof beef, poultry, and eggs.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA%Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $NA; expenditures $4.2 million, including capital expenditures of$400,000 (FY89)Exports:$1.7 million (f.o.b., FY86)commodities:postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia Palm, smallquantities of avocadospartners:Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, EuropeImports:$15.6 million (c.i.f., FY86)commodities:NApartners:Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, EuropeExternal debt:NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:7,000 kW capacity; 8 million kWh produced, 3,160 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:tourismAgriculture:Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit,cattle, poultryEconomic aid:noneCurrency:Australian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 centsExchange rates:Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3177 (March 1992), 1.2835 (1991),1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
:Norfolk Island Communications
Highways:80 km of roads, including 53 km paved; remainder are earth formed or coralsurfacedPorts:none; loading jetties at Kingston and CascadeAirports:1 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m (Australian owned)Telecommunications:1,500 radio receivers (1982); radio link service with Sydney; 987 telephones(1983); broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV
:Norfolk Island Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
:Northern Mariana Islands Geography
Total area:477 km2Land area:477 km2; comprises 16 islands including Saipan, Rota, and TinianComparative area:slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:1,482 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:12 nmContinental shelf:200 m (depth)Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:3 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonaltemperature variation; dry season December to July, rainy season July toOctoberTerrain:southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs;northern islands are volcanic; highest elevation is 471 meters (Mt. Tagpochuon Saipan)Natural resources:arable land, fishLand use:arable land 1%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures 19%; forest andwoodland NA%; other NA%Environment:active volcanos on Pagan and Agrihan; subject to typhoons during the rainyseasonNote:strategic location 5,635 km west-southwest of Honolulu in the North PacificOcean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and the Philippines
:Northern Mariana Islands People
Population:47,168 (July 1992), growth rate 3.0% (1992)Birth rate:35 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:38 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:66 years male, 69 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:2.7 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:undeterminedEthnic divisions:Chamorro majority; Carolinians and other Micronesians; Spanish, German,Japanese admixturesReligions:Christian with a Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs andtaboos may still be foundLanguages:English, but Chamorro and Carolinian are also spoken in the home and taughtin schoolLiteracy:96% (male 97%, female 96%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980)Labor force:12,788 local; 18,799 foreign workers (1990 est.)Organized labor:NA
:Northern Mariana Islands Government
Long-form name:Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana IslandsType:commonwealth in political union with the US and administered by the Officeof Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the InteriorCapital:SaipanAdministrative divisions:noneIndependence:none (commonwealth in political union with the US)Constitution:Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986Legal system:based on US system except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxationNational holiday:Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)Executive branch:US President; governor, lieutenant governorLegislative branch:bicameral Legislature consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower houseor House of RepresentativesJudicial branch:Commonwealth Court and the Federal District CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); Vice President Dan QUAYLE(since 20 January 1989)Head of Government:Governor Lorenzo I. DeLeon GUERRERO (since 9 January 1990); LieutenantGovernor Benjamin T. MANGLONA (since 9 January 1990)Political parties and leaders:Republican Party, Alonzo IGISOMAR; Democratic Party, Felicidad OGUMOROSuffrage:universal at age 18; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not votein US presidential electionsElections:Governor:last held in November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results -Lorenzo I. DeLeon GUERRERO, Republican Party, was elected governorSenate:last held on November 1991 (next to be held November 1993); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) Republications 6, Democrats 3House of Representatives:last held in November 1991 (next to be held November 1993); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) Republicans 5, Democrats 10US House of Representatives:the Commonwealth does not have a nonvoting delegate in Congress; instead, ithas an elected official ``resident representative'' located in Washington,DC; seats - (1 total) Republican (Juan N. BABAUTA)Member of:ESCAP (associate), SPCDiplomatic representation:noneFlag:blue with a white five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of alatte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center
:Northern Mariana Islands Economy
Overview:The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. Anagreement for the years 1986 to 1992 entitles the islands to $228 millionfor capital development, government operations, and special programs.Another major source of income is the tourist industry, which employs about10% of the work force. Japanese tourists predominate. The agriculturalsector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts,breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Industry is small scale in nature - mostlyhandicrafts and fish processing.GNP:purchasing power equivalent - $165 million, per capita $3,498; real growthrate NA% (1982); note - GNP numbers reflect US spendingInflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $NA; expenditures $112.2 million, including capital expenditures of$NA (February 1990)Exports:$153.9 million (1989)commodities:manufactured goods, garments, vegetables, beef, porkpartners:NAImports:$313.7 million, a 43% increase over previous year (1989)commodities:NApartners:NAExternal debt:noneIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:25,000 kW capacity; 35 million kWh produced, 740 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:tourism, construction, light industry, handicraftsAgriculture:coffee, coconuts, fruits, tobacco, cattleEconomic aid:noneCurrency:US currency is usedExchange rates:US currency is usedFiscal year:1 October - 30 September
:Northern Mariana Islands Communications
Highways:381.5 km total (134.5 km first-grade primary, 55 km secondary, 192 km local)(1991)Ports:Saipan, Rota, TinianAirports:6 total, 4 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM (1984), 1 TV; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earthstations
:Northern Mariana Islands Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
:Norway Geography
Total area:324,220 km2Land area:307,860 km2Comparative area:slightly larger than New MexicoLand boundaries:2,515 km total; Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 167 kmCoastline:21,925 km; includes mainland 3,419 km, large islands 2,413 km, long fjords,numerous small islands, and minor indentations 16,093 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:10 nmContinental shelf:to depth of exploitationExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:4 nmDisputes:territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land); Denmark has challengedNorway's maritime claims between Greenland and Jan Mayen; maritime boundarydispute with Russia over portion of Barents SeaClimate:temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior;rainy year-round on west coastTerrain:glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertilevalleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords;arctic tundra in northNatural resources:crude oil, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish,timber, hydropowerLand use:arable land 3%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest andwoodland 27%; other 70%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:air and water pollution; acid rain; note - strategic location adjacent tosea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longestcoastlines in world; Norway and Turkey only NATO members having a landboundary with Russia
:Norway People
Population:4,294,876 (July 1992), growth rate 0.5% (1992)Birth rate:14 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:10 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:74 years male, 81 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.8 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Norwegian(s); adjective - NorwegianEthnic divisions:Germanic (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic) and racial-cultural minority of 20,000LappsReligions:Evangelical Lutheran (state church) 87.8%, other Protestant and RomanCatholic 3.8%, none 3.2%, unknown 5.2% (1980)Languages:Norwegian (official); small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minoritiesLiteracy:99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.)Labor force:2,167,000 (September 1990); services 34.7%, commerce 18%, mining andmanufacturing 16.6%, banking and financial services 7.5%, transportation andcommunications 7.2%, construction 7.2%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing6.4% (1989)Organized labor:66% of labor force (1985)
:Norway Government
Long-form name:Kingdom of NorwayType:constitutional monarchyCapital:OsloAdministrative divisions:19 provinces (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud,Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag,Oppland, Oslo, OCstfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag,Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, VestfoldIndependence:26 October 1905 (from Sweden)Constitution:17 May 1814, modified in 1884Dependent areas:Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, SvalbardLegal system:mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions;Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; acceptscompulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)Executive branch:monarch, prime minister, State Council (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament (Storting) with an Upper Chamber (Lagting) and a LowerChamber (Odelsting)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Hoiesterett)Leaders:Chief of State:King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKONMAGNUS (born 20 July 1973)Head of Government:Prime Minister Gro Harlem BRUNDTLAND (since 3 November 1990)Political parties and leaders:Labor, Gro Harlem BRUNDTLAND; Conservative, Kaci Kullmann FIVE; CenterParty, Anne Enger LAHNSTEIN; Christian People's, Kjell Magne BONDEVIK;Socialist Left, Erick SOLHEIM; Norwegian Communist, Kare Andre NILSEN;Progress, Carl I. HAGEN; Liberal, Odd Einar DORUM; Finnmark List, leader NASuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Storting:last held on 11 September 1989 (next to be held 6 September 1993); results -Labor 34.3%, Conservative 22.2%, Progress 13.0%, Socialist Left 10.1%,Christian People's 8.5%, Center Party 6.6%, Finnmark List 0.3%, other 5%;seats - (165 total) Labor 63, Conservative 37, Progress 22, Socialist Left17, Christian People's 14, Center Party 11, Finnmark List 1Communists:15,500 est.; 5,500 Norwegian Communist Party (NKP); 10,000 Workers CommunistParty Marxist-Leninist (AKP-ML, pro-Chinese)Member of:AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, ECE,EFTA, ESA, FAO, 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, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, PCA, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC
:Norway Government
Diplomatic representation:Ambassador Kjeld VIBE; Chancery at 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC20008; telephone (202) 333-6000; there are Norwegian Consulates General inHouston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco, andConsulates in Miami and New OrleansUS:Ambassador Loret Miller RUPPE; Embassy at Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo 2(mailing address is APO AE 09707); telephone [47] (2) 44-85-50; FAX [47] (2)43-07-77Flag:red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of theflag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in thestyle of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
:Norway Economy
Overview:Norway has a mixed economy involving a combination of free market activityand government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as thevital petroleum sector, through large-scale state enterprises andextensively subsidizes agricultural, fishing, and other sectors. Norway alsomaintains an extensive welfare system that helps propel public-sectorexpenditures to slightly more than 50% of the GDP and results in one of thehighest average tax burdens in the world (54%). A small country with a highdependence on international trade, Norway is basically an exporter of rawmaterials and semiprocessed goods, with an abundance of small- andmedium-sized firms, and is ranked among the major shipping nations. Thecountry is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower,fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on its oil sector tokeep its economy afloat. Although one of the government's main priorities isto reduce this dependency, this situation is not likely to improve for yearsto come. The government also hopes to reduce unemployment and strengthen anddiversify the economy through tax reform and an expansionary 1992 budget.Forecasters predict that economic growth will rise slightly in 1992 becauseof public-sector expansion and moderate improvements in private investmentand demand. Inflation will remain about 3%, while unemployment continues atrecord levels of over 5% because of the weakness of the economy outside theoil sector. Oslo, a member of the European Free Trade Area, is continuing toderegulate and harmonize with EC regulations to prepare for the EuropeanEconomic Area (EEA) - which creates a EC/EFTA market with free movement ofcapital, goods, services, and labor - which takes effect in 1993.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $72.9 billion, per capita $17,100; real growthrate 4.1% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.5% (1991)Unemployment rate:5.4% (1991, excluding people in job-training programs)Budget:revenues $47.9 billion; expenditures $52.7 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1991)Exports:$34.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:petroleum and petroleum products 36.5%, natural gas 7.5%, fish 7%, aluminum6%, ships 6.2%, pulp and paperpartners:EC 66.5%, Nordic countries 19.5%, developing countries 7.8%, US 4.6%, Japan1.9% (1991)Imports:$25.1 billion (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:machinery, fuels and lubricants, transportation equipment, chemicals,foodstuffs, clothing, shipspartners:EC 46.8%, Nordic countries 26.1%, developing countries 12.3%, US 7.8%, Japan4.7% (1991)External debt:$10.2 billion (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 4.7% (1991)Electricity:26,735,000 kW capacity; 121,685 million kWh produced, 28,950 kWh per capita(1991)
:Norway Economy
Industries:petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products,metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishingAgriculture:accounts for 2.8% of GDP and 6.4% of labor force; among world's top 10fishing nations; livestock output exceeds value of crops; over half of foodneeds imported; fish catch of 1.76 million metric tons in 1989Economic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $4.4 billionCurrency:Norwegian krone (plural - kroner); 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 reExchange rates:Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.1956 (January 1992), 6.4829 (1991),6.2597 (1990), 6.9045 (1989), 6.5170 (1988), 6.7375 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Norway Communications
Railroads:4,223 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; Norwegian State Railways (NSB) operates4,219 km (2,450 km electrified and 96 km double track); 4 km otherHighways:79,540 km total; 38,580 km paved; 40,960 km gravel, crushed stone, and earthInland waterways:1,577 km along west coast; 2.4 m draft vessels maximumPipelines:refined products 53 kmPorts:Oslo, Bergen, Fredrikstad, Kristiansand, Stavanger, TrondheimMerchant marine:864 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,978,202 GRT/40,128,177 DWT;includes 12 passenger, 20 short-sea passenger, 118 cargo, 2 passenger-cargo,19 refrigerated cargo, 16 container, 49 roll-on/roll-off, 22 vehiclecarrier, 1 railcar carrier, 180 oil tanker, 93 chemical tanker, 83 liquefiedgas, 28 combination ore/oil, 211 bulk, 10 combination bulk; note - thegovernment has created a captive register, the Norwegian International ShipRegister (NIS), as a subset of the Norwegian register; ships on the NISenjoy many benefits of flags of convenience and do not have to be crewed byNorwegians; the majority of ships (777) under the Norwegian flag are nowregistered with the NISCivil air:76 major transport aircraftAirports:103 total, 102 usable; 64 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 12 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 16 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:high-quality domestic and international telephone, telegraph, and telexservices; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 3,102,000 telephones; broadcaststations - 46 AM, 350 private and 143 government FM, 54 (2,100 repeaters)TV; 4 coaxial submarine cables; 3 communications satellite earth stationsoperating in the EUTELSAT, INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean), MARISAT, anddomestic systems
:Norway Defense Forces
Branches:Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Home GuardManpower availability:males 15-49, 1,129,871; 944,290 fit for military service; 33,175 reachmilitary age (20) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $3.8 billion, 3.8% of GDP (1991)
:Oman Geography
Total area:212,460 km2Land area:212,460 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than KansasLand boundaries:1,374 km total; Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 kmCoastline:2,092 kmMaritime claims:Continental shelf:to be definedExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:no defined boundary with most of UAE; Administrative Line with UAE in farnorth; there is a proposed treaty with Yemen (which has not yet beenformally accepted) to settle the Omani-Yemeni boundaryClimate:dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwestsummer monsoon (May to September) in far southTerrain:vast central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and southNatural resources:crude oil, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum,natural gasLand use:arable land NEGL%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 5%; forestand woodland NEGL%; other 95%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:summer winds often raise large sandstorms and duststorms in interior; sparsenatural freshwater resourcesNote:strategic location with small foothold on Musandam Peninsula controllingStrait of Hormuz (17% of world's oil production transits this point goingfrom Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea)
:Oman People
Population:1,587,581 (July 1992), growth rate 3.5% (1992)Birth rate:41 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:40 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:65 years male, 69 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Omani(s); adjective - OmaniEthnic divisions:mostly Arab, with small Balochi, Zanzibari, and South Asian (Indian,Pakistani, Bangladeshi) groupsReligions:Ibadhi Muslim 75%; remainder Sunni Muslim, Shi`a Muslim, some HinduLanguages:Arabic (official); English, Balochi, Urdu, Indian dialectsLiteracy:NA% (male NA%, female NA%)Labor force:430,000; agriculture 60% (est.); 58% are non-OmaniOrganized labor:trade unions are illegal
:Oman Government
Long-form name:Sultanate of OmanType:absolute monarchy; independent, with residual UK influenceCapital:MuscatAdministrative divisions:there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the USGovernment, but there are 3 governorates (muhafazah, singular - muhafazat);Musqat, Musandam, ZufarIndependence:1650, expulsion of the PortugueseConstitution:noneLegal system:based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the sultan;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictionNational holiday:National Day, 18 NovemberExecutive branch:sultan, CabinetLegislative branch:National AssemblyJudicial branch:none; traditional Islamic judges and a nascent civil court systemLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Sa`id Al Sa`id (since 23 July 1970)Suffrage:noneElections:elections scheduled for October 1992Other political or pressure groups:outlawed Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman (PFLO), based in YemenMember of:ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD,IFC, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU,NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Awadh bin Badr AL-SHANFARI; Chancery at 2342 Massachusetts AvenueNW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 387-1980 through 1982US:Ambassador Richard W. BOEHM; Embassy at address NA, Muscat (mailing addressis P. O. Box 50202 Madinat Qaboos, Muscat); telephone [968] 698-989; FAX[968] 604-316Flag:three horizontal bands of white (top, double width), red, and green (doublewidth) with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the nationalemblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords inscabbards) in white is centered at the top of the vertical band
:Oman Economy
Overview:Economic performance is closely tied to the fortunes of the oil industry.Petroleum accounts for more than 90% of export earnings, about 80% ofgovernment revenues, and roughly 40% of GDP. Oman has proved oil reserves of4 billion barrels, equivalent to about 20 years' supply at the current rateof extraction. Although agriculture employs a majority of the population,urban centers depend on imported food.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $10.6 billion, per capita $6,925 (1990); realgrowth rate 0.5% (1989)Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.3% (1989)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $4.9 billion; expenditures $4.9 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $825 million (1990)Exports:$5.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:petroleum, reexports, fish, processed copper, fruits and vegetablespartners:Japan 35%, South Korea 21%, Singapore 7%, US 6%Imports:$2.5 billion (f.o.b, 1990)commodities:machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock,lubricantspartners:UK 20%, UAE 20%, Japan 17%, US 7%External debt:$3.1 billion (December 1989 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 10% (1989), including petroleum sectorElectricity:1,120,000 kW capacity; 5,000 million kWh produced, 3,800 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction,cement, copperAgriculture:accounts for 6% of GDP and 60% of the labor force (including fishing); lessthan 2% of land cultivated; largely subsistence farming (dates, limes,bananas, alfalfa, vegetables, camels, cattle); not self-sufficient in food;annual fish catch averages 100,000 metric tonsEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $137 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $148 million; OPECbilateral aid (1979-89), $797 millionCurrency:Omani rial (plural - rials); 1 Omani rial (RO) = 1,000 baizaExchange rates:Omani rials (RO) per US$1 - 0.3845 (fixed rate since 1986)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Oman Communications
Highways:26,000 km total; 6,000 km paved, 20,000 km motorable trackPipelines:crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 kmPorts:Mina' Qabus, Mina' RaysutMerchant marine:1 passenger ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,442 GRT/1,320 DWTCivil air:19 major transport aircraftAirports:134 total, 127 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over3,659 m; 8 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 73 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:fair system of open-wire, microwave, and radio communications stations;limited coaxial cable 50,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 7TV; satellite earth stations - 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1 ARABSAT, and 8domestic
:Oman Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Royal Oman PoliceManpower availability:males 15-49, 359,394; 204,006 fit for military serviceDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.73 billion, 16% of GDP (1992 budget)
:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Geography
Total area:458 km2Land area:458 km2Comparative area:slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:noneCoastline:1,519 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:12 nmContinental shelf:200 m (depth)Exclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:3 nmDisputes:noneClimate:wet season May to November; hot and humidTerrain:about 200 islands varying geologically from the high, mountainous mainisland of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrierreefsNatural resources:forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products; deep-seabed mineralsLand use:arable land NA%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures NA%; forest andwoodland NA%; other NA%Environment:subject to typhoons from June to December; archipelago of six island groupstotaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chainNote:important location 850 km southeast of the Philippines; includes World WarII battleground of Peleliu and world-famous rock islands
:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the People
Population:15,775 (July 1992), growth rate 1.9% (1992)Birth rate:23 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:7 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:25 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:69 years male, 73 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:3.0 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Palauan(s); adjective - PalauanEthnic divisions:Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan, and Melanesian racesReligions:predominantly Christian, including Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists,Jehovah's Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, andLatter-Day Saints; a third of the population observes the Modekngeireligion, indigenous to PalauLanguages:English is an official language, though Palauan is also official in 13 ofPalau's 16 states, and Tobi and Sonsorolese are official in the 3 otherstatesLiteracy:92% (male 93%, female 91%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980)Labor force:NAOrganized labor:NA
:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Government
Long-form name:Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (no short-form name); may change toRepublic of Palau after independence; note - Belau, the native form ofPalau, is sometimes usedType:UN trusteeship administered by the US; constitutional government signed aCompact of Free Association with the US on 10 January 1986, which was neverapproved in a series of UN-observed plebiscites; until the UN trusteeship isterminated with entry into force of the Compact, Palau remains under USadministration as the Palau District of the Trust Territory of the PacificIslandsCapital:Koror; a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in easternBabelthuapAdministrative divisions:there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the USGovernment, but there are 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Kayangel,Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, Ngchesar,Ngerchelong, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol, TobiIndependence:still part of the US-administered UN trusteeship (the last polity remainingunder the trusteeship; the Republic of the Marshall Islands, FederatedStates of Micronesia, and Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas have left);administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, USDepartment of InteriorConstitution:1 January 1981Legal system:based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common,and customary lawsNational holiday:Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)Executive branch:US president, US vice president, national president, national vice presidentLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament (Olbiil Era Kelulau or OEK) consists of an upper houseor Senate and a lower house or House of DelegatesJudicial branch:Supreme Court, National Court, and Court of Common PleasLeaders:Chief of State:President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); represented by the AssistantSecretary for Territorial Affairs, US Department of the Interior, StellaGUERRA (since 21 July 1989) and J. Victor HOBSON Jr., Director (since 16December 1990)Head of Government:President Ngiratkel ETPISON (since 2 November 1988), Vice-President KuniwoNAKAMURA (since 2 November 1988)Suffrage:universal at age 18Elections:House of Delegates:last held 2 November 1988 (next to be held NA November 1992); results -percent of vote NA; seats - (16 total); number of seats by party NAPresident:last held on 2 November 1988 (next to be held NA November 1992); results -Ngiratkel ETPISON 26.3%, Roman TMETUCHL 25.9%, Thomas REMENGESAU 19.5%,other 28.3%
:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Government
Senate:last held 2 November 1988 (next to be held NA November 1992); results -percent of vote NA; seats - (14 total); number of seats by party NAMember of:ESCAP (associate), SPC, SPF (observer)Diplomatic representation:noneUS:US Liaison Officer Lloyed W. MOSS; US Liaison Office at Top Side, Neeriyas,Koror (mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Koror, PW 96940); telephone (680)488-2920; (680) 488-2911Flag:light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightlyto the hoist side
:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Economy
Overview:The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing.Tourism provides some foreign exchange, although the remote location ofPalau and a shortage of suitable facilities has hindered development. Thegovernment is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily onfinancial assistance from the US.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $31.6 million, per capita $2,260; real growthrate NA% (1986); note - GDP numbers reflect US spendingInflation rate (consumer prices):NA%Unemployment rate:20% (1986)Budget:revenues $6.0 million; expenditures NA, including capital expenditures of NA(1986)Exports:$0.5 million (f.o.b., 1986)commodities:NApartners:US, JapanImports:$27.2 million (c.i.f., 1986)commodities:NApartners:USExternal debt:about $100 million (1989)Industrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:16,000 kW capacity; 22 million kWh produced, 1,540 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:tourism, craft items (shell, wood, pearl), some commercial fishing andagricultureAgriculture:subsistence-level production of coconut, copra, cassava, sweet potatoesEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $2,560 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $92 millionCurrency:US currency is usedExchange rates:US currency is usedFiscal year:1 October - 30 September
:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Communications
Highways:22.3 km paved, some stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads (1991)Ports:KororAirports:2 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 2 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earthstation
:Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the Defense Forces
Note:defense is the responsibility of the US and that will not change when the UNtrusteeship terminates if the Compact of Free Association with the US goesinto effect
:Pacific Ocean Geography
Total area:165,384,000 km2Land area:165,384,000 km2; includes Arafura Sea, Banda Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, BeringSea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, MakassarStrait, Philippine Sea, Ross Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South ChinaSea, Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodiesComparative area:slightly less than 18 times the size of the US; the largest ocean (followedby the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean); covers aboutone-third of the global surface; larger than the total land area of theworldCoastline:135,663 kmDisputes:some maritime disputes (see littoral states)Climate:the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summermonths, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and adry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the oceanTerrain:surface in the northern Pacific dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre(broad, circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by acounterclockwise, cool-water gyre; sea ice occurs in the Bering Sea and Seaof Okhotsk during winter and reaches maximum northern extent from Antarcticain October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the EastPacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches; theworld's greatest depth is 10,924 meters in the Marianas TrenchNatural resources:oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placerdeposits, fishEnvironment:endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals,turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea;dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in thesouthwestern Pacific Ocean; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) insoutheast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July toOctober); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strikeCentral America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August andSeptember); southern shipping lanes subject to icebergs from Antarctica;occasional El Nino phenomenon occurs off the coast of Peru when the tradewinds slacken and the warm Equatorial Countercurrent moves south, killingthe plankton that is the primary food source for anchovies; consequently,the anchovies move to better feeding grounds, causing resident marine birdsto starve by the thousands because of their lost food sourceNote:the major choke points are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait,and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into theNorth Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; ships subject tosuperstructure icing in extreme north from October to May and in extremesouth from May to October; persistent fog in the northern Pacific from Juneto December is a hazard to shipping; surrounded by a zone of violentvolcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the Pacific Ringof Fire
:Pacific Ocean Economy
Overview:The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy andparticularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides cheapsea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds,offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for theconstruction industry. In 1985 over half (54%) of the world's total fishcatch came from the Pacific Ocean, which is the only ocean where the fishcatch has increased every year since 1978. Exploitation of offshore oil andgas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies ofAustralia, New Zealand, China, US, and Peru. The high cost of recoveringoffshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oilsince 1985, has slowed but not stopped new drillings.Industries:fishing, oil and gas production
:Pacific Ocean Communications
Ports:Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan(South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China),Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ),Yokohama (Japan)Telecommunications:several submarine cables with network focused on Guam and Hawaii
:Pakistan Geography
Total area:803,940 km2Land area:778,720 km2Comparative area:slightly less than twice the size of CaliforniaLand boundaries:6,774 km total; Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909kmCoastline:1,046 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:24 nmContinental shelf:edge of continental margin or 200 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:boundary with India; border question (Durand line); water sharing problemswith upstream riparian India over the IndusClimate:mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in northTerrain:flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistanplateau in westNatural resources:land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited crude oil, poor quality coal,iron ore, copper, salt, limestoneLand use:arable land 26%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures 6%; forest andwoodland 4%; other 64%; includes irrigated 19%Environment:frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west;flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August); deforestation;soil erosion; desertification; water loggingNote:controls Khyber Pass and Malakand Pass, traditional invasion routes betweenCentral Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
:Pakistan People
Population:121,664,539 (July 1992), growth rate 2.9% (1992)Birth rate:43 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:13 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:-1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:105 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:56 years male, 57 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Pakistani(s); adjective - PakistaniEthnic divisions:Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from Indiaand their descendents)Religions:Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi`a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3%Languages:Urdu and English (both official); total spoken languages - Punjabi 64%,Sindhi 12%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu 7%, Balochi and other 9%; English is linguafranca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries, but officialpolicies are promoting its gradual replacement by UrduLiteracy:35% (male 47%, female 21%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:28,900,000; agriculture 54%, mining and manufacturing 13%, services 33%;extensive export of labor (1987 est.)Organized labor:about 10% of industrial work force
:Pakistan Government
Long-form name:Islamic Republic of PakistanType:parliamentary with strong executive, federal republicCapital:IslamabadAdministrative divisions:4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, FederallyAdministered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-WestFrontier, Punjab, Sindh; note - the Pakistani-administered portion of thedisputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the NorthernAreasIndependence:14 August 1947 (from UK; formerly West Pakistan)Constitution:10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments, 30 December1985Legal system:based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan'sstature as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservationsNational holiday:Pakistan Day (proclamation of the republic), 23 March (1956)Executive branch:president, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora) consists of an upper house or Senateand a lower house or National AssemblyJudicial branch:Supreme Court, Federal Islamic (Shari`at) CourtLeaders:Chief of State:President GHULAM ISHAQ Khan (since 13 December 1988)Head of Government:Prime Minister Mian Nawaz SHARIF (since 6 November 1990)Political parties and leaders:Islamic Democratic Alliance (Islami Jamuri Ittehad or IJI) - the PakistanMuslim League (PML) led by Mohammed Khan JUNEJO is the main party in theIJI; Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Benazir BHUTTO; note - in September 1990the PPP announced the formation of the People's Democratic Alliance (PDA),an electoral alliance including the following four parties - PPP, SolidarityMovement (Tehrik Istiqlal), Movement for the Implementation of Shi`aJurisprudence (Tehrik-i-Nifaz Fiqh Jafariya or TNFJ), and the PML (Malikfaction); Muhajir Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf HUSSAIN; Awami National Party(ANP), Khan Abdul Wali KHAN; Jamiat-ul-Ulema-i-Islam (JUI), Fazlur RAHMAN;Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), Mohammad Akbar Khan BUGTI; Pakistan NationalParty (PNP), Mir Ghaus Bakhsh BIZENJO; Pakistan Khawa Milli Party (PKMP),leader NA; Assembly of Pakistani Clergy (Jamiat-ul-Ulema-e-Pakistan or JUP),Maulana Shah Ahmed NOORANI; Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Qazi Hussain AHMEDSuffrage:universal at age 21Elections:President:last held on 12 December 1988 (next to be held NA December 1993); results -Ghulam Ishaq KHAN was elected by Parliament and the four provincialassemblies
:Pakistan Government
Senate:last held March 1991 (next to be held NA March 1994); seats - (87 total) IJI57, Tribal Area Representatives (nonparty) 8, PPP 5, ANP 5, JWP 4, MQM 3,PNP 2, PKMP 1, JUI 1, independent 1Elections:National Assembly:last held on 24 October 1990 (next to be held by NA October 1995); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (217 total) IJI 107, PDA 45, MQM 15,ANP 6, JUI 2, JWP 2, PNP 2, PKMP 1, independents 14, religious minorities10, Tribal Area Representatives (nonparty) 8, vacant 1Communists:the Communist party is officially banned but is allowed to operate openlyOther political or pressure groups:military remains dominant political force; ulema (clergy), industrialists,and small merchants also influentialMember of:AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Abida HUSSAIN; Chancery at 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 939-6200; there is a PakistaniConsulate General in New YorkUS:Ambassador Nicholas PLATT; Embassy at Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad(mailing address is P. O. Box 1048, PSC 1212, Box 2000, Islamabad or APO AE09812-2000); telephone [92] (51) 826161 through 79; FAX [92] (51) 822004;there are US Consulates General in Karachi and Lahore and a Consulate inPeshawarFlag:green with a vertical white band on the hoist side; a large white crescentand star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and colorgreen are traditional symbols of Islam
:Pakistan Economy
Overview:Pakistan is a poor Third World country faced with the usual problems ofrapidly increasing population, sizable government deficits, and heavydependence on foreign aid. In addition, the economy must support a largemilitary establishment and provide for the needs of 4 million Afghanrefugees. A real economic growth rate averaging 5-6% in recent years hasenabled the country to cope with these problems. Almost all agriculture andsmall-scale industry is in private hands. In 1990, Pakistan embarked on asweeping economic liberalization program to boost foreign and domesticprivate investment and lower foreign aid dependence. The SHARIF governmenthas denationalized several state-owned firms and has attracted some foreigninvestment. Pakistan likely will have difficulty raising living standardsbecause of its rapidly expanding population. At the current rate of growth,population would double in 25 years.GNP:exchange rate conversion - $45.4 billion, per capita $380; real growth rate4.8% (FY91 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):12.3% (FY91)Unemployment rate:10% (FY91 est.)Budget:revenues $6.4 billion; expenditures $10 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $2.6 billion (FY92 est.)Exports:$6.0 billion (f.o.b., FY91)commodities:cotton, textiles, clothing, ricepartners:EC 31%, Japan 9%, US 13% (FY90)Imports:$7.9 billion (f.o.b., FY91)commodities:petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, transportation, equipment,vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicalspartners:EC 21%, US 14%, Japan 13% (FY90)External debt:$20.1 billion (1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 5.7% (FY91); accounts for almost 20% of GNPElectricity:8,500,000 kW capacity; 35,000 million kWh produced, 300 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:textiles, food processing, beverages, construction materials, clothing,paper products, shrimpAgriculture:25% of GNP, over 50% of labor force; world's largest contiguous irrigationsystem; major crops - cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, andvegetables; live-stock products - milk, beef, mutton, eggs; self-sufficientin food grainIllicit drugs:illicit producer of opium and hashish for the international drug trade;government eradication efforts on poppy cultivation of limited success
:Pakistan Economy
Economic aid:(including Bangladesh only before 1972) US commitments, including Ex-Im(FY70-89), $4.5 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateralcommitments (1980-89), $9.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $2.3billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $3.2 billionCurrency:Pakistani rupee (plural - rupees); 1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisaExchange rates:Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1 - 24.980 (March 1992), 23.801 (1991), 21.707(1990), 20.541 (1989), 18.003 (1988), 17.399 (1987)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
:Pakistan Communications
Railroads:8,773 km total; 7,718 km broad gauge, 445 km 1-meter gauge, and 610 km lessthan 1-meter gauge; 1,037 km broad-gauge double track; 286 km electrified;all government owned (1985)Highways:101,315 km total (1987); 40,155 km paved, 23,000 km gravel, 29,000 kmimproved earth, and 9,160 km unimproved earth or sand tracks (1985)Pipelines:crude oil 250 km; natural gas 4,044 km; petroleum products 885 km (1987)Ports:Gwadar, Karachi, Port Muhammad bin QasimMerchant marine:28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 334,227 GRT/495,425 DWT; includes 3passenger-cargo, 24 cargo, 1 petroleum tankerCivil air:40 major transport aircraftAirports:112 total, 104 usable; 75 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runwaysover 3,659 m; 31 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 43 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:good international communication service over microwave and INTELSATsatellite; domestic communications poor; 813,000 telephones (1990);broadcast service good; broadcast stations - 19 AM, 8 FM, 29 TV; satelliteearth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT