Part 57

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Namibia conventional short form: Namibia Digraph: WA Type: republic Capital: Windhoek Administrative divisions: 13 districts; Erango, Hardap, Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Liambezi, Ohanguena, Okarango, Omaheke, Omusat, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa Independence: 21 March 1990 (from South African mandate) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 March (1990) Constitution: ratified 9 February 1990; effective 12 March 1990 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and 1990 constitution Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Sam NUJOMA (since 21 March 1990); election last held 16 February 1990 (next to be held March 1995); results - Sam NUJOMA was elected president by the Constituent Assembly (now the National Assembly) cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president from the National Assembly Legislative branch: bicameral legislature National Council: elections last held 30 November-3 December 1992 (next to be held by December 1998); seats - (26 total) SWAPO 19, DTA 6, UDF 1 National Assembly: elections last held on 7-11 November 1989 (next to be held by November 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (72 total) SWAPO 41, DTA 21, UDF 4, ACN 3, NNF 1, FCN 1, NPF 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), Sam NUJOMA; DTA of Namibia (formerly Democratic Turnhalle Alliance) (DTA), Mishake MUYONGO; United Democratic Front (UDF), Justus GAROEB; Action Christian National (ACN), Kosie PRETORIUS; National Patriotic Front (NPF), Moses KATJIUONGUA; Federal Convention of Namibia (FCN), Hans DIERGAARDT; Namibia National Front (NNF), Vekuii RUKORO Other political or pressure groups: NA Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, FLS, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tuliameni KALOMOH chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 986-0540 FAX: (202) 986-0443 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Howard F. JETER embassy: Ausplan Building, 14 Lossen St., Windhoek mailing address: P. O. Box 9890, Windhoek 9000 telephone: [264] (61) 221-601, 222-675, 222-680 FAX: [264] (61) 229-792 Flag: a large blue triangle with a yellow sunburst fills the upper left section, and an equal green triangle (solid) fills the lower right section; the triangles are separated by a red stripe that is contrasted by two narrow white-edge borders

@Namibia, Economy

Overview: The economy is heavily dependent on the mining industry to extract and process minerals for export. Mining accounts for almost 25% of GDP. Namibia is the fourth-largest exporter of nonfuel minerals in Africa and the world's fifth-largest producer of uranium. Alluvial diamond deposits are among the richest in the world, making Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Namibia also produces large quantities of lead, zinc, tin, silver, and tungsten. More than half the population depends on agriculture (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $3.85 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 3.5% (1992) National product per capita: $2,500 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 17.9% (1992) in urban area Unemployment rate: 30% (1992) Budget: revenues: $941 million expenditures: $1.05 billion, including capital expenditures of $157 million (FY93/94) Exports: $1.289 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium, cattle, processed fish, karakul skins partners: Switzerland, South Africa, Germany, Japan Imports: $1.178 billion (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment partners: South Africa, Germany, US, Switzerland External debt: about $220 million (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 4.9% (1991); accounts for 35% of GDP, including mining Electricity: capacity: 490,000 kW production: 1.29 billion kWh consumption per capita: 850 kWh (1991) Industries: meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products, mining (copper, lead, zinc, diamond, uranium) Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP; mostly subsistence farming; livestock raising major source of cash income; crops - millet, sorghum, peanuts; fish catch potential of over 1 million metric tons not being fulfilled, 1988 catch reaching only 384,000 metric tons; not self-sufficient in food Economic aid: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $47.2 million Currency: 1 South African rand (R) = 100 cents Exchange rates: South African rand (R) per US$1 - 3.4096 (January 1994), 3.2678 (1993), 2.8497 (1992), 2.7653 (1991), 2.5863 (1990), 2.6166 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

@Namibia, Communications

Railroads: 2,341 km 1.067-meter gauge, single track Highways: total: 54,500 km paved: 4,080 km unpaved: gravel 2,540 km; earth 47,880 km (roads and tracks) Ports: Luderitz; Walvis Bay Airports: total: 136 usable: 109 with permanent-surface runways: 21 with runways over 3,659 m: 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 64 Telecommunications: good urban, fair rural services; radio relay connects major towns, wires extend to other population centers; 62,800 telephones; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 40 FM, 3 TV

@Namibia, Defense Forces

Branches: National Defense Force (Army), Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 336,145; fit for military service 199,337 Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $66 million, 3.4% of GDP (FY92)

@Nauru, Geography

Location: Oceania, Micronesia, 500 km north-northeast of Papua New Guinea Map references: Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 21 sq km land area: 21 sq km comparative area: about one-tenth the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 30 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; monsoonal; rainy season (November to February) Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center Natural resources: phosphates Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: limited water resources, roof storage tanks collect rainwater; phosphate mining threatens limited remaining land resources natural hazards: rainfall is erratic international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Marine Dumping; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea Note: Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia; only 53 km south of Equator

@Nauru, People

Population: 10,019 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.33% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 18.03 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 40.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.68 years male: 64.3 years female: 69.18 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.08 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Nauruan(s) adjective: Nauruan Ethnic divisions: Nauruan 58%, other Pacific Islander 26%, Chinese 8%, European 8% Religions: Christian (two-thirds Protestant, one-third Roman Catholic) Languages: Nauruan (official; a distinct Pacific Island language), English widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: by occupation: NA

@Nauru, Government

Names: conventional long form: Republic of Nauru conventional short form: Nauru former: Pleasant Island Digraph: NR Type: republic Capital: no official capital; government offices in Yaren District Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baiti, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren Independence: 31 January 1968 (from UN trusteeship under Australia, New Zealand, and UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968) Constitution: 29 January 1968 Legal system: own Acts of Parliament and British common law Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Bernard DOWIYOGO (since 12 December 1989); election last held 19 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - Bernard DOWIYOGO elected by Parliament cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president from the parliament Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament: elections last held on 14 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1995); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (18 total) independents 18 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: none Member of: AsDB, C (special), ESCAP, ICAO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, ITU, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UPU Diplomatic representation in US: consulate(s): Agana (Guam) US diplomatic representation: the US Ambassador to Australia is accredited to Nauru Flag: blue with a narrow, horizontal, yellow stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the yellow stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru

@Nauru, Economy

Overview: Revenues come from the export of phosphates, the reserves of which are expected to be exhausted by the year 2000. Phosphates have given Nauruans one of the highest per capita incomes in the Third World - $10,000 annually. Few other resources exist, so most necessities must be imported, including fresh water from Australia. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. Substantial amounts of phosphate income are invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition. National product: GNP - exchange rate conversion - $90 million (1989 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $10,000 (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 0% Budget: revenues: $69.7 million expenditures: $51.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1986 est.) Exports: $93 million (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: phosphates partners: Australia, NZ Imports: $73 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: food, fuel, manufactures, building materials, machinery partners: Australia, UK, NZ, Japan External debt: $33.3 million Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 14,000 kW production: 50 million kWh consumption per capita: 5,430 kWh (1990) Industries: phosphate mining, financial services, coconut products Agriculture: coconuts; other agricultural activity negligible; almost completely dependent on imports for food and water Economic aid: recipient: Western (non-US) countries (1970-89), $2 million Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4364 (January 1994), 1.4704 (1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2834 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

@Nauru, Communications

Railroads: 3.9 km; used to haul phosphates from the center of the island to processing facilities on the southwest coast Highways: total: 27 km paved: 21 km unpaved: improved earth 6 km Ports: Nauru Merchant marine: 1 bulk ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,426 GRT/5,750 DWT Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: adequate local and international radio communications provided via Australian facilities; 1,600 telephones; 4,000 radios; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Nauru, Defense Forces

Branches: Directorate of the Nauru Police Force note: no regular armed forces Defense expenditures: $NA - no formal defense structure

@Navassa Island

Header Affiliation: (territory of the US)

@Navassa Island, Geography

Location: Caribbean, in the Caribbean Sea, 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay (Cuba), between Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 5.2 sq km land area: 5.2 sq km comparative area: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Haiti Climate: marine, tropical Terrain: raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 meters high) Natural resources: guano Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 10% forest and woodland: 0% other: 90% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus

@Navassa Island, People

Population: uninhabited; note - transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island

@Navassa Island, Government

Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Navassa Island Digraph: BQ Type: unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Coast Guard Capital: none; administered from Washington, DC

@Navassa Island, Economy

Overview: no economic activity

@Navassa Island, Communications

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only

@Navassa Island, Defense Forces

Note: defense is the responsibility of the US

@Nepal, Geography

Location: Southern Asia, in the Himalayas, between China and India Map references: Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 140,800 sq km land area: 136,800 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Arkansas Land boundaries: total 2,926 km, China 1,236 km, India 1,690 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south Terrain: Terai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north Natural resources: quartz, water, timber, hydroelectric potential, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore Land use: arable land: 17% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 13% forest and woodland: 33% other: 37% Irrigated land: 9,430 sq km (1989) Environment: current issues: the almost total dependence on wood for fuel and cutting down trees to expand agricultural land without replanting has resulted in widespread deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution (use of contaminated water presents human health risks) natural hazards: vulnerable to severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation Note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks

@Nepal, People

Population: 21,041,527 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.44% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 37.63 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 13.28 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 83.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 52.53 years male: 52.35 years female: 52.73 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.24 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Nepalese (singular and plural) adjective: Nepalese Ethnic divisions: Newars, Indians, Tibetans, Gurungs, Magars, Tamangs, Bhotias, Rais, Limbus, Sherpas Religions: Hindu 90%, Buddhist 5%, Muslim 3%, other 2% (1981) note: only official Hindu state in world, although no sharp distinction between many Hindu and Buddhist groups Languages: Nepali (official), 20 languages divided into numerous dialects Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 26% male: 38% female: 13% Labor force: 8.5 million (1991 est.) by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry 2% note: severe lack of skilled labor

@Nepal, Government

Names: conventional long form: Kingdom of Nepal conventional short form: Nepal Digraph: NP Type: parliamentary democracy as of 12 May 1991 Capital: Kathmandu Administrative divisions: 14 zones (anchal, singular and plural); Bagmati, Bheri, Dhawalagiri, Gandaki, Janakpur, Karnali, Kosi, Lumbini, Mahakali, Mechi, Narayani, Rapti, Sagarmatha, Seti Independence: 1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah) National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 28 December (1945) Constitution: 9 November 1990 Legal system: based on Hindu legal concepts and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: head of government: Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA (since 29 May 1991) chief of state: King BIRENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev (since 31 January 1972, crowned King 24 February 1985); Heir Apparent Crown Prince DIPENDRA Bir Bikram Shah Dev, son of the King (born 21 June 1971) cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the king on recommendation of the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament National Council: consists of a 60-member body, 50 appointed by House of Representatives and 10 by the King House of Representatives: elections last held on 12 May 1991 (next to be held May 1996); results - NCP 38%, CPN/UML 28%, NDP/Chand 6%, UPF 5%, NDP/Thapa 5%, Terai Rights Sadbhavana Party 4%, Rohit 2%, CPN (Democratic) 1%, independents 4%, other 7%; seats - (205 total) NCP 110, CPN/UML 69, UPF 9, Terai Rights Sadbhavana Party 6, NDP/Chand 3, Rohit 2, CPN (Democratic) 2, NDP/Thapa 1, independents 3; note - the new Constitution of 9 November 1990 gave Nepal a multiparty democracy system for the first time in 32 years Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sarbochha Adalat) Political parties and leaders: Nepali Congress Party (NCP), president Krishna Prasad BHATTARAI, Prime Minister Girija Prasad KOIRALA, Supreme Leader Ganesh Man SINGH; The Conservative National Democratic Party (NDP/Thapa), Surya Bahadur THAPA; Communist Party of Nepal/United Marxist and Leninist (CPN/UML), Man Mohan ADHIKARI; Terai Rights Sadbhavana (Goodwill) Party, Gajendra Narayan SINGH; United People's Front (UPF), Lila Mani POKHREL; Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP), Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE; National Democratic Party/Chand (NDP/Chand), Lokendra Bahadur CHAND; Rohit Party, N. M. BIJUKCHHE; Communist Party of Nepal (Democratic-Manandhar), B. B. MANANDHAR Other political or pressure groups: numerous small, left-leaning student groups in the capital; several small, radical Nepalese antimonarchist groups Member of: AsDB, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant) chancery: 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 667-4550 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Sandra VOGELGESANG embassy: Pani Pokhari, Kathmandu mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [977] (1) 411179 or 412718, 411613, 413890 FAX: [977] (1) 419963 Flag: red with a blue border around the unique shape of two overlapping right triangles; the smaller, upper triangle bears a white stylized moon and the larger, lower triangle bears a white 12-pointed sun

@Nepal, Economy

Overview: Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over 90% of the population and accounting for 60% of GDP. Industrial

## activity is limited, mainly involving the processing of agricultural

produce (jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain). Production of textiles and carpets has expanded recently and accounted for 85% of foreign exchange earnings in FY94. Apart from agricultural land and forests, exploitable natural resources are mica, hydropower, and tourism. Agricultural production in the late 1980s grew by about 5%, as compared with annual population growth of 2.6%. More than 40% of the population is undernourished. Since May 1991, the government has been encouraging trade and foreign investment, e.g., by eliminating business licenses and registration requirements in order to simplify domestic and foreign investment. The government also has been cutting public expenditures by reducing subsidies, privatizing state industries, and laying off civil servants. Prospects for foreign trade and investment in the 1990s remain poor, however, because of the small size of the economy, its technological backwardness, its remoteness, and susceptibility to natural disaster. Nepal experienced severe flooding in August 1993 which caused at least $50 million in damage to the country's infrastructure. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $20.5 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.9% (FY93) National product per capita: $1,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (September 1993) Unemployment rate: 5%; underemployment estimated at 25%-40% (1987) Budget: revenues: $457 million expenditures: $725 million, including capital expenditures of $427 million (FY93 est.) Exports: $369 million (f.o.b., FY93) but does not include unrecorded border trade with India commodities: carpets, clothing, leather goods, jute goods, grain partners: US, Germany, India, UK Imports: $789 million (c.i.f., FY93 est.) commodities: petroleum products 20%, fertilizer 11%, machinery 10% partners: India, Singapore, Japan, Germany External debt: $2 billion (FY93 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6% (FY91 est.); accounts for 16% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 300,000 kW production: 1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 50 kWh (1992) Industries: small rice, jute, sugar, and oilseed mills; cigarette, textile, carpet, cement, and brick production; tourism Agriculture: accounts for 60% of GDP and 93% of work force; farm products - rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, milk, buffalo meat; not self-sufficient in food, particularly in drought years Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for heroin from Southeast Asia to the West Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $304 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $2.23 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $30 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $286 million Currency: 1 Nepalese rupee (NR) = 100 paisa Exchange rates: Nepalese rupees (NRs) per US$1 - 49.240 (January 1994), 48.607 (1993), 42.742 (1992), 37.255 (1991), 29.370 (1990), 27.189 (1989) Fiscal year: 16 July - 15 July

@Nepal, Communications

Railroads: 52 km (1990), all 0.762-meter narrow gauge; all in Terai close to Indian border; 10 km from Raxaul to Birganj is government owned Highways: total: 7,080 km paved: 2,898 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 1,660 km; seasonally motorable tracks 2,522 km (1990) Airports: total: 37 usable: 37 with permanent-surface runways: 5 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 8 Telecommunications: poor telephone and telegraph service; fair radio communication and broadcast service; international radio communication service is poor; 50,000 telephones (1990); broadcast stations - 88 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Nepal, Defense Forces

Branches: Royal Nepalese Army, Royal Nepalese Army Air Service, Nepalese Police Force Manpower availability: males age 15-49 5,003,661; fit for military service 2,598,507; reach military age (17) annually 241,405 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 2% of GDP (FY91/92)

@Netherlands,

@Netherlands, Geography

Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany Map references: Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 37,330 sq km land area: 33,920 sq km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: total 1,027 km, Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km Coastline: 451 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, fertile soil Land use: arable land: 26% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 32% forest and woodland: 9% other: 32% Irrigated land: 5,500 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain natural hazards: the extensive system of dikes and dams, protects nearly one-half of the total area from being flooded international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Law of the Sea Note: located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, Schelde)

@Netherlands, People

Population: 15,367,928 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.58% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 12.62 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 8.5 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 1.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.75 years male: 74.69 years female: 80.97 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.58 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) adjective: Dutch Ethnic divisions: Dutch 96%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 4% (1988) Religions: Roman Catholic 34%, Protestant 25%, Muslim 3%, other 2%, unaffiliated 36% (1991) Languages: Dutch Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1979 est.) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 6.7 million (1991) by occupation: services 50.1%, manufacturing and construction 28.2%, government 15.9%, agriculture 5.8% (1986)

@Netherlands, Government