Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ,G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Adamou SEYDOUchancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John S. DAVISON embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey telephone: [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64 FAX: [227] 73 31 67
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band
@Niger:Economy
Overview: Niger is one of the world's poorest countries, with GDP growth lagging behind the rapid growth of population. The economy is centered on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, and reexport trade, and increasingly less on uranium, its major export throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Uranium revenues dropped by almost 50% between 1983 and 1990 with the end of the uranium boom. Terms of trade with Nigeria, Niger's largest regional trade partner, have improved dramatically since the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994; this devaluation boosted exports of livestock, peas, onions, and the products of Niger's small cotton industry. The government relies on bilateral and multilateral aid for operating expenses and public investment and is strongly induced to adhere to structural adjustment programs designed by the IMF and the World Bank.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $4.6 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate: 1.4% (1993 est.)
National product per capita: $550 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $188 millionexpenditures: $400 million, including capital expenditures of $125million (1993 est.)
Exports: $246 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: uranium ore 67%, livestock products 20%, cowpeas, onions partners: France 77%, Nigeria 8%, Cote d'Ivoire, Italy
Imports: $286 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: consumer goods, primary materials, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals partners: France 23%, Cote d'Ivoire, Germany, Italy, Japan
External debt: $1.2 billion (December 1991 est.)
Industrial production: growth rate -2.7% (1992 est.); accounts for 15% of GDP
Electricity: capacity: 60,000 kW production: 200 million kWh consumption per capita: 42 kWh (1992)
Industries: cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses, and a few other small light industries; uranium mining began in 1971
Agriculture: accounts for roughly 40% of GDP and 90% of labor force; cash crops - cowpeas, cotton, peanuts; food crops - millet, sorghum, cassava, rice; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats; self-sufficient in food except in drought years
Economic 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;Communist countries (1970-89), $61 million
Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1- 529.43 (January 1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990)note: the official rate is pegged to the French franc, and beginning12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per Frenchfranc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
@Niger:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 39,970 km paved: bituminous 3,170 km unpaved: gravel, laterite 10,330 km; earth 3,470 km; tracks 23,000 km
Inland waterways: Niger River is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin frontier from mid-December through March
Ports: none
Airports:total: 29with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 3with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 16
@Niger:Communications
Telephone system: 14,260 telephones; small system of wire,radiocommunications, and radio relay links concentrated insouthwestern arealocal: NAintercity: wire, radiocommunications, and radio relay; 3 domesticsatellite links, with 1 plannedinternational: 2 INTELSAT (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) earthstations
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 15, FM 5, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 18televisions: NA
@Niger:Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Republican Guard,National Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,908,767; males fit formilitary service 1,029,384; males reach military age (18) annually94,506 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $32 million, 1.3% ofGDP (FY92/93)
________________________________________________________________________
@Nigeria:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, betweenBenin and Cameroon
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 923,770 sq kmland area: 910,770 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries: total 4,047 km, Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad87 km, Niger 1,497 km
Coastline: 853 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 30 nm
International disputes: demarcation of international boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; dispute with Cameroon over land and maritime boundaries in the vicinity of the Bakasi Peninsula has been referred to the International Court of Justice
Climate: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid innorth
Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus;mountains in southeast, plains in north
Natural resources: petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal,limestone, lead, zinc, natural gas
Land 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; recent droughts in north severely affecting marginalagricultural activitiesnatural hazards: periodic droughtsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
@Nigeria:People
Population: 101,232,251 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 45% (female 22,643,026; male 22,850,322)15-64 years: 52% (female 25,842,286; male 26,978,906)65 years and over: 3% (female 1,438,392; male 1,479,319) (July 1995est.)
Population growth rate: 3.16% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 43.26 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 12.01 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 72.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.98 years male: 54.69 years female: 57.3 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.31 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian
Ethnic divisions: north: Hausa and Fulani southwest: Yoruba southeast: Ibos non-Africans 27,000 note: Hausa and Fulani, Yoruba, and Ibos together make up 65% of population
Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population: 51%male: 62%female: 40%
Labor force: 42.844 million by occupation: agriculture 54%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 15%
@Nigeria:Government
Names:conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeriaconventional short form: Nigeria
Digraph: NI
Type: military government since 31 December 1983; plans to institute aconstitutional conference to prepare for a new transition to civilianrule after plans for a transition in 1993 were negated by GeneralBABANGIDA
Capital: Abujanote: on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially moved from Lagosto Abuja; many government offices remain in Lagos pending completionof facilities in Abuja
Administrative divisions: 30 states and 1 territory*; Abia, AbujaCapital Territory*, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno,Cross River, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina,Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau,Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe
Independence: 1 October 1960 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960)
Constitution: 1979 constitution still in force; plan for 1989 constitution to take effect in 1993 was not implemented
Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and tribal law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the ProvisionalRuling Council and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces and DefenseMinister Gen. Sani ABACHA (since 17 November 1993); Vice-Chairman ofthe Provisional Ruling Council Oladipo DIYA (since 17 November 1993)cabinet: Federal Executive Council
Legislative branch: bicameral National AssemblySenate: suspended after coup of 17 November 1993House of Representatives: suspended after coup of 17 November 1993
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Federal Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:note: two political party system suspended after the coup of 17November 1993
Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24,G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU,OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNIKOM, UNPROFOR, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Zubair Mahmud KAZAURE chancery: 1333 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 986-8400 consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Walter C. CARRINGTON embassy: 2 Eleke Crescent, Lagos mailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagos telephone: [234] (1) 261-0097 FAX: [234] (1) 261-0257 branch office: Abuja consulate(s) general: Kaduna
Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green
@Nigeria:Economy
Overview: The oil-rich Nigerian economy continues to be hobbled by political instability and poor macroeconomic management. Nigeria's unpopular military rulers show no sign of wanting to restore democratic civilian rule in the near future and appear divided on how to redress fundamental economic imbalances that cause troublesome inflation and the steady depreciation of the naira. The government's domestic and international arrears continue to limit economic growth - even in the oil sector - and prevent an agreement with the IMF and bilateral creditors on debt relief. The inefficient (largely subsistence) agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapid population growth, and Nigeria, once a large net exporter of food, now must import food.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $122.6 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: -0.8% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $1,250 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 53% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate: 28% (1992 est.)
Budget:revenues: $9 billionexpenditures: $10.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1992 est.)
Exports: $11.9 billion (f.o.b., 1992)commodities: oil 95%, cocoa, rubberpartners: US 54%, EC 23%
Imports: $8.3 billion (c.i.f., 1992)commodities: machinery and equipment, manufactured goods, food andanimalspartners: EC 64%, US 10%, Japan 7%
External debt: $29.5 billion (1992)
Industrial production: growth rate 7.7% (1991); accounts for 43% ofGDP, including petroleum
Electricity: capacity: 4,570,000 kW production: 11.3 billion kWh consumption per capita: 109 kWh (1993)
Industries: crude oil and mining - coal, tin, columbite; primary processing industries - palm oil, peanut, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins; manufacturing industries - textiles, cement, building materials, food products, footwear, chemical, printing, ceramics, steel
Agriculture: accounts for 35% of GDP and half of labor force; cash crops - cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, rubber; food crops - corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, yams; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; fishing and forestry resources extensively exploited
Illicit drugs: passenger and cargo air hub for West Africa; facilitates movement of heroin en route from Southeast and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and North America; increasingly a transit route for cocaine from South America intended for West European, East Asian, and North American markets
Economic aid:recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $705 million;Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments(1970-89), $3 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.2 billion
Currency: 1 naira (N) = 100 kobo
Exchange rates: naira (N) per US$1 - 21.996 (January 1995), 21.996 (1994), 22.065 (1993), 17.298 (1992), 9.909 (1991), 8.038 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Nigeria:Transportation
Railroads: total: 3,567 km narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge standard gauge: 62 km 1.435-m gauge
Highways:total: 107,990 kmpaved: mostly bituminous-surface treatment 30,019 kmunpaved: gravel, crushed stone, improved earth 25,411 km; unimprovedearth 52,560 km
Inland waterways: 8,575 km consisting of Niger and Benue Rivers andsmaller rivers and creeks
Pipelines: crude oil 2,042 km; petroleum products 3,000 km; naturalgas 500 km
Ports: Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri
Merchant marine:total: 32 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 404,064 GRT/661,850 DWTships by type: bulk 1, cargo 14, chemical tanker 3, liquefied gastanker 1, oil tanker 12, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
Airports:total: 80with paved runways over 3,047 m: 6with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 7with paved runways under 914 m: 25with unpaved runways 1,524 to 2,438 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 21
@Nigeria:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones; above-average system limited by poormaintenance; major expansion in progresslocal: NAintercity: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and 20 domesticsatellite earth stations carry intercity trafficinternational: 3 INTELSAT earth stations (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1Indian Ocean) and 1 coaxial submarine cable carry internationaltraffic
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 35, FM 17, shortwave 0radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 28televisions: NA
@Nigeria:Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Police Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49 23,167,009; males fit for military service 13,246,223; males reach military age (18) annually 1,024,059 (1995 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $172 million, about 1% of GDP (1992)
________________________________________________________________________
(free association with New Zealand)
@Niue:Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 260 sq kmland area: 260 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington,DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 64 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds
Terrain: steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau
Natural resources: fish, arable land
Land use: arable land: 61% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 19% other: 12%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: traditional methods of burning brush and trees toclear land for agriculture have threatened soil supplies whichnaturally are not very abundantnatural hazards: typhoonsinternational agreements: signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Note: one of world's largest coral islands
@Niue:People
Population: 1,837 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -3.66% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: NA
Death rate: NA
Net migration rate: NA
Infant mortality rate: NA
Life expectancy at birth: NA
Total fertility rate: NA
Nationality: noun: Niuean(s) adjective: Niuean
Ethnic divisions: Polynesian (with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, andTongans)
Religions: Ekalesia Nieue (Niuean Church) 75% - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society, Morman 10%, other 15% (mostly Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist)
Languages: Polynesian closely related to Tongan and Samoan, English
Labor force: 1,000 (1981 est.) by occupation: most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board
@Niue:Government
Names:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Niue
Digraph: NE
Type: self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs
Capital: Alofi
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: 19 October 1974 (became a self-governing territory infree association with New Zealand on 19 October 1974)
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangiestablished British sovereignty)
Constitution: 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)
Legal system: English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by New Zealand Representative Kurt MEYER (since NA)head of government: Premier Frank F. LUI (since 12 March 1993; ActingPremier since December 1992)cabinet: Cabinet; consists of the premier and three other ministers
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly: elections last held 6 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (20 total, 6 elected)
Judicial branch: Appeal Court of New Zealand, High Court
Political parties and leaders: Niue Peoples Party (NPP), Young VIVIAN
Member of: ESCAP (associate), INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), SPARTECA,SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing territory infree association with New Zealand)
US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing territory in freeassociation with New Zealand)
Flag: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large one on a blue disk in the 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. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, with the shortfall made up by grants from New Zealand - the grants are used to pay wages to public employees. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of migration of Niueans to New Zealand.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $2.4 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate: NA%
National product per capita: $1,200 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1992)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $5.5 millionexpenditures: $6.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1985 est.)
Exports: $117,500 (f.o.b., 1989)commodities: canned coconut cream, copra, honey, passion fruitproducts, pawpaw, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicraftspartners: NZ 89%, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia
Imports: $4.1 million (c.i.f., 1989)commodities: food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels,lubricants, chemicals, drugspartners: NZ 59%, Fiji 20%, Japan 13%, Western Samoa, Australia, US
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: capacity: 1,500 kW production: 2.7 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,490 kWh (1992)
Industries: tourism, handicrafts, food processing
Agriculture: coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes; subsistence crops- taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beefcattle
Economic aid:recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateralcommitments (1970-89), $62 million
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5601 (January 1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Niue:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 229 km unpaved: all-weather 123 km; plantation access 106 km
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
@Niue:Communications
Telephone system: 383 telephoneslocal: NAintercity: single-line telephone system connects all villages onislandinternational: NA
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 1,000, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1987 est.)radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 0televisions: NA
@Niue:Defense Forces
Branches: Police Force
Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
________________________________________________________________________
(territory of Australia)
@Norfolk Island:Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east ofAustralia
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 34.6 sq kmland area: 34.6 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 32 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 25% forest and woodland: 0% other: 75%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: typhoons (especially May to July)international agreements: NA
@Norfolk Island:People
Population: 2,756 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.69% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: NA
Death rate: NA
Net migration rate: NA
Infant mortality rate: NA
Life expectancy at birth: NA
Total fertility rate: NA
Nationality: noun: Norfolk Islander(s) adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)
Ethnic divisions: descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, NewZealander
Religions: Anglican 39%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church inAustralia 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 centuryEnglish and ancient Tahitian
Labor force: NA
@Norfolk Island:Government
Names:conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Islandconventional short form: Norfolk Island
Digraph: NF
Type: territory of Australia
Capital: Kingston (administrative center); Burnt Pine (commercial center)
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856)
Constitution: Norfolk Island Act of 1979
Legal system: wide legislative and executive responsibility under theNorfolk Island Act of 1979; Supreme Court
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Administrator Alan Gardner KERR (since NA April 1992),who is appointed by the Governor General of Australiahead of government: Assembly President David Ernest BUFFETT (since NAMay 1992)cabinet: Executive Council
Legislative branch: unicameralLegislative Assembly: elections last held 20 May 1992 (next to be heldNA May 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total)independents 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: NA
Member of: none
Diplomatic 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 large green 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 of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The number of visitors has increased steadily over the years and reached 29,000 in FY88/89. Revenues from tourism have given the island a favorable balance of trade and helped the agricultural sector to become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.
National product: GDP $NA
National product real growth rate: NA%
National product per capita: $NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $NAexpenditures: $4.2 million, including capital expenditures of $400,000(1989 est.)
Exports: $1.7 million (f.o.b., FY85/86)commodities: postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine andKentia palm, small quantities of avocadospartners: Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe
Imports: $15.6 million (c.i.f., FY85/86) commodities: NA partners: Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: capacity: 7,000 kW production: 8 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,160 kWh (1990)
Industries: tourism
Agriculture: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit, cattle, poultry
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3058 (January 1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Norfolk Island:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways: total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: earth, coral 27 km
Ports: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
@Norfolk Island:Communications
Telephone system: 987 telephones (1983)local: NAintercity: NAinternational: radio link service with Sydney
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0radios: 1,000 (1987 est.)
Television:broadcast stations: 0televisions: NA
@Norfolk Island:Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
________________________________________________________________________
(commonwealth in political union with the US)
@Northern Mariana Islands:Geography
Location: Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 477 sq kmland area: 477 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington,DCnote: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,482 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October
Terrain: southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic; highest elevation is 471 m (Mt. Okso' Takpochao on Saipan)
Natural resources: arable land, fish
Land use:arable land: 5% on Saipanpermanent crops: NA%meadows and pastures: 19%forest and woodland: NA%other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan by raw sewagecontributes to diseasenatural hazards: active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons(especially August to November)international agreements: NA
Note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean
@Northern Mariana Islands:People
Population: 51,033 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 3.04% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 33.05 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 4.61 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 37.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.43 years male: 65.53 years female: 69.48 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.69 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA
Ethnic divisions: Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians,Caucasian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean
Religions: Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditionalbeliefs and taboos may still be found)
Languages: English, Chamorro, Caroliniannote: 86% of population speaks a language other than English at home
Literacy: age 15 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 Islands
Digraph: CQ
Type: commonwealth in political union with the US; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Territorial and International Affairs
Capital: Saipan
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986 and theConstitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Legal system: based on US system except for customs, wages,immigration laws, and taxation
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are UScitizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)head of government: Governor Froilan C. TENORIO (since January 1994);Lieutenant Governor Jesus C. BORJA (since January 1994); election lastheld in NA November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1997); results -Froilan C. TENORIO (Democrat) was elected governor with 56% of thevote
Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature Senate: elections last held NA November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) Republicans retained a majority of the seats House of Representatives: elections last held NA November 1993 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total) Republicans retained a majority of the seats US House of Representatives: the Commonwealth does not have a nonvoting delegate in Congress; instead, it has an elected official "resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats - (1 total) Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican)
Judicial branch: Commonwealth Supreme Court, Superior Court, FederalDistrict Court
Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Benigno R. FITIAL,Leader; Democratic Party, Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO, Chairman
Member of: ESCAP (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), SPC
Flag: blue with a white five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte 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 revenues have grown. An agreement for the years 1986 to 1992 entitled the islands to $228 million for capital development, government operations, and special programs. A rapidly growing major source of income is the tourist industry, which now employs about 50% of the work force. Japanese tourists predominate. The agricultural sector is of minor importance and is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Industry is small scale, mostly handicrafts, light manufacturing, and garment production.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $524 million (1994est.)note: GDP numbers reflect US spending
National product real growth rate: NA%
National product per capita: $10,500 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $190.4 millionexpenditures: $190.4 million, including capital expenditures of $19.1million (FY94/95)
Exports: $263.4 million (f.o.b. 1991 est.)commodities: garmentspartners: NA
Imports: $392.4 million (c.i.f. 1991 est.)commodities: food, construction equipment and materials, petroleumproductspartners: US, Japan
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate NA%
Electricity: capacity: 105,000 kW production: NA kWh consumption per capita: NA kWh
Industries: tourism, construction, light industry, handicrafts
Agriculture: coconuts, fruits, cattle, vegetables; food is a major import
Economic aid: none
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
@Northern Mariana Islands:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways:total: 381.5 kmpaved: NAunpaved: NAundifferentiated: primary 134.5 km; secondary 55 km; local 192 km(1991)
Inland waterways: none
Ports: Saipan, Tinian
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 8with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3with paved runways under 914 m: 3with unpaved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
@Northern Mariana Islands:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones local: NA intercity: NA international: 2 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) earth stations
Radio:broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1984)radios: NA
Television:broadcast stations: 1; note - there are 2 cable TV stationstelevisions: NA
@Northern Mariana Islands:Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US
________________________________________________________________________
@Norway:Geography
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the NorthAtlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 324,220 sq kmland area: 307,860 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries: total 2,515 km, Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km,Russia 167 km
Coastline: 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 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 4 nm
International disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen MaudLand); maritime boundary dispute with Russia over portion of BarentsSea
Climate: temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current;colder interior; rainy year-round on west coast
Terrain: glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north
Natural resources: petroleum, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 27% other: 70%
Irrigated land: 950 sq km (1989)
Environment:current issues: water pollution; acid rain damaging forests andadversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution fromvehicle emissionsnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping,Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, TropicalTimber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - AirPollution-Sulphur 94, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Tropical Timber94
Note: about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in world; Norway and Turkey only NATO members having a land boundary with Russia
@Norway:People
Population: 4,330,951 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19% (female 390,344; male 444,570)15-64 years: 65% (female 1,375,493; male 1,424,027)65 years and over: 16% (female 408,675; male 287,842) (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.37% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 12.86 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 10.35 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.61 years male: 74.26 years female: 81.15 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality: noun: Norwegian(s) adjective: Norwegian
Ethnic divisions: Germanic (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic), Lapps (Sami)20,000
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 87.8% (state church), other Protestantand Roman Catholic 3.8%, none 3.2%, unknown 5.2% (1980)
Languages: Norwegian (official)note: small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.)total population: 99%
Labor force: 2.13 million by occupation: services 71%, industry 23%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 6% (1992)
@Norway:Government
Names:conventional long form: Kingdom of Norwayconventional short form: Norwaylocal long form: Kongeriket Norgelocal short form: Norge
Digraph: NO
Type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Oslo
Administrative divisions: 19 provinces (fylker, singular - fylke);Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More ogRomsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland,Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold
Dependent areas: Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
Independence: 26 October 1905 (from Sweden)
National holiday: Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
Constitution: 17 May 1814, modified in 1884
Legal system: mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir ApparentCrown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS (born 20 July 1973)head of government: Prime Minister Gro Harlem BRUNDTLAND (since 3November 1990)cabinet: State Council; appointed by the king in accordance with thewill of the Storting
Legislative branch: modified unicameral Parliament (Storting) which, for certain purposes, divides itself into two chambers Storting: elections last held 13 September 1993 (next to be held September 1997); results - Labor 37.1%, Center Party 18.5%, Conservatives 15.6%, Christian People's 8.4%, Socialist Left 7.9%, Progress 6%, Left Party 3.6%, Red Electoral Alliance 1.2%; seats - (165 total) Labor 67, Center Party 32, Consevatives 18, Christian People's 13, Socialist Left 13, Progress 10, Left Party 1, Red Electoral Alliance 1, unawarded 10 note: for certain purposes, the Storting divides itself into two chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper house or Lagting
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Hoyesterett)
Political parties and leaders: Labor Party, Thorbjorn JAGLUND;Conservative Party, Jan PETERSEN; Center Party, Anne ENGER LAHNSTEIN;Christian People's Party, Kjell Magne BONDEVIK; Socialist Left,Kjellbjorg LUNDE; Norwegian Communist, Kare Andre NILSEN; ProgressParty, Carl I. HAGEN; Liberal, Odd Einar DORUM; Left Party; RedElectoral Alliance, Erling FOLKVORD
Member of: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN,EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA,NIB, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMOGIP, UNOMOZ, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU,WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Kjeld VIBEchancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, andSan Franciscoconsulate(s): Miami
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas A. LOFTUS embassy: Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: [47] 22 44 85 50 FAX: [47] 22 44 33 63
Flag: red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
@Norway:Economy
Overview: Norway has a mixed economy involving a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector (through large-scale state enterprises) and extensively subsidizes agriculture, fishing, and areas with sparse resources. Norway also maintains an extensive welfare system that helps propel public sector expenditures to slightly more than 50% of the GDP and results in one of the highest average tax burdens in the world (54%). A small country with a high dependence on international trade, Norway is basically an exporter of raw materials and semiprocessed goods, with an abundance of small- and medium-sized firms, and is ranked among the major shipping nations. The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on its oil sector to keep its economy afloat. Norway imports more than half its food needs. Although one of the government's main priorities is to reduce this dependency, this situation is not likely to improve for years to come. The government also hopes to reduce unemployment and strengthen and diversify the economy through tax reform and a series of expansionary budgets. The budget deficit is expected to hit a record 8% of GDP because of welfare spending and bail-outs of the banking system. Unemployment is currently running at 8.4% - including those in job programs - because of the weakness of the economy outside the oil sector. Economic growth, only 1.6% in 1993, moved up to 5.5% in 1994. Oslo opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $95.7 billion (1994 est.)
National product real growth rate: 5.5% (1994 est.)
National product per capita: $22,170 (1994 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8.4% (including people in job-training programs;1994 est.)
Budget:revenues: $50.9 billionexpenditures: $55.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1994 est.)
Exports: $36.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994)commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 40%, metals and products10.6%, fish and fish products 6.9%, chemicals 6.4%, natural gas 6.0%,ships 5.4%partners: EC 66.3%, Nordic countries 16.3%, developing countries 8.4%,US 6.0%, Japan 1.8% (1993)
Imports: $29.3 billion (c.i.f., 1994)commodities: machinery and equipment 38.9%, chemicals and otherindustrial inputs 26.6%, manufactured consumer goods 17.8%, foodstuffs6.4%partners: EC 48.6%, Nordic countries 25.1%, developing countries 9.6%,US 8.1%, Japan 8.0% (1993)
External debt: $NA
Industrial production: growth rate 4.6% (1994); accounts for 14% ofGDP
Electricity: capacity: 27,280,000 kW production: 118 billion kWh consumption per capita: 23,735 kWh (1993)
Industries: petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing
Agriculture: accounts for 3% of GDP and about 6% of labor force; among world's top 10 fishing nations; livestock output exceeds value of crops; fish catch of 1.76 million metric tons in 1989
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for drugs shipped via the CIS andBaltic states for the European market
Economic aid:donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $4.4 billion
Currency: 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.7014 (January 1995), 7.0469 (1994), 7.0941 (1993), 6.2145 (1992), 6.4829 (1991), 6.2597 (1990)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Norway:Transportation
Railroads:total: 4,026 kmstandard gauge: 4,026 km 1.435-m gauge (2,422 km electrified; 96 kmdouble track) (1994)
Highways:total: 88,922 kmpaved: 61,356 km (75 km of expressway)unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, earth 27,566 km (1990)
Inland waterways: 1,577 km along west coast; 2.4 m draft vesselsmaximum
Pipelines: refined products 53 km
Ports: Bergen, Drammen, Flora, Hammerfest, Harstad, Haugesund,Kristiansand, Larvik, Narvik, Oslo, Porsgrunn, Stavanger, Tromso,Trondheim
Merchant marine:total: 764 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 20,793,968GRT/35,409,472 DWTships by type: bulk 159, cargo 92, chemical tanker 85, combinationbulk 8, combination ore/oil 28, container 17, liquefied gas tanker 81,oil tanker 162, passenger 13, passenger-cargo 2, railcar carrier 1,refrigerated cargo 13, roll-on/roll-off cargo 54, short-sea passenger21, vehicle carrier 28note: the government has created a captive register, the NorwegianInternational Ship Register (NIS), as a subset of the Norwegianregister; ships on the NIS enjoy many benefits of flags of convenienceand do not have to be crewed by Norwegians
Airports:total: 104with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 10with paved runways under 914 m: 62with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 6
@Norway:Communications
Telephone system: 3,102,000 telephones; high-quality domestic andinternational telephone, telegraph, and telex serviceslocal: NAintercity: domestic earth stationsinternational: 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 4 coaxial submarinecables; EUTELSAT, INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean), and MARISAT earthstations