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 November 1986); note - before being popularly elected, CHISSANO was elected president by Frelimo's Central Committee 4 November 1986 (reelected by the Committee 30 July 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Pascoal MOCUMBI (since NA December 1994) cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 3-4 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO reelected president; percent of vote - Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO 52.29%, Afonso DHLAKAMA 47.71%
Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on a secret ballot to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 3-5 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - Frelimo 48.54%, Renamo-UE 38.81%; seats by party - Frelimo 133, Renamo-UE 117 note: Renamo-UE ran as a multiparty coalition; none of the other opposition parties received the 5% required to win parliamentary seats
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president and judges elected by the Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Front for the Liberation of Mozambique(Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or Frelimo [Joaquim AlbertoCHISSANO, chairman]; Mozambique National Resistance - Electoral Union(Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana - Uniao Eleitoral) or Renamo-UEInternational organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO,G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UNTAET, 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 telephone: (202) 293-7146 FAX: (202) 835-0245
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 telephone: (1) 492797 FAX: (1) 490114
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
@Mozambique: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's economy grew at an annual 10% rate in 1997-99, one of the highest growth rates in the world. Still, the country depends on foreign assistance to balance the budget and to pay for a trade imbalance in which imports outnumber exports by five to one or more. 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. In addition, Mozambique is on track to receive a formal cancellation of a large portion of its external debt through a World Bank initiative.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.7 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 10% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,000 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 34% industry: 18% services: 48% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1999 est.)
Labor force: NA
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 81%, industry 6%, services 13% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $402 million expenditures: $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: 1.2 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 25% hydro: 75% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 1.018 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 483 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 385 million kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, rice, tropical fruits; beef, poultry
Exports: $300 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: prawns 40%, cashews, cotton, sugar, copra, citrus, coconuts, timber (1997)
Exports - partners: Spain 17%, South Africa 16%, Portugal 12%, US 10%,Japan, Malawi, India, Zimbabwe (1996 est.)
Imports: $1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: food, clothing, farm equipment, petroleum, transport equipment (1997)
Imports - partners: South Africa 55%, Zimbabwe 7%, Saudi Arabia 5%,Portugal 4%, US, Japan, India (1996 est.)
Debt - external: $4.8 billion (1999)
Economic aid - recipient: $1.115 billion (1995)
Currency: 1 metical (Mt) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: meticais (Mt) per US$1 - 13,392.0 (January 2000), 12,775.1 (1999), 11,874.6 (1998), 11.543.6 (1997), 11,293.8 (1996), 9,024.3 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Mozambique:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 60,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: NA
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 14, FM 4, shortwave 17 (1998)
Radios: 730,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 90,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (1999)
@Mozambique: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 km note: not operating
Ports and harbors: Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba, Quelimane
Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,125 GRT/7,024 DWT ships by type: cargo 3 (1999 est.)
Airports: 170 (1999 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 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 148 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 92 (1999 est.)
@Mozambique:Military
Military branches: Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces,Militia
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 4,536,132 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 2,617,720 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $72 million (FY97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 4.7% (FY97)
@Mozambique: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
______________________________________________________________________
@Namibia:Introduction
Background: South Africa occupied the German colony of Sud-West Afrika during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that was soon named Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Independence came in 1990.
@Namibia:Geography
Location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, betweenAngola and South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 825,418 sq km land: 825,418 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Land boundaries: total: 3,824 km border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 855 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 m highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, hydropower, fish note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and 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 water resources; desertification
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Namibia:People
Population: 1,771,327 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 384,900; female 375,282) 15-64 years: 53% (male 468,942; female 475,504) 65 years and over: 4% (male 28,905; female 37,794) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.57% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 35.23 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 19.49 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 70.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 42.46 years male: 44.33 years female: 40.53 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.89 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Namibian(s) adjective: Namibian
Ethnic groups: black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5% 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), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 38% male: 45% female: 31% (1960 est.)
@Namibia:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional 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 Samuel NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Samuel NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held NA 2004) election results: Samuel NUJOMA elected president; percent of vote - Samuel NUJOMA 77%
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the National Council (26 seats; two members are chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly (72 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Council - elections for regional councils, to determine members of the National Council, held 30 November-1 December 1998 (next to be held by December 2004); National Assembly - last held 30 November-1 December 1999 (next to be held by December 2004) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SWAPO 21, DTA 4, UDF 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 77%, COD 10%, DTA 9%, UDF 3%, MAG 1%; seats by party - SWAPO 55, COD 7, DTA 7, UDF 2, MAG 1, note: the National Council is a purely advisory body
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders: Congress of Democrats or COD [BenULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance of Namibia or DTA [KatuutireKAURA, president]; Monitor Action Group or MAG ;South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO ; UnitedDemocratic Front or UDF
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, NAM,OAU, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Leonard Nangolo IIPUMBU chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 986-0540 FAX: (202) 986-0443
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey A. BADER embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen Street, Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: (61) 221601 FAX: (61) 229792
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
@Namibia: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 four times the per capita GDP of Africa's poorer countries, the majority of Namibia's people live in pronounced poverty because of large-scale unemployment, the great inequality of income distribution, and the large amount of wealth going to foreigners. The Namibian economy has close links to South Africa. GDP growth should improve in 2000-01, because of gains in the diamond and fish sectors. Agreement has been reached on the privatization of several more enterprises in coming years, which should stimulate long-run foreign investment.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.1 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 3% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $4,300 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 12% industry: 30% services: 58% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.5% (1999)
Labor force: 500,000
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 47%, industry 25%, services 28% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate: 30% to 40%, including underemployment (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $883 million expenditures: $950 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998)
Industries: meat packing, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamond, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1994)
Electricity - production: 1.198 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 2% hydro: 98% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)
Electricity - consumption: 1.81 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports: 56 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports: 890 million kWh (1999) note: imports electricity from South Africa
Agriculture - products: millet, sorghum, peanuts; livestock; fish
Exports: $1.4 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins
Exports - partners: UK 43%, South Africa 26%, Spain 14%, France 8%,Japan (1998 est.)
Imports: $1.5 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Imports - partners: South Africa 84%, Germany, US, Japan (1995 est.)
Debt - external: $159 million (1999 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: $127 million (1998)
Currency: 1 Namibian dollar (N$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Namibian dollars (N$) per US$1 - 6.12439 (January 2000), 6.10948 (1999), 5.52828 (1998), 4.60796 (1997), 4.29935 (1996), 3.62709 (1995)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
@Namibia:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 100,848 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 20,000 (1998)
Telephone system: domestic: good urban services; fair rural service; microwave radio relay links major towns; connections to other populated places are by open wire; 100% digital international: fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to Africa ONE and South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cables through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 34, shortwave 5 (1998)
Radios: 232,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 8 (plus about 20 low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 60,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 4 (1999)
@Namibia:Transportation
Railways: total: 2,382 km narrow gauge: 2,382 km 1.067-m gauge; single track (1995)
Highways: total: 63,258 km paved: 5,250 km unpaved: 58,008 km (1997 est.)
Ports and harbors: Luderitz, Walvis Bay
Merchant marine: none (1999 est.)
Airports: 135 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 22 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 113 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 21 914 to 1,523 m: 69 under 914 m: 21 (1999 est.)
@Namibia:Military
Military branches: National Defense Force (Army), Police
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 416,529 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 248,581 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $90 million (FY97/98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.6% (FY97/98)
@Namibia:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: dispute with Botswana over uninhabitedKasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River resolved by the ICJin favor of Botswana (13 December 1999); at least one other island inLinyanti River is contested
______________________________________________________________________
@Nauru:Introduction
Background: Nauru's phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium; the island was occupied by Australian forces in World War I. Upon achieving independence in 1968, Nauru became the smallest independent republic in the world; it joined the UN in 1999.
@Nauru:Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of theMarshall Islands
Geographic coordinates: 0 32 S, 166 55 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 21 sq km land: 21 sq km water: 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: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% 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, but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; 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 the Sea, Marine Dumping signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator
@Nauru:People
Population: 11,845 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.99% (male 2,494; female 2,361) 15-64 years: 57.37% (male 3,383; female 3,413) 65 years and over: 1.64% (male 97; female 97) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.05% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 27.86 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 7.34 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 10.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.84 years male: 57.35 years female: 64.5 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.71 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Nauruan(s) adjective: Nauruan
Ethnic groups: Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%,European 8%
Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic)
Languages: Nauruan (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes
Literacy: definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%
@Nauru:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Nauru conventional short form: Nauru former: 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-, andUK-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 Rene HARRIS (since NA 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rene HARRIS (since NA 1999); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of Parliament elections: president elected by Parliament for a three-year term; election last held 27 April 1999 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: Rene HARRIS elected president; percent of Parliament vote - NA note: former President Bernard DOWIYOGO was deposed in a no-confidence vote
Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (18 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 8 February 1997 (next to be held NA February 2000) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 18
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: loose multiparty system; DemocraticParty ; Nauru Party (informal)
International organization participation: AsDB, C, ESCAP, ICAO,Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC,SPF, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Nauru does not have an embassy in the US, but will open a UN office early in 2000 at 800 2nd Avenue, New York, New York consulate(s): Agana (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy 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
@Nauru:Economy
Economy - overview: Revenues of this tiny island come from exports of phosphates, but reserves are expected to be exhausted in the year 2000. Phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World, with estimates of GDP varying widely. 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 for a freezing of wages, a reduction of over-staffed public service departments, privatization of numerous government agencies, and closure of some overseas consulates. In recent years Nauru has encouraged the registration of offshore banks and corporations. Tens of billions of dollars have been channeled through their accounts.
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 million expenditures: $64.8 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96)
Industries: phosphate mining, financial services, coconut products
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 30 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 28 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
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: $2.25 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.)
Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.5207 (January 2000), 1.5497 (1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@Nauru:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 2,000 (1994)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 450 (1994)
Telephone system: adequate local and international radiotelephone communications provided via Australian facilities domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 7,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: 500 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Nauru:Transportation
Railways: total: 3.9 km; note - used to haul phosphates from the center of the island to processing facilities on the southwest coast
Highways: total: 30 km paved: 24 km unpaved: 6 km (1998 est.)
Ports and harbors: Nauru
Merchant marine: none (1999 est.)
Airports: 1 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1999 est.)
@Nauru:Military
Military branches: no regular armed forces; Directorate of the NauruPolice Force
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 2,945 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,620 (2000 est.)
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
@Nauru:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
______________________________________________________________________
@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 km land: 5.2 sq km water: 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 m 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
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
@Navassa Island:People
Population: uninhabited note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island (July 2000 est.)
@Navassa 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 Fish and Wildlife Service, 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
Flag description: the flag of the US is used
@Navassa Island:Economy
Economy - overview: no economic activity
@Navassa Island:Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
@Navassa Island:Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
@Navassa Island:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: claimed by Haiti
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
@Netherlands Antilles:Introduction
Background: Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, the island of Curacao was hard hit by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of oil refineries to service the newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields. The island of Sint Maarten is shared with France (whose northern portion is named Saint Martin and is part of Guadeloupe).
@Netherlands Antilles:Geography
Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - one includes Curacao and Bonaire north of Venezuela and the other is east of the Virgin Islands
Geographic coordinates: 12 15 N, 68 45 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 960 sq km land: 960 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin)
Area - comparative: more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 10.2 km border countries: Guadeloupe (Saint Martin) 10.2 km
Coastline: 364 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds
Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m
Natural resources: phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only)
Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 90% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October
Environment - current issues: NA
@Netherlands Antilles:People
Population: 210,134 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 25% (male 27,320; female 26,230) 15-64 years: 67% (male 66,653; female 73,813) 65 years and over: 8% (male 6,701; female 9,417) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.01% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 16.94 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 6.42 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 11.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.72 years male: 72.56 years female: 76.99 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.09 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Netherlands Antillean(s) adjective: Netherlands Antillean
Ethnic groups: mixed black 85%, Carib Amerindian, white, East Asian
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day Adventist
Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) predominates, English widely spoken, Spanish
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (1981 est.)
@Netherlands Antilles:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles local long form: none local short form: Nederlandse Antillen
Data code: NT
Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954
Government type: parliamentary
Capital: Willemstad
Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: each island has its own government
Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)
Constitution: 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of theNetherlands, as amended
Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Jaime SALEH (since NA October 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Miguel POURIER (since 8 November 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the Staten; election last held 30 January 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002) election results: Miguel POURIER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA note: government coalition - PDB, DP-St. M, FOL, PLKP, PNP
Legislative branch: unicameral States or Staten (22 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 30 January 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAR 4, PNP 3, SPA 1, PDB 2, UPB 1, MAN 2, PLKP 3, WIPM 1, SEA 1, DP-St. M 2, FOL 2; no party won enough seats to form a government note: the government of Prime Minister Miguel POURIER is a coalition of several parties
Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice, judges appointed by the monarch
Political parties and leaders: Antillean Restructuring Party or PAR; C 93 ; Democratic Party of Bonaire orPDB ; Democratic Party of Curacao or DP [EphraimJONCKHEER]; Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius or DP-St. E [JulianWOODLEY]; Democratic Party of Sint Maarten or DP-St. M [SarahWESTCOTT-WILLIAMS]; Foundation Energetic Management Anti-Narcotics orFAME ; Labor Party People's Crusade or PLKP [ErrolCOVA]; National People's Party or PNP ; New AntillesMovement or MAN ; Nos Patria [ChinBEHILIA]; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten or SPA ;Patriotic Union of Bonaire or UPB ; People's Party or PAPU; Pro Curacao Party or PPK ; SabaDemocratic Labor Movement ; Saba Unity Party [CarmenSIMMONDS]; St. Eustatius Alliance or SEA ; SeriousAlternative People's Party or SAPP ; Social ActionCause or KAS ; Socialist Independent or SI [GeorgeHUECK]; Windward Islands People's Movement or WIPM ;Workers' Liberation Front or FOLnote: political parties are indigenous to each island
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO, WToO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General Barbara J. STEPHENSON consulate(s) general: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao telephone: (9) 4613066 FAX: (9) 4616489
Flag description: white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten
@Netherlands Antilles:Economy
Economy - overview: Tourism, petroleum transshipment, and offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. The islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure as compared with other countries in the region. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with Venezuela, the US, and Mexico being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (1998 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: -0.3% (1998 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,800 (1998 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (1998)
Labor force: 89,000
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 1%, industry 13%, services 86% (1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: 14.9% (1998 est.)
Budget: revenues: $710.8 million expenditures: $741.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Industries: tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao)
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 1.02 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 949 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit
Exports: $303 million (f.o.b., 1998)
Exports - commodities: petroleum products 98% (1993)
Exports - partners: US 17.5%, Guatemala 8%, Costa Rica 6.5%, TheBahamas 4.6%, Jamaica 4.1%, Chile 3.4% (1998)
Imports: $1.3 billion (c.i.f., 1998)
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum 64%, food, manufactures (1993)
Imports - partners: Venezuela 35.3%, US 21%, Mexico 9.8%, Italy 5.4%,Netherlands 4.8%, Brazil 3.1% (1998)
Debt - external: $1.35 billion (1996)
Economic aid - recipient: $NA; note - Netherlands provided a $97 million aid package in 1996
Currency: 1 Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (NAf.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders, gulden, or florins(NAf.) per US$1 - 1.790 (fixed rate since 1989)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Netherlands Antilles:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 75,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 11,727 (1995)
Telephone system: generally adequate facilities domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 217,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (there is also a cable service which supplies programs received from various US satellite networks and two Venezuelan channels) (1997)
Televisions: 69,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (1999)
@Netherlands Antilles:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 600 km paved: 300 km unpaved: 300 km (1992 est.)
Ports and harbors: Kralendijk, Philipsburg, Willemstad
Merchant marine: total: 110 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,028,910 GRT/1,285,837 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 27, chemical tanker 2, combination ore/oil 3, container 16, liquified gas 4, multi-functional large load carrier 18, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 26, roll-on/roll-off 6 (1999 est.) note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 2 countries: Belgium owns 9 ships, Germany 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 5 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1999 est.)
@Netherlands Antilles:Military
Military branches: Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, RoyalNetherlands Air Force, National Guard, Police Force
Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 53,766 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 30,137 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 1,534 (2000 est.)
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of theNetherlands
@Netherlands Antilles:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: money-laundering center; transshipment point for SouthAmerican drugs bound for the US and Europe
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@Netherlands:Introduction
Background: The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I but suffered a brutal invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EC, and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.
@Netherlands:Geography
Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium andGermany
Geographic coordinates: 52 30 N, 5 45 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 41,532 sq km land: 33,889 sq km water: 7,643 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 1,027 km border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km
Coastline: 451 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Prins Alexanderpolder -7 m highest point: Vaalserberg 321 m
Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, arable land
Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 8% other: 39% (1996 est.)
Irrigated land: 6,000 sq km (1996 est.)
Natural hazards: the extensive system of dikes and dams protects nearly one-half of the total area from being flooded
Environment - current issues: water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-VolatileOrganic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty,Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone LayerProtection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants,Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note: located at mouths of three major European rivers(Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)
@Netherlands:People
Population: 15,892,237 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 1,497,290; female 1,431,671) 15-64 years: 68% (male 5,490,518; female 5,305,848) 65 years and over: 14% (male 885,839; female 1,281,071) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.57% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 12.12 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 8.72 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.28 years male: 75.4 years female: 81.28 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.64 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) adjective: Dutch
Ethnic groups: Dutch 91%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 9% (1999 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 34%, Protestant 25%, Muslim 3%, other 2%, unaffiliated 36% (1991)
Languages: Dutch
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1979 est.) male: NA% female: NA%
@Netherlands:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands conventional short form: Netherlands local long form: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden local short form: Nederland
Data code: NL
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government
Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (provincien, singular -provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen,Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland,Zuid-Holland
Dependent areas: Aruba, Netherlands Antilles
Independence: 1579 (from Spain)
National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April
Constitution: adopted 1814; amended many times, last time 17 February 1983
Legal system: civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Wim KOK (since 22 August 1994) and Vice Prime Ministers Annemarie JORRITSMA (since 3 August 1998) and Els BORST-EILERS (since 3 August 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; vice prime ministers appointed by the monarch note: government coalition - PvdA, VVD, and D'66; there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors consulted by the executive on legislative and administrative policy
Legislative branch: bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils for four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: First Chamber - last held 25 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2003); Second Chamber - last held 6 May 1998 (next to be held May 2002) election results: First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CDA 20, VVD 19, PvdA 15, D'66 4, other 17; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - PvdA 30.0%, VVD 25.3%, CDA 19.3%, D'66 9.3%, other 16.1%; seats by party - PvdA 45, VVD 38, CDA 29, D'66 14, other 24
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Hoge Raad, justices are nominated for life by the monarch
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA ; Democrats '66 or D'66 ; Labor Party or PvdA ; People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Liberal) or VVD ; a host of minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders: Federation of Netherlands TradeUnion Movement (comprising Socialist and Catholic trade unions) and aProtestant trade union; Federation of Catholic and ProtestantEmployers Associations; Interchurch Peace Council or IKV; largemultinational firms; the nondenominational Federation of NetherlandsEnterprises