***the World Factbook 1994 (part 6)

Overview:
The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping. Agriculture is
limited to the production of a few subsistence crops that provide only
10% of food requirements. Fishing is the largest industry, employing
25% of the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports; it is
also an important source of government revenue. During the 1980s
tourism became one of the most important and highest growth sectors of
the economy. In 1988 industry accounted for about 5% of GDP. Real GDP
is officially estimated to have increased by about 10% annually during
the period 1974-90.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $140 million (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
6% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$620 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
15% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NEGL%
Budget:
revenues:
$95 million (excluding foreign transfers)
expenditures:
$143 million, including capital expenditures of $71 million (1993
est.)
Exports:
$56.3 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
fish, clothing
partners:
US, UK, Sri Lanka
Imports:
$173.6 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
consumer goods, intermediate and capital goods, petroleum products
partners:
Singapore, Germany, Sri Lanka, India
External debt:
$148 million (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 24% (1990); accounts for 6% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
5,000 kW
production:
11 million kWh
consumption per capita:
50 kWh (1990)
Industries:
fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some
coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts
Agriculture:
accounts for almost 25% of GDP (including fishing); fishing more
important than farming; limited production of coconuts, corn, sweet
potatoes; most staple foods must be imported; fish catch of 67,000
tons (1990 est.)
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $125
million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million
Currency:
1 rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 laari
Exchange rates:
rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 11.105 (January 1994), 10.957 (1993), 10.569
(1992), 10.253 (1991), 9.509 (1990), 9.0408 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Maldives, Communications

Highways:
total:
NA
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA (Male has 9.6 km of coral highways within the city)
Ports:
Male, Gan
Merchant marine:
14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 38,848 GRT/58,496 DWT, cargo 12,
container 1, oil tanker 1
Airports:
total:
2
usable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
minimal domestic and international facilities; 2,804 telephones;
broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth
station

@Maldives, Defense Forces

Branches:
National Security Service (paramilitary police force)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 55,369; fit for military service 30,919
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Mali, Geography

Location:
Western Africa, between Mauritania and Niger
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1.24 million sq km
land area:
1.22 million sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total 7,243 km, Algeria 1,376 km, Burkina 1,000 km, Guinea 858 km,
Cote d'Ivoire 532 km, Mauritania 2,237 km, Niger 821 km, Senegal 419
km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
the disputed international boundary between Burkina and Mali was
submitted to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in October 1983
and the ICJ issued its final ruling in December 1986, which both sides
agreed to accept; Burkina and Mali are proceeding with boundary
demarcation, including the tripoint with Niger
Climate:
subtropical to arid; hot and dry February to June; rainy, humid, and
mild June to November; cool and dry November to February
Terrain:
mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in
south, rugged hills in northeast
Natural resources:
gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, bauxite, iron ore,
manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited
Land use:
arable land:
2%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
25%
forest and woodland:
7%
other:
66%
Irrigated land:
50 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; inadequate supplies of
safe drinking water; poaching
natural hazards:
hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring
droughts
international agreements:
party to - Law of the Sea, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban
Note:
landlocked

@Mali, People

Population: 9,112,950 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.78% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 51.79 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 20.36 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -3.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 106.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 45.91 years male: 44.29 years female: 47.57 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.33 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian Ethnic divisions: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Songhai 6%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, other 5% Religions: Muslim 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1% Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 17% male: 26% female: 9% Labor force: 2.666 million (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 80%, services 19%, industry and commerce 1% (1981) note: 50% of population of working age (1985)

@Mali, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Mali
conventional short form:
Mali
local long form:
Republique de Mali
local short form:
Mali
former:
French Sudan
Digraph:
ML
Type:
republic
Capital:
Bamako
Administrative divisions:
8 regions (regions, singular - region); Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro,
Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Tombouctou
Independence:
22 September 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, 22 September (1960)
Constitution:
new constitution adopted in constitutional referendum in 12 January
1992
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of
legislative acts in Constitutional Court (which was formally
established on 9 March 1994); has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Alpha Oumar KONARE (since 8 June 1992); election last held
in April 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); Alpha KONARE was elected in
runoff race against Montaga TALL
head of government:
Prime Minister Ibrahima Boubacar KEITA (since March 1994)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly:
elections last held on 8 March 1992 (next to be held NA); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (total 116) Adema 76, CNID 9,
US/RAD 8, Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West
Africa 6, RDP 4, UDD 4, RDT 3, UFDP 3, PDP 2, UMDD 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
Association for Democracy (Adema), Alpha Oumar KONARE; National
Congress for Democratic Initiative (CNID), Mountaga TALL; Sudanese
Union/African Democratic Rally (US/RDA), Mamadou Madeira KEITA;
Popular Movement for the Development of the Republic of West Africa;
Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), Almamy SYLLA; Union for
Democracy and Development (UDD), Moussa Balla COULIBALY; Rally for
Democracy and Labor (RDT); Union of Democratic Forces for Progress
(UFDP), Dembo DIALLO; Party for Democracy and Progress (PDP), Idrissa
TRAORE; Malian Union for Democracy and Development (UMDD)
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Siragatou Ibrahim CISSE
chancery:
2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 332-2249 or 939-8950
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador William H. DAMERON III
embassy:
Rue Rochester NY and Rue Mohamed V., Bamako
mailing address:
B. P. 34, Bamako
telephone:
225470
FAX:
228059
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red;
uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

@Mali, Economy

Overview:
Mali is among the poorest countries in the world, with about 70% of
its land area desert or semidesert. Economic activity is largely
confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger. About 10% of the
population live as nomads and some 80% of the labor force is engaged
in agriculture and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on
processing farm commodities. In consultation with international
lending agencies, the government has adopted a structural adjustment
program for 1992-95, aiming at GDP annual growth of 4.6%, inflation of
no more than 2.5% on average, and a substantial reduction in the
external current account deficit.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - 5.8 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-6.1% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$650 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$376 million
expenditures:
$697 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)
Exports:
$330 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
cotton, livestock, gold
partners:
mostly franc zone and Western Europe
Imports:
$682 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, construction materials,
petroleum, textiles
partners:
mostly franc zone and Western Europe
External debt:
$2.6 billion (1991 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -1.4% (1992 est.); accounts for 13.0% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
260,000 kW
production:
750 million kWh
consumption per capita:
90 kWh (1991)
Industries:
small local consumer goods and processing, construction, phosphate,
gold, fishing
Agriculture:
accounts for 50% of GDP; most production based on small subsistence
farms; cotton and livestock products account for over 70% of exports;
other crops - millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; livestock -
cattle, sheep, goats
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $349 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.02
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $92 million; Communist
countries (1970-89), $190 million
Currency:
1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05
(January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26
(1990), 319.01 (1989)
note:
beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per
French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Mali, Communications

Railroads:
642 km 1.000-meter gauge; linked to Senegal's rail system through
Kayes
Highways:
total:
15,700 km
paved:
1,670 km
unpaved:
gravel, improved earth 3,670 km; unimproved earth 10,360 km
Inland waterways:
1,815 km navigable
Airports:
total:
33
usable:
27
with permanent-surface runways:
8
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
5
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
11
Telecommunications:
domestic system poor but improving; provides only minimal service with
radio relay, wire, and radio communications stations; expansion of
radio relay in progress; 11,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM,
2 FM, 2 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1
Indian Ocean INTELSAT

@Mali, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, Republican Guard, National Police
(Surete Nationale)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,803,301; fit for military service 1,027,780
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $41 million, 2% of GDP (1989)

@Malta, Geography

Location:
Southern Europe, in the central Mediterranean Sea, 93 km south of
Sicily (Italy), 290 km north of Libya
Map references:
Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
320 sq km
land area:
320 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
140 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone:
25 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
Mediterranean with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain:
mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs
Natural resources:
limestone, salt
Land use:
arable land:
38%
permanent crops:
3%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
59%
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
fresh water very scarce; increasing reliance on desalination
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity
Note:
the country comprises an archipelago, with only the 3 largest islands
(Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited; numerous bays provide good
harbors

@Malta, People

Population: 366,767 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.79% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 13.56 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 7.45 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 1.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.77 years male: 74.53 years female: 79.18 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.94 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese Ethnic divisions: Arab, Sicilian, Norman, Spanish, Italian, English Religions: Roman Catholic 98% Languages: Maltese (official), English (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1985) total population: 84% male: 86% female: 82% Labor force: 127,200 by occupation: government (excluding job corps) 37%, services 26%, manufacturing 22%, training programs 9%, construction 4%, agriculture 2% (1990)

@Malta, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Malta
conventional short form:
Malta
Digraph:
MT
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Valletta
Administrative divisions:
none (administration directly from Valletta)
Independence:
21 September 1964 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 September (1964)
Constitution:
1964 constitution substantially amended on 13 December 1974
Legal system:
based on English common law and Roman civil law; has accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Ugo MIFSUD BONNICI (since 4 April 1994)
head of government:
Prime Minister Dr. Edward (Eddie) FENECH ADAMI (since 12 May 1987);
Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Guido DE MARCO (since 14 May 1987)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president on advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
House of Representatives:
elections last held on 22 February 1992 (next to be held by February
1997); results - NP 51.8%, MLP 46.5%; seats - (usually 65 total) MLP
36, NP 29; note - additional seats are given to the party with the
largest popular vote to ensure a legislative majority; current total
69 (MLP 33, NP 36 after adjustment)
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court, Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Nationalist Party (NP), Edward FENECH ADAMI; Malta Labor Party (MLP),
Alfred SANT
Member of:
C, CCC, CE, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD,
ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC,
IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Albert BORG OLIVIER DE PUGET
chancery:
2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 462-3611 or 3612
FAX:
(202) 387-5470
consulate(s):
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires William A. MOFFITT (new ambassador
nominated, but not confirmed)
embassy:
2nd Floor, Development House, Saint Anne Street, Floriana, Valletta
mailing address:
P. O. Box 535, Valletta
telephone:
235960
FAX:
243229
Flag:
two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper
hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in
red

@Malta, Economy

Overview:
Significant resources are limestone, a favorable geographic location,
and a productive labor force. Malta produces only about 20% of its
food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic
energy sources. Consequently, the economy is highly dependent on
foreign trade and services. Manufacturing and tourism are the largest
contributors to the economy. Manufacturing accounts for about 27% of
GDP, with the electronics and textile industries major contributors
and the state-owned Malta drydocks which employs about 4,300 people.
In 1992, about 1,000,000 tourists visited the island. Per capita GDP
at $6,600 places Malta in the middle-income range of the world's
nations.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
4.5% (1992)
National product per capita:
$6,600 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.64% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
4% (1992)
Budget:
revenues:
$1.2 billion
expenditures:
$1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $182 million (FY94
est.)
Exports:
$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, clothing and footware, printed
matter
partners:
Italy 30%, Germany 22%, UK 11%
Imports:
$1.93 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
food, petroleum, machinery and semimanufactured goods
partners:
Italy 30%, UK 16%, Germany 13%, US 4%
External debt:
$118 million (1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate 5.4% (1992); accounts for 27% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
328,000 kW
production:
1.11 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
3,000 kWh (1992)
Industries:
tourism, electronics, ship repair yard, construction, food
manufacturing, textiles, footwear, clothing, beverages, tobacco
Agriculture:
accounts for 3% of GDP and 2% of the work force (1992); overall, 20%
self-sufficient; main products - potatoes, cauliflower, grapes, wheat,
barley, tomatoes, citrus, cut flowers, green peppers, hogs, poultry,
eggs; generally adequate supplies of vegetables, poultry, milk, pork
products; seasonal or periodic shortages in grain, animal fodder,
fruits, other basic foodstuffs
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $172 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $336
million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $76 million; Communist
countries (1970-88), $48 million
Currency:
1 Maltese lira (LM) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Maltese liri (LM) per US$1 - 0.3951 (January 1994), 0.3821 (1993),
0.3178 (1992), 0.3226 (1991), 0.3172 (1990), 0.3483 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Malta, Communications

Highways:
total:
1,291 km
paved:
asphalt 1,179 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone 77 km; earth 35 km
Ports:
Valletta, Marsaxlokk
Merchant marine:
897 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 13,959,195 GRT/24,038,587 DWT,
barge carrier 3, bulk 259, cargo 296, chemical tanker 25, combination
bulk 28, combination ore/oil 18, container 26, liquefied gas 2,
multifunction large load carrier 3, oil tanker 157, passenger 6,
passenger-cargo 3, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 17,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 20, short-sea passenger 19, specialized tanker
5, vehicle carrier 9
note:
a flag of convenience registry; China owns 11 ships, Russia owns 42
ships, Cuba owns 10, Vietnam owns 6, Croatia owns 63, Romania owns 4
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
automatic system satisfies normal requirements; 153,000 telephones;
excellent service by broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, and 2 TV;
submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands;
international service by 1 submarine cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT earth station

@Malta, Defense Forces

Branches:
Armed Forces, Maltese Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 98,241; fit for military service 78,071
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $21.9 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989 est.)

@Man, Isle of

Header

Affiliation:
(British crown dependency)

@Man, Isle of, Geography

Location: Western Europe, in the Irish Sea, between Ireland and Great Britain Map references: Europe Area: total area: 588 sq km land area: 588 sq km comparative area: nearly 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 113 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: cool summers and mild winters; humid; overcast about half the time Terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley Natural resources: lead, iron ore Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% (extensive arable land and forests) Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary

@Man, Isle of, People

Population: 72,017 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.04% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 13.69 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 12.58 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 9.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.25 years male: 73.51 years female: 79.2 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Manxman, Manxwoman adjective: Manx Ethnic divisions: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Society of Friends Languages: English, Manx Gaelic Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 25,864 (1981) by occupation: NA

@Man, Isle of, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Isle of Man
Digraph:
IM
Type:
British crown dependency
Capital:
Douglas
Administrative divisions:
none (British crown dependency)
Independence:
none (British crown dependency)
National holiday:
Tynwald Day, 5 July
Constitution:
1961, Isle of Man Constitution Act
Legal system:
English law and local statute
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Lord of Mann Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented
by Lieutenant Governor Air Marshal Sir Laurence JONES (since NA 1990)
head of government:
President of the Legislative Council Sir Charles KERRUISH (since NA
1990)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
bicameral Tynwald
Legislative Council:
consists of a 10-member body composed of the Lord Bishop of Sodor and
Man, a nonvoting attorney general, and 8 others named by the House of
Keys
House of Keys:
elections last held in 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results -
percent of vote NA; seats - (24 total) independents 24
Judicial branch:
Court of Tynwald
Political parties and leaders:
there is no party system and members sit as independents
Member of:
none
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (British crown dependency)
US diplomatic representation:
none (British crown dependency)
Flag:
red with the Three Legs of Man emblem (Trinacria), in the center; the
three legs are joined at the thigh and bent at the knee; in order to
have the toes pointing clockwise on both sides of the flag, a
two-sided emblem is used

@Man, Isle of, Economy

Overview:
Offshore banking, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the
economy. The government's policy of offering incentives to
high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the
island has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in
high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the
mainstays of the economy, have declined in their shares of GNP.
Banking now contributes about 45% to GNP. Trade is mostly with the UK.
The Isle of Man enjoys free access to European Union markets.
National product:
GNP - exchange rate conversion - $490 million (1988)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$7,500 (1988)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$130.4 million
expenditures:
$114.4 million, including capital expenditures of $18.1 million (1985
est.)
Exports:
$NA
commodities:
tweeds, herring, processed shellfish, meat
partners:
UK
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
timber, fertilizers, fish
partners:
UK
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
61,000 kW
production:
190 million kWh
consumption per capita:
2,965 kWh (1992)
Industries:
an important offshore financial center; financial services, light
manufacturing, tourism
Agriculture:
cereals and vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Economic aid:
$NA
Currency:
1 Manx pound (#M) = 100 pence
Exchange rates:
Manx pounds (#M) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6658 (1993),
0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989); the Manx
pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Man, Isle of, Communications

Railroads:
60 km; 36 km electric track, 24 km steam track
Highways:
total:
640 km
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Douglas, Ramsey, Peel
Merchant marine:
67 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,359,951 GRT/2,316,628 DWT,
bulk 11, cargo 10, chemical tanker 5, container 5, liquefied gas 7,
oil tanker 17, roll-on/roll-off cargo 9, vehicle carrier 3
note:
a captive register of the United Kingdom, although not all ships on
the register are British owned
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
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:
24,435 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 4 FM, 4 TV

@Man, Isle of, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

@Marshall Islands, Geography

Location:
Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of
the way between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea
Map references:
Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
181.3 sq km
land area:
181.3 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Washington, DC
note:
includes the atolls of Bikini, Eniwetak, and Kwajalein
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
370.4 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claims US territory of Wake Island
Climate:
wet season May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon belt
Terrain:
low coral limestone and sand islands
Natural resources:
phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
60%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
40%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
inadequate supplies of safe drinking water
natural hazards:
occasionally subject to typhoons
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution
Note:
two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands; Bikini
and Eniwetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein, the famous
World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range

@Marshall Islands, People

Population: 54,031 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.86% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 46.31 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 7.68 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 49.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.13 years male: 61.6 years female: 64.74 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.94 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese Ethnic divisions: Micronesian Religions: Christian (mostly Protestant) Languages: English (universally spoken and is the official language), two major Marshallese dialects from the Malayo-Polynesian family, Japanese Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 93% male: 100% female: 88% Labor force: 4,800 (1986) by occupation: NA

@Marshall Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of the Marshall Islands
conventional short form:
Marshall Islands
former:
Marshall Islands District (Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands)
Digraph:
RM
Type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact
of Free Association entered into force 21 October 1986
Capital:
Majuro
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Proclamation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, 1 May (1979)
Constitution:
1 May 1979
Legal system:
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,
municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Amata KABUA (since 1979); election last held 6 January 1992
(next to be held NA; results - President Amata KABUA was reelected)
cabinet:
Cabinet; president selects from the parliament
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament (Nitijela):
elections last held 18 November 1991 (next to be held November 1995);
results - percent of vote NA; seats - (33 total)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
no formal parties; President KABUA is chief political (and
traditional) leader
Member of:
AsDB, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user),
INTERPOL, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Wilfred I. KENDALL
chancery:
2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 234-5414
FAX:
(202) 232-3236
consulate(s) general:
Honolulu and Los Angeles
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador David C. FIELDS
embassy:
NA address, Majuro
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1379, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands 96960-1379
telephone:
(692) 625-4011
FAX:
(692) 625-4012
Flag:
blue with two stripes radiating from the lower hoist-side corner -
orange (top) and white; there is a white star with four large rays and
20 small rays on the hoist side above the two stripes

@Marshall Islands, Economy

Overview:
Agriculture and tourism are the mainstays of the economy. Agricultural
production is concentrated on small farms, and the most important
commercial crops are coconuts, tomatoes, melons, and breadfruit. A few
cattle ranches supply the domestic meat market. Small-scale industry
is limited to handicrafts, fish processing, and copra. The tourist
industry is the primary source of foreign exchange and employs about
10% of the labor force. The islands have few natural resources, and
imports far exceed exports. In 1987 the US Government provided grants
of $40 million out of the Marshallese budget of $55 million.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $63 million (1989 est.)
National product real growth rate:
6% (1992)
National product per capita:
$1,500 (1992 est)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (1992 est)
Unemployment rate:
16% (1991 est)
Budget:
revenues:
$55 million
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987 est.)
Exports:
$3.9 million (f.o.b., 1992 est)
commodities:
coconut oil, fish, live animals, trichus shells
partners:
US, Japan, Australia
Imports:
$62.9 million (c.i.f., 1992 est)
commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, beverages and tobacco, fuels
partners:
US, Japan, Australia
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
42,000 kW
production:
80 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,840 kWh (1990)
Industries:
copra, fish, tourism; craft items from shell, wood, and pearls;
offshore banking (embryonic)
Agriculture:
coconuts, cacao, taro, breadfruit, fruits, pigs, chickens
Economic aid:
recipient:
under the terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US is to
provide approximately $40 million in aid annually
Currency:
1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September

@Marshall Islands, Communications

Highways:
total:
NA
note:
paved roads on major islands (Majuro, Kwajalein), otherwise stone-,
coral-, or laterite-surfaced roads and tracks
Ports:
Majuro
Merchant marine:
40 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,255,348 GRT/4,351,997 DWT,
bulk carrier 23, cargo 2, combination ore/oil 1, container 1, oil
tanker 13
note:
a flag of convenience registry
Airports:
total:
16
usable:
16
with permanent-surface runways:
4
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
8
Telecommunications:
telephone network - 570 lines (Majuro) and 186 (Ebeye); telex
services; islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for
government purposes); broadcast stations - 1 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV, 1
shortwave; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations; US Government
satellite communications system on Kwajalein

@Marshall Islands, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of the US

@Martinique

Header Affiliation: (overseas department of France)

@Martinique, Geography

Location: Caribbean, in the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, South America Area: total area: 1,100 sq km land area: 1,060 sq km comparative area: slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 290 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October) Terrain: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano Natural resources: coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 8% meadows and pastures: 30% forest and woodland: 26% other: 26% Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity that result in an average of one major natural disaster every five years international agreements: NA

@Martinique, People

Population:
392,362 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.2% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
17.96 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.95 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
78.01 years
male:
74.88 years
female:
81.2 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.92 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Martiniquais (singular and plural)
adjective:
Martiniquais
Ethnic divisions:
African and African-Caucasian-Indian mixture 90%, Caucasian 5%, East
Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%
Languages:
French, Creole patois
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1982)
total population:
93%
male:
92%
female:
93%
Labor force:
100,000
by occupation:
service industry 31.7%, construction and public works 29.4%,
agriculture 13.1%, industry 7.3%, fisheries 2.2%, other 16.3%

@Martinique, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Department of Martinique
conventional short form:
Martinique
local long form:
Departement de la Martinique
local short form:
Martinique
Digraph:
MB
Type:
overseas department of France
Capital:
Fort-de-France
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas department of France)
Independence:
none (overseas department of France)
National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
French legal system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
head of government:
Prefect Michel MORIN (since NA); President of the General Council
Claude LISE (since 22 March 1992); President of the Regional Council
Emile CAPGRAS (since 22 March 1992)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional Assembly
General Council:
elections last held in 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be
held by NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (44 total)
number of seats by party NA; note - a leftist coalition obtained a
one-seat margin
Regional Assembly:
elections last held on 22 March 1992 (next to be held by March 1998);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) RPR-UDF 16,
MIM 9, PPM 9, PCM 5, independents 2
French Senate:
elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held NA); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) UDF 1, PPM 1
French National Assembly:
elections last held on NA June 1993 (next to be held June 1998);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (4 total) RPR 3, FSM 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Rally for the Republic (RPR), Stephen BAGOE; Union for a Martinique of
Progress (UMP); Martinique Progressive Party (PPM), Aime CESAIRE and
Camille DARSIERES; Socialist Federation of Martinique (FSM), Jean
CRUSOL; Martinique Communist Party (PCM); Martinique Patriots (PM);
Union for French Democracy (UDF), Jean MARAN; Martinique Independence
Movement (MIM), Alfred MARIE-JEANNE
Other political or pressure groups:
Proletarian Action Group (GAP); Alhed Marie-Jeanne Socialist
Revolution Group (GRS); Caribbean Revolutionary Alliance (ARC);
Central Union for Martinique Workers (CSTM), Marc PULVAR; Frantz Fanon
Circle; League of Workers and Peasants; Parti Martiniquais Socialiste
(PMS)
Member of:
FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (overseas department of France)
US diplomatic representation:
the post closed in August 1993 (overseas department of France)
Flag:
the flag of France is used

@Martinique, Economy

Overview:
The economy is based on sugarcane, bananas, tourism, and light
industry. Agriculture accounts for about 10% of GDP and the small
industrial sector for 10%. Sugar production has declined, with most of
the sugarcane now used for the production of rum. Banana exports are
increasing, going mostly to France. The bulk of meat, vegetable, and
grain requirements must be imported, contributing to a chronic trade
deficit that requires large annual transfers of aid from France.
Tourism has become more important than agricultural exports as a
source of foreign exchange. The majority of the work force is employed
in the service sector and in administration. Banana workers launched
protests late in 1992 because of falling banana prices and fears of
greater competition in the European market from other producers.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $3.3 billion (1991)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$9,500 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.9% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
32.1% (1990)
Budget:
revenues:
$268 million
expenditures:
$268 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.)
Exports:
$201.5 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
refined petroleum products, bananas, rum, pineapples
partners:
France 57.1%, Guadeloupe 31.5%, French Guiana 6.2%
Imports:
$1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
petroleum products, crude oil, foodstuffs, construction materials,
vehicles, clothing and other consumer goods
partners:
France 62.2%, UK, Italy, Germany, Japan, US
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
113,100 kW
production:
588 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,580 kWh (1992)
Industries:
construction, rum, cement, oil refining, sugar, tourism
Agriculture:
including fishing and forestry, accounts for about 10% of GDP;
principal crops - pineapples, avocados, bananas, flowers, vegetables,
sugarcane for rum; dependent on imported food, particularly meat and
vegetables
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and
Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $10.1 billion
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9305 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Martinique, Communications

Highways:
total:
1,680 km
paved:
1,300 km
unpaved:
gravel, earth 380 km
Ports:
Fort-de-France
Airports:
total:
2
usable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
domestic facilities are adequate; 68,900 telephones; interisland
microwave radio relay links to Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Lucia;
broadcast stations - 1 AM, 6 FM, 10 TV; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
earth stations

@Martinique, Defense Forces

Branches:
French Forces, Gendarmerie
Note:
defense is the responsibility of France

@Mauritania, Geography

Location:
Northern Africa, along the North Atlantic Ocean, between Western
Sahara and Senegal
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1,030,700 sq km
land area:
1,030,400 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than three times the size of New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total 5,074 km, Algeria 463 km, Mali 2,237 km, Senegal 813 km, Western
Sahara 1,561 km
Coastline:
754 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the edge of continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
boundary with Senegal
Climate:
desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
Terrain:
mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
Natural resources:
iron ore, gypsum, fish, copper, phosphate
Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
38%
forest and woodland:
5%
other:
56%
Irrigated land:
120 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
overgrazing, deforestation, and soil erosion aggravated by drought are
contributing to desertification; water scarcity away from the Senegal
which is the only perennial river
natural hazards:
hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and
April
international agreements:
party to - Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands; signed, but not
ratified - Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
Note:
most of the population concentrated along the Senegal River in the
southern part of the country

@Mauritania, People

Population: 2,192,777 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.16% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 47.65 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 16.09 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 85.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.06 years male: 45.23 years female: 51.01 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.99 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Mauritanian(s) adjective: Mauritanian Ethnic divisions: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Hasaniya Arabic (official), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (official) Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 34% male: 47% female: 21% Labor force: 465,000 (1981 est.); 45,000 wage earners (1980) by occupation: agriculture 47%, services 29%, industry and commerce 14%, government 10% note: 53% of population of working age (1985)

@Mauritania, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
conventional short form:
Mauritania
local long form:
Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah
local short form:
Muritaniyah
Digraph:
MR
Type:
republic
Capital:
Nouakchott
Administrative divisions:
12 regions (regions, singular - region); Adrar, Assaba, Brakna,
Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Gorgol, Guidimaka, Hodh ech Chargui, Hodh el
Gharbi, Inchiri, Tagant, Tiris Zemmour, Trarza
note:
there may be a new capital district of Nouakchott
Independence:
28 November 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 November (1960)
Constitution:
12 July 1991
Legal system:
three-tier system: Islamic (Shari'a) courts, special courts, state
security courts (in the process of being eliminated)
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed TAYA (since 12 December 1984);
election last held January 1992 (next to be held January 1998);
results - President Col. Maaouya Ould Sid 'Ahmed TAYA elected
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature
Senate (Majlis al-Shuyukh):
elections last held 15 April 1994 (one-third of the seats up for
re-election in 1996)
National Assembly (Majlis al-Watani):
elections last held 6 and 13 March 1992 (next to be held March 1997)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
legalized by constitution passed 12 July 1991, however, politics
continue to be tribally based; emerging parties include Democratic and
Social Republican Party (PRDS), led by President Col. Maaouya Ould
Sid'Ahmed TAYA; Union of Democratic Forces - New Era (UFD/NE), headed
by Ahmed Ould DADDAH; Assembly for Democracy and Unity (RDU), Ahmed
Ould SIDI BABA; Popular Social and Democratic Union (UPSD), Mohamed
Mahmoud Ould MAH; Mauritanian Party for Renewal (PMR), Hameida
BOUCHRAYA; National Avant-Garde Party (PAN), Khattry Ould JIDDOU;
Mauritanian Party of the Democratic Center (PCDM), Bamba Ould SIDI
BADI
Other political or pressure groups:
Mauritanian Workers Union (UTM)
Member of:
ABEDA, ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CAEU, CCC,
CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mohamed Fall Ould AININA
chancery:
2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 232-5700
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Gordon S. BROWN
embassy:
address NA, Nouakchott
mailing address:
B. P. 222, Nouakchott
telephone:
(2) 526-60 or 526-63
FAX:
(2) 515-92
Flag:
green with a yellow five-pointed star above a yellow, horizontal
crescent; the closed side of the crescent is down; the crescent, star,
and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

@Mauritania, Economy

Overview:
A majority of the population still depends on agriculture and
livestock for a livelihood, even though most of the nomads and many
subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts
in the 1970s and 1980s. Mauritania has extensive deposits of iron ore,
which account for almost 50% of total exports. The decline in world
demand for this ore, however, has led to cutbacks in production. The
nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the
world, but overexploitation by foreigners threatens this key source of
revenue. The country's first deepwater port opened near Nouakchott in
1986. In recent years, drought and economic mismanagement have
resulted in a substantial buildup of foreign debt. The government has
begun the second stage of an economic reform program in consultation
with the World Bank, the IMF, and major donor countries.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.2 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3.3% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,050 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.5% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
20% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$280 million
expenditures:
$346 million, including capital expenditures of $61 million (1989
est.)
Exports:
$432 million (f.o.b., 1992 est)
commodities:
iron ore, fish and fish products
partners:
Japan 27%, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg
Imports:
$413 million (c.i.f., 1992 est)
commodities:
foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, capital goods
partners:
Algeria 15%, China 6%, US 3%, France, Germany, Spain, Italy
External debt:
$1.9 billion (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 4.4% (1988 est.); accounts for almost 30% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
190,000 kW
production:
135 million kWh
consumption per capita:
70 kWh (1991)
Industries:
fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum
Agriculture:
accounts for 25% of GDP (including fishing); largely subsistence
farming and nomadic cattle and sheep herding except in Senegal river
valley; crops - dates, millet, sorghum, root crops; fish products
number-one export; large food deficit in years of drought
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $168 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.3
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $490 million; Communist
countries (1970-89), $277 million; Arab Development Bank (1991), $20
million
Currency:
1 ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums
Exchange rates:
ouguiyas (UM) per US$1 - 124.480 (December 1993), 87.082 (1992),
81.946 (1991), 80.609 (1990), 83.051 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Mauritania, Communications

Railroads:
690 km 1.435-meter (standard) gauge, single track, owned and operated
by government mining company
Highways:
total:
7,525 km
paved:
1,685 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone, otherwise improved 1,040 km; unimproved earth
4,800 km (roads, trails, tracks)
Inland waterways:
mostly ferry traffic on the Senegal River
Ports:
Nouadhibou, Nouakchott
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,290 GRT/1,840 DWT
Airports:
total:
28
usable:
28
with permanent-surface runways:
9
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
5
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
17
Telecommunications:
poor system of cable and open-wire lines, minor microwave radio relay
links, and radio communications stations (improvements being made);
broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; satellite earth stations - 1
Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 2 ARABSAT, with six planned

@Mauritania, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Guard, National
Police, Presidential Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 467,677; fit for military service 228,385
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $40 million, 4.2% of GDP (1989)

@Mauritius, Geography

Location:
Southern Africa, in the western Indian Ocean, 900 km east of
Madagascar
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1,860 sq km
land area:
1,850 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than 10.5 times the size of Washington, DC
note:
includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and
Rodrigues
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
177 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the edge of continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claims UK-administered Chagos Archipelago, which includes the island
of Diego Garcia in UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory;
claims French-administered Tromelin Island
Climate:
tropical modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to
November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)
Terrain:
small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling
central plateau
Natural resources:
arable land, fish
Land use:
arable land:
54%
permanent crops:
4%
meadows and pastures:
4%
forest and woodland:
31%
other:
7%
Irrigated land:
170 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
water pollution
natural hazards:
subject to cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded
by reefs
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea

@Mauritius, People

Population:
1,116,923 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.92% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
19.28 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6.41 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
18.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
70.54 years
male:
66.62 years
female:
74.63 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.22 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Mauritian(s)
adjective:
Mauritian
Ethnic divisions:
Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%
Religions:
Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%),
Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1%
Languages:
English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
80%
male:
85%
female:
75%
Labor force:
335,000
by occupation:
government services 29%, agriculture and fishing 27%, manufacturing
22%, other 22%
note:
43% of population of working age (1985)

@Mauritius, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Mauritius
conventional short form:
Mauritius
Digraph:
MP
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Port Louis
Administrative divisions:
9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River,
Cargados Carajos*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines
Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne
Independence:
12 March 1968 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 March (1968)
Constitution:
12 March 1968; amended 12 March 1992
Legal system:
based on French civil law system with elements of English common law
in certain areas
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Cassam UTEEM (since 1 July 1992); Vice President
Rabindranath GHURBURRON (since 1 July 1992)
head of government:
Prime Minister Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH (since 12 June 1982); Deputy Prime
Minister Prem NABABSING (since 26 September 1990)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president on recommendation of
the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Assembly:
elections last held on 15 September 1991 (next to be held by 15
September 1996); results - MSM/MMM 53%, MLP/PMSD 38%; seats - (70
total, 62 elected) MSM/MMM alliance 59 (MSM 29, MMM 26, OPR 2, MTD 2);
MLP/PMSD 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
government coalition:
Militant Socialist Movement (MSM), A. JUGNAUTH; Mauritian Militant
Movement (MMM), Prem NABABSING (less 12 legislators under the
leadership of Paul BERENGER, now voting with the opposition);
Organization of the People of Rodrigues (OPR), Louis Serge CLAIR;
Democratic Labor Movement (MTD), Anil BAICHOO
opposition:
Mauritian Labor Party (MLP), Navin RAMGOOLMAN; Socialist Workers
Front, Sylvio MICHEL; Mauritian Social Democratic Party (PMSD), X.
DUVAL; MMM-Berenger Faction, Paul BERENGER
Other political or pressure groups:
various labor unions
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INMARSAT, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Anund NEEWOOR
chancery:
Suite 441, 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 244-1491 or 1492
FAX:
(202) 966-0983
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Leslie ALEXANDER
embassy:
4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis
mailing address:
use Embassy street address
telephone:
208-9763 through 208-9767
FAX:
208-9534
Flag:
four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green

@Mauritius, Economy

Overview:
The economy is based on sugar, manufacturing (mainly textiles), and
tourism. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area
and accounts for 40% of export earnings. The government's development
strategy centers on industrialization (with a view to exports),
agricultural diversification, and tourism. Economic performance in
1992 was impressive, with 6% real growth and low unemployment.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $8.6 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
6.3% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$7,800 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2.4% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$557 million
expenditures:
$607 million, including capital expenditures of $111 million (1990
est.)
Exports:
$1.32 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
textiles 44%, sugar 40%, light manufactures 10%
partners:
EC and US have preferential treatment, EU 77%, US 15%
Imports:
$1.63 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
manufactured goods 50%, capital equipment 17%, foodstuffs 13%,
petroleum products 8%, chemicals 7%
partners:
EC, US, South Africa, Japan
External debt:
$991 million (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 7% (1990); accounts for 25% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
235,000 kW
production:
630 million kWh
consumption per capita:
570 kWh (1992)
Industries:
food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, wearing apparel,
chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical
machinery, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 10% of GDP; about 90% of cultivated land in sugarcane;
other products - tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses, cattle, goats,
fish; net food importer, especially rice and fish
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; heroin
consumption and transshipment are growing problems
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $76 million; Western
(non-US) countries (1970-89), $709 million; Communist countries
(1970-89), $54 million
Currency:
1 Mauritian rupee (MauR) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Mauritian rupees (MauRs) per US$1 - 18.696 (January 1994), 17.648
(1993), 15.563 (1992), 15.652 (1991), 14.839 (1990), 15.250 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

@Mauritius, Communications

Highways:
total:
1,800 km
paved:
1,640 km
unpaved:
earth 160 km
Ports:
Port Louis
Merchant marine:
14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 162,387 GRT/260,552 DWT, bulk 6,
cargo 7, liquefied gas 1
Airports:
total:
5
usable:
4
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:
0
Telecommunications:
small system with good service utilizing primarily microwave radio
relay; new microwave link to Reunion; high-frequency radio links to
several countries; over 48,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM,
no FM, 4 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Mauritius, Defense Forces

Branches:
National Police Force, including the paramilitary Special Mobile Force
(SMF), Special Support Units (SSU), and National Coast Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 316,975; fit for military service 161,634
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $5 million, 0.2% of GDP (FY89)

@Mayotte

Header Affiliation: (territorial collectivity of France)

@Mayotte, Geography

Location: Southern Africa, in the northern Mozambique Channel about halfway between Madagascar and Mozambique Map references: Africa Area: total area: 375 sq km land area: 375 sq km comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 185.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Comoros Climate: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November) Terrain: generally undulating with ancient volcanic peaks, deep ravines Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to cyclones during rainy season international agreements: NA Note: part of Comoro Archipelago

@Mayotte, People

Population: 93,468 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.8% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 48.84 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 10.84 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 79.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 57.81 years male: 55.63 years female: 60.06 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.77 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Mahorais (singular and plural) adjective: Mahoran Ethnic divisions: NA Religions: Muslim 99%, Christian (mostly Roman Catholic) Languages: Mahorian (a Swahili dialect), French Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA

@Mayotte, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Territorial Collectivity of Mayotte
conventional short form:
Mayotte
Digraph:
MF
Type:
territorial collectivity of France
Capital:
Mamoutzou
Administrative divisions:
none (territorial collectivity of France)
Independence:
none (territorial collectivity of France)
National holiday:
Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
French law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
head of government:
Prefect Jean-Jacques DERACQ (since NA); President of the General
Council Younoussa BAMANA (since NA 1976)
Legislative branch:
unicameral
General Council (Conseil General):
elections last held March 1991 (next to be held March 1996); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (17 total) MPM 12, RPR 5
French Senate:
elections last held on 24 September 1989 (next to be held September
1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) MPM 1
French National Assembly:
elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held 1998);
results - UDF-CDS 54.3%, RPR 44.3%; seats - (1 total) UDF-CDS 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel)
Political parties and leaders:
Mahoran Popular Movement (MPM), Younoussa BAMANA; Party for the
Mahoran Democratic Rally (PRDM), Daroueche MAOULIDA; Mahoran Rally for
the Republic (RPR), Mansour KAMARDINE; Union for French Democracy
(UDF), Maoulida AHMED; Center of Social Democrats (CDS),
Member of:
FZ
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (territorial collectivity of France)
US diplomatic representation:
none (territorial collectivity of France)
Flag:
the flag of France is used

@Mayotte, Economy

Overview:
Economic activity is based primarily on the agricultural sector,
including fishing and livestock raising. Mayotte is not
self-sufficient and must import a large portion of its food
requirements, mainly from France. The economy and future development
of the island are heavily dependent on French financial assistance.
Mayotte's remote location is an obstacle to the development of
tourism.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $54 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$600 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$37.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1985 est.)
Exports:
$4 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities:
ylang-ylang, vanilla
partners:
France 79%, Comoros 10%, Reunion 9%
Imports:
$21.8 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities:
building materials, transportation equipment, rice, clothing, flour
partners:
France 57%, Kenya 16%, South Africa 11%, Pakistan 8%
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
NA
production:
NA
consumption per capita:
NA
Industries:
newly created lobster and shrimp industry
Agriculture:
most important sector; provides all export earnings; crops - vanilla,
ylang-ylang, coffee, copra; imports major share of food needs
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $402 million
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Mayotte, Communications

Highways:
total:
42 km
paved:
bituminous 18 km
unpaved:
24 km
Ports:
Dzaoudzi
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
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:
small system administered by French Department of Posts and
Telecommunications; includes radio relay and high-frequency radio
communications for links to Comoros and international communications;
450 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV

@Mayotte, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of France

@Mexico, Geography

Location:
Middle America, between Guatemala and the US
Map references:
North America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1,972,550 sq km
land area:
1,923,040 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total 4,538 km, Belize 250 km, Guatemala 962 km, US 3,326 km
Coastline:
9,330 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm or the natural prolongation of continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claims Clipperton Island (French possession)
Climate:
varies from tropical to desert
Terrain:
high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high plateaus, and desert
Natural resources:
petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber
Land use:
arable land:
12%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
39%
forest and woodland:
24%
other:
24%
Irrigated land:
51,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
natural water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and
poor quality in center and extreme southeast; untreated sewage and
industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation;
widespread erosion; desertification; serious air pollution in the
national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border
natural hazards:
subject to tsunamis along the Pacific coast, destructive earthquakes
in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Gulf and Caribbean
coasts
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands,
Whaling
Note:
strategic location on southern border of US

@Mexico, People

Population:
92,202,199 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.94% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
27.17 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
4.73 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-3.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
27.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
72.94 years
male:
69.36 years
female:
76.7 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.17 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Mexican(s)
adjective:
Mexican
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo (Indian-Spanish) 60%, Amerindian or predominantly Amerindian
30%, Caucasian or predominantly Caucasian 9%, other 1%
Religions:
nominally Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 6%
Languages:
Spanish, various Mayan dialects
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
87%
male:
90%
female:
85%
Labor force:
26.2 million (1990)
by occupation:
services 31.7%, agriculture, forestry, hunting, and fishing 28%,
commerce 14.6%, manufacturing 11.1%, construction 8.4%, transportation
4.7%, mining and quarrying 1.5%

@Mexico, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
United Mexican States
conventional short form:
Mexico
local long form:
Estados Unidos Mexicanos
local short form:
Mexico
Digraph:
MX
Type:
federal republic operating under a centralized government
Capital:
Mexico
Administrative divisions:
31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district*
(distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California
Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Distrito
Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico,
Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro,
Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas,
Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatan, Zacatecas
Independence:
16 September 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 September (1810)
Constitution:
5 February 1917
Legal system:
mixture of US constitutional theory and civil law system; judicial
review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory (but not enforced)
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Carlos SALINAS de Gortari (since 1 December 1988); election
last held on 6 July 1988 (next to be held 21 August 1994); results -
Carlos SALINAS de Gortari (PRI) 50.74%, Cuauhtemoc CARDENAS Solorzano
(FDN) 31.06%, Manuel CLOUTHIER (PAN) 16.81%; other 1.39%; note -
several of the smaller parties ran a common candidate under a
coalition called the National Democratic Front (FDN)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress (Congreso de la Union)
Senate (Camara de Senadores):
elections last held on 18 August 1991 (next to be held 21 August
1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats in full Senate -
(64 total; Senate will expand to 128 seats following next election)
PRI 62, PRD 1, PAN 1
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados):
elections last held on 18 August 1991 (next to be held 21 August
1994); results - PRI 53%, PAN 20%, PFCRN 10%, PPS 6%, PARM 7%, PMS
(now part of PRD) 4%; seats - (500 total) PRI 320, PAN 89, PRD 41,
PFCRN 23, PARM 15, PPS 12
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)
Political parties and leaders:
(recognized parties) Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Ignacio
Pichardo PAGAZA; National Action Party (PAN), Carlos CASTILLO; Popular
Socialist Party (PPS), Indalecio SAYAGO Herrera; Democratic
Revolutionary Party (PRD), Porfirio MUNOZ Ledo; Cardenist Front for
the National Reconstruction Party (PFCRN), Rafael AGUILAR Talamantes;
Authentic Party of the Mexican Revolution (PARM), Rosa Maria MARTINEZ
Denagri; Democratic Forum Party (PFD), Pablo Emilio MADERO; Mexican
Green Ecologist Party (PVEM), Jorge GONZALEZ Torres
Other political or pressure groups:
Roman Catholic Church; Confederation of Mexican Workers (CTM);
Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN); Confederation of
National Chambers of Commerce (CONCANACO); National Peasant
Confederation (CNC); Revolutionary Workers Party (PRT); Revolutionary
Confederation of Workers and Peasants (CROC); Regional Confederation
of Mexican Workers (CROM); Confederation of Employers of the Mexican
Republic (COPARMEX); National Chamber of Transformation Industries
(CANACINTRA); Coordinator for Foreign Trade Business Organizations
(COECE); Federation of Unions Providing Goods and Services (FESEBES)
Member of:
AG (observer), BCIE, CARICOM (observer), CCC, CDB, CG, EBRD, ECLAC,
FAO, G-3, G-6, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC,
IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM (observer), OAS,
OECD, ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WFTI, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jorge MONTANO Martinez
chancery:
1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone:
(202) 728-1600
consulate(s) general:
Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles,
Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco,
San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s):
Albuquerque, Austin, Boston, Brownsville (Texas), Calexico
(California), Corpus Christi, Del Rio (Texas), Detroit, Eagle Pass
(Texas), Fresno (California), Loredo, Mc Allen (Texas), Midland
(Texas), Nogales (Arizona), Oxnard (California), Philadelphia
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador James JONES
embassy:
Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, D.F.
mailing address:
P. O. Box 3087, Laredo, TX 78044-3087
telephone:
(5) 211-0042
FAX:
(5) 511-9980, 208-3373
consulate(s) general:
Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana
consulate(s):
Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Nuevo Laredo
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; the
coat of arms (an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its beak)
is centered in the white band

@Mexico, Economy

Overview: Mexico's economy, made up predominantly of private manufacturing and services and both large-scale and traditional agriculture, is beginning to rebound from the economic difficulties of the 1980s but still faces key challenges. During the 1980s, the accumulation of large external debts, falling world petroleum prices, rapid population growth, and mounting inflation and unemployment plagued the economy. In recent years, the government has responded by implementing sweeping economic reforms. Strict fiscal and monetary discipline have brought inflation under control, reduced the internal debt, and produced budgetary surpluses in 1992 and 1993. The tight money policies, however, have restricted growth: barely 0.4% in 1993 after a rise of 2.6% in 1992 and 3.6% in 1991. Another aspect of the reform has been the privatization of more than 80% of Mexico's businesses, including all of the commercial banks. Seeking out increased trade and investment opportunities, the government negotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the United States and Canada, which entered into force on 1 January 1994. Within Latin America, Mexico has completed bilateral free trade agreements with Chile and Costa Rica, and is continuing negotiations with Colombia and Venezuela for a trilateral deal in addition to holding trade discussions with various other nations. In January of 1993, Mexico replaced its old peso at the rate of 1,000 old to 1 new peso. Despite its hard-won economic progress and the prospects of long-term gains under NAFTA, Mexico still faces difficult problems, including sluggish growth, unemployment, continuing social inequalities, serious pollution, and the prospect of increased competition with the opening of trade. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $740 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.4% (1993) National product per capita: $8,200 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.7% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues: $58.1 billion expenditures: $53 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.4 billion (1992 est.) Exports: $50.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.), includes in-bond industries commodities: crude oil, oil products, coffee, silver, engines, motor vehicles, cotton, consumer electronics partners: US 74%, Japan 8%, EC 4% (1992 est.) Imports: $65.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.), includes in-bond industries commodities: metal-working machines, steel mill products, agricultural machinery, electrical equipment, car parts for assembly, repair parts for motor vehicles, aircraft, and aircraft parts partners: US 74%, Japan, 11%, EC 6% (1992) External debt: $125 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 2.8% (1992 est.); accounts for 28% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 27,000,000 kW production: 120.725 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,300 kWh (1992) Industries: food and beverages, tobacco, chemicals, iron and steel, petroleum, mining, textiles, clothing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 9% of GDP and over 25% of work force; large number of small farms at subsistence level; major food crops - corn, wheat, rice, beans; cash crops - cotton, coffee, fruit, tomatoes Illicit drugs: illicit cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis continues in spite of active government eradication program; major supplier to the US market; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine and marijuana from South America Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.1 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.7 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $110 million Currency: 1 New Mexican peso (Mex$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: market rate of Mexican pesos (Mex$) per US$1 - 3.3556 (March 1994), 3,094.9 (1992), 3,018.4 (1991), 2,812.6 (1990), 2,461.3 (1989) note: the new peso replaced the old peso on 1 January 1993; 1 new peso = 1,000 old pesos Fiscal year: calendar year

@Mexico, Communications

Railroads:
24,500 km total
Highways:
total:
242,300 km
paved:
84,800 km (including 3,166 km of expressways)
unpaved:
gravel and earth 157,500 km
Inland waterways:
2,900 km navigable rivers and coastal canals
Pipelines:
crude oil 28,200 km; petroleum products 10,150 km; natural gas 13,254
km; petrochemical 1,400 km
Ports:
Acapulco, Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Ensenada, Guaymas, Manzanillo,
Mazatlan, Progreso, Puerto Vallarta, Salina Cruz, Tampico, Tuxpan,
Veracruz
Merchant marine:
58 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 853,161 GRT/1,269,018 DWT, cargo
3, chemical tanker 4, container 4, liquefied gas 7, oil tanker 32,
refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 4
Airports:
total:
1,993
usable:
1,585
with permanent-surface runways:
202
with runways over 3,659 m:
3
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
35
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
286
Telecommunications:
highly developed system with extensive microwave radio relay links;
privatized in December 1990; connected into Central America Microwave
System; 6,410,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 679 AM, no FM, 238
TV, 22 shortwave; 120 domestic satellite terminals; earth stations - 4
Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT; launched
Solidarity I satellite in November 1993

@Mexico, Defense Forces

Branches:
National Defense (including Army and Air Force), Navy (including
Marines)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 22,779,635; fit for military service 16,619,809; reach
military age (18) annually 1,053,025 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Micronesia, Federated States of, Geography

Location:
Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters
of the way between Hawaii and Indonesia
Map references:
Oceania, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
702 sq km
land area:
702 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than four times the size of Washington, DC
note:
includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Truk (Chuuk), Yap, and Kosrae
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
6,112 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern
islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasional
severe damage
Terrain:
islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral
atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Truk
Natural resources:
forests, marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land:
NA%
permanent crops:
NA%
meadows and pastures:
NA%
forest and woodland:
NA%
other:
NA%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
subject to typhoons (June to December)
international agreements:
party to - Climate Change, Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity
Note:
four major island groups totaling 607 islands

@Micronesia, Federated States of, People

Population:
120,347 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.36% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
28.3 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
6.38 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
11.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
37.24 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
67.63 years
male:
65.67 years
female:
69.62 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.01 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Micronesian(s)
adjective:
Micronesian; Kosrae(s), Pohnpeian(s), Trukese, Yapese
Ethnic divisions:
nine ethnic Micronesian and Polynesian groups
Religions:
Christian (divided between Roman Catholic and Protestant; other
churches include Assembly of God, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day
Adventist, Latter-Day Saints, and the Baha'i Faith)
Languages:
English (official and common language), Trukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese,
Kosrean
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population:
90%
male:
90%
female:
85%
Labor force:
NA
by occupation:
two-thirds are government employees
note:
45,000 people are between the ages of 15 and 65

@Micronesia, Federated States of, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form:
none
former:
Kosrae, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts (Trust Territory of the
Pacific Islands)
Abbreviation:
FSM
Digraph:
FM
Type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact
of Free Association entered into force 3 November 1986
Capital:
Kolonia (on the island of Pohnpei)
note:
a new capital is being built about 10 km southwest in the Palikir
valley
Administrative divisions:
4 states; Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk (Truk), Yap
Independence:
3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)
National holiday:
Proclamation of the Federated States of Micronesia, 10 May (1979)
Constitution:
10 May 1979
Legal system:
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature,
municipal, common, and customary laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Bailey OLTER (since 21 May 1991); Vice President Jacob NENA
(since 21 May 1991); election last held ll May 1991 (next to be held
March 1995); results - President Bailey OLTER elected president;
Vice-President Jacob NENA
cabinet:
Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Congress:
elections last held on 5 March 1991 (next to be held March 1993);
results - percent of vote NA; seats - (14 total)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
no formal parties
Member of:
AsDB, ESCAP, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IMF, ITU, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN,
UNCTAD, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jesse B. MAREHALAU
chancery:
1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
(202) 223-4383
FAX:
(202) 223-4391
consulate(s) general:
Honolulu and Tamuning (Guam)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Aurelia E. BRAZEAL
embassy:
address NA, Kolonia
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1286, Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia 96941
telephone:
691-320-2187
FAX:
691-320-2186
Flag:
light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are
arranged in a diamond pattern

@Micronesia, Federated States of, Economy

Overview:
Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and
fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting,
except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry
exists, but the remoteness of the location and a lack of adequate
facilities hinder development. Financial assistance from the US is the
primary source of revenue, with the US pledged to spend $1 billion in
the islands in the l990s. Geographical isolation and a poorly
developed infrastructure are major impediments to long-term growth.
National product:
GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $150 million (1989 est.)
note:
GNP numbers reflect US spending
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$1,500 (1989 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
27% (1989)
Budget:
revenues:
$165 million
expenditures:
$115 million, including capital expenditures of $20 million (1988
est.)
Exports:
$2.3 million (f.o.b., 1988)
commodities:
copra
partners:
NA
Imports:
$67.7 million (c.i.f., 1988)
commodities:
NA
partners:
NA
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
18,000 kW
production:
40 million kWh
consumption per capita:
380 kWh (1990)
Industries:
tourism, construction, fish processing, craft items from shell, wood,
and pearls
Agriculture:
mainly a subsistence economy; black pepper; tropical fruits and
vegetables, coconuts, cassava, sweet potatoes, pigs, chickens
Economic aid:
recipient:
under terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US will provide
$1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001
Currency:
1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September

@Micronesia, Federated States of, Communications

Highways:
total:
226 km
paved:
39 km (on major islands)
unpaved:
stone, coral, laterite 187 km
Ports:
Colonia (Yap), Truk, Okat and Lelu (Kosrae)
Airports:
total:
6
usable:
5
with permanent-surface runways:
4
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
4
Telecommunications:
telephone network - 960 telephone lines total at Kolonia and Truk;
islands interconnected by shortwave radio (used mostly for government
purposes); 16,000 radio receivers, 1,125 TV sets (est. 1987);
broadcast stations - 5 AM, 1 FM, 6 TV, 1 shortwave; 4 Pacific Ocean
INTELSAT earth stations

@Micronesia, Federated States of, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of the US

@Midway Islands

Header Affiliation: (territory of the US)

@Midway Islands, Geography

Location: Oceania, Polynesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 2,350 km west-northwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way between Honolulu and Tokyo Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 5.2 sq km land area: 5.2 sq km comparative area: about 9 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC note: includes Eastern Island and Sand Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 15 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, but moderated by prevailing easterly winds Terrain: low, nearly level Natural resources: fish, wildlife Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: a coral atoll; closed to the public

@Midway Islands, People

Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are 453 US military personnel

@Midway Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Midway Islands
Digraph:
MQ
Type:
unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Navy, under
Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific Division. This facility
has been operationally closed since 10 September 1993 and is currently
being transferred from Pacific Fleet to Naval Facilities Engineering
Command via a Memorandum of Understanding.
Capital:
none; administered from Washington, DC
Flag:
the US flag is used

@Midway Islands, Economy

Overview:
The economy is based on providing support services for US naval
operations located on the islands. All food and manufactured goods
must be imported.
Electricity:
supplied by US Military

@Midway Islands, Communications

Highways: total: 32 km paved: NA Pipelines: 7.8 km Ports: Sand Island Airports: total: 3 usable: 2 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

@Midway Islands, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of the US

@Moldova, Geography

Location:
Eastern Europe, between Ukraine and Romania
Map references:
Asia, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
33,700 sq km
land area:
33,700 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of Hawaii
Land boundaries:
total 1,389 km, Romania 450 km, Ukraine 939 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
no official territorial claims by either Moldova or Romania, but
nationalists in Romania seek the merger of Moldova into Romania;
potential future dispute by Moldova and Romania against Ukraine over
former southern and northern Bessarabian areas and Northern Bukovina
ceded to Ukraine upon Moldova's incorporation into USSR
Climate:
moderate winters, warm summers
Terrain:
rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Natural resources:
lignite, phosphorites, gypsum
Land use:
arable land:
50%
permanent crops:
13%
meadows and pastures:
9%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
28%
Irrigated land:
2,920 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues:
heavy use of agricultural chemicals, including banned pesticides such
as DDT, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion
from poor farming methods
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change
Note:
landlocked

@Moldova, People

Population:
4,473,033 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.38% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
16.02 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
10.02 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
30.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
68.07 years
male:
64.65 years
female:
71.67 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.18 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Moldovan(s)
adjective:
Moldovan
Ethnic divisions:
Moldavian/Romanian 64.5%, Ukrainian 13.8%, Russian 13%, Gagauz 3.5%,
Jewish 1.5%, Bulgarian 2%, other 1.7% (1989 figures)
note:
internal disputes with ethnic Russians and Ukrainians in the Dniester
region and Gagauz Turks in the south
Religions:
Eastern Orthodox 98.5%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist (only about 1,000
members) (1991)
note:
the large majority of churchgoers are ethnic Moldavian
Languages:
Moldovan (official; virtually the same as the Romanian language),
Russian, Gagauz (a Turkish dialect)
Literacy:
age 9-49 can read and write (1970)
total population:
100%
male:
100%
female:
99%
Labor force:
2.05 million (1992)
by occupation:
agriculture 34.4%, industry 20.1%, other 45.5% (1985 figures)

@Moldova, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Moldova
conventional short form:
Moldova
local long form:
Republica Moldoveneasca
local short form:
none
former:
Soviet Socialist Republic of Moldova; Moldavia
Digraph:
MD
Type:
republic
Capital:
Chisinau
Administrative divisions:
previously divided into 40 rayons; new districts possible under new
constitution in 1994
Independence:
27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 August 1991
Constitution:
old Soviet constitution (adopted NA 1979) is still in effect but has
been heavily amended during the past few years; a new constitution is
expected in 1994
Legal system:
based on civil law system; no judicial review of legislative acts;
does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction but accepts many UN and
CSCE documents
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Mircea SNEGUR (since 3 September 1990); election last held 8
December 1991 (next to be held NA 1996); results - Mircea SNEGUR ran
unopposed and won 98.17% of vote; note - President SNEGUR was named
executive president by the Supreme Soviet on 3 September 1990 and was
confirmed by popular election on 8 December 1991
head of government:
Prime Minister Andrei SANGHALI (since 1 July 1992; reappointed 5 April
1994 after elections for new legislature)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president on recommendation of
the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament:
elections last held 27 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999);
results - percent by party NA; seats - (104 total) Agrarian-Democratic
Party 56, Socialist/Yedinstvo Bloc 28, Peasants and Intellectual Bloc
11, Christian Democratic Popular Front 9
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democratic Popular Front (formerly Moldovan Popular Front),
Iurie ROSCA, chairman; Yedinstvo Intermovement, V. YAKOVLEV, chairman;
Social Democratic Party, Oazu NANTOI, chairman, two other chairmen;
Agrarian-Democratic Party, Dumitru MOTPAN, chairman; Democratic Party,
Gheorghe GHIMPU, chairman; Democratic Labor Party, Alexandru ARSENI,
chairman; Reform Party, Anatol SELARU; Republican Party, Victor
PUSCAS; Socialist Party, Valeriu SENIC, chairman; Communist Party,
Vladimir VORONIN
Other political or pressure groups:
United Council of Labor Collectives (UCLC), Igor SMIRNOV, chairman;
Congress of Intellectuals, Alexandru MOSANU; The Ecology Movement of
Moldova (EMM), G. MALARCHUK, chairman; The Christian Democratic League
of Women of Moldova (CDLWM), L. LARI, chairman; National Christian
Party of Moldova (NCPM), D. TODIKE, M. BARAGA, V. NIKU, leaders; The
Peoples Movement Gagauz Khalky (GKh), S. GULGAR, leader; The
Democratic Party of Gagauzia (DPG), G. SAVOSTIN, chairman; The
Alliance of Working People of Moldova (AWPM), G. POLOGOV, president;
Christian Alliance for Greater Romania; Stefan the Great Movement;
Liberal Convention of Moldova; Association of Victims of Repression;
Christian Democratic Youth League
Member of:
BSEC, CE (guest), CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IBRD, ICAO, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT
(nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WHO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Nicolae TIU
chancery:
1511 K Street NW, Room 329, Washington, DC
telephone:
(202) 783-3012 or -2807
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mary C. PENDLETON
embassy:
Strada Alexei Mateevich #103, Chisinau
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
373 (2) 23-37-72 or 23-34-76
FAX:
7-0422-23-30-44
Flag:
same color scheme as Romania - 3 equal vertical bands of blue (hoist
side), yellow, and red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle
of gold outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow
cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a
yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided
horizontally red over blue with a stylized ox head, star, rose, and
crescent all in black-outlined yellow

@Moldova, Economy

Overview:
Moldova has pushed ahead boldly on economic reform since gaining its
independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. It introduced a
convertible currency - the leu - in late 1993 that has remained stable
against the dollar, removed price controls on most products,
eliminated licenses and quotas on most imports and exports, and freed
interest rates. In 1994, Moldova aims to privatize at least one-third
of state enterprises, lower inflation to 1% per month, and reduce the
budget deficit to 3.5% of GDP. Moldova enjoys a favorable climate and
good farmland but has no major mineral deposits. As a result,
Moldova's economy is primarily based on agriculture, featuring fruits,
vegetables, wine, and tobacco. Moldova, however, must import all of
its supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, and energy shortages have
contributed to sharp production declines since the break-up of the
Soviet Union. Activities by separatist groups in the Dniester region
have held back economic development in that area. Foreign economic
assistance has been a tangible plus for Moldova, whereas direct
foreign investment has been lacking.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $16.3 billion (1993 estimate from
the UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 and
published in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and as
extrapolated to 1993 using official Moldovan statistics, which are
very uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990)
National product real growth rate:
-4% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,650 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
30% per month (1993)
Unemployment rate:
less than 1% (includes only officially registered unemployed; large
numbers of underemployed workers)
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
note:
budget deficit for 1993 approximately 6% of GDP
Exports:
$108 million to outside the FSU countries (January-September 1993);
over 70% of exports go to FSU countries
commodities:
foodstuffs, wine, tobacco, textiles and footwear, machinery, chemicals
(1991)
partners:
Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Romania, Germany
Imports:
$145 million from outside the FSU countries (January-September 1993);
over 70% of imports are from FSU countries
commodities:
oil, gas, coal, steel machinery, foodstuffs, automobiles, and other
consumer durables
partners:
Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Romania, Germany
External debt:
$325 million (end of 1993)
Industrial production:
growth rate -10% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity:
3,115,000 kW
production:
11.1 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
2,491 kWh (1992)
Industries:
key products are canned food, agricultural machinery, foundry
equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines, hosiery,
refined sugar, vegetable oil, shoes, textiles
Agriculture:
Moldova's principal economic activity; products are vegetables,
fruits, wine, grain, sugar beets, sunflower seed, meat, milk, tobacco
Illicit drugs:
illicit cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis; mostly for CIS
consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
Joint EC-US loan (1993), $127 million; IMF STF credit (1993), $64
million; IMF stand-by loan (1993), $72 million; US commitments
(1992-93), $61 million in humanitarian aid, $11 million in technical
assistance; World Bank loan (1993), $60 million; Russia (1993), 50
billion ruble credit; Romania (1993), 20 billion lei credit
Currency:
the leu (plural lei) was introduced in late 1993
Exchange rates:
NA
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Moldova, Communications

Railroads:
1,150 km; does not include industrial lines (1990)
Highways:
total:
20,000 km
paved or gravelled:
13,900 km
unpaved:
earth 6,100 km (1990)
Pipelines:
natural gas 310 km (1992)
Ports:
none; landlocked
Airports:
total:
26
usable:
15
with permanent-surface runways:
6
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
5
with runways 1,060-2,439 m:
8
note:
a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip
Telecommunications:
The telecommunication system of Moldova is not well developed; number
of telephone subscribers 577,000 (1991); number of subscribers per
1,000 persons 134 (1991); number of unsuccessful requests for
telephone service 215,000 (1991); international connections to the
other former Soviet republics by land line and microwave radio relay
through Ukraine, and to other countries by leased connections to the
Moscow international gateway switch; 2 satellite earth stations - 1
EUTELSAT and 1 INTELSAT; broadcast services NA

@Moldova, Defense Forces

Branches:
Ground Forces, Air and Air Defence Force, Security Forces (internal
and border troops)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,098,156; fit for military service 869,866; reach
military age (18) annually 35,814 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Monaco, Geography

Location:
Western Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, in southern France
near the border with Italy
Map references:
Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1.9 sq km
land area:
1.9 sq km
comparative area:
about three times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total 4.4 km, France 4.4 km
Coastline:
4.1 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
Mediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers
Terrain:
hilly, rugged, rocky
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
100%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but
not ratified - Law of the Sea
Note:
second smallest independent state in world (after Holy See); almost
entirely urban

@Monaco, People

Population: 31,278 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.81% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 10.71 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 12.21 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 9.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.69 years male: 73.94 years female: 81.64 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Monacan(s) or Monegasque(s) adjective: Monacan or Monegasque Ethnic divisions: French 47%, Monegasque 16%, Italian 16%, other 21% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: French (official), English, Italian, Monegasque Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA

@Monaco, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Principality of Monaco
conventional short form:
Monaco
local long form:
Principaute de Monaco
local short form:
Monaco
Digraph:
MN
Type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Monaco
Administrative divisions:
4 quarters (quartiers, singular - quartier); Fontvieille, La
Condamine, Monaco-Ville, Monte-Carlo
Independence:
1419 (rule by the House of Grimaldi)
National holiday:
National Day, 19 November
Constitution:
17 December 1962
Legal system:
based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
25 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Prince RAINIER III (since NA November 1949); Heir Apparent Prince
ALBERT Alexandre Louis Pierre (born 14 March 1958)
head of government:
Minister of State Jacques DUPONT (since NA 1991)
cabinet:
Council of Government; under the authority of the Prince
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Council (Conseil National):
elections last held on 24 January 1988 (next to be held NA); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total) UND 18
Judicial branch:
Supreme Tribunal (Tribunal Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
National and Democratic Union (UND); Democratic Union Movement (MUD);
Monaco Action; Monegasque Socialist Party (PSM)
Member of:
ACCT, CSCE, ECE, IAEA, ICAO, IMF (observer), IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,
INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO
Diplomatic representation in US:
honorary consulate(s) general:
Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco,
San Juan (Puerto Rico)
honorary consulate(s):
Dallas, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, and Washington
US diplomatic representation:
no mission in Monaco, but the US Consul General in Marseille, France,
is accredited to Monaco
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; similar to the flag
of Indonesia which is longer and the flag of Poland which is white
(top) and red

@Monaco, Economy

Overview:
Monaco, situated on the French Mediterranean coast, is a popular
resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The
Principality has successfully sought to diversify into services and
small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state has no
income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for
individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies
that have set up businesses and offices. About 50% of Monaco's annual
revenue comes from value-added taxes on hotels, banks, and the
industrial sector; about 25% of revenue comes from tourism. Living
standards are high, that is, roughly comparable to those in prosperous
French metropolitan suburbs.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $475 million (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$16,000 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
NEGL%
Budget:
revenues:
$424 million
expenditures:
$376 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)
Exports:
$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates
Monacan trade duties; also participates in EU market system through
customs union with France
Imports:
$NA; full customs integration with France, which collects and rebates
Monacan trade duties; also participates in EU market system through
customs union with France
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
10,000 kW standby; power imported from France
production:
NA
consumption per capita:
NA (1992)
Agriculture:
none
Economic aid:
$NA
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Monaco, Communications

Railroads:
1.6 km 1.435-meter gauge
Highways:
none; city streets
Ports:
Monaco
Merchant marine:
1 oil tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,268 GRT/4,959 DWT
Airports:
1 usable airfield with permanent-surface runways
Telecommunications:
served by cable into the French communications system; automatic
telephone system; 38,200 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM,
5 TV; no communication satellite earth stations

@Monaco, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of France

@Mongolia, Geography

Location:
Northern Asia, between China and Russia
Map references:
Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1.565 million sq km
land area:
1.565 million sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total 8,114 km, China 4,673 km, Russia 3,441 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
none
Climate:
desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)
Terrain:
vast semidesert and desert plains; mountains in west and southwest;
Gobi Desert in southeast
Natural resources:
oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel,
zinc, wolfram, fluorspar, gold
Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
79%
forest and woodland:
10%
other:
10%
Irrigated land:
770 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
limited water resources; policies of the former communist regime
promoting rapid urbanization and industrial growth have raised
concerns about their negative effects on the environment; the burning
of soft coal and the concentration of factories in Ulaanbaatar have
severely polluted the air; deforestation, overgrazing, the converting
of virgin land to agricultural production have increased soil erosion
from wind and rain; desertification
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification,
Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia

@Mongolia, People

Population: 2,429,762 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.61% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 33.04 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.99 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 43.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.16 years male: 63.9 years female: 68.52 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.33 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Mongolian(s) adjective: Mongolian Ethnic divisions: Mongol 90%, Kazakh 4%, Chinese 2%, Russian 2%, other 2% Religions: predominantly Tibetan Buddhist, Muslim 4% note: previously limited religious activity because of Communist regime Languages: Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian, Chinese Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: primarily herding/agricultural note: over half the adult population is in the labor force, including a large percentage of women; shortage of skilled labor

@Mongolia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Mongolia
local long form:
none
local short form:
Mongol Uls
former:
Outer Mongolia
Digraph:
MG
Type:
republic
Capital:
Ulaanbaatar
Administrative divisions:
18 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 3 municipalities*
(hotuud, singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan,
Darhan*, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan, Erdenet*, Govi-Altay,
Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov,
Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs
Independence:
13 March 1921 (from China)
National holiday:
National Day, 11 July (1921)
Constitution:
adopted 13 January 1992
Legal system:
blend of Russian, Chinese, and Turkish systems of law; no
constitutional provision for judicial review of legislative acts; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (since 3 September 1990); election
last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held NA 1997); results -
Punsalmaagiyn OCHIRBAT (MNDP and MSDP) elected directly with 57.8% of
the vote; other candidate Lodongiyn TUDEV (MPRP)
head of government:
Prime Minister Putsagiyn JASRAY (since 3 August 1992); Deputy Prime
Ministers Lhamsuren ENEBISH and Choijilsurengiyn PUREVDORJ (since NA)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the Great Hural
Legislative branch:
unicameral
State Great Hural:
elections first time held 28 June 1992 (next to be held NA); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (76 total) MPRP 71, United Party
4, MSDP 1
note:
the People's Small Hural no longer exists
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court serves as appeals court for people's and provincial
courts, but to date rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts
Political parties and leaders:
Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP), Budragchagiin
DASH-YONDON, secretary general; Mongolian Democratic Party (MDP),
Erdenijiyn BAT-UUL, general coordinator; National Progress Party
(NPP), S. BYAMBAA and Luusandambyn DASHNYAM, leaders; Social
Democratic Party (SDP), BATBAYAR and Tsohiogyyn ADYASUREN, leaders;
Mongolian Independence Party (MIP), D. ZORIGT, leader; United Party of
Mongolia (made up of the MDP, SDP, and NPP); Mongolian National
Democratic Party (MNDP), D. GANBOLD, chairman; Mongolian Social
Democratic Party (MSDP), B. BATBAYAR, chairman; Mongolian Conservative
Party, O. ZOYA; Mongolian Green Party (MGP), M. GANBAT
note:
opposition parties were legalized in May 1990
Member of:
AsDB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF,
INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM
(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Luvsandorj DAWAGIV
chancery:
2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:
(202) 333-7117
FAX:
(202) 298-9227
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Donald C. JOHNSON
embassy:
address NA, Ulaanbaatar
mailing address:
Ulaanbaatar, c/o American Embassy Beijing, Micro Region II, Big Ring
Road; PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone:
(1) 329095 through 329606
FAX:
(1) 320-776
Flag:
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red,
centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem
("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric
representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang
symbol)

@Mongolia, Economy

Overview:
Mongolia's severe climate, scattered population, and wide expanses of
unproductive land have constrained economic development. Economic
activity traditionally has been based on agriculture and the breeding
of livestock - Mongolia has the highest number of livestock per person
in the world. In past years extensive mineral resources had been
developed with Soviet support; total Soviet assistance at its height
amounted to 30% of GDP. The mining and processing of coal, copper,
molybdenum, tin, tungsten, and gold account for a large part of
industrial production. Timber and fishing are also important sectors.
The Mongolian leadership is trying to make the transition from
Soviet-style central planning to a market economy through
privatization and price reform, and is soliciting support from
international financial agencies and foreign investors. The economy,
however, has still not recovered from the loss of Soviet aid, and the
country continues to suffer substantial economic hardships.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.8 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-1.3% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,200 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
325% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)
note:
deficit of $67 million
Exports:
$355 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
copper, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar,
other nonferrous metals
partners:
former CMEA countries 62%, China 17%, EC 8% (1992)
Imports:
$501 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuels, food products, industrial consumer
goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea
partners:
USSR 75%, Austria 5%, China 5%
External debt:
$16.8 billion (yearend 1990); 98.6% with USSR
Industrial production:
growth rate -15% (1992 est.); accounts for about 42% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
1,248,000 kW
production:
3,740 kWh
consumption per capita:
1,622 kWh (1992)
Industries:
copper, processing of animal products, building materials, food and
beverage, mining (particularly coal)
Agriculture:
accounts for about 35% of GDP and provides livelihood for about 50% of
the population; livestock raising predominates (primarily sheep and
goats, but also cattle, camels, and horses); crops - wheat, barley,
potatoes, forage
Economic aid:
NA
Currency:
1 tughrik (Tug) = 100 mongos
Exchange rates:
tughriks (Tug) per US$1 - 150 (1 January 1993), 40 (1992), 7.1 (1991),
5.63 (1990), 3.00 (1989)
note:
the exchange rate 40 tughriks = 1US$ was introduced June 1991 and was
in force to the end of 1992
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Mongolia, Communications

Railroads:
1,750 km 1.524-meter broad gauge (1988)
Highways:
total:
46,700 km
paved:
1,000 km
unpaved:
45,700 km (1988)
Inland waterways:
397 km of principal routes (1988)
Ports:
none; landlocked
Airports:
total:
81
usable:
31
with permanent-surface runways:
11
with runways over 3,659 m:
fewer than 5
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
fewer than 20
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
12
Telecommunications:
63,000 telephones (1989); broadcast stations - 12 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV (with
18 provincial repeaters); repeat of Russian TV; 120,000 TVs; 220,000
radios; at least 1 earth station

@Mongolia, Defense Forces

Branches:
Mongolian People's Army (includes Internal Security Forces and
Frontier Guards), Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 587,113; fit for military service 382,633; reach
military age (18) annually 25,261 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $22.8 million of GDP, 1% of GDP (1992)

@Montserrat

Header Affiliation: (dependent territory of the UK)

@Montserrat, Geography

Location: Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 400 km southeast of Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 100 sq km land area: 100 sq km comparative area: about 0.6 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation Terrain: volcanic islands, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 10% forest and woodland: 40% other: 30% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to severe hurricanes (June to November) international agreements: NA Note: located 400 km east southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea

@Montserrat, People

Population:
12,701 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.33% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
15.93 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
9.79 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-2.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
75.73 years
male:
73.96 years
female:
77.53 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.05 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Montserratian(s)
adjective:
Montserratian
Ethnic divisions:
black, Europeans
Religions:
Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day
Adventist, other Christian denominations
Languages:
English
Literacy:
age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)
total population:
97%
male:
97%
female:
97%
Labor force:
5,100
by occupation:
community, social, and personal services 40.5%, construction 13.5%,
trade, restaurants, and hotels 12.3%, manufacturing 10.5%,
agriculture, forestry, and fishing 8.8%, other 14.4% (1983 est.)

@Montserrat, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Montserrat
Digraph:
MH
Type:
dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
Plymouth
Administrative divisions:
3 parishes; Saint Anthony, Saint Georges, Saint Peter
Independence:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday of June)
Constitution:
present constitution came into force 19 December 1989
Legal system:
English common law and statute law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor
Frank SAVAGE (since NA February 1993)
head of government:
Chief Minister Reuben T. MEADE (since October 1991)
cabinet:
Executive Council; consists of the governor, the chief minister, three
other ministries, the attorney-general, and the finance secretary
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Council:
elections last held on 8 October 1991; results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (11 total, 7 elected) NPP 4, NDP 1, PLM 1,
independent 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
National Progressive Party (NPP) Reuben T. MEADE; People's Liberation
Movement (PLM), Noel TUITT; National Development Party (NDP), Bertrand
OSBORNE; Independent (IND), Ruby BRAMBLE
Member of:
CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), OECS,
WCL
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the
Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the
coat of arms features a woman standing beside a yellow harp with her
arm around a black cross

@Montserrat, Economy

Overview:
The economy is small and open with economic activity centered on
tourism and construction. Tourism is the most important sector and
accounts for roughly one-fifth of GDP. Agriculture accounts for about
4% of GDP and industry 10%. The economy is heavily dependent on
imports, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices. Exports
consist mainly of electronic parts sold to the US.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $53.7 million (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
4.3% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$4,300 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.8% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
3% (1987)
Budget:
revenues:
$12.1 million
expenditures:
$14.3 million, including capital expenditures of $3.2 million (1988
est.)
Exports:
$2.8 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
electronic parts, plastic bags, apparel, hot peppers, live plants,
cattle
partners:
NA
Imports:
$80.6 million (f.o.b.,1992)
commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, manufactured
goods, fuels, lubricants, and related materials
partners:
NA
External debt:
$2.05 million (1987)
Industrial production:
growth rate 8.1% (1986); accounts for 10% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
5,271 kW
production:
12 million kWh
consumption per capita:
950 kWh (1992)
Industries:
tourism; light manufacturing - rum, textiles, electronic appliances
Agriculture:
accounts for 4% of GDP; small-scale farming; food crops - tomatoes,
onions, peppers; not self-sufficient in food, especially livestock
products
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $90 million
Currency:
1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Montserrat, Communications

Highways: total: 280 km paved: 200 km unpaved: gravel, earth 80 km Ports: Plymouth Airports: total: 1 usable: 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: 0 Telecommunications: 3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 8 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV

@Montserrat, Defense Forces

Branches:
Police Force
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK

@Morocco, Geography

Location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean
Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
446,550 sq km
land area:
446,300 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total 2,002 km, Algeria 1,559 km, Western Sahara 443 km
Coastline:
1,835 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty is unresolved;
the UN is attempting to hold a referendum; the UN-administered
cease-fire has been currently in effect since September 1991; Spain
controls five places of sovereignty (plazas de soberania) on and off
the coast of Morocco - the coastal enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla which
Morocco contests as well as the islands of Penon de Alhucemas, Penon
de Velez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas
Climate:
Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior
Terrain:
mostly mountains with rich coastal plains
Natural resources:
phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt
Land use:
arable land:
18%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
28%
forest and woodland:
12%
other:
41%
Irrigated land:
12,650 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming
of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water
supplies contaminated by untreated sewage; siltation of reservoirs;
oil pollution of coastal waters
natural hazards:
northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer
Protection
Note:
strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar

@Morocco, People

Population: 28,558,635 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.12% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 28.59 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.26 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -1.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 49.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.23 years male: 66.36 years female: 70.2 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.83 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan Ethnic divisions: Arab-Berber 99.1%, other 0.7%, Jewish 0.2% Religions: Muslim 98.7%, Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2% Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 50% male: 61% female: 38% Labor force: 7.4 million by occupation: agriculture 50%, services 26%, industry 15%, other 9% (1985)

@Morocco, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Kingdom of Morocco
conventional short form:
Morocco
local long form:
Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah
local short form:
Al Maghrib
Digraph:
MO
Type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Rabat
Administrative divisions:
37 provinces and 5 municipalities* (wilayas, singular - wilaya);
Agadir, Al Hoceima, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ben Slimane, Boulemane,
Casablanca*, Chaouen, El Jadida, El Kelaa des Srarhna, Er Rachidia,
Essaouira, Fes, Fes*, Figuig, Guelmim, Ifrane, Kenitra, Khemisset,
Khenifra, Khouribga, Laayoune, Larache, Marrakech, Marrakech*, Meknes,
Meknes*, Nador, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat-Sale*, Safi, Settat, Sidi
Kacem, Tanger, Tan-Tan, Taounate, Taroudannt, Tata, Taza, Tetouan,
Tiznit
Independence:
2 March 1956 (from France)
National holiday:
National Day, 3 March (1961) (anniversary of King Hassan II's
accession to the throne)
Constitution:
10 March 1972, revised 4 September 1992
Legal system:
based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law system; judicial
review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
King HASSAN II (since 3 March 1961)
head of government:
Prime Minister Abdellatif FILALI (since 29 May 1994)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the King
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Chamber of Representatives (Majlis Nawab):
elections last held 15 June 1993 (direct popular vote) and 17
September 1993 (indirect special interest vote); next to be held NA
1999; results - seats (333 total), direct popular vote (222 seats)
USFP 48, IP 43, MP 33, RNI 28, UC 27, PND 14, MNP 14, PPS 6, PDI 3,
SAP 2, PA 2, OADP 2; indirect special interest vote (111 seats) UC 27,
MP 18, RNI 13, MNP 11, PND 10, IP 7, Party of Shura and Istiqlal 6,
USFP 4, PPS 4, CDT 4, UTM 3, UGTM 2, SAP 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
opposition:
Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP), leader NA; Istiqlal Party
(IP), M'Hamed BOUCETTA; Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), Ali
YATA; Organization of Democratic and Popular Action (OADP), leader NA
pro-government:
Constitutional Union (UC), Maati BOUABID; Popular Movement (MP),
Mohamed LAENSER; National Democratic Party (PND), Mohamed Arsalane
EL-JADIDI; National Popular Movement, Mahjoubi AHARDANE
independents:
National Rally of Independents (RNI), Ahmed OSMAN; Democracy and
Istiqlal Party (PDI), leader NA; Action Party (PA), leader NA;
Non-Obedience Candidates (SAP), leader NA
labor unions and community organizations (indirect
elections:
Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT), leader NA; General Union of
Moroccan Workers (UGTM), leader NA; Moroccan Union of Workers (UTM),
leader NA; Party of Shura and Istiqlal, leader NA
Member of:
ABEDA, ACCT (associate), AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, AMU, CCC, EBRD, ECA,
FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,
LORCS, OAS (observer), NAM, OIC, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UNOSOM, UNTAC, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mohamed BENAISSA
chancery:
1601 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009;
telephone:
(202) 462-7979 through 7982
FAX:
(202) 265-0161
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Marc C. GINSBERG
embassy:
2 Avenue de Marrakech, Rabat
mailing address:
PSC 74, Box 003 APO AE 09718
telephone:
(7) 76-22-65
FAX:
(7) 76-56-61
consulate(s) general:
Casablanca
Flag:
red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as
Solomon's seal in the center of the flag; green is the traditional
color of Islam

@Morocco, Economy

Overview:
Morocco faces the typical problems of developing
countries—restraining government spending, reducing constraints on
private activity and foreign trade, and keeping inflation within
bounds. Since the early 1980s the government has pursued an economic
program toward these objectives with the support of the IMF, the World
Bank, and the Paris Club of creditors. The economy has substantial
assets to draw on: the world's largest phosphate reserves, diverse
agricultural and fishing resources, a sizable tourist industry, a
growing manufacturing sector, and large remittances from Moroccans
working abroad. However, a severe drought in 1992-93 has depressed
economic activity and held down experts. Real GDP contracted by 2.9%
in 1992, and growth for 1993 is estimated at only 2%. Despite these
setbacks, initiatives to relax capital controls, strengthen the
banking sector, and privatize state enterprises went forward in 1993.
Servicing the large debt, high unemployment, and vulnerability to
external economic forces remain long-term problems for Morocco.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $70.3 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
2% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
16% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$7.5 billion
expenditures:
$7.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.9 billion (1992
est.)
Exports:
$5.7 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
food and beverages 30%, semiprocessed goods 23%, consumer goods 21%,
phosphates 17%
partners:
EC 64%, India 6%, Japan 4%, US 3%
Imports:
$8.4 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities:
capital goods 24%, semiprocessed goods 22%, raw materials 16%, fuel
and lubricants 16%, food and beverages 13%, consumer goods 9%
partners:
EC 63%, US 6%, Saudi Arabia 4%, FSU 4%, Japan 1%
External debt:
$21.3 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 0.1% (year NA); accounts for 31% of GDP (1991)
Electricity:
capacity:
2,384,000 kW
production:
8.864 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
317 kWh (1992)
Industries:
phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods,
textiles, construction, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 14% of GDP, 50% of employment, and 30% of export value;
not self-sufficient in food; cereal farming and livestock raising
predominate; barley, wheat, citrus fruit, wine, vegetables, olives
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of hashish; trafficking on the increase for both
domestic and international drug markets; shipments of hashish mostly
directed to Western Europe; occasional transit point for cocaine from
South America destined for Western Europe.
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.3 billion; US
commitments, including Ex-Im (1992), $123.6 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.5 billion;
OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $4.8 billion; Communist countries
(1970-89), $2.5 billion
note:
$2.8 billion debt canceled by Saudi Arabia (1991); IMF standby
agreement worth $13 million; World Bank, $450 million (1991)
Currency:
1 Moroccan dirham (DH) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Moroccan dirhams (DH) per US$1 - 9.669 (January 1994), 9.299 (1993),
8.538 (1992), 8.707 (1991), 8.242 (1990), 8.488 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Morocco, Communications

Railroads:
1,893 km 1.435-meter standard gauge (246 km double track, 974 km
electrified)
Highways:
total:
59,198 km
paved:
27,740 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone, improved earth, unimproved earth 31,458 km
Pipelines:
crude oil 362 km; petroleum products (abandoned) 491 km; natural gas
241 km
Ports:
Agadir, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Safi,
Tangier; also Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla
Merchant marine:
47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 226,369 GRT/335,089 DWT, cargo
9, chemical tanker 11, container 3, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo
12, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 2
Airports:
total:
73
usable:
64
with permanent-surface runways:
26
with runways over 3,659 m:
2
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
13
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
25
Telecommunications:
good system composed of wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay
links; principal centers are Casablanca and Rabat; secondary centers
are Fes, Marrakech, Oujda, Tangier, and Tetouan; 280,000 telephones
(10.5 telephones per 1,000 persons); broadcast stations - 20 AM, 7 FM,
26 TV and 26 repeaters; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations -
2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 1 ARABSAT; microwave radio relay to
Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara; coaxial cable and microwave to
Algeria; microwave radio relay network linking Syria, Jordan, Egypt,
Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco

@Morocco, Defense Forces

Branches:
Royal Moroccan Army, Royal Moroccan Navy, Royal Moroccan Air Force,
Royal Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 7,076,261; fit for military service 4,494,641; reach
military age (18) annually 317,093 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $1.1 billion, 3.8% of GDP (1993 budget)

@Mozambique, Geography

Location:
Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel between South Africa
and Tanzania opposite the island of Madagascar
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
801,590 sq km
land area:
784,090 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total 4,571 km, Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105
km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km
Coastline:
2,470 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical to subtropical
Terrain:
mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in
northwest, mountains in west
Natural resources:
coal, titanium
Land use:
arable land:
4%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
56%
forest and woodland:
20%
other:
20%
Irrigated land:
1,150 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
civil strife in the hinterlands has resulted in increased migration to
urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences;
desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters
natural hazards:
severe drought and floods occur in central and southern provinces
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea

@Mozambique, People

Population: 17,346,280 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 5.87% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 44.97 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 16.33 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 30.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 128.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 48.49 years male: 46.63 years female: 50.41 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.25 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Mozambican(s) adjective: Mozambican Ethnic divisions: indigenous tribal groups, Europeans about 10,000, Euro-Africans 35,000, Indians 15,000 Religions: indigenous beliefs 60%, Christian 30%, Muslim 10% Languages: Portuguese (official), indigenous dialects Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 33% male: 45% female: 21% Labor force: NA by occupation: 90% engaged in agriculture

@Mozambique, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Mozambique
conventional short form:
Mozambique
local long form:
Republica Popular de Mocambique
local short form:
Mocambique
Digraph:
MZ
Type:
republic
Capital:
Maputo
Administrative divisions:
10 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Cabo Delgado, Gaza,
Inhambane, Manica, Maputo, Nampula, Niassa, Sofala, Tete, Zambezia
Independence:
25 June 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 June (1975)
Constitution:
30 November 1990
Legal system:
based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Joaquim Alberto CHISSANO (since 6 November 1986)
head of government:
Prime Minister Mario da Graca MACHUNGO (since 17 July 1986)
cabinet:
Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica); draft
electoral law provides for periodic, direct presidential and Assembly
elections
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), Joaquim Alberto
CHISSANO, chairman; formerly a Marxist organization with close ties to
the USSR; FRELIMO was the only legal party before 30 November 1990,
when the new Constitution went into effect establishing a multiparty
system
note:
under the terms of the 1992 peace accords multiparty elections are
scheduled for October 1994; 11 parties, including the Mozambique
National Resistance (RENAMO), Alfonso DHLAKAMA, president, are
registered to participate
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
ILO, IMF, INMARSAT, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM,
OAU, OIC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Hipolito Pereira Zozimo PATRICIO
chancery:
Suite 570, 1990 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
(202) 293-7146
FAX:
(202) 835-0245
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Dennis JETT
embassy:
Avenida Kenneth Kuanda, 193 Maputo
mailing address:
P. O. Box 783, Maputo
telephone:
(1) 49-27-97
FAX:
(1) 49-01-14
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), black, and yellow with a
red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; the black band is
edged in white; centered in the triangle is a yellow five-pointed star
bearing a crossed rifle and hoe in black superimposed on an open white
book

@Mozambique, Economy

Overview:
One of Africa's poorest countries, Mozambique has failed to exploit
the economic potential of its sizable agricultural, hydropower, and
transportation resources. Indeed, national output, consumption, and
investment declined throughout the first half of the 1980s because of
internal disorders, lack of government administrative control, and a
growing foreign debt. A sharp increase in foreign aid, attracted by an
economic reform policy, resulted in successive years of economic
growth in the late 1980s, but aid has declined steadily since 1989.
Agricultural output is at only 75% of its 1981 level, and grain has to
be imported. Industry operates at only 20-40% of capacity. The economy
depends heavily on foreign assistance to keep afloat. Peace accords
signed in October 1992 improved chances of foreign investment, aided
IMF-supported economic reforms, and supported continued economic
recovery.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $9.8 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
4.1% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$600 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
40% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
50% (1989 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$252 million
expenditures:
$607 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)
Exports:
$164.4 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
shrimp 48%, cashews 21%, sugar 10%, copra 3%, citrus 3%
partners:
US, Western Europe, Germany, Japan
Imports:
$1.03 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
food, clothing, farm equipment, petroleum
partners:
US, Western Europe, USSR
External debt:
$5 billion (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 5% (1989 est.)
Electricity:
capacity:
2,270,000 kW
production:
1.745 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
115 kWh (1991)
Industries:
food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), petroleum
products, textiles, nonmetallic mineral products (cement, glass,
asbestos), tobacco
Agriculture:
accounts for 50% of GDP and about 90% of exports; cash crops - cotton,
cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, shrimp; other crops - cassava, corn,
rice, tropical fruits; not self-sufficient in food
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $350 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.4
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $37 million; Communist
countries (1970-89), $890 million
Currency:
1 metical (Mt) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
meticais (Mt) per US$1 - 4,941.3 (October 1993), 2,550.40 (1992),
1,763.99 (1991), 1,053.09 (1990), 844.34 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Mozambique, Communications

Railroads:
3,288 km total; 3,140 km 1.067-meter gauge; 148 km 0.762-meter narrow
gauge; Malawi-Nacala, Malawi-Beira, and Zimbabwe-Maputo lines are
subject to closure because of insurgency
Highways:
total:
26,498 km
paved:
4,593 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 829 km; unimproved earth
21,076 km
Inland waterways:
about 3,750 km of navigable routes
Pipelines:
crude oil (not operating) 306 km; petroleum products 289 km
Ports:
Maputo, Beira, Nacala
Merchant marine:
4 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,686 GRT/9,742 DWT
Airports:
total:
194
usable:
134
with permanent-surface runways:
24
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
5
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
28
Telecommunications:
fair system of troposcatter, open-wire lines, and radio relay;
broadcast stations - 29 AM, 4 FM, 1 TV; earth stations - 2 Atlantic
Ocean INTELSAT and 3 domestic Indian Ocean INTELSAT

@Mozambique, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Naval Command, Air and Air Defense Forces, Militia
note:
as of early 1994, Mozambique was demobilizing and reorganizing its
defence forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 3,890,532; fit for military service 2,233,824
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $118 million, 8% of GDP (1993)

@Namibia, Geography

Location:
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean between Angola and
South Africa
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
825,418 sq km
land area:
825,418 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than half the size of Alaska
Land boundaries:
total 3,824 km, Angola 1,376 km, Botswana 1,360 km, South Africa 855
km, Zambia 233 km
Coastline:
1,572 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
short section of boundary with Botswana is indefinite; quadripoint
with Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; dispute with
South Africa over Walvis Bay and 12 offshore islands has been resolved
and these territories were transferred to Namibian sovereignty on 1
March 1994
Climate:
desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
Terrain:
mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east
Natural resources:
diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc,
salt, vanadium, natural gas, fish; suspected deposits of oil, natural
gas, coal, iron ore
Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
64%
forest and woodland:
22%
other:
13%
Irrigated land:
40 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
very limited natural water resources; desertification
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection;
signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change

@Namibia, People

Population:
1,595,567 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.45% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
43.4 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
8.87 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
61.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
61.65 years
male:
58.97 years
female:
64.4 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.4 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Namibian(s)
adjective:
Namibian
Ethnic divisions:
black 86%, white 6.6%, mixed 7.4%
note:
about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the
Kavangos tribe
Religions:
Christian
Languages:
English 7% (official), Afrikaans common language of most of the
population and about 60% of the white population, German 32%,
indigenous languages
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1960)
total population:
38%
male:
45%
female:
31%
Labor force:
500,000
by occupation:
agriculture 60%, industry and commerce 19%, services 8%, government
7%, mining 6% (1981 est.)

@Namibia, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Namibia
conventional short form:
Namibia
Digraph:
WA
Type:
republic
Capital:
Windhoek
Administrative divisions:
13 districts; Erango, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Liambezi,
Ohanguena, Okarango, Omaheke, Omusat, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa
Independence:
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
Constitution:
ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990
Legal system:
based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); election last held 16
February 1990 (next to be held March 1995); results - Sam NUJOMA was
elected president by the Constituent Assembly (now the National
Assembly)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president from the National Assembly
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature
National Council:
elections last held 30 November-3 December 1992 (next to be held by
December 1998); seats - (26 total) SWAPO 19, DTA 6, UDF 1
National Assembly:
elections last held on 7-11 November 1989 (next to be held by November
1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) SWAPO
41, DTA 21, UDF 4, ACN 3, NNF 1, FCN 1, NPF 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Sam NUJOMA; DTA of
Namibia (formerly Democratic Turnhalle Alliance) (DTA), Mishake
MUYONGO; United Democratic Front (UDF), Justus GAROEB; Action
Christian National (ACN), Kosie PRETORIUS; National Patriotic Front
(NPF), Moses KATJIUONGUA; Federal Convention of Namibia (FCN), Hans
DIERGAARDT; Namibia National Front (NNF), Vekuii RUKORO
Other political or pressure groups:
NA
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IFAD,
IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM
(observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Tuliameni KALOMOH
chancery:
1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 986-0540
FAX:
(202) 986-0443
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires Howard F. JETER
embassy:
Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., Windhoek
mailing address:
P. O. Box 9890, Windhoek 9000
telephone:
(61) 221-601, 222-675, 222-680
FAX:
(61) 229-792
Flag:
a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left
section, and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right
section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is
contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders

@Namibia, Economy

Overview:
The economy is heavily dependent on the mining industry to extract and
process minerals for export. Mining accounts for almost 25% of GDP.
Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa
and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Alluvial diamond
deposits are among the richest in the world, making Namibia a primary
source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large
quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. More than half
the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence
agriculture) for its livelihood.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $3.85 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3.5% (1992)
National product per capita:
$2,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
17.9% (1992) in urban area
Unemployment rate:
30% (1992)
Budget:
revenues:
$941 million
expenditures:
$1.05 billion, including capital expenditures of $157 million
(FY93/94)
Exports:
$1.289 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium, cattle, processed fish,
karakul skins
partners:
Switzerland, South Africa, Germany, Japan
Imports:
$1.178 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment
partners:
South Africa, Germany, US, Switzerland
External debt:
about $220 million (1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 4.9% (1991); accounts for 35% of GDP, including mining
Electricity:
capacity:
490,000 kW
production:
1.29 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
850 kWh (1991)
Industries:
meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, mining (copper, lead,
zinc, diamond, uranium)
Agriculture:
accounts for 15% of GDP; mostly subsistence farming; livestock raising
major source of cash income; crops - millet, sorghum, peanuts; fish
catch potential of over 1 million metric tons not being fulfilled,
1988 catch reaching only 384,000 metric tons; not self-sufficient in
food
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-87), $47.2 million
Currency:
1 South African rand (R) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
South African rand (R) per US$1 - 3.4096 (January 1994), 3.2678
(1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7653 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Namibia, Communications

Railroads:
2,341 km 1.067-meter gauge, single track
Highways:
total:
54,500 km
paved:
4,080 km
unpaved:
gravel 2,540 km; earth 47,880 km (roads and tracks)
Ports:
Luderitz; Walvis Bay
Airports:
total:
136
usable:
109
with permanent-surface runways:
21
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
64
Telecommunications:
good urban, fair rural services; radio relay connects major towns,
wires extend to other population centers; 62,800 telephones; broadcast
stations - 4 AM, 40 FM, 3 TV

@Namibia, Defense Forces

Branches:
National Defense Force (Army), Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 336,145; fit for military service 199,337
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $66 million, 3.4% of GDP (FY92)

@Nauru, Geography

Location:
Oceania, Micronesia, 500 km north-northeast of Papua New Guinea
Map references:
Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
21 sq km
land area:
21 sq km
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 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
limited water resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater;
phosphate mining threatens limited remaining land resources
natural hazards:
rainfall is erratic
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Marine Dumping; signed, but
not ratified - Law of the Sea
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; only 53 km south of Equator

@Nauru, People

Population: 10,019 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.33% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 18.03 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 40.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.68 years male: 64.3 years female: 69.18 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.08 children born/woman (1994 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 District
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)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
Constitution:
29 January 1968
Legal system:
own Acts of Parliament and British common law
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 12 December 1989); election last
held 19 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1995); results -
Bernard DOWIYOGO elected by Parliament
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president from the parliament
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament:
elections last held on 14 November 1992 (next to be held NA November
1995); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (18 total) independents
18
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
none
Member of:
AsDB, C (special), ESCAP, ICAO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user),
INTERPOL, ITU, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UPU
Diplomatic representation in US:
consulate(s):
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 (1986 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:
capacity:
14,000 kW
production:
50 million kWh
consumption per capita:
5,430 kWh (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:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries (1970-89), $2 million
Currency:
1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4364 (January 1994), 1.4704
(1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2834 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989)
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:
total:
27 km
paved:
21 km
unpaved:
improved earth 6 km
Ports:
Nauru
Merchant marine:
1 bulk ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,426 GRT/5,750 DWT
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
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
Defense expenditures:
$NA - no formal defense structure

@Navassa Island

Header Affiliation: (territory of the US)

@Navassa Island, Geography

Location:
Caribbean, in the Caribbean Sea, 160 km south of the US Naval Base at
Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), between Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area:
5.2 sq km
land area:
5.2 sq km
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 depth or to 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 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo
Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat
herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus

@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:
Southern Asia, in the Himalayas, between China and India
Map references:
Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
140,800 sq km
land area:
136,800 sq km
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 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
the almost total dependence on wood for fuel and cutting down trees to
expand agricultural land without replanting has resulted in widespread
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution (use of contaminated
water presents human health risks)
natural hazards:
vulnerable to severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and
famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer
monsoons
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban,
Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change,
Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation
Note:
landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight
of world's 10 highest peaks

@Nepal, People

Population:
21,041,527 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.44% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
37.63 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
13.28 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
83.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
52.53 years
male:
52.35 years
female:
52.73 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.24 children born/woman (1994 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 est.)
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)
National holiday:
Birthday of His Majesty the King, 28 December (1945)
Constitution:
9 November 1990
Legal system:
based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
head of government:
Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA (since 29 May 1991)
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)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the king on recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament
National Council:
consists of a 60-member body, 50 appointed by House of Representatives
and 10 by the King
House of Representatives:
elections 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
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Sarbochha Adalat)
Political parties and leaders:
Nepali Congress Party (NCP), president Krishna Prasad BHATTARAI, Prime
Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA, Supreme Leader Ganesh Man SINGH; The
Conservative National Democratic Party (NDP/Thapa), Surya Bahadur
THAPA; Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist and Leninist (CPN/UML),
Man Mohan ADHIKARI; Terai Rights Sadbhavana (Goodwill) Party, Gajendra
Narayan SINGH; United People's Front (UPF), Lila Mani POKHREL; Nepal
Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP), Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE; National
Democratic Party/Chand (NDP/Chand), Lokendra Bahadur CHAND; Rohit
Party, N. M. BIJUKCHHE; Communist Party of Nepal
(Democratic-Manandhar), B. B. MANANDHAR
Other political or pressure groups:
numerous small, left-leaning student groups in the capital; several
small, radical Nepalese antimonarchist groups
Member of:
AsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM,
SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UPU, WFTU,
WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
(vacant)
chancery:
2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 667-4550
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Sandra VOGELGESANG
embassy:
Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
(1) 411179 or 412718, 411613, 413890
FAX:
(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 FY94. 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. 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 subsidies, 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, its remoteness,
and susceptibility to natural disaster. Nepal experienced severe
flooding in August 1993 which caused at least $50 million in damage to
the country's infrastructure.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $20.5 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
2.9% (FY93)
National product per capita:
$1,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9% (September 1993)
Unemployment rate:
5%; underemployment estimated at 25%-40% (1987)
Budget:
revenues:
$457 million
expenditures:
$725 million, including capital expenditures of $427 million (FY93
est.)
Exports:
$369 million (f.o.b., FY93) but does not include unrecorded border
trade with India
commodities:
carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain
partners:
US, Germany, India, UK
Imports:
$789 million (c.i.f., FY93 est.)
commodities:
petroleum products 20%, fertilizer 11%, machinery 10%
partners:
India, Singapore, Japan, Germany
External debt:
$2 billion (FY93 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 6% (FY91 est.); accounts for 16% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
300,000 kW
production:
1 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
50 kWh (1992)
Industries:
small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette, textile,
carpet, cement, and brick production; tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 60% of GDP and 93% of work force; farm products - rice,
corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, buffalo meat; not
self-sufficient in food, particularly in drought years
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and international drug
markets; transit point for heroin from Southeast Asia to the West
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $304 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $2.23
billion; 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 - 49.240 (January 1994), 48.607 (1993),
42.742 (1992), 37.255 (1991), 29.370 (1990), 27.189 (1989)
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:
total:
7,080 km
paved:
2,898 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone 1,660 km; seasonally motorable tracks 2,522 km
(1990)
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 5,003,661; fit for military service 2,598,507; reach
military age (17) annually 241,405 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 2% of GDP (FY91/92)

@Netherlands,

@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 sq km
land area:
33,920 sq km
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 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and
nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles
and refining activities; acid rain
natural hazards:
the extensive system of dikes and dams, protects nearly one-half of
the total area from being flooded
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
Note:
located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or
Meuse, Schelde)

@Netherlands, People

Population:
15,367,928 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.58% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
12.62 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
8.5 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
1.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
77.75 years
male:
74.69 years
female:
80.97 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.58 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)
adjective:
Dutch
Ethnic divisions:
Dutch 96%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 4% (1988)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 34%, Protestant 25%, Muslim 3%, other 2%, unaffiliated
36% (1991)
Languages:
Dutch
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.)
total population:
99%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
6.7 million (1991)
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)
National holiday:
Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)
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
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
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 RUDOLPHUS (Ruud) F. M. LUBBERS (since 4 November 1982);
Vice Prime Minister Willem (Wim) KOK (since 2 November 1989) -
resigned after 3 May 1994 parliamentary elections; no new government
has been formed to date
cabinet:
Ministry of General Affairs; appointed by the prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature (Staten Generaal)
First Chamber (Eerste Kamer):
elections 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 (Tweede Kamer):
elections last held on 3 May 1994 (next to be held in May 1999);
results - PvdA 24.3%, CDA 22.3%, VVD 20.4%, D'66 16.5%, other 16.5%;
seats - (150 total) PvdA 37, CDA 34, VVD 31, D'66 24, other 24
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (De Hoge Raad)
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), Elco BRINKMAN; Labor (PvdA), Wim
KOK; Liberal (VVD), Frits BOLKESTEIN; Democrats '66 (D'66), Hans van
MIERLO; 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)
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, UNOMUR, UNPROFOR, UNTAC,
UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Adriaan Pieter Roetert JACOBOVITS DE SZEGED
chancery:
4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 244-5300
FAX:
(202) 362-3430
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Manila (Trust Territories of the
Pacific Islands), New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Kirk Terry DORNBUSH
embassy:
Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ The Hague
mailing address:
PSC 71, Box 1000, the Hague; APO AE 09715
telephone:
(70) 310-9209
FAX:
(70) 361-4688
consulate(s) 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. Rising 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 - $262.8 billion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
-0.2% (1993)
National product per capita:
$17,200 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.5% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
9.1% (March 1994)
Budget:
revenues:
$109.9 billion
expenditures:
$122.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)
Exports:
$139 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
metal products, chemicals, processed food and tobacco, agricultural
products
partners:
EC 77% (Germany 27%, Belgium-Luxembourg 15%, UK 10%), US 4% (1991)
Imports:
$130.3 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 -1.5% (1993 est.); accounts for 25% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
22,216,000 kW
production:
63.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
4,200 kWh (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:
gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; European
producer of illicit amphetamines and other synthetic drugs
Economic aid:
donor:
ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $19.4 billion
Currency:
1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per US$1 - 1.9508
(January 1994), 1.8573 (1993), 1.7585 (1992), 1.8697 (1991), 1.8209
(1990), 2.1207 (1989)
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:
total:
104,590 km
paved:
92,525 km (including 2,185 km of expressway)
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone 12,065 km (1990)
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:
324 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,507,112 GRT/3,208,838 DWT,
bulk 3, cargo 180, chemical tanker 21, combination bulk 3, container
32, liquefied gas 12, livestock carrier 1, multifunction large-load
carrier 4, oil tanker 27, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 20,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 15, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 2
note:
many Dutch-owned ships are also registered on the captive Netherlands
Antilles register
Airports:
total:
28
usable:
28
with permanent-surface runways:
19
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
10
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
7
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 4,180,745; fit for military service 3,667,212; reach
military age (20) annually 98,479 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $6.8 billion, 2.3% of GDP (1993)

@Netherlands Antilles

Header Affiliation: (part of the Dutch realm)

@Netherlands Antilles, Geography

Location:
Caribbean, two island groups - Curacao 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 sq km
land area:
960 sq km
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 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
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
international agreements:
party to - Whaling

@Netherlands Antilles, People

Population: 185,790 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.47% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 16.62 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.5 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -6.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 9.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.32 years male: 74.1 years female: 78.66 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.96 children born/woman (1994 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)
National holiday:
Queen's Day, 30 April (1938)
Constitution:
29 December 1954, Statute of the Realm of the Netherlands, as amended
Legal system:
based on Dutch civil law system, with some English common law
influence
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen BEATRIX Wilhelmina Armgard (since 30 April 1980), represented by
Governor General Jaime SALEH (since NA October 1989)
head of government:
Prime Minister Miguel POURIER (since 25 February 1994)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed with the advice and approval of the
unicameral legislature
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Staten:
elections last held on 25 February 1994 (next to be held March 1998);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (23 total) PAR 8, PNP
3, SPA 2, PDB 2, UPB 1, MAN 2, DP 1, WIPM 1, DP-St. E 1, DP-St. M 1,
Nos Patria 1
note:
the government of Miguel POURIER is a coalition of several parties
Judicial branch:
Joint High Court of Justice
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:
Antillean Restructuring Party (PAR), Miguel POURIER; 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
Member of:
CARICOM (observer), ECLAC (associate), ICFTU, INTERPOL, IOC, UNESCO
(associate), UPU, WMO, WTO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (self-governing part of 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:
(9) 613066
FAX:
(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 Venezuela and the US being the major
suppliers.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.8 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
2% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$9,700 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
16.4% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$209 million
expenditures:
$232 million, including capital expenditures of $8 million (1992 est.)
Exports:
$240 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
petroleum products 98%
partners:
US 39%, Brazil 9%, Colombia 6%
Imports:
$1.2 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
crude petroleum 64%, food, manufactures
partners:
Venezuela 26%, US 18%, Colombia 6%, Netherlands 6%, Japan 5%
External debt:
$701 million (December 1987)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
125,000 kW
production:
365 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,980 kWh (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
Illicit drugs:
money-laundering center; transshipment point for South American
cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
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:
total:
950 km
paved:
300 km
unpaved:
gravel, earth 650 km
Ports:
Willemstad, Philipsburg, Kralendijk
Merchant marine:
113 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 966,797 GRT/1,251,871 DWT, bulk
1, cargo 43, chemical tanker 7, combination ore/oil 1, container 3,
liquefied gas 5, multifunction large-load carrier 18, oil tanker 1,
passenger 4, refrigerated cargo 23, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7
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 48,866; fit for military service 27,421; reach
military age (20) annually 1,595 (1994 est.)
Note:
defense is responsibility of the Netherlands

@New Caledonia

Header Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)

@New Caledonia, Geography

Location: Oceania, Melanesia, in the South Pacific Ocean, 1,750 km east of Australia Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 19,060 sq km land area: 18,760 sq km 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 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: typhoons most frequent from November to March international agreements: NA

@New Caledonia, People

Population:
181,309 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.79% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
22.39 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
4.96 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
73.62 years
male:
70.32 years
female:
77.09 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.62 children born/woman (1994 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)
National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands;
formerly under French law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
head of government:
High Commissioner and President of the Council of Government Alain
CHRISTNACHT (since 15 January 1991; appointed by the French Ministry
of the Interior); President of the Territorial Congress Simon
LOUECKHOTE (since 26 June 1989)
cabinet:
Consultative Committee
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Territorial Assembly:
elections 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
French Senate:
elections 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:
elections last held 21 March 1993 (next to be held 21 and 28 March
1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) RPCR 2
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal
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, Clarence UREGEI; Union Caledonian (UC), Francois
BURCK
Member of:
ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WFTU, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (overseas territory of 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):
1.4% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
16% (1989)
Budget:
revenues:
$224 million
expenditures:
$211 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1985 est.)
Exports:
$671 million (f.o.b., 1989)
commodities:
nickel metal 87%, nickel ore
partners:
France 32%, Japan 23.5%, US 3.6%
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:
capacity:
400,000 kW
production:
2.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
12,790 kWh (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:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $4.185 billion
Currency:
1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Comptoirs Francais duPacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 107.63
(January 1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00
(1990), 115.99 (1989); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the
French franc
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@New Caledonia, Communications

Highways: total: 6,340 km paved: 634 km unpaved: 5,706 km (1987) Ports: Noumea, Nepoui, Poro, Thio Airports: total: 30 usable: 28 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: 1 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:
Southwestern Oceania, southeast of Australia in the South Pacific
Ocean
Map references:
Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
268,680 sq km
land area:
268,670 sq km
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 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by
species introduced from outside
natural hazards:
earthquakes are common, though usually not severe
international agreements:
party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed,
but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Hazardous Wastes,
Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Note:
about 80% of the population lives in cities

@New Zealand, People

Population: 3,388,737 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.57% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 15.52 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 8.06 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.38 years male: 72.76 years female: 80.18 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (1994 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 est.) 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)
National holiday:
Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established
British sovereignty)
Constitution:
no formal, written constitution; consists of various documents,
including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand Parliaments;
Constitution Act 1986 was to have come into force 1 January 1987, but
has not been enacted
Legal system:
based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts
for Maoris; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor
General 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)
cabinet:
Executive Council; appointed by the governor general on recommendation
of the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
House of Representatives:
(commonly called Parliament) elections last held on 6 November 1993
(next to be held NA November 1996); results - NP 35.2%, NZLP 34.7%,
Alliance 18.3%, New Zealand First 8.3%; seats - (99 total) NP 50, NZLP
45, Alliance 2, New Zealand First Party 2
Judicial branch:
High Court, Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
National Party (NP; government), James BOLGER; New Zealand Labor Party
(NZLP; opposition), Helen CLARK; Alliance, 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; New
Zealand First, Winston PETERS
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
Member of:
ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986),
APEC, AsDB, Australia Group, C, CCC, CP, COCOM (cooperating), 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 Lionel John WOOD
chancery:
37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 328-4800
consulate(s) general:
Los Angeles
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Josiah BEEMAN
embassy:
29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, FPO AP 96531-1001
telephone:
(4) 472-2068
FAX:
(4) 472-3537
consulate(s) 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 a more industrialized,
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. In 1992-93,
growth picked up to 3% annually, a sign that the new economic approach
is beginning to pay off. Business confidence has strengthened, and the
inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world.
Unemployment, down from 11% in 1991, remains unacceptably high at 9%.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $53 billion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
3% (1993)
National product per capita:
$15,700 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
9.1% (September 1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
note:
deficit $345 million (October 1993)
Exports:
$10.3 billion (FY93)
commodities:
wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fruit, fish, cheese, manufactures,
chemicals, forestry products
partners:
Australia 18.9%, Japan 15.1%, US 12.5%, South Korea 4.1%
Imports:
$9.4 billion (FY93)
commodities:
petroleum, consumer goods, motor vehicles, industrial equipment
partners:
Australia 21.1%, US 19.6%, Japan 14.7%, UK 6.3%, Germany 4.2%
External debt:
$35.3 billion (March 1993)
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.9% (1990); accounts for about 20% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
8,000,000 kW
production:
31 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
9,250 kWh (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
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.7771 (January 1994), 1.8495
(1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989)
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:
total:
92,648 km
paved:
49,547 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone 43,101 km
Inland waterways:
1,609 km; of little importance to transportation
Pipelines:
petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; condensate (liquified
petroleum gas - LPG) 150 km
Ports:
Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington, Tauranga
Merchant marine:
18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 165,514 GRT/218,699 DWT, bulk 6,
cargo 2, liquefied gas 1, oil tanker 3, railcar carrier 1,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 5
Airports:
total:
108
usable:
108
with permanent-surface runways:
39
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
39
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 15-49 880,576; fit for military service 741,629; reach
military age (20) annually 28,242 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $792 million, 2% of GDP (FY90/91)

@Nicaragua, Geography

Location:
Middle America, between Costa Rica and Honduras
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, South America
Area:
total area:
129,494 sq km
land area:
120,254 sq km
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 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
natural hazards:
subject to destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and
occasionally severe hurricanes
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea

@Nicaragua, People

Population: 4,096,689 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.68% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 34.66 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.69 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 52.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.02 years male: 61.18 years female: 66.96 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.33 children born/woman (1994 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: services 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
Type:
republic
Capital:
Managua
Administrative divisions:
17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Boaco,
Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon,
Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, North Atlantic Coast Autonomous
Zone (RAAN), Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas, South Atlantic Coast
Autonomous Zone (RAAS)
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
9 January 1987
Legal system:
civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts
Suffrage:
16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (since 25 April 1990); Vice
President Virgilio GODOY Reyes (since 25 April 1990); election last
held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held November 1996); results -
Violeta Barrios de CHAMORRO (UNO) 54.7%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN)
40.8%, other 4.5%
cabinet:
Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional):
elections last held on 25 February 1990 (next to be held November
1996); results - UNO 53.9%, FSLN 40.8%, PSC 1.6%, MUR 1.0%; seats -
(92 total) UNO 41, FSLN 39, "Centrist" (Dissident UNO) 12
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:
ruling coalition:
National Opposition Union (UNO) is a 10-party alliance - moderate
parties: National Conservative Party (PNC), Silviano MATAMOROS Lacayo,
president; Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), Jose Ernesto
SOMARRIBA, Arnold ALEMAN; Christian Democratic Union (UDC), Luis
Humberto GUZMAN, Agustin JARQUIN, Azucena FERREY, Roger MIRANDA,
Francisco MAYORGA; National Democratic Movement (MDN), Roberto URROZ;
National Action Party (PAN), Duilio BALTODANO; UNO - hardline parties:
Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Wilfredo NAVARRO,Virgilio GODOY
Reyes; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Guillermo POTOY, Alfredo CESAR
Aguirre, secretary general; Conservative Popular Alliance Party
(PAPC), Myriam ARGUELLO; Communist Party of Nicaragua (PCdeN), Eli
ALTIMIRANO Perez; Neo-Liberal Party (PALI), Adolfo GARCIA Esquivel
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
Other political or pressure groups:
National Workers Front (FNT) is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight
labor unions: Sandinista Workers' Central (CST); Farm Workers
Association (ATC); Health Workers Federation (FETASALUD); National
Union of Employees (UNE); National Association of Educators of
Nicaragua (ANDEN); Union of Journalists of Nicaragua (UPN); Heroes and
Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations (CONAPRO); and the
National Union of Farmers and Ranchers (UNAG); Permanent Congress of
Workers (CPT) is an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor
unions: Confederation of Labor Unification (CUS); Autonomous
Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN-A); Independent General Confederation
of Labor (CGT-I); and Labor Action and Unity Central (CAUS);
Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN) is an independent labor union;
Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) is a confederation of
business groups
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, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Roberto MAYORGA Cortes
chancery:
1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 939-6570
consulate(s) general:
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador John MAISTO
embassy:
Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur., Managua
mailing address:
APO AA 34021
telephone:
(2) 666010 or 666013, 666015 through 18, 666026, 666027, 666032
through 34
FAX:
(2) 666046
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

@Nicaragua, Economy

Overview:
Since March 1991, when President CHAMORRO began an ambitious economic
stabilization program, Nicaragua has had considerable success in
reducing inflation and obtaining substantial economic aid from abroad.
Annual inflation fell from more than 750% in 1991 to less than 5% in
1992. Inflation rose again to an estimated 20% in 1993, although this
increase was due almost entirely to a large currency devaluation in
January. As of early 1994, the government was close to finalizing an
enhanced structural adjustment facility with the IMF, after the
previous standby facility expired in early 1993. Despite these
successes, achieving overall economic growth in an economy scarred by
misguided economic values and civil war during the 1980s has proved
elusive. Economic growth was flat in 1992 and slightly negative in
1993. Nicaragua's per capita foreign debt is one of the highest in the
world; nonetheless, as of late 1993, Nicaragua was current on its
post-1988 debt as well as on payments to the international financial
institutions. Definition of property rights remains a problem;
ownership disputes over large tracts of land, businesses, and homes
confiscated by the previous government have yet to be resolved.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.4 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-0.5% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,600 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
20% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
13%; underemployment 50% (1991)
Budget:
revenues:
$375 million (1992)
expenditures:
$410 million (1992), including capital expenditures of $115 million
(1991 est.)
Exports:
$228 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
foodstuffs, cotton, coffee, chemicals
partners:
EC 26%, US 26%, Japan, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico (1992)
Imports:
$907 million (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities:
petroleum, food, chemicals, machinery, clothing
partners:
US 26%, Venezuela, Costa Rica, EC, Guatemala (1992)
External debt:
$10.5 billion ( 1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%; accounts for 20-25% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
434,000 kW
production:
1.118 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
290 kWh (1992)
Industries:
food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing,
petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear
Agriculture:
crops account for about 15% of GDP; export crops - coffee, bananas,
sugarcane, cotton; food crops - rice, corn, cassava, citrus fruit,
beans; also produces a variety of animal products - beef, veal, pork,
poultry, dairy products; normally self-sufficient in food
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-92), $620 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),
$1.381 billion
Currency:
1 gold cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
gold cordobas (C$) per US$1 - 6 (10 January 1993), 5 (1992); note -
gold cordoba replaced cordoba as Nicaragua's currency in 1991
(exchange rate of old cordoba had reached per US$1 - 25,000,000 by
March 1992)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Nicaragua, Communications

Railroads:
373 km 1.067-meter narrow gauge, government owned; majority of system
not operating; 3 km 1.435-meter gauge line at Puerto Cabezas (does not
connect with mainline)
Highways:
total:
25,930 km
paved:
4,000 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone 2,170 km; graded earth 5,425 km; unimproved
earth 14,335 km
Pan-American highway:
368.5 km (not in total)
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
Airports:
total:
208
usable:
149
with permanent-surface runways:
11
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
13
Telecommunications:
low-capacity radio relay and wire system being expanded; connection
into Central American Microwave System; 60,000 telephones; broadcast
stations - 45 AM, no FM, 7 TV, 3 shortwave; earth stations - 1
Intersputnik and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT

@Nicaragua, Defense Forces

Branches:
Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 946,177; fit for military service 582,669; reach
military age (18) annually 45,555 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $43.0 million, 1.6% of GDP (1992)

@Niger, Geography

Location:
Western Africa, between Algeria and Nigeria
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1.267 million sq km
land area:
1,266,700 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total 5,697 km, Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina 628 km, Chad
1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
Libya claims about 19,400 sq km 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%
Irrigated land:
320 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife
populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, and lion) threatened
because of poaching and habitat destruction
natural hazards:
recurrent droughts
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
landlocked

@Niger, People

Population: 8,971,605 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.36% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 54.95 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 21.32 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 111 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.61 years male: 43.01 years female: 46.26 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.35 children born/woman (1994 est.) 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 Religions: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 28% male: 40% female: 17% Labor force: 2.5 million wage earners (1982) by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4% note: 51% of population of working age (1985)

@Niger, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Niger
conventional short form:
Niger
local long form:
Republique du Niger
local short form:
Niger
Digraph:
NG
Type:
republic
Capital:
Niamey
Administrative divisions:
7 departments (departements, singular - departement); Agadez, Diffa,
Dosso, Maradi, Niamey, Tahoua, Zinder
Independence:
3 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 18 December (1958)
Constitution:
approved by national referendum 16 December 1992; promulgated January
1993
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Mahamane OUSMANE (since 16 April 1993)
head of government:
Prime Minister Mahamadou ISSOUFOU (since 17 April 1993)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president on recommendation of the prime
minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly:
elected by proportional representation for 5 year terms; elections
last held 14 February 1993 (next election NA 1998); seats - (83 total)
MNSD 29, CDS 22, PNDS 13, ANDP-Z 11, UPDP 2, PPN/RDA 2, UDFP 2, PSDN
1, UDPS 1
Judicial branch:
State Court (Cour d'Etat), Court of Appeal (Cour d'Apel)
Political parties and leaders:
National Movement of the Development Society (MNSD-NASSARA), Kada
LABO, General Secretary; Democratic and Social Convention - Rahama
(CDS- Rahama), Mahamane OUSMANE; Nigerien Party for Democracy and
Socialism (PNDS), Mahamadou ISSOUFOU; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy
and Progress - Zamanlahia (ANDP-Z), Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE; Union
of Patriots, Democrats, and Progressives (UPDP), Andre SALIFOU; Niger
Progressive Party - African Democratic Rally (PPN-RDA), Harou KOUKA;
Niger Social Democrat Party (PADN), Malam Adji WAZIRI; Union for
Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), Akoli DAOUEL
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 in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Adamou SEYDOU
chancery:
2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 483-4224 through 4227
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador John DAVISON
embassy:
Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey
mailing address:
B. P. 11201, Niamey
telephone:
72-26-61 through 64
FAX:
73-31-67
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

@Niger, Economy

Overview:
Niger's economy is centered on subsistence agriculture, animal
husbandry, and re-export trade, and increasingly less on uranium, its
major export throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Uranium revenues dropped
by almost 50% between 1983 and 1990. Terms of trade with Nigeria,
Niger's largest regional trade partner, have improved dramatically
since the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994; this
devaluation boosted exports of livestock, peas, onions, and the
products of Niger's small cotton industry. The government relies on
bilateral and multilateral aid for operating expenses and public
investment, and is strongly induced to adhere to structural adjustment
programs designed by the IMF and the World Bank.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $5.4 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
1.9% (1991 est.)
National product per capita:
$650 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.3% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$193 million
expenditures:
$355 million, including capital expenditures of $106 million (1991
est.)
Exports:
$294 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
uranium ore 60%, livestock products 20%, cowpeas, onions
partners:
France 77%, Nigeria 8%, Cote d'Ivoire, Italy
Imports:
$346 million (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
primary materials, machinery, vehicles and parts, electronic
equipment, cereals, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, chemical
products, foodstuffs
partners:
Germany 26%, Cote d'Ivoire 11%, France 5%, Italy 4%, Nigeria 2%
External debt:
$1.2 billion (December 1991 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -2.7% (1991 est.); accounts for 13% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
105,000 kW
production:
230 million kWh
consumption per capita:
30 kWh (1991)
Industries:
cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses,
and a few other small light industries; uranium mining 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:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $380 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),
$3.165 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $504 million; Communist
countries (1970-89), $61 million
Currency:
1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05
(January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26
(1990), 319.01 (1989)
note:
the official rate is pegged to the French franc, and beginning 12
January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc
from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September

@Niger, Communications

Highways:
total:
39,970 km
paved:
bituminous 3,170 km
unpaved:
gravel, laterite 10,330 km; earth 3,470 km; tracks 23,000 km
Inland waterways:
Niger River is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin
frontier from mid-December through March
Airports:
total:
30
usable:
28
with permanent-surface runways:
9
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
14
Telecommunications:
small system of wire, radiocommunications, and radio relay links
concentrated in southwestern area; 14,260 telephones; broadcast
stations - 15 AM, 5 FM, 18 TV; satellite earth stations - 1 Atlantic
Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 3 domestic, with 1
planned

@Niger, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Air Force, Gendarmerie, National Police, Republican Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,845,374; fit for military service 994,683; reach
military age (18) annually 91,595 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $27 million, 1.3% of GDP (1989)

@Nigeria, Geography

Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Benin and
Cameroon
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
923,770 sq km
land area:
910,770 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total 4,047 km, 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
International 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; boundary
commission, created with Cameroon to discuss unresolved land and
maritime boundaries, has not yet convened, but a commission was formed
January 1994 to study a flare-up of the dispute
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:
petroleum, 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%
Irrigated land:
8,650 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
soil degradation; rapid deforestation; desertification; recent
droughts in north severely affecting marginal agricultural activities
natural hazards:
periodic droughts
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate
Change

@Nigeria, People

Population: 98,091,097 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.15% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 43.52 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 12.43 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 75 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.33 years male: 54.11 years female: 56.59 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.37 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Nigerian(s) adjective: Nigerian Ethnic divisions: north: Hausa and Fulani southwest: Yoruba southeast: Ibos non-Africans 27,000 note: Hausa and Fulani, Yoruba, and Ibos together make up 65% of population Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10% Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 51% male: 62% female: 40% Labor force: 42.844 million by occupation: agriculture 54%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 15% note: 49% of population of working age (1985)

@Nigeria, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Federal Republic of Nigeria
conventional short form:
Nigeria
Digraph:
NI
Type:
military government since 31 December 1983; plans to institute a
constitutional conference to prepare for a new transition to civilian
rule after plans for a transition in 1993 were negated by General
BABANGIDA
Capital:
Abuja
note:
on 12 December 1991 the capital was officially moved from Lagos to
Abuja; many government offices remain in Lagos pending completion of
facilities in Abuja
Administrative divisions:
30 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Capital Territory*, Adamawa,
Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Edo,
Enugu, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos,
Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe
Independence:
1 October 1960 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 October (1960)
Constitution:
1979 constitution still in force; plan for 1989 constitution to take
effect in 1993 was not implemented
Legal system:
based on English common law, Islamic law, and tribal law
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council and Commander in Chief of
Armed Forces and Defense Minister Gen. Sani ABACHA (since 17 November
1993); Vice-Chairman of the Provisional Ruling Council Oladipo DIYA
(since 17 November 1993)
cabinet:
Federal Executive Council
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly
Senate:
suspended after coup of 17 November 1993
House of Representatives:
suspended after coup of 17 November 1993
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court, Federal Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
note:
two political party system suspended after the coup of 17 November
1993
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMO, IMF, INMARSAT,
INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC
(observer), OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAVEM, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNIKOM, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Zubair Mahmud KAZAURE
chancery:
1333 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
(202) 986-8400
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Walter CARRINGTON
embassy:
2 Eleke Crescent, Lagos
mailing address:
P. O. Box 554, Lagos
telephone:
(1) 610050
FAX:
(1) 610257
consulate(s) general:
Kaduna
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green

@Nigeria, Economy

Overview:
The oil-rich Nigerian economy continues to be hobbled by poor
macroeconomic management that has resulted in an average annual
inflation rate of 60%, a growing foreign debt, and a worsening balance
of payments. A deepening political crisis in 1993 has compounded the
government's failure to reign in deficit spending, which prevents it
from reaching an agreement with the IMF and its bilateral creditors on
debt relief. Investment in both oil and non-oil sector industry has
been undermined by corruption and squandered on white elephant
projects that have failed to generate diversification or new
employment.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $95.1 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
4.1% (1992)
National product per capita:
$1,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
60% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
28% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$9 billion
expenditures:
$10.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.)
Exports:
$11.9 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
oil 95%, cocoa, rubber
partners:
US 54%, EC 23%
Imports:
$8.3 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities:
machinery and equipment, manufactured goods, food and animals
partners:
EC 64%, US 10%, Japan 7%
External debt:
$29.5 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 7.7% (1991); accounts for 43% of GDP, including petroleum
Electricity:
capacity:
4,740,000 kW
production:
8.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
70 kWh (1991)
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 35% of GDP 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:
passenger and cargo air hub for West Africa; facilitates movement of
heroin en route from Southeast and Southwest Asia to Western Europe
and North America; increasingly a transit route for cocaine from South
America intended for West European, East Asian, and North American
markets
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $705 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3
billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $2.2 billion
Currency:
1 naira (N) = 100 kobo
Exchange rates:
naira (N) per US$1 - 21.886 (November 1993), 17.298 (1992), 9.909
(1991), 8.038 (1990), 7.3647 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Nigeria, Communications

Railroads:
3,505 km 1.067-meter gauge
Highways:
total:
107,990 km
paved:
mostly bituminous-surface treatment 30,019 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone, improved earth 25,411 km; unimproved earth
52,560 km
Inland waterways:
8,575 km consisting of Niger and Benue Rivers and smaller rivers and
creeks
Pipelines:
crude oil 2,042 km; petroleum products 3,000 km; natural gas 500 km
Ports:
Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Onne, Sapele
Merchant marine:
33 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 432,704 GRT/686,718 DWT, bulk 1,
cargo 18, chemical tanker 3, liquified gas 1, oil tanker 9,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 1
Airports:
total:
80
usable:
67
with permanent-surface runways:
34
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
15
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
21
Telecommunications:
above-average system limited by poor maintenance; major expansion in
progress; radio relay microwave and cable routes; broadcast stations -
35 AM, 17 FM, 28 TV; satellite earth stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 20 domestic stations; 1 coaxial
submarine cable

@Nigeria, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 22,468,803; fit for military service 12,840,029; reach
military age (18) annually 986,518 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $172 million, about 1% of GDP (1992)

@Niue

Header Affiliation: (free association with New Zealand)

@Niue, Geography

Location: Oceania, Polynesia, 460 km east of Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 260 sq km land area: 260 sq km comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 64 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none 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% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to typhoons international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea Note: one of world's largest coral islands

@Niue, People

Population:
1,906 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.66% (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Niuean(s)
adjective:
Niuean
Ethnic divisions:
Polynesian (with some 200 Europeans, Samoans, and Tongans)
Religions:
Ekalesia Nieue (Niuean Church) 75% - a Protestant church closely
related to the London Missionary Society, Morman 10%, other 15%
(mostly Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventist)
Languages:
Polynesian closely related to Tongan and Samoan, English
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
1,000 (1981 est.)
by occupation:
most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government
service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board

@Niue, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Niue
Digraph:
NE
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:
19 October 1974 (became a self-governing territory in free association
with New Zealand on 19 October 1974)
National holiday:
Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established
British sovereignty)
Constitution:
19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)
Legal system:
English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by New Zealand
Representative Kurt MEYER (since NA)
head of government:
Premier Frank F. LUI (since 12 March 1993; Acting Premier since
December 1992)
cabinet:
Cabinet; consists of the premier and three other ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Assembly:
elections last held on 6 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1996); results
- percent of vote NA; seats - (20 total, 6 elected)
Judicial branch:
Appeal Court of New Zealand, High Court
Political parties and leaders:
Niue Island Party (NIP), Young VIVIAN
Member of:
ESCAP (associate), INTELSAT (signatory user), SPARTECA, SPC, SPF
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
US 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

@Niue, 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.
National product:
GNP - exchange rate conversion - $2.1 million (1989 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$1,000 (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 (1985 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:
capacity:
1,500 kW
production:
3 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,490 kWh (1990)
Industries:
tourist, handicrafts, coconut products
Agriculture:
coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes; subsistence crops - taro, yams,
cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle
Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-89), $62 million
Currency:
1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.7771 (January 1994), 1.8495
(1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

@Niue, Communications

Highways:
total:
229 km
unpaved:
all-weather 123 km; plantation access 106 km
Ports:
none; offshore anchorage only
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
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:
single-line telephone system connects all villages on island; 383
telephones; 1,000 radio receivers (1987 est.); broadcast stations - 1
AM, 1 FM, no TV

@Niue, Defense Forces

Branches:
Police Force
Note:
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

@Norfolk Island

Header Affiliation: (territory of Australia)

@Norfolk Island, Geography

Location: Southwestern Oceania, 1,575 km east of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 34.6 sq km land area: 34.6 sq km comparative area: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 32 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none 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% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to typhoons (especially May to July) international agreements: NA

@Norfolk Island, People

Population:
2,710 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.7% (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Norfolk Islander(s)
adjective:
Norfolk Islander(s)
Ethnic divisions:
descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander
Religions:
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)
Languages:
English (official), Norfolk a mixture of 18th century English and
ancient Tahitian
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
NA

@Norfolk Island, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form:
Norfolk Island
Digraph:
NF
Type:
territory of Australia
Capital:
Kingston (administrative center); Burnt Pine (commercial center)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of Australia)
Independence:
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:
Pitcairners Arrival Day Anniversary, 8 June (1856)
Constitution:
Norfolk Island Act of 1979
Legal system:
wide legislative and executive responsibility under the Norfolk Island
Act of 1979; Supreme Court
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by
Administrator A. G. KERR (since NA April 1992), who is appointed by
the Governor General of Australia
head of government:
Assembly President David Ernest BUFFETT (since NA May 1992)
cabinet:
Executive Council
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Assembly:
elections last held 1989 (held every three years); results - percent
of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) percent of seats by party NA
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
NA
Member of:
none
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (territory of Australia)
US 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

@Norfolk Island, 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.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$4.2 million, including capital expenditures of $400,000 (1989 est.)
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:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
7,000 kW
production:
8 million kWh
consumption per capita:
3,160 kWh (1990)
Industries:
tourism
Agriculture:
Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables,
fruit, cattle, poultry
Economic aid:
none
Currency:
1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4364 (January 1994), 1.4704
(1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2835 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

@Norfolk Island, Communications

Highways: total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: earth, coral 27 km Ports: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade Airports: total: 1 usable: 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: 1,500 radio receivers (1982); radio link service with Sydney; 987 telephones (1983); broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV

@Norfolk Island, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia

@Northern Mariana Islands

Header Affiliation: (commonwealth in political union with the US)

@Northern Mariana Islands, Geography

Location:
Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 5,635 km
west-southwest of Honolulu, about three-quarters of the way between
Hawaii and the Philippines
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total area:
477 sq km
land area:
477 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
note:
includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,482 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal
temperature variation; dry season December to June, 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. Okso' Takpochao on Saipan)
Natural resources:
arable land, fish
Land use:
arable land:
5% on Saipan
permanent crops:
NA%
meadows and pastures:
19%
forest and woodland:
NA%
other:
NA%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
contamination of groundwater on Saipan by raw sewage contributes to
disease
natural hazards:
active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; subject to typhoons (especially
August to November)
international agreements:
NA
Note:
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

@Northern Mariana Islands, People

Population:
49,799 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.04% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
35.05 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
4.61 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
37.96 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
67.43 years
male:
65.53 years
female:
69.48 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.69 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
NA
adjective:
NA
Ethnic divisions:
Chamorro, Carolinians and other Micronesians, Caucasian, Japanese,
Chinese, Korean
Religions:
Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and
taboos may still be found)
Languages:
English, Chamorro, Carolinian
note:
86% of population speaks a language other than English at home
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population:
97%
male:
97%
female:
96%
Labor force:
7,476 total indigenous labor force, 2,699 unemployed; 21,188 foreign
workers (1990)
by occupation:
NA

@Northern Mariana Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
conventional short form:
Northern Mariana Islands
Digraph:
CQ
Type:
commonwealth in political union with the US; self-governing with
locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature;
federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of
the Interior, Office of Territorial and International Affairs
Capital:
Saipan
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
National holiday:
Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Constitution:
Covenant Agreement effective 3 November 1986 and the Constitution of
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Legal system:
based on US system except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and
taxation
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but
do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice
President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)
head of government:
Governor Lorenzo I. DeLeon GUERRERO (since 9 January 1990); Lieutenant
Governor Benjamin T. MANGLONA (since 9 January 1990); election last
held in NA November 1989 (next to be held NA November 1993); results -
Lorenzo I. DeLeon GUERRERO, Republican Party, was elected governor
Legislative branch:
bicameral Legislature
Senate:
elections last held NA November 1991 (next to be held NA November
1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total)
Republicans 6, Democrats 3
House of Representatives:
elections last held NA November 1991 (next to be held NA November
1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (18 total)
Republicans 10, Democrats 6, Independent 2
US House of Representatives:
the Commonwealth does not have a nonvoting delegate in Congress;
instead, it has an elected official "resident representative" located
in Washington, DC; seats - (1 total) Republican (Juan N. BABAUTA)
Judicial branch:
Commonwealth Supreme Court, Superior Court, Federal District Court
Political parties and leaders:
Republican Party, Governor Lorenzo GUERRERO; Democratic Party, Carlos
SHODA, chairman
Member of:
ESCAP (associate), SPC
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

@Northern Mariana Islands, Economy

Overview:
The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance from the
US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generated government
revenues have grown. An agreement for the years 1986 to 1992 entitled
the islands to $228 million for capital development, government
operations, and special programs. A rapidly growing major source of
income is the tourist industry, which now employs about 50% of the
work force. Japanese tourists predominate. The agricultural sector is
made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts,
breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Industry is small scale, mostly
handicrafts and light manufacturing.
National product:
GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $541 million (1992)
note:
GNP numbers reflect US spending
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$11,500 (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.5-7.5% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$147 million
expenditures:
$127.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)
Exports:
$263.4 million (f.o.b. 1991 est.)
commodities:
manufactured goods, garments, bread, pastries, concrete blocks, light
iron work
partners:
NA
Imports:
$392.4 million (c.i.f. 1991 est.)
commodities:
food, construction, equipment, materials
partners:
NA
External debt:
$0
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
25,000 kW
production:
35 million kWh
consumption per capita:
740 kWh (1990)
Industries:
tourism, construction, light industry, handicrafts
Agriculture:
coconuts, fruits, cattle, vegetables
Economic aid:
none
Currency:
1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September

@Northern Mariana Islands, Communications

Railroads: none Highways: total: 381.5 km paved: NA unpaved: NA undifferentiated: primary 134.5 km; secondary 55 km; local 192 km (1991) Inland waterways: none Ports: Saipan, Tinian Airports: total: 6 usable: 5 with permanent-surface runways: 3 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM (1984), 1 TV, 2 cable TV stations; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth stations

@Northern Mariana Islands, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of the US

@Norway, Geography

Location:
Nordic State, Northern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
west of Sweden
Map references:
Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
324,220 sq km
land area:
307,860 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total 2,515 km, Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 167 km
Coastline:
21,925 km (includes mainland 3,419 km, large islands 2,413 km, long
fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 16,093 km)
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
10 nm
continental shelf:
to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
4 nm
International disputes:
territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land); dispute between
Denmark and Norway over maritime boundary in Arctic Ocean between
Greenland and Jan Mayen has been settled by the International Court of
Justice; maritime boundary dispute with Russia over portion of Barents
Sea
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:
petroleum, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead,
fish, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land:
3%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
27%
other:
70%
Irrigated land:
950 sq km (1989)
Environment:
current issues:
water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting
lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air
Pollution-Sulphur, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling;
signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea
Note:
about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much indented
coastline; 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 Russia

@Norway, People