International organization participation: ANZUS (US suspended securityobligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, C,CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, 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, UNTAES,UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lionel John WOOD chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone : [1] (202) 328-4800 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Josiah Horton BEEMAN embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington mailing address : P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP 96531-1001 telephone: [64] (4) 472-2068 FAX: [64] (4) 472-3537 consulate(s) general: Auckland
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
Economy
Economy - overview: Since 1984 the government has accomplished major economic restructuring from an agrarian economy dependent on a concessionary British market access toward a more industrialized, open, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes, broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, and contained inflationary pressures. 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, but tailed off in 1996. Inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. Per capita GDP now is up to the levels of the big West European economies.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $65.6 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 2.8% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $18,500 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.3% industry: 25.9% services : 66.8% (1990)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.8% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total : 1,634,500 (September 1995) by occupation: services 64.6%, industry 25.0%, agriculture 10.4% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 5.9% (December 1996)
Budget: revenues : $22.18 billion expenditures: $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: 7.75 million kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 34.4 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 9,198 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, meat, dairy products; fish catch reached a record 503,000 metric tons in 1988
Exports: total value: $13.7 billion (1995) commodities: wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fish, cheese, chemicals, forestry products, fruits and vegetables, manufactures, dairy products, wood partners: Australia 19%, Japan 15%, UK 15%, US 12%
Imports: total value : $14 billion (1995) commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, consumer goods, plastics partners: Australia 21%, US 18%, Japan 16%, UK 6%
Debt - external: $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 - 1.4247 (January 1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@New Zealand:Communications
Telephones: 1.7 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: excellent international and domestic systems domestic: NA international: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite earth 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.)
@New Zealand:Transportation
Railways: total: 3,973 km narrow gauge: 3,973 km 1.067-m gauge (504 km electrified)
Highways: total: 92,306 km paved: 53,537 km (including 144 km of expressways) unpaved : 38,769 km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation
Pipelines: petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; liquefied petroleum gas or LPG 150 km
Ports and harbors: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga,Wellington
Merchant marine: total : 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 173,831 GRT/224,544 DWT ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 3, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6 (1996 est.)
Airports: 112 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 89 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 48 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 22 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal NewZealand Air Force
Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 932,982 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 785,440 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 26,514 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $677 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.1% (FY96/97)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency) ______________________________________________________________________
@Nicaragua: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 : 129,494 sq km land: 120,254 sq km water: 9,240 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller 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
Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m
Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish
Land use: arable land : 9% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 46% forests and woodland: 27% other : 17% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 880 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasionally severe hurricanes
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
@Nicaragua:People
Population: 4,386,399 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 963,878; female 949,658) 15-64 years: 53% (male 1,147,565; female 1,207,386) 65 years and over : 4% (male 50,910; female 67,002) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.6% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 33.01 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 5.83 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 44.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.17 years male: 63.83 years female : 68.6 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.9 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun : Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan
Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5%
Languages: Spanish (official) note: English- and Amerindian-speaking minorities on Atlantic coast
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 65.7% male : 64.6% female: 66.6% (1995 est.)
@Nicaragua:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua conventional short form : Nicaragua local long form: Republica de Nicaragua local short form : Nicaragua
Data code: NU
Government type: republic
National capital: Managua
Administrative divisions: 15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento), 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonomista); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas, Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*
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: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (10 January 1997); Vice President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (10 January 1997) head of government: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (10 January 1997); Vice President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (10 January 1997) cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); note - in July 1995 the term of the office of the president was amended to five years election results: Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (Liberal Alliance) 51.03%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 37.75%, Guillermo OSORNO (Nicaraguan Christian Path - CNN) 4.10%, Noel VIDAURRE (Nicaraguan Conservative Party - PCN) 2.26%, Benjamin LANZAS (National Project) 0.53%, others (18 other candidates) remaining 4.33%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (93 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Alliance (ruling party - includes PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 46.03%, Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) 36.55%, Nicaraguan Christian Road Party (PCCN) 3.73%, Nicaraguan Conservative Party (PCN) 2.12%, Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS) 1.33%; seats by party - Liberal Alliance 42, FSLN 36, PCCN 4, PCN 3, PRONAL 2, MRS 1, PRN 1, PNC 1, PLI 1, AU 1, UNO-96 Alliance 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), 12 judges elected for a seven-year term by the National Assembly
Political parties and leaders:right: Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Road (PCCN), GuillermoOSORNO, Roberto RODRIGUEZ; Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), NA;Independent Liberal Party for National Unity (PLIUN), Carlos GUERRAGallardo; National Conservative Party (PNC), Adolfo CALERO, NoelVIDAURRE; Nationalist Liberal Party (PLN), Enrique SANCHEZcenter right: Neoliberal Party (PALI), Ricardo VEGA Garcia; NicaraguanResistance Party (PRN), Enrique QUINONEZ; Independent Liberal Party(PLI), Wilfredo NAVARRO; National Project (PRONAL), Antonio LACAYOOyanguren; Conservative Action Movement (MAC), Hernaldo ZUNIYAcenter left: Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS), Sergio RAMIREZ;Social Democratic Party (PSD), Adolfo JARQUIN; Social Christian Party(PSC), Erick RAMIREZ; Movement for Revolutionary Unity (MUR), NA;Central American Integrationist Party (PIAC), NA; Unity Alliance (AU),Alejandro SERRANO; Conservative Party of Nicaragua (PCN), Dr. FernandoAGUERO Rocha; National Democratic Party (PND), Alfredo CESAR Aguirre;Central American Unionist Party (PUCA), Blanca ROJAS Echaverry; UNO-96Alliance, Alfredo CESAR Aguirre; Nicaraguan Democratic Movement (MDN),Alfredo GUZMANleft: Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel ORTEGASaavedra
Political pressure groups and leaders: National Workers Front (FNT) is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions: Sandinista Workers' Central (CST); Farm Workers Association (ATC); Health Workers Federation (FETASALUD); National Union of Employees (UNE); National Association of Educators of Nicaragua (ANDEN); Union of Journalists of Nicaragua (UPN); Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations (CONAPRO); and the National Union of Farmers and Ranchers (UNAG); Permanent Congress of Workers (CPT) is an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions: Confederation of Labor Unification (CUS); Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN-A); Independent General Confederation of Labor (CGT-I); and Labor Action and Unity Central (CAUS); Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN) is an independent labor union; Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) is a confederation 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,WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco AGUIRRE Sacasa 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
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Luis GUTIERREZ 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 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
Economy
Economy - 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 reduced inflation and obtained 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 dropped to roughly 11% in 1994-96. Economic growth rose sharply in 1995-96, thanks to surges in most export categories. 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 1996 as Nicaragua reached an agreement with Russia, reducing Nicaragua's debt by $3.3 billion. Debt reduction agreements with Paris Club creditors and rescheduling with Latin American creditors also took place. Unemployment remains a pressing problem, however, with roughly half the country's work force unemployed or underemployed.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.7 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,800 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 34% industry: 21% services: 45% (1995)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 11% (1996)
Labor force: total : 1.086 million by occupation: services 43%, agriculture 44%, industry 13% (1986)
Unemployment rate: 16%; underemployment 36% (1996 est.)
Budget: revenues: $389 million expenditures: $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: 417,700 kW (1995)
Electricity - production: 1.713 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 279 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, cassava (tapioca), citrus, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products
Exports: total value: $607 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: meat, coffee, cotton, sugar, seafood, gold, bananas partners: US, Central America, Canada, Germany
Imports: total value : $1.188 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: consumer goods, machinery and equipment, petroleum products partners: Central America, US, Venezuela, Japan
Debt - external: $6 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 gold cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: gold cordobas (C$) per US$1 - 8.63 (September 1996), 7.55 (1995), 6.72 (1994), 5.62 (1993), 5.00 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Nicaragua: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.)
@Nicaragua:Transportation
Railways: total: 0 km narrow gauge: 0 km 1.067-m gauge; note - part of the previous 376 km system was closed and dismantled in 1993 and, in 1994, the remainder was closed, the track and rolling stock being sold for scrap
Highways: total : 17,146 km paved: 1,715 km unpaved: 15,431 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 2,220 km, including 2 large lakes
Pipelines: crude oil 56 km
Ports and harbors: Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas,Puerto Sandino, Rama, San Juan del Sur
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 147 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 115 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 107 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 31 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,027,630 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 632,433 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 49,552 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $27.48 million (1996)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.35% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: 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
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US ______________________________________________________________________
@Niger:Geography
Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1.267 million sq km land: 1,266,700 sq km water : 300 sq km
Area - comparative: 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)
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
Elevation extremes: 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% permanent pastures: 7% forests and woodland: 2% other: 88% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 660 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: recurring droughts
Environment - current issues: overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: landlocked
@Niger:People
Population: 9,388,859 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 2,303,790; female 2,207,542) 15-64 years: 50% (male 2,272,535; female 2,381,033) 65 years and over: 2% (male 118,333; female 105,626) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.98% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 53.73 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 23.98 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 116 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.09 years male: 41.44 years female: 40.73 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.37 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Nigerien(s) adjective: Nigerien
Ethnic groups: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 4,000 French expatriates
Religions: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians
Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 13.6% male: 20.9% female: 6.6% (1995 est.)
@Niger:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Niger conventional short form: Niger local long form : Republique du Niger local short form: Niger
Data code: NG
Government type: republic
National 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 by national 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 Ibrahim BARE Mainassara (since 28 January 1996); note - President is chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ibraham BARE Mainassara (since 28 January 1996); note - President is chief of state and head of government; Prime Minister Amadou Boubacar CISSE (since 21 December 1996) was appointed by the president cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by President BARE elections : the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; last election 7-8 July 1996 (next election NA 2001); note - Ibrahim BARE Mainassara initially became president when he ousted President Mahamane OUSMANE in a coup on 27 January 1996 and subsequently defeated him in the flawed election of July 1996 election results: percent of total vote - Ibrahim BARE Mainassara 52.22%, Mahamane OUSMANE 19.75%, Tandja MAMADOU 15.65%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 7.60%, Moumouni AMADOU Djermakoye 4.77%
Legislative branch: two chamber National Assembly; one chamber with 83 seats directly elected by proportional representation for five-year terms; selection process for second chamber not established elections: last held 23 November1996 (next to be held NA 2001) election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UNIRD 59, ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya 8, UDPS-Amana 3, coalition of independents 3, MDP-Alkwali 1, UPDP-Shamuwa 4, DARAJA 3, PMT-Albarka 2
Judicial branch: State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Apel
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress orADP-AUMUNCI [Issoufou BACHARD, chairman]; DARAJA [Ali TALBA,chairman]; Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama[Mahamane OUSMANE]; Movement for Development and Pan-Africanism orMDP-Alkwali [Mai Manga BOUCAR, chairman]; National Movement of theDevelopment Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Tandja MAMADOU,chairman]; National Union of Independents for Democratic Revival orUNIRD [leader NA]; Niger Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally orPPN-RDA [Dori ABDOULAI]; Niger Social Democrat Party or PADN [MalamAdji WAZIRI]; Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya orPNDS-Tarayya [Mahamadou ISSOUFOU]; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy andSocial Progress-Zaman Lahia or ANDPS-Zaman Lahia [Moumouni AdamouDJERMAKOYE]; PMT-Albarka; Union for Democracy and SocialProgress-Amana or UDPS-Amana [Akoli DAOUEL]; Union of Patriots,Democrats, and Progressives-Shamuwa or UPDP-Shamuwa [Professor Andre'SALIFOU, chairman]; Union of Popular Forces for Democracy andProgress-Sawaba or UFPDP-Sawaba [Djibo BAKARY, chairman]
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM,OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph DIATTA chancery : 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles O. CECIL (20 August 1996) embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey telephone : [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64 FAX: [227] 73 31 67
Flag 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
Economy
Economy - overview: Niger is a poor, landlocked Sub-Saharan nation, whose recent GDP growth has barely matched the rapid growth of population. The economy is centered on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, and reexport trade, and increasingly less on uranium, its major export throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Terms of trade with Nigeria, Niger's largest regional trade partner, have improved dramatically since the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994; this devaluation boosted exports of livestock, peas, onions, and the products of Niger's small cotton industry. The government relies on bilateral and multilateral aid for operating expenses and public investment and is strongly induced to adhere to structural adjustment programs designed by the IMF and the World Bank. The US terminated bilateral assistance to Niger after the coup of 1996. Other donors have reduced their aid.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.9 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $640 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 41% industry: 18% services: 41% (1995)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 10.6% (1995 est.)
Labor force: total: 2.5 million wage earners (1982) by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $200 million expenditures : $387 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Industries: cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses, and a few other small light industries; uranium mining
Industrial production growth rate: 0.5% (1994 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 105,000 kW (1991)
Electricity - production: 230 million kWh (1991) note: imports about 200 million kW of electricity from Nigeria
Electricity - consumption per capita: 53 kWh (1991 est.)
Agriculture - products: cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats
Exports: total value: $247 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: uranium ore 67%, livestock products 20%, cowpeas, onions partners: France 77%, Nigeria 8%, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Canada
Imports: total value : $307 million (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: consumer goods, primary materials, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals partners: France 23%, Cote d'Ivoire, China, Belgium-Luxembourg
Debt - external: $1.6 billion (1995 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA; bilateral donors: France, Japan, Germany, US
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Niger:Communications
Telephones: 14,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: small system of wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in southwestern area domestic: wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radio relay; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 15, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 500,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 18 stations in a single network (1995)
Televisions: 38,000 (1992 est.)
@Niger:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 9,863 km paved: 779 km unpaved: 9,084 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: Niger river is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on theBenin frontier from mid-December through March
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 23 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total : 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, RepublicanGuard, National Police
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,983,377 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,069,743 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 95,217 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $32 million (FY92/93)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.3% (FY92/93)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in northern Niger; demarcation of international boundaries in the vicinity of 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 ______________________________________________________________________
@Nigeria:Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 923,770 sq km land: 910,770 sq km water : 13,000 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries: total: 4,047 km border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km
Coastline: 853 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone : 200 nm territorial sea: 30 nm
Climate: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point : Chappal Waddi 2,419 m
Natural resources: petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 33% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: 44% forests and woodland: 12% other : 8% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 9,570 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: periodic droughts
Environment - current issues: soil degradation; rapid deforestation; desertification; recent droughts in north severely affecting marginal agricultural activities
Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Desertification
@Nigeria:People
Population: 107,129,469 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 24,142,369; female 23,931,502) 15-64 years: 52% (male 28,502,597; female 27,432,816) 65 years and over : 3% (male 1,572,773; female 1,547,412) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.05% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 42.58 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 12.45 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 70.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.65 years male: 53.32 years female : 56.03 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.17 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian
Ethnic groups: Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba, Ibo, Kanuri, Ibibio, Tiv, Ijaw
Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani
Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.1% male: 67.3% female: 47.3% (1995 est.)
@Nigeria:Government
Country name: conventional long form : Federal Republic of Nigeria conventional short form: Nigeria
Data code: NI
Government type: military government; Nigeria has been ruled by one military regime after another since 31 December 1983; on 1 October 1995, the present military government announced it will turn power over to democratically elected civilian authorities in October 1998
National capital: Abuja note : on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially moved from Lagos to Abuja; many government offices remain in Lagos pending completion of facilities in Abuja
Administrative divisions: 30 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Capital Territory*, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe note: the government has announced the creation of six additional states named Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nassarawa, and Zamfara as part of the process of transition to a civilian government
Independence: 1 October 1960 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960)
Constitution: 1979 constitution still partially in force; plan for 1989 constitution to take effect in 1993 was not implemented
Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and tribal law
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces and Defense Minister Gen. Sani ABACHA (since 17 November 1993); Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council Oladipo DIYA (since 17 November 1993); note - the chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces and Defense Minister Gen. Sani ABACHA (since 17 November 1993); Vice Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council Oladipo DIYA (since 17 November 1993); note - the chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Federal Executive Council elections: none; Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council Gen. Sani ABACHA assumed power in a military coup 17 November 1993; the government's provisions for a return to civilian rule call for the election of a president by universal suffrage in the third quarter of 1998 (inaugeration planned for October 1998)
Legislative branch: National Assembly note: the National Assembly was suspended after the military takeover of 17 November 1993; in October 1995, the government announced a three-year program for transition to civilian rule; elections to the National Assembly are to take place in the second quarter of 1998
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Armed Forces Ruling Council; Federal Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the federal government on the advice of the Advisory Judicial Committee
Political parties and leaders: political party system, which was suspended after the military takeover of 17 November 1993, was reestablished by the Provisional Ruling Council on 30 September 1996 with the registration of five of 15 competing political parties; these were the United Nigeria Congress Party or UNCP [Isa MOHAMMED, chairman]; National Center Party of Nigeria or NCPN [Magaji ABDULLAH, chairman]; Grassroots Democratic Movement or GDM [Gambo LAWAR, chairman]; Comittee for National Consensus or CNC [Abel UBEKU, chairman]; Democratic Party of Nigeria or DPN [Sale HASSAN, chairman]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C (suspended),CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAVEMIII, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP,UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wakili Hassan ADAMU chancery: 1333 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 986-8400 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Walter C. CARRINGTON embassy: 2 Eleke Crescent, Lagos mailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagos telephone : [234] (1) 261-0097 FAX: [234] (1) 261-0257
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green
Economy
Economy - overview: The oil-rich Nigerian economy continues to be hobbled by political instability, corruption, and poor macroeconomic management. Nigeria's unpopular military rulers have failed to make significant progress in diversifying the economy away from overdependence on the capital intensive oil sector which provides half of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and about 80% of budgetary revenues. Regime officials also appear divided on how to redress fundamental economic imbalances that result in troublesome inflation and the discouragement of investors. The government's resistance to initiating greater transparency and accountability in managing the country's multibillion dollar oil earnings continues to limit economic growth and prevent an agreement with the IMF and bilateral creditors on debt relief. The largely subsistence agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapid population growth, and Nigeria, once a large net exporter of food, now must import food. Agricultural production in 1996 suffered from severe shortages of fertilizer.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $143.5 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,380 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 28% industry: 53% services: 19% (1995 est.)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 57% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total: 42.844 million by occupation: agriculture 54%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 15%
Unemployment rate: 28% (1992 est.)
Budget: revenues: $16.1 billion expenditures: $16 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA billion (1995 est.)
Industries: crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel
Industrial production growth rate: -1% (1995)
Electricity - capacity: 5.88 million kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 14.88 billion kWh (1994)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 141 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber ; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; fishing and forest resources extensively exploited
Exports: total value : $11.6 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber partners : US 52%, EU 34%
Imports: total value: $10 billion (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, food and animals partners : EU 50%, US 13%, Japan 7%
Debt - external: $34 billion (1994 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 naira (N) = 100 kobo
Exchange rates: naira (N) per US$1 - 21.886 (October 1996), 21.895 (1995), 21.996 (1994), 22.065 (1993), 17.298 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Nigeria:Communications
Telephones: 492,204 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: average system limited by poor maintenance; major expansion in progress domestic: microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and 20 domestic satellite earth stations carry intercity traffic international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 1 coaxial submarine cable
Radio broadcast stations: AM 35, FM 17, shortwave 0
Radios: 20 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 28
Televisions: 3.8 million (1992 est.)
@Nigeria:Transportation
Railways: total: 3,557 km narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge standard gauge: 52 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
Highways: total: 32,105 km paved: 26,005 km (including 2,044 km of expressways) unpaved: 6,100 km (1994 est.) note : many of the roads reported as paved may be graveled
Waterways: 8,575 km consisting of the Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks
Pipelines: crude oil 2,042 km; petroleum products 3,000 km; natural gas 500 km
Ports and harbors: Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri
Merchant marine: total : 30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 353,422 GRT/600,389 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 12, chemical tanker 3, oil tanker 13, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1996 est.)
Airports: 65 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 51 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m : 17 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 12 (1996 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Police Force
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 24,465,233 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 14,015,140 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 1,209,386 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $243 million (1995 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: less than 1% (1995 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: demarcation of international boundaries in vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; dispute with Cameroon over land and maritime boundaries in the vicinity of the Bakasi Peninsula has been referred to the ICJ
Illicit drugs: facilitates movement of heroin en route from Southeast and Southwest Asia to Western Europe and North America; increasingly a transit route for cocaine from South America intended for European, East Asian, and North American markets ______________________________________________________________________
(free association with New Zealand)
@Niue:Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga
Geographic coordinates: 19 02 S, 169 52 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 260 sq km land: 260 sq km water : 0 sq km
Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 64 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds
Terrain: steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point : unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m
Natural resources: fish, arable land
Land use: arable land: 19% permanent crops : 8% permanent pastures: 4% forests and woodland: 19% other: 50% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: typhoons
Environment - current issues: traditional methods of burning brush and trees to clear land for agriculture have threatened soil supplies which are not naturally very abundant
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: one of world's largest coral islands
@Niue:People
Population: 1,708 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years : NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: -3.65% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population
Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years : NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female total population: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female : NA years
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality: noun: Niuean(s) adjective: Niuean
Ethnic groups: Polynesian (with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, andTongans)
Religions: Ekalesia Nieue (Niuean Church) 75% - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society, Latter-Day Saints 10%, other 15% (mostly Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist)
Languages: Polynesian closely related to Tongan and Samoan, English
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA% female: NA%
@Niue:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Niue
Data code: NE
Dependency status: in free association with New Zealand; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs
Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy
National capital: Alofi
Administrative divisions: none
Independence: on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty)
Constitution: 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)
Legal system: English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952); the queen and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner Warren SEARELL (since NA August 1993) head of government: Premier Frank Fakaotimanava LUI (acting premier since NA December 1992, premier since 12 March 1993) cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministers elections: the queen is a hereditary monarch; premier elected by the Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 23 February 1996 (next to be held NA March 1999) election results: Frank Fakaotimanava LUI elected premier; percent of Legislative Assembly vote - NA
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common roll and 14 are village representatives) elections : last held 23 February 1996 (next to be held NA March 1999) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NPP 9, independents 11
Judicial branch: Appeal Court of New Zealand; High Court
Political parties and leaders: Niue Peoples Party (NPP), Robert REX,Jr.
International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
Flag description: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross
Economy
Economy - overview: The economy is heavily dependent on aid from New Zealand as Niue has no indigenous export product. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, with the shortfall made up by grants from New Zealand - the grants are used to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut government expenditures in 1994-96, however, by reducing the public service by almost half. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of migration of Niueans to New Zealand.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.4 million (1993 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,200 (1993 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 5% (1992)
Labor force: total: 1,000 (1981 est.) by occupation: most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $5.5 million expenditures: $6.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1985 est.)
Industries: tourism, handicrafts, food processing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: NA kW
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh
Agriculture - products: coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle
Exports: total value: $117,500 (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: canned coconut cream, copra, honey, passion fruit products, pawpaw, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts partners: NZ 89%, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia
Imports: total value: $4.1 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs partners : NZ 59%, Fiji 20%, Japan 13%, Western Samoa, Australia, US
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $5.9 million from NZ (FY95/96)
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.4247 (January 1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Niue:Communications
Telephones: 276 (1992 est.)
Telephone system: domestic : single-line telephone system connects all villages on island international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1987 est.)
Radios: 1,000
Television broadcast stations: 0 note: there is cable television
Televisions: 312 (1991 est.)
@Niue:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 229 km paved: 0 km unpaved: 229 km
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Police Force
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________
(territory of Australia)
@Norfolk Island:Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east ofAustralia
Geographic coordinates: 29 02 S, 167 57 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total : 34.6 sq km land: 34.6 sq km water : 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 32 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Bates 319 m
Natural resources: fish