Part 73
Economy - overview: Since 1984 the government has accomplished major economic restructuring from an agrarian economy dependent on a concessionary British market access toward a more industrialized, open, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes, broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector, and contained inflationary pressures. Business confidence strengthened in 1994, and export demand picked up in the Asia-Pacific region, resulting in 6.2% growth. Growth continued strong in 1995, but tailed off in 1996. Inflation remains among the lowest in the industrial world. Per capita GDP now is up to the levels of the big West European economies.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $65.6 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 2.8% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $18,500 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 7.3% industry: 25.9% services : 66.8% (1990)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.8% (1996 est.)
Labor force: total : 1,634,500 (September 1995) by occupation: services 64.6%, industry 25.0%, agriculture 10.4% (1994)
Unemployment rate: 5.9% (December 1996)
Budget: revenues : $22.18 billion expenditures: $20.28 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96 est.)
Industries: food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, tourism, mining
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - capacity: 7.75 million kW (1994)
Electricity - production: 34.4 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 9,198 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, potatoes, pulses, fruits, vegetables; wool, meat, dairy products; fish catch reached a record 503,000 metric tons in 1988
Exports: total value: $13.7 billion (1995) commodities: wool, lamb, mutton, beef, fish, cheese, chemicals, forestry products, fruits and vegetables, manufactures, dairy products, wood partners: Australia 19%, Japan 15%, UK 15%, US 12%
Imports: total value : $14 billion (1995) commodities: machinery and equipment, vehicles and aircraft, petroleum, consumer goods, plastics partners: Australia 21%, US 18%, Japan 16%, UK 6%
Debt - external: $38.5 billion (September 1994)
Economic aid: donor: ODA, $98 million (1993)
Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.4247 (January 1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
@New Zealand:Communications
Telephones: 1.7 million (1986 est.)
Telephone system: excellent international and domestic systems domestic: NA international: submarine cables to Australia and Fiji; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 64, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 3.215 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 14 (1986 est.)
Televisions: 1.53 million (1992 est.)
@New Zealand:Transportation
Railways: total: 3,973 km narrow gauge: 3,973 km 1.067-m gauge (504 km electrified)
Highways: total: 92,306 km paved: 53,537 km (including 144 km of expressways) unpaved : 38,769 km (1993 est.)
Waterways: 1,609 km; of little importance to transportation
Pipelines: petroleum products 160 km; natural gas 1,000 km; liquefied petroleum gas or LPG 150 km
Ports and harbors: Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Tauranga, Wellington
Merchant marine: total : 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 173,831 GRT/224,544 DWT ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 3, railcar carrier 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6 (1996 est.)
Airports: 112 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 89 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 31 under 914 m: 48 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 23 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 22 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force
Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 932,982 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 785,440 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 26,514 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $677 million (FY96/97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.1% (FY96/97)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency) ______________________________________________________________________
NICARAGUA
@Nicaragua:Geography
Location: Middle 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 : 129,494 sq km land: 120,254 sq km water: 9,240 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: contiguous zone : 25-nm security zone continental shelf: natural prolongation territorial sea: 200 nm
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 : 9% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 46% forests and woodland: 27% other : 17% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 880 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, and occasionally severe hurricanes
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
@Nicaragua:People
Population: 4,386,399 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 963,878; female 949,658) 15-64 years: 53% (male 1,147,565; female 1,207,386) 65 years and over : 4% (male 50,910; female 67,002) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.6% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 33.01 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 5.83 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 44.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.17 years male: 63.83 years female : 68.6 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.9 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun : Nicaraguan(s) adjective: Nicaraguan
Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 69%, white 17%, black 9%, Amerindian 5%
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant 5%
Languages: Spanish (official) note: English- and Amerindian-speaking minorities on Atlantic coast
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 65.7% male : 64.6% female: 66.6% (1995 est.)
@Nicaragua:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua conventional short form : Nicaragua local long form: Republica de Nicaragua local short form : Nicaragua
Data code: NU
Government type: republic
National capital: Managua
Administrative divisions: 15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento), 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonomista); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas, Atlantico Norte*, Atlantico Sur*
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: 9 January 1987
Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts
Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (10 January 1997); Vice President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (10 January 1997) head of government: President Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (10 January 1997); Vice President Enrique BOLANOS Geyer (10 January 1997) cabinet: Cabinet elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001); note - in July 1995 the term of the office of the president was amended to five years election results: Arnoldo ALEMAN Lacayo (Liberal Alliance) 51.03%, Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 37.75%, Guillermo OSORNO (Nicaraguan Christian Path - CNN) 4.10%, Noel VIDAURRE (Nicaraguan Conservative Party - PCN) 2.26%, Benjamin LANZAS (National Project) 0.53%, others (18 other candidates) remaining 4.33%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (93 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Alliance (ruling party - includes PLC, PALI, PLIUN, and PUCA) 46.03%, Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) 36.55%, Nicaraguan Christian Road Party (PCCN) 3.73%, Nicaraguan Conservative Party (PCN) 2.12%, Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS) 1.33%; seats by party - Liberal Alliance 42, FSLN 36, PCCN 4, PCN 3, PRONAL 2, MRS 1, PRN 1, PNC 1, PLI 1, AU 1, UNO-96 Alliance 1
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), 12 judges elected for a seven-year term by the National Assembly
Political parties and leaders: right: Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Road (PCCN), Guillermo OSORNO, Roberto RODRIGUEZ; Liberal Constitutionalist Party (PLC), NA; Independent Liberal Party for National Unity (PLIUN), Carlos GUERRA Gallardo; National Conservative Party (PNC), Adolfo CALERO, Noel VIDAURRE; Nationalist Liberal Party (PLN), Enrique SANCHEZ center right: Neoliberal Party (PALI), Ricardo VEGA Garcia; Nicaraguan Resistance Party (PRN), Enrique QUINONEZ; Independent Liberal Party (PLI), Wilfredo NAVARRO; National Project (PRONAL), Antonio LACAYO Oyanguren; Conservative Action Movement (MAC), Hernaldo ZUNIYA center left: Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS), Sergio RAMIREZ; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Adolfo JARQUIN; Social Christian Party (PSC), Erick RAMIREZ; Movement for Revolutionary Unity (MUR), NA; Central American Integrationist Party (PIAC), NA; Unity Alliance (AU), Alejandro SERRANO; Conservative Party of Nicaragua (PCN), Dr. Fernando AGUERO Rocha; National Democratic Party (PND), Alfredo CESAR Aguirre; Central American Unionist Party (PUCA), Blanca ROJAS Echaverry; UNO-96 Alliance, Alfredo CESAR Aguirre; Nicaraguan Democratic Movement (MDN), Alfredo GUZMAN left: Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra
Political pressure groups and leaders: National Workers Front (FNT) is a Sandinista umbrella group of eight labor unions: Sandinista Workers' Central (CST); Farm Workers Association (ATC); Health Workers Federation (FETASALUD); National Union of Employees (UNE); National Association of Educators of Nicaragua (ANDEN); Union of Journalists of Nicaragua (UPN); Heroes and Martyrs Confederation of Professional Associations (CONAPRO); and the National Union of Farmers and Ranchers (UNAG); Permanent Congress of Workers (CPT) is an umbrella group of four non-Sandinista labor unions: Confederation of Labor Unification (CUS); Autonomous Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN-A); Independent General Confederation of Labor (CGT-I); and Labor Action and Unity Central (CAUS); Nicaraguan Workers' Central (CTN) is an independent labor union; Superior Council of Private Enterprise (COSEP) is a confederation of business groups
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco AGUIRRE Sacasa chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Luis GUTIERREZ embassy: Kilometer 4.5 Carretera Sur., Managua mailing address : APO AA 34021 telephone: [505] (2) 666010 through 666013, 666015 through 18, 666026, 666027, 666032 through 33 FAX: [505] (2) 669074
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; 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
Economy
Economy - overview: The Nicaraguan economy, devastated during the 1980s by economic mismanagement and civil war, is beginning to rebound. Since March 1991, when President CHAMORRO launched an ambitious economic stabilization program, Nicaragua has reduced inflation and obtained substantial economic aid from abroad. Annual inflation fell from more than 750% in 1991 to less than 5% in 1992. After rising again to an estimated 20% in 1993, the annual inflation rate dropped to roughly 11% in 1994-96. Economic growth rose sharply in 1995-96, thanks to surges in most export categories. The government's efforts to liberalize trade include a December 1995 decision to stop requiring exporters to bring their foreign exchange earnings into Nicaragua. On the debt front, the Nicaraguan Government launched a successful debt buyback program in 1995, purchasing 73% of its $1.373 billion commercial debt inherited from previous governments. Progress also occurred on reducing bilateral debt in 1996 as Nicaragua reached an agreement with Russia, reducing Nicaragua's debt by $3.3 billion. Debt reduction agreements with Paris Club creditors and rescheduling with Latin American creditors also took place. Unemployment remains a pressing problem, however, with roughly half the country's work force unemployed or underemployed.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.7 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,800 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 34% industry: 21% services: 45% (1995)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 11% (1996)
Labor force: total : 1.086 million by occupation: services 43%, agriculture 44%, industry 13% (1986)
Unemployment rate: 16%; underemployment 36% (1996 est.)
Budget: revenues: $389 million expenditures: $551 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.)
Industries: food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear
Industrial production growth rate: 1.4% (1994 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 417,700 kW (1995)
Electricity - production: 1.713 billion kWh (1995)
Electricity - consumption per capita: 279 kWh (1995 est.)
Agriculture - products: coffee, bananas, sugarcane, cotton, rice, corn, cassava (tapioca), citrus, beans; beef, veal, pork, poultry, dairy products
Exports: total value: $607 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: meat, coffee, cotton, sugar, seafood, gold, bananas partners: US, Central America, Canada, Germany
Imports: total value : $1.188 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: consumer goods, machinery and equipment, petroleum products partners: Central America, US, Venezuela, Japan
Debt - external: $6 billion (1996 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 gold cordoba (C$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates: gold cordobas (C$) per US$1 - 8.63 (September 1996), 7.55 (1995), 6.72 (1994), 5.62 (1993), 5.00 (1992)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Nicaragua:Communications
Telephones: 66,810 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: low-capacity microwave radio relay and wire system being expanded; connected to Central American Microwave System domestic : wire and microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 45, FM 0, shortwave 3
Radios: 1.037 million (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 7 (1994 est.)
Televisions: 260,000 (1992 est.)
@Nicaragua:Transportation
Railways: total: 0 km narrow gauge: 0 km 1.067-m gauge; note - part of the previous 376 km system was closed and dismantled in 1993 and, in 1994, the remainder was closed, the track and rolling stock being sold for scrap
Highways: total : 17,146 km paved: 1,715 km unpaved: 15,431 km (1995 est.)
Waterways: 2,220 km, including 2 large lakes
Pipelines: crude oil 56 km
Ports and harbors: Bluefields, Corinto, El Bluff, Puerto Cabezas, Puerto Sandino, Rama, San Juan del Sur
Merchant marine: none
Airports: 147 (1996 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 115 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 107 (1996 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 31 (1996 est.)
Military
Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force
Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,027,630 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 632,433 (1997 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 49,552 (1997 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $27.48 million (1996)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.35% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: territorial disputes with Colombia over the Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank; with respect to the maritime boundary question in the Golfo de Fonseca, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) referred the disputants to an earlier agreement in this century and advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua likely would be required; maritime boundary dispute with Honduras
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US ______________________________________________________________________
NIGER
@Niger:Geography
Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1.267 million sq km 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: Mont Greboun 1,944 m
Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates
Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 7% forests and woodland: 2% other: 88% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 660 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: recurring droughts
Environment - current issues: overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note: landlocked
@Niger:People
Population: 9,388,859 (July 1997 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 2,303,790; female 2,207,542) 15-64 years: 50% (male 2,272,535; female 2,381,033) 65 years and over: 2% (male 118,333; female 105,626) (July 1997 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.98% (1997 est.)
Birth rate: 53.73 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Death rate: 23.98 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 116 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.09 years male: 41.44 years female: 40.73 years (1997 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.37 children born/woman (1997 est.)
Nationality: noun: Nigerien(s) adjective: Nigerien
Ethnic groups: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 4,000 French expatriates
Religions: Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians
Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 13.6% male: 20.9% female: 6.6% (1995 est.)
@Niger:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Niger conventional short form: Niger local long form : Republique du Niger local short form: Niger
Data code: NG
Government type: republic
National capital: Niamey
Administrative divisions: 7 departments (departements, singular - departement), and 1 capital district* (capitale district); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder
Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958)
Constitution: the constitution of January 1993 was revised by national referendum on 12 May 1996
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: President Ibrahim BARE Mainassara (since 28 January 1996); note - President is chief of state and head of government head of government: President Ibraham BARE Mainassara (since 28 January 1996); note - President is chief of state and head of government; Prime Minister Amadou Boubacar CISSE (since 21 December 1996) was appointed by the president cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by President BARE elections : the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term; last election 7-8 July 1996 (next election NA 2001); note - Ibrahim BARE Mainassara initially became president when he ousted President Mahamane OUSMANE in a coup on 27 January 1996 and subsequently defeated him in the flawed election of July 1996 election results: percent of total vote - Ibrahim BARE Mainassara 52.22%, Mahamane OUSMANE 19.75%, Tandja MAMADOU 15.65%, Mahamadou ISSOUFOU 7.60%, Moumouni AMADOU Djermakoye 4.77%
Legislative branch: two chamber National Assembly; one chamber with 83 seats directly elected by proportional representation for five-year terms; selection process for second chamber not established elections: last held 23 November1996 (next to be held NA 2001) election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UNIRD 59, ANDPS-Zaman Lahiya 8, UDPS-Amana 3, coalition of independents 3, MDP-Alkwali 1, UPDP-Shamuwa 4, DARAJA 3, PMT-Albarka 2
Judicial branch: State Court or Cour d'Etat; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Apel
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP-AUMUNCI [Issoufou BACHARD, chairman]; DARAJA [Ali TALBA, chairman]; Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE]; Movement for Development and Pan-Africanism or MDP-Alkwali [Mai Manga BOUCAR, chairman]; National Movement of the Development Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Tandja MAMADOU, chairman]; National Union of Independents for Democratic Revival or UNIRD [leader NA]; Niger Progressive Party-African Democratic Rally or PPN-RDA [Dori ABDOULAI]; Niger Social Democrat Party or PADN [Malam Adji WAZIRI]; Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism-Tarayya or PNDS-Tarayya [Mahamadou ISSOUFOU]; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahia or ANDPS-Zaman Lahia [Moumouni Adamou DJERMAKOYE]; PMT-Albarka; Union for Democracy and Social Progress-Amana or UDPS-Amana [Akoli DAOUEL]; Union of Patriots, Democrats, and Progressives-Shamuwa or UPDP-Shamuwa [Professor Andre' SALIFOU, chairman]; Union of Popular Forces for Democracy and Progress-Sawaba or UFPDP-Sawaba [Djibo BAKARY, chairman]
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph DIATTA chancery : 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles O. CECIL (20 August 1996) embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey telephone : [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64 FAX: [227] 73 31 67
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk (representing the sun) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band
Economy
Economy - overview: Niger is a poor, landlocked Sub-Saharan nation, whose recent GDP growth has barely matched the rapid growth of population. The economy is centered on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, and reexport trade, and increasingly less on uranium, its major export throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Terms of trade with Nigeria, Niger's largest regional trade partner, have improved dramatically since the 50% devaluation of the African franc in January 1994; this devaluation boosted exports of livestock, peas, onions, and the products of Niger's small cotton industry. The government relies on bilateral and multilateral aid for operating expenses and public investment and is strongly induced to adhere to structural adjustment programs designed by the IMF and the World Bank. The US terminated bilateral assistance to Niger after the coup of 1996. Other donors have reduced their aid.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.9 billion (1996 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1996 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $640 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 41% industry: 18% services: 41% (1995)
Inflation rate - consumer price index: 10.6% (1995 est.)
Labor force: total: 2.5 million wage earners (1982) by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $200 million expenditures : $387 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.)
Industries: cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses, and a few other small light industries; uranium mining
Industrial production growth rate: 0.5% (1994 est.)
Electricity - capacity: 105,000 kW (1991)
Electricity - production: 230 million kWh (1991) note: imports about 200 million kW of electricity from Nigeria
Electricity - consumption per capita: 53 kWh (1991 est.)