@Nepal, Communications
Railroads:52 km (1990), all 0.762-meter narrow gauge; all in Terai close toIndian border; 10 km from Raxaul to Birganj is government ownedHighways:total:7,080 kmpaved:2,898 kmunpaved:gravel, crushed stone 1,660 km; seasonally motorable tracks 2,522 km(1990)Airports:total:37usable:37with permanent-surface runways:5with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:8Telecommunications:poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radio communication andbroadcast service; international radio communication service is poor;50,000 telephones (1990); broadcast stations - 88 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Nepal, Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Nepalese Army, Royal Nepalese Army Air Service, Nepalese PoliceForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 5,003,661; fit for military service 2,598,507; reachmilitary age (17) annually 241,405 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 2% of GDP (FY91/92)
@Netherlands,
@Netherlands, Geography
Location:Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and GermanyMap references:Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:37,330 sq kmland area:33,920 sq kmcomparative area:slightly less than twice the size of New JerseyLand boundaries:total 1,027 km, Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 kmCoastline:451 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:not specifiedexclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes:noneClimate:temperate; marine; cool summers and mild wintersTerrain:mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills insoutheastNatural resources:natural gas, petroleum, fertile soilLand use:arable land:26%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:32%forest and woodland:9%other:32%Irrigated land:5,500 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, andnutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehiclesand refining activities; acid rainnatural hazards:the extensive system of dikes and dams, protects nearly one-half ofthe total area from being floodedinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling;signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Law of the SeaNote:located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas orMeuse, Schelde)
@Netherlands, People
Population:15,367,928 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.58% (1994 est.)Birth rate:12.62 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:8.5 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:1.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:77.75 yearsmale:74.69 yearsfemale:80.97 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.58 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)adjective:DutchEthnic divisions:Dutch 96%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 4% (1988)Religions:Roman Catholic 34%, Protestant 25%, Muslim 3%, other 2%, unaffiliated36% (1991)Languages:DutchLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)total population:99%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:6.7 million (1991)by occupation:services 50.1%, manufacturing and construction 28.2%, government15.9%, agriculture 5.8% (1986)
@Netherlands, Government
Names:conventional long form:Kingdom of the Netherlandsconventional short form:Netherlandslocal long form:Koninkrijk de Nederlandenlocal short form:NederlandDigraph:NLType:constitutional monarchyCapital:Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of governmentAdministrative divisions:12 provinces (provincien, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland,Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant,Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-HollandDependent areas:Aruba, Netherlands AntillesIndependence:1579 (from Spain)National holiday:Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)Constitution:17 February 1983Legal system:civil law system incorporating French penal theory; judicial review inthe Supreme Court of legislation of lower order rather than Acts ofthe States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservationsSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980); Heir ApparentWILLEM-ALEXANDER, Prince of Orange, son of Queen Beatrix (born 27April 1967)head of government:Prime Minister RUDOLPHUS (Ruud) F. M. LUBBERS (since 4 November 1982);Vice Prime Minister Willem (Wim) KOK (since 2 November 1989) -resigned after 3 May 1994 parliamentary elections; no new governmenthas been formed to datecabinet:Ministry of General Affairs; appointed by the prime ministerLegislative branch:bicameral legislature (Staten Generaal)First Chamber (Eerste Kamer):elections last held on 9 June l991 (next to be held 9 June 1995);results - elected by the country's 12 provincial councils; seats - (75total) percent of seats by party NASecond Chamber (Tweede Kamer):elections last held on 3 May 1994 (next to be held in May 1999);results - PvdA 24.3%, CDA 22.3%, VVD 20.4%, D'66 16.5%, other 16.5%;seats - (150 total) PvdA 37, CDA 34, VVD 31, D'66 24, other 24Judicial branch:Supreme Court (De Hoge Raad)Political parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), Elco BRINKMAN; Labor (PvdA), WimKOK; Liberal (VVD), Frits BOLKESTEIN; Democrats '66 (D'66), Hans vanMIERLO; a host of minor partiesOther political or pressure groups:large multinational firms; Federation of Netherlands Trade UnionMovement (comprising Socialist and Catholic trade unions) and aProtestant trade union; Federation of Catholic and ProtestantEmployers Associations; the nondenominational Federation ofNetherlands Enterprises; and Interchurch Peace Council (IKV)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, UNOMUR, UNPROFOR, UNTAC,UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Adriaan Pieter Roetert JACOBOVITS DE SZEGEDchancery:4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 244-5300FAX:(202) 362-3430consulate(s) general:Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila (Trust Territories of thePacific Islands), New YorkUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Kirk Terry DORNBUSHembassy:Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ The Haguemailing address:PSC 71, Box 1000, the Hague; APO AE 09715telephone:[31] (70) 310-9209FAX:[31] (70) 361-4688consulate(s) general:AmsterdamFlag:three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar tothe flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer
@Netherlands, Economy
Overview:This highly developed and affluent economy is based on privateenterprise. The government makes its presence felt, however, throughmany regulations, permit requirements, and welfare programs affectingmost aspects of economic activity. The trade and financial servicessector contributes over 50% of GDP. Industrial activity provides about25% of GDP and is led by the food-processing, oil-refining, andmetalworking industries. The highly mechanized agricultural sectoremploys only 5% of the labor force, but provides large surpluses forexport and the domestic food-processing industry. Rising unemploymentand a sizable budget deficit are currently the most serious economicproblems. Many of the economic issues of the 1990s will reflect thecourse of European economic integration.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $262.8 billion (1993)National product real growth rate:-0.2% (1993)National product per capita:$17,200 (1993)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.5% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:9.1% (March 1994)Budget:revenues:$109.9 billionexpenditures:$122.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)Exports:$139 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:metal products, chemicals, processed food and tobacco, agriculturalproductspartners:EC 77% (Germany 27%, Belgium-Luxembourg 15%, UK 10%), US 4% (1991)Imports:$130.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:raw materials and semifinished products, consumer goods,transportation equipment, crude oil, food productspartners:EC 64% (Germany 26%, Belgium-Luxembourg 14%, UK 8%), US 8% (1991)External debt:$0Industrial production:growth rate -1.5% (1993 est.); accounts for 25% of GDPElectricity:capacity:22,216,000 kWproduction:63.5 billion kWhconsumption per capita:4,200 kWh (1992)Industries:agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machineryand equipment, 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, and oilsIllicit drugs:gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; Europeanproducer of illicit amphetamines and other synthetic drugsEconomic aid:donor:ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $19.4 billionCurrency:1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 centsExchange rates:Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per US$1 - 1.9508(January 1994), 1.8573 (1993), 1.7585 (1992), 1.8697 (1991), 1.8209(1990), 2.1207 (1989)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:total:104,590 kmpaved:92,525 km (including 2,185 km of expressway)unpaved:gravel, crushed stone 12,065 km (1990)Inland waterways:6,340 km, of which 35% is usable by craft of 1,000 metric ton capacityor largerPipelines: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 - 29portsMerchant marine:324 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,507,112 GRT/3,208,838 DWT,bulk 3, cargo 180, chemical tanker 21, combination bulk 3, container32, liquefied gas 12, livestock carrier 1, multifunction large-loadcarrier 4, oil tanker 27, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 20,roll-on/roll-off cargo 15, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 2note:many Dutch-owned ships are also registered on the captive NetherlandsAntilles registerAirports:total:28usable:28with permanent-surface runways:19with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:10with runways 1,220-2,439 m:7Telecommunications:highly developed, well maintained, and integrated; extensive redundantsystem of multiconductor cables, supplemented by microwave radio relaymicrowave links; 9,418,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 (3relays) AM, 12 (39 repeaters) FM, 8 (7 repeaters) TV; 5 submarinecables; 1 communication satellite earth station operating in INTELSAT(1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean antenna) and EUTELSAT systems;nationwide mobile phone system
@Netherlands, Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (including Naval AirService and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, RoyalConstabularyManpower availability:males age 15-49 4,180,745; fit for military service 3,667,212; reachmilitary age (20) annually 98,479 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $6.8 billion, 2.3% of GDP (1993)
@Netherlands Antilles
Header Affiliation: (part of the Dutch realm)
@Netherlands Antilles, Geography
Location:Caribbean, two island groups - Curacao and Bonaire in the southernCaribbean Sea are about 70 km north of Venezuela near Aruba and therest of the country is about 800 km to the northeast about one-thirdof the way between Antigua and Barbuda and Puerto RicoMap references:Central America and the CaribbeanArea:total area:960 sq kmland area:960 sq kmcomparative area:slightly less than 5.5 times the size of Washington, DCnote:includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten(Dutch part 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 sq kmEnvironment:current issues:NAnatural hazards:Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt, so rarelythreatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject tohurricanes from July to Octoberinternational agreements:party to - Whaling
@Netherlands Antilles, People
Population: 185,790 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.47% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 16.62 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.5 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -6.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.32 years male: 74.1 years female: 78.66 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.96 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Netherlands Antillean(s) adjective: Netherlands Antillean Ethnic divisions: mixed African 85%, Carib Indian, European, Latin, Oriental Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect predominates, English widely spoken, Spanish Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981) total population: 94% male: 94% female: 93% Labor force: 89,000 by 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 in1954Capital:WillemstadAdministrative divisions:none (part of the Dutch realm)Independence:none (part of the Dutch realm)National holiday:Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)Constitution:29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amendedLegal system:based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common lawinfluenceSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch: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 Miguel POURIER (since 25 February 1994)cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed with the advice and approval of theunicameral legislatureLegislative branch:unicameralStaten:elections last held on 25 February 1994 (next to be held March 1998);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23 total) PAR 8, PNP3, SPA 2, PDB 2, UPB 1, MAN 2, DP 1, WIPM 1, DP-St. E 1, DP-St. M 1,Nos Patria 1note:the government of Miguel POURIER is a coalition of several partiesJudicial branch:Joint High Court of JusticePolitical parties and leaders:political parties are indigenous to each islandBonaire:Patriotic Union of Bonaire (UPB), Rudy ELLIS; Democratic Party ofBonaire (PDB), Franklin CRESTIANCuracao:Antillean Restructuring Party (PAR), Miguel POURIER; National People'sParty (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 NelsonMONTE; 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, CarmenSIMMONDSSint Eustatius:Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius (DP-St.E), K. Van PUTTEN; WindwardIslands People's Movement (WIPM); St. Eustatius Alliance (SEA), RalphBERKELSint Maarten:Democratic Party of Sint Maarten (DP-St.M), Claude WATHEY; PatrioticMovement of Sint Maarten (SPA), Vance JAMESMember of:CARICOM (observer), ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL, IOC, UNESCO(associate), UPU, WMO, WTO (associate)Diplomatic representation in US:none (self-governing part of the Netherlands)US 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 avertical red band also centered; five white five-pointed stars arearranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the fivestars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, SintEustatius, and Sint Maarten
@Netherlands Antilles, Economy
Overview:Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays ofthe economy. The islands enjoy a high per capita income and awell-developed infrastructure as compared with other countries in theregion. Unlike many Latin American countries, the Netherlands Antilleshas avoided large international debt. Almost all consumer and capitalgoods are imported, with Venezuela and the US being the majorsuppliers.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.8 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:2% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$9,700 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:16.4% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues:$209 millionexpenditures:$232 million, including capital expenditures of $8 million (1992 est.)Exports:$240 million (f.o.b., 1993)commodities:petroleum products 98%partners:US 39%, Brazil 9%, Colombia 6%Imports:$1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1993)commodities:crude petroleum 64%, food, manufacturespartners:Venezuela 26%, US 18%, Colombia 6%, Netherlands 6%, Japan 5%External debt:$701 million (December 1987)Industrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:capacity:125,000 kWproduction:365 million kWhconsumption per capita:1,980 kWh (1992)Industries:tourism (Curacao and Sint Maarten), petroleum refining (Curacao),petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), lightmanufacturing (Curacao)Agriculture:hampered by poor soils and scarcity of water; chief products - aloes,sorghum, peanuts, fresh vegetables, tropical fruit; notself-sufficient in foodIllicit drugs:money-laundering center; transshipment point for South Americancocaine and marijuana bound for the US and EuropeEconomic aid:recipient: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:total:950 kmpaved:300 kmunpaved:gravel, earth 650 kmPorts:Willemstad, Philipsburg, KralendijkMerchant marine:113 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 966,797 GRT/1,251,871 DWT, bulk1, cargo 43, chemical tanker 7, combination ore/oil 1, container 3,liquefied gas 5, multifunction large-load carrier 18, oil tanker 1,passenger 4, refrigerated cargo 23, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7note:all but a 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 radiorelay links; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; 2 submarinecables; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations
@Netherlands Antilles, Defense Forces
Branches:Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal Netherlands Air Force,National Guard, Police ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 48,866; fit for military service 27,421; reachmilitary age (20) annually 1,595 (1994 est.)Note:defense is responsibility of the Netherlands
@New Caledonia
Header Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)
@New Caledonia, Geography
Location: Oceania, Melanesia, in the South Pacific Ocean, 1,750 km east of Australia Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 19,060 sq km land area: 18,760 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,254 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains Natural resources: nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 14% forest and woodland: 51% other: 35% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: typhoons most frequent from November to March international agreements: NA
@New Caledonia, People
Population:181,309 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:1.79% (1994 est.)Birth rate:22.39 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:4.96 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:73.62 yearsmale:70.32 yearsfemale:77.09 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:2.62 children born/woman (1994 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 andFutuna, 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-orderadministrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but thereare 3 provinces named Iles Loyaute, Nord, and SudIndependence:none (overseas territory of France; a referendum on independence willbe held in 1998)National holiday:National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)Legal system:the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands;formerly under French lawSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch: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; appointed by the French Ministryof the Interior); President of the Territorial Congress SimonLOUECKHOTE (since 26 June 1989)cabinet:Consultative CommitteeLegislative branch:unicameralTerritorial Assembly:elections last held 11 June 1989 (next to be held 1993); results -RPCR 44.5%, FLNKS 28.5%, FN 7%, CD 5%, UO 4%, other 11%; seats - (54total) RPCR 27, FLNKS 19, FN 3, other 5; note - election boycotted byFULKFrench Senate:elections last held 27 September 1992 (next to be held September2001); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPCR 1French National Assembly:elections last held 21 March 1993 (next to be held 21 and 28 March1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) RPCR 2Judicial branch:Court of AppealPolitical parties and leaders:white-dominated Rassemblement pour la Caledonie dans la Republique(RPCR), conservative, Jacques LAFLEUR - affiliated to France'sRassemblement pour la Republique (RPR); Melanesian proindependenceKanaka Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), Paul NEAOUTYINE;Melanesian moderate Kanak Socialist Liberation (LKS), NidoishNAISSELINE; National Front (FN), extreme right, Guy GEORGE; CaledonieDemain (CD), right-wing, Bernard MARANT; Union Oceanienne (UO),conservative, Michel HEMA; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak (FULK),proindependence, Clarence UREGEI; Union Caledonian (UC), FrancoisBURCKMember of:ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WFTU, WMODiplomatic representation in US:none (overseas territory of France)US 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.In recent years the economy has suffered because of depressedinternational demand for nickel, the principal source of exportearnings. Only a negligible amount of the land is suitable forcultivation, and food accounts for 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):1.4% (1990)Unemployment rate:16% (1989)Budget:revenues:$224 millionexpenditures:$211 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1985 est.)Exports:$671 million (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:nickel metal 87%, nickel orepartners:France 32%, Japan 23.5%, US 3.6%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:capacity:400,000 kWproduction:2.2 billion kWhconsumption per capita:12,790 kWh (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 incomefor some familiesEconomic aid:recipient:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $4.185 billionCurrency:1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Comptoirs Francais duPacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 107.63(January 1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00(1990), 115.99 (1989); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to theFrench francFiscal year:calendar year
@New Caledonia, Communications
Highways: total: 6,340 km paved: 634 km unpaved: 5,706 km (1987) Ports: Noumea, Nepoui, Poro, Thio Airports: total: 30 usable: 28 with permanent-surface runways: 4 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: 32,578 telephones (1987); broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 7 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@New Caledonia, Defense Forces
Branches:Gendarmerie, Police ForceNote:defense is the responsibility of France
@New Zealand, Geography
Location:Southwestern Oceania, southeast of Australia in the South PacificOceanMap references:Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:268,680 sq kmland area:268,670 sq kmcomparative 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 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit byspecies introduced from outsidenatural hazards:earthquakes are common, though usually not severeinternational agreements:party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed,but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Hazardous Wastes,Law of the Sea, Marine Life ConservationNote:about 80% of the population lives in cities
@New Zealand, People
Population: 3,388,737 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.57% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 15.52 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 8.06 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.38 years male: 72.76 years female: 80.18 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand Ethnic divisions: European 88%, Maori 8.9%, Pacific Islander 2.9%, other 0.2% Religions: Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 9% (1986) Languages: English (official), Maori Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) 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*, WairarapaSouth, Wairewa, Wairoa, Waitaki, Waitomo*, Waitotara, Wallace,Wanganui, Waverley**, Westland, Whakatane*, Whangarei, Whangaroa,WoodvilleDependent areas:Cook Islands, Niue, TokelauIndependence:26 September 1907 (from UK)National holiday:Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi establishedBritish sovereignty)Constitution:no formal, written constitution; consists of various documents,including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments;Constitution Act 1986 was to have come into force 1 January 1987, buthas not been enactedLegal system:based on English law, with special land legislation and land courtsfor Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by GovernorGeneral Dame Catherine TIZARD (since 12 December 1990)head of government:Prime Minister James BOLGER (since 29 October 1990); Deputy PrimeMinister Donald McKINNON (since 2 November 1990)cabinet:Executive Council; appointed by the governor general on recommendationof the prime ministerLegislative branch:unicameralHouse of Representatives:(commonly called Parliament) elections last held on 6 November 1993(next to be held NA November 1996); results - NP 35.2%, NZLP 34.7%,Alliance 18.3%, New Zealand First 8.3%; seats - (99 total) NP 50, NZLP45, Alliance 2, New Zealand First Party 2Judicial branch:High Court, Court of AppealPolitical parties and leaders:National Party (NP; government), James BOLGER; New Zealand Labor Party(NZLP; opposition), Helen CLARK; Alliance, Jim ANDERTON; DemocraticParty, Dick RYAN; New Zealand Liberal Party, Hanmish MACINTYRE andGilbert MYLES; Green Party, no official leader; Mana Motuhake, MartinRATA; Socialist Unity Party (SUP; pro-Soviet), Kenneth DOUGLAS; NewZealand First, Winston PETERSnote:the New Labor, Democratic, and Mana Motuhake parties formed acoalition called the Alliance Party, Jim ANDERTON, president, inSeptember 1991; the Green Party joined the coalition in May 1992Member of:ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986),APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, C, CCC, CP, COCOM (cooperating), 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, UNAVEMII, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WHO,WIPO, WMODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Lionel John WOODchancery:37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone:(202) 328-4800consulate(s) general:Los AngelesUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Josiah BEEMANembassy:29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellingtonmailing address:P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP 96531-1001telephone:[64] (4) 472-2068FAX:[64] (4) 472-3537consulate(s) general:AucklandFlag:blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant withfour red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer halfof the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation
@New Zealand, Economy
Overview:Since 1984 the government has been reorienting an agrarian economydependent on a guaranteed British market to a more industrialized,open free market economy that can compete on the global scene. Thegovernment has hoped that dynamic growth would boost real incomes,broaden and deepen the technological capabilities of the industrialsector, reduce inflationary pressures, and permit the expansion ofwelfare benefits. The results have been mixed: inflation is down fromdouble-digit levels, but growth was sluggish in 1988-91. In 1992-93,growth picked up to 3% annually, a sign that the new economic approachis beginning to pay off. Business confidence has strengthened, and theinflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world.Unemployment, down from 11% in 1991, remains unacceptably high at 9%.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $53 billion (1993)National product real growth rate:3% (1993)National product per capita:$15,700 (1993)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2% (1993)Unemployment rate:9.1% (September 1993)Budget:revenues:$NAexpenditures:$NA, including capital expenditures of $NAnote:deficit $345 million (October 1993)Exports:$10.3 billion (FY93)commodities:wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fruit, fish, cheese, manufactures,chemicals, forestry productspartners:Australia 18.9%, Japan 15.1%, US 12.5%, South Korea 4.1%Imports:$9.4 billion (FY93)commodities:petroleum, consumer goods, motor vehicles, industrial equipmentpartners:Australia 21.1%, US 19.6%, Japan 14.7%, UK 6.3%, Germany 4.2%External debt:$35.3 billion (March 1993)Industrial production:growth rate 1.9% (1990); accounts for about 20% of GDPElectricity:capacity:8,000,000 kWproduction:31 billion kWhconsumption per capita:9,250 kWh (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;livestock predominates - wool, meat, dairy products all exportearners; crops - wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables;surplus producer of farm products; fish catch reached a record 503,000metric tons in 1988Economic aid:donor:ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $526 millionCurrency:1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 centsExchange rates:New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.7771 (January 1994), 1.8495(1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989)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:total:92,648 kmpaved:49,547 kmunpaved:gravel, crushed stone 43,101 kmInland waterways:1,609 km; of little importance to transportationPipelines:petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; condensate (liquifiedpetroleum gas - LPG) 150 kmPorts:Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, TaurangaMerchant marine:18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 165,514 GRT/218,699 DWT, bulk 6,cargo 2, liquefied gas 1, oil tanker 3, railcar carrier 1,roll-on/roll-off cargo 5Airports:total:108usable:108with permanent-surface runways:39with runways over 3,659 m:1with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:39Telecommunications: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 15-49 880,576; fit for military service 741,629; reachmilitary age (20) annually 28,242 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $792 million, 2% of GDP (FY90/91)
@Nicaragua, Geography
Location:Middle America, between Costa Rica and HondurasMap references:Central America and the Caribbean, South AmericaArea:total area:129,494 sq kmland area:120,254 sq kmcomparative 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 Andresy Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; International Court of Justice(ICJ) referred the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonsecato an earlier agreement in this century and advised that sometripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragualikely would be requiredClimate:tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlandsTerrain:extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interiormountains; 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 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:deforestation; soil erosion; water pollutionnatural hazards:subject to destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, andoccasionally severe hurricanesinternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
@Nicaragua, People
Population: 4,096,689 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.68% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 34.66 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.69 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 52.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.02 years male: 61.18 years female: 66.96 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.33 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan Ethnic 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 coast Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1971) total population: 57% male: 57% female: 57% Labor force: 1.086 million by occupation: services 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 AutonomousZone (RAAN), Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas, South Atlantic CoastAutonomous Zone (RAAS)Independence:15 September 1821 (from Spain)National holiday:Independence Day, 15 September (1821)Constitution:9 January 1987Legal system:civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative actsSuffrage:16 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (since 25 April 1990); VicePresident Virgilio GODOY Reyes (since 25 April 1990); election lastheld on 25 February 1990 (next to be held November 1996); results -Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (UNO) 54.7%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN)40.8%, other 4.5%cabinet:CabinetLegislative branch:unicameralNational Assembly (Asamblea Nacional):elections last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held November1996); results - UNO 53.9%, FSLN 40.8%, PSC 1.6%, MUR 1.0%; seats -(92 total) UNO 41, FSLN 39, "Centrist" (Dissident UNO) 12Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)Political parties and leaders:ruling coalition:National Opposition Union (UNO) is a 10-party alliance - moderateparties: National Conservative Party (PNC), Silviano MATAMOROS Lacayo,president; Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Jose ErnestoSOMARRIBA, Arnold ALEMAN; Christian Democratic Union (UDC), LuisHumberto GUZMAN, Agustin JARQUIN, Azucena FERREY, Roger MIRANDA,Francisco MAYORGA; National Democratic Movement (MDN), Roberto URROZ;National Action Party (PAN), Duilio BALTODANO; UNO - hardline parties:Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Wilfredo NAVARRO,Virgilio GODOYReyes; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Guillermo POTOY, Alfredo CESARAguirre, secretary general; Conservative Popular Alliance Party(PAPC), Myriam ARGUELLO; Communist Party of Nicaragua (PCdeN), EliALTIMIRANO Perez; Neo-Liberal Party (PALI), Adolfo GARCIA Esquivelopposition parties:Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel ORTEGA; CentralAmerican Unionist Party (PUCA), Blanca ROJAS; Democratic ConservativeParty of Nicaragua (PCDN), Jose BRENES; Liberal Party of NationalUnity (PLUIN), Eduardo CORONADO; Movement of Revolutionary Unity(MUR), Francisco SAMPER; Social Christian Party (PSC), Erick RAMIREZ;Revolutionary Workers' Party (PRT), Bonifacio MIRANDA; SocialConservative Party (PSOC), Fernando AGUERRO; Popular Action Movement -Marxist-Leninist (MAP-ML), Isidro TELLEZ; Popular Social ChristianParty (PPSC), Mauricio DIAZOther political or pressure groups:National Workers Front (FNT) is a Sandinista umbrella group of eightlabor unions: Sandinista Workers' Central (CST); Farm WorkersAssociation (ATC); Health Workers Federation (FETASALUD); NationalUnion of Employees (UNE); National Association of Educators ofNicaragua (ANDEN); Union of Journalists of Nicaragua (UPN); Heroes andMartyrs Confederation of Professional Associations (CONAPRO); and theNational Union of Farmers and Ranchers (UNAG); Permanent Congress ofWorkers (CPT) is an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista laborunions: Confederation of Labor Unification (CUS); AutonomousNicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN-A); Independent General Confederationof Labor (CGT-I); and Labor Action and Unity Central (CAUS);Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN) is an independent labor union;Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) is a confederation ofbusiness groupsMember of:BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU,LAES, 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 Corteschancery:1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone:(202) 939-6570consulate(s) general:Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San FranciscoUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador John MAISTOembassy:Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur., Managuamailing address:APO AA 34021telephone:[505] (2) 666010 or 666013, 666015 through 18, 666026, 666027, 666032through 34FAX:[505] (2) 666046Flag:three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with thenational coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of armsfeatures a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA onthe top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of ElSalvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the wordsREPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the whiteband; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue starsarranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
@Nicaragua, Economy
Overview:Since March 1991, when President CHAMORRO began an ambitious economicstabilization program, Nicaragua has had considerable success inreducing inflation and obtaining substantial economic aid from abroad.Annual inflation fell from more than 750% in 1991 to less than 5% in1992. Inflation rose again to an estimated 20% in 1993, although thisincrease was due almost entirely to a large currency devaluation inJanuary. As of early 1994, the government was close to finalizing anenhanced structural adjustment facility with the IMF, after theprevious standby facility expired in early 1993. Despite thesesuccesses, achieving overall economic growth in an economy scarred bymisguided economic values and civil war during the 1980s has provedelusive. Economic growth was flat in 1992 and slightly negative in1993. Nicaragua's per capita foreign debt is one of the highest in theworld; nonetheless, as of late 1993, Nicaragua was current on itspost-1988 debt as well as on payments to the international financialinstitutions. Definition of property rights remains a problem;ownership disputes over large tracts of land, businesses, and homesconfiscated by the previous government have yet to be resolved.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.4 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:-0.5% (1993 est.)National product per capita:$1,600 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):20% (1993 est.)Unemployment rate:13%; underemployment 50% (1991)Budget:revenues:$375 million (1992)expenditures:$410 million (1992), including capital expenditures of $115 million(1991 est.)Exports:$228 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:foodstuffs, cotton, coffee, chemicalspartners:EC 26%, US 26%, Japan, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico (1992)Imports:$907 million (c.i.f., 1992)commodities:petroleum, food, chemicals, machinery, clothingpartners:US 26%, Venezuela, Costa Rica, EC, Guatemala (1992)External debt:$10.5 billion ( 1992)Industrial production:growth rate NA%; accounts for 20-25% of GDPElectricity:capacity:434,000 kWproduction:1.118 billion kWhconsumption per capita:290 kWh (1992)Industries:food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing,petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwearAgriculture:crops account for about 15% of GDP; export crops - coffee, bananas,sugarcane, cotton; food crops - rice, corn, cassava, citrus fruit,beans; also produces a variety of animal products - beef, veal, pork,poultry, dairy products; normally self-sufficient in foodIllicit drugs:transshipment point for cocaine destined for the USEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-92), $620 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),$1.381 billionCurrency:1 gold cordoba (C$) = 100 centavosExchange rates:gold cordobas (C$) per US$1 - 6 (10 January 1993), 5 (1992); note -gold cordoba replaced cordoba as Nicaragua's currency in 1991(exchange rate of old cordoba had reached per US$1 - 25,000,000 byMarch 1992)Fiscal year:calendar year
@Nicaragua, Communications
Railroads:373 km 1.067-meter narrow gauge, government owned; majority of systemnot operating; 3 km 1.435-meter gauge line at Puerto Cabezas (does notconnect with mainline)Highways:total:25,930 kmpaved:4,000 kmunpaved:gravel, crushed stone 2,170 km; graded earth 5,425 km; unimprovedearth 14,335 kmPan-American highway:368.5 km (not in total)Inland 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:208usable:149with permanent-surface runways:11with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:13Telecommunications:low-capacity radio relay and wire system being expanded; connectioninto Central American Microwave System; 60,000 telephones; broadcaststations - 45 AM, no FM, 7 TV, 3 shortwave; earth stations - 1Intersputnik and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
@Nicaragua, Defense Forces
Branches:Ground Forces, Navy, Air ForceManpower availability:males age 15-49 946,177; fit for military service 582,669; reachmilitary age (18) annually 45,555 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $43.0 million, 1.6% of GDP (1992)
@Niger, Geography
Location:Western Africa, between Algeria and NigeriaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:1.267 million sq kmland area:1,266,700 sq kmcomparative area:slightly less than twice the size of TexasLand boundaries:total 5,697 km, Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina 628 km, Chad1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 kmCoastline:0 km (landlocked)Maritime claims:none; landlockedInternational disputes:Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in northern Niger; demarcation ofinternational boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has led toborder incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratificationby Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; Burkina and Mali are proceedingwith boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with NigerClimate:desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme southTerrain:predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains insouth; 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 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlifepopulations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, and lion) threatenedbecause of poaching and habitat destructionnatural hazards:recurrent droughtsinternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, NuclearTest Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the SeaNote:landlocked
@Niger, People
Population: 8,971,605 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.36% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 54.95 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 21.32 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 111 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.61 years male: 43.01 years female: 46.26 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.35 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Nigerien(s) adjective: Nigerien Ethnic 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 expatriates Religions: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) 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:republicCapital:NiameyAdministrative divisions:7 departments (departements, singular - departement); Agadez, Diffa,Dosso, Maradi, Niamey, Tahoua, ZinderIndependence:3 August 1960 (from France)National holiday:Republic Day, 18 December (1958)Constitution:approved by national referendum 16 December 1992; promulgated January1993Legal system:based on French civil law system and customary law; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Mahamane OUSMANE (since 16 April 1993)head of government:Prime Minister Mahamadou ISSOUFOU (since 17 April 1993)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the president on recommendation of the primeministerLegislative branch:unicameralNational Assembly:elected by proportional representation for 5 year terms; electionslast held 14 February 1993 (next election NA 1998); seats - (83 total)MNSD 29, CDS 22, PNDS 13, ANDP-Z 11, UPDP 2, PPN/RDA 2, UDFP 2, PSDN1, UDPS 1Judicial branch:State Court (Cour d'Etat), Court of Appeal (Cour d'Apel)Political parties and leaders:National Movement of the Development Society (MNSD-NASSARA), KadaLABO, General Secretary; Democratic and Social Convention - Rahama(CDS- Rahama), Mahamane OUSMANE; Nigerien Party for Democracy andSocialism (PNDS), Mahamadou ISSOUFOU; Nigerien Alliance for Democracyand Progress - Zamanlahia (ANDP-Z), Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE; Unionof Patriots, Democrats, and Progressives (UPDP), Andre SALIFOU; NigerProgressive Party - African Democratic Rally (PPN-RDA), Harou KOUKA;Niger Social Democrat Party (PADN), Malam Adji WAZIRI; Union forDemocracy and Social Progress (UDPS), Akoli DAOUELMember 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 John DAVISONembassy:Rue 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 asmall orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band;similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centeredin the white band
@Niger, Economy
Overview:Niger's economy is centered on subsistence agriculture, animalhusbandry, and re-export trade, and increasingly less on uranium, itsmajor export throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Uranium revenues droppedby almost 50% between 1983 and 1990. Terms of trade with Nigeria,Niger's largest regional trade partner, have improved dramaticallysince the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994; thisdevaluation boosted exports of livestock, peas, onions, and theproducts of Niger's small cotton industry. The government relies onbilateral and multilateral aid for operating expenses and publicinvestment, and is strongly induced to adhere to structural adjustmentprograms designed by the IMF and the World Bank.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $5.4 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:1.9% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$650 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.3% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$193 millionexpenditures:$355 million, including capital expenditures of $106 million (1991est.)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, electronicequipment, cereals, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, chemicalproducts, 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:capacity:105,000 kWproduction:230 million kWhconsumption per capita:30 kWh (1991)Industries:cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses,and a few 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 indrought yearsEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $380 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),$3.165 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $504 million; Communistcountries (1970-89), $61 millionCurrency:1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05(January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26(1990), 319.01 (1989)note:the official rate is pegged to the French franc, and beginning 12January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French francfrom CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
@Niger, Communications
Highways:total:39,970 kmpaved:bituminous 3,170 kmunpaved:gravel, laterite 10,330 km; earth 3,470 km; tracks 23,000 kmInland waterways:Niger River is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on the Beninfrontier from mid-December through MarchAirports:total:30usable:28with permanent-surface runways:9with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:14Telecommunications:small system of wire, radiocommunications, and radio relay linksconcentrated in southwestern area; 14,260 telephones; broadcaststations - 15 AM, 5 FM, 18 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 3 domestic, with 1planned
@Niger, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, National Police, Republican GuardManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,845,374; fit for military service 994,683; reachmilitary age (18) annually 91,595 (1994 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 sq kmland area:910,770 sq kmcomparative area:slightly more than twice the size of CaliforniaLand boundaries:total 4,047 km, Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger1,497 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 ofwhich has led to border incidents in the past, is completed andawaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; boundarycommission, created with Cameroon to discuss unresolved land andmaritime boundaries, has not yet convened, but a commission was formedJanuary 1994 to study a flare-up of the disputeClimate: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,natural gasLand use:arable land:31%permanent crops:3%meadows and pastures:23%forest and woodland:15%other:28%Irrigated land:8,650 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:soil degradation; rapid deforestation; desertification; recentdroughts in north severely affecting marginal agricultural activitiesnatural hazards:periodic droughtsinternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, ClimateChange