Religions: Christian 80% to 90%, Lutheran 50% at least, otherChristian denominations 30%, native religions 10% to 20%
Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language ofmost of the population and about 60% of the white population, German32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1960 est.)total population: 38%male: 45%female: 31%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional short form: Namibia
Data code: WA
Type of government: republic
Capital: Windhoek
Administrative divisions: 13 regions; Erongo, Hardap, Karas,Khomas, Kunene, Caprivi (Liambezi), Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke,Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Sam NUJOMA (since21 March 1990) was elected for a five-year term by universalsuffrage; election last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NADecember 1999); results - Sam NUJOMA elected president; percent ofvote NAcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from the members ofNational Assembly
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature National Council: elections last held 30 November-3 December 1992 (next to be held by December 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (26 total) SWAPO 19, DTA 6, UDF 1 National Assembly: elections last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) SWAPO 53, DTA 15, UDF 2, MAG 1, DCN 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: South West Africa People'sOrganization (SWAPO), Sam NUJOMA; SWAPO for Justice, ZachariaNJOMBA; DTA of Namibia (formerly Democratic Turnhalle Alliance)(DTA), Mishake MUYONGO; United Democratic Front (UDF), JustusGAROEB; Federal Convention of Namibia (FCN), Keiphas CONRADIE;Monitor Action Group (MAG), Kosie PRETORIUS; Workers RevolutionaryParty (WRP); Southwest African National Union (SWANU), Hitjevi VEII;Democratic Coalition of Namibia (DCN), Moses K. KATJIUONGUA;National Patriotic Front (NPF), Moses K. KATJIUONGUA
Other political or pressure groups: NA
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC,UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tuliameni KALOMOH chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Marshall F. McCALLIE embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., Windhoek mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek telephone: [264] (61) 221601 FAX: [264] (61) 229792
Flag: a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section, and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for almost 25% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. More than half the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its food.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.8 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.6% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $3,600 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11% (1994)
Labor force: 500,000by occupation: agriculture 60%, industry and commerce 19%, services8%, government 7%, mining 6% (1981 est.)
Unemployment rate: 35% in urban areas (1993 est.)
Budget:revenues: $941 millionexpenditures: $1.05 billion, including capital expenditures of $157million (FY93/94)
Industries: meat packing, fish processing, dairy products; mining(diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1994)
Electricity: capacity: 406,000 kW production: 1.29 billion kWh consumption per capita: 658 kWh (1991)
Agriculture: millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish catch potential of over 1 million metric tons not being fulfilled
Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993)commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium, cattle,processed fish, karakul skinspartners: Switzerland, South Africa, Germany, UK
Imports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1993)commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery andequipmentpartners: South Africa, Germany, US, Japan
External debt: about $385 million (1994 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 South African rand (R) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: South African rand (R) per US$1 - 3.6417 (January 1996), 3.6266 (1995), 3.5490 (1994), 3.2636 (1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7653 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 2,382 km (1995) narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge; single track
Highways: total: 54,186 km paved: 4,056 km unpaved: 50,130 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Luderitz, Walvis Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 108with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 14with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3with paved runways under 914 m: 10with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 17with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 58 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 89,722 (1992 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radiorelay links major towns; connections to other populated places areby open wireinternational: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 40, shortwave 0
Radios: 195,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: 27,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: National Defense Force (Army), Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 377,687 males fit for military service: 224,682 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $64 million, 2.1% of GDP (FY95/96)
======================================================================
@Nauru ——-
Map —-
Location: 0 32 S, 166 55 E — Oceania, island in the South PacificOcean, south of the Marshall Islands
Flag ——
Description: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of theMarshall Islands
Geographic coordinates: 0 32 S, 166 55 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 21 sq kmland area: 21 sq kmcomparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 30 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February)
Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m
Natural resources: phosphates
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 0%other: 100%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, roof storagetanks collect rainwater; phosphate mining threatens limitedremaining land resourcesnatural hazards: periodic droughtsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Marine Dumping; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Geographic note: Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator
People ———
Population: 10,273 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.33% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 18.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: NA male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: NA male(s)/female15-64 years: NA male(s)/female65 years and over: NA male(s)/femaleall ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 40.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.68 years male: 64.3 years female: 69.18 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.08 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Nauruan(s) adjective: Nauruan
Ethnic divisions: Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese8%, European 8%
Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third RomanCatholic)
Languages: Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island language),English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government andcommercial purposes
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Nauru conventional short form: Nauru former: Pleasant Island
Data code: NR
Type of government: republic
Capital: no official capital; government offices in Yaren District
Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan,Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok,Uaboe, Yaren
Independence: 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, New Zealand-,and UK-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
Constitution: 29 January 1968
Legal system: acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Lagumot HARRIS(since 22 November 1995) was elected by Parliament; election lastheld 18 November 1995 (next to be held NA November 1998)cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president from among membersof Parliament
Legislative branch: unicameralParliament: election last held 18 November 1995 (next to be held NANovember 1998); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (18 total)independents 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: none
International organization participation: AsDB, C (special),ESCAP, ICAO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, ITU, Sparteca,SPC, SPF, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US: Nauru does not have an embassy inthe US
US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy inNauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru
Flag: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Revenues come from the export of phosphates, the reserves of which are expected to be exhausted by the year 2000. Phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World. Few other resources exist, so most necessities must be imported, including fresh water from Australia. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. Substantial amounts of phosphate income are invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition. However, dividends from the trusts have declined sharply since 1990 and the government has been borrowing from the trusts to finance fiscal deficits.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $100 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $10,000 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -3.6% (1993)
Labor force: by occupation: NA
Unemployment rate: 0%
Budget:revenues: $23.8 millionexpenditures: $69.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY92/93)
Industries: phosphate mining, financial services, coconut products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 14,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,036 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coconuts predominate
Exports: $25.3 million (f.o.b., 1991)commodities: phosphatespartners: Australia, NZ
Imports: $21.1 million (c.i.f., 1991)commodities: food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinerypartners: Australia, UK, NZ, Japan
External debt: $33.3 million
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.3477 (January 1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2834 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 3.9 km; note - used to haul phosphates from the center of theisland to processing facilities on the southwest coast
Highways: total: 27 km paved: 21 km unpaved: 6 km (1986 est.)
Ports: Nauru
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 2,000 (1989 est.)
Telephone system: adequate local and international radiotelephonecommunications provided via Australian facilitiesdomestic: NAinternational: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 4,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (1986 est.)
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Branches: no regular armed forces; Directorate of the Nauru PoliceForce
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Navassa Island ———————
(territory of the US)
Map —-
Location: 18 25 N, 75 02 W — Caribbean, island in the CaribbeanSea, about one-fourth of the way from Haiti to Jamaica
Flag ——
Description: the flag of the US is used
Geography ————-
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, about one-fourthof the way from Haiti to Jamaica
Geographic coordinates: 18 25 N, 75 02 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 5.2 sq kmland area: 5.2 sq kmcomparative area: about nine times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 8 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claimed by Haiti
Climate: marine, tropical
Terrain: raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 meters high) lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m
Natural resources: guano
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 10%forest and woodland: 0%other: 90%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: strategic location 160 km south of the US NavalBase at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock, but enoughgrassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees,scattered cactus
People ———
Population: uninhabited; note - transient Haitian fishermen andothers camp on the island
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Navassa Island
Data code: BQ
Type of government: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Coast Guard
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag: the flag of the US is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: no economic activity
Transportation ———————
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US
======================================================================
@Nepal ——-
Map —-
Location: 28 00 N, 84 00 E — Southern Asia, between China andIndia
Flag ——
Description: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 84 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area:total area: 140,800 sq kmland area: 136,800 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Arkansas
Land boundaries: total: 2,926 km border countries: China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: none
Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
Terrain: Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north lowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m
Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydropower potential,scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore
Land use:arable land: 17%permanent crops: 0%meadows and pastures: 13%forest and woodland: 33%other: 37%
Irrigated land: 9,430 sq km (1989)
Environment:current issues: the almost total dependence on wood for fuel andcutting down trees to expand agricultural land without replantinghas resulted in widespread deforestation; soil erosion; waterpollution (use of contaminated water presents human health risks)natural hazards: severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides,drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and durationof the summer monsoonsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine LifeConservation
Geographic note: landlocked; strategic location between China andIndia; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks
People ———
Population: 22,094,033 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 42% (male 4,776,245; female 4,563,000)15-64 years: 55% (male 6,172,821; female 5,945,626)65 years and over: 3% (male 320,350; female 315,991) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.45% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 37 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.04 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 79 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.63 years male: 53.35 years female: 53.93 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Nepalese (singular and plural)adjective: Nepalese
Ethnic divisions: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars,Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas
Religions: Hindu 90%, Buddhist 5%, Muslim 3%, other 2% (1981) note: only official Hindu state in world, although no sharp distinction between many Hindu and Buddhist groups
Languages: Nepali (official), 20 other languages divided intonumerous dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 27.5%male: 40.9%female: 14%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: Kingdom of Nepal conventional short form: Nepal
Data code: NP
Type of government: parliamentary democracy as of 12 May 1991
Capital: Kathmandu
Administrative divisions: 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural);Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi,Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti
Independence: 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah)
National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 28 December (1945)
Constitution: 9 November 1990
Legal system: based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev (succeeded to thethrone 31 January 1972 following the death of his father KingMAHENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev, crowned king 24 February 1975) is aconstitutional monarch; Heir Apparent Crown Prince DIPENDRA BirBikramhead of government: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur DEUBA (since 12September 1995); note - in 1994, the king appointed Man MohanADHIKARI to be prime minister using the standard criterion - he wasthe leader of the majority party in the House of Representativesfollowing the last election; however, in September 1995, aparliamentary coalition of the Nepali Congress Party, the RastriyaPrajantra Party, the Nepal Sadbhavana Party, and independents votedagainst Prime Minister ADHIKARI; Sher Bahadur DEUBA, the leader ofthe Nepali Congress Party, then formed the new government and wasappointed the new prime minister by the kingcabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the king on recommendation of theprime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral ParliamentNational Council: consists of 60 members (50 appointed by House ofRepresentatives and 10 by the king)House of Representatives: elections last held 15 November 1994 (nextto be held NA); results - NCP 33%, CPN/UML 31%, NDP 18%, TeraiRights Sadbhavana Party 3%, NWPP 1%; seats - (205 total) CPN/UML 88,NCP 83, NDP 20, NWPP 4, Terai Rights Sadbhavana Party 3,independents 7
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sarbochha Adalat), chief justiceis appointed by the king on recommendation of the ConstitutionalCouncil, the other judges are appointed by the king on therecommendation of the Judicial Council
Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of Nepal/UnitedMarxist and Leninist (CPN/UML), Man Mohan ADHIKARI, president;Nepali Congress Party (NCP), Krishna Prasad BHATTARAI (president),Girija Prasad KOIRALA, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur DEUBA; NationalDemocratic Party (NDP), leader NA; Terai Rights Sadbhavana(Goodwill) Party, Gajendra Narayan SINGH; Nepal Workers and PeasantsParty (NWPP), leader NA; Nepal Sadbhavana Party, leader NA; RastriyaPrajantra Party, leader NA
Other political or pressure groups: numerous small, left-leaningstudent groups in the capital; several small, radical Nepaleseantimonarchist groups
International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN,UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIH, UNPROFOR, UPU, WFTU,WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Basudev Prasad DHUNGANAchancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550consulate(s) general: New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Sandra L. VOGELGESANG embassy: Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [977] (1) 411179 FAX: [977] (1) 419963
Flag: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over 80% of the population and accounting for about one-half of GDP. Industrial activity is limited, mainly involving the processing of agricultural produce (jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain). Production of textiles and carpets has expanded recently and accounted for 85% of foreign exchange earnings in FY93/94. Apart from agricultural land and forests, exploitable natural resources are mica, hydropower, and tourism. Agricultural production in the late 1980s grew by about 5%, as compared with annual population growth of 2.6%. More than 40% of the population is undernourished. Since May 1991, the government has been moving forward with economic reforms particularly those that encourage trade and foreign investment, e.g., by eliminating business licenses and registration requirements in order to simplify investment procedures. The government has also been cutting public expenditures by reducing subsidies, privatizing state industries, and laying off civil servants. (In 1995 little progress was made in these areas because the communist government had trouble formulating and implementing policies.) The new coalition government is planning to pick up the pace of reforms in 1996, focusing primarily on raising revenues to develop the rural sector by increasing taxation and privatization. Prospects for foreign trade and investment, particularly in areas other than power development and tourism, will continue to remain poor because of the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its remoteness, and its susceptibility to natural disaster. The international community provides funding for 62% of Nepal's developmental budget and for 34% of total budgetary expenditures.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $25.2 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 49.3% industry: 18.4% services: 32.3% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.7% (FY94/95)
Labor force: 8.5 million (1991 est.) by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry 2% note: severe lack of skilled labor
Unemployment rate: NA%; substantial underemployment (1995)
Budget:revenues: $645 millionexpenditures: $1.05 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY94/95 est.)
Industries: tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, andoilseed mills; cigarette; cement and brick production
Industrial production growth rate: 14.7% (FY94/95 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 280,000 kW production: 920 million kWh consumption per capita: 41 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for heroin from Southeast Asia to the West
Exports: $430 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) but does not include unrecorded border trade with India commodities: carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain partners: India, US, Germany, UK
Imports: $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: petroleum products 20%, fertilizer 11%, machinery 10% partners: India, Singapore, Japan, Germany
External debt: $2.3 billion (FY94/95 est.)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $310 million (1993)note: western and Japanese bilateral aid $215 million; multilateralaid $43 million (1994-95)
Currency: 1 Nepalese rupee (NR) = 100 paisa
Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NRs) per US$1 - 56.636 (January 1996), 51.890 (1995), 49.398 (1994), 48.607 (1993), 42.718 (1992), 37.255 (1991)
Fiscal year: 16 July - 15 July
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 101 km; note - all in Terai close to Indian bordernarrow gauge: 101 km 0.762-m gauge
Highways: total: 9,933 km paved: 3,421 km unpaved: 6,512 km (1995 est.)
Ports: none
Airports:total: 43with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 27with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 10 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 82,774 (1995 est.)
Telephone system: poor telephone and telegraph service; fairradiotelephone communication servicedomestic: NAinternational: radiotelephone communications; satellite earthstation - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 88, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 690,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1988 est.)
Televisions: 45,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Royal Nepalese Army, Royal Nepalese Army Air Service,Nepalese Police Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 5,329,345 males fit for military service: 2,768,887 males reach military age (17) annually: 254,590 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $36 million, 1.2% of GDP (FY92/93)
======================================================================
@Netherlands —————-
Map —-
Location: 52 30 N, 5 45 E — Western Europe, bordering the NorthSea, between Belgium and Germany
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer
Geography ————-
Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgiumand Germany
Geographic coordinates: 52 30 N, 5 45 E
Map references: Europe
Area:total area: 37,330 sq kmland area: 33,920 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 1,027 km border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km
Coastline: 451 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); somehills in southeastlowest point: Prins Alexanderpolder -7 mhighest point: Vaalserberg 321 m
Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, fertile soil
Land 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, organiccompounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; airpollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rainnatural hazards: the extensive system of dikes and dams, protectsnearly one-half of the total area from being floodedinternational 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, MarineDumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling;signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity,Desertification, Law of the Sea, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: located at mouths of three major European rivers(Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)
People ———
Population: 15,568,034 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 18% (male 1,457,694; female 1,393,402)15-64 years: 68% (male 5,412,402; female 5,228,579)65 years and over: 14% (male 836,934; female 1,239,023) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 0.56% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.08 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 8.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.73 years male: 74.91 years female: 80.68 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.51 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)adjective: Dutch
Ethnic divisions: Dutch 96%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 4% (1988)
Religions: Roman Catholic 34%, Protestant 25%, Muslim 3%, other 2%, unaffiliated 36% (1991)
Languages: Dutch
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)total population: 99%male: NA%female: NA%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlandsconventional short form: Netherlandslocal long form: Koninkrijk de Nederlandenlocal short form: Nederland
Data code: NL
Type of government: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government
Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (provincien, singular -provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen,Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland,Zuid-Holland
Dependent areas: Aruba, Netherlands Antilles
Independence: 1579 (from Spain)
National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)
Constitution: 17 February 1983
Legal system: civil law system incorporating French penal theory; judicial review in the Supreme Court of legislation of lower order rather than Acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April1980) is a constitutional monarch; Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER(born 27 April 1967), Prince of Orange, son of Queen BEATRIXhead of government: Prime Minister Willem (Wim) KOK (since 22 August1994) and Vice Prime Ministers Hans DIJKSTAL (since 22 August 1994)and Hans VAN MIERLO (since 22 August 1994) were appointed by thequeencabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature (Staten Generaal)First Chamber (Eerste Kamer): members indirectly elected by thecountry's 12 provincial councils for four-year terms; election lastheld 9 June 1995 (next to be held 9 June 1999); results - percent ofvote by party NA; seats - (75 total) number of seats by party NASecond Chamber (Tweede Kamer): members directly elected forfour-year terms; elections last held 3 May 1994 (next to be held in1998); results - PvdA 24.3%, CDA 22.3%, VVD 20.4%, D'66 16.5%, other16.5%; seats - (150 total) PvdA 37, CDA 34, VVD 31, D'66 24, other 24
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (De Hoge Raad), justices arenominated for life by the crown from a list compiled by the SecondChamber of the Staten Generaal
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA),Hans HELGERS; Labor (PvdA), Felix ROTTENBERG; Liberal (VVD), FritsBOLKESTEIN; Democrats '66 (D66), Hans VAN MIERLO; a host of minorparties
Other political or pressure groups: large multinational firms;Federation of Netherlands Trade Union Movement (comprising Socialistand Catholic trade unions) and a Protestant trade union; Federationof Catholic and Protestant Employers Associations; thenondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises; andInterchurch Peace Council (IKV)
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE,ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G-10, 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, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAVEM III,UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIH, UNPREDEP,UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Adriaan JACOBOVITS DE SZEGED chancery: (temporary) 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300 FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Kirk Terry DORNBUSH embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ The Hague mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715 telephone: [31] (70) 310-9209 FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688 consulate(s) general: Amsterdam
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer
Economy ———-
Economic overview: This highly developed and affluent economy is based on private enterprise. The government makes its presence felt, however, through many regulations, permit requirements, and welfare programs affecting most aspects of economic activity. The trade and financial services sector contributes over 50% of GDP. Industrial activity provides about 25% of GDP and is led by the food-processing, oil-refining, and metalworking industries. The highly mechanized agricultural sector employs only 4% of the labor force, but provides large surpluses for export and the domestic food-processing industry. Indeed, the Netherlands ranks third worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind the US and France. High unemployment and a sizable budget deficit are currently the most serious economic problems. Many of the economic issues of the 1990s will reflect the course of European economic integration.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $301.9 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $19,500 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 3.4% industry: 26.9% services: 69.7% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.25% (1995)
Labor force: 6.4 million (1993) by occupation: services 73%, manufacturing and construction 23%, agriculture 4% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 7.1% (fourth quarter 1995)
Budget:revenues: $109.9 billionexpenditures: $122.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(1992 est.)
Industries: agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, fishing, construction, microelectronics
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1995 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 17,520,000 kW production: 72.4 billion kWh consumption per capita: 5,100 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock
Illicit drugs: important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; European producer of illicit amphetamines and other synthetic drugs
Exports: $146 billion (f.o.b., 1995)commodities: metal products, chemicals, processed food and tobacco,agricultural productspartners: EU 73% (Germany 28%, Belgium-Luxembourg 13%, UK 9%),Central and Eastern Europe 2%, US 5% (1994)
Imports: $133 billion (c.i.f., 1995)commodities: raw materials and semifinished products, consumergoods, transportation equipment, crude oil, food productspartners: EU 56% (Germany 21%, Belgium-Luxembourg 11%, UK 8.5%), US8.6% (1994)
External debt: 0
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $2.525 billion (1993)
Currency: 1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per US$1 - 1.6365 (January 1996), 1.6057 (1995), 1.8200 (1994), 1.8573 (1993), 1.7585 (1992), 1.8697 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 2,891 kmstandard gauge: 2,891 km 1.435-m gauge; 2857 km are in commoncarrier service (1,991 km electrified) and 34 km serve tourists
Highways:total: 104,831 kmpaved: 92,251 km (including 2,118 km of expressways)unpaved: 12,580 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 6,340 km, of which 35% is usable by craft of 1,000metric ton capacity or larger
Pipelines: crude oil 418 km; petroleum products 965 km; naturalgas 10,230 km
Ports: Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Groningen,Haarlem, Ijmuiden, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Utrecht
Merchant marine:total: 352 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,681,133GRT/3,379,762 DWTships by type: bulk 1, cargo 206, chemical tanker 21, combinationbulk 3, container 34, liquefied gas tanker 13, livestock carrier 1,multifunction large-load carrier 2, oil tanker 38, railcar carrier1, refrigerated cargo 16, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11, short-seapassenger 3, specialized tanker 2note: many Dutch-owned ships are operating under the registry ofNetherlands Antilles (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 28with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3with paved runways under 914 m: 7with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 8.272 million (1983 est.)
Telephone system: highly developed and well maintained; extensiveredundant system of multiconductor cables, supplemented by microwaveradio relaydomestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; microwave radio relayinternational: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3 (relays 3), FM 12 (repeaters 39),shortwave 0
Radios: 13.755 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 8 (repeaters 7)
Televisions: 7.4 million (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includesNaval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force,Royal Constabulary
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 4,191,998 males fit for military service: 3,670,253 males reach military age (20) annually: 94,013 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $8.2 billion, 2.1% of GDP (1995)
======================================================================
@Netherlands Antilles ——————————
(part of the Dutch realm)
Map —-
Location: 12 15 N, 68 45 W — Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - one includes Curacao and Bonaire north of Venezuela and the other is east of the Virgin Islands
Flag ——
Description: white with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band also centered; five white five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten
Geography ————-
Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - one includes Curacao and Bonaire north of Venezuela and the other is east of the Virgin Islands
Geographic coordinates: 12 15 N, 68 45 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 960 sq kmland area: 960 sq kmcomparative area: more than five times the size of Washington, DCnote: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and SintMaarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin)
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 364 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds
Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m
Natural 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 km
Environment:current issues: NAnatural hazards: Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbeanhurricane belt, so are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, andSint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to Octoberinternational agreements: party to - Whaling (extended fromNetherlands)
People ———
Population: 208,968 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.03% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.98 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 5.29 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.06 years male: 74.78 years female: 79.46 years (1996 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-DayAdventist
Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento aSpanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect predominates, Englishwidely spoken, Spanish
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981 est.)total population: 98%male: 98%female: 99%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles local long form: none local short form: Nederlandse Antillen
Data code: NT
Type of government: part of the Dutch realm; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954
Capital: Willemstad
Administrative 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 theNetherlands, as amended
Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some Englishcommon law influence
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal