females age 16-49: 30,638,979 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 18,556,755
females age 16-49: 17,288,225 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,663,025
female: 1,585,224 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.5% of GDP (2006)
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
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Niue
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 1,444 in 2008), 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
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 location 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
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
one of world's largest coral islands
People
Niue
Population:
1,444 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate:
-0.032% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Death rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
NA (2008 est.)
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:
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: pronounciation 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:
on 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 own 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 three ministers
elections: the monarch is hereditary; premier elected by the
Legislative Assembly for a three-year term; election last held 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 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, 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
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 a financial services industry, although the
International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in the termination
of all offshore banking licenses. Economic aid from New Zealand in
2002 was US$2.6 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):
$7.6 million (2000 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$10.01 million (2003)
GDP - real growth rate:
6.2% (2003 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,800 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 23.5%
industry: 26.9%
services: 49.5% (2003)
Labor force:
663 (2001)
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)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $15.07 million
expenditures: $16.33 million (FY0405)
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (2005)
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, passion fruit, honey, limes, taro, yams, cassava
(tapioca), sweet potatoes; pigs, poultry, beef cattle
Industries:
tourism, handicrafts, food processing
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
4 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
3.72 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
20 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
26.57 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Exports:
$201,400 (2004)
Exports - commodities:
canned coconut cream, copra, honey, vanilla, passion fruit products,
pawpaws, root crops, limes, footballs, stamps, handicrafts
Exports - partners:
New Zealand mainly, Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia (2006)
Imports:
$9.038 million (2004)
Imports - commodities:
food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels,
lubricants, chemicals, drugs
Imports - partners:
New Zealand mainly, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Australia, US (2006)
Economic aid - recipient:
$2.6 million from New Zealand (2002)
Debt - external:
$418,000 (2002 est.)
Currency (code):
New Zealand dollar (NZD)
Currency code:
NZD
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.3811 (2007), 1.5408
(2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004), 1.7221 (2003)
Communications
Niue
Telephones - main lines in use:
1,100 (2002 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
400 (2002)
Telephone system:
domestic: single-line telephone system connects all villages on
island
international: country code - 683 (2001)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios:
1,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (1997)
Televisions:
NA
Internet country code:
.nu
Internet hosts:
382,599 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2000)
Internet users:
900 (2002)
Transportation
Niue
Airports:
1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 120 km
paved: 120 km (2008)
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
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
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Norfolk Island
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: 34.6 sq km
land: 34.6 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:
2,128 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.2%
15-64 years: 63.9%
65 years and over: 15.9% (2007 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.006% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Death rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
NA (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
NA (2008 est.)
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 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: Acting Administrator Owen WALSH (since October
2007)
cabinet: Executive Council is made up of four of the nine members of
the Legislative Assembly; the council devises government policy and
acts as an advisor to the administrator
elections: the monarch 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; to serve three-year terms)
elections: last held 21 March 2007 (next to be held by 28 March 2010)
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
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:
NA
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 10%
industry and services: 90%
Budget:
revenues: $4.6 million
expenditures: $4.8 million (FY99/00)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June
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
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 0%
hydro: 0%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (2002)
Exports:
$1.5 million f.o.b. (FY91/92)
Exports - commodities:
postage stamps, seeds of the Norfolk Island pine and Kentia palm,
small quantities of avocados
Exports - partners:
Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe (2006)
Imports:
$17.9 million c.i.f. (FY91/92)
Imports - commodities:
NA
Imports - partners:
Australia, other Pacific island countries, NZ, Asia, Europe (2006)
Economic aid - recipient:
$NA
Debt - external:
$NA
Currency (code):
Australian dollar (AUD)
Currency code:
AUD
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2137 (2007), 1.3285
(2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003)
Communications
Norfolk Island
Telephones - main lines in use:
2,532; note - a mix of analog (2500) and digital (32) circuits (2004)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
0; note - proposed cellular service disallowed in August 2002 island
referendum (2002)
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
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005)
Radios:
2,500 (1996)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (local programming station plus 2 repeaters that air Australian
programs by satellite) (2005)
Televisions:
1,200 (1996)
Internet country code:
.nf
Internet hosts:
51 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
2 (2000)
Internet users:
700 (2002 est.)
Transportation
Norfolk Island
Airports:
1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 80 km
paved: 53 km
unpaved: 27 km (2008)
Ports and terminals:
none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade
Military
Norfolk Island
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues
Norfolk Island
Disputes - international:
none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Northern Mariana Islands
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: 477 sq km
land: 477 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes 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 location 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:
86,616 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18.4% (male 8,342/female 7,594)
15-64 years: 79.9% (male 27,996/female 41,245)
65 years and over: 1.7% (male 740/female 699) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 29.9 years
male: 32 years
female: 28.9 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.377% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
19.04 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
2.31 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
7.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.68 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
total population: 0.75 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.72 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 6.68 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.5 years
male: 73.89 years
female: 79.26 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.18 children born/woman (2008 est.)
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: