October, 1993 [Etext #87]Part 25 out of 42Area: total area: 21 km2 land area: 21 km2 comparative area: about one-tenth the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 30 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February) Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center Natural resources: phosphates Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: only 53 km south of Equator Note: Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia *Nauru, People Population: 9,882 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.42% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 18.92 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 40.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.68 years male: 64.3 years female: 69.18 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Nauruan(s) adjective: Nauruan Ethnic divisions: Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8% Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic) Languages: Nauruan (official; a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: by occupation: NA *Nauru, Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Nauru conventional short form: Nauru former: Pleasant Island Digraph: NR Type: republic Capital: no official capital; government offices in Yaren Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren Independence: 31 January 1968 (from UN trusteeship under Australia, New Zealand, and UK) Constitution: 29 January 1968 Legal system: own Acts of Parliament and British common law National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968) Political parties and leaders: none Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory Elections: President: last held 19 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - Bernard DOWIYOGO elected by Parliament Parliament: last held on 14 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (18 total) independents 18 Executive branch: president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 12 December 1989) Member of: AsDB, C (special), ESCAP, ICAO, INTERPOL, ITU, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UPU Diplomatic representation in US: there is a Nauruan Consulate in Agana (Guam) US diplomatic representation: the US Ambassador to Australia is accredited to Nauru Flag: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru *Nauru, Economy Overview: Revenues come from the export of phosphates, the reserves of which are expected to be exhausted by the year 2000. Phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World - $10,000 annually. Few other resources exist, so most necessities must be imported, including fresh water from Australia. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. Substantial amounts of phosphate income are invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition. National product: GNP - exchange rate conversion - $90 million (1989 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $10,000 (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 0% Budget: revenues $69.7 million; expenditures $51.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY86 est.) Exports: $93 million (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: phosphates partners: Australia, NZ Imports: $73 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery partners: Australia, UK, NZ, Japan External debt: $33.3 million Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 14,000 kW capacity; 50 million kWh produced, 5,430 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: phosphate mining, financial services, coconut products Agriculture: coconuts; other agricultural activity negligible; almost completely dependent on imports for food and water Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries (1970-89), $2 million Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4837 (January 1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2834 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June *Nauru, Communications Railroads: 3.9 km; used to haul phosphates from the center of the island to processing facilities on the southwest coast Highways: about 27 km total; 21 km paved, 6 km improved earth Ports: Nauru Merchant marine: 1 bulk ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,426 GRT/5,750 DWT Airports: total: 1 useable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: adequate local and international radio communications provided via Australian facilities; 1,600 telephones; 4,000 radios; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station *Nauru, Defense Forces Branches: Directorate of the Nauru Police Force note: no regular armed forces Manpower availability: males age 15-49 NA; fit for military service NA Defense expenditures: $NA - no formal defense structure *Navassa Island, Header Affiliation: (territory of the US) *Navassa Island, Geography Location: in the Caribbean Sea, 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo (Cuba), between Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 5.2 km2 land area: 5.2 km2 comparative area: about nine times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m or depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Haiti Climate: marine, tropical Terrain: raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 meters high) Natural resources: guano Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 10% forest and woodland: 0% other: 90% Irrigated land: 0 km2 Environment: mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus Note: strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo, Cuba *Navassa Island, People Population: uninhabited; note - transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island *Navassa Island, Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Navassa Island Digraph: BQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Coast Guard Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC *Navassa Island, Economy Overview: no economic activity *Navassa Island, Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only *Navassa Island, Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the US *Nepal, Geography Location: South Asia, in the Himalayas, between China and India Map references: Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 140,800 km2 land area: 136,800 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Arkansas Land boundaries: total 2,926 km, China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south Terrain: Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydroelectric potential, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore Land use: arable land: 17% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 13% forest and woodland: 33% other: 37% Irrigated land: 9,430 km2 (1989) Environment: contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India *Nepal, People Population: 20,535,466 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.43% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 37.99 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 13.66 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 85.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.98 years male: 51.84 years female: 52.12 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.33 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Nepalese (singular and plural) adjective: Nepalese Ethnic divisions: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas Religions: Hindu 90%, Buddhist 5%, Muslim 3%, other 2% (1981) note: only official Hindu state in world, although no sharp distinction between many Hindu and Buddhist groups Languages: Nepali (official), 20 languages divided into numerous dialects Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 26% male: 38% female: 13% Labor force: 8.5 million (1991 est.) by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry 2% note: severe lack of skilled labor *Nepal, Government Names: conventional long form: Kingdom of Nepal conventional short form: Nepal Digraph: NP Type: parliamentary democracy as of 12 May 1991 Capital: Kathmandu Administrative divisions: 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti Independence: 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah) Constitution: 9 November 1990 Legal system: based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 28 December (1945) Political parties and leaders: ruling party: Nepali Congress Party (NCP), Party president Krishna Prasad BHATTARAI, Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA, Ganesh Man SINGH center: the NDP has two factions: National Democratic Party/Chand (NDP/Chand), Lokendra Bahadur CHAND; and National Democratic Party/Thapa (NDP/Thapa), Surya Bahadur THAPA; Terai Rights Sadbhavana (Goodwill) Party, Gayendra Narayan SINGH Communist: Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist and Leninist (CPN/UML), Man Mohan ADIKHARY; United People's Front (UPF), N. K. PRASAI, Lila Mani POKHAREL; Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, leader NA; Rohit Party, N. M. BIJUKCHHE; Democratic Party, leader NA note: the two factions of the NDP announced a merger in late 1991 Other political or pressure groups: numerous small, left-leaning student groups in the capital; several small, radical Nepalese antimonarchist groups Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: House of Representatives: last held on 12 May 1991 (next to be held May 1996); results - NCP 38%, CPN/UML 28%, NDP/Chand 6%, UPF 5%, NDP/Thapa 5%, Terai Rights Sadbhavana Party 4%, Rohit 2%, CPN (Democratic) 1%, independents 4%, other 7%; seats - (205 total) NCP 110, CPN/UML 69, UPF 9, Terai Rights Sadbhavana Party 6, NDP/Chand 3, Rohit 2, CPN (Democratic) 2, NDP/Thapa 1, independents 3; note - the new Constitution of 9 November 1990 gave Nepal a multiparty democracy system for the first time in 32 years Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of an upper house or National Council and a lower house or House of Representatives *Nepal, Government Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sarbochha Adalat) Leaders: Chief of State: King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev (since 31 January 1972, crowned King 24 February 1985); Heir Apparent Crown Prince DIPENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev, son of the King (born 21 June 1971) Head of Government: Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA (since 29 May 1991) Member of: AsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNPROFOR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yog Prasad UPADHYAYA chancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 667-4550 consulate general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Julia Chang BLOCH embassy: Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [977] (1) 411179 or 412718, 411604, 411613, 413890 FAX: [977] (1) 419963 Flag: 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 *Nepal, Economy Overview: Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over 90% of the population and accounting for 60% of GDP. Industrial activity is limited, mainly involving the processing of agricultural produce (jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain). Production of textiles and carpets has expanded recently and accounted for 85% of foreign exchange earnings in FY91. Apart from agricultural land and forests, exploitable natural resources are mica, hydropower, and tourism. Agricultural production in the late 1980s grew by about 5%, as compared with annual population growth of 2.6%. More than 40% of the population is undernourished partly because of poor distribution. The top 10% of the population receives 47% of total income, the bottom 20% less than 5% of the total. Since May 1991, the government has been encouraging trade and foreign investment, e.g., by eliminating business licenses and registration requirements in order to simplify domestic and foreign investment. The government also has been cutting public expenditures by reducing subsides, privatizing state industries, and laying off civil servants. Prospects for foreign trade and investment in the 1990s remain poor, however, because of the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, and its remoteness. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $3.4 billion (FY92) National product real growth rate: 3.1% (FY92) National product per capita: $170 (FY92) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (November 1992) Unemployment rate: 5% (1987); underemployment estimated at 25-40% Budget: revenues $308.0 million; expenditures $672.0 million, including capital expenditures of $396 million (FY92 est.) Exports: $313 million (f.o.b., FY92 est.) but does not include unrecorded border trade with India commodities: carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain partners: US, Germany, India, UK Imports: $751 million (c.i.f., FY92 est.) commodities: petroleum products 20%, fertilizer 11%, machinery 10% partners: India, Singapore, Japan, Germany External debt: $2 billion (FY92 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6% (FY91 est.); accounts for 7% of GDP Electricity: 300,000 kW capacity; 1,000 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette, textile, carpet, cement, and brick production; tourism Agriculture: accounts for 60% of GDP and 90% of work force; farm products - rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, buffalo meat; not self-sufficient in food, particularly in drought years *Nepal, Economy Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and international drug markets; probable transit point for heroin from Southeast Asia to the West Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $304 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $2,230 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $30 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $286 million Currency: 1 Nepalese rupee (NR) = 100 paisa Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NRs) per US$1 - 43.200 (January 1993), 42.742 (1992), 37.255 (1991), 29.370 (1990), 27.189 (1989), 23.289 (1988) Fiscal year: 16 July - 15 July *Nepal, Communications Railroads: 52 km (1990), all 0.762-meter narrow gauge; all in Terai close to Indian border; 10 km from Raxaul to Birganj is government owned Highways: 7,080 km total (1990); 2,898 km paved, 1,660 km gravel or crushed stone; also 2,522 km of seasonally motorable tracks Airports: total: 37 usable: 37 with permanent-surface runways: 5 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 8 Telecommunications: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radio communication and broadcast service; international radio communication service is poor; 50,000 telephones (1990); broadcast stations - 88 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station *Nepal, Defense Forces Branches: Royal Nepalese Army, Royal Nepalese Army Air Service, Nepalese Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 4,849,109; fit for military service 2,517,385; reach military age (17) annually 234,060 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 2% of GDP (FY91/92) *Netherlands, Geography Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany Map references: Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 37,330 km2 land area: 33,920 km2 comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: total 1,027 km, Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km Coastline: 451 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, fertile soil Land use: arable land: 26% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 32% forest and woodland: 9% other: 32% Irrigated land: 5,500 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: without an extensive system of dikes and dams, nearly one-half of the total area would be inundated by sea water Note: located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, Schelde) *Netherlands, People Population: 15,274,942 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.63% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 12.81 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 8.53 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 2.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.55 years male: 74.48 years female: 80.78 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.59 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) adjective: Dutch Ethnic divisions: Dutch 96%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 4% (1988) Religions: Roman Catholic 36%, Protestant 27%, other 6%, unaffiliated 31% (1988) Languages: Dutch Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 5.3 million by occupation: services 50.1%, manufacturing and construction 28.2%, government 15.9%, agriculture 5.8% (1986) *Netherlands, Government Names: conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands conventional short form: Netherlands local long form: Koninkrijk de Nederlanden local short form: Nederland Digraph: NL 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) Constitution: 17 February 1983 Legal system: civil law system incorporating French penal theory; judicial review in the Supreme Court of legislation of lower order rather than Acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), Willem van VELZEN; Labor (PvdA), Wim KOK; Liberal (VVD), Frederick BOLKSTEIN; Democrats '66 (D'66), Hans van MIERIO; a host of minor parties Other political or pressure groups: 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 (IKV) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: First Chamber: last held on 9 June l991 (next to be held 9 June 1995); results - elected by the country's 12 provincial councils; seats - (75 total) percent of seats by party NA Second Chamber: last held on 6 September 1989 (next to be held in May 1994); results - CDA 35.3%, PvdA 31.9%, VVD 14.6%, D'66 7.9%, other 10.3%; seats - (150 total) CDA 54, PvdA 49, VVD 22, D'66 12, other 13 Executive branch: monarch, prime minister, vice prime minister, Cabinet, Cabinet of Ministers Legislative branch: bicameral legislature (Staten Generaal) consists of an upper chamber or First Chamber (Eerste Kamer) and a lower chamber or Second Chamber (Tweede Kamer) *Netherlands, Government Judicial branch: Supreme Court (De Hoge Raad) Leaders: Chief of State: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER, Prince of Orange, son of Queen Beatrix (born 27 April 1967) Head of Government: Prime Minister Ruud (Rudolph) F. M. LUBBERS (since 4 November 1982); Vice Prime Minister Willem (Wim) KOK (since 2 November 1989) Member of: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Johan Hendrick MEESMAN chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008 telephone: (202) 244-5300 FAX: (202) 362-3430 consulates general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila (Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands), New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Thomas H. GEWECKE embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, The Hague mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715 telephone: [31] (70) 310-9209 FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688 consulate general: Amsterdam Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer *Netherlands, Economy Overview: This highly developed and affluent economy is based on private enterprise. The government makes its presence felt, however, through many regulations, permit requirements, and welfare programs affecting most aspects of economic activity. The trade and financial services sector contributes over 50% of GDP. Industrial activity provides about 25% of GDP and is led by the food-processing, oil-refining, and metalworking industries. The highly mechanized agricultural sector employs only 5% of the labor force, but provides large surpluses for export and the domestic food-processing industry. Unemployment and a sizable budget deficit are currently the most serious economic problems. Many of the economic issues of the 1990s will reflect the course of European economic integration. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $259.8 billion (1992) National product real growth rate: 1.6% (1992) National product per capita: $17,200 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.3% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues $109.9 billion; expenditures $122.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.) Exports: $128.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: agricultural products, processed foods and tobacco, natural gas, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing partners: EC 77% (Germany 27%, Belgium-Luxembourg 15%, UK 10%), US 4% (1991) Imports: $117.7 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: raw materials and semifinished products, consumer goods, transportation equipment, crude oil, food products partners: EC 64% (Germany 26%, Belgium-Luxembourg 14%, UK 8%), US 8% (1991) External debt: $0 Industrial production: growth rate 1.6% (1992 est.); accounts for 25% of GDP Electricity: 22,216,000 kW capacity; 63,500 million kWh produced, 4,200 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, fishing, construction, microelectronics Agriculture: accounts for 4.6% of GDP; animal production predominates; crops - grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; shortages of grain, fats, and oils Illicit drugs: transit country for illicit narcotics produced in neighboring countries; European producer of illicit amphetamines and other synthetic drugs Economic aid: donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $19.4 billion *Netherlands, Economy Currency: 1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per US$1 - 1.8167 (January 1993), 1.7585 (1992), 1.8697 (1991), 1.8209 (1990), 2.1207 (1989), 1.9766 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year *Netherlands, Communications Railroads: 2,828 km 1.435-meter standard gauge operated by Netherlands Railways (NS) (includes 1,957 km electrified and 1,800 km double track) Highways: 108,360 km total; 92,525 km paved (including 2,185 km of limited access, divided highways); 15,835 km gravel, crushed stone Inland waterways: 6,340 km, of which 35% 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: coastal - Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Den Helder, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Ijmuiden, Rotterdam, Scheveningen, Terneuzen, Vlissingen; inland - 29 ports Merchant marine: 344 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,762,000 GRT/3,675,649 DWT; includes 3 short-sea passenger, 193 cargo, 30 refrigerated cargo, 26 container, 13 roll-on/roll-off, 1 livestock carrier, 11 multifunction large-load carrier, 23 oil tanker, 22 chemical tanker, 10 liquefied gas, 2 specialized tanker, 6 bulk, 4 combination bulk; note - many Dutch-owned ships are also registered on the captive Netherlands Antilles register Airports: total: 28 usable: 28 with permanent-surface runways: 20 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 11 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 6 Telecommunications: highly developed, well maintained, and integrated; extensive redundant system of multiconductor cables, supplemented by microwave radio relay microwave links; 9,418,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 (3 relays) AM, 12 (39 repeaters) FM, 8 (7 repeaters) TV; 5 submarine cables; 1 communication satellite earth station operating in INTELSAT (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean antenna) and EUTELSAT systems; nationwide mobile phone system *Netherlands, Defense Forces Branches: Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (including Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Constabulary Manpower availability: males age 15-49 4,183,167; fit for military service 3,677,445; reach military age (20) annually 104,263 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $7.8 billion, 3% of GDP (1992) *Netherlands Antilles, Header Affiliation: (part of the Dutch realm) *Netherlands Antilles, Geography Location: two island groups - Curacas and Bonaire in the southern Caribbean Sea are about 70 km north of Venezuela near Aruba and the rest of the country is about 800 km to the northeast about one-third of the way between Antigua and Barbuda and Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 960 km2 land area: 960 km2 comparative area: slightly less than 5.5 times the size of Washington, DC note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin) Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 364 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds Terrain: generally hilly, volcanic interiors Natural resources: phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only) Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 92% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt, so rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October *Netherlands Antilles, People Population: 184,990 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.4% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 17.23 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.69 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -7.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.73 years male: 73.55 years female: 78.03 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.99 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Netherlands Antillean(s) adjective: Netherlands Antillean Ethnic divisions: mixed African 85%, Carib Indian, European, Latin, Oriental Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect predominates, English widely spoken, Spanish Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1981) total population: 94% male: 94% female: 93% Labor force: 89,000 by occupation: government 65%, industry and commerce 28% (1983) *Netherlands Antilles, Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles local long form: none local short form: Nederlandse Antillen Digraph: NA Type: part of the Dutch realm; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954 Capital: Willemstad Administrative divisions: none (part of the Dutch realm) Independence: none (part of the Dutch realm) 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 National holiday: Queen's Day, 30 April (1938) Political parties and leaders: political parties are indigenous to each island Bonaire: Patriotic Union of Bonaire (UPB), Rudy ELLIS; Democratic Party of Bonaire (PDB), Franklin CRESTIAN Curacao: National People's Party (PNP), Maria LIBERIA-PETERS; New Antilles Movement (MAN), Domenico Felip Don MARTINA; Workers' Liberation Front (FOL), Wilson (Papa) GODETT; Socialist Independent (SI), George HUECK and Nelson MONTE; Democratic Party of Curacao (DP), Augustin DIAZ; Nos Patria, Chin BEHILIA Saba: Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM Saba), Will JOHNSON; Saba Democratic Labor Movement, Vernon HASSELL; Saba Unity Party, Carmen SIMMONDS Sint Eustatius: Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius (DP-St.E), K. Van PUTTEN; Windward Islands People's Movement (WIPM); St. Eustatius Alliance (SEA), Ralph BERKEL Sint Maarten: Democratic Party of Sint Maarten (DP-St.M), Claude WATHEY; Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten (SPA), Vance JAMES Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Staten: last held on 16 March 1990 (next to be held March 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (22 total) PNP 7, FOL-SI 3, UPB 3, MAN 2, DP-St. M 2, DP 1, SPM 1, WIPM 1, DP-St. E 1, Nos Patria 1; note - the government of Prime Minister Maria LIBERIA-PETERS is a coalition of several parties Executive branch: Dutch monarch, governor, prime minister, vice prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral legislature (Staten) *Netherlands Antilles, Government Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice Leaders: Chief of State: Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980), represented by Governor General Jaime SALEH (since NA October 1989) Head of Government: Prime Minister Maria LIBERIA-PETERS (since 17 May 1988, previously served from September 1984 to November 1985) Member of: CARICOM (observer), ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO, WTO (associate) Diplomatic representation in US: as an autonomous part of the Netherlands, Netherlands Antillean interests in the US are represented by the Netherlands US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Consul General Bernard J. WOERZ consulate general: Saint Anna Boulevard 19, Willemstad, Curacao mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao telephone: [599] (9) 613066 FAX: [599] (9) 616489 Flag: 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 *Netherlands Antilles, Economy Overview: Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of the economy. The islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure as compared with other countries in the region. Unlike many Latin American countries, the Netherlands Antilles has avoided large international debt. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US being the major supplier. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.6 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 4% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $8,700 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 16.4% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues $209 million; expenditures $232 million, including capital expenditures of $8 million (1992 est.) Exports: $200 million (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: petroleum products 98% partners: US 40%, UK 7%, Guadeloupe 5% Imports: $1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: crude petroleum 64%, food, manufactures partners: Venezuela 42%, US 21%, Netherlands 8% External debt: $701 million (December 1987) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 125,000 kW capacity; 365 million kWh produced, 1,980 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: tourism (Curacao and Sint Maarten), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao) Agriculture: hampered by poor soils and scarcity of water; chief products - aloes, sorghum, peanuts, fresh vegetables, tropical fruit; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $513 million Currency: 1 Netherlands Antillean guilder, gulden, or florin (NAf.) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders, gulden, or florins (NAf.) per US$1 - 1.79 (fixed rate since 1989; 1.80 fixed rate 1971-88) Fiscal year: calendar year *Netherlands Antilles, Communications Highways: 950 km total; 300 km paved, 650 km gravel and earth Ports: Willemstad, Philipsburg, Kralendijk Merchant marine: 89 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 781,646 GRT/962,138 DWT; includes 4 passenger, 29 cargo, 14 refrigerated cargo, 7 container, 7 roll-on/roll-off, 12 multifunction large-load carrier, 5 chemical tanker, 6 liquefied gas, 2 bulk, 1 oil tanker, 1 railcar carrier, 1 combination ore/oil; note - all but a few are foreign owned, mostly in the Netherlands Airports: total: 5 usable: 4 with permanent-surface runways: 4 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 3 Telecommunications: generally adequate facilities; extensive interisland microwave radio relay links; broadcast stations - 9 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; 2 submarine cables; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations *Netherlands Antilles, Defense Forces Branches: Royal Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal Netherlands Air Force, National Guard, Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 48,965; fit for military service 27,531; reach military age (20) annually 1,638 (1993 est.) Note: defense is responsibility of the Netherlands *New Caledonia, Header Affiliation: (overseas territory of France) *New Caledonia, Geography Location: in the South Pacific Ocean, 1,750 km east of Australia Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 19,060 km2 land area: 18,760 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,254 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid Terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains Natural resources: nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 14% forest and woodland: 51% other: 35% Irrigated land: NA km2 Environment: typhoons most frequent from November to March *New Caledonia, People Population: 178,056 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.83% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 22.7 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.01 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 15.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.22 years male: 69.92 years female: 76.7 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.67 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: New Caledonian(s) adjective: New Caledonian Ethnic divisions: 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: age 15 and over can read and write (1976) total population: 91% male: 91% female: 90% Labor force: 50,469 foreign workers for plantations and mines from Wallis and Futuna, Vanuatu, and French Polynesia (1980 est.) by occupation: NA *New Caledonia, Government Names: 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 Digraph: NC Type: overseas territory of France since 1956 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; a referendum on independence will be held in 1998) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands; formerly under French law National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Political parties and leaders: white-dominated Rassemblement pour la Caledonie dans la Republique (RPCR), conservative, Jacques LAFLEUR - affiliated to France's Rassemblement pour la Republique (RPR); Melanesian proindependence Kanaka Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS), Paul NEAOUTYINE; Melanesian moderate Kanak Socialist Liberation (LKS), Nidoish NAISSELINE; National Front (FN), extreme right, Guy GEORGE; Caledonie Demain (CD), right-wing, Bernard MARANT; Union Oceanienne (UO), conservative, Michel HEMA; Front Uni de Liberation Kanak (FULK), proindependence, UREGEI; Union Caledonian (UC), Francois BURCK Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: French Senate: last held 27 September 1992 (next to be held September 2001); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) RPCR 1 French National Assembly: last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held 21 and 28 March 1993); results - RPR 83.5%, FN 13.5%, other 3%; seats - (2 total) RPCR 2 Territorial Assembly: last held 11 June 1989 (next to be held 1993); results - RPCR 44.5%, FLNKS 28.5%, FN 7%, CD 5%, UO 4%, other 11%; seats - (54 total) RPCR 27, FLNKS 19, FN 3, other 5; note - election boycotted by FULK Executive branch: French president, high commissioner, Consultative Committee (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly Judicial branch: Court of Appeal *New Caledonia, Government Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: High Commissioner and President of the Council of Government Alain CHRISTNACHT (since 15 January 1991) Member of: ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: as an overseas territory of France, New Caledonian interests are represented in the US by France US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France) Flag: the flag of France is used *New Caledonia, 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. National product: GNP - exchange rate conversion - $1 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.4% (1988) National product per capita: $6,000 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1989) Unemployment rate: 16% (1989) Budget: revenues $224.0 million; expenditures $211.0 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1985) Exports: $671 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: nickel metal 87%, nickel ore partners: France 52.3%, Japan 15.8%, US 6.4% Imports: $764 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 and smelting 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 (1970-89), $4,185 million Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais duPacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 99.65 (January 1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: calendar year *New Caledonia, Communications Highways: 6,340 km total; only about 10% paved (1987) Ports: Noumea, Nepoui, Poro, Thio Airports: total: 29 usable: 27 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: 32,578 telephones (1987); broadcast stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 7 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station *New Caledonia, Defense Forces Branches: Gendarmerie, Police Force Note: defense is the responsibility of France *New Zealand, Geography Location: Oceania, southeast of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean Map references: Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 268,680 km2 land area: 268,670 km2 comparative area: about the size of Colorado note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 15,134 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International 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% Irrigated land: 2,800 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe *New Zealand, People Population: 3,368,774 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.61% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 15.93 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 8.11 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -1.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.11 years male: 72.46 years female: 79.95 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.07 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand Ethnic divisions: European 88%, Maori 8.9%, Pacific Islander 2.9%, other 0.2% Religions: Anglican 24%, Presbyterian 18%, Roman Catholic 15%, Methodist 5%, Baptist 2%, other Protestant 3%, unspecified or none 9% (1986) Languages: English (official), Maori Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 1,603,500 (June 1991) by occupation: services 67.4%, manufacturing 19.8%, primary production 9.3% (1987) *New Zealand, Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: New Zealand Abbreviation: NZ Digraph: 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, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty) Political parties and leaders: National Party (NP; government), James BOLGER; New Zealand Labor Party (NZLP; opposition), Michael MOORE; NewLabor Party (NLP), Jim ANDERTON; Democratic Party, Dick RYAN; New Zealand Liberal Party, Hanmish MACINTYRE and Gilbert MYLES; Green Party, no official leader; Mana Motuhake, Martin RATA; Socialist Unity Party (SUP; pro-Soviet), Kenneth DOUGLAS note: the New Labor, Democratic, and Mana Motuhake parties formed a coalition called the Alliance Party, Jim ANDERTON, president, in September 1991; the Green Party joined the coalition in May 1992 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal *New Zealand, Government Elections: House of Representatives: last held on 27 October 1990 (next to be held NA November 1993); results - NP 49%, NZLP 35%, Green Party 7%, NLP 5%; seats - (97 total) NP 67, NZLP 29, NLP 1 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) Member of: ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, C, CCC, CP, COCOM (cooperating country), EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NAM (guest), OECD, PCA, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Denis Bazely Gordon McLEAN chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 328-4800 consulates general: Los Angeles and New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant) embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP 96531-1001 telephone: [64] (4) 722-068 FAX: [64] (4) 723-537 consulate general: 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 *New Zealand, 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, broaden and deepen the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, reduce inflationary pressures, and permit the expansion of welfare benefits. The results have been mixed: inflation is down from double-digit levels, but growth was sluggish in 1988-91, and unemployment, always a highly sensitive issue, has exceeded 10% since May 1991. In 1992, growth picked up to 3%, a sign that the new economic approach is beginning to pay off. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $49.8 billion (1992) National product real growth rate: 3% (1992) National product per capita: $14,900 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (1991) Unemployment rate: 10.1% (September 1992) Budget: revenues $14.0 billion; expenditures $15.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) Exports: $3.65 billion (f.o.b., FY92) 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: $3.99 billion (f.o.b., FY92) 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: $38.5 billion (September 1992) Industrial production: growth rate 1.9% (1990); accounts for about 20% of GDP Electricity: 8,000,000 kW capacity; 31,000 million kWh produced, 9,250 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining Agriculture: accounts for about 9% of GDP and about 10% of the work force; livestock predominates - wool, meat, dairy products all export earners; crops - wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, 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), $526 million Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents *New Zealand, Economy Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.9486 (January 1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989), 1.5244 (1988) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June *New Zealand, 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: natural gas 1,000 km; petroleum products 160 km; condensate (liquified petroleum gas - LPG) 150 km Ports: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, Tauranga Merchant marine: 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 182,206 GRT/246,446 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 5 roll-on/roll-off, 1 railcar carrier, 4 oil tanker, 1 liquefied gas, 5 bulk Airports: total: 120 usable: 120 with permanent-surface runways: 33 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 42 Telecommunications: excellent international and domestic systems; 2,110,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 64 AM, 2 FM, 14 TV; submarine cables extend to Australia and Fiji; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations *New Zealand, Defense Forces Branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 878,028; fit for military service 741,104; reach military age (20) annually 29,319 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $792 million, 2% of GDP (FY90/91) *Nicaragua, Geography Location: Central America, between Costa Rica and Honduras Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, South America Area: total area: 129,494 km2 land area: 120,254 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than New York State Land boundaries: total 1,231 km, 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 International disputes: territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; International Court of Justice (ICJ) referred the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua likely would be required 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% Irrigated land: 850 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: subject to destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasional severe hurricanes; deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution *Nicaragua, People Population: 3,987,240 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.74% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 35.61 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.94 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -1.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 54.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.5 years male: 60.7 years female: 66.41 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.48 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan Ethnic divisions: mestizo 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Indian 5% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5% Languages: Spanish (official) note: English- and Indian-speaking minorities on Atlantic coast Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1971) total population: 57% male: 57% female: 57% Labor force: 1.086 million by occupation: service 43%, agriculture 44%, industry 13% (1986) *Nicaragua, Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua conventional short form: Nicaragua local long form: Republica de Nicaragua local short form: Nicaragua Digraph: NU
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