Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 S, 174 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:total: 268,680 sq kmland: 268,670 sq kmwater: 10 sq kmnote: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands,Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands
Area—comparative: about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 15,134 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Cook 3,764 m
Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber,hydropower, gold, limestone
Land use:arable land: 9%permanent crops: 5%permanent pastures: 50%forests and woodland: 28%other: 8% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 2,850 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: earthquakes are common, though usually notsevere; volcanic activity
Environment—current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; nativeflora and fauna hard-hit by species introduced from outside
Environment—international agreements:party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, EnvironmentalModification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83,Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine LifeConservation
Geography—note: about 80% of the population lives in cities
People
Population: 3,662,265 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 23% (male 430,105; female 409,302)15-64 years: 65% (male 1,202,762; female 1,195,006)65 years and over: 12% (male 184,048; female 241,042) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.99% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 14.42 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 7.53 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.22 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.82 years male: 74.55 years female: 81.27 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.85 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand
Ethnic groups: New Zealand European 74.5%, Maori 9.7%, otherEuropean 4.6%, Pacific Islander 3.8%, Asian and others 7.4%
Religions: Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%,Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none33% (1986)
Languages: English (official), Maori
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 99% (1980 est.)male: NA%female: NA%
Government
Country name:conventional long form: noneconventional short form: New Zealandabbreviation: NZ
Data code: NZ
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Wellington
Administrative divisions: 93 counties, 9 districts*, and 3 towndistricts**; Akaroa, Amuri, Ashburton, Bay of Islands, Bruce,Buller, Chatham Islands, Cheviot, Clifton, Clutha, Cook, Dannevirke,Egmont, Eketahuna, Ellesmere, Eltham, Eyre, Featherston, Franklin,Golden Bay, Great Barrier Island, Grey, Hauraki Plains, Hawera*,Hawke's Bay, Heathcote, Hikurangi**, Hobson, Hokianga, Horowhenua,Hurunui, Hutt, Inangahua, Inglewood, Kaikoura, Kairanga, Kiwitea,Lake, Mackenzie, Malvern, Manaia**, Manawatu, Mangonui, Maniototo,Marlborough, Masterton, Matamata, Mount Herbert, Ohinemuri, Opotiki,Oroua, Otamatea, Otorohanga*, Oxford, Pahiatua, Paparua, Patea,Piako, Pohangina, Raglan, Rangiora*, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua*,Runanga, Saint Kilda, Silverpeaks, Southland, Stewart Island,Stratford, Strathallan, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Tauranga,Thames-Coromandel*, Tuapeka, Vincent, Waiapu, Waiheke, Waihemo,Waikato, Waikohu, Waimairi, Waimarino, Waimate, Waimate West,Waimea, Waipa, Waipawa*, Waipukurau*, Wairarapa South, Wairewa,Wairoa, Waitaki, Waitomo*, Waitotara, Wallace, Wanganui, Waverley**,Westland, Whakatane*, Whangarei, Whangaroa, Woodvillenote: there may be a new administrative structure of 16 regions(Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay,Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman,Waikato, Wanganui-Manawatu, Wellington, West Coast) that aresubdivided into 57 districts and 16 cities* (Ashburton, Auckland*,Banks Peninsula, Buller, Carterton, Central Hawke's Bay, CentralOtago, Christchurch*, Clutha, Dunedin*, Far North, Franklin,Gisborne, Gore, Grey, Hamilton*, Hastings, Hauraki, Horowhenua,Hurunui, Hutt*, Invercargill*, Kaikoura, Kaipara, Kapiti Coast,Kawerau, Mackenzie, Manawatu, Manukau*, Marlborough, Masterton,Matamata Piako, Napier*, Nelson*, New Plymouth, North Shore*,Opotiki, Otorohanga, Palmerston North*, Papakura*, Porirua*,Queenstown Lakes, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua, Ruapehu, Selwyn,Southland, South Taranaki, South Waikato, South Wairarapa,Stratford, Tararua, Tasman, Taupo, Tauranga, Thames Coromandel,Timaru, Upper Hutt*, Waikato, Waimakariri, Waimate, Waipa, Wairoa,Waitakere*, Waitaki, Waitomo, Wanganui, Wellington*, Western Bay ofPlenty, Westland, Whakatane, Whangarei)
Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
Independence: 26 September 1907 (from UK)
National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty ofWaitangi established British sovereignty)
Constitution: no formal, written constitution; consists ofvarious documents, including certain acts of the UK and New ZealandParliaments; Constitution Act 1986 was to have come into force 1January 1987, but has not been enacted
Legal system: based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General Sir Michael HARDIE BOYS (since 21March 1996)head of government: Prime Minister Jenny SHIPLEY (since 8 December1997) and Deputy Prime Minister Wyatt CREECH (since NA August 1998);note—the coalition government of the National Party and the NewZealand First Party was dissolved on 18 August 1998cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on therecommendation of the prime ministerelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor generalappointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, theleader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalitionis usually appointed prime minister by the governor general for athree-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the governorgeneral
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives—commonlycalled Parliament (120 seats; members elected by popular vote insingle-member constituencies to serve three-year terms)elections: last held 12 October 1996 (next must be called by October1999)election results: percent of vote by party—NP 34.1%, NZLP 28.3%,NZFP 13.1%, Alliance 10.1%, ACT 6.17%, UNZ 0.91%; seats by party—NP44, NZLP 37, NZFP 17, Alliance 13, ACT 8, UNZ 1
Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders: National Party or NP [Jennycoalition of the Christian Democrats and Christian Heritage Party)
International organization participation: ANZUS (US suspendedsecurity obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, AsDB, AustraliaGroup, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MONUA, MTCR, NAM (guest),NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNMOP, UNOMSIL, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador James Brendan BOLGERchancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Josiah Horton BEEMANembassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellingtonmailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP96531-1001consulate(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, moving an agrarian economy dependent on a concessionary British market access toward a more industrialized, 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. Inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. Per capita GDP has been moving up toward the levels of the big West European economies. New Zealand's heavy dependence on trade leaves its growth prospects vulnerable to economic performance in Asia, Europe, and the US. The slump in demand in Asian markets largely explains the slight drop in GDP in 1998.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$61.1 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: -0.2% (1998)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$17,000 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 25% services: 66% (1997)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (1998)
Labor force: 1.86 million (1998)
Labor force—by occupation: services 65.1%, industry 25.1%, agriculture 9.8% (1995)
Unemployment rate: 7.6% (1998)
Budget:revenues: $24.9 billionexpenditures: $23.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA(FY97/98 est.)
Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 35.534 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 18.72% hydro: 75.67% nuclear: 0% other: 5.61% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 35.534 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef, dairy products; fish
Exports: $12.9 billion (1998 est.)
Exports—commodities: wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fish, cheese, chemicals, forestry products, fruits and vegetables, manufactures, dairy products, wood
Exports—partners: Australia 20%, Japan 15%, US 10%, UK 6% (1997)
Imports: $13 billion (1998 est.)
Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, consumer goods, plastics
Imports—partners: Australia 27%, US 19%, Japan 12%, UK 6% (1997)
Debt—external: $53.2 billion (March 1998)
Economic aid—donor: ODA, $123 million (1995)
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1—1.85 (February 1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June
Communications
Telephones: 1.7 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: excellent international and domestic systemsdomestic: NAinternational: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satelliteearth stations—2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 64, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.215 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 41 (in addition, there are 52 medium-power repeaters and over 650 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 1.53 million (1992 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 3,973 km narrow gauge: 3,973 km 1.067-m gauge (519 km electrified)
Highways:total: 92,200 kmpaved: 53,568 km (including at least 144 km of expressways)unpaved: 38,632 km (1996 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: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 138,687 GRT/183,372 DWTships by type: bulk 4, cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker3, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4 (1998 est.)
Airports: 111 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 44 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 3 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 67 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 43 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy,Royal New Zealand Air Force
Military manpower—military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 943,624 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 793,814 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 26,046 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $562 million (FY97/98)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.05% (FY97/98)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: territorial claim in Antarctica (RossDependency)
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@Nicaragua ————-
Geography
Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North 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 kmland: 120,254 sq kmwater: 9,240 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than the state of New York
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 centralinterior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted byvolcanoes
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mogoton 2,438 m
Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc,timber, fish
Land use:arable land: 9%permanent crops: 1%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; waterpollution; Hurricane Mitch damage
Environment—international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol,Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
People
Population: 4,717,132 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 44% (male 1,037,269; female 1,018,909)15-64 years: 54% (male 1,236,326; female 1,297,356)65 years and over: 2% (male 54,706; female 72,566) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.84% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 35.04 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.6 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.04 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 40.47 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.08 years male: 64.7 years female: 69.56 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.14 children born/woman (1999 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 writetotal population: 65.7%male: 64.6%female: 66.6% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Nicaraguaconventional short form: Nicaragualocal long form: Republica de Nicaragualocal short form: Nicaragua
Data code: NU
Government type: republic
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); note—thepresident is both chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (10 January1997); Vice President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (10 January 1997);note—the president is both chief of state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinetelections: president and vice president elected on the same ticketby popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 20 October1996 (next to be held NA 2001); note—in July 1995 the term of theoffice of the president was amended to five yearsparty]—includes PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 51.03%, Daniel ORTEGASaavedra (FSLN) 37.75%, Guillermo OSORNO (PCCN) 4.10%, Noel VIDAURRE(PCN) 2.26%, Benjamin LANZAS (PRONAL) 0.53%, other (18 othercandidates) 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%, FSLN 36.55%, PCCN 3.73%, PCN 2.12%, 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 electedfor seven-year terms by the National Assembly
Political parties and leaders:OSORNO, Roberto RODRIGUEZ]; Liberal Constitutionalist Party or PLCSaavedra]
Political pressure groups and leaders: National Workers Front orFNT is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions: SandinistaWorkers Central or CST; Farm Workers Association or ATC; HealthWorkers Federation or FETASALUD; National Union of Employees or UNE;National Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN; Union ofJournalists of Nicaragua or UPN; Heroes and Martyrs Confederation ofProfessional Associations or CONAPRO; and the National Union ofFarmers and Ranchers or UNAG; Permanent Congress of Workers or CPTis an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions:Confederation of Labor Unification or CUS; Autonomous NicaraguanWorkers Central or CTN-A; Independent General Confederation of Laboror CGT-I; and Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS; NicaraguanWorkers' Central or CTN is an independent labor union; SuperiorCouncil of Private Enterprise or COSEP is a confederation ofbusiness 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, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco AGUIRRE Sacasachancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, NewYork
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Lino GUTIERREZembassy: Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur, Managuamailing address: APO AA 34021666026, 666027, 666032, 666033
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: Prior to Hurricane Mitch in the fall of 1998, Nicaragua had been pursuing a number of impressive economic reforms and had begun to shed the legacy of a decade of civil war and economic mismanagement by posting strong annual growth numbers. The storm has put the reform effort on hold and has changed economic forecasts for the foreseeable future—Nicaragua, the poorest country in Central America was one of the hardest hit by the hurricane. Nicaragua sustained approximately $1 billion in damages and will probably see GDP growth slow by at least one percentage point in 1999. Hardest hit was the all-important agriculture sector, which is responsible for the majority of exports. As a result, the trade deficit is likely to balloon in 1999 to roughly $900 million. Significant aid and relief have helped to stabilize the country. In addition, the Paris Club and other creditors have offered substantial debt relief. Nevertheless, additional financing will be needed to restore the economy to its pre-Mitch condition.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$11.6 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,500 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 24% services: 44% (1997)
Population below poverty line: 50.3% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 39.8% (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 1.5 million
Labor force—by occupation: services 54%, agriculture 31%, industry 15% (1995 est.)
Unemployment rate: 14%; underemployment 36% (1997 est.)
Budget:revenues: $389 millionexpenditures: $551 million, including capital expenditures of $NA(1996 est.)
Industries: food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles,clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear
Industrial production growth rate: 1.4% (1994 est.)
Electricity—production: 1.665 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 48.95% hydro: 21.02% nuclear: 0% other: 30.03% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 1.665 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, cassava (tapioca), citrus, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products
Exports: $704 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: coffee, seafood, meat, sugar, gold, bananas
Exports—partners: US, Central America, Germany, Canada
Imports: $1.45 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports—commodities: consumer goods, machinery and equipment, petroleum products
Imports—partners: Central America, US, Venezuela, Japan
Debt—external: $6 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $839.9 million (1995)
Currency: 1 gold cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: gold cordobas (C$) per US$1—11.14 (December 1998), 10.58 (1998), 9.45 (1997), 8.44 (1996), 7.55 (1995), 6.72 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
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: 3 (in addition, there are seven low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 260,000 (1992 est.)
Transportation
Highways: total: 16,382 km paved: 1,818 km unpaved: 14,564 km (1998 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: 184 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways: total: 13 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: 5 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 171 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 143 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 1,108,146 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 681,495 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 53,508 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $26 million (1998)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.2% (1998)
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
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@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 kmland: 1,266,700 sq kmwater: 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,gold, petroleum
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, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea
Geography—note: landlocked
People
Population: 9,962,242 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 48% (male 2,445,536; female 2,346,844)15-64 years: 50% (male 2,421,971; female 2,518,248)65 years and over: 2% (male 121,253; female 108,390) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.95% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 52.31 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 22.78 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: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 112.79 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.96 years male: 42.22 years female: 41.7 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.24 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality:noun: Nigerien(s)adjective: Nigerien
Ethnic groups: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, BeriBeri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 1,200French expatriates
Religions: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians
Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 13.6%male: 20.9%female: 6.6% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Republic of Nigerconventional short form: Nigerlocal long form: Republique du Nigerlocal short form: Niger
Data code: NG
Government type: republic
Capital: Niamey
Administrative divisions: 7 departments (departements, singular—departement), and 1 capital district* (capitale district); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder
Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958)
Constitution: the constitution of January 1993 was revised bynational referendum on 12 May 1996
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Ibrahim BARE Mainassara (since 28 January1996); note—the president is both chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Ibrahim BARE Mainassara (since 28January 1996); note—Ibrahim MAYAKI (since 27 November 1997) wasappointed prime minister by the president but does not exercise anyexecutive authority and is only the implementor of the president'sprograms; the president is both chief of state and head of governmentnote: President Ibrahim BARE was assasinated on the 9 April 1999cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the presidentelections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;last held 7-8 July 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); note—Ibrahim BAREMainassara initially became president when he ousted PresidentMahamane OUSMANE in a coup on 27 January 1996 and subsequentlydefeated him in the flawed election of July 1996election results: percent of vote—Ibrahim BARE Mainassara 52.22%,Mahamane OUSMANE 19.75%, Tandja MAMADOU 15.65%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU7.60%, Moumouni AMADOU Djermakoye 4.77%
Legislative branch: two-chamber National Assembly; one chamber with 83 seats (members elected by popular vote for five-year terms); selection process for second chamber not established elections: last held 23 November 1996 (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 orCour d'Appel
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy andTALBA, chairman]; Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama orMAMADOU, chairman]; National Union of Independents for DemocraticNigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya or PNDS-TarayyaPatriots, Democrats, and Progressives-Shamuwa or UPDP-ShamuwaNA]
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,MIPONUH, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB,WAEMU, 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
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Charles O. CECILembassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niameymailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey
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 hasa blue spoked wheel centered in the white band
Economy
Economy—overview: Niger is a poor, landlocked Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, reexport trade, and increasingly less on uranium, its major export since the 1970s. The 50% devaluation of the West African franc in January 1994 boosted exports of livestock, cowpeas, 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. Short-term prospects depend largely on upcoming negotiations on debt relief and extended aid.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$9.4 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 4.5% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$970 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 18% services: 42% (1997)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: 3%highest 10%: 29.3% (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.8% (1998)
Labor force: 70,000 receive regular wages or salaries
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget:revenues: $370 million (including $160 million from foreign sources)expenditures: $370 million, including capital expenditures of $186million (1998 est.)
Industries: cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses, and a few other small light industries; uranium mining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity—production: 170 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 365 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 195 million kWh (1996) note: imports electricity from Nigeria
Agriculture—products: cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry
Exports: $269 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports—commodities: uranium ore 50%, livestock products 20%,cowpeas, onions (1996 est.)
Exports—partners: Greece 21%, Canada 18%, France 12%, Nigeria 7%(1996 est.)
Imports: $295 million (c.i.f., 1997)
Imports—commodities: consumer goods, primary materials,machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals
Imports—partners: France 17%, Cote d'Ivoire 7%, US 5%,Belgium-Luxembourg 4%, Nigeria (1996 est.)
Debt—external: $1.2 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid—recipient: $222 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1—560.01 (January 1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 14,000 (1995 est.)
Telephone system: small system of wire, radiotelephonecommunications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated insouthwestern areadomestic: wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radiorelay; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 plannedinternational: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Oceanand 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 15, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 620,000 (1995 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 10 (in addition, there are seven low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 105,000 (1995 est.)
Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 10,100 km paved: 798 km unpaved: 9,302 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: Niger river is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin frontier from mid-December through March
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: 27 (1998 est.)
Airports—with paved runways:total: 92,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 6914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports—with unpaved runways:total: 181,524 to 2,437 m: 1914 to 1,523 m: 15under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie,Republican Guard, National Police
Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower—availability:males age 15-49: 2,117,868 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—fit for military service:males age 15-49: 1,143,355 (1999 est.)
Military manpower—reaching military age annually:males: 102,762 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures—dollar figure: $20 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.1% (FY96/97)
Transnational Issues
Disputes—international: Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in northern Niger; delimitation of international boundaries in the 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
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@Nigeria ———-
Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, betweenBenin and Cameroon
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total: 923,770 sq kmland: 910,770 sq kmwater: 13,000 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:total: 4,047 kmborder countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger1,497 km
Coastline: 853 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 30 nm
Climate: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid innorth
Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus;mountains in southeast, plains in north
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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
People
Population: 113,828,587 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 45% (male 25,613,974; female 25,397,166)15-64 years: 52% (male 30,272,539; female 29,197,611)65 years and over: 3% (male 1,678,732; female 1,668,565) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.92% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 41.84 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 12.98 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 69.46 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.3 years male: 52.55 years female: 54.06 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.02 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian
Ethnic groups: Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba, Ibo, Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio,Tiv
Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 57.1%male: 67.3%female: 47.3% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name:conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeriaconventional short form: Nigeria
Data code: NI
Government type: republic transitioning from military to civilianrule
Capital: Abujanote: on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially moved fromLagos to Abuja; many government offices remain in Lagos pendingcompletion of facilities in Abuja
Administrative divisions: 30 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Federal 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
Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and tribal law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council andCommander in Chief of Armed Forces Gen. Abdulsalami ABUBAKAR (since9 June 1998) will remain chief of state and head of government until29 May 1999 when President-elect Olusegun OBASANJO will beinauguratedhead of government: Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council andCommander in Chief of Armed Forces Gen. Abdulsalami ABUBAKAR (since9 June 1998) will remain chief of state and head of government until29 May 1999 when President-elect Olusegun OBASANJO will beinauguratedcabinet: Federal Executive Councilelections: the president is elected by popular vote for no more thantwo four-year terms; election last held 27 February 1999 (nextelection to be held NA 2003)election results: Olusegun OBASANJO (PDP) won the election with NA%of the vote, Olu FALAE (APP-AD) NA%
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists ofSenate (109 seats, three from each state and one from the FederalCapital Territory; members elected by popular vote to serveseven-year terms) and House of Representatives (360 seats, memberselected by popular vote to serve seven-year terms)elections: Senate—last held 20-24 February 1999 (next to be held NA2006); House of Representatives—last held 20-24 February 1999 (nextto be held NA 2006)election results: Senate—percent of vote by party—NA; seats byparty—PDP 61, APP 24, AD 20, other 4; House of Representives—percentof vote by party—NA; seats by party—PDP 206, APP 74, AD 68, others 12note: the National Assembly was suspended by the military governmentfollowing the military takeover on 17 November 1993; the newcivilian government which was elected on 20 February 1999 isexpected to be inaugurated on 29 May 1999
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by theProvisional Ruling Council; Federal Court of Appeal, judges areappointed by the federal government on the advice of the AdvisoryJudicial Committee
Political parties and leaders: political parties, suppressed bythe military government, were allowed to form in July 1998; threeparties were registered by the Provisional Ruling Council forparticipation in local, state and national elections; All People's
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, MONUA, NAM,OAU, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM,UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNPREDEP, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Wakili Hassan ADAMUchancery: 1333 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador William H. TWADDELLembassy: 2 Eleke Crescent, Lagosmailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagos
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoistside), 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 30% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and about 80% of budgetary revenues. 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 a staff-monitored program and 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. Growth in 1999 may become negative because of continued low oil prices and persistent inefficiencies in the system.
GDP: purchasing power parity—$106.2 billion (1998 est.)
GDP—real growth rate: 1.6% (1998 est.)
GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$960 (1998 est.)
GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 33% industry: 42% services: 25% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: 34.1% (1992-93 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 31.4% (1992-93)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1998 est.)
Labor force: 42.844 million
Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 54%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 15%
Unemployment rate: 28% (1992 est.)
Budget:revenues: $13.9 billion (1998 est.)expenditures: $13.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NAbillion (1998 est.)
Industries: crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts,cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and otherconstruction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals,fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel
Industrial production growth rate: 4.1% (1996)
Electricity—production: 13.78 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 60.94% hydro: 39.06% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity—consumption: 13.74 billion kWh (1996)
Electricity—exports: 50 million kWh (1996)
Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture—products: cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish
Exports: $9.7 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports—commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa,rubber
Exports—partners: US 35%, Spain 11%, Italy 6%, France 6% (1997est.)
Imports: $9.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998)
Imports—commodities: machinery, chemicals, transportationequipment, manufactured goods, food and animals
Imports—partners: US 14%, UK 11%, Germany 10%, France 8%,Netherlands 5% (1997 est.)