The 2010 CIA World Factbook (part 10 of 25)
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 31 (2010)
Railways:
total: 59 km country comparison to the world: 130 narrow gauge: 59 km 0.762-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 17,282 km country comparison to the world: 119 paved: 10,142 km
unpaved: 7,140 km (2007)
Military ::Nepal
Military branches:
Nepal Army (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for military training; no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,699,614
females age 16-49: 7,388,240 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,053,600
females age 16-49: 5,730,116 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 374,882
female: 361,848 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 93
Transnational Issues ::Nepal
Disputes - international:
joint border commission continues to work on contested sections of boundary with India, including the 400 square kilometer dispute over the source of the Kalapani River; India has instituted a stricter border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents and illegal cross-border activities; approximately 106,000 Bhutanese Lhotshampas (Hindus) have been confined in refugee camps in southeastern Nepal since 1990
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 107,803 (Bhutan); 20,153 (Tibet/China)
IDPs: 50,000-70,000 (remaining from ten-year Maoist insurgency that officially ended in 2006; displacement spread across the country) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Netherlands (Europe)
Introduction ::Netherlands
Background:
The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999. In October 2010, the former Netherlands Antilles was dissolved and the three smallest islands - Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba - became special municipalities in the Netherlands administrative structure. The larger islands of Sint Maarten and Curacao joined the Netherlands and Aruba as constituent countries forming the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Geography ::Netherlands
Location:
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
Geographic coordinates:
52 30 N, 5 45 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 41,543 sq km country comparison to the world: 134 land: 33,893 sq km
water: 7,650 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 1,027 km
border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km
Coastline:
451 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
Terrain:
mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m
highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m (on the island of Saba in the Caribbean, now considered an integral part of the Netherlands following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles)
note: the highest point on continental Netherlands is Vaalserberg at 322 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 21.96%
permanent crops: 0.77%
other: 77.27% (2005)
Irrigated land:
5,650 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
89.7 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 8.86 cu km/yr (6%/60%/34%)
per capita: 544 cu m/yr (2001)
Natural hazards:
flooding
Environment - current issues:
water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)
People ::Netherlands
Population:
16,783,092 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Age structure:
0-14 years: 17.4% (male 1,485,873/female 1,416,999)
15-64 years: 67.7% (male 5,720,387/female 5,604,014)
65 years and over: 14.9% (male 1,070,496/female 1,418,230) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 40.8 years
male: 40 years
female: 41.6 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.39% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Birth rate:
10.3 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Death rate:
8.78 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Net migration rate:
2.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Urbanization:
urban population: 82% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.052 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.66 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 193 male: 5.16 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.55 years country comparison to the world: 34 male: 76.94 years
female: 82.3 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.66 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
18,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Nationality:
noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)
adjective: Dutch
Ethnic groups:
Dutch 80.7%, EU 5%, Indonesian 2.4%, Turkish 2.2%, Surinamese 2%, Moroccan 2%, Caribbean 0.8%, other 4.8% (2008 est.)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 30%, Dutch Reformed 11%, Calvinist 6%, other Protestant 3%, Muslim 5.8%, other 2.2%, none 42% (2006)
Languages:
Dutch (official), Frisian (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 17 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
5.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 45
Government ::Netherlands
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands
conventional short form: Netherlands
local long form: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden
local short form: Nederland
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Amsterdam
geographic coordinates: 52 23 N, 4 54 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
note: The Hague is the seat of government; time descriptions apply to the continental Netherlands only, not to the Caribbean components
Administrative divisions:
12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Fryslan (Friesland), Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant (North Brabant), Noord-Holland (North Holland), Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland (Zealand), Zuid-Holland (South Holland)
Dependent areas:
Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten
Independence:
23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; on 26 July 1581 they formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration; however, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence)
National holiday:
Queen's Day (Birthday of deceased Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980)
Constitution:
adopted 1815; amended many times, most recently in 2002
Legal system:
based on civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen BEATRIX (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Mark RUTTE (since 14 October 2010); Deputy Prime Minister Maxime VERHAGEN (since 14 October 2010)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch
note: there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the cabinet on legislative and administrative policy
Legislative branch:
bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils to serve four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: First Chamber - last held 29 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2011); Second Chamber - last held 9 June 2010 (next to be held by May 2015)
election results: First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDA 21, PvdA 14, VVD 14, Socialist Party 11, Christian Union 4, Green Left Party 4, D66 2, other 5; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - VVD 20.5%, PvdA 19.6%, PVV, 15.4%, CDA 13.6%, SP 9.8%, D66 6.9%, GL 6.7%, CU 3.2, other 4.3%; seats by party - VVD 31, PvdA 30, PVV 24, CDA 21, SP 15, D66 10, GL 10, CU 5, other 4
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Maxime VERHAGEN]; Christian Union [Andre ROUVOET]; Democrats 66 or D66 [Alexander PECHTOLD]; Green Left [Jolande SAP]; Labor Party or PvdA [Job COHEN]; Party for Freedom or PVV [Geert WILDERS]; Party for the Animals or PvdD [Marianne THIEME]; People's Party for Freedom and Democracy or VVD [Mark RUTTE] (Liberal); Reformed Political Party of SGP [Kees VAN DER STAAIJ]; Socialist Party [Emile ROEMER]; plus a few minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Christian Trade Union Federation or CNV [Jaap SMIT]; Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers or VNO-NCW [Bernard WIENTJES]; Federation for Small and Medium-sized businesses or MKB [Loek HERMANS]; Netherlands Trade Union Federation or FNV [Agnes JONGERIUS]; Social Economic Council or SER [Alexander RINNOOY KAN]; Trade Union Federation of Middle and High Personnel or MHP [Richard STEENBORG]
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Regina "Renee" JONES-BOS
chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300, [1] 877-388-2443
FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
consulate(s): Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Fay HARTOG LEVIN
embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague
mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715
telephone: [31] (70) 310-2209
FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688
consulate(s) general: Amsterdam
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; the colors were those of WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange, who led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish sovereignty in the latter half of the 16th century; originally the upper band was orange, but because it tended to fade to red over time, the red shade was eventually made the permanent color; the banner is perhaps the oldest tricolor in continuous use
National anthem:
name: "Het Wilhelmus" (The William)
lyrics/music: Philips VAN MARNIX van Sint Aldegonde (presumed)/unknown
note: adopted 1932, in use since the 17th century, making it the oldest national anthem in the world; also known as "Wilhelmus van Nassouwe" (William of Nassau), it is in the form of an acrostic, where the first letter of each stanza spells the name of the leader of the Dutch Revolt
Economy ::Netherlands
Economy - overview:
The Netherlands economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable current account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs only 2% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. The country has been one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment and is one of the four largest investors in the US. After 26 years of uninterrupted economic growth, the Netherlands' economy - which is highly open and dependent on foreign trade and financial services - was hard-hit by global economic crisis. Dutch GDP contracted 3.9% in 2009, while exports declined nearly 25% due to a sharp contraction in world demand. The Dutch financial sector has also suffered, due in part to the high exposure of some Dutch banks to U.S. mortgage-backed securities. In response to turmoil in financial markets, the government nationalized two banks and injected billions of dollars into a third, to prevent further systemic risk. The government also sought to boost the domestic economy by accelerating infrastructure programs, offering corporate tax breaks for employers to retain workers, and expanding export credit facilities. The stimulus programs and bank bailouts, however, resulted in a government budget deficit of nearly 4.6% of GDP in 2009 and 5.6% in 2010 that contrasts sharply with a surplus of 0.7% of GDP in 2008. With unemployment weighing on private-sector consumption, the government of Prime Minister Mark RUTTE is likely to come under increased pressure to keep the budget deficit in check while promoting economic recovery.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$680.4 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $669 billion (2009 est.)
$696.1 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$770.3 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 -3.9% (2009 est.)
1.9% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$40,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $40,000 (2009 est.)
$41,800 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.6%
industry: 24.9%
services: 72.4% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
7.86 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 18%
services: 80% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 4.8% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
10.5% (2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 22.9% (1999)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30.9 (2007) country comparison to the world: 107 32.6 (1994)
Investment (gross fixed):
18% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Public debt:
64.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 60.9% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 1.2% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 126 3% (31 December 2008)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.01% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 9.66% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$368.1 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 12 $351.6 billion (31 December 2009 est)
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
Stock of broad money:
$1.124 trillion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $1.133 trillion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$2.083 trillion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $1.824 trillion (31 December 2008)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$542.5 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 19 $387.9 billion (31 December 2008)
$956.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock
Industries:
agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
3.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity - production:
108.2 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
Electricity - consumption:
124.1 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Electricity - exports:
10.56 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
15.45 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
57,190 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Oil - consumption:
922,800 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Oil - exports:
1.66 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14
Oil - imports:
2.426 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Oil - proved reserves:
100 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Natural gas - production:
79.58 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Natural gas - consumption:
48.6 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Natural gas - exports:
55.59 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6
Natural gas - imports:
24.6 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.416 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
Current account balance:
$46.69 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $39.58 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$451.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $421.3 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Germany 25.54%, Belgium 12.49%, France 9.27%, UK 8.17%, Italy 5.07%, US 3.97% (2009)
Imports:
$408.4 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $371.9 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners:
Germany 17.16%, China 11.58%, Belgium 8.68%, US 7.77%, UK 5.72%, Russia 4.47%, France 4.4% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$39.61 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$NA (30 June 2010)
$3.733 trillion (31 December 2009)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$687.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $654.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$950.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $932.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.774 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)
Communications ::Netherlands
Telephones - main lines in use:
7.32 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 26
Telephones - mobile cellular:
21.182 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 39
Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed and well maintained
domestic: extensive fixed-line fiber-optic network; large cellular telephone system with 5 major operators utilizing the third generation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology; one in five households now use Voice over the Internet Protocol (VoIP) services
international: country code - 31; submarine cables provide links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 5 (3 Intelsat - 1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (2007)
Broadcast media:
more than 90% of households are connected to cable or satellite TV systems that provide a wide range of domestic and foreign channels; public service broadcast system includes multiple broadcasters, 3 with a national reach and the remainder operating in regional and local markets; 2 major nationwide commercial television companies, each with 3 or more stations, and a large number of commercial TV stations in regional and local markets; nearly 600 radio stations operating with a mix of public and private stations providing national or regional coverage (2008)
Internet country code:
.nl
Internet hosts:
12.607 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 10
Internet users:
14.872 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 27
Transportation ::Netherlands
Airports:
27 (2010) country comparison to the world: 125
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 20
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 4 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 3,816 km; oil 365 km; refined products 716 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 2,896 km country comparison to the world: 58 standard gauge: 2,896 km 1.435-m gauge (2,064 km electrified) (2009)
Roadways:
total: 136,827 km (includes 2,582 km of expressways) (2008) country comparison to the world: 36
Waterways:
6,215 km (navigable for ships of 50 tons) (2007) country comparison to the world: 22
Merchant marine:
total: 706 country comparison to the world: 15 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 464, carrier 21, chemical tanker 57, container 73, liquefied gas 19, passenger 17, passenger/cargo 15, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 21, specialized tanker 3
foreign-owned: 217 (Australia 1, Denmark 36, Finland 14, France 2, Germany 92, Ireland 7, Italy 9, Japan 1, Norway 18, Sweden 18, UAE 4, US 15)
registered in other countries: 240 (Antigua and Barbuda 18, Australia 1, Bahamas 22, Belize 1, Cambodia 1, Canada 1, Cyprus 24, Gibraltar 33, Liberia 35, Luxembourg 2, Malta 2, Marshall Islands 16, former Netherlands Antilles 52, Panama 8, Paraguay 1, Philippines 18, Portugal 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2, Singapore 1, unknown 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Amsterdam, IJmuiden, Moerdijk, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Vlissingen
Military ::Netherlands
Military branches:
Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force (Koninklijke Luchtmacht, KLu), Royal Military Police (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
20 years of age for an all-volunteer force (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,927,311
females age 16-49: 3,831,110 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,213,954
females age 16-49: 3,133,972 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 104,694
female: 99,874 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Transnational Issues ::Netherlands
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
major European producer of synthetic drugs, including ecstasy, and cannabis cultivator; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering; significant consumer of ecstasy
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Netherlands Antilles (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Netherlands Antilles
Background:
Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, the island of Curacao was hard hit by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of oil refineries to service newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields. The island of Saint Martin is shared with France; its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the Netherlands Antilles; its northern portion, called Saint Martin, is an overseas collectivity of France.
Geography ::Netherlands Antilles
Location:
Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - composed of five islands, Curacao and Bonaire located off the coast of Venezuela, and Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius lie east of the US Virgin Islands
Geographic coordinates:
Bonaire: 12 12 N, 68 15 W
Curacao: 12 10 N, 69 00 W
Saba: 17 38 N, 63 14 W
Sint Eustatius: 17 30 N, 62 58 W
Sint Maarten: 18 04 N, 63 04 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 800 sq km country comparison to the world: 187 land: 800 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin)
Area - comparative:
more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 15 km
border countries: Saint Martin 15 km
Coastline:
364 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
Climate:
tropical; ameliorated by northeast trade winds
Terrain:
generally hilly, volcanic interiors
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Scenery 862 m
Natural resources:
phosphates (Curacao only), salt (Bonaire only)
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 90% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October; Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles are divided geographically into the Leeward Islands (northern) group (Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Windward Islands (southern) group (Bonaire and Curacao); the island of Saint Martin is the smallest landmass in the world shared by two independent states, the French territory of Saint Martin and the Dutch territory of Sint Maarten
People ::Netherlands Antilles
Population:
228,693 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22.7% (male 26,429/female 25,162)
15-64 years: 67.7% (male 74,183/female 79,434)
65 years and over: 9.6% (male 8,875/female 12,966) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 34.1 years
male: 32.1 years
female: 35.8 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.712% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Birth rate:
14.05 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Death rate:
6.54 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
Net migration rate:
-0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Urbanization:
urban population: 93% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.83 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 157 male: 9.49 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.86 years country comparison to the world: 66 male: 74.52 years
female: 79.31 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.97 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Dutch Antillean(s)
adjective: Dutch Antillean
Ethnic groups:
mixed black 85%, other 15% (includes Carib Amerindian, white, East Asian)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 72%, Pentecostal 4.9%, Protestant 3.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.1%, Methodist 2.9%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.7%, other Christian 4.2%, Jewish 1.3%, other or unspecified 1.2%, none 5.2% (2001 census)
Languages:
Papiamento 65.4% (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect), English 15.9% (widely spoken), Dutch 7.3% (official), Spanish 6.1%, Creole 1.6%, other 1.9%, unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.7%
male: 96.7%
female: 96.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2002)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Netherlands Antilles
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Netherlands Antilles
local long form: none
local short form: Nederlandse Antillen
former: Curacao and Dependencies
Dependency status:
an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 1954; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs
Government type:
parliamentary
Capital:
name: Willemstad (on Curacao)
geographic coordinates: 12 06 N, 68 56 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
note: each island has its own government
Independence:
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)
National holiday:
Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980)
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 of the Netherlands (since 30 April 1980); represented by Governor General Frits GOEDGEDRAG (since 1 July 2002)
head of government: Prime Minister Emily de JONGH-ELHAGE (since 26 March 2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Staten (legislature) (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually elected prime minister by the Staten; election last held on 22 January 2010 (next to be held by 2014)
note: government coalition - PAR, PNP, NA, UPB, WIPM Saba, DP-St. E
Legislative branch:
unicameral States or Staten (22 seats; Curacao 14, Bonaire 3, St. Maarten 3, St. Eustatius 1, Saba 1; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 22 January 2010 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PAR 6, LdK 5, National Alliance 3, PS 2, UPB 2, PNP 1, DP-St. E 1, PDB 1, WIPM 1
note: the government is a coalition of several parties
Judicial branch:
Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Bonaire: Democratic Party of Bonaire or PDB [Jopi ABRAHAM]; Patriotic Union of Bonaire or UPB [Ramonsito BOOI]
Curacao: Ban Vota [Norbert GEORGE]; C-93 [Stanley BROWN]; Democratic Party of Curacao or DP [Errol HERNANDEZ]; E Mayoria [Aurelio PEDRO]; Forsa Korsou [Nelson NAVARRO]; Lista di Kambio or LdK (coalition of MAN, NPA, and FK); Liste Ni'un Paso Atras [Nelson PIERRE]; Movemiento Patriotiko Korsou [Reginald LAK]; New Antilles Movement or MAN [Charles COOPER]; Partido Akshon Pa Prosperidat I Seguridat [Sonja BERKEMEYER]; Partido Laboral Krusada Popular or PLKP [Errol COVA]; Party for the Restructured Antilles or PAR [Emily de JONGH-ELHAGE]; People's National Party or PNP [Ersilia DE LANNOOY]; Pidjin [Jasmin PINEDO]; Pueblo Soberano or PS [Herman WIELS]; Workers' Liberation Front or FOL [Anthony GODETT]
Saba: Saba Labor Party [Akilah LEVENSTONE]; Windward Islands People's Movement or WIPM [Ray HASSELL]
Sint Eustatius: Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius or DP-St. E [Julian WOODLEY]; Progressive Labor Party [Clyde VAN PUTTEN]; St. Eustatius Alliance [Ingrid HOUTMAN-WHITFIELD]
Sint Maarten: Democratic Party of Sint Maarten or DP-St. M [Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS]; Freedom Slate of National Democratic Party [Theophilus PRIEST]; National Alliance or NA [William MARLIN]; People's Progressive Alliance or PPA [Gracita ARRINDELL]; St. Maarten People's Party [Johan LEONARD]; United People's Labor Party [Bienvenido RICHARDSON]
note: political parties are indigenous to each island
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Employers Association (VBC); Unions (AVBO)
International organization participation:
Caricom (observer), FATF, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Mr. Jeffrey CORRION, Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Consul General Timothy J. DUNN
consulate(s) general: J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad, Curacao
mailing address: P. O. Box 158, Willemstad, Curacao
telephone: [599] (9) 461-3066
FAX: [599] (9) 461-6489
Flag description:
white, with a horizontal blue stripe in the center superimposed on a vertical red band, also centered; five white, five-pointed stars are arranged in an oval pattern in the center of the blue band; the colors reflect those of the Netherlands; the five stars represent the five main islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten
Economy ::Netherlands Antilles
Economy - overview:
Tourism, petroleum refining, and offshore finance are the mainstays of this small economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. Although GDP has declined or grown slightly in each of the past eight years, the islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared with other countries in the region. The Venezuelan state oil company owns the single refinery on the island; most of the oil for the refinery is imported from Venezuela. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, Braxil, Italy, and Mexico being the major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the development of agriculture. Budgetary problems hamper reform of the health and pension systems of an aging population. The Netherlands provides financial aid to support the economy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.8 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
GDP (official exchange rate):
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
1% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$16,000 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 15%
services: 84% (2000 est.)
Labor force:
91,470 (2007) country comparison to the world: 183
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 20%
services: 79% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15.5% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $757.9 million
expenditures: $949.5 million (2004)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2009)
NA% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.51% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 8.33% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.517 billion (31 December 2009)
$1.295 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$4.286 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
$3.881 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$3.408 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 116 $3.286 billion (31 December 2008)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 19 $488.6 billion (2003)
Agriculture - products:
aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit
Industries:
tourism (Curacao, Sint Maarten, and Bonaire), petroleum refining (Curacao), petroleum transshipment facilities (Curacao and Bonaire), light manufacturing (Curacao)
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
1.22 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - consumption:
1.013 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Oil - consumption:
69,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Oil - exports:
224,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Oil - imports:
298,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Exports:
$3.71 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 120
Exports - commodities:
petroleum products
Exports - partners:
US 13.09%, Guatemala 10.84%, Singapore 10.65%, Dominican Republic 9.6%, Haiti 7.6%, Bahamas 6.05%, Honduras 4.54%, Mexico 4.2% (2009)
Imports:
$15.74 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 79
Imports - commodities:
crude petroleum, food, manufactures
Imports - partners:
Venezuela 57.3%, US 19.18%, Brazil 8.11% (2009)
Debt - external:
$2.68 billion (2004) country comparison to the world: 135
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Netherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar - 1.79 (2009), 1.79 (2008), 1.79 (2007), 1.79 (2006)
Communications ::Netherlands Antilles
Telephones - main lines in use:
88,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 146
Telephones - mobile cellular:
200,000 (2004) country comparison to the world: 173
Telephone system:
general assessment: generally adequate facilities
domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links
international: country code - 599; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the Americas-2 submarine cable systems provide connectivity to Central America, parts of South America and the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Broadcast media:
government-run television on Curacao provides service to Bonaire and Saba; the Leeward Broadcasting Corporation provides television service to Sint Maarten; cable TV subscription service provides access to programming from Venezuela and the US; roughly 30 radio stations and repeaters operating (2007)
Internet country code:
.an
Internet hosts:
72,165 (2010) country comparison to the world: 81
Transportation ::Netherlands Antilles
Airports:
5 (2010) country comparison to the world: 181
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 845 km country comparison to the world: 185
Merchant marine:
total: 120 country comparison to the world: 46 by type: barge carrier 2, bulk carrier 2, cargo 59, carrier 18, chemical tanker 1, container 1, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 26, roll on/roll off 5
foreign-owned: 101 (Angola 2, Cuba 1, Denmark 1, Estonia 1, Germany 32, Hong Kong 1, Netherlands 52, Norway 2, Sweden 1, Turkey 8)
registered in other countries: 1 (Cook Islands 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Bopec Terminal, Willemstad
Military ::Netherlands Antilles
Military branches:
no regular military forces; National Guard (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
16 years of age for National Guard recruitment; no conscription (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 56,267
females age 16-49: 57,334 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 46,824
females age 16-49: 47,447 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,934
female: 1,839 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Transnational Issues ::Netherlands Antilles
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for South American drugs bound for the US and Europe; money-laundering center
page last updated on November 17, 2010
======================================================================
@New Caledonia (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::New Caledonia
Background:
Settled by both Britain and France during the first half of the 19th century, the island was made a French possession in 1853. It served as a penal colony for four decades after 1864. Agitation for independence during the 1980s and early 1990s ended in the 1998 Noumea Accord, which over a period of 15 to 20 years will transfer an increasing amount of governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia. The agreement also commits France to conduct a referendum between 2014 and 2019 to decide whether New Caledonia should assume full sovereignty and independence.
Geography ::New Caledonia
Location:
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
21 30 S, 165 30 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 18,575 sq km country comparison to the world: 155 land: 18,275 sq km
water: 300 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
2,254 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
Terrain:
coastal plains with interior mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m
Natural resources:
nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper
Land use:
arable land: 0.32%
permanent crops: 0.22%
other: 99.46% (2005)
Irrigated land:
100 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
cyclones, most frequent from November to March
volcanism: Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically active
Environment - current issues:
erosion caused by mining exploitation and forest fires
Geography - note:
consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls
People ::New Caledonia
Population:
252,352 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26.8% (male 31,191/female 29,870)
15-64 years: 65.8% (male 75,189/female 74,552)
65 years and over: 7.3% (male 7,681/female 8,953) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.8 years
male: 29.3 years
female: 30.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.561% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Birth rate:
16.52 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Death rate:
5.23 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Net migration rate:
4.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 21 note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 65% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 179 male: 6.85 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.56 years country comparison to the world: 68 male: 72.46 years
female: 80.86 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.09 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: New Caledonian(s)
adjective: New Caledonian
Ethnic groups:
Melanesian 44.1%, European 34.1%, Wallisian & Futunian 9%, Tahitian 2.6%, Indonesian 2.5%, Vietnamese 1.4%, Ni-Vanuatu 1.1%, other 5.2% (1996 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 60%, Protestant 30%, other 10%
Languages:
French (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.2%
male: 96.8%
female: 95.5% (1996 census)
Government ::New Caledonia
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies
conventional short form: New Caledonia
local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Caledonie et Dependances
local short form: Nouvelle-Caledonie
Dependency status:
territorial collectivity of France since 1998
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Noumea
geographic coordinates: 22 16 S, 166 27 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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 Province des Iles, Province Nord, and Province Sud
Independence:
none (overseas territory of France); note - a referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new referendum is scheduled for 2014
National holiday:
Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
based on French civil law; the 1988 Matignon Accords grant substantial autonomy to the islands
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007); represented by High Commissioner Albert DUPUY (since 6 October 2010)
head of government: President of the Government Philippe GOMES (since 5 June 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet consisting of 11 members elected from and by the Territorial Congress (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the government elected by the members of the Territorial Congress for a five-year term (no term limits); note - last election held on 5 June 2009
Legislative branch:
elections: unicameral Territorial Congress or Congres du territoire (54 seats; members belong to the three Provincial Assemblies or Assemblees Provinciales elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 9 May 2009 (next to be held on 10 May 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 13, Caledonia Together 10, UC 8, UNI 8, AE 6, FLNKS 3, Labor Party 3, other 3
note: New Caledonia holds two seats in the French Senate; elections last held on 21 September 2008 (next to be held not later than September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2; New Caledonia also elects two seats to the French National Assembly; elections last held on 10 and 17 June 2007 (next to be held in June 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; County Courts; Joint Commerce Tribunal Court; Children's Court
Political parties and leaders:
Caledonia My Country; Caledonia Together [Philippe GOMES]; Caledonian Union or UC [Nicholas ABOUT]; Communist Republican and Left Party or CRC-SPG [Nichole BORVO COHEN-SEAT]; Democratic and European Social Rally or R.D.S.E. [Yvon COLLIN]; Front National or FN [Jean-Marie LE PEN]; Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS (includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM); National Union for Independence-Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front; Parti de Liberation Kanak or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE]; Renewed Caledonian Union; Socialist Group [Jean Pierre BEL]; Socialist Kanak Liberation or LKS [Nidoish NAISSELINE]; The Future Together or AE [Didier LEROUX]; The Rally or UMP [Gerard LONGUET]; Union Nationale pour l'Independance or UNI; Union of Pro-Independence Co-operation Committees [Francois BURCK]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ITUC, PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of France)
Flag description:
the flag of France is used
National anthem:
name: "Soyons unis, devenons freres" (Let Us Be United, Let Us Become Brothers)
lyrics/music: Chorale Melodia (a local choir)
note: adopted 2008; the anthem contains a mixture of lyrics in both French and Nengone (an indigenous language); as a self-governing territory of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
Economy ::New Caledonia
Economy - overview:
New Caledonia has about 25% of the world's known nickel resources. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than 15% of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. Substantial new investment in the nickel industry, combined with the recovery of global nickel prices, brightens the economic outlook for the next several years.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.158 billion (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.3 billion (2003 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$15,000 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 15%
industry: 8.8%
services: 76.2% (2003)
Labor force:
102,600 (2007) country comparison to the world: 182
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 20%
industry: 20%
services: 60% (2002)
Unemployment rate:
17.1% (2004) country comparison to the world: 158
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.4% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
vegetables; beef, deer, other livestock products; fish
Industries:
nickel mining and smelting
Electricity - production:
1.825 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Electricity - consumption:
1.697 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Oil - consumption:
13,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Oil - exports:
645 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 123
Oil - imports:
14,430 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Exports:
$1.341 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 143
Exports - commodities:
ferronickels, nickel ore, fish
Exports - partners:
France 27.52%, Japan 14.87%, Taiwan 10.51%, Spain 7.74%, China 7.31%, Australia 6.64%, Belgium 5.13%, South Korea 4.2% (2009)
Imports:
$1.998 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 151
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
France 39.89%, Singapore 14.12%, Australia 12.5%, NZ 5.42% (2009)
Debt - external:
$79 million (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Exchange rates:
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003)
Communications ::New Caledonia
Telephones - main lines in use:
65,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 154
Telephones - mobile cellular:
208,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 172
Telephone system:
general assessment: a submarine cable network connection between New Caledonia and Australia, completed in 2007, is expected to significantly increase network capacity and improve high-speed connectivity and access to international networks
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 687; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008)
Broadcast media:
the publicly-owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which operates in France's overseas departments and territories, broadcasts over the RFO Nouvelle Caledonie television and radio stations; a small number of privately-owned radio stations also broadcast (2008)
Internet country code:
.nc
Internet hosts:
22,456 (2010) country comparison to the world: 106
Internet users:
85,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 164
Transportation ::New Caledonia
Airports:
25 (2010) country comparison to the world: 131
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 12
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 10
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 8 (2010)
Heliports:
8 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 5,622 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 151
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 3 (France 3) (2010) country comparison to the world: 139
Ports and terminals:
Noumea
Military ::New Caledonia
Military branches:
no regular military forces; French military, police, and gendarmerie (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 59,612 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 49,173
females age 16-49: 49,619 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,138
female: 2,061 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues ::New Caledonia
Disputes - international:
Matthew and Hunter Islands east of New Caledonia claimed by France and Vanuatu
page last updated on January 11, 2011
======================================================================
@New Zealand (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::New Zealand
Background:
The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances.
Geography ::New Zealand
Location:
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
41 00 S, 174 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 267,710 sq km country comparison to the world: 75 land: 267,710 sq km
water: NA
note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands
Area - comparative:
about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
15,134 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Terrain:
predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 5.54%
permanent crops: 6.92%
other: 87.54% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,850 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
397 cu km (1995)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.11 cu km/yr (48%/9%/42%)
per capita: 524 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity
volcanism: New Zealand experiences significant volcanism on North Island; Ruapehu (elev. 2,797 m, 9,177 ft), which last erupted in 2007, has a history of large eruptions in the past century; Taranaki has the potential to produce dangerous avalanches and lahars; other historically active volcanoes include Okataina, Raoul Island, Tongariro, and White Island
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Antarctic Seals, Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
almost 90% of the population lives in cities; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world
People ::New Zealand
Population:
4,252,277 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.7% (male 447,174/female 424,522)
15-64 years: 66.5% (male 1,404,143/female 1,399,530)
65 years and over: 12.8% (male 244,986/female 293,063) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 36.8 years
male: 36 years
female: 37.6 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.901% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Birth rate:
13.81 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Death rate:
7.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Net migration rate:
2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Urbanization:
urban population: 87% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.048 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 187 male: 5.45 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.48 years country comparison to the world: 22 male: 78.52 years
female: 82.53 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.09 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,400 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Nationality:
noun: New Zealander(s)
adjective: New Zealand
Ethnic groups:
European 56.8%, Asian 8%, Maori 7.4%, Pacific islander 4.6%, mixed 9.7%, other 13.5% (2006 Census)
Religions:
Anglican 13.8%, Roman Catholic 12.6%, Presbyterian, Congregational, and Reformed 10%, Christian (no denomination specified) 4.6%, Methodist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Baptist 1.4%, other Christian 3.8%, Maori Christian 1.6%, Hindu 1.6%, Buddhist 1.3%, other religions 2.2%, none 32.2%, other or unidentified 9.9% (2006 Census)
Languages:
English 91.2% (official), Maori 3.9% (official), Samoan 2.1%, French 1.3%, Hindi 1.1%, Yue 1.1%, Northern Chinese 1%, other 12.9%, New Zealand Sign Language (official)
note: shares sum to 114.6% due to multiple responses on census (2006 Census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 19 years
male: 19 years
female: 20 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
6.2% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 35
Government ::New Zealand
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: New Zealand
abbreviation: NZ
Government type:
parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Wellington
geographic coordinates: 41 28 S, 174 51 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April
note: New Zealand is divided into two time zones - New Zealand standard time (12 hours in advance of UTC), and Chatham Islands time (45 minutes in advance of New Zealand standard time)
Administrative divisions:
16 regions and 1 territory*; Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Chatham Islands*, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wellington, West Coast
Dependent areas:
Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
Independence:
26 September 1907 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840); ANZAC Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915)
Constitution:
consists of a series of legal documents, including certain acts of the UK and New Zealand parliaments, as well as The Constitution Act 1986, which is the principal formal charter; adopted 1 January 1987, effective 1 January 1987
Legal system:
based on English law, with special land legislation and land courts for the Maori; 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 Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister John KEY (since 19 November 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Bill ENGLISH (since 19 November 2008)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (usually 120 seats; 70 members elected by popular vote in single-member constituencies including 7 Maori constituencies, 50 proportional seats chosen from party lists; serve three-year terms)
elections: last held on 8 November 2008 (next to be held not later than 27 November 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - National Party 44.9%, Labor Party 34%, Green Party 6.7%, NZ First 4%, ACT Party 3.7%, Maori 2.4%, Progressive 0.9%, United Front 0.9%, other 6.6%; seats by party - National Party 58, Labor Party 43, Green Party 9, ACT Party 5, Maori 5, Progressive 1, United Front 1
note: results of 2008 election saw the total number of seats increase to 122
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; High Court; note - judges appointed by the governor general
Political parties and leaders:
ACT New Zealand [Rodney HIDE]; Green Party [Russel NORMAN and Metiria TUREI]; Maori Party [Tariana TURIA and Dr. Pita SHARPLES]; New Zealand National Party [John KEY]; New Zealand First Party or NZ First [Winston PETERS]; New Zealand Labor Party [Phil GOFF]; Jim Anderton's Progressive Party [James (Jim) ANDERTON]; United Future New Zealand [Peter DUNNE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Women's Electoral Lobby or WEL
other: apartheid groups; civil rights groups; farmers groups; Maori; nuclear weapons groups; women's rights groups
International organization participation:
ADB, ANZUS (US suspended security obligations to NZ on 11 August 1986), APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Michael K. MOORE
chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800
FAX: [1] (202) 667-5227
consulate(s) general: New York, Santa Monica
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador David HUEBNER
embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington
mailing address: P. O. Box 1190, Wellington; PSC 467, Box 1, APO AP 96531-1034
telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000
FAX: [64] (4) 499-0490
consulate(s) general: Auckland
Flag description:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation
National anthem:
name: "God Defend New Zealand"
lyrics/music: Thomas BRACKEN [English], Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS
note: adopted 1940 as national song, adopted 1977 as co-national anthem; New Zealand has two national anthems with equal status; as a commonwealth realm, in addition to "God Defend New Zealand," "God Save the Queen" serves as a national anthem (see United Kingdom); "God Save the Queen" normally is played only when a member of the royal family or the governor-general is present; in all other cases, "God Defend New Zealand" is played
Government - note:
while not an official symbol, the Kiwi, a small native flightless bird, represents New Zealand
Economy ::New Zealand
Economy - overview:
Over the past 20 years the government has transformed New Zealand from an agrarian economy dependent on concessionary British market access to a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes - but left behind some at the bottom of the ladder - and broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector. Per capita income rose for ten consecutive years until 2007 in purchasing power parity terms, but fell in 2008-09. Debt-driven consumer spending drove robust growth in the first half of the decade, helping fuel a large balance of payments deficit that posed a challenge for economic managers. Inflationary pressures caused the central bank to raise its key rate steadily from January 2004 until it was among the highest in the OECD in 2007-08; international capital inflows attracted to the high rates further strengthened the currency and housing market, however, aggravating the current account deficit. The economy fell into recession before the start of the global financial crisis and contracted for five consecutive quarters in 2008-09. In line with global peers, the central bank cut interest rates aggressively and the government developed fiscal stimulus measures. The economy posted a 1.7% decline in 2009, but pulled out of recession late in the year, and achieved 2.1% growth in 2010. Nevertheless, key trade sectors remain vulnerable to weak external demand. The government plans to raise productivity growth and develop infrastructure, while reining in government spending.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$119.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $116.8 billion (2009 est.)
$118.8 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$138 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 -1.7% (2009 est.)
-0.2% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$28,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $27,700 (2009 est.)
$28,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 4.6%
industry: 24%
services: 71.4% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.32 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 7%
industry: 19%
services: 74% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 6.2% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: %NA
highest 10%: %NA
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
36.2 (1997) country comparison to the world: 83
Investment (gross fixed):
19.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Public debt:
25.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 22.2% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 2.1% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
2.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 90 5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.39% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 12.21% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$24.15 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 61 $21.81 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$118.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $108.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$206.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38 $180.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$67.06 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 57 $24.17 billion (31 December 2008)
$47.45 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
dairy products, lamb and mutton; wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, beef; fish
Industries:
food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Electricity - production:
42.4 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - consumption:
39.24 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
61,150 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Oil - consumption:
154,100 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Oil - exports:
54,560 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Oil - imports:
143,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
Oil - proved reserves:
60 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - production:
4.305 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Natural gas - consumption:
4.32 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - imports:
NA (2008 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
33.98 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Current account balance:
-$4.504 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 -$3.693 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$33.24 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 $25.35 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
dairy products, meat, wood and wood products, fish, machinery
Exports - partners:
Australia 23.36%, US 9.64%, China 9.21%, Japan 7.1%, UK 4.21% (2009)
Imports:
$30.24 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 $23.95 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, electronics, textiles, plastics
Imports - partners:
Australia 18.4%, China 15.09%, US 10.45%, Japan 7.24%, Germany 4.16%, Singapore 4.12% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$17.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $15.59 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$64.33 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $62.47 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$67.18 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $66.63 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA (31 December 2009)
$59.08 billion (31 December 2008)
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4015 (2010), 1.6002 (2009), 1.4151 (2008), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006)
Communications ::New Zealand
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.87 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 58
Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.7 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 99
Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent domestic and international systems
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 150 per 100 persons
international: country code - 64; the Southern Cross submarine cable system provides links to Australia, Fiji, and the US; satellite earth stations - 8 (1 Inmarsat - Pacific Ocean, 7 other)
Broadcast media:
state-owned Television New Zealand operates multiple television networks while state-owned Radio New Zealand operates 3 radio networks and an external shortwave radio service to the South Pacific region; a small number of national commercial television and radio stations and a large number of regional commercial television and radio stations are available; cable and satellite TV systems are accessible (2008)
Internet country code:
.nz
Internet hosts:
2.47 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 33
Internet users:
3.4 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 62
Transportation ::New Zealand
Airports:
122 (2010) country comparison to the world: 50
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 40
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 24
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 82
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 32
under 914 m: 47 (2010)
Pipelines:
condensate 331 km; gas 1,838 km; liquid petroleum gas 172 km; oil 288 km; refined products 198 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 4,128 km country comparison to the world: 39 narrow gauge: 4,128 km 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 93,911 km country comparison to the world: 50 paved: 61,879 km (includes 172 km of expressways)
unpaved: 32,032 km (2009)
Merchant marine:
total: 14 country comparison to the world: 103 by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 2
foreign-owned: 7 (Australia 1, Germany 2, Hong Kong 1, South Africa 1, Switzerland 2)
registered in other countries: 6 (Antigua and Barbuda 2, Cook Islands 1, France 1, Samoa 1, UK 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Auckland, Lyttelton, Manukau Harbor, Marsden Point, Tauranga, Wellington
Military ::New Zealand
Military branches:
New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (Te Hokowhitu o Kahurangi, RNZAF) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed until the age of 18; no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,017,575
females age 16-49: 1,003,087 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 840,977
females age 16-49: 828,081 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 30,956
female: 29,236 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Transnational Issues ::New Zealand
Disputes - international:
asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)
Illicit drugs:
significant consumer of amphetamines
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Nicaragua (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Nicaragua
Background:
The Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador caused the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. Free elections in 1990, 1996, and 2001, saw the Sandinistas defeated, but voting in 2006 announced the return of former Sandinista President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra. The 2008 municipal elections were characterized by widespread irregularities. Nicaragua's infrastructure and economy - hard hit by the earlier civil war and by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 - are slowly being rebuilt, but democratic institutions face new challenges under the ORTEGA administration.
Geography ::Nicaragua
Location:
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras
Geographic coordinates:
13 00 N, 85 00 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 130,370 sq km country comparison to the world: 97 land: 119,990 sq km
water: 10,380 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New York state
Land boundaries:
total: 1,231 km
border countries: Costa Rica 309 km, Honduras 922 km
Coastline:
910 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: natural prolongation
Climate:
tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Terrain:
extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mogoton 2,438 m
Natural resources:
gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish
Land use:
arable land: 14.81%
permanent crops: 1.82%
other: 83.37% (2005)
Irrigated land:
610 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
196.7 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.3 cu km/yr (15%/2%/83%)
per capita: 237 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
destructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes
volcanism: Nicaragua experiences significant volcanic activity; Cerro Negro (elev. 728 m, 2,388 ft), which last erupted in 1999, is one of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes; its lava flows and ash have been known to cause significant damage to farmland and buildings; other historically active volcanoes include Concepcion, Cosiguina, Las Pilas, Masaya, Momotombo, San Cristobal, and Telica
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua
People ::Nicaragua
Population:
5,995,928 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Age structure:
0-14 years: 33.8% (male 1,013,866/female 976,430)
15-64 years: 62.9% (male 1,847,756/female 1,857,264)
65 years and over: 3.3% (male 85,782/female 110,101) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.5 years
male: 22.1 years
female: 22.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.74% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Birth rate:
22.77 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Death rate:
4.28 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Net migration rate:
-1.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Urbanization:
urban population: 57% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 24.16 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 87 male: 27.14 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.78 years country comparison to the world: 128 male: 69.61 years
female: 74.05 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.51 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
7,700 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Nicaraguan(s)
adjective: Nicaraguan
Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 58.5%, Evangelical 21.6%, Moravian 1.6%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, other 1.7%, none 15.7% (2005 census)
Languages:
Spanish 97.5% (official), Miskito 1.7%, other 0.8% (1995 census)
note: English and indigenous languages on Atlantic coast
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 67.5%
male: 67.2%
female: 67.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2003)
Education expenditures:
3.1% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 146
Government ::Nicaragua
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua
conventional short form: Nicaragua
local long form: Republica de Nicaragua
local short form: Nicaragua
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Managua
geographic coordinates: 12 09 N, 86 17 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonoma); Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*, Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
9 January 1987; revised in 1995, 2000, and 2005
Legal system:
civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
16 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Jaime MORALES Carazo (since 10 January 2007); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Jaime MORALES Carazo (since 10 January 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term so long as it is not consecutive); election last held on 5 November 2006 (next to be held by November 2011)
election results: Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra elected president - 38.1%, Eduardo MONTEALEGRE 29%, Jose RIZO 26.2%, Edmundo JARQUIN 6.4%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92 seats; 90 members elected by proportional representation and party lists to serve five-year terms; 1 seat for the previous president, 1 seat for the runner-up in previous presidential election)
elections: last held on 5 November 2006 (next to be held by November 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FSLN 38, PLC 25, ALN 23 (22 plus one for presidential candidate Eduardo MONTEALEGRE, runner-up in the 2006 presidential election), MRS 5, APRE 1 (outgoing President Enrique BOLANOS); note - as of 1 May 2009: seats by party - FSLN 38, PLC 20, BDN 17, ALN 6, MRS 3, APRE 1, Independent 7
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (16 judges elected for five-year terms by the National Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for the Republic or APRE; Conservative Party or PC [Alejandro BOLANOS Davis]; Independent Liberal Party or PLI [Indalecio RODRIGUEZ]; Liberal Constitutionalist Party or PLC [Jorge CASTILLO Quant]; Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance or ALN [Alejandro MEJIA Ferreti]; Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN [Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra]; Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [Enrique SAENZ Navarrete]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
National Workers Front or FNT (a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions including: Farm Workers Association or ATC, Health Workers Federation or FETASALUD, Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations or CONAPRO, National Association of Educators of Nicaragua or ANDEN, National Union of Employees or UNE, National Union of Farmers and Ranchers or UNAG, Sandinista Workers Central or CST, and Union of Journalists of Nicaragua or UPN); Permanent Congress of Workers or CPT (an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions including: Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers Central or CTN-A, Confederation of Labor Unification or CUS, Independent General Confederation of Labor or CGT-I, and Labor Action and Unity Central or CAUS); Nicaraguan Workers' Central or CTN (an independent labor union); Superior Council of Private Enterprise or COSEP (a confederation of business groups)
International organization participation:
BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, PetroCaribe, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco Obadiah CAMPBELL Hooker
chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570, 6573
FAX: [1] (202) 939-6545
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert J. CALLAHAN
embassy: Kilometer 5.5 Carretera Sur, Managua
mailing address: American Embassy Managua, APO AA 34021
telephone: [505] 252-7100, 252-7888; 252-7634 (after hours)
FAX: [505] 252-7304
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water
note: 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
National anthem:
name: "Salve a ti, Nicaragua" (Hail to Thee, Nicaragua)
lyrics/music: Salomon Ibarra MAYORGA/traditional, arranged by Luis Abraham DELGADILLO
note: although only officially adopted in 1971, the music was approved in 1918 and the lyrics in 1939; the tune, originally from Spain, was used as an anthem for Nicaragua from the 1830"s until 1876
Economy ::Nicaragua
Economy - overview:
Nicaragua, the poorest country in Central America and the second poorest in the Hemisphere, has widespread underemployment and poverty. The US-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) has been in effect since April 2006 and has expanded export opportunities for many agricultural and manufactured goods. Textiles and apparel account for nearly 60% of Nicaragua's exports, but increases in the minimum wage during the ORTEGA administration will likely erode its comparative advantage in this industry. ORTEGA's promotion of mixed business initiatives, owned by the Nicaraguan and Venezuelan state oil firms, together with the weak rule of law, could undermine the investment climate for domestic and international private firms in the near-term. Nicaragua relies on international economic assistance to meet internal- and external-debt financing obligations. Foreign donors have curtailed this funding, however, in response to November 2008 electoral fraud. Managua has an IMF extended Credit Facility program, which could help keep the government's fiscial deficit on target during the 2011 election year and encourage transparency in the use of Venezuelan off-budget loans and assistance. In early 2004, Nicaragua secured some $4.5 billion in foreign debt reduction under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, however, Managua still struggles with a high public debt burden. Nicaragua is gradually recovering from the global economic crisis as increased exports drove positive growth in 2010. The economy is expected to grow at a rate of about 3% in 2011.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$17.34 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $16.87 billion (2009 est.)
$17.12 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$6.375 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 -1.5% (2009 est.)
2.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $2,900 (2009 est.)
$3,000 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 17.6%
industry: 26.5%
services: 56% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.343 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 28%
industry: 19%
services: 53% (2010 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 8.2% (2009 est.)
note: underemployment was 46.5% in 2008
Population below poverty line:
48% (2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.4%
highest 10%: 41.8% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
43.1 (2001) country comparison to the world: 48 60.3 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
22.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Public debt:
78% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 63% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 3.7% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2009)
NA% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
14.04% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 13.17% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.273 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 131 $989.5 million (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$2.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 $2.586 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$4.083 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $4.161 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, tobacco, sesame, soya, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products; shrimp, lobsters
Industries:
food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, knit and woven apparel, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood
Industrial production growth rate:
1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Electricity - production:
3.286 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 122
Electricity - consumption:
2.569 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
63.95 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Oil - consumption:
29,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Oil - exports:
213 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Oil - imports:
29,570 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
Current account balance:
-$819 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 -$841.1 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$3.182 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $2.593 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
coffee, beef, shrimp and lobster, tobacco, sugar, gold, peanuts; textiles and apparel
Exports - partners:
US 61.98%, El Salvador 7.74%, Costa Rica 3.67% (2009)
Imports:
$4.7 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $3.481 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
consumer goods, machinery and equipment, raw materials, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
US 22.63%, Venezuela 12.27%, Mexico 9.05%, Costa Rica 8.66%, China 7.16%, Guatemala 6.59%, El Salvador 5.63% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.58 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 $1.573 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $3.633 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
cordobas (NIO) per US dollar - 21.35 (2010), 20.34 (2009), 19.374 (2008), 18.457 (2007), 17.582 (2006)
Communications ::Nicaragua
Telephones - main lines in use:
255,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 121
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.204 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 112
Telephone system:
general assessment: system being upgraded by foreign investment; nearly all installed telecommunications capacity now uses digital technology, owing to investments since privatization of the formerly state-owned telecommunications company
domestic: since privatization, access to fixed-line and mobile-cellular services has improved but teledensity still lags behind other Central American countries; fixed-line teledensity roughly 5 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership is increasing and reached 55 per 100 persons in 2009; connected to Central American Microwave System
international: country code - 505; the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber optic submarine cable provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media:
multiple privately-owned terrestrial television networks, supplemented by cable TV in most urban areas; of more than 100 radio broadcast stations, nearly all are privately owned; Radio Nicaragua is government-owned and Radio Sandino is controlled by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) (2007)
Internet country code:
.ni
Internet hosts:
157,162 (2010) country comparison to the world: 70
Internet users:
199,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 141
Transportation ::Nicaragua
Airports:
143 (2010) country comparison to the world: 40
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 11
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 3 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 132
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 16
under 914 m: 115 (2010)
Pipelines:
oil 54 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 19,137 km country comparison to the world: 112 paved: 2,033 km
unpaved: 17,104 km (2009)
Waterways:
2,220 km (navigable waterways as well as the use of the large Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua; rivers serve only the sparsely populated eastern part of the country) (2010) country comparison to the world: 41
Ports and terminals:
Bluefields, Corinto
Military ::Nicaragua
Military branches:
National Army of Nicaragua (Ejercito Nacional de Nicaragua, ENN; includes Navy, Air Force) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age for voluntary military service; tour of duty 18-36 months (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,605,398
females age 16-49: 1,594,270 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,318,762
females age 16-49: 1,374,652 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 71,171
female: 68,948 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.6% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 158
Transnational Issues ::Nicaragua
Disputes - international:
memorials and countermemorials were filed by the parties in Nicaragua's 1999 and 2001 proceedings against Honduras and Colombia at the ICJ over the maritime boundary and territorial claims in the western Caribbean Sea, final public hearings are scheduled for 2007; the 1992 ICJ ruling for El Salvador and Honduras advised a tripartite resolution to establish a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca, which considers Honduran access to the Pacific; legal dispute over navigational rights of San Juan River on border with Costa Rica
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Niger (Africa)
Introduction ::Niger
Background:
Niger became independent from France in 1960 and experienced single-party and military rule until 1991, when Gen. Ali SAIBOU was forced by public pressure to allow multiparty elections, which resulted in a democratic government in 1993. Political infighting brought the government to a standstill and in 1996 led to a coup by Col. Ibrahim BARE. In 1999, BARE was killed in a counter coup by military officers who restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and in 2009 spearheaded a constitutional amendment that would allow him to extend his term as president. In February 2010, a military coup deposed TANDJA, immediately suspended the constitution and dissolved the Cabinet, and promised that elections would be held following a transitional period of unspecified duration. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. A predominately Tuareg ethnic group emerged in February 2007, the Nigerien Movement for Justice (MNJ), and attacked several military targets in Niger's northern region throughout 2007 and 2008. Successful government offensives in 2009 limited the rebels' operational capabilities.
Geography ::Niger
Location:
Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Geographic coordinates:
16 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 1.267 million sq km country comparison to the world: 22 land: 1,266,700 sq km
water: 300 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
total: 5,697 km
border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
Terrain:
predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Niger River 200 m
highest point: Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m
Natural resources:
uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 11.43%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 88.56% (2005)
Irrigated land:
730 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
33.7 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.18 cu km/yr (4%/0%/95%)
per capita: 156 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
recurring droughts
Environment - current issues:
overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture
People ::Niger
Population:
15,878,271 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Age structure:
0-14 years: 49.6% (male 3,840,379/female 3,758,674)
15-64 years: 48% (male 3,658,361/female 3,690,373)
65 years and over: 2.3% (male 159,984/female 198,481) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 15.2 years
male: 15 years
female: 15.4 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.66% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
Birth rate:
51.08 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
Death rate:
14.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 16
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113
Urbanization:
urban population: 16% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 114.5 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 3 male: 119.52 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 109.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.99 years country comparison to the world: 204 male: 51.75 years
female: 54.26 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
7.68 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
60,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Nigerien(s)
adjective: Nigerien
Ethnic groups:
Haoussa 55.4%, Djerma Sonrai 21%, Tuareg 9.3%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7%, other 1.2% (2001 census)
Religions:
Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%
Languages:
French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 28.7%
male: 42.9%
female: 15.1% (2005 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 5 years
male: 5 years
female: 4 years (2009)
Education expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 124
Government ::Niger
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Niger
conventional short form: Niger
local long form: Republique du Niger
local short form: Niger
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Niamey
geographic coordinates: 13 31 N, 2 07 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital district* (communite urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder
Independence:
3 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 18 December (1958); note - commemorates the founding of the Republic of Niger which predated independence from France in 1960
Constitution:
adopted 18 July 1999
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: Djibo SALOU, chairman of the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy, and a leader of the military coup that deposed President Mamadou TANDJA on 18 February 2010
head of government: Prime Minister Mahamadou DANDA (since 19 February 2010); appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president
cabinet: 26-member Cabinet appointed by the president (Cabinet dissolved following the 18 February 2010 coup) (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); second round of election last held on 4 December 2004; a presidential election to restore civilian rule is scheduled for 31 January 2011
election results: Mamadou TANDJA reelected president; percent of vote - Mamadou TANDJA 65.5%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 34.5%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (113 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 20 October 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MNSD 76, RSD 15, RDP 7, PNA-Alouma 1, Alkalami 1, Nigerien Party of the Masses for Labor 1, independents 12
Judicial branch:
State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel
Political parties and leaders:
Alkalama; Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE]; National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Hama AMADOU]; Niger Social Democratic Party or PSDN; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya [Moumouni DJERMAKOYE]; Nigerien Party for Autonomy or PNA-Alouma [Sanousi JACKOU]; Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya [Issifou MAHAMADOU]; Nigerien Party of the Masses for Labor; Nigerien Progressive Party or PPN-RDA; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP-jama'a [Hamid ALGABID]; Social and Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya [Cheiffou AMADOU]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
The Nigerien Movement for Justice or MNJ, a predominantly Tuareg rebel group
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS (suspended), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Aminata Djibrilla Maiga TOURE
chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227
FAX: [1] (202)483-3169
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bisa WILLIAMS
embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey
mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey
telephone: [227] 20-72-26-61 thru 64
FAX: [227] 20-73-31-67
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk centered in the white band; the orange band denotes the drier northern regions of the Sahara; white stands for purity and innocence; green symbolizes hope and the fertile and productive southern and western areas, as well as the Niger River; the orange disc represents the sun and the sacrifices made by the people
note: similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band
National anthem:
name: "La Nigerienne" (The Nigerian)
lyrics/music: Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET
note: adopted 1961
Economy ::Niger
Economy - overview:
Niger is a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Drought, desertification, and strong population growth have undercut the economy. Niger shares a common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven other members of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC initiative significantly reduces Niger's annual debt service obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care, primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, and other programs geared at poverty reduction. In December 2005, Niger received 100% multilateral debt relief from the IMF, which translates into the forgiveness of approximately US $86 million in debts to the IMF, excluding the remaining assistance under HIPC. In 2010, the Niger economy was recovering from the effects of a 2009 drought that reduced grain and cowpea production and decimated livestock herds. The economy was also hurt when the international community cut off non-humanitarian aid in response to TANDJA's moves to extend his term as president. Nearly half of the government's budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$10.58 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 $10.22 billion (2009 est.)
$10.35 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.603 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 -1.2% (2009 est.)
9.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$700 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 224 $700 (2009 est.)
$700 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 39%
industry: 17%
services: 44% (2001)
Labor force:
4.688 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 77
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 90%
industry: 6%
services: 4% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
63% (1993 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 35.7% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.5 (1995) country comparison to the world: 21
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
Central bank discount rate:
4.25% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 96 4.75% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$782.6 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 145 $617.9 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$1.038 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 $844.6 million (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$683.6 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 158 $313.5 million (31 December 2008)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry
Industries:
uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses
Industrial production growth rate:
5.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Electricity - production:
150 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Electricity - consumption:
589.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
450 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Oil - consumption:
6,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Oil - imports:
5,367 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Current account balance:
-$321 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Exports:
$428 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 170
Exports - commodities:
uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions
Exports - partners:
France 52.63%, Nigeria 22.43%, US 18.24% (2009)
Imports:
$800 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 177
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals
Imports - partners:
China 16.32%, France 15.95%, Netherlands 7.66%, Algeria 7.15%, French Polynesia 6.11%, Nigeria 5.48%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.15%, US 4.05% (2009)
Debt - external:
$2.1 billion (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 506.04 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 493.51 (2007), 522.59 (2006)
note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par
Communications ::Niger
Telephones - main lines in use:
65,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 155
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.599 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 121
Telephone system:
general assessment: inadequate; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the southwestern area of Niger
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains less than 20 per 100 persons despite a rapidly increasing cellular subscribership base; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned
international: country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media:
state-run TV station; 3 private TV stations provide a mix of local and foreign programming; only national radio station with national reach is state-run; about 30 private radio stations operate locally; as many as 100 community radio stations broadcast; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.ne
Internet hosts:
172 (2010) country comparison to the world: 198
Internet users:
115,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 155
Transportation ::Niger
Airports:
27 (2010) country comparison to the world: 123
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 17
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 18,949 km country comparison to the world: 113 paved: 3,912 km
unpaved: 15,037 km (2008)
Waterways:
300 km; (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March) (2008) country comparison to the world: 94
Military ::Niger
Military branches:
Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force (Force Aerienne du Niger) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
17-21 years of age for selective compulsory or voluntary military service; enlistees must be Nigerien citizens and unmarried; 2-year service term; women may serve in health care (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 3,202,237
females age 16-49: 3,151,521 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,104,378
females age 16-49: 2,129,985 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 177,985
female: 172,180 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 117
Transnational Issues ::Niger
Disputes - international:
Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute in the Tommo region; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty that also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Niger is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation; caste-based slavery practices, rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships, continue in isolated areas of the country - an estimated 8,800 to 43,000 Nigeriens live under conditions of traditional slavery; children are trafficked within Niger for forced begging, forced labor in gold mines, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and possibly for forced labor in agriculture and stone quarries; women and children from neighboring states are trafficked to and through Niger for domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, forced labor in mines and on farms, and as mechanics and welders
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Niger does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making any significant efforts to do so; the government demonstrated marginal efforts to combat human trafficking, including traditional slavery, during the last year (2009)
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Nigeria (Africa)
Introduction ::Nigeria
Background:
British influence and control over what would become Nigeria and Africa's most populous country grew through the 19th century. A series of constitutions after World War II granted Nigeria greater autonomy; independence came in 1960. Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The government continues to face the daunting task of reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, Nigeria continues to experience longstanding ethnic and religious tensions. Although both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence. The general elections of April 2007 marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country's history. In January 2010, Nigeria assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2010-11 term.
Geography ::Nigeria
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
Geographic coordinates:
10 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 923,768 sq km country comparison to the world: 32 land: 910,768 sq km
water: 13,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 4,047 km
border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger 1,497 km
Coastline:
853 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
Terrain:
southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m
Natural resources:
natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium, lead, zinc, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 33.02%
permanent crops: 3.14%
other: 63.84% (2005)
Irrigated land:
2,820 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
286.2 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 8.01 cu km/yr (21%/10%/69%)
per capita: 61 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts; flooding
Environment - current issues:
soil degradation; rapid deforestation; urban air and water pollution; desertification; oil pollution - water, air, and soil; has suffered serious damage from oil spills; loss of arable land; rapid urbanization
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea
People ::Nigeria
Population:
152,217,341 country comparison to the world: 8 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 41.5% (male 31,624,050/female 30,242,637)
15-64 years: 55.5% (male 42,240,641/female 40,566,672)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 2,211,840/female 2,343,250) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 19.1 years
male: 19 years
female: 19.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.966% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Birth rate:
36.07 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Death rate:
16.31 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Net migration rate:
-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Urbanization:
urban population: 48% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 92.99 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 10 male: 98.94 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 86.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.24 years country comparison to the world: 220 male: 46.46 years
female: 48.08 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.82 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
3.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2.6 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 3
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
170,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 3
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: one of the most highly endemic areas for Lassa fever
water contact disease: leptospirosis and shistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Nigerian(s)
adjective: Nigerian
Ethnic groups:
Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%
Religions:
Muslim 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%
Languages:
English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 68%
male: 75.7%
female: 60.6% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 9 years
male: 10 years
female: 8 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
0.9% of GDP (1991) country comparison to the world: 183
Government ::Nigeria
Country name:
conventional long form: Federal Republic of Nigeria
conventional short form: Nigeria
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Abuja
geographic coordinates: 9 05 N, 7 32 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Federal Capital Territory*, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara
Independence:
1 October 1960 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960)
Constitution:
adopted 5 May 1999; effective 29 May 1999
Legal system:
based on English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Goodluck JONATHAN (since 5 May 2010, acting since 9 February 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; JONATHAN assumed the presidency on 5 May 2010 following the death of President YAR'ADUA, he was declared Acting President on 9 February 2010 by the National Assembly during the extended illness of the former president
head of government: President Goodluck JONATHAN (since 5 May 2010, acting since 9 February 2010)
cabinet: Federal Executive Council (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 April 2007 (next to be held on 22 January 2011)
election results: Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA elected president; percent of vote - Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA 69.8%, Muhammadu BUHARI 18.7%, Atiku ABUBAKAR 7.5%, Orji Uzor KALU 1.7%, other 2.3%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (109 seats, 3 from each state plus 1 from Abuja; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and House of Representatives (360 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 21 April 2007 (next to be held in April 2011); House of Representatives - last held on 21 April 2007 (next to be held on 15 January 2011)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDP 85, ANPP 16, AC 6, PPA 1, ACCORD 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP 65.1%, ANPP 21.6%, AC 8.8%, PPA 0.8%, LP 0.8%; seats by party - PDP 263, ANPP 63, AC 30, PPA 3, LP 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges recommended by the National Judicial Council and appointed by the president); Federal Court of Appeal (judges are appointed by the federal government from a pool of judges recommended by the National Judicial Council)
Political parties and leaders:
Accord Party [Augustine MAZIE, acting]; Action Congress or AC [Bisi AKANDE]; All Nigeria Peoples Party or ANPP [Edwin UME-EZEOKE]; All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [Victor C. UMEH]; Alliance for Democracy or AD [Mojisoluwa AKINFENWA]; Conference of Nigerian Political Parities or CNPP [Abdulkadir Balarabe MUSA]; Democratic Peoples Party or DPP [Jeremiah USENI]; Fresh Democratic Party [Chris OKOTIE]; Labor Party [Dan NWANYANWU]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Aliyu Habu FARI]; Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Vincent OGBULAFOR]; Peoples Progressive Alliance [Larry ESIN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Academic Staff Union for Universities or ASUU; Campaign for Democracy or CD; Civil Liberties Organization or CLO; Committee for the Defense of Human Rights or CDHR; Constitutional Right Project or CRP; Human Right Africa; National Association of Democratic Lawyers or NADL; National Association of Nigerian Students or NANS; Nigerian Bar Association or NBA; Nigerian Labor Congress or NLC; Nigerian Medical Association or NMA; the press; Universal Defenders of Democracy or UDD
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, D-8, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Adebowale Ibidapo ADEFUYE
chancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 986-8400
FAX: [1] (202) 775-1385
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robin R. SANDERS
embassy: 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja
mailing address: P. O. Box 5760, Garki, Abuja
telephone: [234] (9) 461-4000
FAX: [234] (9) 461-4036
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green; the color green represents the forests and abundant natural wealth of the country, white stands for peace and unity
National anthem:
name: "Arise Oh Compatriots, Nigeria's Call Obey"
lyrics/music: John A. ILECHUKWU, Eme Etim AKPAN, B. A. OGUNNAIKE, Sotu OMOIGUI and P. O. ADERIBIGBE/Benedict Elide ODIASE
note: adopted 1978; the lyrics are a mixture of five of the top entries in a national contest
Economy ::Nigeria
Economy - overview:
Oil-rich Nigeria has been hobbled by political instability, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and poor macroeconomic management but in 2008 began pursuing economic reforms. Nigeria's former military rulers failed to diversify the economy away from its overdependence on the capital-intensive oil sector, which provides 95% of foreign exchange earnings and about 80% of budgetary revenues. Following the signing of an IMF stand-by agreement in August 2000, Nigeria received a debt-restructuring deal from the Paris Club and a $1 billion credit from the IMF, both contingent on economic reforms. Nigeria pulled out of its IMF program in April 2002, after failing to meet spending and exchange rate targets, making it ineligible for additional debt forgiveness from the Paris Club. In November 2005, Abuja won Paris Club approval for a debt-relief deal that eliminated $18 billion of debt in exchange for $12 billion in payments - a total package worth $30 billion of Nigeria's total $37 billion external debt. Since 2008 the government has begun to show the political will to implement the market-oriented reforms urged by the IMF, such as modernizing the banking system, curbing inflation by blocking excessive wage demands, and resolving regional disputes over the distribution of earnings from the oil industry. GDP rose strongly in 2007-10 because of increased oil exports and high global crude prices in 2010. President JONATHAN has pledged to continue the economic reforms of his predecessor with emphasis on infrastructure improvements. Infrastructure is the main impediment to growth and in August 2010 JONATHAN unveiled a power sector blueprint that includes privatization of the state-run electricity generation and distribution facilities. The government also is working toward developing stronger public-private partnerships for roads. Nigeria's financial sector was hurt by the global financial and economic crises and the Central Bank governor has taken measures to strengthen that sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$369.8 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $346.2 billion (2009 est.)
$327.9 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$206.7 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 5.6% (2009 est.)
6% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 $2,300 (2009 est.)
$2,200 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 31.9%
industry: 32.9%
services: 35.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
48.33 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 70%
industry: 10%
services: 20% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Population below poverty line:
70% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 32.4% (2004)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
43.7 (2003) country comparison to the world: 46 50.6 (1997)
Investment (gross fixed):
11.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Public debt:
13.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 11.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
13.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 11.5% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 49 9.75% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
18.36% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 15.48% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$40.41 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 47 $33.61 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$91.97 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $72.31 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$77.43 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $62.18 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$33.32 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 49 $49.8 billion (31 December 2008)
$86.35 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
cocoa, peanuts, cotton, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish
Industries:
crude oil, coal, tin, columbite; rubber products, wood; hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel
Industrial production growth rate:
4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Electricity - production:
21.92 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Electricity - consumption:
19.21 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
2.211 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
Oil - consumption:
280,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Oil - exports:
2.327 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Oil - imports:
170,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Oil - proved reserves:
37.5 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
Natural gas - production:
32.82 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Natural gas - consumption:
12.28 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Natural gas - exports:
20.55 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Natural gas - proved reserves:
5.246 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8
Current account balance:
$27.77 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $22.89 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$76.33 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $59.32 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber
Exports - partners:
US 35.08%, India 10.43%, Brazil 9.32%, Spain 7.19%, France 4.65% (2009)
Imports:
$34.18 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $29.05 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals
Imports - partners:
China 14.89%, US 8.88%, Netherlands 8.18%, South Korea 5.46%, UK 4.63%, France 4.19% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$43.36 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $44.76 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$11.02 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $10.11 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$67.23 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $61.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$6.071 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $5.821 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
nairas (NGN) per US dollar - 150.88 (2010), 148.84 (2009), 117.8 (2008), 127.46 (2007), 127.38 (2006)
Communications ::Nigeria
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.419 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 66
Telephones - mobile cellular:
73.099 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 16
Telephone system:
general assessment: further expansion and modernization of the fixed-line telephone network is needed; network quality remains a problem
domestic: the addition of a second fixed-line provider in 2002 resulted in faster growth but subscribership remains only about 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services growing rapidly, in part responding to the shortcomings of the fixed-line network; multiple cellular providers operate nationally with subscribership reaching 50 per 100 persons in 2009
international: country code - 234; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media:
nearly 70 federal-government-controlled national and regional TV stations; all 36 states operate TV stations; several private TV stations operational; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; network of federal-government-controlled national, regional, and state radio stations; roughly 40 state-government-owned radio stations typically carry their own programs except for news broadcasts; about 20 private radio stations also operate; transmissions of international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.ng
Internet hosts:
1,378 (2010) country comparison to the world: 163
Internet users:
43.989 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 9
Transportation ::Nigeria
Airports:
54 (2010) country comparison to the world: 86
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 38
over 3,047 m: 9
2,438 to 3,047 m: 11
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 3 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 2 (2010)
Heliports:
4 (2010)
Pipelines:
condensate 26 km; gas 2,565 km; liquid petroleum gas 97 km; oil 3,424 km; refined products 4,090 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 3,505 km country comparison to the world: 49 narrow gauge: 3,505 km 1.067-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 193,200 km country comparison to the world: 26 paved: 28,980 km
unpaved: 164,220 km (2004)
Waterways:
8,600 km (Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks) (2009) country comparison to the world: 15
Merchant marine:
total: 98 country comparison to the world: 51 by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 30, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 60, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 4 (India 1, Spain 1, UK 2)
registered in other countries: 37 (Bahamas 2, Belize 2, Bermuda 11, Comoros 1, Italy 1, Liberia 4, Malaysia 1, Malta 1, North Korea 1, Panama 7, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Seychelles 1, unknown 4) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Bonny Inshore Terminal, Calabar, Lagos
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen
Military ::Nigeria
Military branches:
Nigerian Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 36,203,921
females age 16-49: 34,409,821 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 20,298,351
females age 16-49: 19,355,456 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,731,734
female: 1,652,632 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 101
Transnational Issues ::Nigeria
Disputes - international:
Joint Border Commission with Cameroon reviewed 2002 ICJ ruling on the entire boundary and bilaterally resolved differences, including June 2006 Greentree Agreement that immediately cedes sovereignty of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon with a phase-out of Nigerian control within two years while resolving patriation issues; the ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but imprecisely defined coordinates in the ICJ decision and a sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River all contribute to the delay in implementation; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 5,778 (Liberia)
IDPs: undetermined (communal violence between Christians and Muslims since President OBASANJO's election in 1999; displacement is mostly short-term) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for European, East Asian, and North American markets; consumer of amphetamines; safe haven for Nigerian narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major money-laundering center; massive corruption and criminal activity; Nigeria has improved some anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and Territories List in June 2006; Nigeria's anti-money-laundering regime continues to be monitored by FATF
page last updated on January 24, 2011
======================================================================
@Niue (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Niue
Background:
Niue's remoteness, as well as cultural and linguistic differences between its Polynesian inhabitants and those of the rest of the Cook Islands, have caused it to be separately administered. The population of the island continues to drop (from a peak of 5,200 in 1966 to an estimated 1,398 in 2009) with substantial emigration to New Zealand 2,400 km to the southwest.
Geography ::Niue
Location:
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga
Geographic coordinates:
19 02 S, 169 52 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 260 sq km country comparison to the world: 212 land: 260 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
64 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; modified by southeast trade winds
Terrain:
steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed elevation near Mutalau settlement 68 m
Natural resources:
fish, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 11.54%
permanent crops: 15.38%
other: 73.08% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons
Environment - current issues:
increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash and burn agriculture
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
Geography - note:
one of world's largest coral islands
People ::Niue
Population:
1,354 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 235
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.032% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA
Urbanization:
urban population: 39% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Niuean(s)
adjective: Niuean
Ethnic groups:
Niuen 78.2%, Pacific islander 10.2%, European 4.5%, mixed 3.9%, Asian 0.2%, unspecified 3% (2001 census)
Religions:
Ekalesia Niue (Niuean Church - a Protestant church closely related to the London Missionary Society) 61.1%, Latter-Day Saints 8.8%, Roman Catholic 7.2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.4%, other 8.4%, unspecified 8.7%, none 1.9% (2001 census)
Languages:
English (official), Niuean a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan; English
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 95%
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Niue
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Niue
note: pronunciation falls between nyu-way and new-way, but not like new-wee
former: Savage Island
Dependency status:
self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue
Government type:
self-governing parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Alofi
geographic coordinates: 19 01 S, 169 55 W
time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 14 villages at the second order
Independence:
19 October 1974 (Niue became a self-governing parliamentary government in free association with New Zealand)
National holiday:
Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
Constitution:
19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act)
Legal system:
English common law; note - Niue is self-governing with the power to make its laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of New Zealand Anand SATYANAND (since 23 August 2006); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner John BRYAN (since May 2000)
head of government: Premier Toke TALAGI (since 18 June 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet consists of the premier and 3 ministers (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; premier elected by the Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held on 18 June 2008 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: Toke TALAGI defeats incumbent Young VIVIAN in Legislative Assembly vote; Toke TALAGI - 14, Young VIVIAN - 5
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; six elected from a common roll and 14 are village representatives)
elections: last held on 7 June 2008 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 20 independents
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of New Zealand; High Court of Niue
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance of Independents or AI; Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, AOSIS, FAO, IFAD, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand)
Flag description:
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 star on a blue disk in the center and a smaller star on each arm of the bold red cross; the larger star stands for Niue, the smaller stars recall the Southern Cross constellation on the New Zealand flag and symbolize links with that country; yellow represents the bright sunshine of Niue and the warmth and friendship between Niue and New Zealand
National anthem:
name: "Ko e Iki he Lagi" (The Lord in Heaven)
lyrics/music: unknown/unknown, prepared by Sioeli FUSIKATA
note: adopted 1974
Economy ::Niue
Economy - overview:
The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. 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 emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the promotion of tourism and financial services, although the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in the termination of all offshore banking licenses. Economic aid from New Zealand in FY08/09 was US$5.7 million. Niue suffered a devastating typhoon in January 2004, which decimated nascent economic programs. While in the process of rebuilding, Niue has been dependent on foreign aid.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$10.01 million (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 227
GDP (official exchange rate):
$10.01 million (2003)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.2% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,800 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 23.5%
industry: 26.9%
services: 49.5% (2003)
Labor force:
663 (2001) country comparison to the world: 227
Labor force - by occupation:
note: most work on family plantations; paid work exists only in government service, small industry, and the Niue Development Board
Unemployment rate:
12% (2001) country comparison to the world: 128
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (2005) country comparison to the world: 116
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle
Industries:
handicrafts, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
3 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 211
Electricity - consumption:
2.79 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 212
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Oil - consumption:
NA bbl/day (2009 est.)
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Oil - imports:
31 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 153
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113
Exports:
$201,400 (2004) country comparison to the world: 220
Exports - commodities:
canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit products, pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts
Imports:
$9.038 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 221
Imports - commodities:
food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels, lubricants, chemicals, drugs
Debt - external:
$418,000 (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4015 (2010), 1.6002 (2009), 1.4151 (2008), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006)
Communications ::Niue
Telephones - main lines in use:
1,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 227
Telephones - mobile cellular:
600 (2004) country comparison to the world: 219
Telephone system:
domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on island
international: country code - 683 (2001)
Broadcast media:
1 government-owned television station with many of the programs supplied by Television New Zealand; 1 government-owned radio station broadcasting in AM and FM (2009)
Internet country code:
.nu
Internet hosts:
397,270 (2010) country comparison to the world: 52
Internet users:
1,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 213
Transportation ::Niue
Airports:
1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 229
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 120 km country comparison to the world: 212 paved: 120 km (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Alofi
Military ::Niue
Military branches:
no regular indigenous military forces; Police Force
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of New Zealand
Transnational Issues ::Niue
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Norfolk Island (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Norfolk Island
Background:
Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, the island was resettled by Pitcairn Islanders, descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions.
Geography ::Norfolk Island
Location:
Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Geographic coordinates:
29 02 S, 167 57 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 36 sq km country comparison to the world: 234 land: 36 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
32 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
volcanic formation with mostly rolling plains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Bates 319 m
Natural resources:
fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons (especially May to July)
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
most of the 32 km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated
People ::Norfolk Island
Population:
2,155 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 231
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.2%
15-64 years: 63.9%
65 years and over: 15.9% (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.006% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA
Sex ratio:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Norfolk Islander(s)
adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)
Ethnic groups:
descendants of the Bounty mutineers, Australian, New Zealander, Polynesian
Religions:
Anglican 31.8%, Roman Catholic 11.5%, Uniting Church in Australia 10.6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.2%, other Christian 5.6%, none 19.9%, unspecified 16.6% (2006 census)
Languages:
English (official), Norfolk - a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian
Literacy:
NA
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Norfolk Island
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island
conventional short form: Norfolk Island
Dependency status:
self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Kingston
geographic coordinates: 29 03 S, 167 58 E
time difference: UTC+11.5 (16.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of Australia)
Independence:
none (territory of Australia)
National holiday:
Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856)
Constitution:
Norfolk Island Act of 1979 as amended in 2005
Legal system:
based on the laws of Australia, local ordinances and acts; English common law applies in matters not covered by either Australian or Norfolk Island law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by the Australian governor general
head of government: Administrator Owen WALSH (since October 2007)
cabinet: Executive Council made up of 4 of the 9 members of the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and acts as an advisor to the administrator (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Assembly (9 seats; members elected by electors who have nine equal votes each but only four votes can be given to any one candidate; members to serve three-year terms)
elections: last held on 17 March 2010 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: seats - independents 9 (note - no political parties)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Petty Sessions
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of Australia)
Flag description:
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; green stands for the rich vegetation on the island, and the pine tree - endemic to the island - is a symbol of Norfolk Island
note: somewhat reminiscent of the flag of Canada with its use of only two colors and depiction of a prominent local floral symbol in the central white band
National anthem:
name: "Come Ye Blessed"
lyrics/music: New Testament/John Prindle SCOTT
note: the local anthem, whose lyrics consist of the words from Matthew 25:34-36, 40, is also known as "The Pitcairn Anthem;" as a territory of Australia, "God Save the Queen" is official (see Australia), however, the island does not recognize "Advance Australia Fair"
Economy ::Norfolk Island
Economy - overview:
Tourism, the primary economic activity, has steadily increased over the years and has brought a level of prosperity unusual among inhabitants of the Pacific islands. The agricultural sector has become self sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$NA
Labor force:
978 (2006) country comparison to the world: 226
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 10%
industry and services: 90%
Agriculture - products:
Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry
Industries:
tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Exports:
$1.5 million (FY91/92) country comparison to the world: 217
Exports - commodities:
postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm, small quantities of avocados
Imports:
$17.9 million c.i.f. (FY91/92); $17.9 million country comparison to the world: 218
Imports - commodities:
NA
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.1151 (2010), 1.2822 (2009), 1.2059 (2008), 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285 (2006)
Communications ::Norfolk Island
Telephones - main lines in use:
2,532; note - a mix of analog (2,500) and digital (32) circuits (2004) country comparison to the world: 221
Telephones - mobile cellular:
0 (2002) country comparison to the world: 220
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate
domestic: free local calls
international: country code - 672; undersea coaxial cable links with Australia and New Zealand; satellite earth station - 1
Broadcast media:
1 local radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and television stations are received via satellite (2009)
Internet country code:
.nf
Internet hosts:
93 (2010) country comparison to the world: 202
Transportation ::Norfolk Island
Airports:
1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 228
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 80 km country comparison to the world: 215 paved: 53 km
unpaved: 27 km (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Kingston
Military ::Norfolk Island
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues ::Norfolk Island
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Northern Mariana Islands (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Northern Mariana Islands
Background:
Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. A covenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the US was approved in 1975, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A new government and constitution went into effect in 1978.
Geography ::Northern Mariana Islands
Location:
Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
15 12 N, 145 45 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 464 sq km country comparison to the world: 195 land: 464 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Area - comparative:
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,482 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
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
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed elevation on Agrihan 965 m
Natural resources:
arable land, fish
Land use:
arable land: 13.04%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 82.61% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)
Environment - current issues:
contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development
Geography - note:
strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean
People ::Northern Mariana Islands
Population:
48,317 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 209
Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 7,203/female 6,180)
15-64 years: 70.9% (male 16,751/female 19,747)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 784/female 819) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.3 years
male: 29.9 years
female: 29.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-5.567% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 232
Birth rate:
21.05 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Death rate:
3.17 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 220
Net migration rate:
-73.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 221
Urbanization:
urban population: 91% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.059 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 5.89 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 178 male: 6.29 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.9 years country comparison to the world: 65 male: 74.27 years
female: 79.68 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.18 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: NA (US citizens)
adjective: NA
Ethnic groups:
Asian 56.3%, Pacific islander 36.3%, Caucasian 1.8%, other 0.8%, mixed 4.8% (2000 census)
Religions:
Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found)
Languages:
Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English 10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 97%
female: 96% (1980 est.)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Northern Mariana Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands
abbreviation: CNMI
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District
Dependency status:
commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs
Government type:
commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature
Capital:
name: Saipan
geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E
time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are four municipalities at the second order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian
Independence:
none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
National holiday:
Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Constitution:
Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands effective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement fully effective 4 November 1986
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 Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government: Governor Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January 2006); Lieutenant Governor Eloy S. INOS (since 1 May 2009)
cabinet: the cabinet consists of the heads of the 10 principal departments under the executive branch who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; other members include special assistants to the governor and office heads appointed by and reporting directly to the governor (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 November 2009 (run-off election was held on 23 November 2009)
election results: percent of vote - Benigno R. FITIAL reelected with 51.4% over Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER (48.6%) in the run-off election held on 23 November 2009
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (20 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 7 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2011); House of Representatives - last held on 7 November 2009 (next to be held in November 2011)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 1, independents 2; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 12, Covenant Party 4, Democratic Party 1, independents 3
note: the Northern Mariana Islands elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012); seats by party - independent 1
Judicial branch:
Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court
Political parties and leaders:
Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]; Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S. CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Juan S. REYES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
SPC, UPU
Flag description:
blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on a gray latte stone (the traditional foundation stone used in building) in the center, surrounded by a wreath; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the star represents the Commonwealth; the latte stone and the floral head wreath display elements of the native Chamorro culture
National anthem:
name: "Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea)
lyrics/music: Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHORN
note: adopted 1996; the Carolinian version of the song is known as "Satil Matawal Pacifico;" as a commonwealth of the United States, in addition to the local anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
Economy ::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. The key tourist industry employs about 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth of GDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries have exceeded one-half million in recent years, but financial difficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. The agricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garment production is by far the most important industry with the employment of 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the US under duty and quota exemptions.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$900 million (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 203 note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy
GDP (official exchange rate):
$633.4 million (2000)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,500 (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 93
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force:
38,450 total indigenous labor force; 28,717 foreign workers (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
8% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 3.9% (2001)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-0.8% (2000) country comparison to the world: 8
Agriculture - products:
vegetables and melons, fruits and nuts; ornamental plants; livestock, poultry and eggs, fish and aquaculture products
Industries:
banking, construction, fishing, garment, tourism, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
60,600 kWh (January 2009) country comparison to the world: 213
Electricity - consumption:
48,300 kWh (January 2009) country comparison to the world: 214
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (January 2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (January 2009 est.)
Exports:
$98.2 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 193
Exports - commodities:
garments
Imports:
$214.4 million (2001) country comparison to the world: 199
Imports - commodities:
food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::Northern Mariana Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
25,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 184
Telephones - mobile cellular:
20,500 (2004) country comparison to the world: 209
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: NA
international: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Broadcast media:
1 TV broadcast station on Saipan; multi-channel cable TV services are available on Saipan; 9 licensed radio broadcast stations (2009)
Internet country code:
.mp
Internet hosts:
9 (2010) country comparison to the world: 223
Transportation ::Northern Mariana Islands
Airports:
5 (2010) country comparison to the world: 181
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 536 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 192
Ports and terminals:
Saipan, Tinian, Rota
Military ::Northern Mariana Islands
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,359
females age 16-49: 12,385 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 430
female: 346 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues ::Northern Mariana Islands
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on December 13, 2010
======================================================================
@Norway (Europe)
Introduction ::Norway
Background:
Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). In 1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare system and planning for the time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.
Geography ::Norway
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden
Geographic coordinates:
62 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 323,802 sq km country comparison to the world: 67 land: 304,282 sq km
water: 19,520 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 2,542 km
border countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km
Coastline:
25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km; length of island coastlines 58,133 km)
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 10 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; 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
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
highest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium, pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 2.7%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.3% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,270 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
381.4 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.4 cu km/yr (23%/67%/10%)
per capita: 519 cu m/yr (1996)
Natural hazards:
rockslides, avalanches
volcanism: Beerenberg (elev. 2,227 m, 7,306 ft) on Jan Mayen Island in the Norwegian Sea is the country's only active volcano
Environment - current issues:
water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - 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 the most rugged and longest coastlines in the world
People ::Norway
Population:
4,676,305 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.5% (male 441,508/female 422,050)
15-64 years: 66.2% (male 1,564,482/female 1,522,519)
65 years and over: 15.2% (male 305,120/female 404,860) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 39.7 years
male: 38.8 years
female: 40.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.334% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Birth rate:
10.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Death rate:
9.26 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Net migration rate:
1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Urbanization:
urban population: 77% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.054 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.55 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 211 male: 3.88 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 80.08 years country comparison to the world: 25 male: 77.42 years
female: 82.89 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.77 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Nationality:
noun: Norwegian(s)
adjective: Norwegian
Ethnic groups:
Norwegian 94.4% (includes Sami, about 60,000), other European 3.6%, other 2% (2007 estimate)
Religions:
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
Languages:
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official in six municipalities
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 18 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
6.7% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 27
Government ::Norway
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Norway
conventional short form: Norway
local long form: Kongeriket Norge
local short form: Norge
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Oslo
geographic coordinates: 59 55 N, 10 45 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
19 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold
Dependent areas:
Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
Independence:
7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
Constitution:
17 May 1814; amended many times
Legal system:
mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20 July 1973)
head of government: Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17 October 2005)
cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval of parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch with the approval of the parliament
Legislative branch:
modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 14 September 2009 (next to be held in September 2013)
election results: percent of vote by party - DNA 35.4%, FrP 22.9%, H 17.2%, SV 6.2%, Sp 6.2%, KrF 5.5%, V 3.9%, other 2.7%; seats by party - DNA 64, FrP 41, H 30, SV 11, Sp 11, KrF 10, V 2
note: for certain purposes, the parliament divides itself into two chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership in the Lagting and three-fourths of its membership in the Odelsting
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party (Senterpartiet or Sp) [Liv Signe NAVARSETE]; Christian People's Party (Kristelig Folkeparti or KrF) [Dagfinn HOYBRATEN]; Conservative Party (Hoyre or H) [Erna SOLBERG]; Labor Party (Det norske Arbeiderpartiet or DNA) [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party (Venstre or V) [Trine SKEI-GRANDE]; Progress Party (Framstegspartiet or FrP) [Siv JENSEN]; Socialist Left Party (Sosialistisk Venstreparti or SV) [Kristin HALVORSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Norwegian Aid Committee or NORWAC; Norwegian Association of the Disabled; Pure Salmon Campaign; The Consumer Council (consumer advocacy group)
other: environmental groups; media; reform movements
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Wegger C. STROMMEN
chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000
FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870
consulate(s) general: Houston, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Barry B. WHITE
embassy: Henrik Ibsens gate 48, 0244 Oslo; note - the embassy will move to Huseby in the near future
mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707
telephone: [47] 22 44 85 50
FAX: [47] 22 44 33 63, 22 56 27 51
Flag description:
red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors recall Norway's past political unions with Denmark (red and white) and Sweden (blue)
National anthem:
name: "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" (Yes, We Love This Country)
lyrics/music: Bjornstjerne BJORNSON/Rikard NORDRAAK
note: adopted 1864; in addition to the national anthem, "Kongesangen" (Song of the King), which uses the tune of "God Save the Queen," serves as the royal anthem
Economy ::Norway
Economy - overview:
The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector, through large-scale state-majority-owned enterprises. The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on the petroleum sector, which accounts for nearly half of exports and over 30% of state revenue. Norway is the world's second-largest gas exporter; its position as an oil exporter has slipped to ninth-largest as production has begun to decline. Norway opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994; nonetheless, as a member of the European Economic Area, it contributes sizably to the EU budget. In anticipation of eventual declines in oil and gas production, Norway saves almost all state revenue from the petroleum sector in the world's second largest sovereign wealth fund, valued at over $500 billion in 2010. After lackluster growth of less than 1.5% in 2002-03, GDP growth picked up to 2.5-6.2% in 2004-07, partly due to higher oil prices. Growth fell to 1.8% in 2008, and the economy contracted by 1.4% in 2009 as a result of the slowing world economy and the drop in oil prices.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$276.4 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $272.3 billion (2009 est.)
$276.2 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$413.5 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 -1.4% (2009 est.)
1.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$59,100 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $58,400 (2009 est.)
$59,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.1%
industry: 40.1%
services: 57.8% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.59 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 21.1%
services: 76% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
3.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 3.2% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.9%
highest 10%: 23.4% (2000)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
25 (2008) country comparison to the world: 133 25.8 (1995)
Investment (gross fixed):
18.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Public debt:
47.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 49.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 2.1% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
4% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 72 6.25% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
4.28% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 7.28% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$122.2 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 27 $118.3 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$256.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $243.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$414.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $379.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$227.2 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 31 $125.9 billion (31 December 2008)
$357.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish
Industries:
petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
0.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Electricity - production:
142.7 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Electricity - consumption:
128.8 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Electricity - exports:
17.29 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
3.414 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
2.35 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14
Oil - consumption:
204,100 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
Oil - exports:
2.061 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Oil - imports:
107,500 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Oil - proved reserves:
6.68 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Natural gas - production:
103.5 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 6
Natural gas - consumption:
4.62 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - exports:
98.85 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.313 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Current account balance:
$60.23 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $53.53 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$137 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $122 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals, chemicals, ships, fish
Exports - partners:
UK 24.28%, Germany 13.4%, Netherlands 10.87%, France 8.55%, Sweden 5.76%, US 4.82% (2009)
Imports:
$74.02 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $66.68 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Sweden 13.86%, Germany 12.89%, China 7.8%, Denmark 6.78%, US 6.16%, UK 6.01% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$48.86 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.232 trillion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 7 $475.9 billion (31 December 2008)
note: Norway is a net external creditor
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$132.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $128.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$226.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $206 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 6.1533 (2010), 6.2883 (2009), 5.6361 (2008), 5.86 (2007), 6.418 (2006)
Communications ::Norway
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.9 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 57
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.336 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 93
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the most advanced telecommunications networks in Europe
domestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; the prevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of mobile-cellular systems
international: country code - 47; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; submarine cables provide links to other Nordic countries and Europe; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999)
Broadcast media:
state-owned public radio-TV broadcaster operates 3 nationwide television stations, 3 nationwide radio stations, and 16 regional radio stations; roughly a dozen privately-owned television stations broadcast nationally and roughly another 25 local TV stations are available; nearly 75% of households have access to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems; 2 privately-owned radio stations broadcast nationwide and another 240 stations operate locally (2008)
Internet country code:
.no
Internet hosts:
3.352 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 27
Internet users:
4.431 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 53
Transportation ::Norway
Airports:
98 (2010) country comparison to the world: 61
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 67
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 18
under 914 m: 25 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 31
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 25 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
condensate 31 km; gas 64 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 4,114 km country comparison to the world: 40 standard gauge: 4,114 km 1.435-m gauge (2,552 km electrified) (2009)
Roadways:
total: 92,946 km country comparison to the world: 52 paved: 72,033 km (includes 664 km of expressways)
unpaved: 20,913 km (2007)
Waterways:
1,577 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 53
Merchant marine:
total: 632 country comparison to the world: 19 by type: bulk carrier 43, cargo 133, carrier 5, chemical tanker 139, combination ore/oil 12, container 1, liquefied gas 53, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 116, petroleum tanker 58, refrigerated cargo 14, roll on/roll off 9, vehicle carrier 46
foreign-owned: 104 (Bermuda 5, Canada 1, China 25, Cyprus 1, Denmark 11, Estonia 1, Finland 1, France 4, Iceland 3, Italy 3, Lithuania 1, Monaco 1, Poland 2, Saudi Arabia 3, Sweden 33, US 9)
registered in other countries: 940 (Antigua and Barbuda 9, Australia 1, Bahamas 198, Barbados 41, Belize 3, Bermuda 5, Brazil 3, Canada 4, Chile 1, Comoros 2, Cook Islands 6, Croatia 2, Cyprus 12, Denmark 2, Dominica 1, Equatorial Guinea 1, Estonia 2, Faroe Islands 6, Finland 2, France 1, Gibraltar 42, Hong Kong 49, Indonesia 4, Ireland 3, Isle of Man 26, Italy 6, Japan 1, Liberia 42, Libya 1, Malta 84, Marshall Islands 57, Netherlands 18, former Netherlands Antilles 2, Panama 89, Portugal 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 12, Singapore 132, Spain 10, Sweden 3, UK 39, US 10, Vanuatu 1, Venezuela 1, unknown 4) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Bergen, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Sture
Military ::Norway
Military branches:
Norwegian Army (Haeren), Royal Norwegian Navy (Kongelige Norske Sjoeforsvaret, RNoN; includes Coastal Rangers and Coast Guard (Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard (Heimevernet, HV) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-44 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age in wartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for women; 12-month service obligation, in practice shortened to 8 to 9 months; although all males between ages of 18 and 44 are liable for service, in practice they are seldom called to duty after age 30; reserve obligation to age 35-60; 16 years of age for volunteers to the Home Guard, who serve 6-month duty tours (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,078,562
females age 16-49: 1,049,529 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 888,310
females age 16-49: 864,344 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 32,045
female: 30,610 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Transnational Issues ::Norway
Disputes - international:
Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and its continental shelf); Russia and Norway reached an agreement on how to align Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean boundaries over EEZ and continental shelf in an agreement signed on 15 September 2010; this agreement is pending ratification by the respective national assemblies
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Oman (Middle East)
Introduction ::Oman
Background:
The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, but it never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule of his father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program has opened the country to the outside world while preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern countries.
Geography ::Oman
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
Geographic coordinates:
21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 309,500 sq km country comparison to the world: 70 land: 309,500 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries:
total: 1,374 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline:
2,092 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain:
central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 0.12%
permanent crops: 0.14%
other: 99.74% (2005)
Irrigated land:
720 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.36 cu km/yr (7%/2%/90%)
per capita: 529 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; limited natural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
People ::Oman
Population:
2,967,717 country comparison to the world: 136 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.7% (male 744,265/female 714,116)
15-64 years: 54.5% (male 1,079,511/female 783,243)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 55,180/female 41,770) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 23.9 years
male: 25.4 years
female: 22.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.996% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Birth rate:
23.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Death rate:
3.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 215
Net migration rate:
-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Urbanization:
urban population: 72% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.34 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
total population: 1.23 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 118 male: 16.28 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.97 years country comparison to the world: 105 male: 72.15 years
female: 75.88 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.87 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,300 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
Nationality:
noun: Omani(s)
adjective: Omani
Ethnic groups:
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Religions:
Ibadhi Muslim 75%, other (includes Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, Hindu) 25%
Languages:
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Literacy:
definition: NA
total population: 81.4%
male: 86.8%
female: 73.5% (2003 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 107
Government ::Oman
Country name:
conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form: Oman
local long form: Saltanat Uman
local short form: Uman
former: Muscat and Oman
Government type:
monarchy
Capital:
name: Muscat
geographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
5 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 4 governorates* (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Buraymi*, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat (Muscat)*, Musandam*, Zufar (Dhofar)*
Independence:
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday:
Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
Constitution:
none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be a constitution which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens
Legal system:
based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the monarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces are not allowed to vote
Executive branch:
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary
Legislative branch:
bicameral Majlis Oman consists of Majlis al-Dawla or upper chamber (71 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has only advisory powers and Majlis al-Shura or lower chamber (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; body has only advisory powers)
elections: last held on 27 October 2007 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: new candidates won 46 seats and 38 members of the outgoing Majlis kept their positions; none of the 20 female candidates was elected
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
note: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, has judges who practice secular and sharia law
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI
chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980
FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Richard J. SCHMIERER
embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat
mailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
telephone: [968] 24-643-400
FAX: [968] 24-699771
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band; white represents peace and prosperity, red recalls battles against foreign invaders, and green symbolizes the Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility
National anthem:
name: "Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem)
lyrics/music: Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS
note: adopted 1932; new words were written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; the anthem was first performed by the band of a British ship as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the bandmaster of the HMS Hawkins was asked to write a salutation to the Sultan on the occasion of his visiting the ship
Economy ::Oman
Economy - overview:
Oman is a middle-income economy that is heavily dependent on dwindling oil resources. Because of declining reserves, Muscat has actively pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP to 9% by 2020. Tourism and gas-based industries are key components of the government's diversification strategy. By using enhanced oil recovery techniques, Oman succeeded in increasing oil production, giving the country more time to diversify, and the increase in global oil prices thoughout 2010 provides the government greater financial resources to invest in non-oil sectors.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$76.53 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $73.87 billion (2009 est.)
$72.42 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$53.78 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 2% (2009 est.)
12.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$25,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $25,400 (2009 est.)
$25,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 48.2%
services: 50.3% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
968,800 country comparison to the world: 142 note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
15% (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
26.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Public debt:
4.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 5.5% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 3.5% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
0.05% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 135 0.91% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.44% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 7.1% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$7.257 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 78 $6.15 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$22.35 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $20.52 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$22.05 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $19.34 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$17.3 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 63 $14.91 billion (31 December 2008)
$23.06 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Industries:
crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber
Industrial production growth rate:
4.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Electricity - production:
13.58 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - consumption:
11.36 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
816,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 25
Oil - consumption:
84,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Oil - exports:
593,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 25
Oil - imports:
17,290 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Oil - proved reserves:
5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24
Natural gas - production:
24 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
Natural gas - consumption:
13.46 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Natural gas - exports:
10.89 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Natural gas - imports:
350 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Natural gas - proved reserves:
849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
Current account balance:
$2.724 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 -$2.143 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$36.12 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $27.65 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners:
China 26.98%, South Korea 17.19%, Japan 12.12%, UAE 11.23%, Thailand 7.64% (2009)
Imports:
$19.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $16.13 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners:
UAE 22.9%, Japan 13.99%, US 6.46%, China 5.64%, India 5.27%, France 5.19%, South Korea 4.65% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$14 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $12.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$8.829 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $7.061 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.3845 (2010), 0.3845 (2009), 0.3845 (2008), 0.3845 (2007), 0.3845 (2006)
Communications ::Oman
Telephones - main lines in use:
300,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 114
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.971 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 104
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable; domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations
domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership both increasing with fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems
international: country code - 968; the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2008)
Broadcast media:
1 state-run TV broadcaster; TV stations transmitting from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Yemen are accessible via satellite TV; state-run radio operates multiple stations; first private radio station began operation in 2007 and 2 additional stations now operating (2007)
Internet country code:
.om
Internet hosts:
9,114 (2010) country comparison to the world: 126
Internet users:
1.465 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 83
Transportation ::Oman
Airports:
130 (2010) country comparison to the world: 45
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 119
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 51
914 to 1,523 m: 33
under 914 m: 26 (2010)
Heliports:
3 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 4,209 km; oil 3,558 km; refined products 263 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 68,467 km country comparison to the world: 69 paved: 23,223 km (includes 1,384 km of expressways)
unpaved: 30,207 km (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 4 country comparison to the world: 134 by type: chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2
registered in other countries: 9 (Panama 8, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar
Military ::Oman
Military branches:
Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 964,200
females age 16-49: 714,421 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 816,579
females age 16-49: 622,927 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 31,827
female: 30,148 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
11.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
Transnational Issues ::Oman
Disputes - international:
boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah exclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public
page last updated on January 13, 2011
======================================================================
@Pacific Ocean (Oceans)
Introduction ::Pacific Ocean
Background:
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits. The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south.
Geography ::Pacific Ocean
Location:
body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere
Geographic coordinates:
0 00 N, 160 00 W
Map references:
Political Map of the World
Area:
total: 155.557 million sq km
note: includes Bali Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Philippine Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative:
about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global surface; almost equal to the total land area of the world
Coastline:
135,663 km
Climate:
planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and east Asia from May to December
Terrain:
surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 m
highest point: sea level 0 m
Natural resources:
oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish
Natural hazards:
surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December
Environment - current issues:
endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea
Geography - note:
the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean
Economy ::Pacific Ocean
Economy - overview:
The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of the US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has led to fluctuations in new drillings.
Transportation ::Pacific Ocean
Ports and terminals:
Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong (China), Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan)
Transportation - note:
the Inside Passage offers protected waters from southeast Alaska to Puget Sound (Washington state); the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crew and passengers are often held for ransom, murdered, or cast adrift
Transnational Issues ::Pacific Ocean
Disputes - international:
some maritime disputes (see littoral states)
page last updated on November 17, 2010
======================================================================
@Pakistan (South Asia)
Introduction ::Pakistan
Background:
The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars - in 1947-48 and 1965 - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India capitalized on Islamabad's marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. India-Pakistan relations have been rocky since the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, but both countries are taking small steps to put relations back on track. In February 2008, Pakistan held parliamentary elections and in September 2008, after the resignation of former President MUSHARRAF, elected Asif Ali ZARDARI to the presidency. Pakistani government and military leaders are struggling to control domestic insurgents, many of whom are located in the tribal areas adjacent to the border with Afghanistan.
Geography ::Pakistan
Location:
Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
Geographic coordinates:
30 00 N, 70 00 E
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 796,095 sq km country comparison to the world: 36 land: 770,875 sq km
water: 25,220 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of California
Land boundaries:
total: 6,774 km
border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km
Coastline:
1,046 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north
Terrain:
flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
Natural resources:
land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 24.44%
permanent crops: 0.84%
other: 74.72% (2005)
Irrigated land:
182,300 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
233.8 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 169.39 cu km/yr (2%/2%/96%)
per capita: 1,072 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)
Environment - current issues:
water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; most of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent
People ::Pakistan
Population:
184,404,791 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36.7% (male 33,037,943/female 31,092,572)
15-64 years: 59.1% (male 53,658,173/female 49,500,786)
65 years and over: 4.2% (male 3,495,350/female 3,793,734) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.2 years
male: 21.2 years
female: 21.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.589% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Birth rate:
25.3 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Death rate:
7.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Net migration rate:
-2.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Urbanization:
urban population: 36% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 65.32 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 26 male: 68.59 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 61.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.63 years country comparison to the world: 165 male: 63.84 years
female: 67.5 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.28 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
96,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
5,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Pakistani(s)
adjective: Pakistani
Ethnic groups:
Punjabi 44.68%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15.42%, Sindhi 14.1%, Sariaki 8.38%, Muhajirs 7.57%, Balochi 3.57%, other 6.28%
Religions:
Muslim 95% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 5%
Languages:
Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 49.9%
male: 63%
female: 36% (2005 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 7 years
male: 8 years
female: 6 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 153
Government ::Pakistan
Country name:
conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
conventional short form: Pakistan
local long form: Jamhuryat Islami Pakistan
local short form: Pakistan
former: West Pakistan
Government type:
federal republic
Capital:
name: Islamabad
geographic coordinates: 33 42 N, 73 10 E
time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly North-West Frontier Province), Punjab, Sindh
note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region consists of two administrative entities: Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan
Independence:
14 August 1947 (from British India)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 23 March (1956)
Constitution:
12 April 1973; suspended 5 July 1977, restored 30 December 1985; suspended 15 October 1999, restored in stages in 2002; amended 31 December 2003; suspended 3 November 2007; restored on 15 December 2007; amended 19 April 2010
Legal system:
based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Asif Ali ZARDARI (since 9 September 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI (since 25 March 2008)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president upon the advice of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the president elected by secret ballot through an Electoral College comprising the members of the Senate, National Assembly, and the provincial assemblies for a five-year term; election last held on 6 September 2008 (next to be held not later than 2013); note - any person who is a Muslim and not less than 45 years of age and is qualified to be elected as a member of the National Assembly can contest the presidential election; the prime minister selected by the National Assembly; election last held on 24 March 2008
election results: Asif Ali ZARDARI elected president; ZARDARI 481 votes, SIDDIQUE 153 votes, SYED 44 votes; Syed Yousuf Raza GILANI elected prime minister; GILANI 264 votes, Pervaiz ELAHI 42 votes; several abstentions
Legislative branch:
bicameral parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (100 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies and the territories' representatives in the National Assembly to serve six-year terms; one half are elected every three years) and the National Assembly (342 seats; 272 members elected by popular vote; 60 seats reserved for women; 10 seats reserved for non-Muslims; members serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2012); National Assembly - last held on 18 February 2008 with by-elections on 26 June 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPPP 27, PML-Q 21, MMA 9, PML-N 7, ANP 6, MQM 6, JUI-F 4, BNP-A 2, JWP 1, NPP 1, PKMAP 1, PML-F 1, PPP 1, independents 13; National Assembly - percent of votes by party - NA; seats by party as of October 2010 - PPPP 127, PML-N 90, PML 51, MQM 25, ANP 13, JUI-F 8, PML-F 5, BNP-A 1, NPP 1, PPP-S 1, independents 18, unfilled seats - 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (justices appointed by the president); Federal Islamic or Sharia Court
Political parties and leaders:
Awami National Party or ANP [Asfandyar Wali KHAN]; Balochistan National Party-Awami or BNP-A [Moheem Khan BALOCH]; Balochistan National Party-Hayee Group or BNP-H [Dr. Hayee BALOCH]; Balochistan National Party-Mengal or BNP-M [Sardar Ataullah MENGAL]; Jamaat-i Islami or JI [Syed Munawar HASAN]; Jamhoori Watan Party or JWP; Jamiat Ahle Hadith or JAH [Sajid MIR]; Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Fazl-ur Rehman or JUI-F [Fazl-ur REHMAN]; Jamiat Ulema-i Islam Sami-ul HAQ or JUI-S [Sami ul-HAQ]; Jamiat Ulema-i Pakistan or JUP [Shah Faridul HAQ]; Muttahida Majlis-e Amal or MMA [Qazi Hussain AHMED]; Muttahida Qaumi Movement or MQM [Altaf HUSSAIN]; National Alliance or NA [Ghulam Mustapha JATOI] (merged with PML); National Peoples Party or NPP; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party or PKMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI]; Pakistan Awami Tehrik or PAT [Tahir ul QADRI]; Pakistan Muslim League or PML [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN]; Pakistan Muslim League-Functional or PML-F [Pir PAGARO]; Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or PML-N [Nawaz SHARIF]; Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians or PPPP [Bilawal Bhutto ZARDARI, chairman; Asif Ali ZARDARI, co-chairman]; Pakistan Peoples Party-SHERPAO or PPP-S [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO]; Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaaf or PTI [Imran KHAN]; Tehrik-i Islami [Allama Sajid NAQVI]
note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: military (most important political force); ulema (clergy); landowners; industrialists; small merchants
International organization participation:
ADB, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), C, CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-11, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Husain HAQQANI
chancery: 3517 International Court, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 243-6500
FAX: [1] (202) 686-1544
consulate(s) general: Boston (Honorary Consulate General), Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York
consulate(s): Chicago, Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron MUNTER
embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad
mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200
telephone: [92] (51) 208-0000
FAX: [92] (51) 2276427
consulate(s) general: Karachi
consulate(s): Lahore, Peshawar
Flag description:
green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
National anthem:
name: "Qaumi Tarana" (National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez JULLANDHURI/Ahmed Ghulamali CHAGLA
note: adopted 1954; the anthem is also known as "Pak sarzamin shad bad" (Blessed Be the Sacred Land)
Economy ::Pakistan
Economy - overview:
Pakistan, an impoverished and underdeveloped country, has suffered from decades of internal political disputes and low levels of foreign investment. Between 2001-07, however, poverty levels decreased by 10%, as Islamabad steadily raised development spending. Between 2004-07, GDP growth in the 5-8% range was spurred by gains in the industrial and service sectors - despite severe electricity shortfalls - but growth slowed in 2008-09 and unemployment rose. Inflation remains the top concern among the public, climbing from 7.7% in 2007 to more than 13% in 2010. In addition, the Pakistani rupee has depreciated since 2007 as a result of political and economic instability. The government agreed to an International Monetary Fund Standby Arrangement in November 2008 in response to a balance of payments crisis, but during 2009-10 its current account strengthened and foreign exchange reserves stabilized - largely because of lower oil prices and record remittances from workers abroad. Record floods in July-August 2010 lowered agricultural output and contributed to a jump in inflation, and reconstruction costs will strain the limited resources of the government. Textiles account for most of Pakistan's export earnings, but Pakistan's failure to expand a viable export base for other manufactures has left the country vulnerable to shifts in world demand. Other long term challenges include expanding investment in education, healthcare, and electricity production, and reducing dependence on foreign donors.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$451.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 28 $439.4 billion (2009 est.)
$421.2 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$174.8 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 4.3% (2009 est.)
3.6% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $2,400 (2009 est.)
$2,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 21.8%
industry: 23.6%
services: 54.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
55.77 million country comparison to the world: 10 note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor (2010 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 43%
industry: 20.3%
services: 36.6% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150 14% (2009 est.)
note: substantial underemployment exists
Population below poverty line:
24% (FY05/06 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.9%
highest 10%: 26.5% (2005)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30.6 (FY07/08) country comparison to the world: 109 41 (FY98/99)
Investment (gross fixed):
15% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Public debt:
49.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 49.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
13.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 13.6% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
12.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 20 15% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA%
Stock of narrow money:
$59.75 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 43 $47.23 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$85.22 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $65.13 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$71.45 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $63.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$33.24 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 58 $23.49 billion (31 December 2008)
$70.26 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs
Industries:
textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp
Industrial production growth rate:
4.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Electricity - production:
90.8 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Electricity - consumption:
72.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
59,140 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Oil - consumption:
373,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Oil - exports:
30,090 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Oil - imports:
319,500 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Oil - proved reserves:
436.2 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Natural gas - production:
37.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Natural gas - consumption:
37.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Natural gas - proved reserves:
840.2 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Current account balance:
-$2.641 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 -$3.583 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$20.29 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $18.33 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
textiles (garments, bed linen, cotton cloth, yarn), rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, carpets and rugs
Exports - partners:
US 15.87%, UAE 12.35%, Afghanistan 8.48%, UK 4.7%, China 4.44% (2009)
Imports:
$32.71 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $28.53 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea
Imports - partners:
China 15.35%, Saudi Arabia 10.54%, UAE 9.8%, US 4.81%, Kuwait 4.73%, Malaysia 4.43%, India 4.02% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$16.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $13.77 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$57.21 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $53.62 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$30.09 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $28.09 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$1.047 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $1.017 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Pakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar - 85.27 (2010), 81.7129 (2009), 70.64 (2008), 60.6295 (2007), 60.35 (2006)
Communications ::Pakistan
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.058 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 38
Telephones - mobile cellular:
103 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 9
Telephone system:
general assessment: the telecommunications infrastructure is improving dramatically with foreign and domestic investments in fixed-line and mobile-cellular networks; system consists of microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, cellular, and satellite networks;
domestic: mobile-cellular subscribership has skyrocketed, exceeding 100 million in 2009, up from only about 300,000 in 2000; approximately 90 percent of Pakistanis live within areas that have cell phone coverage and more than half of all Pakistanis have access to a cell phone; fiber systems are being constructed throughout the country to aid in network growth; fixed line availability has risen only marginally over the same period and there are still difficulties getting fixed-line service to rural areas
international: country code - 92; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable systems that provide links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (2009)
Broadcast media:
media is government regulated; 1 dominant state-owned TV broadcaster, Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), operates a network consisting of 6 channels; private TV broadcasters are permitted and some foreign satellite channels are carried by cable TV operators; the state-owned radio network operates more than 40 stations; privately-owned radio stations mostly limit programming to music and talk shows (2007)
Internet country code:
.pk
Internet hosts:
330,466 (2010) country comparison to the world: 57
Internet users:
20.431 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 20
Transportation ::Pakistan
Airports:
148 (2010) country comparison to the world: 38
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 101
over 3,047 m: 15
2,438 to 3,047 m: 20
1,524 to 2,437 m: 39
914 to 1,523 m: 18
under 914 m: 9 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 47
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 25 (2010)
Heliports:
20 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 10,402 km; oil 2,011 km; refined products 787 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 7,791 km country comparison to the world: 28 broad gauge: 7,479 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 312 km 1.000-m gauge (2007)
Roadways:
total: 259,197 km country comparison to the world: 20 paved: 172,827 km (includes 711 km of expressways)
unpaved: 86,370 km (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 10 country comparison to the world: 114 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 4, petroleum tanker 5
registered in other countries: 14 (Comoros 3, Georgia 1, Marshall Islands 1, Panama 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim
Military ::Pakistan
Military branches:
Army (includes National Guard), Navy (includes Marines and Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force (Pakistan Fiza'ya) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
17-23 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age 18; the Pakistani Air Force and Pakistani Navy have inducted their first female pilots and sailors (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 45,829,360
females age 16-49: 41,716,682 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 35,774,936
females age 16-49: 34,572,451 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,144,574
female: 2,000,479 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
3% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Transnational Issues ::Pakistan
Disputes - international:
various talks and confidence-building measures cautiously have begun to defuse tensions over Kashmir, particularly since the October 2005 earthquake in the region; Kashmir nevertheless remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; India and Pakistan have maintained their 2004 cease fire in Kashmir and initiated discussions on defusing the armed stand-off in the Siachen glacier region; Pakistan protests India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control and construction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show the Junagadh claim in India's Gujarat State; by 2005, Pakistan, with UN assistance, repatriated 2.3 million Afghan refugees leaving slightly more than a million, many of whom remain at their own choosing; Pakistan has proposed and Afghanistan protests construction of a fence and laying of mines along portions of their porous border; Pakistan has sent troops into remote tribal areas to monitor and control the border with Afghanistan and to stem terrorist or other illegal activities
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 1,043,984 (Afghanistan)
IDPs: undetermined (government strikes on Islamic militants in South Waziristan); 34,000 (October 2005 earthquake; most of those displaced returned to their home villages in the spring of 2006) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
significant transit area for Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for Iran, Western markets, the Gulf States, Africa, and Asia; financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain problems; opium poppy cultivation estimated to be 2,300 hectares in 2007 with 600 of those hectares eradicated; federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct anti-poppy campaigns that utilizes forced eradication, fines, and arrests
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Palau (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Palau
Background:
After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986 but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence.
Geography ::Palau
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 459 sq km country comparison to the world: 196 land: 459 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,519 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Terrain:
varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Natural resources:
forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land: 8.7%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 86.95% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:
inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
People ::Palau
Population:
20,879 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 218
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22.9% (male 2,458/female 2,314)
15-64 years: 70.8% (male 8,207/female 6,521)
65 years and over: 6.2% (male 401/female 895) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 32.4 years
male: 32.2 years
female: 33 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.374% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Birth rate:
10.68 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Death rate:
7.81 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Net migration rate:
0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Urbanization:
urban population: 81% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.065 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.25 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.43 male(s)/female
total population: 1.13 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 12.78 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 134 male: 14.43 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.51 years country comparison to the world: 129 male: 68.36 years
female: 74.84 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.73 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Palauan(s)
adjective: Palauan
Ethnic groups:
Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 69.9%, Filipino 15.3%, Chinese 4.9%, other Asian 2.4%, white 1.9%, Carolinian 1.4%, other Micronesian 1.1%, other or unspecified 3.2% (2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 41.6%, Protestant 23.3%, Modekngei 8.8% (indigenous to Palau), Seventh-Day Adventist 5.3%, Jehovah's Witness 0.9%, Latter-Day Saints 0.6%, other 3.1%, unspecified or none 16.4% (2000 census)
Languages:
Palauan 64.7% official in all islands except Sonsoral (Sonsoralese and English are official), Tobi (Tobi and English are official), and Angaur (Angaur, Japanese, and English are official), Filipino 13.5%, English 9.4%, Chinese 5.7%, Carolinian 1.5%, Japanese 1.5%, other Asian 2.3%, other languages 1.5% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92%
male: 93%
female: 90% (1980 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
10.3% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 5
Government ::Palau
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Palau
conventional short form: Palau
local long form: Beluu er a Belau
local short form: Belau
former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District
Government type:
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 1 October 1994
Capital:
name: Melekeok
geographic coordinates: 7 29 N, 134 38 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol
Independence:
1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
Constitution:
1 January 1981
Legal system:
based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January 2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Johnson TORIBIONG (since 15 January 2009); Vice President Kerai MARIUR (since 15 January 2009)
cabinet: NA (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: Johnson TORIBIONG (51%) defeats Elias Camsek CHIN (49%) for president; Kerai MARIUR elected vice president
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (9 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012); House of Delegates - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9; House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 16
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Court of Common Pleas; Land Court
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA
chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 452-6814
FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281
consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires James PANOS
embassy: Koror (no street address)
mailing address: P. O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940
telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990
FAX: [680] 488-2911
Flag description:
light blue with a large yellow disk shifted slightly to the hoist side; the blue color represents the ocean, the disk represents the moon; Palauans consider the full moon to be the optimum time for human activity; it is also considered a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility
National anthem:
name: "Belau rekid" (Our Palau)
lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL
note: adopted 1980
Economy ::Palau
Economy - overview:
The economy consists primarily of tourism, subsistence agriculture, and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The Compact of Free Association with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, provided Palau with up to $700 million in US aid for the following 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities. Business and tourist arrivals numbered 85,000 in 2007. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly 50% higher than that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the key tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$164 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 218 $124.5 million (2004 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP estimate includes US subsidy
GDP (official exchange rate):
$164 million (2008)
GDP - real growth rate:
NA% (2009)
5.5% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$8,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $7,600 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.2%
industry: 12%
services: 81.8% (2003)
Labor force:
9,777 (2005) country comparison to the world: 215
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 20%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
4.2% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.7% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 85
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish
Industries:
tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), construction, garment making
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Current account balance:
$15.09 million (FY03/04) country comparison to the world: 59
Exports:
$5.882 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 214
Exports - commodities:
shellfish, tuna, copra, garments
Imports:
$107.3 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, fuels, metals; foodstuffs
Debt - external:
$0 (FY99/00) country comparison to the world: 197
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Communications ::Palau
Telephones - main lines in use:
7,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 207
Telephones - mobile cellular:
13,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 210
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: fixed-line and mobile-cellular services available with a combined subscribership of roughly 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 680; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008)
Broadcast media:
no television broadcast stations; a cable television network covers the major islands and provides access to rebroadcasts, on a delayed basis, of a number of US stations as well as access to a number of real-time satellite TV channels; about a half dozen radio stations with 1 government-owned (2009)
Internet country code:
.pw
Internet hosts:
3 (2010) country comparison to the world: 229
Transportation ::Palau
Airports:
3 (2010) country comparison to the world: 191
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Koror
Military ::Palau
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Palau National Police (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,955 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,223
females age 16-49: 3,949 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 212
female: 218 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US; under a Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US military is granted access to the islands for 50 years, but it has not stationed any military forces there (2008)
Transnational Issues ::Palau
Disputes - international:
maritime delineation negotiations continue with Philippines, Indonesia
page last updated on December 15, 2010
======================================================================
@Panama (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Panama
Background:
Explored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. In October 2006, Panamanians approved an ambitious plan (estimated to cost $5.3 billion) to expand the Canal. The project, which began in 2007 and could double the Canal's capacity, is expected to be completed in 2014-15.
Geography ::Panama
Location:
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica
Geographic coordinates:
9 00 N, 80 00 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 75,420 sq km country comparison to the world: 117 land: 74,340 sq km
water: 1,080 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 555 km
border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km
Coastline:
2,490 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or edge of continental margin
Climate:
tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)
Terrain:
interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Volcan Baru 3,475 m
Natural resources:
copper, mahogany forests, shrimp, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 7.26%
permanent crops: 1.95%
other: 90.79% (2005)
Irrigated land:
430 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
148 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.82 cu km/yr (67%/5%/28%)
per capita: 254 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Environment - current issues:
water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation and soil erosion threatens siltation of Panama Canal; air pollution in urban areas; mining threatens natural resources
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note:
strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean
People ::Panama
Population:
3,410,676 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29.3% (male 501,950/female 481,750)
15-64 years: 63.9% (male 1,085,435/female 1,061,530)
65 years and over: 6.8% (male 106,934/female 122,875) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 27.2 years
male: 26.9 years
female: 27.6 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.463% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
Birth rate:
19.71 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Death rate:
4.62 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Net migration rate:
-0.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Urbanization:
urban population: 73% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.045 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.97 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 139 male: 12.75 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.61 years country comparison to the world: 54 male: 74.85 years
female: 80.5 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.48 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
20,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Panamanian(s)
adjective: Panamanian
Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15%
Languages:
Spanish (official), English 14%; note - many Panamanians bilingual
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.9%
male: 92.5%
female: 91.2% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
3.8% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 115
Government ::Panama
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Panama
conventional short form: Panama
local long form: Republica de Panama
local short form: Panama
Government type:
constitutional democracy
Capital:
name: Panama City
geographic coordinates: 8 58 N, 79 32 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
11 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 territory* (comarca); Bocas del Toro, Comarca Kuna Yala, Comarca Ngobe-Bugle, Chiriqui, Cocle, Colon, Darien, Herrera, Los Santos, Panama, San Blas* (Kuna Yala), and Veraguas
Independence:
3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain 28 November 1821)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
Constitution:
11 October 1972; revised in 1978, 1983, 1994, and 2004
Legal system:
based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal (since 1 July 2009); Vice President Juan Carlos VARELA (since 1 July 2009); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal (since 1 July 2009); Vice President Juan Carlos VARELA (since 1 July 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for five-year terms (not eligible for immediate reelection; president and vice president must sit out two additional terms (10 years) before becoming eligible for reelection); election last held on 3 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal elected president; percent of vote - Ricardo MARTINELLI Berrocal 60%, Balbina HERRERA 38%, Guillermo ENDARA Galimany 2%
note: government coalition - CD (Democratic Change), Panamenista, MOLIRENA (Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement), and UP (Patriotic Union Party)
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (71 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 3 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 26, Panamenista 22, CD 14, UP 4, Independent 2, MOLIRENA 2, PP 1
note: legislators from outlying rural districts chosen on a plurality basis while districts located in more populous towns and cities elect multiple legislators by means of a proportion-based formula
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges appointed for 10-year terms); five superior courts; three courts of appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Change or CD [Ricardo MARTINELLI]; Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Francisco SANCHEZ Cardenas]; Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Sergio GONZALEZ-Ruiz]; Panamenista Party [Juan Carlos VARELA Rodriguez] (formerly the Arnulfista Party); Patriotic Union Party or UP (combination of the Liberal National Party or PLN and the Solidarity Party or PS)[Anibal GALINDO]; Popular Party or PP [Milton HENRIQUEZ] (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Chamber of Commerce; National Civic Crusade; National Council of Organized Workers or CONATO; National Council of Private Enterprise or CONEP; National Union of Construction and Similar Workers (SUNTRACS); Panamanian Association of Business Executives or APEDE; Panamanian Industrialists Society or SIP; Workers Confederation of the Republic of Panama or CTRP
International organization participation:
BCIE, CAN (observer), CSN (observer), FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, SICA, UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jaime Eduardo ALEMAN Healy
chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407
FAX: [1] (202) 483-8416
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampa
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Phyllis M. POWERS
embassy: Edificio 783, Avenida Demetrio Basilio Lakas Panama, Apartado Postal 0816-02561, Zona 5, Panama City
mailing address: American Embassy Panama, Unit 0945, APO AA 34002
telephone: [507] 207-7000
FAX: [507] 317-5568
Flag description:
divided into four, equal rectangles; the top quadrants are white (hoist side) with a blue five-pointed star in the center and plain red; the bottom quadrants are plain blue (hoist side) and white with a red five-pointed star in the center; the blue and red colors are those of the main political parties (Conservatives and Liberals respectively) and the white denotes peace between them; the blue star stands for the civic virtues of purity and honesty, the red star signifies authority and law
National anthem:
name: "Himno Istemno" (Isthmus Hymn)
lyrics/music: Jeronimo DE LA OSSA/Santos A. JORGE
note: adopted 1925
Economy ::Panama
Economy - overview:
Panama's dollarized economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for three-quarters of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, banking, the Colon Free Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism. Economic growth will be bolstered by the Panama Canal expansion project that began in 2007 and is scheduled to be completed by 2014 at a cost of $5.3 billion - about 25% of current GDP. The expansion project will more than double the Canal's capacity, enabling it to accommodate ships that are now too large to transverse the transoceanic crossway, and should help to reduce the unemployment rate. The United States and China are the top users of the Canal. Panama also plans to construct a metro system in Panama City, valued at $1.2 billion and scheduled to be completed by 2014. Panama's aggressive infrastructure development projects will likely lead the economy to continued growth in 2011. Strong economic performance has not translated into broadly shared prosperity as Panama has the second worst income distribution in Latin America. About 30% of the population lives in poverty, however, during TORRIJOS's term poverty was reduced from 40% to 30% and unemployment dropped from 12% to 6%. Not a CAFTA signatory, Panama in December 2006 independently negotiated a free trade agreement with the US, which, when implemented, will help promote the country's economic growth. Seeking removal from the Organization of Economic Development's gray-list of tax havens, Panama has also recently signed various double taxation treaties with other nations.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$43.48 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $41.37 billion (2009 est.)
$40.4 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$27.2 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 2.4% (2009 est.)
10.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$12,700 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $12,300 (2009 est.)
$12,200 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5.8%
industry: 16.6%
services: 77.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
1.49 million country comparison to the world: 130 note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor (2010 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 18%
services: 76% (2009 est.)
Unemployment rate:
4.4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 6.7% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
28.6% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.8%
highest 10%: 41.4% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
56.1 (2003) country comparison to the world: 12 48.5 (1997)
Investment (gross fixed):
26.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32
Public debt:
40.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 44.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98 2.4% (2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.25% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 8.16% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$5.04 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 88 $4.404 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$24.17 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $21.78 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$23.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $20.17 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$8.048 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 75 $6.568 billion (31 December 2008)
$6.219 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
bananas, rice, corn, coffee, sugarcane, vegetables; livestock; shrimp
Industries:
construction, brewing, cement and other construction materials, sugar milling
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Electricity - production:
6.322 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Electricity - consumption:
5.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Electricity - exports:
124.9 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
8.74 million kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
2 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
Oil - consumption:
93,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Oil - exports:
4,803 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Oil - imports:
87,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Current account balance:
-$813 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 -$2.33 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$12.52 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 $10.9 billion (2009 est.)
note: includes the Colon Free Zone
Exports - commodities:
bananas, shrimp, sugar, coffee, clothing
Exports - partners:
Greece 21.03%, US 17.63%, Japan 9.87%, Germany 4.28%, Italy 4.27% (2009)
Imports:
$16.05 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $12.93 billion (2009 est.)
note: includes the Colon Free Zone
Imports - commodities:
capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Japan 36.21%, Singapore 16.86%, US 12.3%, China 7.84% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.525 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $3.028 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$13.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $13.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
balboas (PAB) per US dollar - 1 (2010), 1 (2009), 1 (2008), 1 (2007), 1 (2006)
Communications ::Panama
Telephones - main lines in use:
537,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 95
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.677 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 88
Telephone system:
general assessment: domestic and international facilities well developed
domestic: mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has increased rapidly
international: country code - 507; landing point for the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1), the MAYA-1, and PAN-AM submarine cable systems that together provide links to the US and parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to the Central American Microwave System (2008)
Broadcast media:
multiple privately-owned television networks and a government-owned educational TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; more than 100 commercial radio stations (2007)
Internet country code:
.pa
Internet hosts:
9,585 (2010) country comparison to the world: 123
Internet users:
959,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 104
Transportation ::Panama
Airports:
118 (2010) country comparison to the world: 52
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 54
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m: 30 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 64
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 52 (2010)
Heliports:
3 (2010)
Railways:
total: 76 km country comparison to the world: 127 standard gauge: 76 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 11,978 km country comparison to the world: 130 paved: 4,300 km
unpaved: 7,678 km (2002)
Waterways:
800 km (includes the 82-km Panama Canal that is being widened) (2010) country comparison to the world: 72
Merchant marine:
total: 6,379 country comparison to the world: 1 by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 2,383, cargo 1,129, carrier 18, chemical tanker 626, combination ore/oil 3, container 751, liquefied gas 192, passenger 42, passenger/cargo 61, petroleum tanker 576, refrigerated cargo 212, roll on/roll off 100, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 282
foreign-owned: 5,244 (Albania 3, Argentina 7, Australia 5, Azerbaijan 1, Bahamas 7, Bangladesh 3, Belgium 2, Bermuda 15, Brazil 3, Bulgaria 6, Burma 3, Canada 5, Chile 17, China 574, Colombia 2, Croatia 2, Cuba 4, Cyprus 8, Denmark 46, Ecuador 6, Egypt 11, Finland 2, France 13, Gabon 1, Germany 27, Gibraltar 1, Greece 402, Hong Kong 125, India 17, Indonesia 14, Iran 5, Ireland 1, Isle of Man 11, Israel 1, Italy 23, Japan 2347, Jordan 13, Kuwait 12, Latvia 4, Lebanon 2, Lithuania 4, Luxembourg 1, Malaysia 12, Maldives 3, Malta 2, Mexico 6, Monaco 14, Morocco 1, Netherlands 8, Nigeria 7, Norway 89, Oman 8, Pakistan 5, Peru 12, Philippines 6, Poland 3, Portugal 9, Qatar 1, Romania 2, Russia 39, Saudi Arabia 8, Singapore 79, South Korea 366, Spain 40, Sweden 1, Switzerland 22, Syria 42, Taiwan 337, Tanzania 2, Thailand 6, Tunisia 1, Turkey 79, UAE 83, UK 33, Ukraine 11, US 102, Venezuela 8, Vietnam 37, Yemen 4)
registered in other countries: 1 (Honduras 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Balboa, Colon, Cristobal
Military ::Panama
Military branches:
no regular military forces; Panamanian public forces include: Panamanian National Police (PNP), National Air-Naval Service (SENAN), National Border Service (SENAFRONT) (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 878,281 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 719,761
females age 16-49: 719,444 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 31,398
female: 30,182 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 132
Military - note:
on 10 February 1990, the government of then President ENDARA abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces; in October 1994, Panama's Legislative Assembly approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the creation of a standing military force but allowing the temporary establishment of special police units to counter acts of "external aggression"
Transnational Issues ::Panama
Disputes - international:
organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia operate within the remote border region with Panama
Illicit drugs:
major cocaine transshipment point and primary money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains a major problem
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Papua New Guinea (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Papua New Guinea
Background:
The eastern half of the island of New Guinea - second largest in the world - was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. A nine-year secessionist revolt on the island of Bougainville ended in 1997 after claiming some 20,000 lives.
Geography ::Papua New Guinea
Location:
Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:
6 00 S, 147 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 462,840 sq km country comparison to the world: 54 land: 452,860 sq km
water: 9,980 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total: 820 km
border countries: Indonesia 820 km
Coastline:
5,152 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Natural resources:
gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries
Land use:
arable land: 0.49%
permanent crops: 1.4%
other: 98.11% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
801 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.1 cu km/yr (56%/43%/1%)
per capita: 17 cu m/yr (1987)
Natural hazards:
active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis
volcanism: Papua New Guinea experiences severe volcanic activity; Ulawun (elev. 2,334 m, 7,657 ft), one of Papua New Guinea's potentially most dangerous volcanoes, has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Rabaul (elev. 688 m, 2,257 ft) destroyed the city of Rabaul in 1937 and 1994; Lamington erupted in 1951 killing 3,000 people; Manam's 2004 eruption forced the island's abandonment; other historically active volcanoes include Bam, Bagana, Garbuna, Karkar, Langila, Lolobau, Long Island, Pago, St. Andrew Strait, Victory, and Waiowa
Environment - current issues:
rain forest subject to deforestation as a result of growing commercial demand for tropical timber; pollution from mining projects; severe drought
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast
People ::Papua New Guinea
Population:
6,064,515 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37.3% (male 1,126,214/female 1,088,211)
15-64 years: 59.3% (male 1,815,731/female 1,704,430)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 113,285/female 92,904) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 21.6 years
male: 21.9 years
female: 21.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.033% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Birth rate:
26.95 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
Death rate:
6.62 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 112
Urbanization:
urban population: 12% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.2 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 44.59 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 58 male: 48.47 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 40.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.99 years country comparison to the world: 162 male: 63.78 years
female: 68.31 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.54 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
54,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Papua New Guinean(s)
adjective: Papua New Guinean
Ethnic groups:
Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Religions:
Roman Catholic 27%, Evangelical Lutheran 19.5%, United Church 11.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, Pentecostal 8.6%, Evangelical Alliance 5.2%, Anglican 3.2%, Baptist 2.5%, other Protestant 8.9%, Bahai 0.3%, indigenous beliefs and other 3.3% (2000 census)
Languages:
Tok Pisin, English, and Hiri Motu are official languages; some 860 indigenous languages spoken (over one-tenth of the world's total)
note: Tok Pisin, a creole language, is widely used and understood; English is spoken by 1%-2%; Hiri Motu is spoken by less than 2%
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 57.3%
male: 63.4%
female: 50.9% (2000 census)
Education expenditures:
NA
People - note:
the indigenous population of Papua New Guinea is one of the most heterogeneous in the world; PNG has several thousand separate communities, most with only a few hundred people; divided by language, customs, and tradition, some of these communities have engaged in low-scale tribal conflict with their neighbors for millennia; the advent of modern weapons and modern migrants into urban areas has greatly magnified the impact of this lawlessness
Government ::Papua New Guinea
Country name:
conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form: Papua New Guinea
local short form: Papuaniugini
former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea
abbreviation: PNG
Government type:
constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Capital:
name: Port Moresby
geographic coordinates: 9 30 S, 147 10 E
time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
18 provinces, 1 autonomous region*, and 1 district**; Bougainville*, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital**, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain
Independence:
16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 September (1975)
Constitution:
16 September 1975
Legal system:
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by acting governor general Michael OGIO (since 20 December 2010)
note: governor general Sir Paulias MATANE (since 29 June 2004) was replaced on 10 December 2010 when his reappointment to the office in May 2010 was declared null and void
head of government: Acting Prime Minister Sam ABAL (since 14 December 2010)
note: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2 August 2002) stepped aside on 14 December 2010 because he was to be referred to a tribunal for not submitting three annual fiscal returns; Deputy Prime Minister Don POYLE (since 20 June 2010) was replaced on 9 December 2010 by Sam ABAL
cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; the governor general nominated by parliament and appointed by the chief of state; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general acting in accordance with a decision of the parliament
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Parliament (109 seats, 89 filled from open electorates and 20 from provinces and national capital district; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); constitution allows up to 126 seats
elections: last held from 30 June to 10 July 2007; next to be held in June 2012
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA 27, PNGP 8, PAP 6, URP 6, PANGU PATI 5, PDM 5, independents 19, others 33; note - election to 1 seat was nullified
note: 15 other parties won 4 or fewer seats; association with political parties is fluid
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)
Political parties and leaders:
National Alliance Party or NA [Michael SOMARE]; Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU PATI [Andrew KUMBAKOR]; Papua New Guinea Party or PNGP [Sir Mekere MORAUTA]; People's Action Party or PAP [Gabriel KAPRIS]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Michael OGIO]; United Resources Party or URP [William DUMA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ahora [Andrew MAMOKO] (represents local tribes); Centre for Environment Law and Community Rights or Celcor [Damien ASE]; Community Coalition Against Corruption
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI
chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680
FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Teddy B. TAYLOR
embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby, N.C.D.
mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State, Washington DC 20521-4240
telephone: [675] 321-1455
FAX: [675] 321-3423
Flag description:
divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered; red, black, and yellow are traditional colors of Papua New Guinea; the bird of paradise - endemic to the island of New Guinea - is an emblem of regional tribal culture and represents the emergence of Papua New Guinea as a nation; the Southern Cross, visible in the night sky, symbolizes Papua New Guinea's connection with Australia and several other countries in the South Pacific
National anthem:
name: "O Arise All You Sons"
lyrics/music: Thomas SHACKLADY
note: adopted 1975
Economy ::Papua New Guinea
Economy - overview:
Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including copper, gold, and oil, account for nearly two-thirds of export earnings. Natural gas reserves amount to an estimated 227 billion cubic meters. A consortium led by a major American oil company is constructing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facility that could begin exporting in 2013 or 2014. As the largest investment project in the country's history, it has the potential to double GDP in the near-term and triple Papua New Guinea's export revenue. The government faces the challenge of ensuring transparency and accountability for revenues flowing from this and other large LNG projects. The government of Prime Minister SOMARE has expended much of its energy remaining in power. He was the first prime minister ever to serve a full five-year term. The government has brought stability to the national budget, largely through expenditure control; however, it relaxed spending constraints in 2006 and 2007 as elections approached. Numerous challenges still face the government, including providing physical security for foreign investors, regaining investor confidence, restoring integrity to state institutions, promoting economic efficiency by privatizing moribund state institutions, and balancing relations with Australia, its former colonial ruler. Other socio-cultural challenges could upend the economy including an HIV/AIDS epidemic, with the highest infection rate in all of East Asia and the Pacific, and chronic law and order and land tenure issues. The global financial crisis had little impact because of continued high demand for Papua New Guinea's commodities exports.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$14.93 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $14.06 billion (2009 est.)
$13.33 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$8.809 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 5.5% (2009 est.)
6.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 $2,400 (2009 est.)
$2,300 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 32.2%
industry: 35.7%
services: 32.1% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
3.809 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 85%
industry: NA%
services: NA% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
1.8% (2004) country comparison to the world: 11
Population below poverty line:
37% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.9 (1996) country comparison to the world: 19
Investment (gross fixed):
17.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Public debt:
27.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 29.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 6.9% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.92% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 58 7% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.09% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 9.2% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$2.551 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 116 $2.263 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$4.726 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $4.14 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$2.796 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $2.424 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
$6.632 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
coffee, cocoa, copra, palm kernels, tea, sugar, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, vanilla; shell fish; poultry, pork
Industries:
copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil production, petroleum refining; construction, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
10% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 16
Electricity - production:
2.885 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Electricity - consumption:
2.683 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
35,090 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Oil - consumption:
36,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Oil - exports:
32,490 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
Oil - imports:
14,380 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Oil - proved reserves:
170 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Natural gas - production:
100 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Natural gas - consumption:
100 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Natural gas - proved reserves:
226.5 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Current account balance:
-$99 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 -$446.4 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$5.976 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $4.392 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish, prawns
Exports - partners:
Australia 30.05%, Japan 7.48% (2009)
Imports:
$3.547 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $2.871 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Australia 43.27%, China 13.29%, Singapore 9.59%, US 6.4%, Japan 4.62% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$3.017 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $2.607 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.548 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $1.436 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
kina (PGK) per US dollar - 2.7517 (2010), 2.7551 (2009), 2.6956 (2008), 3.03 (2007), 3.0643 (2006)
Communications ::Papua New Guinea
Telephones - main lines in use:
60,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 156
Telephones - mobile cellular:
900,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 147
Telephone system:
general assessment: services are minimal; facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services
domestic: access to telephone services is not widely available; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 15 per 100 persons
international: country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio communication service (2009)
Broadcast media:
2 television stations, 1 commercial station operating since the late 1980s and 1 state-run station launched in 2008; satellite and cable TV services are available; state-run National Broadcasting Corporation operates 3 radio networks with multiple repeaters and about 20 provincial stations; several commercial radio stations with multiple transmission points as well as several community stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are accessible (2009)
Internet country code:
.pg
Internet hosts:
4,285 (2010) country comparison to the world: 139
Internet users:
125,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 152
Transportation ::Papua New Guinea
Airports:
562 (2010) country comparison to the world: 12
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 21
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 541
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 63
under 914 m: 469 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Pipelines:
oil 195 km (2009)
Roadways:
total: 9,349 km country comparison to the world: 136 paved: 3,000 km
unpaved: 6,349 km (2011)
Waterways:
11,000 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 12
Merchant marine:
total: 28 country comparison to the world: 88 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 24, petroleum tanker 2
foreign-owned: 7 (Malaysia 1, UAE 6) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Kimbe, Lae, Madang, Rabaul, Wewak
Military ::Papua New Guinea
Military branches:
Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF; includes Maritime Operations Element, Air Operations Element) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
16 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,532,378
females age 16-49: 1,440,528 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,103,479
females age 16-49: 1,107,479 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 66,139
female: 64,244 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
Transnational Issues ::Papua New Guinea
Disputes - international:
relies on assistance from Australia to keep out illegal cross-border activities from primarily Indonesia, including goods smuggling, illegal narcotics trafficking, and squatters and secessionists
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 10,177 (Indonesia) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Papua New Guinea is a country of destination for women and children from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and China trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation; internal trafficking of women and children for the purposes of sexual exploitation and involuntary domestic servitude occurs as well
tier rating: Tier 3 - Papua New Guinea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the current legal framework does not contain elements of crimes that characterize trafficking; the government lacks victim protection services or a systematic procedure to identify victims of trafficking; the government did not prosecute anyone in 2007 for trafficking; Papua New Guinea has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2008)
Illicit drugs:
major consumer of cannabis
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Paracel Islands (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Paracel Islands
Background:
The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China built a military installation on Woody Island with an airfield and artificial harbor. The islands also are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.
Geography ::Paracel Islands
Location:
Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
16 30 N, 112 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: NA sq km
land: NA sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
NA
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
518 km
Maritime claims:
NA
Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
mostly low and flat
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
typhoons
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group
People ::Paracel Islands
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons
Government ::Paracel Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Paracel Islands
Economy ::Paracel Islands
Economy - overview:
The islands have the potential for oil and gas development. Waters around the islands support commercial fishing, but the islands themselves are not populated on a permanent basis.
Transportation ::Paracel Islands
Airports:
1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 227
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island
Military ::Paracel Islands
Military - note:
occupied by China
Transnational Issues ::Paracel Islands
Disputes - international:
occupied by China, also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam
page last updated on November 17, 2010
======================================================================
@Paraguay (South America)
Introduction ::Paraguay
Background:
Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811. In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70) - between Paraguay and Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated economically for the next half century. Following the Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political infighting in recent years, Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since then.
Geography ::Paraguay
Location:
Central South America, northeast of Argentina
Geographic coordinates:
23 00 S, 58 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 406,752 sq km country comparison to the world: 59 land: 397,302 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
total: 3,995 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west
Terrain:
grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point: Cerro Pero 842 m
Natural resources:
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 7.47%
permanent crops: 0.24%
other: 92.29% (2005)
Irrigated land:
670 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
336 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.49 cu km/yr (20%/8%/71%)
per capita: 80 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country
People ::Paraguay
Population:
6,375,830 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Age structure:
0-14 years: 36.7% (male 1,304,115/female 1,260,560)
15-64 years: 58.1% (male 2,043,509/female 2,023,317)
65 years and over: 5.2% (male 168,554/female 195,600) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.9 years
male: 24.7 years
female: 25.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.31% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Birth rate:
17.73 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
Death rate:
4.55 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Net migration rate:
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Urbanization:
urban population: 60% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 23.83 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 88 male: 27.84 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.99 years country comparison to the world: 72 male: 73.39 years
female: 78.71 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.16 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
21,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 1,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan
Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)
Languages:
Spanish (official), Guarani (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94%
male: 94.9%
female: 93% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
4% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 106
Government ::Paraguay
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
Government type:
constitutional republic
Capital:
name: Asuncion
geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends second Sunday in April
Administrative divisions:
17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
Independence:
14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)
Constitution:
promulgated 20 June 1992
Legal system:
based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez (since 15 August 2008); Vice President Federico FRANCO (since 15 August 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013)
election results: Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez elected president; percent of vote - Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez 40.8%, Blanca OVELAR 30.6%, Lino OVIEDO 21.9%, Pedro FADUL 2.4%, other 4.3%
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 20 April 2008 (next to be held in April 2013)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 15, PLRA 14, UNACE 9, PPQ 4, other 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 30, PLRA 27, UNACE 15, PPQ 3, APC 2, other 3; note - as of 1 January 2010, the composition of the Chamber of Deputies is ANR 30, PLRA 29, UNACE 15, PPQ 4, other 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (nine judges proposed by the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura, and approved by the Senate and president)
Political parties and leaders:
Alianza Patriotica por el Cambio (Patriotic Alliance for Change) or APC [Fernando LUGO]; Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO]; Movimiento Popolar Tekojoja or Tekojoja [Sixto PEREIRA]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]; Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS [Camilo Ernesto SOARES Machado]; Partido Democratica Progresista or PDP [Rafael Augusto FILIZZOLA Serra]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando CAMACHO Paredes]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Amanda NUNEZ]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Coordinating Board of Campesino Organizations or MCNOC [Luis AGUAYO]; National Federation of Campesinos or FNC [Odilon ESPINOLA]; National Workers Central or CNT [Secretary General Juan TORRALES]; Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central or CUT [Jorge Guzman ALVARENGA Malgarejo]
International organization participation:
CAN (associate), FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Rigoberto GAUTO Vielman
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general: Kansas City (Kansas), Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Ambassador Liliana AYALDE
embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
telephone: [595] (21) 213-715
FAX: [595] (21) 228-603
Flag description:
three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears a circular seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words PAZ Y JUSTICIA (Peace and Justice)); red symbolizes bravery and patriotism, white represents integrity and peace, and blue denotes liberty and generosity
note: the three color bands resemble those on the flag of the Netherlands; one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Moldova and Saudi Arabia
National anthem:
name: "Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, The Republic or Death!)
lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/disputed
note: adopted 1934, in use since 1846; the anthem was officially adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934
Economy ::Paraguay
Economy - overview:
Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy distinguished by a large informal sector, featuring re-export of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries, as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. A large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas, derives its living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. The economy grew rapidly between 2003 and 2008 as growing world demand for commodities combined with high prices and favorable weather to support Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the sixth largest soy producer in the world. Drought hit in 2008, reducing agricultural exports and slowing the economy even before the onset of the global recession. The economy fell 3.8% in 2009, as lower world demand and commodity prices caused exports to contract. The government reacted by introducing fiscal and monetary stimulus packages. Growth resumed at a 6.5% level in 2010. Political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$30.94 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 $29.06 billion (2009 est.)
$30.2 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$17.17 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 -3.8% (2009 est.)
5.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $4,600 (2009 est.)
$4,900 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 21.8%
industry: 18.2%
services: 60.1% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
3.038 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 26.5%
industry: 18.5%
services: 55% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
6.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 7.9% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
19.4% (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.1%
highest 10%: 42.3% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
53.2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 17 57.7 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
17.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Public debt:
22.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 24% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 2.6% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
20% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 10 20% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
28.26% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 25.81% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$2.6 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 115 $2.107 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$5.03 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $4.057 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$4.395 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $3.607 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$NA (31 December 2007)
$409.1 million (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber
Industries:
sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, metallurgic, electric power
Industrial production growth rate:
6.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49
Electricity - production:
53.19 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - consumption:
8.5 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Electricity - exports:
45.14 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
31 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Oil - consumption:
27,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Oil - imports:
25,100 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Current account balance:
-$391 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 -$149.2 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$7.606 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 $5.784 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood, leather
Exports - partners:
Brazil 21%, Uruguay 17%, Chile 12%, Argentina 11%, Russia 4% (2009)
Imports:
$9.242 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 $6.917 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts
Imports - partners:
China 30%, Brazil 23%, Argentina 16%, US 5% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$4.082 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 $3.862 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$4.346 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $3.883 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$2.153 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 87 $2.057 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
guarani (PYG) per US dollar - 4,767.6 (2010), 4,965.4 (2009), 4,337.7 (2008), 5,031 (2007), 5,672.8 (2006)
Communications ::Paraguay
Telephones - main lines in use:
387,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 102
Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.619 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 89
Telephone system:
general assessment: the fixed-line market is a state monopoly and fixed-line telephone service is meager; principal switching center is in Asuncion
domestic: deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have resulted in a rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered by competition among multiple providers
international: country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Broadcast media:
5 privately-owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations broadcasting; 1 state-owned radio network (2007)
Internet country code:
.py
Internet hosts:
167,281 (2010) country comparison to the world: 69
Internet users:
1.105 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 94
Transportation ::Paraguay
Airports:
800 (2010) country comparison to the world: 9
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 15
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 785
1,524 to 2,437 m: 25
914 to 1,523 m: 290
under 914 m: 470 (2010)
Railways:
total: 36 km country comparison to the world: 132 standard gauge: 36 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 29,500 km country comparison to the world: 98 paved: 14,986 km
unpaved: 14,514 km (2000)
Waterways:
3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and Parana river systems) (2010) country comparison to the world: 33
Merchant marine:
total: 23 country comparison to the world: 96 by type: cargo 15, carrier 1, container 2, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion
Military ::Paraguay
Military branches:
Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marine Corps, Naval Aviation), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy; volunteers for the Air Force must be younger than 22 years of age with a secondary school diploma (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,640,761
females age 16-49: 1,637,460 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,375,610
females age 16-49: 1,400,597 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 72,455
female: 70,910 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Transnational Issues ::Paraguay
Disputes - international:
unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations
Illicit drugs:
major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, and Europe; weak border controls, extensive corruption and money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; weak anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Peru (South America)
Introduction ::Peru
Background:
Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime, which led to his ouster in 2000. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique as the new head of government - Peru's first democratically elected president of Native American ethnicity. The presidential election of 2006 saw the return of Alan GARCIA Perez who, after a disappointing presidential term from 1985 to 1990, has overseen a robust macroeconomic performance.
Geography ::Peru
Location:
Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador
Geographic coordinates:
10 00 S, 76 00 W
Map references:
South America
Area:
total: 1,285,216 sq km country comparison to the world: 20 land: 1,279,996 sq km
water: 5,220 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total: 7,461 km
border countries: Bolivia 1,075 km, Brazil 2,995 km, Chile 171 km, Colombia 1,800 km, Ecuador 1,420 km
Coastline:
2,414 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes
Terrain:
western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Natural resources:
copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 2.88%
permanent crops: 0.47%
other: 96.65% (2005)
Irrigated land:
12,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
1,913 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 20.13 cu km/yr (8%/10%/82%)
per capita: 720 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity
volcanism: Peru experiences volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains; Ubinas (elev. 5,672 m, 18,609 ft), which last erupted in 2009, is the country's most active volcano; other historically active volcanoes include El Misti, Huaynaputina, Sabancaya, and Yucamane
Environment - current issues:
deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River
People ::Peru
Population:
29,907,003 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29.1% (male 4,370,923/female 4,216,364)
15-64 years: 65.2% (male 9,695,270/female 9,574,018)
65 years and over: 5.7% (male 796,631/female 893,757) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 26.4 years
male: 26.1 years
female: 26.7 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.193% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Birth rate:
19 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Death rate:
6.13 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162
Net migration rate:
-0.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Urbanization:
urban population: 71% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.046 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 27.74 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 79 male: 30.15 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 25.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.03 years country comparison to the world: 138 male: 69.14 years
female: 73 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.32 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
76,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 53
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
3,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Peruvian(s)
adjective: Peruvian
Ethnic groups:
Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical 12.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified or none 2.9% (2007 Census)
Languages:
Spanish 84.1% (official), Quechua 13% (official), Aymara 1.7%, Ashaninka 0.3%, other native languages 0.7% (includes a large number of minor Amazonian languages), other 0.2% (2007 Census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.9%
male: 96.4%
female: 89.4% (2007 Census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.7% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 158
Government ::Peru
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Peru
conventional short form: Peru
local long form: Republica del Peru
local short form: Peru
Government type:
constitutional republic
Capital:
name: Lima
geographic coordinates: 12 03 S, 77 03 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
25 regions (regiones, singular - region) and 1 province* (provincia); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Lima*, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali
Independence:
28 July 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
Constitution:
29 December 1993
Legal system:
based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July 2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas (since 28 July 2006); Second Vice President Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Alan GARCIA Perez (since 28 July 2006); First Vice President Luis GIAMPIETRI Rojas (since 28 July 2006); Second Vice President Lourdes MENDOZA del Solar (since 28 July 2006)
note: Prime Minister Jose Antonio CHANG Escobedo (since 14 September 2010) does not exercise executive power; this power rests with the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for nonconsecutive reelection); presidential and congressional elections last held on 9 April 2006 with runoff election held on 4 June 2006; next to be held in April 2011
election results: Alan GARCIA Perez elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Alan GARCIA Perez 52.5%, Ollanta HUMALA Tasso 47.5%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la Republica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 9 April 2006 (next to be held in April 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - UPP 21.2%, PAP 20.6%, UN 15.3%, AF 13.1%, FC 7.1%, PP 4.1%, RN 4.0%, other 14.6%; seats by party - UPP 45, PAP 36, UN 17, AF 13, FC 5, PP 2, RN 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance For Progress (Alianza Para El Progreso) [Cesar ACUNA Peralta]; Alliance For The Future (Alianza Por El Futuro) or AF (a coalition of pro-FUJIMORI parties including Cambio 90, Nueva Mayoria, and Si Cumple); Central Front (Frente Del Centro) or FC (a coalition of Accion Popular, Somos Peru, and Coordinadora Nacional de Independientes) [Victor Andres GARCIA Belaunde]; National Renovation Party (Partido Renovacion Nacional) [Rafael REY]; National Restoration Party (Restauracion Nacional) or RN [Humberto LAY Sun]; National Solidarity Party (Partido Solidaridad Nacional) or SN [Luis CASTANEDA Lossio]; Peru Possible (Peru Posible) or PP [Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique]; Peruvian Aprista Party (Partido Aprista Peruano) or PAP [Alan GARCIA Perez] (also referred to by its original name Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana or APRA); Peruvian Nationalist Party (Partido Nacionalista Peruano) or PNP [Ollanta HUMALA Tasso]; Popular Christian Party (Partido Popular Cristiano) or PPC [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Union for Peru (Union por el Peru) or UPP [Aldo ESTRADA Choque]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
General Workers Confederation of Peru (Confederacion General de Trabajadores del Peru) or CGTP [Mario HUAMAN]; Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) or SL [Abimael GUZMAN Reynoso (imprisoned), Victor QUISPE Palomino (top leader at-large)] (leftist guerrilla group)
International organization participation:
APEC, CAN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Luis VALDIVIESO Montano
chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869
FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Hartford, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Rose M. LIKINS
embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33
mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima), APO AA 34031-5000
telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000
FAX: [51] (1) 618-2397
Flag description:
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a vicuna (representing fauna), a cinchona tree (the source of quinine, signifying flora), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out coins (denoting mineral wealth); red recalls blood shed for independence, white symbolizes peace
National anthem:
name: "Himno Nacional del Peru" (National Anthem of Peru)
lyrics/music: Jose DE LA TORRE Ugarte/Jose Bernardo ALZEDO
note: adopted 1822; the song won a national contest for an anthem
Economy ::Peru
Economy - overview:
Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid coastal region, the Andes further inland, and tropical lands bordering Colombia and Brazil. Abundant mineral resources are found in the mountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds. The Peruvian economy grew by more than 4% per year during the period 2002-06, with a stable exchange rate and low inflation. Growth jumped to 9% per year in 2007 and 2008, driven by higher world prices for minerals and metals and the government's aggressive trade liberalization strategies, but then fell to less than 1% in 2009 in the face of the world recession and lower commodity export prices. Growth resumed in 2010 at nearly 8%, due partly to increased exports. Peru's rapid expansion has helped to reduce the national poverty rate by about 15% since 2002, though underemployment remains high; inflation has trended downward in 2009, to below the Central Bank's 1-3% target. Despite Peru's strong macroeconomic performance, overdependence on minerals and metals subjects the economy to fluctuations in world prices, and poor infrastructure precludes the spread of growth to Peru's non-coastal areas. Not all Peruvians therefore have shared in the benefits of growth and despite President GARCIA's pursuit of sound trade and macroeconomic policies, persistent inequality has cost him political support. Nevertheless, he remains committed to Peru's free-trade path. Since 2006, Peru has signed trade deals with the United States, Canada, Singapore, and China, concluded negotiations with the European Union, and begun trade talks with Korea, Japan, and others. The US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) entered into force 1 February 2009, opening the way to greater trade and investment between the two economies.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$274.7 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $254.8 billion (2009 est.)
$252.5 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$153.5 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 0.9% (2009 est.)
9.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115 $8,600 (2009 est.)
$8,700 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 5.8%
industry: 33%
services: 52.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
10.58 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0.7%
industry: 23.8%
services: 75.5% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
6.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 8.1% (2009 est.)
note: data are for metropolitan Lima; widespread underemployment
Population below poverty line:
34.8% (2009)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.5%
highest 10%: 37.9% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
49.6 (2009) country comparison to the world: 26 46.2 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
25.1% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Public debt:
23.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 25% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 2.9% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.7% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 7.25% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
21.04% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 23.67% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$20.53 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 64 $16.77 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$55.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $43.57 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$28.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $23.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$69.75 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 47 $55.63 billion (31 December 2008)
$106 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
asparagus, coffee, cocoa, cotton, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, corn, plantains, grapes, oranges, pineapples, guavas, bananas, apples, lemons, pears, coca, tomatoes, mango, barley, medicinal plants, palm oil, marigold, onion, wheat, dry beans; poultry, beef, dairy products; fish; guinea pigs
Industries:
mining and refining of minerals; steel, metal fabrication; petroleum extraction and refining, natural gas; fishing and fish processing, textiles, clothing, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:
8.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Electricity - production:
30.57 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
Electricity - consumption:
28.97 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
148,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Oil - consumption:
157,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Oil - exports:
68,640 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Oil - imports:
133,100 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Oil - proved reserves:
470.8 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
Natural gas - production:
3.39 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Natural gas - consumption:
3.39 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Natural gas - exports:
NA
note: in 2010 Peru became a net exporter of LNG (2008 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Natural gas - proved reserves:
334.1 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Current account balance:
-$333 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $246.3 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$33.73 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $26.88 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
copper, gold, zinc, crude petroleum and petroleum products, coffee, potatoes, asparagus, textiles, fishmeal
Exports - partners:
US 17.86%, China 15.96%, Canada 11.35%, Japan 6.75%, Chile 5.42%, Germany 4.25% (2009)
Imports:
$25.74 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $21.01 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, plastics, machinery, vehicles, iron and steel, wheat, paper
Imports - partners:
US 23.96%, China 10.74%, Ecuador 7.25%, Brazil 7.19%, Chile 5.68%, Argentina 5.59%, Mexico 5.02% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$37.27 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $33.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$33.29 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $30.51 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$43.47 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $36.91 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$2.12 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $1.88 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
nuevo sol (PEN) per US dollar - 2.8178 (2010), 3.0115 (2009), 2.91 (2008), 3.1731 (2007), 3.2742 (2006)
Communications ::Peru
Telephones - main lines in use:
2.965 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 50
Telephones - mobile cellular:
24.7 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 36
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate for most requirements; nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is only about 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity, spurred by competition among multiple providers, has increased to roughly 85 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 51; the South America-1 (SAM-1) and Pan American (PAN-AM) submarine cable systems provide links to parts of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media:
6 major television networks of which only one, Television Nacional de Peru, is state-owned; multi-channel cable TV services are available; more than 500 radio stations including a substantial number of indigenous language stations (2007)
Internet country code:
.pe
Internet hosts:
268,225 (2010) country comparison to the world: 62
Internet users:
9.158 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 31
Transportation ::Peru
Airports:
211 (2010) country comparison to the world: 29
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 58
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 20
1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 4 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 153
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 24
914 to 1,523 m: 40
under 914 m: 87 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
extra heavy crude 533 km; gas 1,083 km; liquid petroleum gas 677 km; oil 1,018 km; refined products 15 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,989 km country comparison to the world: 73 standard gauge: 1,726 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 263 km 0.914-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 102,887 km country comparison to the world: 42 note: includes 23,838 km of national roads, 19,049 km of departmental roads, and 60,000 km of local roads (2007)
Waterways:
8,808 km country comparison to the world: 14 note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries on Amazon system and 208 km on Lago Titicaca (2010)
Merchant marine:
total: 13 country comparison to the world: 106 by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 2, petroleum tanker 7
foreign-owned: 1 (Bahamas 1)
registered in other countries: 13 (Belize 1, Panama 12) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Callao, Iquitos, Matarani, Paita, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas; note - Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are on the upper reaches of the Amazon and its tributaries
Military ::Peru
Military branches:
Army of Peru (Ejercito Peruano), Navy of Peru (Marina de Guerra del Peru, MGP (includes naval air, naval infantry, and Coast Guard)), Air Force of Peru (Fuerza Aerea del Peru, FAP) (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-30 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,920,056
females age 16-49: 7,795,130 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,045,256
females age 16-49: 6,501,224 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 312,375
female: 302,452 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 100
Transnational Issues ::Peru
Disputes - international:
Chile and Ecuador rejected Peru's November 2005 unilateral legislation to shift the axis of their joint treaty-defined maritime boundaries along the parallels of latitude to equidistance lines which favor Peru; organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia have penetrated Peru's shared border; Peru rejects Bolivia's claim to restore maritime access through a sovereign corridor through Chile along the Peruvian border
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 60,000-150,000 (civil war from 1980-2000; most IDPs are indigenous peasants in Andean and Amazonian regions) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer, Peru is now the world's second largest producer of coca leaf, though it lags far behind Colombia; cultivation of coca in Peru declined to 36,000 hectares in 2007; second largest producer of cocaine, estimated at 210 metric tons of potential pure cocaine in 2007; finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia for use in the Southern Cone or transshipment to Europe and Africa; increasing domestic drug consumption
page last updated on January 20, 2011
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@Philippines (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Philippines
Background:
The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. A 20-year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction following the 2008 global financial crisis, expanding each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010. The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which has led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and on-again/off-again peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New Peoples' Army insurgency also operates through much of the country.
Geography ::Philippines
Location:
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates:
13 00 N, 122 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 300,000 sq km country comparison to the world: 72 land: 298,170 sq km
water: 1,830 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
36,289 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
Climate:
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
Natural resources:
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper
Land use:
arable land: 19%
permanent crops: 16.67%
other: 64.33% (2005)
Irrigated land:
15,500 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
479 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 28.52 cu km/yr (17%/9%/74%)
per capita: 343 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
volcanism: the Philippines experience significant volcanic activity; Taal (elev. 311 m, 1,020 ft), which has shown recent unrest and may erupt in the near future, has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (elev. 2,462 m, 8,077 ft), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 forcing over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo and Ragang
Environment - current issues:
uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants
Geography - note:
the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait
People ::Philippines
Population:
99,900,177 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35.2% (male 17,606,352/female 16,911,376)
15-64 years: 60.6% (male 29,679,327/female 29,737,919)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 1,744,248/female 2,297,381) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 22.7 years
male: 22.2 years
female: 23.2 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.931% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Birth rate:
25.68 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Death rate:
5.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Net migration rate:
-1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Urbanization:
urban population: 65% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 19.94 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 101 male: 22.49 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 17.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.38 years country comparison to the world: 131 male: 68.45 years
female: 74.45 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.23 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
8,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Filipino(s)
adjective: Philippine
Ethnic groups:
Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol 6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 80.9%, Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%, Aglipayan 2%, other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%, none 0.1% (2000 census)
Languages:
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.6%
male: 92.5%
female: 92.7% (2000 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
2.6% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 162
Government ::Philippines
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form: Philippines
local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form: Pilipinas
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Manila
geographic coordinates: 14 35 N, 121 00 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
80 provinces and 120 chartered cities
provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay
chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago, Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batac, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabadbaran, Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog, Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao, Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, General Santos, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga, Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati, Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi, Marikina, Masbate, Mati, Meycauayan, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, Roxas, Sagay, Samal, San Carlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos (in Pangasinan), San Fernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in Pampanga), San Jose, San Jose del Monte, San Juan, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay, Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Taguig, Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Occidental), Tanauan, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires, Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga (2009)
Independence:
12 June 1898 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4 July 1946 (from the US)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US
Constitution:
2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987
Legal system:
based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Benigno AQUINO (since 30 June 2010); Vice President Jejomar BINAY (since 30 June 2010); note - president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Benigno AQUINO (since 30 June 2010)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with consent of Commission of Appointments (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for a single six-year term; election held on 10 May 2010; Benigno AQUINO declared winner and took office on 30 June 2010; next election to be held in May 2016
election results: Benigno AQUINO elected president; percent of vote - Benigno AQUINO 42.1%, Joseph ESTRADA 26.3%, seven others 31.6%; Jejomar BINAY elected vice president; percent of vote Jejomar BINAY 41.6%, Manuel ROXAS 39.6%, six others 18.8%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24 seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at large by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Nga Kinatawan; the House has 287 seats including 230 members in one tier representing districts and 57 sectoral party-list members in a second tier representing special minorities elected on the basis of one seat for every 2% of the total vote but are limited to three seats; a party represented in one tier may not hold seats in the other tier; all House members are elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms
note: the constitution limits the House of Representatives to 250 members; the number of members allowed was increased, however, through legislation when in April 2009 the Philippine Supreme Court ruled that additional party members could sit in the House of Representatives if they received the required number of votes
elections: Senate - elections last held on 10 May 2010 (next to be held in May 2013); House of Representatives - elections last held on 10 May 2010 (next to be held in May 2013)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Lakas-Kampi CMD 4, LP 4, NP 4, NPC 2, PMP 2, LDP 1, PRP 1, independents 5; note - there are 23 rather than 24 sitting senators because one senator was elected mayor of Manila; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Lakas-Kampi CMD 38.4%, LP 20.3%, NPC 15.4%, NP 11.5%, independents 7.1%, others 7.3%; seats by party - Lakas-Kampi CMD 104, LP 45, NPC 31, NP 26, others 17, independents 7, party-list 56
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70 years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court for hearing corruption cases of government officials)
Political parties and leaders:
Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]; Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD [Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO]; Liberal Party or LP [Manuel ROXAS]; Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel VILLAR]; Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC [Frisco SAN JUAN]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO]; Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Force of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]; United Opposition or UNO [Jejomar BINAY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
ABONO [Robert ESTRELLA]; AKBAYAN [Anna Theresia BARAQUIEL]; An Waray [Florencio NOEL]; Anak Mindanao [Mujiv HATAMIN]; ANAKPAWIS [Rafael MARIANO]; ARC [Narciso SANTIAGO III]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC) [Ernesto PABLO and Edgar VALDEZ]; A TEACHER [Mariano PIAMONTE]; Bayan Muna [Satur OCAMPO and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.]; Black and White Movement [Vicente ROMANO]; BUHAY [Rene VELARDE, Carissa COSCOLLUELLA, and William TIENG]; BUTIL [Leonila CHAVEZ]; CIBAC [Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; COOP-NATCO [Jose PING-AY]; GABRIELA [Liza MAZA and Luzviminda ILAGAN]; KABATAAN [Raymon PALATINO]; Kilosbayan [Jovito SALONGA]; YACAP [Carol LOPEZ]
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CICA (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Willy C. GAA
chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300
FAX: [1] (202) 467-9417
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Harry K. THOMAS Jr.
embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita 1000, Manila
mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000
telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000
FAX: [63] (2) 301-2399
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight primary rays; each corner of the triangle contains a small, yellow, five-pointed star; blue stands for peace and justice, red symbolizes courage, the white equal-sided triangle represents equality; the rays recall the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, while the stars represent the three major geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897
note: in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the red band at the top
National anthem:
name: "Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land)
lyrics/music: Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA de Leon)/Julian FELIPE
note: music adopted 1898, original Spanish lyrics adopted 1899, Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; although the original lyrics were written in Spanish, later English and Filipino versions were created; today, only the Filipino version is used
Economy ::Philippines
Economy - overview:
Philippine GDP grew nearly 7% in 2010. The economy weathered the 2008-09 global recession better than its regional peers due to minimal exposure to securities issued by troubled global financial institutions; lower dependence on exports; relatively resilient domestic consumption, supported by large remittances from four-to five-million overseas Filipino workers; and a growing business process outsourcing industry. Economic growth in the Philippines has averaged 4.5% per year since 2001, when former President MACAPAGAL-ARROYO took office. Despite this growth, poverty worsened during the term of MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, because of a high population growth rate and inequitable distribution of income. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO averted a fiscal crisis by pushing for new revenue measures and, until recently, tightening expenditures to address the government's yawning budget deficit and to reduce high debt and debt service ratios. But the government abandoned its 2008 balanced-budget goal in order to help the economy weather the global financial and economic storm. The economy under AQUINO faces budget shortfalls in the near term, but has had little difficulty issuing debt both locally and internationally to finance the deficits. AQUINO's first budget emphasizes education and other social spending programs, relying on the private sector to finance important infrastructure projects. Weak tax collection in recent years limits the government's ability to address major challenges.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$351.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $329.2 billion (2009 est.)
$325.6 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$189.1 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 1.1% (2009 est.)
3.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $3,400 (2009 est.)
$3,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 13.7%
industry: 31.7%
services: 54.6% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
38.91 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 34%
industry: 15%
services: 51% (2009 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 7.5% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
32.9% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 31.2% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
45.8 (2006) country comparison to the world: 37 46.6 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
14.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Public debt:
55.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 57.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 3.2% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 76 6% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.57% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 8.75% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$30.09 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 55 $24.06 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$91.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $78.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$95.54 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $83.12 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$80.13 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 41 $85.63 billion (31 December 2008)
$172.5 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, coconuts, rice, corn, bananas, cassavas, pineapples, mangoes; pork, eggs, beef; fish
Industries:
electronics assembly, garments, footwear, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:
11.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Electricity - production:
56.57 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Electricity - consumption:
48.96 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
25,290 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Oil - consumption:
313,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Oil - exports:
36,720 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Oil - imports:
342,200 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
Oil - proved reserves:
138.5 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - production:
2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Natural gas - consumption:
2.94 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Natural gas - proved reserves:
98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Current account balance:
$8.575 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $8.552 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$45.89 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $37.51 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
semiconductors and electronic products, transport equipment, garments, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, fruits
Exports - partners:
US 17.6%, Japan 16.2%, Netherlands 9.8%, Hong Kong 8.6%, China 7.7%, Germany 6.5%, Singapore 6.2% (2009)
Imports:
$57.24 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $46.39 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics, grains, chemicals, plastic
Imports - partners:
Japan 12.5%, US 12%, China 8.8%, Singapore 8.7%, South Korea 7.9% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$49.74 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $44.24 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$61.85 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $62.97 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$24.94 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $22.44 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$6.591 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $6.191 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 45.459 (2010), 47.68 (2009), 44.439 (2008), 46.148 (2007), 51.246 (2006)
Communications ::Philippines
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.1 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 37
Telephones - mobile cellular:
74.489 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 15
Telephone system:
general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate
domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations; mobile-cellular communications now dominate the industry; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 80 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 63; a series of submarine cables together provide connectivity to Asia, US, the Middle East, and Europe; multiple international gateways (2009)
Broadcast media:
multiple national private TV and radio networks and a government-operated national TV and radio network; about 300 television stations and more than 1,000 radio stations; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems are available (2008)
Internet country code:
.ph
Internet hosts:
394,990 (2010) country comparison to the world: 53
Internet users:
8.278 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 34
Transportation ::Philippines
Airports:
254 (2010) country comparison to the world: 25
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 85
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 29
914 to 1,523 m: 34
under 914 m: 10 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 169
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 66
under 914 m: 99 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Pipelines:
oil 107 km; refined products 112 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 897 km country comparison to the world: 95 narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (492 km are in operation) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 201,910 km country comparison to the world: 24 paved: 21,677 km
unpaved: 180,233 km (2008)
Waterways:
3,219 km; (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m) (2011) country comparison to the world: 31
Merchant marine:
total: 428 country comparison to the world: 24 by type: bulk carrier 75, cargo 135, carrier 16, chemical tanker 26, container 13, liquefied gas 5, passenger 7, passenger/cargo 68, petroleum tanker 45, refrigerated cargo 17, roll on/roll off 12, vehicle carrier 9
foreign-owned: 156 (Bermuda 43, China 4, Greece 4, Japan 82, Malaysia 1, Netherlands 18, Singapore 1, South Korea 1, Taiwan 1, UAE 1)
registered in other countries: 7 (Cyprus 1, Panama 6) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift
Military ::Philippines
Military branches:
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps and Coast Guard), Air Force (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-25 years of age (officers 21-29) for compulsory and voluntary military service; applicants must be single male or female Philippine citizens (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 25,079,262
females age 16-49: 24,556,912 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 19,650,825
females age 16-49: 21,029,243 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,039,679
female: 1,001,448 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Transnational Issues ::Philippines
Disputes - international:
Philippines claims sovereignty over Scarborough Reef (also claimed by China together with Taiwan) and over certain of the Spratly Islands, known locally as the Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting the Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a sovereignty claim on his behalf; maritime delimitation negotiations continue with Palau
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 300,000 (fighting between government troops and MILF and Abu Sayyaf groups) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing problem in recent years despite government crackdowns; major consumer of amphetamines; longstanding marijuana producer mainly in rural areas where Manila's control is limited
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Pitcairn Islands (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Pitcairn Islands
Background:
Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by the British and settled in 1790 by the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions. Pitcairn was the first Pacific island to become a British colony (in 1838) and today remains the last vestige of that empire in the South Pacific. Outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned the population from a peak of 233 in 1937 to less than 50 today.
Geography ::Pitcairn Islands
Location:
Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between Peru and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
25 04 S, 130 06 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 47 sq km country comparison to the world: 233 land: 47 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
51 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March)
Terrain:
rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Big Ridge 347 m
Natural resources:
miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish
note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been discovered offshore
Land use:
arable land: NA
permanent crops: NA
other: NA
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
typhoons (especially November to March)
Environment - current issues:
deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement)
Geography - note:
Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationed offshore
People ::Pitcairn Islands
Population:
48 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 238
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 198
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA
Urbanization:
urban population: 0% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Pitcairn Islander(s)
adjective: Pitcairn Islander
Ethnic groups:
descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives
Religions:
Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Languages:
English (official), Pitkern (mixture of an 18th century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect)
Literacy:
NA
Government ::Pitcairn Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands
Dependency status:
overseas territory of the UK
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Adamstown
geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 05 W
time difference: UTC-9 (4 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
Constitution:
The Pitcairn Constitution Order 2010, effective 4 March 2010
Legal system:
local island by-laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal with three years residency
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands George FERGUSSON (since April 2006); Commissioner (nonresident) Leslie JAQUES (since September 2003) serves as liaison between the governor and the Island Council
head of government: Governor George FERGUSSON (since April 2006); Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Mike WARREN (since 1 January 2008)
cabinet: NA (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor elected by popular vote for a three-year term; election last held in December 2007 (next to be held in December 2010)
election results: Mike WARREN elected mayor and chairman of the Island Council
Legislative branch:
unicameral Island Council (11 seats; mayor, deputy mayor, 4 members elected by popular vote, 1 member appointed by the governor, 3 ex officio members including governor, deputy governor, and commissioner; deputy mayor and elected members serve two-year terms)
elections: last held on 24 December 2009 (next to be held on 24 December 2011)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents
Judicial branch:
Magistrate's Court; Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; judicial officers are appointed by the governor
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the green, yellow, and blue of the shield represents the island rising from the ocean; the green field features a yellow anchor surmounted by a bible (both the anchor and the bible were items found on the HMS Bounty); sitting on the crest is a Pitcairn Island wheelbarrow from which springs a slip of miro (a local plant)
National anthem:
name: "We From Pitcairn Island"
lyrics/music: unknown/Frederick M. LEHMAN
note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Economy ::Pitcairn Islands
Economy - overview:
The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships. In October 2004, more than one-quarter of Pitcairn's small labor force was arrested, putting the economy in a bind, since their services were required as lighter crew to load or unload passing ships.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$NA
Labor force:
15 able-bodied men (2004) country comparison to the world: 229
Labor force - by occupation:
note: no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing
Agriculture - products:
honey; wide variety of fruits and vegetables; goats, chickens, fish
Industries:
postage stamps, handicrafts, beekeeping, honey
Electricity - production:
NA kWh; note - electric power is provided by a small diesel-powered generator
Exports:
$NA
Exports - commodities:
fruits, vegetables, curios, stamps
Imports:
$NA
Imports - commodities:
fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4015 (2010), 1.6002 (2009), 1.4151 (2008), 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408 (2006)
Communications ::Pitcairn Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
1 (there are 17 telephones on one party line); (2004) country comparison to the world: 230
Telephone system:
general assessment: satellite phone services
domestic: domestic communication via radio (CB)
international: country code - 872; satellite earth station - 1 (Inmarsat)
Broadcast media:
no local broadcast television or radio stations (2009)
Internet country code:
.pn
Internet hosts:
20 (2010) country comparison to the world: 218
Transportation ::Pitcairn Islands
Ports and terminals:
Adamstown (on Bounty Bay)
Military ::Pitcairn Islands
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Pitcairn Islands
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 12, 2011
======================================================================
@Poland (Europe)
Introduction ::Poland
Background:
Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century. During the following century, the strengthening of the gentry and internal disorders weakened the nation. In a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland amongst themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war, but its government was comparatively tolerant and progressive. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force and by 1990 had swept parliamentary elections and the presidency. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe, but Poland still faces the lingering challenges of high unemployment, underdeveloped and dilapidated infrastructure, and a poor rural underclass. Solidarity suffered a major defeat in the 2001 parliamentary elections when it failed to elect a single deputy to the lower house of Parliament, and the new leaders of the Solidarity Trade Union subsequently pledged to reduce the Trade Union's political role. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. With its transformation to a democratic, market-oriented country largely completed, Poland is an increasingly active member of Euro-Atlantic organizations.
Geography ::Poland
Location:
Central Europe, east of Germany
Geographic coordinates:
52 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 312,685 sq km country comparison to the world: 69 land: 304,255 sq km
water: 8,430 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total: 3,047 km
border countries: Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 615 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Slovakia 420 km, Ukraine 428 km
Coastline:
440 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties
Climate:
temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers
Terrain:
mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 m
highest point: Rysy 2,499 m
Natural resources:
coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt, amber, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 40.25%
permanent crops: 1%
other: 58.75% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,000 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
63.1 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 11.73 cu km/yr (13%/79%/8%)
per capita: 304 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
flooding
Environment - current issues:
situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in heavy industry and increased environmental concern by post-Communist governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal of hazardous wastes; pollution levels should continue to decrease as industrial establishments bring their facilities up to EU code, but at substantial cost to business and the government
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94
Geography - note:
historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
People ::Poland
Population:
38,463,689 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15% (male 2,964,995/female 2,802,278)
15-64 years: 71.6% (male 13,713,078/female 13,845,251)
65 years and over: 13.4% (male 1,966,406/female 3,190,911) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 38.2 years
male: 36.5 years
female: 40 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.053% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Birth rate:
10.04 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 195
Death rate:
10.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
Net migration rate:
-0.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Urbanization:
urban population: 61% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.061 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.66 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 171 male: 7.38 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.85 years country comparison to the world: 75 male: 71.88 years
female: 80.06 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.29 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 209
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1%; note - no country specific models provided (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
20,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Pole(s)
adjective: Polish
Ethnic groups:
Polish 96.7%, German 0.4%, Belarusian 0.1%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 2.7% (2002 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 89.8% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.3%, other 0.3%, unspecified 8.3% (2002)
Languages:
Polish (official) 97.8%, other and unspecified 2.2% (2002 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.8%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.7% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 16 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
4.9% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 78
Government ::Poland