15.68% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 18.31% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$2.657 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 114 $2.812 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$3.803 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $4.074 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$2.74 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $2.311 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry
Industries:
food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco
Industrial production growth rate:
8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
Electricity - production:
15.91 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Electricity - consumption:
10.16 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Electricity - exports:
11.82 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
8.278 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Oil - consumption:
18,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Oil - imports:
13,760 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Natural gas - production:
3.3 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Natural gas - consumption:
100 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
Natural gas - exports:
3.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Natural gas - proved reserves:
127.4 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Current account balance:
-$1.028 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 -$866 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$2.517 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $1.947 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity
Exports - partners:
Netherlands 47.62%, South Africa 11.6% (2009)
Imports:
$3.527 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $3.059 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles
Imports - partners:
South Africa 33.54%, Netherlands 8.42%, India 5.93%, China 4.24% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.982 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 $1.829 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.99 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $4.246 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
meticais (MZM) per US dollar - 35 (2010), 26.283 (2009), 24.125 (2008), 26.264 (2007), 25.4 (2006)
Communications ::Mozambique
Telephones - main lines in use:
82,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 147
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.971 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 87
Telephone system:
general assessment: a fair telecommunications system that is shackled with a heavy state presence, lack of competition, and high operating costs and charges
domestic: stagnation in the fixed-line network contrasts with rapid growth in the mobile-cellular network; mobile-cellular coverage now includes all the main cities and key roads, including those from Maputo to the South African and Swaziland borders, the national highway through Gaza and Inhambane provinces, the Beira corridor, and from Nampula to Nacala; extremely low fixed-line teledensity; despite significant growth in mobile-cellular services, teledensity remains low at about 25 per 100 persons
international: country code - 258; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean); landing point for the SEACOM fiber-optic cable
Broadcast media:
1 state-run TV station supplemented by private TV station; Portuguese state TV's African service, RTP Africa, and Brazilian-owned TV Miramar are available; state-run radio provides nearly 100% territorial coverage and broadcasts in multiple languages; a number of privately-owned and community-operated stations also broadcast; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.mz
Internet hosts:
21,172 (2010) country comparison to the world: 109
Internet users:
613,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 113
Transportation ::Mozambique
Airports:
106 (2010) country comparison to the world: 54
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 23
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 5 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 83
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 34
under 914 m: 39 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 918 km; refined products 278 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 4,787 km country comparison to the world: 37 narrow gauge: 4,787 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 30,400 km country comparison to the world: 97 paved: 5,685 km
unpaved: 24,715 km (2000)
Waterways:
460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2010) country comparison to the world: 87
Merchant marine:
total: 2 country comparison to the world: 145 by type: cargo 2
foreign-owned: 2 (Belgium 2) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Beira, Maputo, Nacala
Military ::Mozambique
Military branches:
Mozambique Armed Defense Forces (FADM): Mozambique Army, MozambiqueNavy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea deMocambique, FAM) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
registration for military service is mandatory for all males and females at 18 years of age; 18-35 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; 2-year service obligation; women may serve as officers or enlisted (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 4,787,832 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,448,161
females age 16-49: 2,269,562 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 272,922
female: 272,062 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 149
Transnational Issues ::Mozambique
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
southern African transit point for South Asian hashish and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa); corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Namibia (Africa)
Introduction ::Namibia
Background:
South Africa occupied the German colony of South-West Africa during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966 the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that became Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia has been governed by SWAPO since the country won independence in 1990. Hifikepunye POHAMBA was elected president in November 2004 in a landslide victory replacing Sam NUJOMA who led the country during its first 14 years of self rule. POHAMBA was reelected in November 2009.
Geography ::Namibia
Location:
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 824,292 sq km country comparison to the world: 34 land: 823,290 sq km
water: 1,002 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 3,936 km
border countries: Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 967 km, Zambia 233 km
Coastline:
1,572 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Terrain:
mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
Natural resources:
diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish
note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 0.99%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 99% (2005)
Irrigated land:
80 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
45.5 cu km (1991)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.3 cu km/yr (24%/5%/71%)
per capita: 148 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
prolonged periods of drought
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources; desertification; wildlife poaching; land degradation has led to few conservation areas
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, ClimateChange, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, EndangeredSpecies, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip
People ::Namibia
Population:
2,128,471 country comparison to the world: 142 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35.9% (male 381,904/female 375,059)
15-64 years: 60.2% (male 641,995/female 627,146)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 36,894/female 45,667) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.4 years
male: 21.3 years
female: 21.4 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.909% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Birth rate:
21.82 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Death rate:
12.97 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
Net migration rate:
0.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Urbanization:
urban population: 37% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 45.52 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 57 male: 48.89 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 42.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 51.95 years country comparison to the world: 210 male: 52.25 years
female: 51.64 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.57 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
15.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
200,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
5,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Namibian(s)
adjective: Namibian
Ethnic groups:
black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%
note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups include Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%
Religions:
Christian 80% to 90% (Lutheran 50% at least), indigenous beliefs 10% to 20%
Languages:
English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%, indigenous languages 1% (includes Oshivambo, Herero, Nama)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 85%
male: 86.8%
female: 83.5% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
6.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 23
Government ::Namibia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Namibia
conventional short form: Namibia
local long form: Republic of Namibia
local short form: Namibia
former: German Southwest Africa, South-West Africa
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Windhoek
geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April
Administrative divisions:
13 regions; Caprivi, Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Okavango, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Independence:
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Constitution:
ratified 9 February 1990, effective 12 March 1990
Legal system:
based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Hifikepunye POHAMBA (since 21 March 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Nahas ANGULA (since 21 March 2005)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27-28 November 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: Hifikepunye POHAMBA reelected president; percent of vote - Hifikepunye POHAMBA 76.4%, Hidipo HAMUTENYA 11.0%, Katuutire KAURA 3.0%, Kuaima RIRUAKO 2.9%, Justus GAROEB 2.4%, Ignatius SHIXWAMENI 1.3%, Hendrick MUDGE 1.2%, other 1.3%
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of the National Council, primarily an advisory body (26 seats; two members chosen from each regional council to serve six-year terms), and the National Assembly (72 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held on 29-30 November 2004 (next to be held on 26-27 November 2010); National Assembly - last held on 26-27 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2014)
election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 89.7%, UDF 4.7%, NUDO 2.8%, DTA 1.9%, other 0.9%; seats by party - SWAPO 24, UDF 1, DTA 1; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 75.3%, RDP 11.3%, DTA 3.1%, NUDO 3.0%, UDF 2.4%, APP 1.4%, RP 0.8%, COD 0.7%, SWANU 0.6%, other 1.3%; seats by party - SWAPO 54, RDP 8, DTA 2, NUDO 2, UDF 2, APP 1, RP 1, COD 1, SWANU 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission)
Political parties and leaders:
All People's Party or APP [Ignatius SHIXWAMENI]; Congress ofDemocrats or COD [Benjamin ULENGA]; Democratic Turnhalle Alliance ofNamibia or DTA [Katuutire KAURA]; Monitor Action Group or MAG [JurieVILJOEN]; National Democratic Movement for Change or NamDMC;National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Kuaima RIRUAKO];Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Hidipo HAMUTENYA];Republican Party or RP [Hendrick MUDGE]; South West Africa NationalUnion or SWANU [Usutuaije MAAMBERUA]; South West Africa People'sOrganization or SWAPO [Hifikepunye POHAMBA]; United Democratic Frontor UDF [Justus GAROEB]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Earthlife Namibia [Berthchen KOHRS] (environmentalist group);National Society for Human Rights or NSHR; The World InformationServices of Energy or WISE (group against nuclear power)
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD,IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO,WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Martin ANDJABA
chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gail Dennise MATHIEU
embassy: 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek
mailing address: Private Bag 12029 Ausspannplatz, Windhoek
telephone: [264] (61) 295-8500
Flag description:
a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green; red signifies the heroism of the people and their determination to build a future of equal opportunity for all; white stands for peace, unity, tranquility, and harmony; blue represents the Namibian sky and the Atlantic Ocean, the country's precious water resources and rain; the yellow sun denotes power and existence; green symbolizes vegetation and agricultural resources
National anthem:
name: "Namibia, Land of the Brave"
lyrics/music: Axali DOESEB
note: adopted 1991
Economy ::Namibia
Economy - overview:
The economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for 8% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa, the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium, and the producer of large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. The mining sector employs only about 3% of the population while about 35-40% of the population depends on subsistence agriculture for its livelihood. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years food shortages are a major problem in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides one of the world's most unequal income distributions, as shown by Namibia's GINI coefficient. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Until 2010, Namibia drew 40% of its budget revenues from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Increased payments from SACU put Namibia's budget into surplus in 2007 for the first time since independence. SACU allotments to Namibia increased in 2009, but will drop for 2010 and 2011 because South Africa went into recession during the global economic crisis, reducing overall SACU income. Increased fish production and mining of zinc, copper, uranium, and silver spurred growth in 2003-08, but growth in recent years was undercut by poor fish catches, higher costs of producing metals, and the global recession.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$14.64 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 $14.06 billion (2009 est.)
$14.17 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$11.45 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 -0.8% (2009 est.)
4.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $6,700 (2009 est.)
$6,800 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 32.7%
services: 58.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
729,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 16.3%
industry: 22.4%
services: 61.3% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
51.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 36.7% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:
55.8%
note: the UNDP's 2005 Human Development Report indicated that 34.9% of the population live on $1 per day and 55.8% live on $2 per day (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.1%
highest 10%: 53% (2008)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
70.7 (2003) country comparison to the world: 1
Investment (gross fixed):
24% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
Public debt:
20% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 15.1% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 8.8% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
7% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 47 10% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.12% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 13.74% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$3.049 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 109 $2.495 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$4.756 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $3.691 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$5.122 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $4.041 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$846.3 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 101 $618.7 million (31 December 2008)
$702 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish
Industries:
meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper)
Industrial production growth rate:
6.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Electricity - production:
1.491 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Electricity - consumption:
2.845 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Electricity - exports:
40 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
2.045 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Oil - consumption:
22,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Oil - imports:
19,120 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 113
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Natural gas - proved reserves:
62.29 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Current account balance:
-$187 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87 -$160.9 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$4.277 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $3.535 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins
Imports:
$5.152 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $4.519 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.961 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $2.051 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.373 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $2.175 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Exchange rates:
Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar - 7.57 (2010), 8.4234 (2009), 7.75 (2008), 7.18 (2007), 6.7649 (2006)
Communications ::Namibia
Telephones - main lines in use:
142,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 134
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.217 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 142
Telephone system:
general assessment: good system; core fiber-optic network links most centers and connections are now digital
domestic: multiple mobile-cellular providers with a combined subscribership of nearly 60 telephones per 100 persons; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 65 per 100 persons
international: country code - 264; fiber-optic cable to South Africa, microwave radio relay link to Botswana, direct links to other neighboring countries; connected to the South African Far East (SAFE) submarine cable through South Africa; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2008)
Broadcast media:
1 private and 1 state-run television station; satellite and cable TV service is available; state-run radio service broadcasts in multiple languages; about a dozen private radio stations operating; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.na
Internet hosts:
76,020 (2010) country comparison to the world: 80
Internet users:
127,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 151
Transportation ::Namibia
Airports:
129 (2010) country comparison to the world: 46
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 21
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 108
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 71
under 914 m: 11 (2010)
Railways:
total: 2,629 km country comparison to the world: 65 narrow gauge: 2,629 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 64,189 km country comparison to the world: 72 paved: 5,477 km
unpaved: 58,712 km (2010)
Merchant marine:
total: 1 country comparison to the world: 156 by type: cargo 1 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Luderitz, Walvis Bay
Military ::Namibia
Military branches:
Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 554,531 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 341,783
females age 16-49: 304,496 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 26,152
female: 25,790 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 31
Transnational Issues ::Namibia
Disputes - international:
concerns from international experts and local populations over the Okavango Delta ecology in Botswana and human displacement scuttled Namibian plans to construct a hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls along the Angola-Namibia border; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; Namibia has supported, and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to, plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 4,700 (Angola) (2007)
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Nauru (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Nauru
Background:
The exact origins of the Nauruans are unclear since their language does not resemble any other in the Pacific. The island was annexed by Germany in 1888. Its phosphate deposits began to be mined early in the 20th century by a German-British consortium. Nauru was occupied by Australian forces in World War I and subsequently became a League of Nations mandate. After the Second World War - and a brutal occupation by Japan - Nauru became a UN trust territory. It achieved independence in 1968 and joined the UN in 1999 as the world's smallest independent republic.
Geography ::Nauru
Location:
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the MarshallIslands
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 21 sq km country comparison to the world: 239 land: 21 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
30 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)
Terrain:
sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed elevation along plateau rim 61 m
Natural resources:
phosphates, fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater but mostly dependent on a single, aging desalination plant; intensive phosphate mining during the past 90 years - mainly by a UK, Australia, and NZ consortium - has left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland and threatens limited remaining land resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in thePacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati andMakatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator
People ::Nauru
Population:
9,267 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 225
Age structure:
0-14 years: 34.7% (male 2,482/female 2,384)
15-64 years: 63.2% (male 4,362/female 4,495)
65 years and over: 2.1% (male 151/female 145) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 23.8 years
male: 24 years
female: 23.6 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.594% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
Birth rate:
28.16 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
Death rate:
6.15 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Net migration rate:
-16.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 219
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 0.838 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.81 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 157 male: 11.36 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.99 years country comparison to the world: 166 male: 60.93 years
female: 68.39 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.13 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Nauruan(s)
adjective: Nauruan
Ethnic groups:
Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8%
Religions:
Nauru Congregational 35.4%, Roman Catholic 33.2%, Nauru IndependentChurch 10.4%, other 14.1%, none 4.5%, unspecified 2.4% (2002 census)
Languages:
Nauruan (official; a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes
Literacy:
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 8 years
female: 9 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
Government ::Nauru
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Nauru
conventional short form: Nauru
local long form: Republic of Nauru
local short form: Nauru
former: Pleasant Island
Government type:
republic
Capital:
no official capital; government offices in Yaren District
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren
Independence:
31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
Constitution:
29 January 1968; amended 17 May 1968
Legal system:
acts of the Nauru Parliament and British common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Marcus STEPHEN (since 19 December 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Marcus STEPHEN (since 19 December 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among the members of parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by parliament for a three-year term; election last held on 1 November 2010 (next to be held in 2013)