*Netherlands, Government
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 Willem (Wim) KOK (since 2 November 1989)Member of:AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN,COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, 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, NAM (guest),NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Johan Hendrick MEESMANchancery:4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008telephone:(202) 244-5300FAX:(202) 362-3430consulates general:Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila (Trust Territories of the PacificIslands), New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Thomas H. GEWECKEembassy:Lange Voorhout 102, The Haguemailing address:PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715telephone:[31] (70) 310-9209FAX:[31] (70) 361-4688consulate general:AmsterdamFlag: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. Unemployment and a sizable budget deficit are currently the mostserious economic problems. Many of the economic issues of the 1990s willreflect the course of European economic integration.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $259.8 billion (1992)National product real growth rate:1.6% (1992)National product per capita:$17,200 (1992)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.5% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:5.3% (1992 est.)Budget:revenues $109.9 billion; expenditures $122.1 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1992 est.)Exports:$128.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:agricultural products, processed foods and tobacco, natural gas, chemicals,metal products, textiles, clothingpartners:EC 77% (Germany 27%, Belgium-Luxembourg 15%, UK 10%), US 4% (1991)Imports:$117.7 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:raw materials and semifinished products, consumer goods, transportationequipment, crude oil, food productspartners:EC 64% (Germany 26%, Belgium-Luxembourg 14%, UK 8%), US 8% (1991)External debt:$0Industrial production:growth rate 1.6% (1992 est.); accounts for 25% of GDPElectricity:22,216,000 kW capacity; 63,500 million kWh produced, 4,200 kWh per capita(1992)Industries:agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery andequipment, chemicals, petroleum, fishing, construction, microelectronicsAgriculture:accounts for 4.6% of GDP; animal production predominates; crops - grains,potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; shortages of grain, fats, andoilsIllicit drugs:transit country for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries;European producer of illicit amphetamines and other synthetic drugsEconomic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $19.4 billion
*Netherlands, Economy
Currency:1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 centsExchange rates:Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per US$1 - 1.8167 (January1993), 1.7585 (1992), 1.8697 (1991), 1.8209 (1990), 2.1207 (1989), 1.9766(1988)Fiscal year:calendar year
*Netherlands, Communications
Railroads:2,828 km 1.435-meter standard gauge operated by Netherlands Railways (NS)(includes 1,957 km electrified and 1,800 km double track)Highways: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:coastal - Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Den Helder, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Ijmuiden,Rotterdam, Scheveningen, Terneuzen, Vlissingen; inland - 29 portsMerchant marine:344 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,762,000 GRT/3,675,649 DWT; includes3 short-sea passenger, 193 cargo, 30 refrigerated cargo, 26 container, 13roll-on/roll-off, 1 livestock carrier, 11 multifunction large-load carrier,23 oil tanker, 22 chemical tanker, 10 liquefied gas, 2 specialized tanker, 6bulk, 4 combination bulk; note - many Dutch-owned ships are also registeredon the captive Netherlands Antilles registerAirports:total:28usable:28with permanent-surface runways:20with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:11with runways 1,220-2,439 m:6Telecommunications:highly developed, well maintained, and integrated; extensive redundantsystem of multiconductor cables, supplemented by microwave radio relaymicrowave links; 9,418,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 (3 relays) AM,12 (39 repeaters) FM, 8 (7 repeaters) TV; 5 submarine cables; 1communication satellite earth station operating in INTELSAT (1 Indian Oceanand 2 Atlantic Ocean antenna) and EUTELSAT systems; nationwide mobile phonesystem
*Netherlands, Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (including Naval Air Serviceand Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal ConstabularyManpower availability:males age 15-49 4,183,167; fit for military service 3,677,445; reachmilitary age (20) annually 104,263 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $7.8 billion, 3% of GDP (1992)
*Netherlands Antilles, Header
Affiliation: (part of the Dutch realm)
*Netherlands Antilles, Geography
Location:two island groups - Curacas and Bonaire in the southern Caribbean Sea areabout 70 km north of Venezuela near Aruba and the rest of the country isabout 800 km to the northeast about one-third of the way between Antigua andBarbuda and Puerto RicoMap references:Central America and the CaribbeanArea:total area:960 km2land area:960 km2comparative area:slightly less than 5.5 times the size of Washington, DCnote:includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutchpart of the island of Saint Martin)Land boundaries:0 kmCoastline:364 kmMaritime claims:exclusive fishing zone:12 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes: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 and woodland:0%other:92%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt, so rarelythreatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanesfrom July to October
*Netherlands Antilles, People
Population:184,990 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:0.4% (1993 est.)Birth rate:17.23 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:5.69 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-7.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:75.73 yearsmale:73.55 yearsfemale:78.03 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:1.99 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Netherlands Antillean(s)adjective:Netherlands AntilleanEthnic divisions:mixed African 85%, Carib Indian, European, Latin, OrientalReligions:Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day AdventistLanguages:Dutch (official), Papiamento a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialectpredominates, English widely spoken, SpanishLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1981)total population:94%male:94%female:93%Labor force:89,000by occupation:government 65%, industry and commerce 28% (1983)
*Netherlands Antilles, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Netherlands Antilleslocal long form:nonelocal short form:Nederlandse AntillenDigraph:NAType: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)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:18 years of age; universalElections: 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 severalpartiesExecutive branch:Dutch monarch, governor, prime minister, vice prime minister, Council ofMinisters (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral legislature (Staten)
*Netherlands Antilles, Government
Judicial branch:Joint High Court of JusticeLeaders:Chief of State:Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980), represented byGovernor General Jaime SALEH (since NA October 1989)Head of Government:Prime Minister Maria LIBERIA-PETERS (since 17 May 1988, previously servedfrom September 1984 to November 1985)Member of:CARICOM (observer), ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL, IOC, UNESCO(associate), UPU, WMO, WTO (associate)Diplomatic representation in US:as an autonomous part of the Netherlands, Netherlands Antillean interests inthe US are represented by the NetherlandsUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Consul General Bernard J. WOERZconsulate general:Saint Anna Boulevard 19, Willemstad, Curacaomailing address:P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacaotelephone:[599] (9) 613066FAX:[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.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.6 billion (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:4% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$8,700 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):4% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:16.4% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $209 million; expenditures $232 million, including capitalexpenditures of $8 million (1992 est.)Exports:$200 million (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:petroleum products 98%partners:US 40%, UK 7%, Guadeloupe 5%Imports:$1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:crude petroleum 64%, food, manufacturespartners:Venezuela 42%, US 21%, Netherlands 8%External debt:$701 million (December 1987)Industrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:125,000 kW capacity; 365 million kWh produced, 1,980 kWh per capita (1992)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:1 Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (NAf.) = 100 centsExchange 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:89 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 781,646 GRT/962,138 DWT; includes 4passenger, 29 cargo, 14 refrigerated cargo, 7 container, 7 roll-on/roll-off,12 multifunction large-load carrier, 5 chemical tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 2bulk, 1 oil tanker, 1 railcar carrier, 1 combination ore/oil; note - all buta few are foreign owned, mostly in the NetherlandsAirports:total:5usable:4with permanent-surface runways:4with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:3Telecommunications:generally adequate facilities; extensive interisland microwave radio relaylinks; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; 2 submarine cables; 2 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT earth stations
*Netherlands Antilles, Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal Netherlands Air Force, NationalGuard, Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 48,965; fit for military service 27,531; reach military age(20) annually 1,638 (1993 est.)Note:defense is responsibility of the Netherlands
*New Caledonia, Header
Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)
*New Caledonia, Geography
Location:in the South Pacific Ocean, 1,750 km east of AustraliaMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:19,060 km2land area:18,760 km2comparative area:slightly smaller than New JerseyLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:2,254 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes: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:0%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:14%forest and woodland:51%other:35%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:typhoons most frequent from November to March
*New Caledonia, People
Population:178,056 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.83% (1993 est.)Birth rate:22.7 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:5.01 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:15.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:73.22 yearsmale:69.92 yearsfemale:76.7 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:2.67 children born/woman (1993 est.)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%Religions:Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%Languages:French, 28 Melanesian-Polynesian dialectsLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1976)total population:91%male:91%female:90%Labor force:50,469 foreign workers for plantations and mines from Wallis and Futuna,Vanuatu, and French Polynesia (1980 est.)by occupation:NA
*New Caledonia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Territory of New Caledonia and Dependenciesconventional short form:New Caledonialocal long form:Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependanceslocal short form:Nouvelle-CaledonieDigraph:NCType: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; a referendum on independence will beheld in 1998)Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)Legal system:the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands;formerly under French lawNational holiday:National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)Political parties and leaders:white-dominated Rassemblement pour la Caledonie dans la Republique (RPCR),conservative, Jacques LAFLEUR - affiliated to France's Rassemblement pour laRepublique (RPR); Melanesian proindependence Kanaka Socialist NationalLiberation Front (FLNKS), Paul NEAOUTYINE; Melanesian moderate KanakSocialist Liberation (LKS), Nidoish NAISSELINE; National Front (FN), extremeright, Guy GEORGE; Caledonie Demain (CD), right-wing, Bernard MARANT; UnionOceanienne (UO), conservative, Michel HEMA; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak(FULK), proindependence, UREGEI; Union Caledonian (UC), Francois BURCKSuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:French Senate:last held 27 September 1992 (next to be held September 2001); 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 21 and 28 March 1993); results- RPR 83.5%, FN 13.5%, other 3%; seats - (2 total) RPCR 2Territorial 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 FULKExecutive branch:French president, high commissioner, Consultative Committee (cabinet)Legislative branch:unicameral Territorial AssemblyJudicial branch:Court of Appeal
*New Caledonia, Government
Leaders: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)Member of:ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMODiplomatic representation in US: as an overseas territory of France, New Caledonian interests arerepresentedin the US by FranceUS diplomatic representation:none (overseas territory of France)Flag: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.National product:GNP - exchange rate conversion - $1 billion (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:2.4% (1988)National product per capita:$6,000 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.1% (1989)Unemployment rate:16% (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 mining and smeltingAgriculture: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:1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Comptoirs Francais duPacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 99.65 (January1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30(1988); 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, ThioAirports:total:29usable:27with permanent-surface runways:2with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:2Telecommunications:32,578 telephones (1987); broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 7 TV; 1 PacificOcean INTELSAT earth station
*New Caledonia, Defense Forces
Branches:Gendarmerie, Police ForceNote:defense is the responsibility of France
*New Zealand, Geography
Location:Oceania, southeast of Australia in the South Pacific OceanMap references:Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea: total area:268,680 km2land area:268,670 km2comparative area:about the size of Coloradonote:includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, CampbellIsland, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec IslandsLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:15,134 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200 nm or the edge of continental marginexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes: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 and woodland:38%other:7%Irrigated land:2,800 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:earthquakes are common, though usually not severe
*New Zealand, People
Population:3,368,774 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:0.61% (1993 est.)Birth rate:15.93 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:8.11 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-1.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:9.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:76.11 yearsmale:72.46 yearsfemale:79.95 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:2.07 children born/woman (1993 est.)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:age 15 and over can read and write (1980)total population:99%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:1,603,500 (June 1991)by occupation:services 67.4%, manufacturing 19.8%, primary production 9.3% (1987)
*New Zealand, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:New ZealandAbbreviation:NZDigraph: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, MountHerbert, 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, WoodvilleDependent areas:Cook Islands, Niue, TokelauIndependence: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 enactedLegal system:based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts forMaoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established Britishsovereignty)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 DOUGLASnote:the New Labor, Democratic, and Mana Motuhake parties formed a coalitioncalled the Alliance Party, Jim ANDERTON, president, in September 1991; theGreen Party joined the coalition in May 1992Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
*New Zealand, Government
Elections:House of Representatives:last held on 27 October 1990 (next to be held NA November 1993); results -NP 49%, NZLP 35%, Green Party 7%, NLP 5%; seats - (97 total) NP 67, NZLP 29,NLP 1Executive 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)Member 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,NAM (guest), OECD, PCA, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Denis Bazely Gordon McLEANchancery:37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 328-4800consulates general:Los Angeles and New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant)embassy:29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellingtonmailing address:P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP 96531-1001telephone:[64] (4) 722-068FAX:[64] (4) 723-537consulate general: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, broaden and deepen the technological capabilitiesof the industrial sector, reduce inflationary pressures, and permit theexpansion of welfare benefits. The results have been mixed: inflation isdown from double-digit levels, but growth was sluggish in 1988-91, andunemployment, always a highly sensitive issue, has exceeded 10% since May1991. In 1992, growth picked up to 3%, a sign that the new economic approachis beginning to pay off.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $49.8 billion (1992)National product real growth rate:3% (1992)National product per capita:$14,900 (1992)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.2% (1991)Unemployment rate:10.1% (September 1992)Budget:revenues $14.0 billion; expenditures $15.2 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1992)Exports:$3.65 billion (f.o.b., FY92)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:$3.99 billion (f.o.b., FY92)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:$38.5 billion (September 1992)Industrial production:growth rate 1.9% (1990); accounts for about 20% of GDPElectricity:8,000,000 kW capacity; 31,000 million kWh produced, 9,250 kWh per capita(1992)Industries:food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery,transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, miningAgriculture:accounts for about 9% of GDP and about 10% of the work force; livestockpredominates - wool, meat, dairy products all export earners; crops - wheat,barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; surplus producer of farmproducts; fish catch reached a record 503,000 metric tons in 1988Economic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $526 millionCurrency:1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
*New Zealand, Economy
Exchange rates:New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.9486 (January 1993), 1.8584 (1992),1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988)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 (liquifiedpetroleum gas - LPG) 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 bulkAirports:total:120usable:120with permanent-surface runways:33with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:42Telecommunications: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 age 15-49 878,028; fit for military service 741,104; reach militaryage (20) annually 29,319 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $792 million, 2% of GDP (FY90/91)
*Nicaragua, Geography
Location:Central America, between Costa Rica and HondurasMap references:Central America and the Caribbean, South AmericaArea:total area:129,494 km2land area:120,254 km2comparative area:slightly larger than New York StateLand boundaries:total 1,231 km, 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 nmInternational disputes:territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres yProvidencia and Quita Sueno Bank; International Court of Justice (ICJ)referred the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca to anearlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartiteresolution among El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would berequiredClimate: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 and woodland:35%other:12%Irrigated land:850 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:subject to destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasionalsevere hurricanes; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
*Nicaragua, People
Population:3,987,240 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:2.74% (1993 est.)Birth rate:35.61 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:6.94 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-1.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:54.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:63.5 yearsmale:60.7 yearsfemale:66.41 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:4.48 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Nicaraguan(s)adjective:NicaraguanEthnic divisions:mestizo 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Indian 5%Religions:Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5%Languages:Spanish (official)note:English- and Indian-speaking minorities on Atlantic coastLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1971)total population:57%male:57%female:57%Labor force:1.086 millionby occupation:service 43%, agriculture 44%, industry 13% (1986)
*Nicaragua, Government
Names:conventional long form: Republic of Nicaraguaconventional short form:Nicaragualocal long form:Republica de Nicaragualocal short form:NicaraguaDigraph:NUType:republicCapital:ManaguaAdministrative divisions:17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Boaco, Carazo,Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua,Masaya, Matagalpa, North Atlantic Coast Autonomous Zone (RAAN), NuevaSegovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas, South Atlantic 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)Political parties and leaders:ruling coalition:National Opposition Union (UNO) is a 10-party alliance - moderate parties:National Conservative Party (PNC), Silviano MATAMOROS Lacayo, president;Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Jose Ernesto SOMARRIBA, ArnoldALEMAN; Christian Democratic Union (UDC), Luis Humberto GUZMAN, AgustinJARQUIN, Azucena FERREY, Roger MIRANDA, Francisco MAYORGA; NationalDemocratic Movement (MDN), Roberto URROZ; National Action Party (PAN),Duilio BALTODANO; NOU - hardline parties: Independent Liberal Party (PLI),Wilfredo NAVARRO,Virgilio GODOY Reyes; Social Democratic Party (PSD),Guillermo POTOY, Alfredo CESAR Aguirre, secretary general; ConservativePopular Alliance Party (PAPC), Myriam ARGUELLO; Communist Party of Nicaragua(PCdeN), Eli ALTIMIRANO Perez; Neo-Liberal Party (PALI), Adolfo GARCIAEsquivelopposition 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 DIAZ
*Nicaragua, Government
Other 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 groupsSuffrage:16 years of age; universalElections: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 42, FSLN 39,PSC 1, MUR 1, "Centrist" (Dissident UNO) 9Executive branch:president, vice president, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)Leaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (since 25 April 1990); Vice PresidentVirgilio GODOY Reyes (since 25 April 1990)Member 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, LAIA(observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Roberto MAYORGA (since January 1993)chancery:1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone:(202) 939-6570US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Charge d'Affaires Ronald GODARDembassy:Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur., Managuamailing address:APO AA 34021telephone:[505] (2) 666010 or 666013, 666015 through 18, 666026, 666027, 666032through 34FAX:[505] (2) 666046
*Nicaragua, Government
Flag: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. In early 1993, fewer than50% of the agricultural and industrial firms remain state owned. Sandinistaeconomic policies and the war had produced a severe economic crisis. Thefoundation of the economy continues to be the export of agriculturalcommodities, largely coffee and cotton. Farm production fell by roughly 7%in 1989 and 4% in 1990, and remained about even in 1991-92. The agriculturalsector employs 44% of the work force and accounts for 15% of GDP and 80% ofexport earnings. Industry, which employs 13% of the work force andcontributes about 25% to GDP, showed a drop of 7% in 1989, fell slightly in1990, and remained flat in 1991-92; output still is below pre-1979 levels.External debt is one of the highest in the world on a per capita basis. In1992 the inflation rate was 8%, down sharply from the 766% of 1991.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.7 billion (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:0.5% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$425 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):8% (1992)Unemployment rate:13% underemployment 50% (1991)Budget:revenues $347 million; expenditures $499 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA million (1991)Exports:$280 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)commodities:coffee, cotton, sugar, bananas, seafood, meat, chemicalspartners:OECD 75%, USSR and Eastern Europe 15%, other 10%Imports:$720 million (c.i.f., 1992 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:434,000 kW capacity; 1,118 million kWh produced, 290 kWh per capita (1992)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 foodIllicit drugs:minor transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US
*Nicaragua, Economy
Economic 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), $3.5 billionCurrency:1 cordoba (C$) = 100 centavosExchange rates:cordobas (C$) per US$1 - 6 (10 January 1993), 25,000,000 (March 1992),21,354,000 (1991), 15,655 (1989), 270 (1988), 102.60 (1987); note - new goldcordoba issued in 1992Fiscal 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 DWTAirports:total:226usable:151with permanent-surface runways:11with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:12Telecommunications: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 age 15-49 911,397; fit for military service 561,448; reach militaryage (18) annually 44,226 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $40 million, 2.7% of GDP (1992 budget)
*Niger, Geography
Location:Western Africa, between Algeria and NigeriaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:1.267 million km2land area:1,266,700 km2comparative area:slightly less than twice the size of TexasLand boundaries:total 5,697 km, Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina 628 km, Chad 1,175 km,Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes: 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 and woodland:2%other:88%Irrigated land:320 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:recurrent drought and desertification severely affecting marginalagricultural activities; overgrazing; soil erosionNote:landlocked
*Niger, People
Population:8,337,352 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.49% (1993 est.)Birth rate:57.35 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:22.44 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:112.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:44.15 yearsmale:42.6 yearsfemale:45.75 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:7.35 children born/woman (1993 est.)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:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:28%male:40%female:17%Labor force:2.5 million wage earners (1982)by occupation:agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%note:51% of population of working age (1985)
*Niger, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Nigerconventional short form:Nigerlocal long form:Republique du Nigerlocal short form:NigerDigraph:NGType:transition government as of November 1991, appointed by national reformconference; scheduled to turn over power to democratically electedgovernment in March 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)Political parties and leaders:National Movement of the Development Society (MNSD-NASSARA), Tandja 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; other partiesformingSuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:President:President Ali SAIBOU has been in office since December 1989, but thepresidency is now a largely ceremonial positionNational 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 electionsExecutive branch:president (ceremonial), prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral 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)
*Niger, Government
Head of Government:Prime Minister Amadou CHEIFFOU (since NA November 1991)Member 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 in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Adamou SEYDOUchancery:2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 483-4224 through 4227US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Jennifer C. WARDembassy: Avenue des Ambassades, Niameymailing address:B. P. 11201, Niameytelephone:[227] 72-26-61 through 64FAX:[227] 73-31-67Flag: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.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.3 billion (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:1.9% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$290 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.3% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $193 million; expenditures $355 million, including capitalexpenditures of $106 million (1991 est.)Exports:$294 million (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:uranium ore 60%, livestock products 20%, cowpeas, onionspartners:France 77%, Nigeria 8%, Cote d'Ivoire, ItalyImports:$346 million (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:primary materials, machinery, vehicles and parts, electronic equipment,cereals, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, chemical products, foodstuffspartners:Germany 26%, Cote d'Ivoire 11%, France 5%, Italy 4%, Nigeria 2%External debt:$1.2 billion (December 1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -2.7% (1991 est.); accounts for 13% 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 mining 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:1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
*Niger, Economy
Exchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 274.06 (January1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85(1988)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 MarchAirports:total:28usable:26with permanent-surface runways:9with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:13Telecommunications: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, National Police, Republican GuardManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,784,966; fit for military service 961,593; reach militaryage (18) annually 87,222 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $27 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989)
*Nigeria, Geography
Location:Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Benin andCameroonMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:923,770 km2land area:910,770 km2comparative area:slightly more than twice the size of CaliforniaLand boundaries:total 4,047 km, 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 nmInternational disputes: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:petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, naturalgasLand use:arable land: 31%permanent crops:3%meadows and pastures:23%forest and woodland:15%other:28%Irrigated land:8,650 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:recent droughts in north severely affecting marginal agriculturalactivities; desertification; soil degradation, rapid deforestation
*Nigeria, People
Population:95,060,430 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.13% (1993 est.)Birth rate:43.8 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:12.85 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:77.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:54.7 yearsmale:53.54 yearsfemale:55.88 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:6.43 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Nigerian(s)adjective:NigerianEthnic divisions:north:Hausa and Fulanisouthwest:Yorubasoutheast:Ibosnon-Africans 27,000note:Hausa and Fulani, Yoruba, and Ibos together make up 65% of populationReligions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%Languages:English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, FulaniLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:51%male:62%female:40%Labor force:42.844 millionby occupation:agriculture 54%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 15%note:49% of population of working age (1985)
*Nigeria, Government
Names:conventional long form:Federal Republic of Nigeriaconventional short form:NigeriaDigraph:NIType:military government since 31 December 1983; plans to turn over power toelected civilians in August 1993Capital:Abujanote:on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially moved from Lagos to Abuja;many government offices remain in Lagos pending completion of facilities inAbujaAdministrative divisions:30 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Capital Territory*, Adamawa, Akwa, Ibom, 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)Political parties and leaders:Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alhaji Baba Gana KINGIBE, chairman; NationalRepublican Convention (NRC), Chief Tom IKIMI, chairmannote:these are the only two political parties, and they were established by thegovernment in 1989Suffrage:21 years of age; universalElections:President:first presidential elections since the 31 December 1983 coup scheduled forJune 1993Senate:last held 4 July 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - percent of voteby party NA; seats - (total 84) SDP 47, NRC 37House of Representatives:last held 4 July 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results - percent of voteby party NA; seats - (total 577) SDP 310, NRC 267Executive branch:president, vice-president, cabinetLegislative branch:bicameral National Assembly consists of an upper house or Senate and a lowerhouse or House of RepresentativesJudicial 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); Vice-President Admiral (Ret.) Augustus AIKHOMU(since 30 August 1990)
*Nigeria, Government
Member 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, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN,UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Zubair Mahmud KAZAUREchancery:2201 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037telephone:(202) 822-1500consulate general:New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador William L. SWINGembassy:2 Eleke Crescent, Lagosmailing address:P. O. Box 554, Lagostelephone:[234] (1) 610097FAX:[234] (1) 610257 branch office:Abujaconsulate general:KadunaFlag: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 $300 per capita GDP. In 1991-92 massive government spending, much ofit to 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 remain below the level of theearly 1980s oil boom.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $35 billion (1992 est.)National product real growth rate:3.6% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$300 (1992 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):60% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:28% (1992 est.)Budget:revenues $9 billion; expenditures $10.8 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1992 est.)Exports:$12.7 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:oil 95%, cocoa, rubberpartners:EC countries 43%, US 41%Imports:$7.8 billion (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:consumer goods, capital equipment, chemicals, raw materialspartners:EC countries 70%, US 16%External debt:$33.4 billion (1991)Industrial production:growth rate 5.5% (1991); accounts for 8.5% of GDPElectricity:4,740,000 kW capacity; 8,300 million kWh produced, 70 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 exploited