Chapter XX: Front Matter (20)

French National Assembly--last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results--percent of vote by party--RPR 83.5%, FN 13.5%, other 3%; seats--(2 total) RPCR 2

_#_Communists: number unknown; Palita extreme left party; some politically active Communists deported during 1950s; small number of North Vietnamese

_#_Member of: FZ, SPC, WFTU, WMO

_#_Diplomatic representation: as an overseas territory of France, New Caledonian interests are represented in the US by France

_#_Flag: the flag of France is used

_*_Economy _#_Overview: New Caledonia has more than 25% 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.

_#_GNP: $973 million, per capita $5,790; real growth rate 2.4% (1990 est.)

_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1989)

_#_Unemployment rate: 16.0% (1989)

_#_Budget: revenues $224.0 million; expenditures $211.0 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1985)

_#_Exports: $344 million (f.o.b., 1989);

commodities--nickel metal 87%, nickel ore;

partners--France 52.3%, Japan 15.8%, US 6.4%

_#_Imports: $389 million (c.i.f., 1989);

commodities--foods, fuels, minerals, machines, electrical equipment;

partners--France 44.0%, US 10%, Australia 9%

_#_External debt: $NA

_#_Industrial production: growth rate NA%

_#_Electricity: 400,000 kW capacity; 2,200 million kWh produced, 12,790 kWh per capita (1990)

_#_Industries: nickel mining

_#_Agriculture: large areas devoted to cattle grazing; coffee, corn, wheat, vegetables; 60% self-sufficient in beef

_#_Illicit drugs: illicit cannabis cultivation is becoming a principal source of income for some families

_#_Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $3.9 billion

_#_Currency: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (plural--francs); 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes

_#_Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1--93.28 (January 1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988), 109.27 (1987), 125.92 (1986), 163.35 (1985); note--linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc

_#_Fiscal year: calendar year

_*_Communications _#_Highways: 6,340 km total; only about 10% paved (1987)

_#_Ports: Noumea, Nepoui, Poro, Thio

_#_Civil air: 1 major transport aircraft

_#_Airports: 29 total, 27 usable; 6 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

_#_Telecommunications: 32,578 telephones (1987); stations--5 AM, 3 FM, 7 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station

_*_Defense Forces _#_Branches: Gendarmerie, Police Force

_#_Manpower availability: males 15-49, 46,388; NA fit for military service

_#_Note: defense is the responsibility of France _%_ _@_New Zealand _*_Geography _#_Total area: 268,680 km2; land area: 268,670 km2; includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands

_#_Comparative area: about the size of Colorado

_#_Land boundaries: none

_#_Coastline: 15,134 km

_#_Maritime claims:

Continental shelf: edge of continental margin or 200 nm;

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm;

Territorial sea: 12 nm

_#_Disputes: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)

_#_Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts

_#_Terrain: predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains

_#_Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone

_#_Land use: arable land 2%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 53%; forest and woodland 38%; other 7%; includes irrigated 1%

_#_Environment: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe

_*_People _#_Population: 3,308,973 (July 1991), growth rate 0.4% (1991)

_#_Birth rate: 15 births/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Death rate: 8 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Net migration rate: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Infant mortality rate: 10 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

_#_Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 79 years female (1991)

_#_Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (1991)

_#_Nationality: noun--New Zealander(s); adjective--New Zealand

_#_Ethnic divisions: European 88%, Maori 8.9%, Pacific Islander 2.9%, other 0.2%

_#_Religion: Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 9% (1986)

_#_Language: English (official), Maori

_#_Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970)

_#_Labor force: 1,591,900; services 67.4%, manufacturing 19.8%, primary production 9.3% (1987)

_#_Organized labor: 681,000 members; 43% of labor force (1986)

_*_Government _#_Long-form name: none; abbreviated NZ

_#_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

_#_Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau

_#_Independence: 26 September 1907 (from UK)

_#_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

_#_National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty), 6 February (1840)

_#_Executive branch: British monarch, governor general, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet

_#_Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives (commonly called Parliament)

_#_Judicial branch: High Court, Court of Appeal

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II ( since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Dame Catherine TIZARD (since 12 December 1990);

Head of Government--Prime Minister James BOLGER (since 29 October 1990); Deputy Prime Minister Donald McKINNON (since 2 November 1990)

_#_Political parties and leaders: National Party (NP; government), James BOLGER; New Zealand Labor Party (NZLP; opposition), Michael MOORE; New Labor Party (NLP), Jim ANDERTON; Democratic Party, Neil MORRISON; Green Party, no official leader; Socialist Unity Party (SUP; pro-Soviet), Kenneth DOUGLAS

_#_Suffrage: universal at age 18

_#_Elections:

House of Representatives--last held on 27 October 1990 (next to be held October 1993); results--NP 49%, LP 35%, Green Party 7%, New Labor 5%; seats--(97 total) NP 67, LP 29, NLP 1

_#_Communists: SUP about 140, other groups, about 200

_#_Member of: ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, AsDB, C, CCC, CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, OECD, PCA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

_#_Diplomatic representation: Ambassador-designate Denis Bazely Gordon McLEAN; Chancery at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 328-4800; there are New Zealand Consulates General in Los Angeles and New York;

US--Ambassador Della M. NEWMAN; Embassy at 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington (mailing address is P. O. Box 1190, Wellington, or FPO San Francisco 96690-0001); telephone [64] (4) 722-068; there is a US Consulate General in Auckland

_#_Flag: 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 _#_Overview: Since 1984 the government has been reorienting an agrarian economy dependent on a guaranteed British market to an open free market economy that can compete on the global scene. The government has hoped that dynamic growth would boost real incomes, reduce inflationary pressures, and permit the expansion of welfare benefits. The results have been mixed: inflation is down from double-digit levels but growth has been sluggish and unemployment, always a highly sensitive issue, has been at a record high 7.4%. In 1988 GDP fell by 1%, in 1989 grew by a moderate 2.4%, and was flat in 1990.

_#_GDP: $40.2 billion, per capita $12,200; real growth rate 0.7% (1990)

_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.5% (FY90)

_#_Unemployment rate: 7.4% (March 1990)

_#_Budget: revenues $17.6 billion; expenditures $18.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY91 est.)

_#_Exports: $8.8 billion (f.o.b., FY90);

commodities--wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fruit, fish, cheese, manufactures, chemicals, forestry products;

partners--EC 18.3%, Japan 17.9%, Australia 17.5%, US 13.5%, China 3.6%, South Korea 3.1%

_#_Imports: $8.1 billion (f.o.b., FY90);

commodities--petroleum, consumer goods, motor vehicles, industrial equipment;

partners--Australia 19.7%, Japan 16.9%, EC 16.9%, US 15.3%, Taiwan 3.0%

_#_External debt: $17.4 billion (1989)

_#_Industrial production: growth rate 1.9% (1990); accounts for about 20% of GDP

_#_Electricity: 7,800,000 kW capacity; 28,000 million kWh produced, 8,500 kWh per capita (1990)

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

_#_Agriculture: accounts for about 9% of GNP and 10% of the work force; livestock predominates--wool, meat, dairy products all export earners; crops--wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, and vegetables; surplus producer of farm products; fish catch reached a record 503,000 metric tons in 1988

_#_Economic aid: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $526 million

_#_Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural--dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents

_#_Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1--1.6798 (January 1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987), 1.9088 (1986), 2.0064 (1985)

_#_Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June

_*_Communications _#_Railroads: 4,716 km total; all 1.067-meter gauge; 274 km double track; 113 km electrified; over 99% government owned

_#_Highways: 92,648 km total; 49,547 km paved, 43,101 km gravel or crushed stone

_#_Inland waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation

_#_Pipelines: 1,000 km natural gas; 160 km refined products; 150 km condensate

_#_Ports: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, Tauranga

_#_Merchant marine: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 204,269 GRT/281,375 DWT; includes 5 cargo, 1 container, 4 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 1 railcar carrier, 4 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 5 bulk

_#_Civil air: about 40 major transport aircraft

_#_Airports: 157 total, 157 usable; 33 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 46 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

_#_Telecommunications: excellent international and domestic systems; 2,110,000 telephones; stations 64 AM, 2 FM, 14 TV; submarine cables extend to Australia and Fiji; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations

_*_Defense Forces _#_Branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force

_#_Manpower availability: males 15-49, 874,443; 740,831 fit for military service; 28,814 reach military age (20) annually

_#_Defense expenditures: $832 million, 1-2% of GDP (FY90) _%_ _@_Nicaragua _*_Geography _#_Total area: 129,494 km2; land area: 120,254 km2

_#_Comparative area: slightly larger than New York State

_#_Land boundaries: 1,231 km total; Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km

_#_Coastline: 910 km

_#_Maritime claims:

Contiguous zone: 25 nm security zone (status of claim uncertain);

Continental shelf: not specified;

Territorial sea: 200 nm

_#_Disputes: territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; unresolved maritime boundary in Golfo de Fonseca

_#_Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands

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

_#_Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish

_#_Land use: arable land 9%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 43%; forest and woodland 35%; other 12%; including irrigated 1%

_#_Environment: subject to destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasional severe hurricanes; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution

_*_People _#_Population: 3,751,884 (July 1991), growth rate 2.8% (1991)

_#_Birth rate: 37 births/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Net migration rate: - 1 migrant/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Infant mortality rate: 60 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

_#_Life expectancy at birth: 60 years male, 65 years female (1991)

_#_Total fertility rate: 4.7 children born/woman (1991)

_#_Nationality: noun--Nicaraguan(s); adjective--Nicaraguan

_#_Ethnic divisions: mestizo 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Indian 5%

_#_Religion: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5%

_#_Language: Spanish (official); English- and Indian-speaking minorities on Atlantic coast

_#_Literacy: 57% (male 57%, female 57%) age 15 and over can read and write (1971)

_#_Labor force: 1,086,000; service 43%, agriculture 44%, industry 13% (1986)

_#_Organized labor: 35% of labor force

_*_Government _#_Long-form name: Republic of Nicaragua

_#_Type: republic

_#_Capital: Managua

_#_Administrative divisions: 9 administrative regions encompassing 16 departments (departamentos, singular--departamento); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas, Zelaya; note--Zelaya may have been replaced by 2 autonomous regions (regiones autonomistas, singular--region autonomista) named North Atlantic Coast and South Atlantic Coast

_#_Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

_#_Constitution: January 1987

_#_Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts

_#_National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

_#_Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet

_#_Legislative branch: National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional)

_#_Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) and municipal courts

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government--President Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (since 25 April 1990); Vice President Virgilio GODOY (since 25 April 1990)

_#_Political parties and leaders:

ruling coalition--National Opposition Union (UNO) is a 14-party alliance--National Conservative Party (PNC), Silviano MATAMOROS; Conservative Popular Alliance Party (PAPC), Myriam ARGUELLO; National Conservative Action Party (PANC), Hernaldo ZUNIGA; National Democratic Confidence Party (PDCN), Augustin JARQUIN; Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Wilfredo NAVARRO; Neo-Liberal Party (PALI), Andres ZUNIGA; Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Jose Ernesto SOMARRIBA; National Action Party (PAN), Eduardo RIVAS; Nicaraguan Socialist Party (PSN), Gustavo TABLADA; Communist Party of Nicaragua (PCdeN), Eli ALTIMIRANO; Popular Social Christian Party (PPSC), Luis HUMBERTO; Nicaraguan Democratic Movement (MDN), Roberto URROZ; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Guillermo POTOY; Central American Integrationist Party (PIAC), Alejandro PEREZ;

opposition parties--Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel ORTEGA; Central American Unionist Party (PUCA), Blanca ROJAS; Democratic Conservative Party of Nicaragua (PCDN), Jose BRENES; Liberal Party of National Unity (PLUIN), Eduardo CORONADO; Movement of Revolutionary Unity (MUR), Francisco SAMPER; Social Christian Party (PSC), Erick RAMIREZ; Revolutionary Workers' Party (PRT), Bonifacio MIRANDA; Social Conservative Party (PSOC), Fernando AGUERRO; Popular Action Movement--Marxist-Leninist (MAP-ML), Isidro TELLEZ; Popular Social Christian Party (PPSC), Mauricio DIAZ

_#_Suffrage: universal at age 16

_#_Elections:

President--last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held February 1996); results--Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (UNO) 54.7%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 40.8%, other 4.5%;

National Assembly--last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held February 1996); results--UNO 53.9%, FSLN 40.8%, PSC 1.6%, MUR 1.0%; seats--(92 total) UNO 51, FSLN 39, PSC 1, MUR 1

_#_Communists: 15,000-20,000

_#_Other political or pressure groups: Permanent Congress of Workers (CPT), Confederation of Labor Unification (CUS), Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN-A), Independent General Confederation of Workers (CTG-I), Communist Labor Action and Unity Central (CAUS), Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CST); Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) is an umbrella group of 11 different business groups, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Industry, and the Nicaraguan Development Institute (INDE)

_#_Member of: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

_#_Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ernesto PALAZIO; Chancery at 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone (202) 387-4371 or 4372;

US--Ambassador Harry W. SHLAUDEMAN; Embassy at Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur., Managua (mailing address is APO Miami 34021); telephone [505] (2) 666010 or 666013, 666015 through 18, 666026, 666027, 666032 through 34

_#_Flag: 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 _#_Overview: Government control of the economy historically has been extensive, although the Chamorro government has pledged to reduce it. The financial system is directly controlled by the state, which also regulates wholesale purchasing, production, sales, foreign trade, and distribution of most goods. Over 50% of the agricultural and industrial firms are state owned. Sandinista economic policies and the war have produced a severe economic crisis. The foundation of the economy continues to be the export of agricultural commodities, largely coffee and cotton. Farm production fell by roughly 7% in 1989, the fifth successive year of decline. The agricultural sector employs 44% of the work force and accounts for 23% of GDP and 86% of export earnings. Industry, which employs 13% of the work force and contributes about 25% to GDP, showed a drop of 7% in 1989 and remains below pre-1979 levels. External debt is one of the highest in the world on a per capita basis. In 1990 the annual inflation rate was 11,800%, sharply up from 1,800% in 1989.

_#_GDP: $1.7 billion, per capita $470; real growth rate - 1.0% (1990 est.)

_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11,800% (1990)

_#_Unemployment rate: 35% (1990)

_#_Budget: revenues $244 million; expenditures $550 million, including capital expenditures of $73 million (1988)

_#_Exports: $298 million (f.o.b., 1989);

commodities--coffee, cotton, sugar, bananas, seafood, meat, chemicals;

partners--OECD 75%, USSR and Eastern Europe 15%, other 10%

_#_Imports: $710 million (c.i.f., 1989);

commodities--petroleum, food, chemicals, machinery, clothing;

partners--Latin America 30%, US 25%, EC 20%, USSR and Eastern Europe 10%, other 15% (1990 est.)

_#_External debt: $9 billion (December 1990)

_#_Industrial production: growth rate - 7% (1989); accounts for about 25% of GDP

_#_Electricity: 415,000 kW capacity; 1,342 million kWh produced, 360 kWh per capita (1990)

_#_Industries: food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear

_#_Agriculture: accounts for 23% of GDP and 44% of work force; cash crops--coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton; food crops--rice, corn, cassava, citrus fruit, beans; variety of animal products--beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy; normally self-sufficient in food

_#_Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $294 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $1,186 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $3.5 billion

_#_Currency: cordoba (plural--cordobas); 1 cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos

_#_Exchange rates: cordobas (C$) per US$1--13,300,000 (January 1991), 15,655 (1989), 270 (1988), 102.60 (1987), 97.48 (1986), 38.90 (1985)

_#_Fiscal year: calendar year

_*_Communications _#_Railroads: 373 km 1.067-meter gauge, government owned; majority of system not operating; 3 km 1.435-meter gauge line at Puerto Cabezas (does not connect with mainline)

_#_Highways: 25,930 km total; 4,000 km paved, 2,170 km gravel or crushed stone, 5,425 km earth or graded earth, 14,335 km unimproved; Pan-American highway 368.5 km

_#_Inland waterways: 2,220 km, including 2 large lakes

_#_Pipelines: crude oil, 56 km

_#_Ports: Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama

_#_Merchant marine: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,161 GRT/2,500 DWT

_#_Civil air: 12 major transport aircraft

_#_Airports: 251 total, 162 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

_#_Telecommunications: low-capacity radio relay and wire system being expanded; connection into Central American Microwave System; 60,000 telephones; stations--45 AM, no FM, 7 TV, 3 shortwave; earth stations--1 Intersputnik and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT

_*_Defense Forces _#_Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force

_#_Manpower availability: males 15-49, 845,961; 521,425 fit for military service; 44,222 reach military age (18) annually

_#_Defense expenditures: $70 million, 3.8% of GDP (1991) _%_ _@_Niger _*_Geography _#_Total area: 1,267,000 km2; land area: 1,266,700 km2

_#_Comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas

_#_Land boundaries: 5,697 km total; Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km

_#_Coastline: none--landlocked

_#_Maritime claims: none--landlocked

_#_Disputes: Libya claims about 19,400 km2 in northern Niger; demarcation of international boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger

_#_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

_#_Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates

_#_Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 7%; forest and woodland 2%; other 88%; includes irrigated NEGL%

_#_Environment: recurrent drought and desertification severely affecting marginal agricultural activities; overgrazing; soil erosion

_#_Note: landlocked

_*_People _#_Population: 8,154,145 (July 1991), growth rate 3.4% (1991)

_#_Birth rate: 50 births/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Death rate: 16 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Infant mortality rate: 129 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

_#_Life expectancy at birth: 49 years male, 53 years female (1991)

_#_Total fertility rate: 7.0 children born/woman (1991)

_#_Nationality: noun--Nigerien(s) adjective--Nigerien

_#_Ethnic divisions: Hausa 56%; Djerma 22%; Fula 8.5%; Tuareg 8%; Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%; Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%; about 4,000 French expatriates

_#_Religion: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians

_#_Language: French (official); Hausa, Djerma

_#_Literacy: 28% (male 40%, female 17%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

_#_Labor force: 2,500,000 wage earners (1982); agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%; 51% of population of working age (1985)

_#_Organized labor: negligible

_*_Government _#_Long-form name: Republic of Niger

_#_Type: republic; presidential system in which military officers hold key offices

_#_Capital: Niamey

_#_Administrative divisions: 7 departments (departements, singular--departement); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey, Tahoua, Zinder

_#_Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France)

_#_Constitution: adopted NA December 1989 after 15 years of military rule

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

_#_National holidays: Republic Day, 18 December (1958)

_#_Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)

_#_Legislative branch: National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)

_#_Judicial branch: State Court (Cour d'Etat), Court of Appeal (Cour d'Apel)

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State--President Brig. Gen. Ali SAIBOU (since 14 November 1987);

Head of Government--Prime Minister Aliou MAHAMIDOU (since 2 March 1990)

_#_Political parties and leaders: National Movement for the Development Society (MNSD), leader NA; other political parties now forming

_#_Suffrage: universal adult at age 18

_#_Elections:

President--last held December 1989 (next to be held NA 1996); results--President Ali SAIBOU was reelected without opposition;

National Assembly--last held 10 December 1989 (next to be held NA); results--MNSD was the only party; seats--(150 total) MNSD 150 (indirectly elected); note--Niger is to hold a national conference to decide upon a transitional government and an agenda for multiparty elections

_#_Communists: no Communist party; some sympathizers in outlawed Sawaba party

_#_Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

_#_Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE; Chancery at 2204 R Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-4224 through 4227;

US--Ambassador Carl C. CUNDIFF; Embassy at Avenue des Ambassades, Niamey (mailing address is B. P. 11201, Niamey); telephone [227] 72-26-61 through 64

_#_Flag: 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 _#_Overview: About 90% of the population is engaged in farming and stock rearing, activities which generate almost half the national income. The economy also depends heavily on exploitation of large uranium deposits. Uranium production grew rapidly in the mid-1970s, but tapered off in the early 1980s, when world prices declined. France is a major customer, while Germany, Japan, and Spain also make regular purchases. The depressed demand for uranium has contributed to an overall sluggishness in the economy, a severe trade imbalance, and a mounting external debt.

_#_GDP: $2.0 billion, per capita $270; real growth rate - 3.3% (1989 est.)

_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): - 2.8% (1989)

_#_Unemployment rate: NA%

_#_Budget: revenues $220 million; expenditures $446 million, including capital expenditures of $190 million (FY89 est.)

_#_Exports: $308 million (f.o.b., 1989 est.);

commodities--uranium 75%, livestock products, cowpeas, onions;

partners--France 65%, Nigeria 11%, Ivory Coast, Italy

_#_Imports: $386 million (c.i.f., 1989 est.);

commodities--petroleum products, primary materials, machinery, vehicles and parts, electronic equipment, pharmaceuticals, chemical products, cereals, foodstuffs;

partners--France 32%, Ivory Coast 11%, Germany 5%, Italy 4%, Nigeria 4%

_#_External debt: $1.8 billion (December 1990 est.)

_#_Industrial production: growth rate 3.0% (1989 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP

_#_Electricity: 102,000 kW capacity; 225 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1989)

_#_Industries: cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses, and a few other small light industries; uranium production began in 1971

_#_Agriculture: accounts for roughly 40% of GDP and 90% of labor force; cash crops--cowpeas, cotton, peanuts; food crops--millet, sorghum, cassava, rice; livestock--cattle, sheep, goats; self-sufficient in food except in drought years

_#_Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $380 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $3.0 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $504 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $61 million

_#_Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes

_#_Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1--256.54 (January 1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985)

_#_Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September

_*_Communications _#_Highways: 39,970 km total; 3,170 km bituminous, 10,330 km gravel and laterite, 3,470 km earthen, 23,000 km tracks

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

_#_Civil air: no major transport aircraft

_#_Airports: 31 total, 29 usable; 7 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

_#_Telecommunications: small system of wire, radiocommunications, and radio relay links concentrated in southwestern area; 11,900 telephones; stations--15 AM, 5 FM, 16 TV; satellite earth stations--1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 4 domestic

_*_Defense Forces _#_Branches: Army, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, paramilitary Republican Guard, paramilitary Presidential Guard, paramilitary National Police

_#_Manpower availability: males 15-49, 1,713,566; 923,634 fit for military service; 90,801 reach military age (18) annually

_#_Defense expenditures: $20.6 million, 0.9% of GDP (1988) _%_ _@_Nigeria _*_Geography _#_Total area: 923,770 km2; land area: 910,770 km2

_#_Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of California

_#_Land boundaries: 4,047 km total; 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 depth of exploitation;

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm;

Territorial sea: 30 nm

_#_Disputes: demarcation of international boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria; Nigerian proposals to reopen maritime boundary negotiations and redemarcate the entire land boundary have been rejected by Cameroon

_#_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

_#_Natural resources: crude oil, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, natural gas

_#_Land use: arable land 31%; permanent crops 3%; meadows and pastures 23%; forest and woodland 15%; other 28%; includes irrigated NEGL%

_#_Environment: recent droughts in north severely affecting marginal agricultural activities; desertification; soil degradation, rapid deforestation

_*_People _#_Population: 122,470,574 (July 1991), growth rate 3.0% (1991)

_#_Birth rate: 46 births/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Death rate: 16 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Infant mortality rate: 118 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

_#_Life expectancy at birth: 48 years male, 50 years female (1991)

_#_Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1991)

_#_Nationality: noun--Nigerian(s); adjective--Nigerian

_#_Ethnic divisions: more than 250 tribal groups; Hausa and Fulani of the north, Yoruba of the southwest, and Ibos of the southeast make up 65% of the population; about 27,000 non-Africans

_#_Religion: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%

_#_Language: English (official); Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani, and several other languages also widely used

_#_Literacy: 51% (male 62%, female 40%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

_#_Labor force: 42,844,000; agriculture 54%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 15%; 49% of population of working age (1985)

_#_Organized labor: 3,520,000 wage earners belong to 42 recognized trade unions, which come under a single national labor federation--the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC)

_*_Government _#_Long-form name: Federal Republic of Nigeria

_#_Type: military government since 31 December 1983

_#_Capital: Lagos; note--some government departments have relocated to the designated new capital in Abuja

_#_Administrative divisions: 21 states and 1 territory*; Abuja Capital Territory*, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bendel, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Gongola, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto

_#_Independence: 1 October 1960 (from UK)

_#_Constitution: 1 October 1979, amended 9 February 1984, revised 1989

_#_Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic, and tribal law

_#_National holiday: Independence Day, 1 October (1960)

_#_Executive branch: president of the Armed Forces Ruling Council, Armed Forces Ruling Council, National Council of State, Council of Ministers (cabinet)

_#_Legislative branch: National Assembly was dissolved after the military coup of 31 December 1983

_#_Judicial branch: Supreme Court, Federal Court of Appeal

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government--President and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces Gen. Ibrahim BABANGIDA (since 27 August 1985)

_#_Political parties and leaders: two political parties established by the government in 1989--Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Convention (NRC)

_#_Suffrage: universal at age 21

_#_Elections:

President--scheduled for 1 October 1992;

National Assembly--scheduled for early 1992

_#_Communists: the pro-Communist underground consists of a small fraction of the Nigerian left; leftist leaders are prominent in the country's central labor organization but have little influence on the government

_#_Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMO, IMF, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIIMOG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTO

_#_Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Hamzat AHMADU; Chancery at 2201 M Street NW, Washington DC 20037; telephone (202) 822-1500; there are Nigerian Consulates General in Atlanta, New York and San Francisco;

US--Ambassador Lannon WALKER; Embassy at 2 Eleke Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos (mailing address is P. O. Box 554, Lagos); telephone [234] (1) 610097; there is a US Consulate General in Kaduna

_#_Flag: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green

_*_Economy _#_Overview: Although Nigeria is Africa's leading oil-producing country, it remains poor with a $280 per capita GDP. In 1990, despite rising oil prices and a sharp drop in inflation, performance remained slack with continuing underutilization of industrial capacity and a second year of relatively weak agricultural performance. Agricultural production was up only 4.2% in 1990, still below the 1987 level. Industrial output showed a 7.2% increase, but remained below the 1985 level. Government efforts to reduce Nigeria's dependence on oil exports and to sustain noninflationary growth have fallen short due to inadequate new investment funds. Living standards continue to deteriorate from the higher level of the early 1980s oil boom.

_#_GDP: $27.2 billion, per capita $230; real growth rate 2.7% (1990 est.)

_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16% (1990)

_#_Unemployment rate: NA%

_#_Budget: revenues $8.0 billion; expenditures $8.0 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)

_#_Exports: $13.0 billion (f.o.b., 1990 est.);

commodities--oil 95%, cocoa, rubber;

partners--EC 51%, US 32%

_#_Imports: $9.5 billion (c.i.f., 1990 est.);

commodities--consumer goods, capital equipment, chemicals, raw materials;

partners--EC, US

_#_External debt: $35 billion (December 1990 est.)

_#_Industrial production: growth rate 7.2% (1990 est.); accounts for 23% of GDP, including petroleum

_#_Electricity: 4,737,000 kW capacity; 11,270 million kWh produced, 100 kWh per capita (1989)

_#_Industries: crude oil and mining--coal, tin, columbite; primary processing industries--palm oil, peanut, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins; manufacturing industries--textiles, cement, building materials, food products, footwear, chemical, printing, ceramics, steel

_#_Agriculture: accounts for 28% of GNP and half of labor force; inefficient small-scale farming dominates; once a large net exporter of food and now an importer; cash crops--cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, rubber; food crops--corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, yams; livestock--cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; fishing and forestry resources extensively exploited

_#_Illicit drugs: illicit heroin and some cocaine trafficking; marijuana cultivation for domestic consumption and export; major transit country for heroin en route from Southwest Asia via Africa to Western Europe and the US; growing transit route for cocaine from South America via West Africa to Western Europe and the US

_#_Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $705 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $2.5 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.2 billion

_#_Currency: naira (plural--naira); 1 naira (4) = 100 kobo

_#_Exchange rates: naira (4) per US$1--8.707 (December 1990), 8.038 (1990), 7.3647 (1989), 4.5370 (1988), 4.0160 (1987), 1.7545 (1986), 0.8938 (1985)

_#_Fiscal year: calendar year

_*_Communications _#_Railroads: 3,505 km 1.067-meter gauge

_#_Highways: 107,990 km total 30,019 km paved (mostly bituminous-surface treatment); 25,411 km laterite, gravel, crushed stone, improved earth; 52,560 km unimproved

_#_Inland waterways: 8,575 km consisting of Niger and Benue Rivers and smaller rivers and creeks

_#_Pipelines: 2,042 km crude oil; 500 km natural gas; 3,000 km refined products

_#_Ports: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Onne, Sapele

_#_Merchant marine: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 420,658 GRT/668,951 DWT; includes 18 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 1 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 6 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 bulk

_#_Civil air: 76 major transport aircraft

_#_Airports: 81 total, 68 usable; 32 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 14 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 21 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

_#_Telecommunications: above-average system limited by poor maintenance; major expansion in progress; radio relay and cable routes; 155,000 telephones; stations--37 AM, 19 FM, 38 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, domestic, with 19 stations; 1 coaxial submarine cable

_*_Defense Forces _#_Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Police Force

_#_Manpower availability: males 15-49, 28,070,431; 16,040,870 fit for military service; 1,302,970 reach military age (18) annually

_#_Defense expenditures: $300 million, 1% of GNP (1990 est.) _%_ _@_Niue (free association with New Zealand) _*_Geography _#_Total area: 260 km2; land area: 260 km2

_#_Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

_#_Land boundaries: none

_#_Coastline: 64 km

_#_Maritime claims:

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm;

Territorial sea: 12 nm

_#_Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds

_#_Terrain: steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau

_#_Natural resources: fish, arable land

_#_Land use: arable land 61%; permanent crops 4%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest and woodland 19%; other 12%

_#_Environment: subject to typhoons

_#_Note: one of world's largest coral islands; located about 460 km east of Tonga

_*_People _#_Population: 1,908 (July 1991), growth rate - 0.1% (1991)

_#_Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

_#_Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1991)

_#_Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1991)

_#_Nationality: noun--Niuean(s); adjective--Niuean

_#_Ethnic divisions: Polynesian, with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and Tongans

_#_Religion: Ekalesia Nieue (Niuean Church)--a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society 75%, Mormon 10%, Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%

_#_Language: Polynesian tongue closely related to Tongan and Samoan; English

_#_Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%) but compulsory education age 5 to 14

_#_Labor force: 1,000 (1981 est.); most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board

_#_Organized labor: NA

_*_Government _#_Long-form name: none

_#_Type: self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs

_#_Capital: Alofi

_#_Administrative divisions: none

_#_Independence: became a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand on 19 October 1974

_#_Constitution: 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)

_#_Legal system: English common law

_#_National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty), 6 February (1840)

_#_Executive branch: British monarch, premier, Cabinet

_#_Legislative branch: Legislative Assembly

_#_Judicial branch: Appeal Court of New Zealand, High Court

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by New Zealand Representative John SPRINGFORD (since 1974);

Head of Government--Premier Sir Robert R. REX (since NA October 1974)

_#_Suffrage: universal adult at age 18

_#_Political parties and leaders: Niue Island Party (NIP), Young VIVIAN

_#_Elections:

Legislative Assembly--last held on 8 April 1990 (next to be held March 1993); results--percent of vote NA; seats--(20 total, 6 elected) independents 5, NIP 1

_#_Member of: ESCAP (associate), SPC, SPF

_#_Diplomatic representation: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)

_#_Flag: yellow with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the flag of the UK bears five yellow five-pointed stars--a large one on a blue disk in the center and a smaller one on each arm of the bold red cross

_*_Economy _#_Overview: The economy is heavily dependent on aid from New Zealand. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, with the shortfall made up by grants from New Zealand--the grants are used to pay wages to public employees. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of migration of Niueans to New Zealand.

_#_GNP: $2.1 million, per capita $1,000; real growth rate NA% (1989 est.)

_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.6% (1984)

_#_Unemployment rate: NA%

_#_Budget: revenues $5.5 million; expenditures $6.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY85 est.)

_#_Exports: $175,274 (f.o.b., 1985);

commodities--canned coconut cream, copra, honey, passion fruit products, pawpaw, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts;

partners--NZ 89%, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia

_#_Imports: $3.8 million (c.i.f., 1985);

commodities--food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs;

partners--NZ 59%, Fiji 20%, Japan 13%, Western Samoa, Australia, US

_#_External debt: $NA

_#_Industrial production: growth rate NA%

_#_Electricity: 1,500 kW capacity; 3 million kWh produced, 1,490 kWh per capita (1990)

_#_Industries: tourist, handicrafts

_#_Agriculture: copra, coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes; subsistence crops--taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle

_#_Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $62 million

_#_Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural--dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents

_#_Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1--1.6798 (January 1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987), 1.9088 (1986), 2.0064 (1985)

_#_Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March

_*_Communications _#_Highways: 123 km all-weather roads, 106 km access and plantation roads

_#_Ports: none; offshore anchorage only

_#_Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway of 1,650 m

_#_Telecommunications: single-line telephone system connects all villages on island; 383 telephones; 1,000 radio receivers (1987 est.); stations--1 AM, 1 FM, no TV

_*_Defense Forces _#_Branches: Police Force

_#_Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand _%_ _@_Norfolk Island (territory of Australia) _*_Geography _#_Total area: 34.6 km2; land area: 34.6 km2

_#_Comparative area: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC

_#_Land boundaries: none

_#_Coastline: 32 km

_#_Maritime claims:

Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm;

Territorial sea: 3 nm

_#_Climate: subtropical, mild, little seasonal temperature variation

_#_Terrain: volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains

_#_Natural resources: fish

_#_Land use: arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 25%; forest and woodland 0%; other 75%

_#_Environment: subject to typhoons (especially May to July)

_#_Note: located 1,575 km east of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean

_*_People _#_Population: 2,576 (July 1991), growth rate NEGL% (1991)

_#_Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

_#_Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1991)

_#_Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1991)

_#_Nationality: noun--Norfolk Islander(s); adjective--Norfolk Islander(s)

_#_Ethnic divisions: descendants of the Bounty mutiny; more recently, Australian and New Zealand settlers

_#_Religion: Anglican 39%, Roman Catholic 11.7%, Uniting Church in Australia 16.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.4%, none 9.2%, unknown 16.9%, other 2.4% (1986)

_#_Language: English (official) and Norfolk--a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian

_#_Literacy: NA% (male NA%, female NA%)

_#_Labor force: NA

_#_Organized labor: NA

_*_Government _#_Long-form name: Territory of Norfolk Island

_#_Type: territory of Australia

_#_Capital: Kingston (administrative center), Burnt Pine (commercial center)

_#_Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)

_#_Independence: none (territory of Australia)

_#_Constitution: Norfolk Island Act of 1957

_#_Legal system: wide legislative and executive responsibility under the Norfolk Island Act of 1979; Supreme Court

_#_National holiday: Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856)

_#_Executive branch: British monarch, governor general of Australia, administrator, Executive Council (cabinet)

_#_Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly

_#_Judicial branch: Supreme Court

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Administrator H. B. MACDONALD (since NA 1989), who is appointed by the Governor General of Australia;

Head of Government--Assembly President and Chief Minister John Terence BROWN (since NA)

_#_Political parties and leaders: NA

_#_Suffrage: universal at age 18

_#_Elections:

Legislative Assembly--last held 1989 (held every three years); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(9 total) percent of seats by party NA

_#_Member of: none

_#_Diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia)

_#_Flag: three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band

_*_Economy _#_Overview: The primary economic activity is tourism, which has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific Islands. The number of visitors has increased steadily over the years and reached 29,000 in FY89. Revenues from tourism have given the island a favorable balance of trade and helped the agricultural sector to become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.

_#_GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA%

_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

_#_Unemployment rate: NA%

_#_Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $4.2 million, including capital expenditures of $400,000 (FY89)

_#_Exports: $1.7 million (f.o.b., FY86);

commodities--postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia Palm, small quantities of avocados;

partners--Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe

_#_Imports: $15.6 million (c.i.f., FY86);

commodities--NA;

partners--Australia, Pacific Islands, NZ, Asia, Europe

_#_External debt: NA

_#_Industrial production: growth rate NA%

_#_Electricity: 7,000 kW capacity; 8 million kWh produced, 3,160 kWh per capita (1990)

_#_Industries: tourism

_#_Agriculture: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit, cattle, poultry

_#_Economic aid: none

_#_Currency: Australian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents

_#_Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.2834 (January 1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986), 1.4269 (1985)

_#_Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June

_*_Communications _#_Highways: 80 km of roads, including 53 km of sealed roads; remainder are earth formed or coral surfaced

_#_Ports: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade

_#_Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways 1,220-2,439 m (Australian owned)

_#_Telecommunications: 1,500 radio receivers (1982); radio link service with Sydney; 987 telephones (1983); stations--1 AM, no FM, no TV

_*_Defense Forces _#_Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia _%_ _@_Northern Mariana Islands (commonwealth associated with the US) _*_Geography _#_Total area: 477 km2; land area: 477 km2; includes Saipan, Rota, and Tinian

_#_Comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

_#_Land boundaries: none

_#_Coastline: 1,482 km

_#_Maritime claims:

Contiguous zone: 12 nm;

Continental shelf: 200 m (depth);

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm;

Territorial sea: 3 nm

_#_Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to July, rainy season July to October

_#_Terrain: southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic; highest elevation is 471 meters (Mt. Tagpochu on Saipan)

_#_Natural resources: arable land, fish

_#_Land use: arable land 1%; permanent crops NA%; meadows and pastures 19%; forest and woodland NA%; other NA%

_#_Environment: Mt. Pagan is an active volcano (last erupted in October 1988); subject to typhoons during the rainy season

_#_Note: strategic location 5,635 km west-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and the Philippines

_*_People _#_Population: 23,494 (July 1991), growth rate 3.4% (1991)

_#_Birth rate: 43 births/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Net migration rate: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

_#_Life expectancy at birth: 65 years male, 70 years female (1991)

_#_Total fertility rate: 5.8 children born/woman (1991)

_#_Nationality: undetermined

_#_Ethnic divisions: Chamorro majority; Carolinians and other Micronesians; Spanish, German, Japanese admixtures

_#_Religion: Christian with a Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found

_#_Language: English, but Chamorro and Carolinian are also spoken in the home and taught in school

_#_Literacy: 96% (male 97%, female 96%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980)

_#_Labor force: 12,788 local; 18,799 foreign workers (1990 est.)

_#_Organized labor: NA

_*_Government _#_Long-form name: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

_#_Type: commonwealth associated with the US and administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior

_#_Capital: Saipan

_#_Administrative divisions: none

_#_Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US)

_#_Constitution: Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986

_#_Legal system: NA

_#_National holiday: Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)

_#_Executive branch: governor, lieutenant governor

_#_Legislative branch: bicameral Legislature consists of an upper house or Senate and a lower house or House of Representatives

_#_Judicial branch: Supreme Court

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State--President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989); Vice President Dan QUAYLE (since 20 January 1989);

Head of Government--Governor Lorenzo I. DeLeon GUERRERO (since NA 1990); Lieutenant Governor Benjamin T. MANGLONA (since NA 1990)

_#_Political parties and leaders: Republican Party, Alonzo IGISOMAR; Democratic Party, Felicidad OGUMORO

_#_Suffrage: universal at age 18; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

_#_Elections:

Governor--last held on NA November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results--Lorenzo I. DeLeon GUERRERO, Republican Party, was elected governor;

Senate--last held on NA November 1989 (next to be held November 1991); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(9 total) number of seats by party NA;

House of Representatives--last held on NA November 1989 (next to be held November 1991); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(15 total) number of seats by party NA;

US House of Representatives--last held NA November 1989 (next to be held NA); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(1 total) party of nonvoting delegate NA

_#_Member of: ESCAP (associate), SPC

_#_Diplomatic representation: none

_#_Flag: blue with a white five-pointed star superimposed on the gray silhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center

_*_Economy _#_Overview: The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the US. An agreement for the years 1986 to 1992 entitles the islands to $228 million for capital development, government operations, and special programs. Another major source of income is the tourist industry, which employs about 10% of the work force. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Industry is small scale in nature--mostly handicrafts and fish processing.

_#_GNP: $165 million, per capita $9,170; real growth rate NA% (1982)

_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

_#_Unemployment rate: NA%

_#_Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $70.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987)

_#_Exports: $153.9 million (1989);

commodities--manufactured goods, garments;

partners--NA

_#_Imports: $313.7 million, a 43% increase over previous year (1989);

commodities--NA;

partners--NA

_#_External debt: none

_#_Industrial production: growth rate NA%

_#_Electricity: 25,000 kW capacity; 35 million kWh produced, 1,540 kWh per capita (1990)

_#_Industries: tourism, construction, light industry, handicrafts

_#_Agriculture: coffee, coconuts, fruits, tobacco, cattle

_#_Economic aid: none

_#_Currency: US currency is used

_#_Exchange rates: US currency is used

_#_Fiscal year: 1 October-30 September

_*_Communications _#_Highways: 300 km total (53 km primary, 55 km secondary, 192 km local)

_#_Ports: Saipan, Rota, Tinian

_#_Airports: 6 total, 4 usable; 3 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

_#_Telecommunications: stations--2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations

_*_Defense Forces _#_Note: defense is the responsibility of the US _%_ _@_Norway _*_Geography _#_Total area: 324,220 km2; land area: 307,860 km2

_#_Comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico

_#_Land boundaries: 2,544 km total; Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, USSR 196 km

_#_Coastline: 21,925 km (3,419 km mainland; 2,413 km large islands; 16,093 km long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations)

_#_Maritime claims:

Contiguous zone: 10 nm;

Continental shelf: to depth of exploitation;

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm;

Territorial sea: 4 nm

_#_Disputes: maritime boundary dispute with USSR; territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land); Denmark has challenged Norway's maritime claims beween Greenland and Jan Mayen

_#_Climate: temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior; rainy year-round on west coast

_#_Terrain: glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north

_#_Natural resources: crude oil, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish, timber, hydropower

_#_Land use: arable land 3%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest and woodland 27%; other 70%; includes irrigated NEGL%

_#_Environment: air and water pollution; acid rain

_#_Note: strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in world; Norway and Turkey only NATO members having a land boundary with the USSR

_*_People _#_Population: 4,273,442 (July 1991), growth rate 0.5% (1991)

_#_Birth rate: 14 births/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

_#_Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 81 years female (1991)

_#_Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1991)

_#_Nationality: noun--Norwegian(s); adjective--Norwegian

_#_Ethnic divisions: Germanic (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic) and racial-cultural minority of 20,000 Lapps

_#_Religion: Evangelical Lutheran (state church) 87.8%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3.8%, none 3.2%, unknown 5.2% (1980)

_#_Language: Norwegian (official); small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities

_#_Literacy: 99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1976 est.)

_#_Labor force: 2,167,000 (September 1990); services 34.7%, commerce 18%, mining and manufacturing 16.6%, banking and financial services 7.5%, transportation and communications 7.2%, construction 7.2%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 6.4% (1989)

_#_Organized labor: 66% of labor force (1985)

_*_Government _#_Long-form name: Kingdom of Norway

_#_Type: constitutional monarchy

_#_Capital: Oslo

_#_Administrative divisions: 19 provinces (fylker, singular--fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold

_#_Independence: 26 October 1905 (from Sweden)

_#_Constitution: 17 May 1814, modified in 1884

_#_Dependent areas: Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard

_#_Legal system: mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

_#_National holiday: Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)

_#_Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, State Council (cabinet)

_#_Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament (Stortinget) with an Upper Chamber (Lagting) and a Lower Chamber (Odelsting)

_#_Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Hoiesterett)

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State--King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS (born 20 July 1973);

Head of Government--Prime Minister Gro Harlem BRUNDTLAND (since 3 November 1990)

_#_Political parties and leaders: Labor, Gro Harlem BRUNDTLAND; Conservative, Kaci Kullmann FIVE; Center Party, Anne Enger LAHNSTEIN; Christian People's, Kjell Magne BONDEVIK; Socialist Left, Eric SOLHEIM; Norwegian Communist, Kare Andre NILSEN; Progress, Carl I. HAGEN; Liberal, Arne FJORTOFT; Finnmark List, leader NA

_#_Suffrage: universal at age 18

_#_Elections:

Storting--last held on 11 September 1989 (next to be held 6 September 1993); results--Labor 34.3%, Conservative 22.2%, Progress 13.0%, Socialist Left 10.1%, Christian People's 8.5%, Center Party 6.6%, Finnmark List 0.3%, other 5%; seats--(165 total) Labor 63, Conservative 37, Progress 22, Socialist Left 17, Christian People's 14, Center Party 11, Finnmark List 1

_#_Communists: 15,500 est.; 5,500 Norwegian Communist Party (NKP); 10,000 Workers Communist Party Marxist-Leninist (AKP-ML, pro-Chinese)

_#_Member of: AfDB, AsDB, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, OECD, PCA, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

_#_Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Kjeld VIBE; Chancery at 2720 34th Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 333-6000; there are Norwegian Consulates General in Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco, and Consulates in Miami and New Orleans;

US--Ambassador Loret Miller RUPPE; Embassy at Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo 2 (mailing address is APO New York 09085); telephone [47] (2) 44-85-50

_#_Flag: red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

_*_Economy _#_Overview: Norway is a prosperous capitalist nation with the resources to finance extensive welfare measures. Since 1975 exploitation of large crude oil and natural gas reserves has helped maintain high growth; for the past five years growth has averaged 4.1%, the fourth-highest among OECD countries. Growth slackened in 1987-88 partially because of the sharp drop in world oil prices, but picked up again in 1989. The Brundtland government plans to push hard on environmental issues, as well as cutting unemployment, improving child care, upgrading major industries, and negotiating an EC - European Free Trade Association (EFTA) agreement on an Economic European Area.

_#_GDP: $74.2 billion, per capita $17,400; real growth rate 3.1% (1990)

_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1990)

_#_Unemployment rate: 5.2% (1990, excluding people in job-training programs)

_#_Budget: revenues $47.9 billion; expenditures $48.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990)

_#_Exports: $33.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990);

commodities--petroleum and petroleum products 25%, natural gas 11%, fish 7%, aluminum 6%, ships 3.5%, pulp and paper;

partners--EC 64.9%, Nordic countries 19.5%, developing countries 6.9%, US 6.2%, Japan 1.7% (1990)

_#_Imports: $26.8 billion (c.i.f., 1990);

commodities--machinery, fuels and lubricants, transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, clothing, ships;

partners--EC 46.3%, Nordic countries 25.7%, developing countries 14.3%, US 8.1%, Japan 4.7% (1990)

_#_External debt: $15 billion (December 1990)

_#_Industrial production: growth rate 3.6% (1990)

_#_Electricity: 26,735,000 kW capacity; 121,685 million kWh produced, 28,950 kWh per capita (1989)

_#_Industries: petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing

_#_Agriculture: accounts for 2.8% of GNP and 6.4% of labor force; among world's top 10 fishing nations; livestock output exceeds value of crops; over half of food needs imported; fish catch of 1.76 million metric tons in 1989

_#_Economic aid: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $4.4 billion