This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Niue
Introduction Niue
Background:Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differencesbetween its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest of the CookIslands, have caused it to be separately administered. Thepopulation of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in1966 to about 2,166 in 2006), with substantial emigration to NewZealand, 2,400 km to the southwest.
Geography Niue
Location:Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga
Geographic coordinates:19 02 S, 169 52 W
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 260 sq kmland: 260 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:64 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical; modified by southeast trade winds
Terrain:steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m
Natural resources:fish, arable land
Land use:arable land: 11.54%permanent crops: 15.38%other: 73.08% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:typhoons
Environment - current issues: increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: one of world's largest coral islands
People Niue
Population: 2,166 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.01% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:NA births/1,000 population
Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:NA migrant(s)/1,000 population
Sex ratio:NA
Infant mortality rate:total: NAmale: NAfemale: NA
Life expectancy at birth:total population: NAmale: NAfemale: NA
Total fertility rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Niuean(s)adjective: Niuean
Ethnic groups:Niuen 78.2%, Pacific islander 10.2%, European 4.5%, mixed 3.9%,Asian 0.2%, unspecified 3% (2001 census)
Religions:Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely relatedto the London Missionary Society) 61.1%, Latter-Day Saints 8.8%,Roman Catholic 7.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist1.4%, other 8.4%, unspecified 8.7%, none 1.9% (2001 census)
Languages:Niuean, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan;English
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 95% male: NA female: NA
Government Niue
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Niue former: Savage Island
Dependency status:self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974;Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retainsresponsibility for external affairs and defense; however, theseresponsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercisedat the request of the Government of Niue
Government type:self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital:name: Alofigeographic coordinates: 19 01 S, 169 55 Wtime difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions asdefined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at thesecond order
Independence:on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentarygovernment in free association with New Zealand
National holiday:Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereigntyover New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
Constitution:19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)
Legal system:English common law; note - Niue is self-governing, with the powerto make its own laws
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND(since 23 August 2006); the UK and New Zealand are represented byNew Zealand High Commissioner John BRYAN (since NA May 2000)head of government: Premier Young VIVIAN (since 1 May 2002)cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and three ministerselections: the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by theLegislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 12May 2005 (next to be held May 2008)election results: Young VIVIAN reelected premier; percent ofLegislative Assembly vote - Young VIVIAN (NPP) 85%, O'Love JACOBSEN(independent) 15%
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected bypopular vote to serve three-year terms; 6 elected from a common rolland 14 are village representatives)elections: last held 30 April 2005 (next to be held April 2008)election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA
Judicial branch:Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue
Political parties and leaders:Alliance of Independents or AI; Niue People's Action Party or NPP[Young VIVIAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, FAO, IFAD, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
Flag description:yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant;the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars - a largeone on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm ofthe bold red cross
Economy Niue
Economy - overview:The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems ofgeographic isolation, few resources, and a small population.Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfallis made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that areused to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut governmentexpenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. Theagricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening,although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consistsprimarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil,honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreigncollectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recentyears has suffered a serious loss of population because ofemigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include thepromotion of tourism and a financial services industry, although theInternational Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in the terminationof all offshore banking licenses. Economic aid from New Zealand in2002 was about US$2 million. Niue suffered a devastating typhoon inJanuary 2004, which decimated nascent economic programs. While inthe process of rebuilding, Niue has been dependent on foreign aid.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$7.6 million (2000 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$10.01 million
GDP - real growth rate:6.2%
GDP - per capita (PPP):$5,800 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 23.5%industry: 26.9%services: 49.5% (2003)
Labor force:NA 663
Labor force - by occupation: note: most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board
Unemployment rate:12% NA%
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):4% (2005)
Budget:revenues: $15.07 millionexpenditures: $16.33 million; including capital expenditures of$123,700
Agriculture - products: coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle
Industries:tourism, handicrafts, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:3 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:2.79 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2003)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - consumption:20 bbl/day (2003 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2003 est.)
Exports:$201,400 (2004)
Exports - commodities:canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruitproducts, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts
Exports - partners:New Zealand mainly, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia (2004)
Imports:$9.038 million (2004)
Imports - commodities:food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels,lubricants, chemicals, drugs
Imports - partners:New Zealand mainly, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Australia, US (2004)
Debt - external:$418,000 (2002 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$2.6 million from New Zealand (2002)
Currency (code):New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Currency code:NZD
Exchange rates:New Zealand dollars per US dollar - 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004),1.7221 (2003), 2.1622 (2002), 2.3788 (2001)
Fiscal year:1 April - 31 March
Communications Niue
Telephones - main lines in use:1,100 est (2002)
Telephones - mobile cellular:400 (2002)
Telephone system:domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages onislandinternational: country code - 683
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:1,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:1 (1997)
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.nu
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:900 (2002)
Transportation Niue
Airports: 1 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways: total: 234 km paved: 86 km unpaved: 148 km (2001)
Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only
Military Niue
Military branches:no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force
Military - note:defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
Transnational Issues Niue
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@Norfolk Island
Introduction Norfolk Island
Background:Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony(1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, theisland was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of theBounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.
Geography Norfolk Island
Location:Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Geographic coordinates:29 02 S, 167 57 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 34.6 sq kmland: 34.6 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:32 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Bates 319 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:typhoons (especially May to July)
Environment - current issues:NA
Geography - note:most of the 32 km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs,but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area onSydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated
People Norfolk Island
Population: 1,828 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.2% 15-64 years: 63.9% 65 years and over: 15.9% (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:-0.01% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:NA
Death rate:NA deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate:NA
Sex ratio:NA
Infant mortality rate:total: NAmale: NAfemale: NA
Life expectancy at birth:total population: NAmale: NAfemale: NA
Total fertility rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: Norfolk Islander(s)adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)
Ethnic groups:descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander,Polynesian
Religions:Anglican 34.9%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Australia11.2%, Seventh-Day Adventist 2.8%, Australian Christian 2.4%,Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, other 2.7%, unspecified 15.3%, none 18.1%(2001 census)
Languages:English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English andancient Tahitian
Literacy:NA
Government Norfolk Island
Country name:conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Islandconventional short form: Norfolk Island
Dependency status:territory of Australia; Canberra administers Commonwealthresponsibilities on Norfolk Island through the Department ofEnvironment, Sport, and Territories
Government type:NA
Capital:name: Kingstongeographic coordinates: 29 03 S, 167 58 Etime difference: UTC+11.5 (16.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none (territory of Australia)
Independence:none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June(1856)
Constitution:Norfolk Island Act of 1979
Legal system:based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; Englishcommon law applies in matters not covered by either Australian orNorfolk Island law
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); the UKand Australia are represented by Administrator Grant TAMBLING (since1 November 2003)head of government: Assembly President and Chief Minister GeoffreyRobert GARDNER (since 5 December 2001)cabinet: Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members ofthe Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy andacts as an advisor to the administratorelections: the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by thegovernor general of Australia; chief minister elected by theLegislative Assembly for a term of not more than three years;election last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held by December 2007)election results: Geoffrey Robert GARDNER elected chief minister;percent of Legislative Assembly vote - 17.2%
Legislative branch:unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected byelectors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can begiven to any one candidate; members serve three-year terms)elections: last held 20 October 2004 (next to be held by December2007)election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 9(note - no political parties)
Judicial branch:Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with alarge green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly widerwhite band
Economy Norfolk Island
Economy - overview:Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased overthe years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual amonginhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural sector hasbecome self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$NA
Labor force:1,345
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10% industry and services: 90%
Unemployment rate:0%
Budget:revenues: $4.6 millionexpenditures: $4.8 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
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. (FY91/92)
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 (2004)
Imports:$17.9 million c.i.f. (FY91/92)
Imports - commodities:NA
Imports - partners:Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe (2004)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:$NA
Currency (code):Australian dollar (AUD)
Currency code:AUD
Exchange rates:Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004),1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001)
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 hosts:100 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:700
Transportation Norfolk Island
Airports: 1 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways: total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2002)
Ports and terminals: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade
Military Norfolk Island
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues Norfolk Island
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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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, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A newgovernment and constitution went into effect 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% (2005)
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:82,459 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19.4% (male 8,350/female 7,623)15-64 years: 79% (male 26,715/female 38,442)65 years and over: 1.6% (male 679/female 650) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 29.5 yearsmale: 31.7 yearsfemale: 28.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.54% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:19.43 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:2.29 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:8.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.7 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.77 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 6.98 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 6.92 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 7.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 76.09 yearsmale: 73.5 yearsfemale: 78.83 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.24 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: NA (US citizens)adjective: 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 Islandsabbreviation: CNMIformer: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana IslandsDistrict
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:name: Saipangeographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 Etime difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
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 fully effective 4November 1986
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 Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January2006); Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. VILLAGOMEZ (since 9 January2006)cabinet: the cabinet consists of the heads of the 10 principaldepartments under the executive branch who are appointed by thegovernor with the advice and consent of the Senate; other membersinclude Special Assistants to the governor and office headsappointed by and reporting directly to the governorelections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporatedterritories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern MarianaIslands, do not vote in elections for US president and vicepresident; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the sameticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a secondterm); election last held 5 November 2005 (next to be held November2009)election results: Benigno R. FITIAL elected governor in a four-wayrace; percent of vote - Benigno R. FITIAL (Covenant Party) 28.07%,Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER (Independent) 27.34%, Juan BABAUTA (Republican)26.6%, Froilan TENORIO (Democrat) 17.99%
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 5 November 2005 (next to be heldNovember 2009); House of Representatives - last held 5 November 2005(next to be held November 2007)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 2,independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 7, Republican Party 7,Democratic Party 2, independent 2note: 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:Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]; Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S.CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Juan S. REYES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Interpol (subbureau), SPC, UPU
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 the employmentof 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the USunder duty and quota exemptions.
GDP (purchasing power parity): $900 million note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2000 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$633.4 million
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):$12,500 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: NA%industry: NA%services: NA%
Labor force:44,470 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717foreign workers (2000)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:3.9% NA%
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):-0.8% (2000)
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 (2004)
Imports:$214.4 million $NA
Imports - commodities:food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products
Imports - partners:US, Japan (2004)
Debt - external:$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:20,500 (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 1 (2006)
Radios:NA
Television broadcast stations:1 (Low Power TV on Saipan; in addition, two cable services onSaipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (2006)
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.mp
Internet hosts:20 (2005)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2001)
Internet users:10,000 (2003)
Transportation Northern Mariana Islands
Airports:5 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Heliports:1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 536 km (2004)
Ports and terminals:Saipan, Tinian
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 19 December, 2006
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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 lasted morethan four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession oftheir country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden theninvaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution inreturn for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Risingnationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendumgranting Norway independence. Although Norway remained neutral inWorld War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norwayproclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but wasnonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). In1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO.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: 323,802 sq kmland: 307,442 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: 2.7% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.3% (2005)
Irrigated land:1,270 sq km (2003)
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 the world
People Norway
Population:4,610,820 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19.3% (male 455,122/female 434,009)15-64 years: 65.9% (male 1,542,439/female 1,496,745)65 years and over: 14.8% (male 288,509/female 393,996) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 38.4 yearsmale: 37.6 yearsfemale: 39.3 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.38% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:11.46 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 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 (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 3.67 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.03 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.54 yearsmale: 76.91 yearsfemale: 82.31 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.78 children born/woman (2006 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; note - Sami is official insix municipalities
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:name: Oslogeographic coordinates: 59 55 N, 10 45 Etime difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
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 [Siv JENSEN]; Red Electoral Alliance[Torstein DAHLE]; Socialist Left Party [Kristin HALVORSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:AfDB, Arctic Council, 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, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA,NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIS, UNRWA, 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, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Benson K. WHITNEY embassy: Henrik Ibsens gate 48, 0244 Oslo; note - the embassy will move to Huseby in the near future mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: [47] (22) 44 85 50 FAX: [47] (22) 44 33 63, 56 27 51
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. Although Norwegian oil production peaked in 2000,natural gas production is still rising. Norwegians realize that oncetheir gas production peaks they will eventually face declining oiland gas revenues; accordingly, Norway has been saving itsoil-and-gas-boosted budget surpluses in a Government Petroleum Fund,which is invested abroad and now is valued at more than $250billion. After lackluster growth of 1% in 2002 and 0.5% in 2003, GDPgrowth picked up to 3.3% in 2004 and to 3.7% in 2005.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$196.4 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$246.9 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:4% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$42,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.1% industry: 41.5% services: 56.4% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 2.4 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4% industry: 22% services: 74% (1995)
Unemployment rate:4.6% (2005 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 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):1.6% (2005 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):18.7% of GDP (2005 est.)
Budget:revenues: $176.1 billionexpenditures: $131.3 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2005 est.)
Public debt:50.1% of GDP (2005 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:-0.5% (2005 est.)
Electricity - production:105.6 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.4% hydro: 99.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:106.1 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports:5.6 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports:13.5 billion kWh (2003)
Oil - production:3.22 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:257,200 bbl/day (2003 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:73.4 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:4.14 billion cu m (2003 est.)
Natural gas - exports:50.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2001 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:2.118 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)
Current account balance:$49.49 billion (2005 est.)
Exports:$111.2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Exports - commodities:petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals,chemicals, ships, fish
Exports - partners:UK 25.5%, Germany 12.6%, Netherlands 9.9%, France 9.1%, US 6.7%,Sweden 6.5% (2005)
Imports:$58.12 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:Sweden 14.6%, Germany 13.6%, Denmark 7.3%, UK 6.8%, China 5.5%, US5%, France 4% (2005)