Executive branch:chief of state: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (of the Netherlandssince 30 April 1980) is a constitutional monarch, represented byGovernor General Jaime SALEH (since NA October 1989), who wasappointed for a six-year term by the queenhead of government: Prime Minister Miguel POURIER (since 25 February1994) was appointed by the Statencabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the Staten
Legislative branch: unicameral Staten: elections last held 25 February 1994 (next to be held NA March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23 total) PAR 8, PNP 3, SPA 2, PDB 2, UPB 1, MAN 2, DP 1, WIPM 1, DP-St.E 1, DP-St.M 1, Nos Patria 1 note: the government of Prime Minister Miguel POURIER is a coalition of several parties
Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice
Political parties and leaders: political parties are indigenous toeach islandBonaire: Patriotic Union of Bonaire (UPB), Rudy ELLIS; DemocraticParty of Bonaire (PDB), Broertje JANJACuracao: Antillean Restructuring Party (PAR), Miguel POURIER;National People's Party (PNP), Maria LIBERIA-PETERS; New AntillesMovement (MAN), Domenico Felip Don MARTINA; Workers' LiberationFront (FOL), Wilson (Papa) GODETT; Socialist Independent (SI),George HUECK and Nelson MONTE; Democratic Party of Curacao (DP),Augustin DIAZ; Nos Patria, Chin BEHILIASaba: Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM Saba), Ray HASSELL;Saba Democratic Labor Movement, Steve HASSELL; Saba Unity Party,Carmen SIMMONDSSint Eustatius: Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius (DP-St.E), JulianWOODLEY; Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM); St. EustatiusAlliance (SEA), Ingrid WHITFIELDSint Maarten: Democratic Party of Sint Maarten (DP-St.M), SarahWESTCOTT-WILLIAMS; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten (SPA), VanceJAMES; Serious Alternative People's Party (SAPP) Julian ROLLOCKS
International organization participation: Caricom (observer),ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO, WToO(associate)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing part of theNetherlands)
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Consul General James L. WILLIAMS consulate general(s): J.B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao telephone: [599] (9) 61-3066 FAX: [599] (9) 61-6489
Flag: 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
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Tourism and offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. The islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure as compared with other countries in the region. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with Venezuela and the US being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.92 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 1.8% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $10,400 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 89,000 by occupation: government 65%, industry and commerce 28% (1983)
Unemployment rate: 13.4% (1993 est.)
Budget:revenues: $209 millionexpenditures: $232 million, including capital expenditures of $8million (1992 est.)
Industries: tourism (Curacao and Sint Maarten), petroleum refining(Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire),light manufacturing (Curacao)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 200,000 kW production: 810 million kWh consumption per capita: 4,054 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit
Illicit drugs: money-laundering center; transshipment point forSouth American cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe
Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: petroleum products 98% partners: US 39%, Brazil 9%, Colombia 6%
Imports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: crude petroleum 64%, food, manufactures partners: Venezuela 26%, US 18%, Colombia 6%, Netherlands 6%, Japan 5%
External debt: $1.95 billion (December 1995)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin(NAf.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders, gulden, or florins(NAf.) per US$1 - 1.790 (fixed rate since 1989)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 944 km paved: 299 km unpaved: 645 km (1985 est.)
Ports: Kralendijk, Philipsburg, Willemstad
Merchant marine:total: 119 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,141,003GRT/1,490,958 DWTships by type: bulk 1, cargo 38, chemical tanker 7, combination bulk1, container 2, liquefied gas tanker 4, multifunction large-loadcarrier 18, oil tanker 9, passenger 4, refrigerated cargo 27,roll-on/roll-off cargo 8 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 4with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: generally adequate facilities domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 205,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 64,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal NetherlandsAir Force, National Guard, Police Force
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands
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@New Caledonia ——————-
(overseas territory of France)
Map —-
Location: 21 30 S, 165 30 E — Oceania, islands in the SouthPacific Ocean, east of Australia
Flag ——
Description: three horizontal bands, blue (top), red, and green, with a yellow disk enclosing a black symbol centered to the hoist side; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east ofAustralia
Geographic coordinates: 21 30 S, 165 30 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 19,060 sq kmland area: 18,575 sq kmcomparative 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: Matthew and Hunter Islands claimed byFrance and Vanuatu
Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m
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: NAnatural hazards: typhoons most frequent from November to Marchinternational agreements: NA
People ———
Population: 187,784 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 30% (male 28,941; female 27,929)15-64 years: 64% (male 61,263; female 59,673)65 years and over: 6% (male 4,750; female 5,228) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.72% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 21.75 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.88 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 13.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.35 years male: 71.06 years female: 77.8 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.53 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: New Caledonian(s) adjective: New Caledonian
Ethnic 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 dialects
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.)total population: 91%male: 92%female: 90%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependenciesconventional short form: New Caledonialocal long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependanceslocal short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie
Data code: NC
Type of government: overseas territory of France since 1956
Capital: Noumea
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Iles Loyaute, Nord, and Sud
Independence: none (overseas territory of France; a referendum onindependence will be 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 law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May1995) represented by High Commissioner and President of the Councilof Government Dominque BUR (since NA), who was appointed by theFrench Ministry of the Interiorhead of government: President of the Territorial Assembly PierreFROGIER (since NA) was elected by the members of the Assemblycabinet: Consultative Committee
Legislative branch: unicameralTerritorial Assembly: elections last held 9 July 1995 (next to beheld NA July 2001); results - percent by party NA; seats - (54total) RPCR 22, NCPT 7, other anti-independence parties 6, FLNKS 12,other pro-independence parties 7French Senate: elections last held 27 September 1992 (next to beheld NA September 2001); results - percent of vote by party NA;seats - (1 total) RPCR 1French National Assembly: elections last held 21 March 1993 (next tobe held 21 and 28 March 1998); results - percent of vote by partyNA; seats - (2 total) RPCR 2
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: white-dominated Rassemblement pourla Caledonie dans la Republique (RPCR), conservative, JacquesLAFLEUR, president - affiliated to France's Rassemblement pour laRepublique (RPR; also called South Province Party); Melanesianproindependence Kanaka Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS),Rock WAMYTAN; Melanesian moderate Kanak Socialist Liberation (LKS),Nidoish NAISSELINE; National Front (FN), extreme right, Guy GEORGE;Caledonie Demain (CD), right-wing, Bernard MARANT; Union Oceanienne(UO), conservative, Michel HEMA; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak(FULK), proindependence, Clarence UREGEI; Union Caledonian (UC),Francois BURCK, president; "1999" (new party calling for anautonomous state), Philippe PENTECOST; Nouvelle-Caledonie Pour Toute(NCPT)
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), FZ,ICFTU, SPC, WFTU, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory ofFrance)
US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France)
Flag: three horizontal bands, blue (top), red, and green, with a yellow disk enclosing a black symbol centered to the hoist side; the flag of France is used for official occasions
Economy ———-
Economic overview: New Caledonia has more than 20% of the world's known nickel resources. In recent years, the economy has suffered because of depressed international demand for nickel, the principal source of export earnings. Only a negligible amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 25% of imports.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.5 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: NA%
GDP per capita: $8,000 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 5% industry: 35% services: 60% (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (1990)
Labor force: 70,044 (1988) by occupation: agriculture 32%, industry 20%, services 40%, mines 8% (1992)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1994)
Budget:revenues: $540 millionexpenditures: $540 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1991 est.)
Industries: nickel mining and smelting
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 250,000 kW production: 1.2 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,178 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: vegetables; beef, other livestock products
Exports: $477 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities: nickel metal 22%, nickel orepartners: France 32.2%, Japan 23.5%, Germany 6.7%, US 3.6%, India1.2%
Imports: $926 million (c.i.f., 1992)commodities: foods, fuels, minerals, machines, electrical equipmentpartners: France 46.3%, ECE 14.9%, Australia 10.2%, Japan 6.3%, NewZealand 4.4%
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 91.00 (January 1996), 90.75 (1995), 100.93 (1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 6,340 km paved: 634 km unpaved: 5,706 km (1987 est.)
Ports: Mueo, Noumea, Thio
Merchant marine:total: 1 roll-on/roll-off ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,079GRT/724 DWT (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 28with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3with paved runways under 914 m: 12with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 7 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 38,748 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0
Radios: 97,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 7
Televisions: 47,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: French Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force,Gendarmerie); Police Force
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@New Zealand —————-
Map —-
Location: 41 00 S, 174 00 E — Oceania, islands in the SouthPacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
Flag ——
Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation
Geography ————-
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeastof Australia
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 S, 174 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total area: 268,680 sq kmland area: 268,670 sq kmcomparative area: about the size of Coloradonote: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands,Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 15,134 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (RossDependency)
Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Cook 3,764 m
Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber,hydropower, gold, limestone
Land 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 faunahard-hit by species introduced from outsidenatural hazards: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe;volcanic activityinternational agreements: party to - Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, MarineDumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea,Marine Life Conservation, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: about 80% of the population lives in cities
People ———
Population: 3,547,983 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23% (male 420,900; female 400,159)15-64 years: 65% (male 1,161,522; female 1,154,536)65 years and over: 12% (male 177,182; female 233,684) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: 1.12% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 15.78 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.72 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.17 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: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.01 years male: 73.96 years female: 80.21 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.01 children born/woman (1996 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 33% (1986)
Languages: English (official), Maori
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)total population: 99%
Government —————
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: New Zealand abbreviation: NZ
Data code: NZ
Type of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Wellington
Administrative divisions: 93 counties, 9 districts*, and 3 towndistricts**; 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, Mount Herbert, Ohinemuri, Opotiki,Oroua, Otamatea, Otorohanga*, Oxford, Pahiatua, Paparua, Patea,Piako, Pohangina, Raglan, Rangiora*, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua*,Runanga, Saint Kilda, Silverpeaks, Southland, Stewart Island,Stratford, Strathallan, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Tauranga,Thames-Coromandel*, Tuapeka, Vincent, Waiapu, Waiheke, Waihemo,Waikato, Waikohu, Waimairi, Waimarino, Waimate, Waimate West,Waimea, Waipa, Waipawa*, Waipukurau*, Wairarapa South, Wairewa,Wairoa, Waitaki, Waitomo*, Waitotara, Wallace, Wanganui, Waverley**,Westland, Whakatane*, Whangarei, Whangaroa, Woodvillenote: there may be a new administrative structure of 16 regions(Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay,Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman,Waikato, Wanganui-Manawatu, Wellington, West Coast) that aresubdivided into 57 districts and 16 cities* (Ashburton, Auckland*,Banks Peninsula, Buller, Carterton, Central Hawke's Bay, CentralOtago, Christchurch*, Clutha, Dunedin*, Far North, Franklin,Gisborne, Gore, Grey, Hamilton*, Hastings, Hauraki, Horowhenua,Hurunui, Hutt*, Invercargill*, Kaikoura, Kaipara, Kapiti Coast,Kawerau, Mackenzie, Manawatu, Manukau*, Marlborough, Masterton,Matamata Piako, Napier*, Nelson*, New Plymouth, North Shore*,Opotiki, Otorohanga, Palmerston North*, Papakura*, Porirua*,Queenstown Lakes, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua, Ruapehu, Selwyn,Southland, South Taranaki, South Waikato, South Wairarapa,Stratford, Tararua, Tasman, Taupo, Tauranga, Thames Coromandel,Timaru, Upper Hutt*, Waikato, Waimakariri, Waimate, Waipa, Wairoa,Waitakere*, Waitaki, Waitomo, Wanganui, Wellington*, Western Bay ofPlenty, Westland, Whakatane, Whangarei)
Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
Independence: 26 September 1907 (from UK)
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty ofWaitangi established British sovereignty)
Constitution: no formal, written constitution; consists of variousdocuments, including certain acts of the UK and New ZealandParliaments; Constitution Act 1986 was to have come into force 1January 1987, but has not been enacted
Legal system: based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is ahereditary monarch, represented by Governor General Sir MichaelHARDIE BOYS (since 21 March 1996)head of government: Prime Minister James BOLGER (since 29 October1990) and Deputy Prime Minister Donald McKINNON (since 2 November1990) were appointed by the governor generalcabinet: Executive Council was appointed by the governor general onthe recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (commonly called Parliament): elections last held 6 November 1993 (next must be called by November 1996); results - NP 35.2%, NZLP 34.7%, Alliance 18.3%, New Zealand First 8.3%; seats - (99 total) NP 50, NZLP 45, Alliance 2, New Zealand First Party 2
Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: National Party (NP, government),James BOLGER; New Zealand Labor Party (NZLP, opposition), HelenCLARK; Alliance, Jim ANDERTON; Democratic Party, Dick RYAN; NewZealand Liberal Party, Hanmish MACINTYRE and Gilbert MYLES; GreenParty, no official leader; Mana Motuhake, Sandra LEE; SocialistUnity Party (SUP, pro-Soviet), leader NA; New Zealand First, WinstonPETERS; United New Zealand (UNZ), Clive MATTHEWSON; ConservativeParty (formerly Right of Centre Party), Trevor ROGERS; Associationof Consumers and Taxpayers, New Zealand (ACT), Richard PREBBLE;Christian Democrats, Graeme LEE; Christian Heritage Party (CH), Rev.Graham CAPILLnote: the New Zealand Liberal, New Labor, Democratic, and ManaMotuhake parties formed a coalition called the Alliance Party inSeptember 1991; the Green Party joined the coalition in May 1992;the National Party government formed a coalition with the United NewZealand Party in February 1996; the coalition will be valid throughthe 1996 elections
International organization participation: ANZUS (US suspendedsecurity obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, AsDB, AustraliaGroup, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MTCR, NAM (guest), OECD,PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lionel John WOOD chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800 consulate(s) general: Apia (Western Samoa), Los Angeles
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Josiah Horton BEEMANembassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellingtonmailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP96531-1001telephone: [64] (4) 472-2068FAX: [64] (4) 472-3537consulate(s) general: Auckland
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Since 1984 the government has been reorienting an agrarian economy dependent on a guaranteed British market toward a more industrialized, open, free market economy that can compete on the global scene. The government has hoped that dynamic growth would boost real incomes, broaden and deepen the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, reduce inflationary pressures, and permit the expansion of welfare benefits. The initial results were mixed: inflation is down from double-digit levels, but growth was sluggish in 1988-91. In 1992-93, growth picked up to 3% annually, a sign that the new economic approach was beginning to pay off. Business confidence strengthened in 1994, and export demand picked up in the Asia-Pacific region, resulting in 6.2% growth. Growth continued strong in 1995, and inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. The government announced its first budget surplus in 16 years in FY94/95 and forecasts a surplus of $5.0 billion in FY97/98. The government intends to use the surplus to reduce the debt, increase social spending, and cut taxes - by $1.35 billion over two years beginning in 1996. Per capita GDP now is up to the levels of the big West European economies.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $62.3 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 5.5% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $18,300 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 7.3% industry: 25.9% services: 66.8% (1990)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (FY95/96)
Labor force: 1,634,500 (September 1995) by occupation: services 64.6%, industry 25.0%, agriculture 10.4% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 6.1% (October 1995)
Budget:revenues: $22.18 billionexpenditures: $20.28 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY95/96 est.)
Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 7,520,000 kW production: 30.5 billion kWh consumption per capita: 8,401 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, meat, dairy products; fish catch reached a record 503,000 metric tons in 1988
Exports: $13.41 billion (1995)commodities: wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fish, cheese, chemicals,forestry products, fruits and vegetables, manufacturespartners: Australia 20%, Japan 15%, US 12%, UK 6%
Imports: $13.62 billion (1995)commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft,petroleum, consumer goodspartners: Australia 21%, US 18%, Japan 16%, UK 6%
External debt: $38.5 billion (September 1994)
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $98 million (1993)
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138 (January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation ———————
Railways: total: 3,973 km narrow gauge: 3,973 km 1.067-m gauge (504 km electrified)
Highways:total: 93,348 kmpaved: 54,142 km (including 141 km of expressways)unpaved: 39,206 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation
Pipelines: petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; condensate (liquefied petroleum gas - LPG) 150 km
Ports: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington
Merchant marine:total: 17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 162,220 GRT/213,749 DWTships by type: bulk 6, cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker3, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 5 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 113with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 8with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 31with paved runways under 914 m: 50with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 1.7 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: excellent international and domestic systemsdomestic: NAinternational: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satelliteearth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 64, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.215 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 14 (1986 est.)
Televisions: 1.53 million (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal NewZealand Air Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 927,212 males fit for military service: 780,976 males reach military age (20) annually: 27,433 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $556 million, 1% of GDP (FY93/94)
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@Nicaragua ————-
Map —-
Location: 13 00 N, 85 00 W — Middle America, bordering both theCaribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica andHonduras
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
Geography ————-
Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and theNorth Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 85 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total area: 129,494 sq kmland area: 120,254 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than New York State
Land boundaries: total: 1,231 km border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km
Coastline: 910 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 25-nm security zone continental shelf: natural prolongation territorial sea: 200 nm
International disputes: territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; with respect to the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) referred the disputants to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required; maritime boundary dispute with Honduras
Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to centralinterior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted byvolcanoeslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mogoton 2,438 m
Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc,timber, fish
Land 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: destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, andoccasionally severe hurricanesinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, EnvironmentalModification, Law of the Sea
People ———
Population: 4,272,352 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44% (male 951,254; female 938,599)15-64 years: 53% (male 1,105,069; female 1,164,144)65 years and over: 3% (male 49,027; female 64,259) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.67% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 33.83 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 6.01 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 45.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.72 years male: 63.41 years female: 68.13 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.03 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan
Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 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 (1995 est.)total population: 65.7%male: 64.6%female: 66.6%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Nicaraguaconventional short form: Nicaragualocal long form: Republica de Nicaragualocal short form: Nicaragua
Data code: NU
Type of government: republic
Capital: Managua
Administrative divisions: 15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento), 2 autonomous regions* (regions autonomista, singular - region autonomista); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Atlantica Norte*, Atlantica Sur*, Rio San Juan, Rivas
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 9 January 1987
Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts
Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President Violeta Barrios deCHAMORRO (since 25 April 1990) was elected for a six-year term(amended to a five-year term in July 1995) by universal suffrage;Vice President Julia MENA Rivera (since 22 October 1995) replacedVirgilio GODOY, who resigned to run for the presidency in 1996 asrequired by law; election last held 25 February 1990 (next to beheld 20 October 1996); results - Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (UNO)54.7%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 40.8%, other 4.5%cabinet: Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameralNational Assembly (Asamblea Nacional): elections last held 25February 1990 (next to be held NA October 1996); results - UNOcoalition 53.9%, Sandinista bloc 40.8%, PSC 1.6%, MUR 1.0%; seats -(92 total) UNO coalition 53 (Center Group 9, UDC 6, PSD 5, APC 5,PLC 5, PLI 4, PND 3, PAN 3, PNC 3, MDN 2, PCdeN 2, independents 6)and Sandinista bloc 39 (MRS 16, BUS-Sandinista 9, FSLN 8, SandinistaGroup of Reflection 4, FSLN-independents 2)
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges elected fora six-year term (amended to a seven-year term in July 1995) by theNational Assembly
Political parties and leaders:right: Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Arnold ALEMAN;Conservative Popular Alliance Party (APC), Myriam ARGUELLO;Independent Liberal Party for National Unity (PLIUN), Carlos GUERRAGallardo; Conservative Action Movement (MAC); Conservative Party ofNicaragua (PCN - formed in 1992 by the merger of the ConservativeSocial Party or PSC with the Democratic Conservative Party or PCDand the Conservative party of Labor or PCL), Fernando AGUERO;National Conservative Party (PNC), Adolfo CALERO, Noel VIDUARREcenter right: Neoliberal Party (PALI), Ricardo VEGA Garcia;Nicaraguan Resistance Party (PRN), Fabio GADEA, Enrique QUINONEZ;Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Wilfredo NAVARRO; National Project(PRONAL), Antonio LACAYO Oyanguren; Nicaraguan Democratic AllianceParty (PADENIC), Pedro MAYORGA Knilands; Nationalist Liberal Party(PLN), Roberto CASTILLO Quant; Party for Liberal Unity (PUL),Haroldo MONTEALEGRE; Fuerza '96, Francesco MAYORGAcenter left: Christian Democratic Union (UDC), Luis Humberto GUZMAN;Nicaraguan Democratic Movement (MDN), Alfredo GUZMAN; SocialDemocratic Party (PSD), Adolfo JARQUIN; National Justice Party(PJN), Jorge DIAZ Cruz; National Action Party (PAN), Delvis MONTIEL;Renovating Action Movement (MAR), Pablo HERNANDEZ; SandinistaRenovation Movement (MRS), Sergio RAMIREZ; Social Christian Party(PCS), Erick RAMIREZ; Democratic Action Party (PAD), Eden PASTORA;"Up with Nicaragua" (Arriba Nicaragua), Alvaro ROBELO; NationalDemocratic Party (PND), Alfredo CESAR Aquirre; Communist Party ofNicaragua (PCdeN), Eli ALTIMIRANO Perezleft: Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel ORTEGA;Revolutionary Workers' Party (PRT), Bonifacio MIRANDA; PopularAction Movement-Marxist-Leninist (MAP-ML), Isidro TELLEZ; NicaraguanSocialist Party (PSN), Gustavo TABLADA; Unidad Nicaraguense deObreros, Campesinos, y Profesionales (UNOCP), Rosalio GONZALEZUrbina; Central American Unionist Party (PUCA), Blanca ROJASEchaverrynote: the UNO coalition that won the 1990 elections no longerexists; the different blocs that formerly were united under the UNOumbrella and their opposition to the Sandinistas now act and voteindependently
Other political or pressure groups: National Workers Front (FNT)is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions: SandinistaWorkers' Central (CST); Farm Workers Association (ATC); HealthWorkers Federation (FETASALUD); National Union of Employees (UNE);National Association of Educators of Nicaragua (ANDEN); Union ofJournalists of Nicaragua (UPN); Heroes and Martyrs Confederation ofProfessional Associations (CONAPRO); and the National Union ofFarmers and Ranchers (UNAG); Permanent Congress of Workers (CPT) isan umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions: Confederationof Labor Unification (CUS); Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers' Central(CTN-A); Independent General Confederation of Labor (CGT-I); andLabor Action and Unity Central (CAUS); Nicaraguan Workers' Central(CTN) is an independent labor union; Superior Council of PrivateEnterprise (COSEP) is a confederation of business groups
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO,G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA(observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto Genaro MAYORGA Cortes chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John F. MAISTO embassy: Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur., Managua mailing address: APO AA 34021 telephone: [505] (2) 666010 through 666013, 666015 through 18, 666026, 666027, 666032 through 33 FAX: [505] (2) 669074
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
Economy ———-
Economic overview: The Nicaraguan economy, devastated during the 1980s by economic mismanagement and civil war, is beginning to rebound. Since March 1991, when President CHAMORRO launched an ambitious economic stabilization program, Nicaragua has had considerable success in reducing inflation and obtaining substantial economic aid from abroad. Annual inflation fell from more than 750% in 1991 to less than 5% in 1992. After rising again to an estimated 20% in 1993, the annual inflation rate was 11.7% in 1994 and 11.4% in 1995. While economic growth was flat in 1992 and negative in 1993, the 1995 growth rate is about 4%, thanks to surges in most export categories. Recent legislation (November 1995) authorizing the privatization of the TELCOR telecommunications company and resolving the issue of property confiscated by the previous Sandinista government may reassure potential investors. The government's efforts to liberalize trade include a December 1995 decision to stop requiring exporters to bring their foreign exchange earnings into Nicaragua. On the debt front, the Nicaraguan Government launched a successful debt buyback program in 1995, purchasing 73% of its $1.373 billion commercial debt inherited from previous governments. Progress also occurred on reducing bilateral debt in November 1995 as Nicaragua reached an agreement with Germany, reducing Nicaragua's $616 million debt to the former GDR by 80%. Debt reduction agreements with Paris Club creditors and rescheduling with the US also took place. Unemployment remains a pressing problem, however, with roughly half the country's population unemployed or underemployed.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 4.2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,700 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.4% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 1.086 million by occupation: services 43%, agriculture 44%, industry 13% (1986)
Unemployment rate: 20% substantial underemployment (1995 est.)
Budget:revenues: $389 millionexpenditures: $551 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1996 est.)
Industries: food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles,clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear
Industrial production growth rate: 1.4% (1994 est.)
Electricity: capacity: 460,000 kW production: 1.64 billion kWh (1994) consumption per capita: 376 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, cassava (tapioca), citrus, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US
Exports: $525.5 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: meat, coffee, cotton, sugar, seafood, gold, bananas partners: US, Central America, Canada, Germany
Imports: $870 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.)commodities: consumer goods, machinery and equipment, petroleumproductspartners: Central America, US, Venezuela, Japan
External debt: $11.7 billion (1994)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 gold cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: gold cordobas (C$) per US$1 - 7.98 (December 1995), 6.72 (1994), 5.62 (1993), 5.00 (1992), 4.27 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 0 kmnarrow gauge: 0 km 1.067-m gauge; note - part of the previous 376 kmsystem was closed and dismantled in 1993 and, in 1994, the remainderwas closed, the track and rolling stock being sold for scrap
Highways:total: 26,000 kmpaved: 4,000 kmunpaved: 22,000 km (1993 est.)note: there is a 368.5 km portion of the Pan-American Highway whichis not included in the total
Waterways: 2,220 km, including 2 large lakes
Pipelines: crude oil 56 km
Ports: Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, PuertoSandino, Rama, San Juan del Sur
Merchant marine: none
Airports:total: 148with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3with paved runways under 914 m: 107with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 32 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 66,810 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: low-capacity microwave radio relay and wire system being expanded; connected to Central American Microwave System domestic: wire and microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 45, FM 0, shortwave 3
Radios: 1.037 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 7 (1994 est.)
Televisions: 260,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 988,883 males fit for military service: 608,753 males reach military age (18) annually: 47,786 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $28.1 million,NA% of GDP (1996)
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@Niger ——-
Map —-
Location: 16 00 N, 8 00 E — Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Flag ——
Description: 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
Geography ————-
Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 1.267 million sq kmland area: 1,266,700 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:total: 5,697 kmborder countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km,Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
International disputes: Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in northern Niger; demarcation of international boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; Burkina Faso and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger
Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
Terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north lowest point: Niger River 200 m highest point: Mont Greboun 1,944 m
Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates
Land 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; wildlife populations (such as elephant,hippopotamus, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitatdestructionnatural hazards: recurring droughtsinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban,Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -Desertification, Law of the Sea
Geographic note: landlocked
People ———
Population: 9,113,001 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 48% (male 2,233,157; female 2,138,096)15-64 years: 50% (male 2,202,413; female 2,317,188)65 years and over: 2% (male 117,337; female 104,810) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.99% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 54.46 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 24.57 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 117.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 40.66 years male: 41.05 years female: 40.25 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.44 children born/woman (1996 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%, about4,000 French expatriates
Religions: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians
Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 13.6%male: 20.9%female: 6.6%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Nigerconventional short form: Nigerlocal long form: Republique du Nigerlocal short form: Niger
Data code: NG
Type of government: republic
Capital: Niamey
Administrative divisions: 7 departments (departements, singular - departement), and 1 capital district* (capitale district); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder
Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958)
Constitution: the constitution of January 1993 was revised bynational referendum on 12 May 1996
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Colonel Ibrahim BARE Mainassara (since 28January 1996 when he ousted President Mahamane OUSMANE in a coup);Mahamane OUSMANE had been elected for a five-year term by universalsuffrage; election last held 17 March 1993 (next to be held 7 July1996)head of government: Prime Minister Boukary ADJI (since NA January1996) appointed by President BAREcabinet: National Salvation Council was appointed by President BARE