Country Profiles
(Naura thru Panama)
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- People: Population Density - 1,511 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Nauruan (58%); other Pacific Islanders (26%); Chinese (8%); Europeans (8%)
- Languages - Nauruan - official; English
- Religions - Predominantly Christian
- Geography: Area - 8 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Kiribati
- Government: Type - Republic
- Head of Government - President Rene Harris (since Mar. 30, 2001)
- Capital - Gov't offices in Yaren district
- Local Divisions - 14 districts
- Spending - (Defense) NA
- Economy: Industries - Phosphate mining
- Minerals and Other Resources - Phosphates
- Arable Land - NA
- Labor - NA
- Per Capita GNP - $10,000
- Imports and Exports - $21.2 mil. and $25.3 mil.
- Major Trading Partners - Australia, New Zealand, UK
- Communications: Telephones - NA
- Radios - 385 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - NA
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 10.71 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 57.7 - male; 64.88 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 2%
- Literacy - 99%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (WHO), the Commonwealth
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- People: Population Density - 361 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Futani, others
- Languages - English - official; Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo
- Religions - Muslim - in N (50%); Christian - in S (40%)
- Geography: Area - 351,200 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Benin, Niger, Chad, Cameroon
- Government: Type - Republic
- Head of Government - President Olusegun Obasanjo (since May 29, 1999)
- Capital - Abuja
- Local Divisions - 30 states, 1 capital territory
- Spending - (Defense) $340 mil./ $13.9 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Crude oil, coal, palm oil, cotton, textiles
- Minerals and Other Resources - Oil, gas, lead, zinc, coal, iron, limestone, columbite, tin, timber, rubber, hides
- Arable Land - 53%
- Labor - 54% agric.; 40% services; 6% ind.
- Per Capita GNP - $970
- Imports and Exports - $10 bil. and $13.1 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - US, IK, Spain, India, Germany
- Communications: Telephones - 492,000 main lines
- Radios - 197 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 61 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 73.34 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 51.07 - male; 51.07 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 2.58%
- Literacy - 57%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IBRD, ILO, IMF, IMO, WHO, WTrO), the Commonwealth, OAU, OPEC
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- People: Population Density - 479 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gunings, Sherpas, others
- Languages - Nepali - official; many dialects
- Religions - Hindu - official (90%); Buddhist (5%); Muslim (3%)
- Geography: Area - 52,800 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - China, India
- Government: Type - Constitutional monarchy
- Head of Government - Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Beuba (since July 22, 2001)
- Capital - Kathmandu (533,000)
- Local Divisions - 5 regions subdivided into 14 zones
- Spending - (Defense) $29 mil./ $818 mil.
- Economy: Industries - Sugar and jute mills, tourism
- Minerals and Other Resources - Quartz, forests
- Arable Land - 17%
- Labor - 81% agric.; 16% services
- Per Capita GNP - $1,100
- Imports and Exports - $1.2 bil. and $485 mil.
- Major Trading Partners - India, China, US, Singapore, Germany
- Communications: Telephones - 266,900 main lines
- Radios - 30 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 12 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 74.14 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 58.65 - male; 57.77 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 2.32%
- Literacy - 27%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IBRD, ILO, IMF, IMO, WHO)
- National Website
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- People: Population Density - 38 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Germanic (Nodic, Alpine, Baltic), Lapps
- Languages - Norwegian - official
- Religions - Evangelical Lutheran (87.8%)
- Geography: Area - 118,700 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Sweden, Finland, Russia
- Government: Type - Hereditary constitutional monarchy
- Head of Government - Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg (since Mar. 17, 2000)
- Capital - Oslo (978,000)
- Local Divisions - 19 provinces
- Spending - (Defense) $2.9 bil./ NA
- Economy: Industries - Wood and paper prods., shipbuilding, metals, chemcials, food processing, fish, oil, gas
- Minerals and Other Resources - Oil, gas, copper, pyrites, nickel, iron, zinc, fish, livestock
- Arable Land - 3%
- Labor - 74% services; 22% ind.; 4% agric., forestry, fishing
- Per Capita GNP - $25,100
- Imports and Exports - $38.6 bil. and $47.3 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - EU, US
- Communications: Telephones - 3,270,000 main lines
- Radios - 913 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 579 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 3.94 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 75.87 - male; 81.92 - female
- Natural Population Increase - .28%
- Literacy - 100%
- International Organization Memberships: UN and all its specialized agencies, EFTA, NATO, OECD, OSCE
- National Website
- External Territories and Dependencies
- Svalbard: A group of mountainous islands in the Artic Ocen. The largest, Spitsbergen, is the seat of the govenor. By a treaty signed in Paris in 1920, major European powers recognized the sovereignty of Norway, which incorporated these islands officially in 1925.
(Area: 23,957 sq. mi.; Pop: 3,231)
- Jan Mayen: A volcanic island located about 565 mi. WNW of Norway. It was officially annexed in 1929.
(Area: 144 sq. mi.)
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- People: Population Density - 1,221 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Dutch (94%)
- Languages - Dutch - official
- Religions - Roman Catholic (34%); Protestant (25%)
- Geography: Area - 13,100 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Germany, Belgium
- Government: Type - Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
- Head of Government - Prime Minister Wim Kok (since Aug. 22, 1994)
- Capital - Amsterdam (718,151)
- Local Divisions - 12 provinces
- Spending - (Defense) $6.2 bil./ $170 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Metals, machinery, chemcials, oil, microelectronics
- Minerals and Other Resources - Natural gas, oil
- Arable Land - 25%
- Labor - 73% services; 23 ind.; 4% agric.
- Per Capita GNP - $23,100
- Imports and Exports - $152 bil. and $169 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - EU
- Communications: Telephones - 9,610,000
- Radios - 764 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 545 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 4.37 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 75.55 - male; 81.44 - female
- Natural Population Increase - .32%
- Literacy - 100%
- International Organization Memberships: UN and all its specialized agencies, EU, NATO, OECD, OSCE
- National Website
- Dependencies
- Netherlands Antilles: Constitutionally on a level of equality with the Netherlands homelands. Consists of two groups of islands in the West Indies. Curacai and Bonaire are near the coast of Venezuela. St. Eustatius, Saba and St. Maarten are southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean. The principal industries are oil refining, tourism and shipbiulding.
(Area: 309 sq. mi.; Pop: 212,226; Capital: Willemstad)
- Aruba 26 mi. west of Curacaom it separated from the Netherlands Antilles on Jan. 1, 1986. It is an autonomous member of thee Netherlands, with equity status to the homeland. Chief industries are oil refining and tourism.
(Area: 75 sq. mi.; Pop: 70,007; Capital: Oranjesyad)
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- People: Population Density - 32 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Arab, Indian
- Languages - Arabic - official
- Religions - Ibadhi Muslim (75%)
- Geography: Area - 81,900 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Yemen
- Government: Type - Absolute monarchy
- Head of Government - Sultan Qabus bin Said (since July 23, 1970)
- Capital - Muscat (51,969)
- Local Divisions - 6 regions and 2 governorates
- Spending - (Defense) $1.75 bil./ $5.6 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Oil, gas, construction
- Minerals and Other Resources - Oil (75% of exports)
- Arable Land - none
- Labor - NA
- Per Capita GNP - $8,000
- Imports and Exports - $5.4 bil. and $7.2 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - UAE, Japan, China, Thailand, UK
- Communications: Telephones - 225,400 main lines
- Radios - 426 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 711 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 22.52 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 69.9 - male; 74.29 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 3.39%
- Literacy - 59%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, OBRD, ILO, IMF, IMO, WHO), AL
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- People: Population Density - 37 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - New Zealand European (75%); Maori (10%)
- Languages - English - official; Maori
- Religions - Anglican (24%); Presbyterian (18%); Roman Catholic (15%)
- Geography: Area - 103, 600 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Australia, Fiji, Tonga
- Government: Type - Parliamentary democracy
- Head of Government - Prime Minister Helen Clark (since Dec. 10, 1999)
- Capital - Welligton (336,468)
- Local Divisions - 93 counties, 9 districts, 3 town districts
- Spending - (Defense) $804 mil./ $23.7 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Food processing, textiles, machinery
- Minerals and Other Resources - Gold, gas, iron, coal
- Arable Land - 9%
- Labor - 65% services; 25% ind.; 10% agric.
- Per Capita GNP - $17,400
- Imports and Exports - $11.2 bil. and $12.2 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - Australia, US, Japan
- Communications: Telephones - 1,889,000 main lines
- Radios - 1,027 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 496.5 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 6.28 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 75.01 - male; 81.1 - female
- Natural Population Increase - .67%
- Literacy - 100%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IBRD, ILO, IMF, IMO, WHO, WTrO), APEC, the Commonwealth, OECD
- National Website
- External Territories and Dependencies
- Cooks Islands: In 1965, the islands, which are located halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, became self- governing, although New Zealand retains responsibility for defense and foreign affairs.
(Area: 100 sq. mi.; Pop: 20,611)
- Niue: The island is located 400 mi. W of New Zealand and in 1974 became self- governing. New Zealand still retains responsibility for defense and foreign affairs.
(Area: 100 sq. mi.; Pop: 1,800)
- Tokelau: Comprised of 3 atolls located 200 mi. N of Samoa.
(Area: 4 sq. mi.; Pop: 1,500)
- Ross Dependency: 160,000 sq. mi. of Antaratic territory that has been administered by New Zealand since 1923.
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- People: Population Density - 482 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch
- Languages - Urdu, English - both official; Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtu
- Religions - Sunni Muslim (77%); Shi'a Muslim (20%)
- Geography: Area - 300,300 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Iran, Afghanistan, China, India
- Government: Type - In transition
- Head of Government - President Pervez Misharaf (since Oct. 15, 1999)
- Capital - Karachi (11,794,000)
- Local Divisions - 4 provinces and 1 capital territory plus federally administered tribal areas
- Spending - (Defense) $3.3 bil./ $12 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Textiles, food processing, beverages
- Minerals and Other Resources - Natural gas
- Arable Land - 27%
- Labor - 44% agric.; 39% services; 17% ind.
- Per Capita GNP - $2,000
- Imports and Exports - $9.8 bil. and $8.4 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - US, Japan, Malaysia, China (Hong Kong), UK
- Communications: Telephones - 2,986,100 main lines
- Radios - 92 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 62 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 80.5 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 60.61 - male; 62.32 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 2.2%
- Literacy - 38%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, OBRD, ILO, IMF, IMO, WHO, WTrO)
- National Website
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- People: Population Density - 106 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Mestizo (69%); white (17%); black (9%); Amerindian (5%)
- Languages - Spanish - official
- Religions - Roman Catholic (95%)
- Geography: Area - 46,400 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Honduras, Costa Rica
- Government: Type - Republic
- Head of Government - President Arnoldo Aleman Lacayo (since Jan. 10, 1997)
- Capital - Managua (959,000)
- Local Divisions - 15 departments, 2 autonomous regions
- Spending - (Defense) $26 mil./ $551 mil.
- Economy: Industries - Oil refining, food processing, chemicals, textiles
- Minerals and Other Resources - Gold, silver, copper, tungsten, forests, seafood
- Arable Land - 9%
- Labor - 43% services; 42% agric.; 15% ind.
- Per Capita GNP - $2,650
- Imports and Exports - $1.5 bil. and $573 mil.
- Major Trading Partners - US, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Germany, El Salvador
- Communications: Telephones - 150,300 main lines
- Radios - 206 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 48 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 33.66 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 67.1 - male; 71.11 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 2.28%
- Literacy - 66%
- International Organization Memberships: UN and most of its specialized agencies, OAS
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- People: Population Density - 108 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Polynesian, Malaysian, Melanesian
- Languages - English - official; Palauan, Sonsorolese, Angaur, Japanese, Tobi (all official within certain states)
- Religions - Catholic, Modekngei
- Geography: Area - 177 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Micronesia, Indonsia
- Government: Type - Republic
- Head of Government - President Tommy Remengesau (since Jan. 19, 2001)
- Capital - Koror (30,303) (Note: a new capital is being built in Babelthuap)
- Local Divisions - 18 states
- Spending - (Defense) NA
- Economy: Industries - Tourism, fish
- Minerals and Other Resources - Gold
- Arable Land - NA
- Labor - NA
- Per Capita GNP - $8,800
- Imports and Exports - $72.4 mil. and $14.3 mil.
- Major Trading Partners - US, Japan
- Communications: Telephones - NA
- Radios - 550 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 98 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality -
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 65.77 - male; 72.19 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 1.24%
- Literacy - 98%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (WHO)
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- People: Population Density - 21 per 1,000 people
- Ethnic Groups - Hausa (56%); Djerma (22%); Fula (9%); Tuareg (8%)
- Languages - French - official; Hausa, Djerma
- Religions - Muslim (80%)
- Geography: Area - 488,500 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Libya, Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Nigeria, Chad
- Government: Type - Republic
- Head of Government - Prime Minister Hama Amadou (since Jan. 3, 2000)
- Capital - Niamey (731,000)
- Local Divisions - 7 departments, 1 capital district
- Spending - (Defense) $27 mil./ $370 mil.
- Economy: Industries - little
- Minerals and Other Resources - Uranium, coal, iron
- Arable Land - 3%
- Labor - 90% agric.; 6% ind. and commerce; 4% gov't
- Per Capita GNP - $1,000
- Imports and Exports - $295 mil. and $269 mil.
- Major Trading Partners - US, Greece, Cote d' Ivoire, Japan
- Communications: Telephones - 18,100 main lines
- Radios - 48 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 2.8 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 123.57 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 41.74 - male; 41.44 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 2.8%
- Literacy - 14%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IBRD, ILO< IMF, WHO, WTrO), OAU
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- People: Population Density - 97 per sq. mi.
- Ethnic Groups - Mestizo (70%); West Indian (14%); white (10%), Amerindian (6%)
- Languages - Spanish (official); English
- Religions - Roman Catholic (85%); Protestant (15%)
- Geography: Area - 29,300 sq. mi.
- Neighbors - Costa Rica, Colombia
- Government: Type - Constitutional republic
- Head of Government - President Mireya Elisa Moscoso (since Sept. 1, 1999)
- Capital - Panama City (1,173,000)
- Local Divisions - 9 provinces, 3 territories
- Spending - (Defense) $135 mil./ $2.4 bil.
- Economy: Industries - Oil refining, cement, construction
- Minerals and Other Resources - Copper, forests (mahogany), shrimp
- Arable Land - 7%
- Labor - 64% services; 18% agric.; 18% ind.
- Per Capita GNP - $7,600
- Imports and Exports - $6.4 bil. and $4.7 bil.
- Major Trading Partners - US
- Communications: Telephones - 462,500 main lines
- Radios - 5.1 per 1,000 people
- Televisions - 13 per 1,000 people
- Social Services: Infant Mortality - 20.18 per 1,000
- Life Expectancy at Birth - 72.94 - male; 78.53 - female
- Natural Population Increase - 1.41%
- Literacy - 91%
- International Organization Memberships: UN (FAO, IBRD, ILO, IMF, IMO, WHO), OAS
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