*Nigeria, Economy
Illicit drugs:passenger and cargo air hub for West Africa facilitates Nigeria's positionas a major transit country for heroin en route from Southeast and SouthwestAsia via Africa to Western Europe and North America; increasingly a transitroute for cocaine from South America intended for West European and NorthAmerican markets (some of that cocaine is also consumed in Nigeria)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:1 naira (N) = 100 koboExchange rates:naira (N) per US$1 - 19.661 (December 1992), 17.298 (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 oil tanker, 1 chemicaltanker, 1 bulkAirports:total:76 usable:63with permanent-surface runways:34with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m:15with runways 1,220-2,439 m:23Telecommunications:above-average system limited by poor maintenance; major expansion inprogress; radio relay microwave and cable routes; broadcast stations - 35AM, 17 FM, 28 TV; satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 20 domestic stations; 1 coaxial submarine cable
*Nigeria, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, paramilitary Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 21,790,956; fit for military service 12,447,547; reachmilitary age (18) annually 1,297,790 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $172 million, about 1% of GDP (1992)
*Niue, Header
Affiliation: (free association with New Zealand)
*Niue, Geography
Location:Oceania, 460 km east of Tonga in the South Pacific OceanMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:260 km2land area:260 km2comparative area:slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:64 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes: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 and woodland:19%other:12%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:subject to typhoonsNote:one of world's largest coral islands
*Niue, People
Population:1,977 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:-3.66% (1993 est.)Birth rate:NA births/1,000 populationDeath rate:NA deaths/1,000 populationNet migration rate:NA migrant(s)/1,000 populationInfant mortality rate:NA deaths/1,000 live birthsLife expectancy at birth:total population:NA yearsmale:NA yearsfemale:NA yearsTotal fertility rate:NA children born/womanNationality:noun: Niuean(s)adjective:NiueanEthnic divisions:Polynesian (with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and Tongans)Religions:Ekalesia Nieue (Niuean Church) 75% - a Protestant church closely related tothe London Missionary Society, Morman 10%, other 15% (mostly RomanCatholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist)Languages:Polynesian closely related to Tongan and Samoan, EnglishLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:1,000 (1981 est.)by occupation:most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in governmentservice, small industry, and the Niue Development Board
*Niue, Government
Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:NiueDigraph:NEType:self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand; Niue fullyresponsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility forexternal affairsCapital:AlofiAdministrative divisions:noneIndependence:19 October 1974 (became a self-governing territory in free association withNew Zealand on 19 October 1974)Constitution:19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)Legal system:English common lawNational holiday:Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established Britishsovereignty)Political parties and leaders:Niue Island Party (NIP), Young VIVIANSuffrage: 18 years of age; universalElections: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 5Executive branch:British monarch, premier, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral 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 NA 1974)Head of Government:Acting Premier Young VIVIAN (since the death of Sir Robert R. REX on 12December 1992)Member of:ESCAP (associate), SPARTECA, SPC, SPFDiplomatic representation in US:none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)US diplomatic 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.National product:GNP - exchange rate conversion - $2.1 million (1989 est.)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$1,000 (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, handicrafts, coconut productsAgriculture: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), $62millionCurrency:1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 centsExchange 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 April - 31 March
*Niue, Communications
Highways:123 km all-weather roads, 106 km access and plantation roadsPorts:none; offshore anchorage onlyAirports:total:1useable:1with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1Telecommunications: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, Header
Affiliation: (territory of Australia)
*Norfolk Island, Geography
Location:Oceania, 1,575 km east of Australia in the South Pacific OceanMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:34.6 km2land area:34.6 km2comparative area:about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:32 kmMaritime claims:exclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:3 nmInternational disputes: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 and woodland:0%other:75%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:subject to typhoons (especially May to July)
*Norfolk Island, People
Population:2,665 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.69% (1993 est.)Birth rate:NA births/1,000 populationDeath rate:NA deaths/1,000 populationNet migration rate:NA migrant(s)/1,000 populationInfant mortality rate:NA deaths/1,000 live birthsLife expectancy at birth:total population:NA yearsmale:NA yearsfemale:NA yearsTotal fertility rate:NA children born/womanNationality:noun:Norfolk Islander(s)adjective:Norfolk Islander(s)Ethnic divisions:descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New ZealanderReligions: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), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English and ancientTahitianLiteracy:total population:NA%male: NA%female:NA%Labor force:NA
*Norfolk Island, Government
Names:conventional long form:Territory of Norfolk Islandconventional short form:Norfolk IslandDigraph:NFType: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)Political parties and leaders:NASuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:Legislative Assembly:last held 1989 (held every three years); results - percent of vote by partyNA; seats - (9 total) percent of seats by party NAExecutive 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 A.G. KERR (since NA 1990), who is appointed by the Governor General ofAustraliaHead of Government:Assembly President and Chief Minister John Terence BROWN (since NA)Member of:noneDiplomatic representation in US:none (territory of Australia)US diplomatic 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.National product:GDP $NANational product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$NAInflation 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:1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 centsExchange rates:Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4837 (January 1993), 1.3600 (1992),1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988)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:total:1useable:1with permanent-surface runways :1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:1Telecommunications: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, Header
Affiliation: (commonwealth in political union with the US)
*Northern Mariana Islands, Geography
Location:in the North Pacific Ocean, 5,635 km west-southwest of Honolulu, aboutthree-quarters of the way between Hawaii and the PhilippinesMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:477 km2land area:477 km2comparative area:slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DCnote:includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and TinianLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:1,482 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200 m (depth)exclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonaltemperature variation; dry season December to June, 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. Okso'Takpochao on Saipan)Natural resources:arable land, fishLand use:arable land:5% on Saipanpermanent crops:NA%meadows and pastures:19%forest and woodland:NA%other:NA%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:active volcanos on Pagan and Agrihan; subject to typhoons (most duringAugust through November)Note:strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean
*Northern Mariana Islands, People
Population:48,581 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.04% (1993 est.)Birth rate:35.05 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:4.61 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:37.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:67.43 yearsmale:65.53 yearsfemale:69.48 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:2.69 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:NAadjective:NAEthnic divisions:Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese,KoreanReligions:Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboosmay still be found)Languages:English, Chamorro, Caroliniannote:86% of population speaks a language other than English at homeLiteracy:age NA and over can read and write (1980)total population:97%male:97%female:96%Labor force:7,476 total indigenous labor force, 2,699 unemployed; 21,188 foreign workers(1990)by occupation:NA
*Northern Mariana Islands, Government
Names:conventional long form:Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islandsconventional short form:Northern Mariana IslandsDigraph:CQType:commonwealth in political union with the US; self-governing with locallyelected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature; federal funds to theCommonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office ofTerritorial and International AffairsCapital:SaipanAdministrative divisions:noneIndependence:none (commonwealth in political union with the US)Constitution:Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986 and the constitution of theCommonwealth of the Northern Mariana IslandsLegal system:based on US system except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxationNational holiday:Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)Political parties and leaders:Republican Party, Governor Lorenzo GUERRERO; Democratic Party, Carlos SHODA,chairmanSuffrage:18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but donot vote in US presidential electionsElections:Governor:last held in NA November 1989 (next to be held NA November 1993); results -Lorenzo I. DeLeon GUERRERO, Republican Party, was elected governorSenate:last held NA November 1991 (next to be held NA November 1993); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) Republicans 6, Democrats 3House of Representatives:last held NA November 1991 (next to be held NA November 1993); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total) Republicans 10, Democrats 6,Independent 2US 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)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 Supreme Court, Superior Court, Federal District CourtLeaders: Chief of State:President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice PresidentAlbert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)
*Northern Mariana Islands, Government
Head of Government:Governor Lorenzo I. DeLeon GUERRERO (since 9 January 1990); LieutenantGovernor Benjamin T. MANGLONA (since 9 January 1990)Member of:ESCAP (associate), SPCFlag: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.The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government revenueshave grown. An agreement for the years 1986 to 1992 entitled the islands to$228 million for capital development, government operations, and specialprograms. A rapidly growing major source of income is the tourist industry,which now employs about 50% of the work force. Japanese touristspredominate. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and smallfarms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Industry issmall scale, mostly handicrafts and light manufacturing.National product:GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $541 million (1992)note:GNP numbers reflect US spendingNational product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$11,500 (1992)Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.5-7.5% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $147.0 million; expenditures $127.7 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1991)Exports:$263.4 million (f.o.b. 1991 est.)commodities:manufactured goods, garments, bread, pastries, concrete blocks, light ironworkpartners:NAImports:$392.4 million (c.i.f. 1991 est.)commodities: food, construction, equipment, materialspartners:NAExternal debt:$0Industrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:25,000 kW capacity; 35 million kWh produced, 740 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:tourism, construction, light industry, handicraftsAgriculture:coconuts, fruits, cattle, vegetablesEconomic aid:noneCurrency:US currency is usedFiscal year:1 October - 30 September
*Northern Mariana Islands, Communications
Railroads:noneHighways:381.5 km total; 134.5 km primary, 55 km secondary, 192 km local (1991)Inland waterways:nonePorts:Saipan, TinianAirports:total:6usable:5with permanent-surface runways:3with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:2Telecommunications:broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM (1984), 1 TV, 2 cable TV stations; 2 PacificOcean INTELSAT earth stations
*Northern Mariana Islands, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
*Norway, Geography
Location:Northern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of SwedenMap references:Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:324,220 km2land area:307,860 km2comparative area:slightly larger than New MexicoLand boundaries:total 2,515 km, 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 km)Maritime claims:contiguous zone:10 nmcontinental shelf:to depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:4 nmInternational disputes:territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land); dispute between Denmarkand Norway over maritime boundary in Arctic Ocean between Greenland and JanMayen is before the Interntional Court of Justice; maritime boundary disputewith 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:petroleum, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish,timber, hydropowerLand use:arable land:3%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:0%forest and woodland:27%other:70%Irrigated land: 950 km2 (1989)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, Geography
Note:about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much indentedcoastline
*Norway, People
Population:4,297,436 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:0.41% (1993 est.)Birth rate:13.75 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:10.54 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:77.16 yearsmale:73.79 yearsfemale:80.73 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:1.86 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Norwegian(s)adjective:NorwegianEthnic divisions:Germanic (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic), Lapps 20,000Religions:Evangelical Lutheran 87.8% (state church), other Protestant and RomanCatholic 3.8%, none 3.2%, unknown 5.2% (1980)Languages:Norwegian (official)note:small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minoritiesLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1976)total population:99%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:2.004 million (1992)by occupation:services 39.1%, commerce 17.6%, mining, oil, and manufacturing 16.0%,banking and financial services 7.6%, transportation and communications 7.8%,construction 6.1%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 5.5% (1989)
*Norway, Government
Names:conventional long form:Kingdom of Norwayconventional short form:Norwaylocal long form:Kongeriket Norgelocal short form:NorgeDigraph:NOType:constitutional monarchyCapital:OsloAdministrative divisions:19 provinces (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud,Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag,Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark,Troms, Vest-Agder, VestfoldDependent areas:Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, SvalbardIndependence:26 October 1905 (from Sweden)Constitution:17 May 1814, modified in 1884Legal 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)Political parties and leaders:Labor Party, Gro Harlem BRUNDTLAND; Conservative Party, Kaci Kullmann FIVE;Center Party, Anne ENGER LAHNSTEIN; Christian People's Party, Kjell MagneBONDEVIK; Socialist Left, Eric SOLHEIM; Norwegian Communist, Ingre IVERSEN;Progress Party, Carl I. HAGEN; Liberal, Odd Einar DORUM; Finnmark List,leader NASuffrage: 18 years of age; universalElections: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 1Executive 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 (Hoyesterett)Leaders:Chief of State:King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKONMAGNUS (born 20 July 1973)
*Norway, Government
Head of Government:Prime Minister Gro Harlem BRUNDTLAND (since 3 November 1990)Member of:AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, 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, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, PCA, UN,UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMOGIP, UNOSOM,UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Kjeld VIBEchancery:2720 34th Street NW, Washington DC 20008telephone:(202) 333-6000FAX:(202) 337-0870consulates general:Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and San Franciscoconsulate:MiamiUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:(vacant)embassy:Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo 2mailing address:PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707telephone:[47] (2) 44-85-50FAX: [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 agriculture, fishing, and areas with sparseresources. Norway also maintains an extensive welfare system that helpspropel public sector expenditures to slightly more than 50% of the GDP andresults in one of the highest average tax burdens in the world (54%). Asmall country with a high dependence on international trade, Norway isbasically an exporter of raw materials and semiprocessed goods, with anabundance of small- and medium-sized firms, and is ranked among the majorshipping nations. The country is richly endowed with natural resources -petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependenton its oil sector to keep its economy afloat. Although one of thegovernment's main priorities is to reduce this dependency, this situation isnot likely to improve for years to come. The government also hopes to reduceunemployment and strengthen and diversify the economy through tax reform anda series of expansionary budgets. The budget deficit is expected to hit arecord 8% of GDP because of welfare spending and bail-outs of the bankingsystem. Unemployment continues at record levels of over 10% - includingthose in job programs - because of the weakness of the economy outside theoil sector. Overall economic growth is expected to be around 2% in 1993while inflation is likely to rise slightly to 4%. Oslo, a member of theEuropean Free Trade Area, has applied for EC membership and continues toderegulate and harmonize with EC regulations to prepare for the EuropeanEconomic Area (EEA) - which creates an EC/EFTA market with free movement ofcapital, goods, services, and labor - to take effect in late 1993 and its ECbid.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $76.1 billion (1992)National product real growth rate:2.9% (1992)National product per capita:$17,700 (1992)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.3% (1992)Unemployment rate:5.9% (excluding people in job-training programs) (1992)Budget:revenues $50.6 billion; expenditures $57.0 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1992)Exports:$35.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:petroleum and petroleum products 37.8%, metals and products 10.7%, naturalgas 7.3%, fish 6.6%, chemicals 6.3%, ships 5.4%partners:EC 67%, Nordic countries 18.2%, developing countries 7.9%, US 5.1%, Japan1.6% (1992)Imports:$26.8 billion (c.i.f., 1992)commodities:machinery, fuels and lubricants, transportation equipment, chemicals,foodstuffs, clothing, shipspartners:EC 48.7%, Nordic countries 26.8%, developing countries 9.3%, US 8.6%, Japan6.3% (1992)External debt:$6.5 billion (1992 est.)
*Norway, Economy
Industrial production:growth rate 7.3% (1992)Electricity:26,900,000 kW capacity; 111,000 million kWh produced, 25,850 kWh per capita(1992)Industries:petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products,metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishingAgriculture:accounts for 2.6% of GDP and 5.5% 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 1989Illicit drugs:increasingly used as transshipment point for Latin American cocaine toEurope and gateway for Asian heroin shipped via the CIS and Baltic statesfor the European marketEconomic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $4.4 billionCurrency:1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 reExchange rates:Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.8774 (January 1993), 6.2145 (1992),6.4829 (1991), 6.2597 (1990), 6.9045 (1989), 6.5170 (1988)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:829 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 22,312,412 GRT/38,532,109 DWT;includes 13 passenger, 20 short-sea passenger, 106 cargo, 2 passenger-cargo,19 refrigerated cargo, 15 container, 49 roll-on/roll-off, 23 vehiclecarrier, 1 railcar carrier, 174 oil tanker, 91 chemical tanker, 82 liquefiedgas, 25 combination ore/oil, 201 bulk, 8 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 NISAirports:total:103usable:102with permanent-surface runways:63with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:12with runways 1,220-2,439 m:16Telecommunications: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 age 15-49 1,120,744; fit for military service 934,968; reach militaryage (20) annually 31,903 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $3.8 billion, 3.4% of GDP (1992)
*Oman, Geography
Location:Middle East, along the Arabian Sea, between Yemen and the United ArabEmiratesMap references: Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:212,460 km2land area:212,460 km2comparative area:slightly smaller than KansasLand boundaries:total 1,374 km, Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 kmCoastline:2,092 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:to be definedexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:no defined boundary with most of UAE; Administrative Line with UAE in farnorth; a treaty with Yemen to settle the Omani-Yemeni boundary was ratifiedin December 1992Climate: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:petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum,natural gasLand use:arable land:less than 2%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:5%forest and woodland:0%other:93%Irrigated land:410 km2 (1989 est.)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:1,643,579 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.46% (1993 est.)Birth rate:40.56 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:5.94 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:38.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:67.32 yearsmale:65.47 yearsfemale:69.27 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:6.58 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Omani(s)adjective:OmaniEthnic divisions:Arab, Balochi, Zanzibari, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi)Religions:Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, HinduLanguages:Arabic (official), English, Balochi, Urdu, Indian dialectsLiteracy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:430,000by occupation:agriculture 40% (est.)
*Oman, Government
Names:conventional long form:Sultanate of Omanconventional short form:Omanlocal long form: Saltanat Umanlocal short form:UmanDigraph:MUType:absolute monarchy 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 Portuguese)Constitution: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 NovemberPolitical parties and leaders:noneOther political or pressure groups:outlawed Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman (PFLO), based in YemenSuffrage:noneElections:elections scheduled for October 1992Executive branch:sultan, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral 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)Member 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 in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Awadh bin Badr AL-SHANFARIchancery:2342 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 387-1980 through 1982US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador David DUNFORD
*Oman, Government
embassy:address NA, Muscatmailing address:P. O. Box 50202 Madinat Qaboos, Muscattelephone:[968] 698-989FAX:[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 85% 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. Agriculture is carried on at a subsistence level and thegeneral population depends on imported food.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $10.2 billion (1991)National product real growth rate:7.4% (1991)National product per capita:$6,670 (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.6% (1991)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $4.1 billion; expenditures $4.8 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $1 billion (1991)Exports:$4.9 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:petroleum 87%, reexports, fish, processed copper, textilespartners:UAE 30%, Japan 27%, South Korea 10%, Singapore 5%Imports:$3.0 billion (f.o.b, 1991)commodities:machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock,lubricantspartners:Japan 20%, UAE 19%, UK 19%, US 7%External debt:$3.1 billion (December 1989 est.)Industrial production: growth rate 10% (1989), including petroleum sectorElectricity:1,142,400 kW capacity; 5,100 million kWh produced, 3,200 kWh per capita(1992)Industries:crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction,cement, copperAgriculture:accounts for 6% of GDP and 40% 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: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' Raysut, Mina' al FahlMerchant marine:1 passenger ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,442 GRT/1,320 DWTAirports:total:138usable:130with permanent-surface runways:6with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m:9with runways 1,220-2,439 m:74Telecommunications:modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radio communicationsstations; limited coaxial cable; 50,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2AM, 3 FM, 7 TV; satellite earth stations - 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 1ARABSAT, and 8 domestic
*Oman, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Royal Oman PoliceManpower availability:males age 15-49 370,548; fit for military service 210,544; reach militaryage (14) annually 20,810 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.6 billion, 16% of GDP (1993 est.)
*Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau), Header
Affiliation:(UN trusteeship administered by the US)
*Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau), Geography
Location:in the North Pacific Ocean, 850 km southeast of the PhilippinesMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:458 km2land area:458 km2comparative area:slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:1,519 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200 m or depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes: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 and woodland:NA%other:NA%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:subject to typhoons from June to December; archipelago of six island groupstotaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chainNote:includes World War II battleground of Peleliu and world-famous rock islands
*Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau), People
Population:16,071 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.84% (1993 est.)Birth rate:22.9 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:6.61 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:25.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:71.01 yearsmale:69.14 yearsfemale:73.02 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:2.96 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Palauan(s)adjective:PalauanEthnic divisions:Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan, and Melanesian racesReligions:Christian (Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, theAssembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-Day Saints), Modekngeireligion (one-third of the population observes this religion which isindigenous to Palau)Languages: English (official in all of Palau's 16 states), Sonsorolese (official in thestate of Sonsoral), Angaur and Japanese (in the state of Anguar), Tobi (inthe state of Tobi), Palauan (in the other 13 states)Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1980)total population:92%male:93%female:91%Labor force:NAby occupation:NA
*Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau), Government
Names:conventional long form:Trust Territory of the Pacific Islandsconventional short form:nonenote:may change to Republic of Palau after independence; the native form of Palauis Belau and is sometimes used incorrectly in English and other languagesDigraph:NQType:UN trusteeship administered by the USnote:constitutional government signed a Compact of Free Association with the USon 10 January 1986, which was never approved in a series of UN-observedplebiscites; until the UN trusteeship is terminated with entry into force ofthe Compact, Palau remains under US administration as the Palau District ofthe Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; administrative authority residesin the Department of the Interior and is exercised by the AssistantSecretary for Territorial and International Affairs through the PalauOffice, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, J. Victor HOBSON Jr.,Director (since 16 December 1990)Capital:Korornote:a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in eastern BabelthuapAdministrative 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:the last polity remaining under the US-administered UN trusteeship followingthe departure of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated Statesof Micronesia, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas from thetrusteeship; administered by the Office of Territorial and InternationalAffairs, US Department 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)Suffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:President:last held on 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results -Kuniwo NAKAMURA 50.7%, Johnson TORIBIONG 49.3%Senate:last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (14 total); number of seats by party NAHouse of Delegates:last held 4 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (16 total); number of seats by party NAExecutive branch:national president, national vice president
*Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau), Government
Legislative 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, Court of Common PleasLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993), Vice-President Tommy E.REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993)Member of:ESCAP (associate), SPC, SPF (observer)Diplomatic representation in US:administrative officer:Charles UONG,address:Palau Liaison Office, 444 North Capitol St., N.W., Suite 308, Washington, DC20001US diplomatic representation:director:US Liaison Officer Lloyd W. MOSSliaison office:US Liaison Office at Top Side, Neeriyas, Korormailing address:P.O. Box 6028, Koror, PW 96940telephone:(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 (Palau), 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.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $31.6 million (1986)note:GDP numbers reflect US spendingNational product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$2,260 (1986)Inflation 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 usedFiscal year:1 October - 30 September
*Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau), Communications
Highways:22.3 km paved, some stone-, coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads (1991)Ports:KororAirports:total:3usable:3with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:3Telecommunications:broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 2 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earthstation
*Pacific Islands, Trust Territory of the (Palau), 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
Location:body of water between the Western Hemisphere and Asia/AustraliaMap references:Asia, North America, Oceania, South America, Standard Time Zones of theWorldArea:total area:165.384 million km2comparative area:about 18 times the size of the US; the largest ocean (followed by theAtlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean); covers aboutone-third of the global surface; larger than the total land area of theworldnote:includes Arafura Sea, Banda Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, Bering Sea, BeringStrait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Makassar Strait,Philippine Sea, Ross Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea,Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodiesCoastline:135,663 kmInternational disputes: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 currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise,warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southernPacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific seaice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southernPacific sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October;the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East PacificRise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including theworld's deepest, the 10,924 meter 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 source
*Pacific Ocean, Geography
Note: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, Government
Digraph: ZN
*Pacific Ocean, Economy
Overview:The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy andparticularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provideslow-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishinggrounds, 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 nodal points on Guam and Hawaii
*Pakistan, Geography
Location:South Asia, along the Arabian Sea, between India and AfghanistanMap references:Asia, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:803,940 km2land area:778,720 km2comparative area:slightly less than twice the size of CaliforniaLand boundaries:total 6,774 km, Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909kmCoastline:1,046 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:24 nmcontinental shelf:200 nm or the edge of continental marginexclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:status of Kashmir with India; border question with Afghanistan (DurandLine); water-sharing problems (Wular Barrage) over the Indus with upstreamriparian IndiaClimate: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 petroleum, poor quality coal,iron ore, copper, salt, limestoneLand use:arable land:26%permanent crops:0%meadows and pastures:6%forest and woodland:4%other:64%Irrigated land:162,200 km2 (1989)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 Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes betweenCentral Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
*Pakistan, People
Population:125,213,732 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:2.87% (1993 est.)Birth rate:42.59 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:12.6 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-1.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:103.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth: total population:57.11 yearsmale:56.54 yearsfemale:57.72 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:6.5 children born/woman (1993 est.)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 (official), English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite andmost government ministries, but official policies are promoting its gradualreplacement by Urdu), Punjabi 64%, Sindhi 12%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu 7%, Balochiand other 9%Literacy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:35%male:47%female:21%Labor force:28.9 millionby occupation:agriculture 54%, mining and manufacturing 13%, services 33%, extensiveexport of labor (1987 est.)
*Pakistan, Government
Names:conventional long form:Islamic Republic of Pakistanconventional short form:Pakistanformer:West PakistanDigraph:PKType:republicCapital:IslamabadAdministrative divisions:4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally, AdministeredTribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West, Frontier, Punjab, Sindhnote:the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir regionincludes Azad Kashmir and the Northern AreasIndependence:14 August 1947 (from UK)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, 23 March (1956) (proclamation of the republic)Political parties and leaders:government:Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Mian Nawaz SHARIF; Jamhoori WatanParty (JWP), Mohammad Akbar Khan BUGTI; Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI),Fazl-ur-REHMAN and Sami-ul-HAQ; Awami National Party (ANP), Khan Abdul WALIKHAN; Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan-Niazi, Maulana Abdul Sattar Khan NIAZI;Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAIopposition:Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Benazir BHUTTO and Nusrat BHUTTO; PakistanMuslim League-Chattha (PML-C), Hamid Nasir CHATTHA; Jamaat-i-Islami (JI),Qazi Hussain AHMED; National People's Party (NPP), Ghulam Mustapha JATOI(formerly the PNP); Tehrik-i-Istiqlal (TI), Air Marshal (Ret.) MohammadASGHAR KHAN; Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Fiqah-i-Jafaria (TNFJ), Agha Hamid Ali MUSAVI;Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan-Noorani (JUP-Noorani), Maulana Shah Ahmed NOORANI;Mohajir Quami Mahaz-Haqiqi (MQM-H), Afaq AHMEDOther political or pressure groups:military remains important political force; ulema (clergy), landowners,industrialists, and small merchants also influentialSuffrage:21 years of age; universalElections:President:last held on 12 December 1988 (next to be held by NA November 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) PML52, Tribal Area Representatives (nonparty) 8, PPP 5, ANP 5, JWP 4, MQM 3,PNP 2 (name later chaged to NPP), JI 2, JUP 2, JUI 2, PKMAP 1, independent 1National Assembly:last held on 24 October 1990 (next to be held by October 1995); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (217 total) number of seats by partyNA; note - President GHULAM ISHAQ Khan dismissed the National Assembly on 18April 1993; it was reestablished, however, on 26 May 1993 by the SupremeCourt, which ruled the dismissal order unconstitutionalExecutive 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); note - PresidentGHULAM ISHAQ Khan dismissed Prime Minister SHARIF on 18 April 1993, but hewas reinstated by the Supreme Court on 26 May 1993Member of:AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ECO, 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, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAS(observer), OIC, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM,UNOSOM, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:(vacant)chancery:2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 939-6200consulate general:New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador John MONJOembassy:Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabadmailing address:P. O. Box 1048, PSC 1212, Box 2000, Islamabad or APO AE 09812-2000telephone:[92] (51) 826161 through 79FAX:[92] (51) 822004consulates general:Karachi, Lahoreconsulate:PeshawarFlag:green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religiousminorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centeredin the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditionalsymbols of Islam