males age 16-49: 31,929,204
females age 16-49: 30,638,979 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 19,763,535
females age 16-49: 18,850,650 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,697,030
female: 1,618,561 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 108
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 November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@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 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, Ozone Layer Protection
Geography - note:
one of world's largest coral islands
People ::Niue
Population:
1,398 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 234
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.032% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 39% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: -0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
NA (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
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: 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:
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 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
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):
$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: 55
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$5,800 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 23.5%
industry: 26.9%
services: 49.5% (2003)
Labor force:
663 (2001)
country comparison to the world: 219
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: 136
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)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 63
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:
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 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Oil - consumption:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Oil - imports:
30.66 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 145
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
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: 217
Imports - commodities:
food, live animals, manufactured goods, machinery, fuels,
lubricants, chemicals, drugs
Debt - external:
$418,000 (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.4151 (2008 est.), 1.3811
(2007), 1.5408 (2006), 1.4203 (2005), 1.5087 (2004)
Communications ::Niue
Telephones - main lines in use:
1,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 227
Telephones - mobile cellular:
600 (2004)
country comparison to the world: 220
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)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (1997)
Internet country code:
.nu
Internet hosts:
396,370 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 50
Internet users:
1,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 214
Transportation ::Niue
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 218
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 120 km
country comparison to the world: 211
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
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@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:
2,141 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 230
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% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA (2009 est.)
Sex ratio:
NA (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: NA
male: NA
female: NA (2008 est.)
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: Acting Administrator Owen WALSH (since October
2007)
cabinet: Executive Council is 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
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)
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.
Imports - commodities:
NA
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.2059 (2008 est.), 1.2137
(2007), 1.3285 (2006), 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004)
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: 220
Telephones - mobile cellular:
0; note - proposed cellular service disallowed in August 2002 island
referendum (2002)
country comparison to the world: 221
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)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (local programming station plus 2 repeaters that air Australian
programs by satellite) (2005)
Internet country code:
.nf
Internet hosts:
89 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 201
Transportation ::Norfolk Island
Airports:
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 217
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 80 km
country comparison to the world: 214
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
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@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: 196
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 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:
88,662 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 8,372/female 7,616)
15-64 years: 80.3% (male 28,602/female 42,557)
65 years and over: 1.7% (male 786/female 729) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 30.1 years
male: 32.1 years
female: 29.2 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.292% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Birth rate:
18.77 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Death rate:
2.32 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
Net migration rate:
6.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
Urbanization: