GDP - real growth rate:NA
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - NA
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA
Labor force:1,345
Labor force - by occupation:tourism 90%, subsistence agriculture 10%
Unemployment rate:0%
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):NA
Budget:revenues: $20 millionexpenditures: $20 million, including capital expenditures of $2million (FY99/00)
Agriculture - products:Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables,fruit; cattle, poultry
Industries:tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2002)
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Exports:$1.5 million f.o.b. (FY99/00)
Exports - commodities:postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm,small quantities of avocados
Exports - partners:Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe
Imports:$17.9 million c.i.f. (FY91/92)
Imports - commodities:NA
Imports - partners:Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe
Debt - external:NA
Economic aid - recipient:NA
Currency (code):Australian dollar (AUD)
Currency code:AUD
Exchange rates:Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003),1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001), 1.7248 (2000)
Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
Communications Norfolk Island
Telephones - main lines in use:2,532; note - a mix of analog (2500) and digital (32) circuits(2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:0 (proposed cellular service disallowed in August 2002 islandreferendum) (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequatedomestic: free local callsinternational: country code - 672; undersea coaxial cable links withAustralia, New Zealand, and Canada; satellite earth station
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005)
Radios:2,500 (1996)
Television broadcast stations:1 (local programming station plus two repeaters that bring inAustralian programs by satellite) (2005)
Televisions:1,200 (1996)
Internet country code:.nf
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:700
Transportation Norfolk Island
Highways: total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2001)
Ports and harbors:none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade
Airports:1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Norfolk Island
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues Norfolk Island
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Northern Mariana Islands
Introduction Northern Mariana Islands
Background:Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of thePacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer linkswith the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. Acovenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the USwas approved in 1975. A new government and constitution went intoeffect in 1978.
Geography Northern Mariana Islands
Location:Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quartersof the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:15 12 N, 145 45 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 477 sq kmland: 477 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Area - comparative:2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:1,482 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, littleseasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainyseason July to October
Terrain:southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringingcoral reefs; northern islands are volcanic
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
Natural resources:arable land, fish
Land use:arable land: 13.04%permanent crops: 4.35%other: 82.61% (2001)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially Augustto November)
Environment - current issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development
Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean
People Northern Mariana Islands
Population:80,362 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19.9% (male 8,332/female 7,646)15-64 years: 78.5% (male 26,121/female 36,982)65 years and over: 1.6% (male 646/female 635) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 29.33 yearsmale: 31.54 yearsfemale: 28.33 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:2.61% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:19.51 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:2.3 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:8.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.09 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.71 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.78 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 7.11 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 7.05 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 7.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 75.88 yearsmale: 73.31 yearsfemale: 78.61 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.27 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: NAadjective: NA
Ethnic groups:Asian 56.3%, Pacific islander 36.3%, Caucasian 1.8%, other 0.8%,mixed 4.8% (2000 census)
Religions:Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefsand taboos may still be found)
Languages:Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97%male: 97%female: 96% (1980 est.)
Government Northern Mariana Islands
Country name:conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islandsconventional short form: Northern Mariana Islandsformer: Mariana Islands District (Trust Territory of the PacificIslands)
Dependency status:commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to theCommonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior,Office of Insular Affairs
Government type:commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor,lieutenant governor, and legislature
Capital:Saipan
Administrative divisions:none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are nofirst-order administrative divisions as defined by the USGovernment, but there are four municipalities at the second order:Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian
Independence:none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
National holiday:Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Constitution:Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islandseffective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement effective 4 November1986
Legal system:based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws,and taxation
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizensbut do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January2001)head of government: Governor Juan N. BABAUTA (since 14 January2002); Lieutenant Governor Diego T. BENAVENTE (since 14 January 2002)cabinet: NAelections: US president and vice president elected on the sameticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor electedon the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; electionlast held 3 November 2001 (next to be held November 2005)election results: Juan N. BABAUTA elected governor in a four-wayrace; percent of vote - Juan N. BABAUTA (Republican Party) 42.8%
Legislative branch:bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members areelected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and theHouse of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popularvote to serve two-year terms)elections: Senate - last held 1 November 2003 (next to be held 5November 2005); House of Representatives - last held 1 November 2003(next to be held 5 November 2005)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 9, Republican Party 7,Democratic Party 1, independent 1note: the Northern Mariana Islands does not have a nonvotingdelegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or"resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party- Republican Party 1 (Pedro A. TENORIO)
Judicial branch:Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court
Political parties and leaders:Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [NA];Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Interpol (subbureau)
Flag description:blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the graysilhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used inbuilding) in the center, surrounded by a wreath
Economy Northern Mariana Islands
Economy - overview:The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance fromthe US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generatedgovernment revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employsabout 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth ofGDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries haveexceeded one-half million in recent years, but financialdifficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. Theagricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farmsproducing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garmentproduction is by far the most important industry with employment of17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US underduty and quota exemptions.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$900 millionnote: GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:NA
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $12,500 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: NAindustry: NAservices: NA
Labor force:6,006 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717foreign workers (June 1995)
Labor force - by occupation:NA
Unemployment rate:NA
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.2% (1997 est.)
Budget:revenues: $193 millionexpenditures: $223 million, including capital expenditures of NA(FY01/02 est.)
Agriculture - products:coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle
Industries:tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:NA
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Electricity - exports:0 kWh
Electricity - imports:0 kWh
Exports:NA
Exports - commodities:garments
Exports - partners:US (2000)
Imports:NA
Imports - commodities:food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products
Imports - partners:US, Japan (2000)
Debt - external:NA
Economic aid - recipient:extensive funding from US
Currency (code):US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Northern Mariana Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:21,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular:3,000 (2000)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:NA
Television broadcast stations:1 (on Saipan and one station planned for Rota; in addition, twocable services on Saipan provide varied programming from satellitenetworks) (1997)
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.mp
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2001)
Internet users:NA
Transportation Northern Mariana Islands
Highways: total: 362 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km (1991)
Ports and harbors:Saipan, Tinian
Airports:5 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Heliports:1 (2004 est.)
Military Northern Mariana Islands
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Northern Mariana Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Norway
Introduction Norway
Background:Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following theadoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversionof the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that was to lastfor more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted thecession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution.Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep itsconstitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king.Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905referendum granting Norway independence. Although Norway remainedneutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping.Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, butwas nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45).In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member ofNATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960sboosted Norway's economic fortunes. The current focus is oncontaining spending on the extensive welfare system and planning forthe time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.
Geography Norway
Location:Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North AtlanticOcean, west of Sweden
Geographic coordinates:62 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 324,220 sq kmland: 307,860 sq kmwater: 16,360 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:total: 2,542 kmborder countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km
Coastline:25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long fjords,numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km; length ofisland coastlines 58,133 km)
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colderinterior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainyyear-round on west coast
Terrain:glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken byfertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indentedby fjords; arctic tundra in north
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 mhighest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
Natural resources:petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium,pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 2.87% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.13% (2001)
Irrigated land:1,270 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:rockslides, avalanches
Environment - current issues:water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affectinglakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its muchindented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and airroutes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlinesin world
People Norway
Population:4,593,041 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19.5% (male 459,418/female 437,734)15-64 years: 65.7% (male 1,531,249/female 1,484,656)65 years and over: 14.8% (male 286,343/female 393,641) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 38.17 yearsmale: 37.29 yearsfemale: 39.07 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:0.4% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:11.67 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:9.45 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.07 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.4 yearsmale: 76.78 yearsfemale: 82.17 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.78 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:2,100 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Norwegian(s)adjective: Norwegian
Ethnic groups:Norwegian, Sami 20,000
Religions:Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, otherChristian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
Languages:Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), smallSami- and Finnish-speaking minorities
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 100%male: 100%female: 100%
Government Norway
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Norwayconventional short form: Norwaylocal long form: Kongeriket Norgelocal short form: Norge
Government type:constitutional monarchy
Capital:Oslo
Administrative divisions:19 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder,Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland,Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane,Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold
Dependent areas:Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
Independence:7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
National holiday:Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
Constitution:17 May 1814; amended many times
Legal system:mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common lawtraditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislaturewhen asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); HeirApparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20July 1973)head of government: Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17October 2005)cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval ofparliamentelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentaryelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by themonarch with the approval of the parliament
Legislative branch:modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members areelected by popular vote by proportional representation to servefour-year terms)elections: last held 12 September 2005 (next to be held September2009)election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 32.7%,Progress Party 22.1%, Conservative Party 14.1%, Socialist Left Party8.8%, Christian People's Party 6.8%, Center Party 6.5%, LiberalParty 5.9%, Red Electoral Alliance 1.2%, other 1.9%; seats by party- Labor Party 61, Progress Party 38, Conservative Party 23,Socialist Left Party 15, Christian People's Party 11, Center Party11, Liberal Party 10note: for certain purposes, the parliament divides itself into twochambers and elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper houseor Lagting
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:Center Party [Aslaug Marie HAGA]; Christian People's Party [DagfinnHOYBRATEN]; Coastal Party [Roy WAAGE]; Conservative Party [ErnaSOLBERG]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [LarsSPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Carl I. HAGEN]; Socialist Left Party[Kristin HALVORSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA,ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD,OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNMEE, UNMIK, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO,ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Knut VOLLEBAEK chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870 consulate(s) general: Houston, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John D. ONG embassy: Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: [47] (22) 44 85 50 FAX: [47] (22) 44 33 63
Flag description:red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edgesof the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoistside in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Norway
Economy - overview:The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfarecapitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity andgovernment intervention. The government controls key areas, such asthe vital petroleum sector (through large-scale state enterprises).The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum,hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent onits oil production and international oil prices, with oil and gasaccounting for one-third of exports. Only Saudi Arabia and Russiaexport more oil than Norway. Norway opted to stay out of the EUduring a referendum in November 1994; nonetheless, it contributessizably to the EU budget. The government has moved ahead withprivatization. With arguably the highest quality of life worldwide,Norwegians still worry about that time in the next two decades whenthe oil and gas will begin to run out. Accordingly, Norway has beensaving its oil-boosted budget surpluses in a Government PetroleumFund, which is invested abroad and now is valued at more than $150billion. After lackluster growth of 1% in 2002 and 0.5% in 2003, GDPgrowth picked up to 3.3% in 2004.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$183 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.3% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $40,000 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.2% industry: 36.3% services: 61.6% (2004 est.)
Labor force: 2.38 million (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture, forestry, and fishing 4%, industry 22%, services 74% (1995)
Unemployment rate:4.3% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 21.8% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:25.8 (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):17.5% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $134 billionexpenditures: $116.8 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2004 est.)
Public debt:33.1% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish
Industries:petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paperproducts, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:5.2% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:125.9 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.4% hydro: 99.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:107.4 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports:15 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:5.3 billion kWh (2002)
Oil - production:3.31 million bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:171,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)
Oil - exports:3.466 million bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:88,870 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:9.859 billion bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:54.6 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:4.1 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:50.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:1.716 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$30.52 billion (2004 est.)
Exports:$76.64 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals,chemicals, ships, fish
Exports - partners:UK 22.4%, Germany 12.9%, Netherlands 9.9%, France 9.6%, US 8.4%,Sweden 6.7% (2004)
Imports:$45.96 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:Sweden 15.7%, Germany 13.6%, Denmark 7.3%, UK 6.5%, China 5%, US4.9%, Netherlands 4.4%, France 4.3%, Finland 4.1% (2004)
Debt - external:$0 (Norway is a net external creditor) (2003 est.)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $1.4 billion (1998)
Currency (code):Norwegian krone (NOK)
Currency code:NOK
Exchange rates:Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 6.7408 (2004), 7.0802 (2003),7.9838 (2002), 8.9917 (2001), 8.8018 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Norway
Telephones - main lines in use:3.343 million (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:4,163,400 (2003)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the mostadvanced telecommunications networks in Europedomestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; moreover, theprevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of cellular mobilesystems instead of fixed-wire systemsinternational: country code - 47; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 4coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NAIntelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Oceanregions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with theother Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 5, FM at least 650, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:4.03 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:360 (plus 2,729 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:2.03 million (1997)
Internet country code:.no
Internet hosts:593,850 (2004)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):13 (2000)
Internet users:2.288 million (2002)
Transportation Norway
Railways: total: 4,077 km standard gauge: 4,077 km 1.435-m gauge (2,518 km electrified) (2004)
Highways:total: 91,852 kmpaved: 71,185 km (including 178 km of expressways)unpaved: 20,667 km (2002)
Pipelines:condensate 411 km; gas 6,199 km; oil 2,213 km; oil/gas/water 746km; unknown (oil/water) 38 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Borg Havn, Bergen, Mo i Rana, Molde, Mongstad, Narvik, Oslo, Sture
Merchant marine:total: 740 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 18,820,495 GRT/27,449,456 DWTby type: bulk carrier 51, cargo 168, chemical tanker 142,combination ore/oil 20, container 3, liquefied gas 81, passenger 5,passenger/cargo 113, petroleum tanker 79, refrigerated cargo 6, rollon/roll off 30, vehicle carrier 42foreign-owned: 174 (Belgium 1, China 3, Cyprus 5, Denmark 28,Estonia 2, Finland 5, Germany 4, Hong Kong 52, Iceland 3, Italy 3,Japan 3, Lithuania 1, Monaco 1, Netherlands 4, Poland 2, SaudiArabia 7, Singapore 10, Sweden 24, United States 16)registered in other countries: 1,117 (2005)
Airports:101 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 65 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 14 under 914 m: 26 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 36 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 29 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Norway
Military branches:Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy (includes Coastal Rangers andCoast Guard (Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige NorskeLuftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age in wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for women; 16 years of age for volunteers to the Home Guard; conscript service obligation - 12 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,014,592 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 827,016 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 29,179 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$4,033.5 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.9% (2003)
Transnational Issues Norway
Disputes - international:Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Landand its continental shelf); despite recent discussions, Russia andNorway continue to dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Seaand Russia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limitswithin the Svalbard Treaty zone
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Oman
Introduction Oman
Background:In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father and has ruled assultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has openedthe country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standingpolitical and military relationship with the UK. Oman's moderate,independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relationswith all Middle Eastern countries.
Geography Oman
Location:Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and PersianGulf, between Yemen and UAE
Geographic coordinates:21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 212,460 sq kmland: 212,460 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries: total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline: 2,092 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strongsouthwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain:central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 mhighest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m
Natural resources:petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium,gypsum, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 0.12% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 99.74% (2001)
Irrigated land:620 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms ininterior; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limitednatural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait ofHormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
People Oman
Population: 3,001,583 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 42.6% (male 652,028/female 626,698)15-64 years: 54.9% (male 978,183/female 668,814)65 years and over: 2.5% (male 41,366/female 34,494) (2005 est.)
Median age:total: 19.13 yearsmale: 21.88 yearsfemale: 16.45 years (2005 est.)
Population growth rate:3.32% (2005 est.)
Birth rate:36.73 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Death rate:3.86 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Net migration rate:0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.46 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.2 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.26 male(s)/female (2005 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 19.51 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 22.35 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 16.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 73.13 yearsmale: 70.92 yearsfemale: 75.46 years (2005 est.)
Total fertility rate:5.84 children born/woman (2005 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:1,300 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Omani(s)adjective: Omani
Ethnic groups:Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan,Bangladeshi), African
Religions:Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu
Languages:Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 75.8% male: 83.1% female: 67.2% (2003 est.)
Government Oman
Country name:conventional long form: Sultanate of Omanconventional short form: Omanlocal long form: Saltanat Umanlocal short form: Umanformer: Muscat and Oman
Government type:monarchy
Capital:Muscat
Administrative divisions:5 regions (manaatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 3 governorates*(muhaafazaat, singular - muhaafaza) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, AlWusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat*, Musandam*, Zufar*
Independence:1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday:Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
Constitution:none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royaldecree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be aconstitution which, among other things, clarifies the royalsuccession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers fromholding interests in companies doing business with the government,establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civilliberties for Omani citizens
Legal system:based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to themonarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:in Oman's most recent Majlis al-Shura elections in 2003, suffragewas universal for all Omanis over age 21 except for members of themilitary and security forces; the next Majlis al-Shura elections arescheduled for 2007
Executive branch:chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said(since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chief of stateand head of governmenthead of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Saidal-Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the monarch is both the chiefof state and head of governmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch:bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlisal-Dawla (58 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisorypowers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats;members elected by universal suffrage for four-year term; body hassome limited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has onlyadvisory powers)elections: last held 4 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)election results: NA
Judicial branch:Supreme Courtnote: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, hasjudges who practice secular and Sharia (Islamic) law
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO,WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Muhammad bin Ali bin Thani al-KHUSSAIBYchancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Richard Lewis BALTIMORE IIIembassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscatmailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al-Sultan Qaboos,Muscattelephone: [968] 24-698989FAX: [968] 24-699771
Flag description:three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width witha broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem(a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swordsin scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band
Economy Oman
Economy - overview:Oman is a middle-income economy in the Middle East with notable oiland gas resources, a substantial trade surplus, and low inflation.The government is privatizing its utilities and diversifying itseconomy to attract foreign investment. Oman continues to liberalizeits markets and joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) inNovember 2000. To reduce unemployment and limit dependence onforeign countries, the government is encouraging the replacement ofexpatriate workers with local people, i.e., Omanization. Training ininformation technology, business management, and English supportthis objective. Industrial development plans focus on gas resources,metal manufacturing, petrochemicals, and international transshipmentports.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$38.09 billion (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:1.2% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita:purchasing power parity - $13,100 (2004 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3.1% industry: 41.1% services: 55.8% (2004 est.)
Labor force:920,000 (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA
Unemployment rate:15% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NAhighest 10%: NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.2% (2004 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):13.5% of GDP (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $9.291 billionexpenditures: $8.747 billion, including capital expenditures of NA(2004 est.)
Public debt:10.3% of GDP (2004 est.)
Agriculture - products:dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Industries:crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied naturalgas (LNG) production, construction, cement, copper, steel,chemicals, optic fiber
Industrial production growth rate:-1.2% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:9.896 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:9.792 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2002)
Oil - production:775,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:54,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:721,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:NA
Oil - proved reserves:5.5 billion bbl (2003 est.)
Natural gas - production:13.77 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:6.34 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - exports:7.43 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:829.7 billion cu m (2003)
Current account balance:$2.674 billion (2004 est.)
Exports:$13.14 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners:China 29.5%, South Korea 17.5%, Japan 11.5%, Thailand 10.6%, UAE7.2% (2004)
Imports:$6.373 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners:UAE 21.2%, Japan 16.6%, UK 8.4%, Italy 6%, Germany 5.1%, US 4.7%(2004)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$4.144 billion (2004 est.)
Debt - external:$4.814 billion (2004 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$76.4 million (1995)
Currency (code):Omani rial (OMR)
Currency code:OMR
Exchange rates:Omani rials per US dollar - 0.3845 (2004), 0.3845 (2003), 0.3845(2002), 0.3845 (2001), 0.3845 (2000)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Oman
Telephones - main lines in use:233,900 (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:464,900 (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire,microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limitedcoaxial cabledomestic: open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and adomestic satellite system with 8 earth stationsinternational: country code - 968; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations:AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)
Radios:1.4 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999)
Televisions:1.6 million (1997)
Internet country code:.om
Internet hosts:726 (2003)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:180,000 (2002)
Transportation Oman
Highways:total: 34,965 kmpaved: 9,673 km (including 550 km of expressways)unpaved: 25,292 km (2001)
Pipelines:gas 3,754 km; oil 3,212 km (2004)
Ports and harbors:Mina' Qabus, Salalah
Merchant marine:total: 1 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 15,430 GRT/6,360 DWTby type: passenger 1 (2005)
Airports:136 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 130 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 52 914 to 1,523 m: 34 under 914 m: 35 (2004 est.)
Heliports: 1 (2004 est.)
Military Oman
Military branches:Royal Omani Armed Forces: Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman,Royal Air Force of Oman (2005)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 719,871 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 581,444 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males: 26,391 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$252.99 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:11.4% (2003)
Transnational Issues Oman
Disputes - international:boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhahexclave, but details have not been made public
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
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@Pacific Ocean
Introduction Pacific Ocean
Background:The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans(followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, andArctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include theLa Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and TorresStraits. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organizationin the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean,removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south.