their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the
19th century) 37%, Creole (mixed white and black) 31%, Javanese 15%,
"Maroons" (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the
17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 10%,
Amerindian 2%, Chinese 2%, white 1%, other 2%
Religions: Hindu 27.4%, Muslim 19.6%, Roman Catholic 22.8%, Protestant
25.2% (predominantly Moravian), indigenous beliefs 5%
Languages: Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo
(Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is native language of Creoles
and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others),
Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 93% male: 95% female: 91% (1995 est.)
Government Suriname
Country name: Republic of Suriname conventional short form: Guiana
local long form: Republiek Suriname
Government type: constitutional democracy
Capital: Paramaribo
Administrative divisions: 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt);
Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo,
Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica
Independence: 25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
Constitution: ratified 30 September 1987
Legal system: based on Dutch legal system incorporating French penal
theory
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN
(since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since
12 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government head of government: President Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN
(since 12 August 2000); Vice President Jules Rattankoemar AJODHIA (since
12 August 2000); note - the president is both the chief of state and head
of government cabinet: of the National Assembly elections: president and
vice president elected by the National Assembly or, if no presidential
or vice presidential candidate receives a constitutional majority in
the National Assembly after two votes, by the larger People's Assembly
(869 representatives from the national, local, and regional councils),
for five-year terms; election last held 6 May 2000 (next to be held NA
May 2005) election results: Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN elected president
by the National Assembly; percent of legislative vote - Runaldo Ronald
VENETIAAN 72.5%; Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 19.6%; total votes cast - Runaldo
Ronald VENETIAAN (New Front) 37 votes, Rashied DOEKHIE (NDP) 10 votes
note: widespread demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the
call for elections a year early
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee
(51 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year
terms) election results: 3, DA '91 2, PVF 2, PALU 1 note: widespread
demonstrations during the summer of 1999 led to the call for elections
a year early elections: Judicial branch: Court of Justice (justices
are nominated for life)
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Alternative '91 or DA '91 (a
coalition of the Alternative Forum or AF and Party for Brotherhood and
Unity in Politics or BEP, formed in January 1991) [S. RAMKHELAWAN];
Democratic National Platform 2000 or DNP 2000 (coalition of two
parties, Democratic Party and Democrats of the 21st Century) [Jules
WIJDENBOSCH]; Independent Progressive Democratic Alternative or OPDA
[Joginder RAMKHILAWAN]; Millennium Combination or MC (a coalition of three
parties, Democratic Alternative, Party for National Unity and Solidarity,
and National Democratic Party) [leader NA]; National Democratic Party or
NDP [Desire BOUTERSE]; Naya Kadam or NK [leader NA]; Party for Renewal
and Democracy or BVD [Tjan GOBARDHAN]; Party of National Unity and
Solidarity or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA]; Pertjaja Luhur [Paul SOMOHARDJO];
Progressive Workers' and Farm Laborers' Union or PALU [Ir Iwan KROLIS];
The New Front or NF (a coalition of four parties Suriname National Party
or NPS, Progressive Reform Party or VHP, Suriname Labor Party or SPA, and
Pertjaja Luhur) [Runaldo Ronald VENETIAAN]; The Progressive Development
Alliance (a combination of three parties, Renewed Progressive Party
or HPP, Party of the Federation of Land Workers or PVF, and Suriname
Progressive People's Party or PSV) [Harry KISOENSINGH]
Political pressure groups and leaders: General Liberation and Development
Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK]; Mandela Bushnegro Liberation Movement
[Leendert ADAMS]; Tucayana Amazonica [Alex JUBITANA, Thomas SABAJO];
Union for Liberation and Democracy [Kofi AFONGPONG]
International organization participation: ACP, Caricom, ECLAC, FAO,
G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDB, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Henry
Lothar ILLES FAX: [1] (202) 244-5878
[1] (202) 244-7488 chancery:
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador
Daniel A. JOHNSON embassy: Dr. Sophie Redmondstraat 129, Paramaribo
mailing address: Department of State, 3390
[597] 472900 FAX:
Flag description: five horizontal bands of green (top, double width),
white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); there is
a large, yellow, five-pointed star centered in the red band
Economy Suriname
Economy - overview: The economy is dominated by the bauxite
industry, which accounts for more than 15% of GDP and 70% of export
earnings. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium term will depend
on renewed commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and
to the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and
promote competition. The government of Ronald VENETIAAN has begun an
austerity program, raised taxes, and attempted to control spending. The
Dutch Government has restarted the aid flow, which will allow Suriname
to access international development financing.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.5 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: -5.5% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,500 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 22% services:
65% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 59% (2000)
Labor force: 100,000
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%
Unemployment rate: 20% (1997)
Budget: revenues: $393 million expenditures: $403 million, including
capital expenditures of $34 million (1997 est.)
Industries: bauxite and gold mining, alumina production, oil, lumbering,
food processing, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: 6.5% (1994 est.)
Electricity - production: 1.407 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 35.82% hydro: 64.18%
other: 0% (2000) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 1.309 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: paddy rice, bananas, palm kernels, coconuts,
plantains, peanuts; beef, chickens; forest products; shrimp
Exports: $399 million (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities: alumina, crude oil, lumber, shrimp and fish,
rice, bananas
Exports - partners: US 23%, Norway 19%, Netherlands 11%, France, Japan,
UK (1999)
Imports: $525 million (f.o.b., 1999)
Imports - commodities: capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs, cotton,
consumer goods
Imports - partners: US 35%, Netherlands 15%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%,
Japan, UK, Brazil (1999)
Debt - external: $512 million (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient: Netherlands provided $37 million for project
and program assistance, European Development Fund $4 million, Belgium
$2 million (1998)
Currency: Surinamese guilder (SRG)
Currency code: SRG
Exchange rates: Surinamese guilders per US dollar - 2,178.50 (2001),
2,178.50 (2000), 987.50 (1999), 401.00 (1998), 401.00 (1997); note -
yearend rates note: unified and became market determined; during 1998,
the exchange rate splintered into four distinct rates; in January 1999
the government floated the guilder, but subsequently fixed it when the
black-market rate plunged; the government currently allows trading within
a band of SRG 500 around the official rate
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications Suriname
Telephones - main lines in use: 64,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 4,090 (1997)
Telephone system: general assessment: international facilities are good
domestic: microwave radio relay network international: satellite earth
stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 13, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios: 300,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus seven repeaters) (2000)
Televisions: 63,000 (1997)
Internet country code: .sr
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000)
Internet users: 11,700 (2001)
Transportation Suriname
Railways: 80 km 1.435-m gauge note: 1.000-m gauge
Highways: total: 4,530 km paved: 1,178 km unpaved: 3,352 km (1996)
Waterways: 1,200 km note: most important means of transport; oceangoing
vessels with drafts ranging up to 7 m can navigate many of the principal
waterways
Ports and harbors: Albina, Moengo, New Nickerie, Paramaribo, Paranam,
Wageningen
Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,432
GRT/4,525 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, container 1, petroleum tanker 1
(2002 est.)
Airports: 46 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m:
1 under 914 m: 4 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to
1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 35 (2001)
Military Suriname
Military branches: National Army (including small Navy and Air Force
elements), Civil Police
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 123,072 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 72,059
(2002 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.6% (FY97 est.)
Transnational Issues Suriname
Disputes - international: area disputed by French Guiana between Riviere
Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa); area disputed
by Guyana between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari [Kutari]
rivers (all headwaters of the Courantyne); territorial sea boundary with
Guyana is in dispute
Illicit drugs: growing transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for Europe and Brazil; transshipment point for arms-for-drugs
dealing
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Netherlands Antilles
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 the newly discovered
Venezuelan oil fields. The island of Saint Martin is shared with France;
its northern portion is named Saint-Martin and is part of Guadeloupe,
and its southern portion is named Sint Maarten and is part of the
Netherlands Antilles.
Geography Netherlands Antilles
Location: Caribbean, two island groups in the Caribbean Sea - one
includes Curacao and Bonaire north of Venezuela; the other is east of
the Virgin Islands
Geographic coordinates: 12 15 N, 68 45 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 960 sq km note: includes Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint
Eustatius, and Sint Maarten (Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin)
water: Area - comparative: more than five times the size of Washington,
DC
Land boundaries: total: 10.2 km border countries: Guadeloupe (Saint
Martin) 10.2 km
Coastline: 364 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 12 NM territorial sea: 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% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane
belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius
are subject to hurricanes from July to October
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)
People Netherlands Antilles
Population: 214,258 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 25% (male 27,351; female 26,135) 15-64 years:
67.1% (male 68,431; female 75,312) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 7,049;
female 9,980) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.93% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 16.16 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Death rate: 6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05
male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over:
0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 11.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: 77.46 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility
rate: 2.06 children born/woman (2002 est.)
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%, Carib Amerindian, white, East Asian
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Seventh-Day Adventist
Languages: Dutch (official), Papiamento (a
Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) predominates, English widely
spoken, Spanish
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 98% male: 98% female: 99% (1981 est.)
Government Netherlands Antilles
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form:
Netherlands Antilles
Curacao and Dependencies local short form:
Dependency status: part of 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: Willemstad
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 in 1909
and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980),
30 April
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 Jaime SALEH (since NA
October 1989) head of government: Prime Minister Miguel POURIER (since 8
November 1999); Deputy Prime Minister Susanne CAMELIA-ROMER (since NA)
cabinet: - PDB, DP-St. M, FOL, PLKP, PNP elections: the monarch is
hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch for a six-year
term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party
is usually elected prime minister by the Staten; election last held 18
January 2002 (next to be held by NA 2006) note: Miguel POURIER became
prime minister following the resignation of Susanne CAMELIA-ROMER
Legislative branch: unicameral States or Staten (22 seats; members are
elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) note: the government
of Prime Minister Miguel POURIER is a coalition of several parties;
current seats by party - PAR 4, PNP 3, FOL 2, MAN 2, UPB 2, DP-St. M
2, PDB 1, SEA 1, WIPM 1, other 4 elections: last held 18 January 2002
(next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote by party -
NA%; seats by party - FOL 5, PAR 4, PNP 3, PLKP 2, DP-St.M 2, UPB 2,
DP 1, MAN 1, PDB 1, WIPM 1
Judicial branch: Joint High Court of Justice (judges appointed by
the monarch)
Political parties and leaders: Antillean Restructuring Party or PAR
[Miguel POURIER]; C 93 [Stanley BROWN]; Democratic Party of Bonaire or PDB
[Jopi ABRAHAM]; Democratic Party of Curacao or DP [Errol HERNANDEZ];
Democratic Party of Sint Eustatius or DP-St. E [Julian WOODLEY];
Democratic Party of Sint Maarten or DP-St. M [Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS];
Foundation Energetic Management Anti-Narcotics or FAME [Eric LODEWIJKS];
Labor Party People's Crusade or PLKP [Errol COVA]; National People's
Party or PNP [Susanne F. C. CAMELIA-ROMER]; New Antilles Movement or MAN
[Kenneth GIJSBERTHA]; Patriotic Union of Bonaire or UPB [Ramon BOOI];
Patriotic Movement of Sint Maarten or SPA [Vance JAMES, Jr.]; People's
Party or PAPU [Richard Hodi]; Pro Curacao Party or PPK [Winston LOURENS];
Saba Democratic Labor Movement [Steve HASSELL]; Saba Unity Party [Carmen
SIMMONDS]; St. Eustatius Alliance or SEA [Kenneth VAN PUTTEN]; Serious
Alternative People's Party or Sapp [Julian ROLLOCKS]; Social Action Cause
or KAS [Benny DEMEI]; Windward Islands People's Movement or WIPM [Will
JOHNSTON]; Workers' Liberation Front or FOL [Anthony GODETT, Rignald LAK,
Editha WRIGHT] note: political parties are indigenous to each island
Political pressure groups and leaders: NA
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CCC,
ECLAC (associate), Interpol, IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WCL, WMO,
WToO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (represented by the Kingdom
of the Netherlands)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General
Deborah A. BOLTON consulate(s)
J. B. Gorsiraweg #1, Willemstad AN, Curacao mailing address: [599]
(9) 4616489
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 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 in each of the past five
years, the islands enjoy a high per capita income and a well-developed
infrastructure compared with other countries in the region. Almost all
consumer and capital goods are imported, the US and Mexico being the
major suppliers. Poor soils and inadequate water supplies hamper the
development of agriculture.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: -3.5% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,400 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1% industry: 15% services: 84%
(1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.8% (2000 est.)
Labor force: 89,000
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 1%, industry 13%, services 86%
(1994 est.)
Unemployment rate: 15% (1998 est.)
Budget: revenues: $710.8 million expenditures: $741.6 million, including
capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
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: 1.175 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0%
(2000) nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 1.093 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2000)
Agriculture - products: aloes, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical
fruit
Exports: $276 million (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities: petroleum products
Exports - partners: US 35.9%, Guatemala 9.4%, Venezuela 8.7%, France
5.4%, Singapore 2.8% (2000)
Imports: $1.5 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, food, manufactures
Imports - partners: US 25.8%, Mexico 20.7%, Gabon 6.6%, Italy 5.8%,
Netherlands 5.5% (2000)
Debt - external: $1.35 billion (1996)
Economic aid - recipient: IMF provided $61 million in 2000, and the
Netherlands continued its support with $40 million
Currency: Netherlands Antillean guilder (ANG)
Currency code: ANG
Exchange rates: Netherlands Antillean guilders per US dollar - 1.790
(fixed rate since 1989)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications Netherlands Antilles
Telephones - main lines in use: 76,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 13,977 (1996)
Telephone system: general assessment: generally adequate facilities
domestic: extensive interisland microwave radio relay links international:
submarine cables - 2; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 217,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (there is also a cable service which
supplies programs received from various US satellite networks and two
Venezuelan channels) (1997)
Televisions: 69,000 (1997)
Internet country code: .an
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6
Internet users: 2,000 (2000)
Transportation Netherlands Antilles
Railways: 0 km (2002)
Highways: total: 600 km paved: 300 km unpaved: 300 km (1992)
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Kralendijk, Philipsburg, Willemstad
Merchant marine: total: 123 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,056,362
GRT/1,341,735 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 39, chemical tanker 2,
combination ore/oil 4, container 24, liquefied gas 5, multi-functional
large-load carrier 15, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 24, roll on/roll
off 7 note: includes foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of
convenience: Belgium 3, Denmark 2, Germany 43, Monaco 8, Netherlands 52,
New Zealand 1, Norway 3, Peru 1, Spain 1, Sweden 3, United Kingdom 5
(2002 est.)
Airports: 5 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m:
2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2001)
Military Netherlands Antilles
Military branches: no regular indigenous military forces; Royal
Netherlands Navy, Marine Corps, Royal Netherlands Air Force, National
Guard, Police Force
Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age (2002 est.)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 54,752 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 30,642
(2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 1,610
(2002 est.)
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands
Transnational Issues Netherlands Antilles
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: money-laundering center; transshipment point for South
American drugs bound for the US and Europe
This page was last updated on 1 January 2002
========================================================================
Nicaragua
Introduction
Nicaragua