Political pressure groups and leaders:Coalition Against a High Cost of Living [Nouhou ARZIKA]
International organization participation:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol,IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF,ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU,WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aminata Maiga Djibrilla TOURE chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227 FAX: [1] (202)483-3169
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bernadette M. ALLEN embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey telephone: [227] 73 31 69 FAX: [227] 73 55 60
Flag description:three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green witha small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the whiteband; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheelcentered in the white band
Economy Niger
Economy - overview:Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking last onthe United Nations Development Fund index of human development. Itis a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers onsubsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largesturanium deposits. Drought cycles, desertification, and a 2.9%population growth rate, have undercut the economy. Niger shares acommon currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, theCentral Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven othermembers of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000, Nigerqualified for enhanced debt relief under the International MonetaryFund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concludedan agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and GrowthFacility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPCinitiative significantly reduces Niger's annual debt serviceobligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care,primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, andother programs geared at poverty reduction. In December 2005, Nigerreceived 100% multilateral debt relief from the IMF, whichtranslates into the forgiveness of approximately $86 million USD indebts to the IMF, excluding the remaining assistance under HIPC.Nearly half of the government's budget is derived from foreign donorresources. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil,gold, coal, and other mineral resources. Uranium prices haveincreased sharply in the last few years. A drought and locustinfestation in 2005 led to food shortages for as many as 2.5 millionNigeriens.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$12.23 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$3.638 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$1,000 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: 39%industry: 17%services: 44% (2001)
Labor force:70,000 salaried workers, 60% of whom are employed in the publicsector (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:agriculture: 90%industry: 6%services: 4%
Unemployment rate:NA%
Population below poverty line:63% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 35.4% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:50.5 (1995)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.2% (2004 est.)
Budget:revenues: $320 million - including $134 million from foreign sourcesexpenditures: $320 million; including capital expenditures of $178million (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products:cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice;cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry
Industries:uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing,chemicals, slaughterhouses
Industrial production growth rate:5.1% (2003 est.)
Electricity - production:232 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:415.8 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:200 million kWh (2004)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:5,500 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Exports:$222 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Exports - commodities:uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions
Exports - partners:France 47.9%, Nigeria 21.4%, US 20.3% (2005)
Imports:$588 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)
Imports - commodities:foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals
Imports - partners:France 14.5%, US 10.7%, French Polynesia 7.6%, Nigeria 7.5%, Italy6.8%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.1%, Belgium 4.6%, Germany 4.5%, China 4.5%(2005)
Debt - external:$2.1 billion (2003 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$453.3 million (2003)
Currency (code):Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsibleauthority is the Central Bank of the West African States (BCEAO)
Currency code:XOF
Exchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 527.47(2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Niger
Telephones - main lines in use:24,000 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:299,900 (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: small system of wire, radio telephonecommunications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in thesouthwestern area of Nigerdomestic: wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radiorelay; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 plannedinternational: country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 4 (2001)
Radios:680,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:3 (plus seven low-power repeaters) (2002)
Televisions:125,000 (1997)
Internet country code:.ne
Internet hosts:189 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2002)
Internet users:24,000 (2005)
Transportation Niger
Airports:28 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 92,438 to 3,047 m: 31,524 to 2,437 m: 5under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 191,524 to 2,437 m: 2914 to 1,523 m: 15under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Roadways:total: 14,565 kmpaved: 3,641 kmunpaved: 10,924 km (2004)
Waterways:300 km (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gayabetween September and March) (2005)
Ports and terminals:none
Military Niger
Military branches:Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army,National Air Force (2005)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript serviceobligation - two years (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 2,367,828females age 18-49: 2,217,568 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 1,349,863females age 18-49: 1,256,569 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 129,045females age 18-49: 121,230 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$44.78 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.4% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Niger
Disputes - international:Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute inthe Tommo region; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripointwith Nigeria, remains undemarcated; only Nigeria and Cameroon haveheeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify thedelimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger andNiger-Nigeria boundaries
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Nigeria
Introduction Nigeria
Background:British influence and control over what would become Nigeria grewthrough the 19th century. A series of constitutions after World WarII granted Nigeria greater autonomy; independence came in 1960.Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution wasadopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian governmentwas completed. The president faces the daunting task of reforming apetroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered throughcorruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. Inaddition, the OBASANJO administration must defuse longstandingethnic and religious tensions, if it is to build a sound foundationfor economic growth and political stability. Although the April 2003elections were marred by some irregularities, Nigeria is currentlyexperiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence.The general elections set for April 2007 would mark the firstcivilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country's history.
Geography Nigeria
Location:Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin andCameroon
Geographic coordinates:10 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references:Africa
Area:total: 923,768 sq kmland: 910,768 sq kmwater: 13,000 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:total: 4,047 kmborder countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger1,497 km
Coastline:853 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
Terrain:southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountainsin southeast, plains in north
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m
Natural resources:natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium,lead, zinc, arable land
Land use: arable land: 33.02% permanent crops: 3.14% other: 63.84% (2005)
Irrigated land:2,820 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:periodic droughts; flooding
Environment - current issues: soil degradation; rapid deforestation; urban air and water pollution; desertification; oil pollution - water, air, and soil; has suffered serious damage from oil spills; loss of arable land; rapid urbanization
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Lawof the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone LayerProtection, Wetlandssigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows southwardthrough tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf ofGuinea
People Nigeria
Population:131,859,731note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account theeffects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lowerlife expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lowerpopulation and growth rates, and changes in the distribution ofpopulation by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 42.3% (male 28,089,017/female 27,665,212)15-64 years: 54.6% (male 36,644,885/female 35,405,915)65 years and over: 3.1% (male 1,930,007/female 2,124,695) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 18.7 yearsmale: 18.7 yearsfemale: 18.6 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.38% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:40.43 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:16.94 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 97.14 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 104.05 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 90.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 47.08 yearsmale: 46.52 yearsfemale: 47.66 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:5.49 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:5.4% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:3.6 million (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:310,000 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: one of the most highly endemic areas for Lassa fever note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified among birds in this country or surrounding region; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2007)
Nationality: noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian
Ethnic groups:Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous andpolitically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo(Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%
Religions:Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Languages:English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 68%male: 75.7%female: 60.6% (2003 est.)
Government Nigeria
Country name:conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeriaconventional short form: Nigeria
Government type:federal republic
Capital:name: Abujageographic coordinates: 9 12 N, 7 11 Etime difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra,Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo,Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa,Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger,Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara
Independence:1 October 1960 (from UK)
National holiday:Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960)
Constitution:new constitution adopted May 1999
Legal system:based on English common law, Islamic Shariah law (in 12 northernstates), and traditional law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmenthead of government: President Olusegun OBASANJO (since 29 May 1999);note - the president is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Federal Executive Councilelections: president is elected by popular vote for a four-year term(eligible for a second term); election last held 19 April 2003 (nextto be held 21 April 2007)election results: Olusegun OBASANJO elected president; percent ofvote - Olusegun OBASANJO (PDP) 61.9%, Muhammadu BUHARI (ANPP) 31.2%,Chukwuemeka Odumegwu OJUKWU (APGA) 3.3%, other 3.6%
Legislative branch:bicameral National Assembly consists of Senate (109 seats - 3 fromeach state plus 1 from Abuja, members elected by popular vote toserve four-year terms) and House of Representatives (360 seats,members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)elections: Senate - last held 12 April 2003 (next to be held 21April 2007); House of Representatives - last held 12 April 2003(next to be held 21 April 2007)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDP 53.7%,ANPP 27.9%, AD 9.7%; seats by party - PDP 76, ANPP 27, AD 6; Houseof Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP 54.5%, ANPP27.4%, AD 8.8%, other 9.3%; seats by party - PDP 223, ANPP 96, AD34, other 6; note - one seat is vacant
Judicial branch:Supreme Court (judges appointed by the President); Federal Court ofAppeal (judges are appointed by the federal government on the adviceof the Advisory Judicial Committee)
Political parties and leaders:Action Congress or AC [Bise Akande]; Advanced Congress of Demoratsor ACD [Alex Anielo]; Alliance for Democracy or AD [MojisoluwaAKINFENWA]; All Nigeria Peoples' Party or ANPP [Edwin UME-EZEOKE];All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [disputed leadership];Democratic People's Party or DPP [Jerry Useni]; Fresh DemocraticParty [Chris OKOTIE]; Movement for the Restoration and Defense ofDemocracy or MRDD [Mohammed Gambo JIMETA]; National Democratic Partyor NDP [Aliyu Habu FARI]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Dr.Ahmadu ALI]; Peoples Redemption Party or PRP [Abdulkadir BalarabeMUSA]; Peoples Salvation Party or PSP [Lawal MAITURARE]; UnitedNigeria Peoples Party or UNPP [disputed leadership]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM,OAS (observer), OIC, ONUB, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOVIC, UNOCI, UNWTO,UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Professor George A. OBIOZORchancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 986-8400FAX: [1] (202) 775-1385consulate(s) general: Atlanta, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador John CAMPBELLembassy: 7 Mambilla Drive, Abujamailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagostelephone: [234] (9) 523-0916/0906/5857/2235/2205FAX: [234] (9) 523-0353
Flag description:three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green
Economy Nigeria
Economy - overview:Oil-rich Nigeria, long hobbled by political instability,corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and poor macroeconomicmanagement, is undertaking some reforms under a new reform-mindedadministration. Nigeria's former military rulers failed to diversifythe economy away from its overdependence on the capital-intensiveoil sector, which provides 20% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchangeearnings, and about 65% of budgetary revenues. The largelysubsistence agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapidpopulation growth - Nigeria is Africa's most populous country - andthe country, once a large net exporter of food, now must importfood. Following the signing of an IMF stand-by agreement in August2000, Nigeria received a debt-restructuring deal from the Paris Cluband a $1 billion credit from the IMF, both contingent on economicreforms. Nigeria pulled out of its IMF program in April 2002, afterfailing to meet spending and exchange rate targets, making itineligible for additional debt forgiveness from the Paris Club. Inthe last year the government has begun showing the political will toimplement the market-oriented reforms urged by the IMF, such as tomodernize the banking system, to curb inflation by blockingexcessive wage demands, and to resolve regional disputes over thedistribution of earnings from the oil industry. In 2003, thegovernment began deregulating fuel prices, announced theprivatization of the country's four oil refineries, and institutedthe National Economic Empowerment Development Strategy, adomestically designed and run program modeled on the IMF's PovertyReduction and Growth Facility for fiscal and monetary management. InNovember 2005, Abuja won Paris Club approval for a debt-relief dealthat eliminated $18 billion of debt in exchange for $12 billion inpayments-a total package worth $30 billion of Nigeria's total $37billion external debt. The deal requires Nigeria to be subject tostringent IMF reviews. GDP rose strongly in 2006, based largely onincreased oil exports and high global crude prices.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$188.5 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$83.36 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:5.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$1,400 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17.3% industry: 53.2% services: 29.5% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 48.99 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry: 10% services: 20% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:5.8% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:60% (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 40.8% (1996-97)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:50.6 (1996-97)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):10.5% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):26.4% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $17.86 billionexpenditures: $19.05 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:10.4% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava(tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish
Industries:crude oil, coal, tin, columbite; palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber,wood; hides and skins, textiles, cement and other constructionmaterials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing,ceramics, steel, small commercial ship construction and repair
Industrial production growth rate:-1.6% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:19.06 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 61.9% hydro: 38.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:17.71 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:20 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:2.451 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:290,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:36.25 billion bbl (2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:21.8 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:9.21 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:12.59 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:4.984 trillion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:$12.59 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$59.01 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
Exports - partners:US 52.5%, Spain 8.2%, Brazil 6.1% (2005)
Imports:$25.1 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodand live animals
Imports - partners:China 10.4%, US 7.3%, UK 6.7%, Netherlands 6%, France 5.9%, Brazil4.3%, Germany 4.2% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$42.97 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$6.278 billion (2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$250 million
Currency (code):naira (NGN)
Currency code:NGN
Exchange rates:nairas per US dollar - 127.573 (2006), 132.59 (2005), 132.89(2004), 129.22 (2003), 120.58 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Nigeria
Telephones - main lines in use:1,223,300 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:21,571,131 (2006)
Telephone system:general assessment: expansion and modernization of the fixed-linetelephone network has been slow due to faltering efforts atprivatizationdomestic: the addition of a second fixed-line provider in 2002resulted in faster growth in this service; wireless telephony hasgrown rapidly, in part responding to the shortcomings of thefixed-line network; four wireless (GSM) service providers operatenationally; the combined growth resulted in a sharp increase inteledensity reported to be over 18% in March 2006international: country code - 234; satellite earth stations - 3Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); fiber opticsubmarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia
Radio broadcast stations:AM 83, FM 36, shortwave 11 (2001)
Radios:23.5 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (the government controls 2 of the broadcasting stations and 15 repeater stations) (2002)
Televisions:6.9 million (1997)
Internet country code:.ng
Internet hosts:1,549 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):11 (2000)
Internet users:5 million (2005)
Transportation Nigeria
Airports: 69 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 2 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 33 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 18 (2006)
Heliports:1 (2006)
Pipelines:condensate 126 km; gas 2,812 km; liquid petroleum gas 125 km; oil4,278 km; refined products 3,517 km (2006)
Railways:total: 3,505 kmnarrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge (2005)
Roadways:total: 194,394 kmpaved: 60,068 kmunpaved: 134,326 km (1999)
Waterways:8,600 km (Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks)(2005)
Merchant marine:total: 52 ships (1000 GRT or over) 277,709 GRT/475,414 DWTby type: cargo 6, chemical tanker 5, combination ore/oil 1,liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 36, specializedtanker 2foreign-owned: 4 (Norway 1, Pakistan 1, Singapore 1, Spain 1)registered in other countries: 28 (Bahamas 2, Bermuda 11, Cambodia2, Comoros 2, Panama 7, Poland 1, Seychelles 1, unknown 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Bonny Inshore Terminal, Calabar, Lagos, Port Harcourt
Military Nigeria
Military branches:Nigerian Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, NigerAir Force (2006)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary military service (2006)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 26,802,678females age 18-49: 25,668,446 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 15,052,914females age 18-49: 13,860,806 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 1,353,180females age 18-49: 1,329,267 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$737.6 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:0.8% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Nigeria
Disputes - international:Joint Border Commission with Cameroon reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling onthe entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, includingJune 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately cedes sovereignty ofthe Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a phase-out of Nigeriancontrol within two years while resolving patriation issues; the ICJruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-EquatorialGuinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, butimprecisely defined coordinates in the ICJ decision and asovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over anisland at the mouth of the Ntem River all contribute to the delay inimplementation; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake ChadCommission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which alsoincludes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries
Refugees and internally displaced persons:refugees (country of origin): 6,051 (Liberia)IDPs: undetermined (communal violence between Christians and Muslimssince President OBASANJO's election in 1999, displacement is mostlyshort-term) (2006)
Illicit drugs:a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, EastAsian, and North American markets; safehaven for Nigeriannarcotraffickers operating worldwide; major money-laundering center;massive corruption and criminal activity; Nigeria has improved someanti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from theFinancial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries andTerritories List in June 2006; Nigeria's anti-money-launderingregime continues to be monitored by FATF
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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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 (2003)
GDP - real growth rate:6.2% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$5,800 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23.5% industry: 26.9% services: 49.5% (2003)
Labor force: 663 (2001)
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% (2001)
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 (FY0405)
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 (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:2.79 million kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:0 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - consumption:20 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day (2001)
Natural gas - production:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:0 cu m (2004 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)
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 8 February, 2007
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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:self governing territory of Australia; Canberra administersCommonwealth responsibilities on Norfolk Island through theDepartment of Transport and Regional Services
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, as amended in 2005
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);represented by the Australian governor generalhead of government: Administrator Grant TAMBLING (since 1 November2003)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: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointedby the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch andAustralia
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: seats - independents 9 (note - no politicalparties)
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)
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)