Geography—note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar
People
Population: 29,661,636 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 36% (male 5,409,322; female 5,208,742)15-64 years: 60% (male 8,773,625; female 8,922,976)65 years and over: 4% (male 619,164; female 727,807) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.84% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 25.78 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 6.12 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 50.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.87 years male: 66.85 years female: 70.99 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.24 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan
Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2%
Religions: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often thelanguage of business, government, and diplomacy
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 43.7%male: 56.6%female: 31% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Moroccoconventional short form: Moroccolocal long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyahlocal short form: Al Maghrib
Data code: MO
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Rabat
Administrative divisions: 37 provinces and 2 wilayas*; Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane, Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er Rachidia, Essaouira, Fes, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset, Khenifra, Khouribga, Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech, Meknes, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan, Tiznit note: three additional provinces of Ad Dakhla (Oued Eddahab), Boujdour, and Es Smara as well as parts of Tan-Tan and Laayoune fall within Moroccan-claimed Western Sahara; decentralization/regionalization law passed by the legislature in March 1997 creating many new provinces/regions; specific details and scope of the reorganization not yet available
Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday: National Day, 3 March (1961) (anniversary ofKing HASSAN II's accession to the throne)
Constitution: 10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992, amended(to create bicameral legislature) September 1996
Legal system: based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civillaw system; judicial review of legislative acts in ConstitutionalChamber of Supreme Court
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: King HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961)head of government: Prime Minister Abderrahmane YOUSSOUFI (since 14March 1998)cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointedby the monarch following legislative elections
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or Chamber of Counselors (270 seats; members elected indirectly by local councils, professional organizations, and labor syndicates for nine-year terms; one-third of the members are renewed every three years) and a lower house or Chamber of Representatives (325 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms) elections: Chamber of Counselors—last held 5 December 1997 (next to be held NA December 2000); Chamber of Representatives—last held 14 November 1997 (next to be held NA November 2002) election results: Chamber of Counselors—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—RNI 42, MDS 33, UC 28, MP 27, PND 21, IP 21, USFP 16, MNP 15, UT 13, FFD 12, CDT 11, UTM 8, PPS 7, PSD 4, PDI 4, UGTM 3, UNMT 2, other 3; Chamber of Representatives—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—USFP 57, UC 50, RNI 46, MP 40, MDS 32, IP 32, MNP 19, PND 10, MPCD 9, PPS 9, FFD 9, PSD 5, OADP 4, PA 2, PDI 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed on therecommendation of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary, presidedover by the monarch
Political parties and leaders:ARCHANE]labor unions and community organizations (indirect elections only):
International organization participation: ABEDA, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed BENAISSA chancery: 1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Edward M. GABRIEL embassy: 2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat mailing address: PSC 74, Box 3, APO AE 09718 consulate(s) general: Casablanca
Flag description: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional color of Islam
Economy
Economy—overview: Morocco faces the problems typical of developing countries—restraining government spending, reducing constraints on private activity and foreign trade, and keeping inflation within manageable bounds. Since the early 1980s the government has pursued an economic program toward these objectives with the support of the IMF, the World Bank, and the Paris Club of creditors. The dirham is now fully convertible for current account transactions; reforms of the financial sector have been implemented; and state enterprises are slowly being privatized. Drought conditions in 1997 depressed activity in the key agricultural sector, holding down exports and contributing to a 2.2% contraction in real GDP. Favorable rainfalls in the fall of 1997 have led to 6.8% real GDP growth in 1998. Growth is forecast to be about 4.0% in 1999. Formidable long-term challenges include: servicing the external debt; preparing the economy for freer trade with the EU; and improving education and attracting foreign investment to improve living standards and job propects for Morocco's youthful population.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$107 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 6.8% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$3,200 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 14% industry: 33% services: 53% (1997)
Population below poverty line: 13.1% (1990-91 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 30.5% (1990-91)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2%-3% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 11 million (1997 est.)
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 50%, services 26%, industry 15%, other 9% (1985)
Unemployment rate: 19% (1998 est.)
Budget:revenues: $8.4 billionexpenditures: $10 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.8billion (FY97/98 est.)
Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, foodprocessing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 4.1% (1997 est.)
Electricity—production: 11.5 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 95.65% hydro: 4.35% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 12.52 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 1.02 billion kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock
Exports: $7 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: food and beverages 30%, semiprocessed goods23%, consumer goods 21%, phosphates 17% (1995 est.)
Exports—partners: EU 63%, Japan 7.7%, India 6.6%, US 3.4%, Libya3.4% (1996 est.)
Imports: $10 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports—commodities: semiprocessed goods 26%, capital goods 25%, food and beverages 18%, fuel and lubricants 15%, consumer goods 12%, raw materials 4% (1995 est.)
Imports—partners: EU 57%, US 6.6%, Saudi Arabia 5.3%, Brazil 2.8% (1996 est.)
Debt—external: $20.9 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $565.6 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1—9.320 (January 1999), 9.604 (1998), 9.527 (1997), 8.716 (1996), 8.540 (1995), 9.203 (1994)
Fiscal year: July 1-June 30
Communications
Telephones: 1,312,596 (1999 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, andmicrowave radio relay links; principal centers are Casablanca andRabat; secondary centers are Fes, Marrakech, Oujda, Tangier, andTetouaninternational: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations—2Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay toGibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwaveradio relay to Algeria; participant in Medarabtel
Radio broadcast stations: AM 22, FM 7, shortwave 5 (1998 est.)
Radios: 5.1 million (1998 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 26 (in addition, there are 35 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 1.21 million (1998 est.)
Transportation
Railways:total: 1,907 kmstandard gauge: 1,907 km 1.435-m gauge (1,003 km electrified; 246 kmdouble track) (1994)
Highways:total: 60,626 kmpaved: 30,556 km (including 219 km of expressways)unpaved: 30,070 km (1996 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 362 km; petroleum products 491 km(abandoned); natural gas 241 km
Ports and harbors: Agadir, El Jadida, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar,Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Rabat, Safi, Tangier; alsoSpanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla
Merchant marine:total: 40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 217,869 GRT/263,033 DWTships by type: cargo 8, chemical tanker 6, container 3, oil tanker3, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 8,short-sea passenger 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 69 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 43 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 21 under 914 m: 11 (1998 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Royal Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, AirForce), Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 7,735,597 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 4,888,595 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 320,040 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $1.3611 billion (FY97/98)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 3.8% (FY97/98)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty is unresolved and the UN is attempting to hold a referendum on the issue; the UN-administered cease-fire has been in effect since September 1991; Spain controls five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off the coast of Morocco—the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which Morocco contests, as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of hashish; trafficking on the increase for both domestic and international drug markets; shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe
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@Mozambique —————
Geography
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 S, 35 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 801,590 sq kmland: 784,090 sq kmwater: 17,500 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:total: 4,571 kmborder countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km
Coastline: 2,470 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical to subtropical
Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m
Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas
Land use:arable land: 4%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 56%forests and woodland: 18%other: 22% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,180 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: severe droughts and floods occur in central and southern provinces; devastating cyclones
Environment—current issues: a long civil war and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration of the population to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
People
Population: 19,124,335 (July 1999 est.) note: the 1997 Mozambican census reported a population of 16,542,800; other estimates range as low as 16.9 million
Age structure:0-14 years: 45% (male 4,236,545; female 4,325,586)15-64 years: 53% (male 4,941,048; female 5,181,282)65 years and over: 2% (male 182,857; female 257,017) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.54% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 42.75 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 17.31 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 117.56 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.89 years male: 44.73 years female: 47.09 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.88 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Mozambican(s)adjective: Mozambican
Ethnic groups: indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan, Chokwe,Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans0.2%, Indians 0.08%
Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
Languages: Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 40.1%male: 57.7%female: 23.3% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Mozambiqueconventional short form: Mozambiquelocal long form: Republica de Mocambiquelocal short form: Mocambique
Data code: MZ
Government type: republic
Capital: Maputo
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provincias, singular—provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza, Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Independence: 25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
Constitution: 30 November 1990
Legal system: based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November1986); note—before being popularly elected, CHISSANO was electedpresident by Frelimo's Central Committee 4 November 1986 (reelectedby the Committee 30 July 1989)head of government: Prime Minister Pascoal MOCUMBI (since NADecember 1994)cabinet: Cabinetelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 27 October 1994 (next to be held NA October1999); prime minister appointed by the presidentelection results: Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO elected president;percent of vote—Joaquim CHISSANO 53.3%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 33.3%
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic orAssembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected bypopular vote on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms)elections: last held 27-29 October 1994 (next to be held NA October1999)election results: percent of vote by party—Frelimo 44.33%, Renamo33.78%, DU 5.15%, other 16.74%; seats by party—Frelimo 129, Renamo112, DU 9
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the presidentand judges elected by the Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation ofAlberto CHISSANO, chairman]; Mozambique National Resistancesecretary]; note—the DU may have broken up into the three partiesthat composed it—Liberal and Democratic Party of Mozambique,National Democratic Party, and National Party of Mozambique
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO(pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, SADC, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marcos Geraldo NAMASHULUA chancery: Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bryan Dean CURRAN embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kuanda 193, Maputo mailing address: P. O. Box 783, Maputo
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white book
Economy
Economy—overview: Before the peace accord of October 1992, Mozambique's economy was devastated by a protracted civil war and socialist mismanagement. In 1994, it ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world. Since then, Mozambique has undertaken a series of economic reforms. Almost all aspects of the economy have been liberalized to some extent. More than 900 state enterprises have been privatized. Pending are tax and much needed commercial code reform, as well as greater private sector involvement in the transportation, telecommunications, and energy sectors. Since 1996, inflation has been low and foreign exchange rates stable. Albeit from a small base, Mozambique achieved one of the highest growth rates in the world in 1997-98. Still, the country depends on foreign assistance to balance the budget and to pay for a trade imbalance in which imports outnumber exports by three to one. The medium-term outlook for the country looks bright, as trade and transportation links to South Africa and the rest of the region are expected to improve and sizable foreign investments materialize. Among these investments are metal production (aluminum, steel), natural gas, power generation, agriculture (cotton, sugar), fishing, timber, and transportation services. Additional exports in these areas should bring in needed foreign exchange.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$16.8 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 11% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$900 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 35% industry: 13% services: 52% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.3% (1998 est.)
Labor force: NA
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 80%, industry 9.5%, services 5.5%, wage earners working abroad 5% (1993 est)
Unemployment rate: NA
Budget:revenues: $402 millionexpenditures: $799 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1997 est.)
Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate: 39% (1997)
Electricity—production: 426 million kWh (1997)
Electricity—production by source: NA%
Electricity—consumption: 1.11 billion kWh (1997)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 685.6 million kWh (1997)
Agriculture—products: cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, rice, tropical fruits; beef, poultry
Exports: $295 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Exports—commodities: shrimp 40%, cashews, cotton, sugar, copra,citrus (1997)
Exports—partners: Spain 17%, South Africa 16%, Portugal 12%, US10%, Japan, Malawi, India, Zimbabwe (1996 est.)
Imports: $965 million (c.i.f., 1998 est.)
Imports—commodities: food, clothing, farm equipment, petroleum(1997)
Imports—partners: South Africa 55%, Zimbabwe 7%, Saudi Arabia 5%,Portugal 4%, US, Japan, India (1996 est.)
Debt—external: $5.7 billion (December 1997)
Economic aid—recipient: $1.115 billion (1995)
Currency: 1 metical (Mt) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: meticais (Mt) per US$1—12,394.0 (January 1999), 11,874.6 (1998), 11.543.6 (1997), 11,293.8 (1996), 9,024.3 (1995), 6,038.6 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 70,000 (1998 est.)
Telephone system: fair system of tropospheric scatter, open-wire lines, and microwave radio relay domestic: microwave radio relay and tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations—5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 29, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios: 700,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 44,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 3,131 km narrow gauge: 2,988 km 1.067-m gauge; 143 km 0.762-m gauge (1994)
Highways: total: 30,400 km paved: 5,685 km unpaved: 24,715 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: about 3,750 km of navigable routes
Pipelines: crude oil 306 km; petroleum products 289 kmnote: not operating
Ports and harbors: Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba,Quelimane
Merchant marine:total: 3 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,125 GRT/7,024DWT (1998 est.)
Airports: 174 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 4 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 152 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 96 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Naval Command, Air and Air DefenseForces, Militia
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 4,385,483 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 2,526,447 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $72 million (FY97)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 4.7% (1997)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
Illicit drugs: Southern African transit hub for South American cocaine probably destined for the European and US markets; producer of hashish and methaqualone
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@Namibia ———-
Geography
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 825,418 sq kmland: 825,418 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Land boundaries:total: 3,824 kmborder countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa855 km, Zambia 233 km
Coastline: 1,572 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; KalahariDesert in east
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin,lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, fish; suspecteddeposits of oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore
Land use:arable land: 1%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 46%forests and woodland: 22%other: 31% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: prolonged periods of drought
Environment—current issues: very limited natural fresh waterresources; desertification
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
People
Population: 1,648,270 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44% (male 366,030; female 358,105)15-64 years: 52% (male 424,879; female 435,116)65 years and over: 4% (male 26,787; female 37,353) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.57% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 35.63 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 19.92 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 65.94 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.26 years male: 41.64 years female: 40.87 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.94 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian
Ethnic groups: black 86%, white 6.6%, mixed 7.4% note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are: Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Religions: Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least, otherChristian denominations 30%), native religions 10% to 20%
Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language ofmost of the population and about 60% of the white population, German32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 38%male: 45%female: 31% (1960 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Namibiaconventional short form: Namibia
Data code: WA
Government type: republic
Capital: Windhoek
Administrative divisions: 13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap,Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati,Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990
Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note—thepresident is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990);note—the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the membersof the National Assemblyelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;election last held 7-8 December 1994 (next to be held NA December1999)election results: Sam NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote—76%
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of theNational Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from eachregional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly(72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-yearterms)elections: National Council—last held 30 November-1 December 1998(next to be held by December 2004); National Assembly—last held 7-8December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999)election results: National Council—percent of vote by party—NA;seats by party—NA; National Assembly—percent of vote by party—SWAPO73.89%, DTA 20.78%, UDF 2.72%, DCN 0.83%, MAG 0.82%; seats byparty—SWAPO 53, DTA 15, UDF 2, MAG 1, DCN 1note: the National Council is a purely advisory body
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: South West Africa People'sKATJIUONGUA]
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA,FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (subscriber), ITU,MONUA, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Usko SHIVUTE chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador George F. WARD, Jr. embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek mailing address: use embassy street address
Flag description: a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders
Economy
Economy—overview: The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 20% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. Half of the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its food. Although per capita GDP is three times the per capita GDP of Africa's poorer countries, the majority of Namibia's people live in pronounced poverty because of the great inequality of income distribution and the large amounts going to foreigners. The Namibian economy has close links to South Africa.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$6.6 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 2% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,100 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 11% industry: 34% services: 55% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1996 est.)
Labor force: 500,000
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 49%, industry and commerce25%, services 5%, government 18%, mining 3% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: 30% to 40%, including underemployment (1997est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.1 billionexpenditures: $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $193million (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: meat packing, fish processing, dairy products; mining(diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1994)
Electricity—production: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%
Electricity—consumption: 1.11 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 1.11 billion kWh (1996) note: imports electricity from South Africa
Agriculture—products: millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish
Exports: $1.44 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Exports—commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium;cattle, processed fish, karakul skins
Exports—partners: UK 38%, South Africa 24%, Spain 12%, Japan 7%(1996 est.)
Imports: $1.48 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Imports—commodities: foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Imports—partners: South Africa 87%, Germany, US, Japan (1995 est.)
Debt—external: $315 million (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $127 million (1998)
Currency: 1 Namibian dollar (N$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Nambian dollars (N$) per US$1—5.98380 (January 1999), 5.52828 (1998), 4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996), 3.62709 (1995), 3.55080 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March
Communications
Telephones: 89,722 (1992 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radiorelay links major towns; connections to other populated places areby open wireinternational: NAnote: a fully automated digital network is being implemented
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 40, shortwave 0
Radios: 195,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 8 (of which five are main stations and three are low-power stations; there are also about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 27,000 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 2,382 km narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge; single track (1995)
Highways: total: 64,799 km paved: 7,841 km unpaved: 56,958 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Luderitz, Walvis Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 135 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 22over 3,047 m: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 15914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 1132,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 20914 to 1,523 m: 70under 914 m: 21 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: National Defense Force (Army), Police
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 380,528 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 228,225 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $90 million (FY97/98)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.6% (FY97/98)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: quadripoint with Botswana, Zambia, andZimbabwe is in disagreement; dispute with Botswana over uninhabitedKasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River is presently atthe ICJ; at least one other island in Linyanti River is contested
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@Nauru ——-
Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands
Geographic coordinates: 0 32 S, 166 55 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total: 21 sq kmland: 21 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 30 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February)
Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m
Natural resources: phosphates
Land use:arable land: NA%permanent crops: NA%permanent pastures: NA%forests and woodland: NA%other: 100% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: periodic droughts
Environment—current issues: limited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90 years—mainly by a UK, Australia, and New Zealand consortium—has left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resources
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of theSea, Marine Dumpingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography—note: Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rockislands in the Pacific Ocean—the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) inKiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator
People
Population: 10,605 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 0% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: NA
Death rate: 0 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA
Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman
Nationality: noun: Nauruan(s) adjective: Nauruan
Ethnic groups: Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese8%, European 8%
Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third RomanCatholic)
Languages: Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes
Literacy: NA
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Nauruconventional short form: Nauruformer: Pleasant Island
Data code: NR
Government type: republic
Capital: no official capital; government offices in Yaren District
Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan,Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok,Uaboe, Yaren
Independence: 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, New Zealand-,and UK-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
Constitution: 29 January 1968
Legal system: acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law
Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:chief of state: President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 17 June 1998);note—the president is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 17 June 1998);note—the president is both the chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the membersof Parliamentelections: president elected by Parliament for a three-year term;election last held 17 June 1998 (next to be held NA 2001)election results: Bernard DOWIYOGO elected president; percent ofParliament vote—NAnote: former President Kinza CLODUMAR was deposed in a no-confidencevote
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (18 seats; memberselected by popular vote to serve three-year terms)elections: last held 8 February 1997 (next to be held NA February2000)election results: percent of vote—NA; seats—independents 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: loose multi-party system; Nauru
International organization participation: AsDB, C (special),ESCAP, ICAO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW,Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Nauru does not have anembassy in the USconsulate(s): Hagatna (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have anembassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru
Flag description: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru
Economy
Economy—overview: Revenues come from exports of phosphates, but reserves are expected to be exhausted by the year 2000. Phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World. Few other resources exist, thus most necessities must be imported, including fresh water from Australia. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. Substantial amounts of phosphate income are invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition. The government also has been borrowing heavily from the trusts to finance fiscal deficits. To cut costs the government has called a freezing of wages, a reduction of over-staffed public service departments, privatization of numerous government agencies, and closure of some overseas consulates.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$100 million (1993 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: NA%
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$10,000 (1993 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -3.6% (1993)
Labor force—by occupation: employed in mining phosphates, public administration, education, and transportation
Unemployment rate: 0%
Budget:revenues: $23.4 millionexpenditures: $64.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY95/96)
Industries: phosphate mining, financial services, coconut products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 32 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 32 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coconuts
Exports: $25.3 million (f.o.b., 1991)
Exports—commodities: phosphates
Exports—partners: Australia, NZ
Imports: $21.1 million (c.i.f., 1991)
Imports—commodities: food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery
Imports—partners: Australia, UK, NZ, Japan
Debt—external: $33.3 million
Economic aid—recipient: $2.5 million (1995); note?$2.25 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.)
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1—1.5853 (January 1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995), 1.3667 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June
Communications
Telephones: 2,000 (1989 est.)
Telephone system: adequate local and international radiotelephonecommunications provided via Australian facilitiesdomestic: NAinternational: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 4,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: NA
Transportation
Railways:total: 3.9 km; note—used to haul phosphates from the center of theisland to processing facilities on the southwest coast
Highways: total: 30 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 6 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Nauru
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: no regular armed forces; Directorate of theNauru Police Force
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%
Military—note: Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, Australia is responsible for defense of the island
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: none
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@Navassa Island ———————
Geography
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, about one-fourth of the way from Haiti to Jamaica
Geographic coordinates: 18 25 N, 75 02 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:total: 5.2 sq kmland: 5.2 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: about nine times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 8 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: marine, tropical
Terrain: raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 meters high)
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m
Natural resources: guano
Land use:arable land: 0%permanent crops: 0%permanent pastures: 10%forests and woodland: 0%other: 90%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment—current issues: NA
Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus
People
Population: uninhabited note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island
Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Navassa Island
Data code: BQ
Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior; in September 1996, the Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of Navassa Island Light, a 46-meter-tall lighthouse located on the southern side of the island; there has also been a private claim advanced against the island
Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC
Legal system: NA
Flag description: the flag of the US is used
Economy
Economy—overview: no economic activity
Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Military
Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: claimed by Haiti
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@Nepal ——-
Geography
Location: Southern Asia, between China and India
Geographic coordinates: 28 00 N, 84 00 E
Map references: Asia