Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the National Council (60 seats; 35 appointed by the House of Representatives, 10 by the king, and 15 elected by an electoral college; one-third of the members elected every two years to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives (205 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives—last held 15 November 1994 (next to be held 3 May 1999) election results: House of Representatives—percent of vote by party—NCP 33%, CPN/UML 31%, NDP 18%, Nepal Sadbhavana (Goodwill) Party 3%, NWPP 1%; seats by party— CPN/UML 88, NCP 83, NDP 20, NWPP 4, Nepal Sadbhavana (Goodwill) Party 3, independents 7

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sarbochha Adalat), chief justice is appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the Constitutional Council, the other judges are appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Judicial Council

Political parties and leaders: Communist Party of Nepal/United Madhar KUMAR, general secretary]; Nepali Congress Party or NCP general secretary]; National Democratic Party or NDP (also called party chair]

Political pressure groups and leaders: numerous small, left-leaning student groups in the capital; several small, radical Nepalese antimonarchist groups

International organization participation: AsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador THAPA Bekh Bahadur chancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph FRANK embassy: Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu mailing address: use embassy street address

Flag description: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun



Economy



Economy—overview: Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with nearly half of its population living below the poverty line. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over 80% of the population and accounting for 41% of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural produce including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Production of textiles and carpets has expanded recently and accounted for about 80% of foreign exchange earnings in the past three years. Apart from agricultural land and forests, exploitable natural resources are mica, hydropower, and tourism. Agricultural production is growing by about 5% on average as compared with annual population growth of 2.5%. Since May 1991, the government has been moving forward with economic reforms particularly those that encourage trade and foreign investment, e.g., by eliminating business licenses and registration requirements in order to simplify investment procedures. The government has also been cutting expenditures by reducing subsidies, privatizing state industries, and laying off civil servants. More recently, however, political instability—five different governments over the past few years—has hampered Kathmandu's ability to forge consensus to implement key economic reforms. Nepal has considerable scope for accelerating economic growth by exploiting its potential in hydropower and tourism, areas of recent foreign investment interest. Prospects for foreign trade or investment in other sectors will remain poor, however, because of the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its remoteness, its landlocked geographic location, and its susceptibility to natural disaster. The international community's role of funding more than 60% of Nepal's development budget and more than 28% of total budgetary expenditures will likely continue as a major ingredient of growth.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$26.2 billion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 4.9% (1998 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,100 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 41% industry: 22% services: 37% (1997)

Population below poverty line: 42% (1995-96 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 29.8% (1995-96)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.8% (1998 est.)

Labor force: 10 million (1996 est.) note: severe lack of skilled labor

Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 81%, services 16%, industry 3%

Unemployment rate: NA%; substantial underemployment (1996)

Budget: revenues: $536 million expenditures: $818 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97 est.)

Industries: tourism, carpet, textile; small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette; cement and brick production

Industrial production growth rate: 14.7% (FY94/95 est.)

Electricity—production: 1.032 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 3.1% hydro: 96.9% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 1.013 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 89 million kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 70 million kWh (1996)

Agriculture—products: rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops; milk, water buffalo meat

Exports: $394 million (f.o.b., 1997), but does not include unrecorded border trade with India

Exports—commodities: carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain

Exports—partners: India, US, Germany, UK

Imports: $1.7 billion (c.i.f., 1997)

Imports—commodities: petroleum products 20%, fertilizer 11%, machinery 10%

Imports—partners: India, Singapore, Japan, Germany

Debt—external: $2.4 billion (1997)

Economic aid—recipient: $411 million (FY97/98)

Currency: 1 Nepalese rupee (NR) = 100 paisa

Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NRs) per US$1—67.675 (January 1999), 65.976 (1998), 58.010 (1997), 56.692 (1996), 51.890 (1995), 49.398 (1994)

Fiscal year: 16 July—15 July



Communications



Telephones: 115,911 (1996 est.)

Telephone system: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radiotelephone communication service domestic: NA international: radiotelephone communications; satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 88, FM 1, shortwave 0

Radios: 690,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 6 (1998 est.)

Televisions: 45,000 (1992 est.)



Transportation



Railways: total: 101 km; note—all in Kosi close to Indian border narrow gauge: 101 km 0.762-m gauge

Highways: total: 7,700 km paved: 3,196 km unpaved: 4,504 km (1996 est.)

Ports and harbors: none

Airports: 45 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 40 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 29 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: Royal Nepalese Army, Royal Nepalese Army Air Service, Nepalese Police Force

Military manpower—military age: 17 years of age

Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 5,924,732 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,079,569 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 281,658 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $44 million (FY96/97)

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 0.9% (FY96/97)



Transnational Issues



Disputes—international: with Bhutan over 91,000 Bhutanese refugees in Nepal

Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West



======================================================================



@Netherlands —————-



Geography



Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany

Geographic coordinates: 52 30 N, 5 45 E

Map references: Europe

Area: total: 41,532 sq km land: 33,889 sq km water: 7,643 sq km

Area—comparative: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Land boundaries: total: 1,027 km border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km

Coastline: 451 km

Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Prins Alexanderpolder -7 m highest point: Vaalserberg 321 m

Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, fertile soil

Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: 25% forests and woodland: 8% other: 39% (1996 est.)

Irrigated land: 6,000 sq km (1996 est.)

Natural hazards: the extensive system of dikes and dams protects nearly one-half of the total area from being flooded

Environment—current issues: water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain

Environment—international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography—note: located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)



People



Population: 15,807,641 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 1,475,606; female 1,410,088) 15-64 years: 68% (male 5,482,193; female 5,288,948) 65 years and over: 14% (male 875,847; female 1,274,959) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.47% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 11.36 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: 1.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 5.11 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.15 years male: 75.28 years female: 81.17 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.49 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) adjective: Dutch

Ethnic groups: Dutch 94%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 6% (1988)

Religions: Roman Catholic 34%, Protestant 25%, Muslim 3%, other 2%, unaffiliated 36% (1991)

Languages: Dutch

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1979 est.) male: NA% female: NA%



Government



Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands conventional short form: Netherlands local long form: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden local short form: Nederland

Data code: NL

Government type: constitutional monarchy

Capital: Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government

Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (provincien, singular—provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland

Dependent areas: Aruba, Netherlands Antilles

Independence: 1579 (from Spain)

National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April

Constitution: adopted 1814; amended many times, last time 17 February 1983

Legal system: civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), Prince of Orange, son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Wim KOK (since 22 August 1994) and Vice Prime Ministers Annemarie JORRITSMA (since 3 August 1998) and Els BORST-EILERS (since 3 August 1998) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; vice prime ministers appointed by the monarch note: there is a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councillors consulted by the executive on legislative and administrative policy

Legislative branch: bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils for four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: First Chamber—last held 9 June 1995 (next to be held 25 May 1999); Second Chamber—last held 6 May 1998 (next to be held May 2002) election results: First Chamber—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—VVD 23, CDA 19, PvdA 14, D'66 7, other 12; Second Chamber—percent of vote by party—PvdA 30.0%, VVD 25.3%, CDA 19.3%, D'66 9.3%, other 16.1%; seats by party—PvdA 45, VVD 38, CDA 29, D'66 14, other 24

Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Hoge Raad, justices are nominated for life by the monarch

Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA

Political pressure groups and leaders: large multinational firms; Federation of Netherlands Trade Union Movement (comprising Socialist and Catholic trade unions) and a Protestant trade union; Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers Associations; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises; and Interchurch Peace Council or IKV

International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIBH, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joris M. VOS chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia P. SCHNEIDER embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715 consulate(s) general: Amsterdam

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer



Economy



Economy—overview: This prosperous and open economy is based on private enterprise with the government's presence felt in many aspects of the economy. Industrial activity features food processing, petroleum refining, and metalworking. The highly mechanized agricultural sector employs only 4% of the labor force, but provides large surpluses for export and the domestic food-processing industry. As a result, the Netherlands ranks third worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind the US and France. Sharp cuts in subsidy and social security spending since the 1980s helped the Dutch achieve sustained economic growth combined with falling unemployment and moderate inflation. The economy achieved a strong 3.7% growth in 1998; a dip in the business cycle probably will cause the economy to decelerate to slightly over 2% growth in 1999. Unemployment in 1999 is expected to be less than 5% of the labor force, and inflation probably will decline. The Dutch joined the first wave of 11 EU countries launching the euro system on 1 January 1999.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$348.6 billion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 3.7% (1998 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$22,200 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 3.2% industry: 27.5% services: 69.3% (1998 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 24.7% (1991)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1998)

Labor force: 7 million (1998 est.)

Labor force—by occupation: services 73%, manufacturing and construction 23%, agriculture 4% (1998 est.)

Unemployment rate: 4.1% (1998 est.)

Budget: revenues: $163 billion expenditures: $170 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1999 est.)

Industries: agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing

Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (1998)

Electricity—production: 83.3 billion kWh (1997)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 94.51% hydro: 0.1% nuclear: 4.95% other: 0.44% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 90.366 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 700 million kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 11.3 billion kWh (1996)

Agriculture—products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock

Exports: $160 billion (f.o.b., 1998)

Exports—commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels, food and tobacco

Exports—partners: EU 78% (Germany 27%, Belgium-Luxembourg 13%, France 11%, UK 10%, Italy 6%), Central and Eastern Europe, US (1997)

Imports: $142 billion (f.o.b., 1998)

Imports—commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, fuels, consumer goods

Imports—partners: EU 61% (Germany 21%, Belgium-Luxembourg 11%, UK 10%), US 9%, Central and Eastern Europe (1997)

Debt—external: $0

Economic aid—donor: ODA, $2.9 billion (1997)

Currency: 1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 cents; note—on 1 January 2002 to be replaced by the euro

Exchange rates: Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per US$1—1.8904 (January 1999), 1.9837 (1998), 1.9513 (1997), 1.6859 (1996), 1.6057 (1995), 1.8200 (1994) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Union introduced a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in some member countries at the rate of 0.8597 euros per US$ and a fixed rate of 2.20371 guilders per euro; the euro will replace the local currency in consenting countries for all transactions in 2002

Fiscal year: calendar year



Communications



Telephones: 8.431 million (1998 est.); 3.4 million cellular telephone subscribers (1998 est.)

Telephone system: highly developed and well maintained; system of multi-conductor cables gradually being supplemented/replaced by a glass-fiber based telecommunication infrastructure; Mobile GSM-based mobile telephony density rapidly growing; third generation Universal Mobile Telecommunications System expected for introduction by the year 2001 domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; microwave radio relay international: 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations—3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 3 (relays 3), FM 12 (repeaters 39), shortwave 0

Radios: 14 million (1994 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 15 (in addition, there are five low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions: 7.6 million (1994 est.)



Transportation



Railways: total: 2,813 km standard gauge: 2,813 km 1.435-m gauge; (1,991 km electrified) (1996)

Highways: total: 127,000 km paved: 114,427 km (including 2,360 km of expressways) unpaved: 12,573 km (1996 est.)

Waterways: 5,046 km, of which 47% is usable by craft of 1,000 metric ton capacity or larger

Pipelines: crude oil 418 km; petroleum products 965 km; natural gas 10,230 km

Ports and harbors: Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Groningen, Haarlem, Ijmuiden, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Utrecht

Merchant marine: total: 510 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,632,477 GRT/4,097,328 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 303, chemical tanker 42, combination bulk 1, container 52, liquefied gas tanker 17, livestock carrier 1, multifunction large-load carrier 9, oil tanker 24, passenger 8, refrigerated cargo 30, roll-on/roll-off cargo 12, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 4 note: many Dutch-owned ships are also operating under the registry of Netherlands Antilles (1998 est.)

Airports: 28 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 19 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 6 (1998 est.)

Heliports: 1 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Constabulary

Military manpower—military age: 20 years of age

Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 4,117,376 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,595,693 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 95,368 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $6.604 billion (FY97)

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 2.1% (1995)



Transnational Issues



Disputes—international: none

Illicit drugs: important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major European producer of illicit amphetamines and other synthetic drugs



======================================================================



@Netherlands Antilles ——————————



Geography



Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea—one includes Curacao and Bonaire north of Venezuela and the other is east of the Virgin Islands

Geographic coordinates: 12 15 N, 68 45 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area: total: 960 sq km land: 960 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin)

Area—comparative: more than five times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: total: 10.2 km border countries: Guadeloupe (Saint Martin) 10.2 km

Coastline: 364 km

Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds

Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m

Natural resources: phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only)

Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 90% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October

Environment—current issues: NA

Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA



People



Population: 207,827 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 26% (male 27,160; female 26,149) 15-64 years: 67% (male 65,781; female 73,054) 65 years and over: 7% (male 6,538; female 9,145) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.01% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 17.11 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 6.58 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 12.59 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.25 years male: 72.19 years female: 76.41 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.09 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Netherlands Antillean(s) adjective: Netherlands Antillean

Ethnic groups: mixed black 85%, Carib Amerindian, white, East Asian

Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day Adventist

Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) predominates, English widely spoken, Spanish

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (1981 est.)



Government



Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles local long form: none local short form: Nederlandse Antillen

Data code: NT

Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954

Government type: parliamentary

Capital: Willemstad

Administrative divisions: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note: each island has its own government

Independence: none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)

Constitution: 29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amended

Legal system: based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law influence

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Jaime SALEH (since NA October 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Miguel POURIER (since 25 February 1994) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually elected prime minister by the Staten; election last held 30 January 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002) election results: Miguel POURIER elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote—NA

Legislative branch: unicameral States or Staten (22 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 30 January 1998 (next to be held by NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—PAR 4, PNP 3, SPA 1, PDB 2, UPB 1, MAN 2, PLKP 3, WIPM 1, SEA 1, DP-St.M 2, FOL 2; no party won enough seats to form a government note: the government of Prime Minister Miguel POURIER is a coalition of several parties

Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders: Sint Eustatius: Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius or DP-St. E WESTCOTT-WILLIAMS]; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten or SPA ROLLOCKS] note: political parties are indigenous to each island

International organization participation: Caricom (observer), ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO, WToO (associate)

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General James L. WILLIAMS consulate(s) general: J.B. Gorsiraweg #1, Curacao mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao

Flag description: white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten



Economy



Economy—overview: Tourism, petroleum transshipment, and offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. The islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure as compared with other countries in the region. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with Venezuela, the US, and Mexico being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$2.4 billion (1997 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: -1.8% (1997)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$11,500 (1997 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84% (1996 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (1997)

Labor force: 89,000

Labor force—by occupation: government 65%, industry and commerce 28% (1983)

Unemployment rate: 14.9% (1998 est.)

Budget: revenues: $710.8 million expenditures: $741.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)

Industries: tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao)

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity—production: 1.4 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 1.4 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)

Agriculture—products: aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit

Exports: $268.2 million (f.o.b., 1997)

Exports—commodities: petroleum products 98% (1993)

Exports—partners: US 28.6%, Honduras 6.4%, Belgium-Luxembourg 6%, Italy 4.9%, Guatemala 4.5%, Costa Rica 4% (1996)

Imports: $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1997)

Imports—commodities: crude petroleum 64%, food, manufactures (1993)

Imports—partners: Venezuela 34%, US 16.4%, Mexico 15.5%, Netherlands 5%, Italy 3.5%, Brazil 2.8% (1996)

Debt—external: $1.35 billion (1996)

Economic aid—recipient: $NA; note?the Netherlands provided a $97 million aid package in 1996

Currency: 1 Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (NAf.) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders, gulden, or florins (NAf.) per US$1—1.790 (fixed rate since 1989)

Fiscal year: calendar year



Communications



Telephones: NA

Telephone system: generally adequate facilities domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links international: 2 submarine cables; satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 4, shortwave 0

Radios: 205,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 3 (in addition, there is a cable service which supplies programs received from various US satellite networks) (1997)

Televisions: 64,000 (1992 est.)



Transportation



Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 600 km paved: 300 km unpaved: 300 km (1992 est.)

Ports and harbors: Kralendijk, Philipsburg, Willemstad

Merchant marine: total: 95 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 811,782 GRT/1,045,989 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 26, chemical tanker 2, combination ore/oil 3, container 10, liquefied gas tanker 4, multifunction large-load carrier 19, oil tanker 4, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 18, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 2 countries: Belgium owns 9 ships, Germany 1 (1998 est.)

Airports: 5 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal Netherlands Air Force, National Guard, Police Force

Military manpower—military age: 20 years of age

Military manpower—availability: males age 15-47: 53,285 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 29,888 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 1,457 (1999 est.)

Military—note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands



Transnational Issues



Disputes—international: none

Illicit drugs: money-laundering center; transshipment point for South American drugs bound for the US and Europe



======================================================================



@New Caledonia ——————-



Geography



Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia

Geographic coordinates: 21 30 S, 165 30 E

Map references: Oceania

Area: total: 19,060 sq km land: 18,575 sq km water: 485 sq km

Area—comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 2,254 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid

Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m

Natural resources: nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 12% forests and woodland: 39% other: 49% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: typhoons most frequent from November to March

Environment—current issues: NA

Environment—international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA



People



Population: 197,361 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 29% (male 29,610; female 28,485) 15-64 years: 65% (male 64,552; female 63,229) 65 years and over: 6% (male 5,443; female 6,042) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.59% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 20.68 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 4.82 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: 0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 12.15 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.35 years male: 72.1 years female: 78.77 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.43 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: New Caledonian(s) adjective: New Caledonian

Ethnic groups: Melanesian 42.5%, European 37.1%, Wallisian 8.4%, Polynesian 3.8%, Indonesian 3.6%, Vietnamese 1.6%, other 3%

Religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%

Languages: French, 28 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91% male: 92% female: 90% (1976 est.)



Government



Country name: conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies conventional short form: New Caledonia local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie

Data code: NC

Dependency status: overseas territory of France since 1956

Government type: NA

Capital: Noumea

Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 provinces named Iles Loyaute, Nord, and Sud

Independence: none (overseas territory of France); note—a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass

National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)

Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system: the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands; formerly under French law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by High Commissioner and President of the Council of Government Dominque BUR (since NA August 1995) head of government: President of the Territorial Congress Simon LOUECKHOTE (since NA 1998) cabinet: Consultative Committee elections: French president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the Territorial Congress elected by the members of the congress

Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres Territorial (54 seats; members are members of the three Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) elections: last held 9 July 1995 (next to be held NA July 2001) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—RPR 22, FLNKS 12, UNCT 9, UNI 5, DEPCA 2, FN 2, RCF 2, and other 2 note: New Caledonia elects 1 seat to the French Senate; elections last held 27 September 1992 (next to be held NA September 2001); results—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—RPR 1; New Caledonia also elects 2 seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held 25 May-1 June 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); results—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—RPR 2

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel

Political parties and leaders: Progressive Melanesian Union or POSTIC]; Union des Synicates de Travailleurs Kanaks Exploites or Caledonia in the Republic or RPCR is a coalition of 5 parties: Union

International organization participation: ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WFTU, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France)

Flag description: three horizontal bands, blue (top), red, and green, with a yellow disk enclosing a black symbol centered to the hoist side; the flag of France is used for official occasions



Economy



Economy—overview: New Caledonia has more than 20% of the world's known nickel resources. In recent years, the economy has suffered because of depressed international demand for nickel, the principal source of export earnings. Only a negligible amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 25% of imports. In addition to nickel, financial support from France and tourism are key to the health of the economy. Performance in 1998 was hampered by the spillover of financial problems in East Asia and by lower expected prices for nickel.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$2.1 billion (1996 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: NA%

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$11,400 (1996 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 25% services: 72% (1996)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (1996 est.)

Labor force: 70,044 (1988)

Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 20%, industry 16%, services 60%, mining 4% (1996)

Unemployment rate: 15% (1994)

Budget: revenues: $755.6 million expenditures: $755.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.)

Industries: nickel mining and smelting

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity—production: 1.145 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 69.87% hydro: 30.13% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 1.145 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)

Agriculture—products: vegetables; beef, other livestock products

Exports: $500 million (f.o.b., 1996)

Exports—commodities: ferronickels, nickel ore

Exports—partners: Japan 31%, France 29%, US 12%, Australia 7%, Taiwan 6% (1996 est.)

Imports: $845 million (c.i.f., 1996)

Imports—commodities: foods, transport equipment, machinery and electrical equipment, fuels, minerals

Imports—partners: France 45%, Australia 18%, Singapore 7%, New Zealand 6%, Japan 4% (1996 est.)

Debt—external: $NA

Economic aid—recipient: $446.3 million (1995); note?about $50 million yearly support from France for government operations

Currency: 1 Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1—102.72 (January 1999), 107.25 (1998), 106.11 (1997), 93.00 (1996), 90.75 (1995), 100.93 (1994); note—linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc

Fiscal year: calendar year



Communications



Telephones: 38,748 (1993 est.)

Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station—1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0

Radios: 97,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 6 (in addition, there are 25 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions: 47,000 (1992 est.)



Transportation



Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 5,562 km paved: 975 km unpaved: 4,587 km (1993)

Ports and harbors: Mueo, Noumea, Thio

Merchant marine: none

Airports: 27 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 11 (1998 est.)

Heliports: 7 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: French Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie); Police Force

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $NA

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: NA%

Military—note: defense is the responsibility of France



Transnational Issues



Disputes—international: Matthew and Hunter Islands claimed by France and Vanuatu



======================================================================



@New Zealand —————-



Geography



Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia

Geographic coordinates: 41 00 S, 174 00 E

Map references: Oceania

Area: total: 268,680 sq km land: 268,670 sq km water: 10 sq km note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands

Area—comparative: about the size of Colorado

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 15,134 km

Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts

Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Cook 3,764 m

Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone

Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 5% permanent pastures: 50% forests and woodland: 28% other: 8% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 2,850 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity

Environment—current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by species introduced from outside

Environment—international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation

Geography—note: about 80% of the population lives in cities



People



Population: 3,662,265 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 23% (male 430,105; female 409,302) 15-64 years: 65% (male 1,202,762; female 1,195,006) 65 years and over: 12% (male 184,048; female 241,042) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.99% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 14.42 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 7.53 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: 3.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 6.22 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.82 years male: 74.55 years female: 81.27 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.85 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand

Ethnic groups: New Zealand European 74.5%, Maori 9.7%, other European 4.6%, Pacific Islander 3.8%, Asian and others 7.4%

Religions: Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 33% (1986)

Languages: English (official), Maori

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1980 est.) male: NA% female: NA%



Government



Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: New Zealand abbreviation: NZ

Data code: NZ

Government type: parliamentary democracy

Capital: Wellington

Administrative divisions: 93 counties, 9 districts*, and 3 town districts**; Akaroa, Amuri, Ashburton, Bay of Islands, Bruce, Buller, Chatham Islands, Cheviot, Clifton, Clutha, Cook, Dannevirke, Egmont, Eketahuna, Ellesmere, Eltham, Eyre, Featherston, Franklin, Golden Bay, Great Barrier Island, Grey, Hauraki Plains, Hawera*, Hawke's Bay, Heathcote, Hikurangi**, Hobson, Hokianga, Horowhenua, Hurunui, Hutt, Inangahua, Inglewood, Kaikoura, Kairanga, Kiwitea, Lake, Mackenzie, Malvern, Manaia**, Manawatu, Mangonui, Maniototo, Marlborough, Masterton, Matamata, Mount Herbert, Ohinemuri, Opotiki, Oroua, Otamatea, Otorohanga*, Oxford, Pahiatua, Paparua, Patea, Piako, Pohangina, Raglan, Rangiora*, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua*, Runanga, Saint Kilda, Silverpeaks, Southland, Stewart Island, Stratford, Strathallan, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Tauranga, Thames-Coromandel*, Tuapeka, Vincent, Waiapu, Waiheke, Waihemo, Waikato, Waikohu, Waimairi, Waimarino, Waimate, Waimate West, Waimea, Waipa, Waipawa*, Waipukurau*, Wairarapa South, Wairewa, Wairoa, Waitaki, Waitomo*, Waitotara, Wallace, Wanganui, Waverley**, Westland, Whakatane*, Whangarei, Whangaroa, Woodville note: there may be a new administrative structure of 16 regions (Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wanganui-Manawatu, Wellington, West Coast) that are subdivided into 57 districts and 16 cities* (Ashburton, Auckland*, Banks Peninsula, Buller, Carterton, Central Hawke's Bay, Central Otago, Christchurch*, Clutha, Dunedin*, Far North, Franklin, Gisborne, Gore, Grey, Hamilton*, Hastings, Hauraki, Horowhenua, Hurunui, Hutt*, Invercargill*, Kaikoura, Kaipara, Kapiti Coast, Kawerau, Mackenzie, Manawatu, Manukau*, Marlborough, Masterton, Matamata Piako, Napier*, Nelson*, New Plymouth, North Shore*, Opotiki, Otorohanga, Palmerston North*, Papakura*, Porirua*, Queenstown Lakes, Rangitikei, Rodney, Rotorua, Ruapehu, Selwyn, Southland, South Taranaki, South Waikato, South Wairarapa, Stratford, Tararua, Tasman, Taupo, Tauranga, Thames Coromandel, Timaru, Upper Hutt*, Waikato, Waimakariri, Waimate, Waipa, Wairoa, Waitakere*, Waitaki, Waitomo, Wanganui, Wellington*, Western Bay of Plenty, Westland, Whakatane, Whangarei)

Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau

Independence: 26 September 1907 (from UK)

National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty)

Constitution: no formal, written constitution; consists of various documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments; Constitution Act 1986 was to have come into force 1 January 1987, but has not been enacted

Legal system: based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Michael HARDIE BOYS (since 21 March 1996) head of government: Prime Minister Jenny SHIPLEY (since 8 December 1997) and Deputy Prime Minister Wyatt CREECH (since NA August 1998); note—the coalition government of the National Party and the New Zealand First Party was dissolved on 18 August 1998 cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general for a three-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general

Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives—commonly called Parliament (120 seats; members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies to serve three-year terms) elections: last held 12 October 1996 (next must be called by October 1999) election results: percent of vote by party—NP 34.1%, NZLP 28.3%, NZFP 13.1%, Alliance 10.1%, ACT 6.17%, UNZ 0.91%; seats by party—NP 44, NZLP 37, NZFP 17, Alliance 13, ACT 8, UNZ 1

Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders: National Party or NP [Jenny coalition of the Christian Democrats and Christian Heritage Party)

International organization participation: ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MONUA, MTCR, NAM (guest), NSG, OECD, OPCW, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOP, UNOMSIL, UNPREDEP, UNTSO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James Brendan BOLGER chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Josiah Horton BEEMAN embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP 96531-1001 consulate(s) general: Auckland

Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation



Economy



Economy—overview: Since 1984 the government has accomplished major economic restructuring, moving an agrarian economy dependent on a concessionary British market access toward a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes, broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, and contained inflationary pressures. Inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. Per capita GDP has been moving up toward the levels of the big West European economies. New Zealand's heavy dependence on trade leaves its growth prospects vulnerable to economic performance in Asia, Europe, and the US. The slump in demand in Asian markets largely explains the slight drop in GDP in 1998.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$61.1 billion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: -0.2% (1998)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$17,000 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 9% industry: 25% services: 66% (1997)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (1998)

Labor force: 1.86 million (1998)

Labor force—by occupation: services 65.1%, industry 25.1%, agriculture 9.8% (1995)

Unemployment rate: 7.6% (1998)

Budget: revenues: $24.9 billion expenditures: $23.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY97/98 est.)

Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity—production: 35.534 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 18.72% hydro: 75.67% nuclear: 0% other: 5.61% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 35.534 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)

Agriculture—products: wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef, dairy products; fish

Exports: $12.9 billion (1998 est.)

Exports—commodities: wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fish, cheese, chemicals, forestry products, fruits and vegetables, manufactures, dairy products, wood

Exports—partners: Australia 20%, Japan 15%, US 10%, UK 6% (1997)

Imports: $13 billion (1998 est.)

Imports—commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, consumer goods, plastics

Imports—partners: Australia 27%, US 19%, Japan 12%, UK 6% (1997)

Debt—external: $53.2 billion (March 1998)

Economic aid—donor: ODA, $123 million (1995)

Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1—1.85 (February 1999), 1.8629 (1998), 1.5083 (1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994)

Fiscal year: 1 July—30 June



Communications



Telephones: 1.7 million (1986 est.)

Telephone system: excellent international and domestic systems domestic: NA international: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 64, FM 2, shortwave 0

Radios: 3.215 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 41 (in addition, there are 52 medium-power repeaters and over 650 low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions: 1.53 million (1992 est.)



Transportation



Railways: total: 3,973 km narrow gauge: 3,973 km 1.067-m gauge (519 km electrified)

Highways: total: 92,200 km paved: 53,568 km (including at least 144 km of expressways) unpaved: 38,632 km (1996 est.)

Waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation

Pipelines: petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; liquefied petroleum gas or LPG 150 km

Ports and harbors: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington

Merchant marine: total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 138,687 GRT/183,372 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 3, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4 (1998 est.)

Airports: 111 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 44 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 29 under 914 m: 3 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 67 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 23 under 914 m: 43 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force

Military manpower—military age: 20 years of age

Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 943,624 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 793,814 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 26,046 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $562 million (FY97/98)

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.05% (FY97/98)



Transnational Issues



Disputes—international: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)



======================================================================



@Nicaragua ————-



Geography



Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras

Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 85 00 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area: total: 129,494 sq km land: 120,254 sq km water: 9,240 sq km

Area—comparative: slightly smaller than the state of New York

Land boundaries: total: 1,231 km border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km

Coastline: 910 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 25-nm security zone continental shelf: natural prolongation territorial sea: 200 nm

Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands

Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m

Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish

Land use: arable land: 9% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 46% forests and woodland: 27% other: 17% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 880 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasionally severe hurricanes

Environment—current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; Hurricane Mitch damage

Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea



People



Population: 4,717,132 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 44% (male 1,037,269; female 1,018,909) 15-64 years: 54% (male 1,236,326; female 1,297,356) 65 years and over: 2% (male 54,706; female 72,566) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.84% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 35.04 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 5.6 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 40.47 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.08 years male: 64.7 years female: 69.56 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.14 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan

Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%

Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5%

Languages: Spanish (official) note: English- and Amerindian-speaking minorities on Atlantic coast

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 65.7% male: 64.6% female: 66.6% (1995 est.)



Government



Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua conventional short form: Nicaragua local long form: Republica de Nicaragua local short form: Nicaragua

Data code: NU

Government type: republic

Capital: Managua

Administrative divisions: 15 departments (departamentos, singular—departamento), 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular—region autonomista); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas, Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*

Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution: 9 January 1987

Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts

Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (10 January 1997); Vice President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (10 January 1997); note—the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (10 January 1997); Vice President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (10 January 1997); note—the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); note—in July 1995 the term of the office of the president was amended to five years party]—includes PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 51.03%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 37.75%, Guillermo OSORNO (PCCN) 4.10%, Noel VIDAURRE (PCN) 2.26%, Benjamin LANZAS (PRONAL) 0.53%, other (18 other candidates) remaining 4.33%

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (93 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) election results: percent of vote by party—Liberal Alliance (ruling party—includes PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 46.03%, FSLN 36.55%, PCCN 3.73%, PCN 2.12%, MRS 1.33%; seats by party—Liberal Alliance 42, FSLN 36, PCCN 4, PCN 3, PRONAL 2, MRS 1, PRN 1, PNC 1, PLI 1, AU 1, UNO-96 Alliance 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), 12 judges elected for seven-year terms by the National Assembly

Political parties and leaders: OSORNO, Roberto RODRIGUEZ]; Liberal Constitutionalist Party or PLC Saavedra]

Political pressure groups and leaders: National Workers Front or FNT is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions: Sandinista Workers Central or CST; Farm Workers Association or ATC; Health Workers Federation or FETASALUD; National Union of Employees or UNE; National Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN; Union of Journalists of Nicaragua or UPN; Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO; and the National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG; Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT is an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions: Confederation of Labor Unification or CUS; Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A; Independent General Confederation of Labor or CGT-I; and Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS; Nicaraguan Workers' Central or CTN is an independent labor union; Superior Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP is a confederation of business groups

International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco AGUIRRE Sacasa chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lino GUTIERREZ embassy: Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur, Managua mailing address: APO AA 34021 666026, 666027, 666032, 666033

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band



Economy



Economy—overview: Prior to Hurricane Mitch in the fall of 1998, Nicaragua had been pursuing a number of impressive economic reforms and had begun to shed the legacy of a decade of civil war and economic mismanagement by posting strong annual growth numbers. The storm has put the reform effort on hold and has changed economic forecasts for the foreseeable future—Nicaragua, the poorest country in Central America was one of the hardest hit by the hurricane. Nicaragua sustained approximately $1 billion in damages and will probably see GDP growth slow by at least one percentage point in 1999. Hardest hit was the all-important agriculture sector, which is responsible for the majority of exports. As a result, the trade deficit is likely to balloon in 1999 to roughly $900 million. Significant aid and relief have helped to stabilize the country. In addition, the Paris Club and other creditors have offered substantial debt relief. Nevertheless, additional financing will be needed to restore the economy to its pre-Mitch condition.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$11.6 billion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 4% (1998 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$2,500 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 32% industry: 24% services: 44% (1997)

Population below poverty line: 50.3% (1993 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 39.8% (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16% (1998 est.)

Labor force: 1.5 million

Labor force—by occupation: services 54%, agriculture 31%, industry 15% (1995 est.)

Unemployment rate: 14%; underemployment 36% (1997 est.)

Budget: revenues: $389 million expenditures: $551 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)

Industries: food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear

Industrial production growth rate: 1.4% (1994 est.)

Electricity—production: 1.665 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 48.95% hydro: 21.02% nuclear: 0% other: 30.03% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 1.665 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)

Agriculture—products: coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, cassava (tapioca), citrus, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products

Exports: $704 million (f.o.b., 1997)

Exports—commodities: coffee, seafood, meat, sugar, gold, bananas

Exports—partners: US, Central America, Germany, Canada

Imports: $1.45 billion (c.i.f., 1997)

Imports—commodities: consumer goods, machinery and equipment, petroleum products

Imports—partners: Central America, US, Venezuela, Japan

Debt—external: $6 billion (1996 est.)

Economic aid—recipient: $839.9 million (1995)

Currency: 1 gold cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates: gold cordobas (C$) per US$1—11.14 (December 1998), 10.58 (1998), 9.45 (1997), 8.44 (1996), 7.55 (1995), 6.72 (1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year



Communications



Telephones: 66,810 (1993 est.)

Telephone system: low-capacity microwave radio relay and wire system being expanded; connected to Central American Microwave System domestic: wire and microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations—1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 45, FM 0, shortwave 3

Radios: 1.037 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 3 (in addition, there are seven low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions: 260,000 (1992 est.)



Transportation



Highways: total: 16,382 km paved: 1,818 km unpaved: 14,564 km (1998 est.)

Waterways: 2,220 km, including 2 large lakes

Pipelines: crude oil 56 km

Ports and harbors: Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama, San Juan del Sur

Merchant marine: none

Airports: 184 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 171 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 27 under 914 m: 143 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force

Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age

Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 1,108,146 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 681,495 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 53,508 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $26 million (1998)

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.2% (1998)



Transnational Issues



Disputes—international: territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; with respect to the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) referred the disputants to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required; maritime boundary dispute with Honduras

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US



======================================================================



@Niger ——-



Geography



Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria

Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 8 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total: 1.267 million sq km land: 1,266,700 sq km water: 300 sq km

Area—comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Land boundaries: total: 5,697 km border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south

Terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Niger River 200 m highest point: Mont Greboun 1,944 m

Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, petroleum

Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 7% forests and woodland: 2% other: 88% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 660 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: recurring droughts

Environment—current issues: overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction

Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea

Geography—note: landlocked



People



Population: 9,962,242 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 2,445,536; female 2,346,844) 15-64 years: 50% (male 2,421,971; female 2,518,248) 65 years and over: 2% (male 121,253; female 108,390) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.95% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 52.31 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 22.78 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 112.79 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.96 years male: 42.22 years female: 41.7 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 7.24 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Nigerien(s) adjective: Nigerien

Ethnic groups: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 1,200 French expatriates

Religions: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians

Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 13.6% male: 20.9% female: 6.6% (1995 est.)



Government



Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Niger conventional short form: Niger local long form: Republique du Niger local short form: Niger

Data code: NG

Government type: republic

Capital: Niamey

Administrative divisions: 7 departments (departements, singular—departement), and 1 capital district* (capitale district); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder

Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958)

Constitution: the constitution of January 1993 was revised by national referendum on 12 May 1996

Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Ibrahim BARE Mainassara (since 28 January 1996); note—the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ibrahim BARE Mainassara (since 28 January 1996); note—Ibrahim MAYAKI (since 27 November 1997) was appointed prime minister by the president but does not exercise any executive authority and is only the implementor of the president's programs; the president is both chief of state and head of government note: President Ibrahim BARE was assasinated on the 9 April 1999 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; last held 7-8 July 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); note—Ibrahim BARE Mainassara initially became president when he ousted President Mahamane OUSMANE in a coup on 27 January 1996 and subsequently defeated him in the flawed election of July 1996 election results: percent of vote—Ibrahim BARE Mainassara 52.22%, Mahamane OUSMANE 19.75%, Tandja MAMADOU 15.65%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 7.60%, Moumouni AMADOU Djermakoye 4.77%

Legislative branch: two-chamber National Assembly; one chamber with 83 seats (members elected by popular vote for five-year terms); selection process for second chamber not established elections: last held 23 November 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) election results: percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—UNIRD 59, ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya 8, UDPS-Amana 3, coalition of independents 3, MDP-Alkwali 1, UPDP-Shamuwa 4, DARAJA 3, PMT-Albarka 2

Judicial branch: State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel

Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and TALBA, chairman]; Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or MAMADOU, chairman]; National Union of Independents for Democratic Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya or PNDS-Tarayya Patriots, Democrats, and Progressives-Shamuwa or UPDP-Shamuwa NA]

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIPONUH, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph DIATTA chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles O. CECIL embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey

Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band



Economy



Economy—overview: Niger is a poor, landlocked Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, reexport trade, and increasingly less on uranium, its major export since the 1970s. The 50% devaluation of the West African franc in January 1994 boosted exports of livestock, cowpeas, onions, and the products of Niger's small cotton industry. The government relies on bilateral and multilateral aid for operating expenses and public investment and is strongly induced to adhere to structural adjustment programs designed by the IMF and the World Bank. Short-term prospects depend largely on upcoming negotiations on debt relief and extended aid.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$9.4 billion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 4.5% (1998 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$970 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 18% services: 42% (1997)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3% highest 10%: 29.3% (1992)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.8% (1998)

Labor force: 70,000 receive regular wages or salaries

Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues: $370 million (including $160 million from foreign sources) expenditures: $370 million, including capital expenditures of $186 million (1998 est.)

Industries: cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses, and a few other small light industries; uranium mining

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity—production: 170 million kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 365 million kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 195 million kWh (1996) note: imports electricity from Nigeria

Agriculture—products: cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry

Exports: $269 million (f.o.b., 1997)

Exports—commodities: uranium ore 50%, livestock products 20%, cowpeas, onions (1996 est.)

Exports—partners: Greece 21%, Canada 18%, France 12%, Nigeria 7% (1996 est.)

Imports: $295 million (c.i.f., 1997)

Imports—commodities: consumer goods, primary materials, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals

Imports—partners: France 17%, Cote d'Ivoire 7%, US 5%, Belgium-Luxembourg 4%, Nigeria (1996 est.)

Debt—external: $1.2 billion (1998 est.)

Economic aid—recipient: $222 million (1995)

Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1—560.01 (January 1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year



Communications



Telephones: 14,000 (1995 est.)

Telephone system: small system of wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in southwestern area domestic: wire, radiotelephone communications, and microwave radio relay; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned international: satellite earth stations—2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 15, FM 6, shortwave 0

Radios: 620,000 (1995 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 10 (in addition, there are seven low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions: 105,000 (1995 est.)



Transportation



Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 10,100 km paved: 798 km unpaved: 9,302 km (1996 est.)

Waterways: Niger river is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin frontier from mid-December through March

Ports and harbors: none

Airports: 27 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)

Airports—with unpaved runways: total: 18 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)



Military



Military branches: Army, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Police

Military manpower—military age: 18 years of age

Military manpower—availability: males age 15-49: 2,117,868 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—fit for military service: males age 15-49: 1,143,355 (1999 est.)

Military manpower—reaching military age annually: males: 102,762 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures—dollar figure: $20 million (FY96/97)

Military expenditures—percent of GDP: 1.1% (FY96/97)



Transnational Issues



Disputes—international: Libya claims about 19,400 sq km in northern Niger; delimitation of international boundaries in the vicinity of Lake Chad, the lack of which led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaits ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria



======================================================================



@Nigeria ———-



Geography



Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon

Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 8 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total: 923,770 sq km land: 910,770 sq km water: 13,000 sq km

Area—comparative: slightly more than twice the size of California

Land boundaries: total: 4,047 km border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km

Coastline: 853 km

Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 30 nm

Climate: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north

Terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m

Natural resources: petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, natural gas

Land use: arable land: 33% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: 44% forests and woodland: 12% other: 8% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 9,570 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: periodic droughts

Environment—current issues: soil degradation; rapid deforestation; desertification; recent droughts in north severely affecting marginal agricultural activities

Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements



People



Population: 113,828,587 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 25,613,974; female 25,397,166) 15-64 years: 52% (male 30,272,539; female 29,197,611) 65 years and over: 3% (male 1,678,732; female 1,668,565) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.92% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 41.84 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 12.98 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: 0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 69.46 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.3 years male: 52.55 years female: 54.06 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.02 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian

Ethnic groups: Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba, Ibo, Ijaw, Kanuri, Ibibio, Tiv

Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%

Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 57.1% male: 67.3% female: 47.3% (1995 est.)



Government



Country name: conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria conventional short form: Nigeria

Data code: NI

Government type: republic transitioning from military to civilian rule

Capital: Abuja note: on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially moved from Lagos to Abuja; many government offices remain in Lagos pending completion of facilities in Abuja

Administrative divisions: 30 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Federal Capital Territory*, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe note: the government has announced the creation of six additional states named Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nassarawa, and Zamfara as part of the process of transition to a civilian government

Independence: 1 October 1960 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960)

Constitution: 1979 constitution still partially in force

Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and tribal law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces Gen. Abdulsalami ABUBAKAR (since 9 June 1998) will remain chief of state and head of government until 29 May 1999 when President-elect Olusegun OBASANJO will be inaugurated head of government: Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces Gen. Abdulsalami ABUBAKAR (since 9 June 1998) will remain chief of state and head of government until 29 May 1999 when President-elect Olusegun OBASANJO will be inaugurated cabinet: Federal Executive Council elections: the president is elected by popular vote for no more than two four-year terms; election last held 27 February 1999 (next election to be held NA 2003) election results: Olusegun OBASANJO (PDP) won the election with NA% of the vote, Olu FALAE (APP-AD) NA%

Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of Senate (109 seats, three from each state and one from the Federal Capital Territory; members elected by popular vote to serve seven-year terms) and House of Representatives (360 seats, members elected by popular vote to serve seven-year terms) elections: Senate—last held 20-24 February 1999 (next to be held NA 2006); House of Representatives—last held 20-24 February 1999 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Senate—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—PDP 61, APP 24, AD 20, other 4; House of Representives—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—PDP 206, APP 74, AD 68, others 12 note: the National Assembly was suspended by the military government following the military takeover on 17 November 1993; the new civilian government which was elected on 20 February 1999 is expected to be inaugurated on 29 May 1999

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed by the Provisional Ruling Council; Federal Court of Appeal, judges are appointed by the federal government on the advice of the Advisory Judicial Committee

Political parties and leaders: political parties, suppressed by the military government, were allowed to form in July 1998; three parties were registered by the Provisional Ruling Council for participation in local, state and national elections; All People's

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C (suspended), CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUA, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNPREDEP, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wakili Hassan ADAMU chancery: 1333 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William H. TWADDELL embassy: 2 Eleke Crescent, Lagos mailing address: P. O. Box 554, Lagos

Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green



Economy



Economy—overview: The oil-rich Nigerian economy continues to be hobbled by political instability, corruption, and poor macroeconomic management. Nigeria's unpopular military rulers have failed to make significant progress in diversifying the economy away from overdependence on the capital intensive oil sector which provides 30% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and about 80% of budgetary revenues. The government's resistance to initiating greater transparency and accountability in managing the country's multibillion dollar oil earnings continues to limit economic growth and prevent an agreement with the IMF and bilateral creditors on a staff-monitored program and debt relief. The largely subsistence agricultural sector has failed to keep up with rapid population growth, and Nigeria, once a large net exporter of food, now must import food. Growth in 1999 may become negative because of continued low oil prices and persistent inefficiencies in the system.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$106.2 billion (1998 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 1.6% (1998 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity?$960 (1998 est.)

GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 33% industry: 42% services: 25% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line: 34.1% (1992-93 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 31.4% (1992-93)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1998 est.)

Labor force: 42.844 million

Labor force—by occupation: agriculture 54%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 15%

Unemployment rate: 28% (1992 est.)

Budget: revenues: $13.9 billion (1998 est.) expenditures: $13.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA billion (1998 est.)

Industries: crude oil, coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel

Industrial production growth rate: 4.1% (1996)

Electricity—production: 13.78 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—production by source: fossil fuel: 60.94% hydro: 39.06% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Electricity—consumption: 13.74 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity—exports: 50 million kWh (1996)

Electricity—imports: 0 kWh (1996)

Agriculture—products: cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish

Exports: $9.7 billion (f.o.b., 1998)

Exports—commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber

Exports—partners: US 35%, Spain 11%, Italy 6%, France 6% (1997 est.)

Imports: $9.8 billion (f.o.b., 1998)

Imports—commodities: machinery, chemicals, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food and animals

Imports—partners: US 14%, UK 11%, Germany 10%, France 8%, Netherlands 5% (1997 est.)

Debt—external: $32 billion (1998 est.)

Economic aid—recipient: $39.2 million (1995)

Currency: 1 naira (N) = 100 kobo

Exchange rates: nairas (N) per US$1—21.886 (December 1998), 21.886 (1998), 21.886 (1997), 21.895 (1995), 21.996 (1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year



Communications



Telephones: 405,100 (1995 est.)

Telephone system: average system limited by poor maintenance; major expansion in progress domestic: intercity traffic is carried by coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, cellular network, and a domestic communications satellite system with 20 earth stations international: satellite earth stations—3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 1 coaxial submarine cable

Radio broadcast stations: AM 82, FM 32, shortwave 10 (1998 est.)

Radios: 17.2 million (1998 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1 (government-controlled)

Televisions: 6.1 million (1998 est.)



Transportation



Railways: total: 3,557 km narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge standard gauge: 52 km 1.435-m gauge (1995) note: years of neglect of both the rolling stock and the right-of-way have seriously reduced the capacity and utility of the system; a project to restore Nigeria's railways is now underway

Highways: total: 51,000 km paved: 26,000 km (including 2,044 km of expressways) unpaved: 25,000 km (1998 est.) note: many of the roads reported as paved may be graveled; because of poor maintenance and years of heavy freight traffic (in part the result of the failure of the railroad system), much of the road system is barely useable

Waterways: 8,575 km consisting of the Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks

Pipelines: crude oil 2,042 km; petroleum products 3,000 km; natural gas 500 km

Ports and harbors: Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri

Merchant marine: total: 38 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 371,499 GRT/631,425 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 13, chemical tanker 3, oil tanker 20, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1998 est.)

Airports: 72 (1998 est.)

Airports—with paved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)