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Compare Iraq (2002) - Netherlands (2001)

Compare Iraq (2002) z Netherlands (2001)

 Iraq (2002)Netherlands (2001)
 IraqNetherlands
Administrative divisions 18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Anbar, Al Basrah, Al Muthanna, Al Qadisiyah, An Najaf, Arbil, As Sulaymaniyah, At Ta'mim, Babil, Baghdad, Dahuk, Dhi Qar, Diyala, Karbala', Maysan, Ninawa, Salah ad Din, Wasit 12 provinces (provincien, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland
Age structure 0-14 years: 41.1% (male 5,003,755; female 4,849,238)


15-64 years: 55.9% (male 6,794,265; female 6,624,662)


65 years and over: 3% (male 341,520; female 388,376) (2002 est.)
0-14 years:
18.38% (male 1,501,925; female 1,436,017)

15-64 years:
67.9% (male 5,518,575; female 5,333,442)

65 years and over:
13.72% (male 899,052; female 1,292,461) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock
Airports 108 (2001) 28 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 77


over 3,047 m: 21


2,438 to 3,047 m: 36


1,524 to 2,437 m: 5


914 to 1,523 m: 6


under 914 m: 9 (2002)
total:
19

over 3,047 m:
2

2,438 to 3,047 m:
7

1,524 to 2,437 m:
6

914 to 1,523 m:
3

under 914 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 73


over 3,047 m: 5


2,438 to 3,047 m: 5


1,524 to 2,437 m: 24


914 to 1,523 m: 28


under 914 m: 11 (2002)
total:
9

914 to 1,523 m:
3

under 914 m:
6 (2000 est.)
Area total: 437,072 sq km


land: 432,162 sq km


water: 4,910 sq km
total:
41,526 sq km

land:
33,883 sq km

water:
7,643 sq km
Area - comparative slightly more than twice the size of Idaho slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Background Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq became an independent kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958, but in actuality a series of military strongmen have ruled the country since then, the latest being SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990 Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces during January-February 1991. The victors did not occupy Iraq, however, thus allowing the regime to stay in control. Following Kuwait's liberation, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. UN trade sanctions remain in effect due to incomplete Iraqi compliance with relevant UNSC resolutions. The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I but suffered a brutal invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EC, and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.
Birth rate 34.2 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 11.85 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
revenues:
$134 billion

expenditures:
$134 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Capital Baghdad Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government
Climate mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
Coastline 58 km 451 km
Constitution 22 September 1968, effective 16 July 1970 (provisional constitution); new constitution drafted in 1990 but not adopted adopted 1814; amended many times, last time 17 February 1983
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Iraq


conventional short form: Iraq


local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Iraqiyah


local short form: Al Iraq
conventional long form:
Kingdom of the Netherlands

conventional short form:
Netherlands

local long form:
Koninkrijk der Nederlanden

local short form:
Nederland
Currency Iraqi dinar (IQD) Netherlands guilder (NLG); euro (EUR)

note:
on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in the Netherlands at a fixed rate of 2.20371 Netherlands guilders per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002
Death rate 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $62.2 billion (2001 est.) $0
Diplomatic representation from the US none; note - the US has an Interests Section in the Polish Embassy in Baghdad; address: P. O. Box 2051 Hay Babel, Baghdad; telephone: [964] (1) 718-9267; FAX: [964] (1) 718-9297 chief of mission:
Ambassador Cynthia P. SCHNEIDER

embassy:
Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague

mailing address:
PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715

telephone:
[31] (70) 310-9209

FAX:
[31] (70) 361-4688

consulate(s) general:
Amsterdam
Diplomatic representation in the US none; note - Iraq has an Interest Section in the Algerian Embassy headed by Akram AL DOURI; address: Iraqi Interests Section, Algerian Embassy, 1801 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone: [1] (202) 483-7500; FAX: [1] (202) 462-5066 chief of mission:
Ambassador Joris M. VOS

chancery:
4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:
[1] (202) 244-5300

FAX:
[1] (202) 362-3430

consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York

consulate(s):
Boston
Disputes - international despite restored diplomatic relations in 1990, lacks maritime boundary with Iran and disputes land boundary, navigation channels, and other issues from eight-year war; in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands although the government continues periodic rhetorical challenges; dispute over water development plans by Turkey for the Tigris and Euphrates rivers none
Economic aid - donor - ODA, $3.5 billion (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient $327.5 million (1995) (1995) -
Economy - overview Iraq's economy is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. In the 1980s financial problems caused by massive expenditures in the eight-year war with Iran and damage to oil export facilities by Iran led the government to implement austerity measures, borrow heavily, and later reschedule foreign debt payments; Iraq suffered economic losses from the war of at least $100 billion. After hostilities ended in 1988, oil exports gradually increased with the construction of new pipelines and restoration of damaged facilities. Iraq's seizure of Kuwait in August 1990, subsequent international economic sanctions, and damage from military action by an international coalition beginning in January 1991 drastically reduced economic activity. Although government policies supporting large military and internal security forces and allocating resources to key supporters of the regime have hurt the economy, implementation of the UN's oil-for-food program in December 1996 has helped improve conditions for the average Iraqi citizen. For the first six, six-month phases of the program, Iraq was allowed to export limited amounts of oil in exchange for food, medicine, and some infrastructure spare parts. In December 1999 the UN Security Council authorized Iraq to export under the program as much oil as required to meet humanitarian needs. Oil exports are now more than three-quarters prewar level. However, 28% of Iraq's export revenues under the program are deducted to meet UN Compensation Fund and UN administrative expenses. The drop in GDP in 2001 was largely the result of the global economic slowdown and lower oil prices. Per capita food imports have increased significantly, while medical supplies and health care services are steadily improving. Per capita output and living standards are still well below the prewar level, but any estimates have a wide range of error. The Netherlands is a prosperous and open economy depending heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate inflation, a sizable current account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The Dutch rank third worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind the US and France. The Dutch economy has expanded by 3% or more in each of the last four years and real GDP growth is likely to be about 3.6% in 2001. The government in 2001 will implement its most comprehensive tax reform since World War II, designed to reduce high income tax levels and redirect the fiscal burden onto consumption. The Dutch were among the first 11 EU countries establishing the euro currency zone on 1 January 1999.
Electricity - consumption 25.389 billion kWh (2000) 97.76 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 3.97 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 22.407 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 27.3 billion kWh (2000) 85.294 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 98%


hydro: 2%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel:
90.25%

hydro:
0.11%

nuclear:
4.27%

other:
5.37% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: Haji Ibrahim 3,600 m
lowest point:
Prins Alexanderpolder -7 m

highest point:
Vaalserberg 321 m
Environment - current issues government water control projects have drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Shi'a Muslims, who have inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; development of Tigris-Euphrates Rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream riparian Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification 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
Environment - international agreements party to: Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban


signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
party to:
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified:
Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5% Dutch 91%, Moroccans, Turks, and other 9% (1999 est.)
Exchange rates Iraqi dinars per US dollar - 0.3109 (fixed official rate since 1982); black market rate - Iraqi dinars per US dollar - 2,000 (December 2001), 1,910 (December 1999), 1,815 (December 1998), 1,530 (December 1997), 910 (December 1996); note - subject to wide fluctuations euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Netherlands guilders per US dollar - 1.9837 (1998), 1.9513 (1997), 1.6859 (1996)
Executive branch chief of state: President SADDAM Husayn (since 16 July 1979); Vice Presidents Taha Muhyi al-Din MARUF (since 21 April 1974) and Taha Yasin RAMADAN (since 23 March 1991)


head of government: Prime Minister SADDAM Husayn (since 29 May 1994); Deputy Prime Ministers Tariq Mikhail AZIZ (since NA 1979), Hikmat Mizban Ibrahim al-AZZAWI (since 30 July 1999), Ahmad Husayn al-KHUDAYIR (since NA July 2001), and Abd al-Tawab Mullah al-HUWAYSH (since NA July 2001)


cabinet: Council of Ministers; note - there is also a Revolutionary Command Council or RCC with eight members as of 2001 (Chairman SADDAM Husayn, Vice Chairman Izzat IBRAHIM al-Duri) which controls the ruling Ba'th Party; the RCC is the highest executive and legislative body and the most powerful political entity in the country; new RCC members must come from the Regional Command Leadership of the Ba'th Party


elections: president and vice presidents elected by a two-thirds majority of the Revolutionary Command Council; regular election last held 17 October 1995 (next scheduled for 2002); note - in place of the 2002 election, a presidential referendum was held on 15 October 2002 in which the presidency of SADDAM Husayn was extended for a fifth consecutive seven-year term


election results: SADDAM Husayn reelected president; percent of vote - 99%; Taha Muhyi al-Din MARUF and Taha Yasin RAMADAN elected vice presidents; percent of vote - NA%; note - in a presidential referendum held 15 October 2002, SADDAM Husayn's term was extended for another seven years
chief of state:
Queen BEATRIX (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the monarch

head of government:
Prime Minister Wim KOK (since 22 August 1994) and Vice Prime Ministers Annemarie JORRITSMA (since 3 August 1998) and Els BORST-EILERS (since 3 August 1998)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; vice prime ministers appointed by the monarch

note:
government coalition - PvdA, VVD, and D'66; there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors consulted by the executive on legislative and administrative policy
Exports $15.8 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) $210.3 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities crude oil machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs
Exports - partners US 46.2%, Italy 12.2%, France 9.6%, Spain 8.6% (2000) EU 78% (Germany 26%, Belgium-Luxembourg 12%, France 12%, UK 11%, Italy 6%), Central and Eastern Europe, US (2000)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black with three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the Persian Gulf crisis; similar to the flag of Syria which has two stars but no script and the flag of Yemen which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Egypt which has a symbolic eagle centered in the white band three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer
GDP purchasing power parity - $59 billion (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $388.4 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 6%


industry: 13%


services: 81% (1993 est.)
agriculture:
3.3%

industry:
26.3%

services:
70.4% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $2,500 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $24,400 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate -5.7% (2001 est.) 4% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 33 00 N, 44 00 E 52 30 N, 5 45 E
Geography - note strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)
Heliports 5 (2002) 1 (2000 est.)
Highways total: 45,550 km


paved: 38,400 km


unpaved: 7,150 km (1996 est.)
total:
125,575 km

paved:
113,018 km (including 2,235 km of expressways)

unpaved:
12,557 km (1998)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%:
2.8%

highest 10%:
25.1% (1994)
Illicit drugs - major European producer of illicit amphetamine and other synthetic drugs; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy
Imports $11 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) $201.2 billion (c.i.f., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities food, medicine, manufactures machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners France 22.5%, Australia 22%, China 5.8%, Russia 5.8% (2000) EU 56% (Germany 18%, Belgium-Luxembourg 10%, UK 5%, France 6%), US 9%, Central and Eastern Europe (2000)
Independence 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) 1579 (from Spain)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 3.2% (2000)
Industries petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing
Infant mortality rate 57.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 4.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 60% (2001 est.) 2.6% (2000 est.)
International organization participation ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, EAPC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EMU, ESA, ESCAP, EU, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNMIK, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2000) 52 (2000)
Irrigated land 35,250 sq km (1998 est.) 6,000 sq km (1996 est.)
Judicial branch Court of Cassation Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the monarch)
Labor force 4.4 million (1989) (1989) 7.2 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA% services 73%, industry 23%, agriculture 4% (1998 est.)
Land boundaries total: 3,650 km


border countries: Iran 1,458 km, Jordan 181 km, Kuwait 240 km, Saudi Arabia 814 km, Syria 605 km, Turkey 352 km
total:
1,027 km

border countries:
Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km
Land use arable land: 11.89%


permanent crops: 0.78%


other: 87.33% (1998 est.)
arable land:
25%

permanent crops:
3%

permanent pastures:
25%

forests and woodland:
8%

other:
39% (1996 est.)
Languages Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Assyrian, Armenian Dutch
Legal system based on Islamic law in special religious courts, civil law system elsewhere; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Legislative branch unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Watani (250 seats; 30 appointed by the president to represent the three northern provinces of Dahuk, Arbil, and As Sulaymaniyah; 220 elected by popular vote; members serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 27 March 2000 (next to be held NA March 2004)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA
bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils for four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
First Chamber - last held 25 May 1999 (next to be held NA May 2003); Second Chamber - last held 6 May 1998 (next to be held May 2002)

election results:
First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDA 20, VVD 19, PvdA 15, D'66 4, other 17; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - PvdA 30.0%, VVD 25.3%, CDA 19.3%, D'66 9.3%, other 16.1%; seats by party - PvdA 45, VVD 38, CDA 29, D'66 14, other 24
Life expectancy at birth total population: 67.38 years


male: 66.31 years


female: 68.5 years (2002 est.)
total population:
78.43 years

male:
75.55 years

female:
81.44 years (2001 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 58%


male: 70.7%


female: 45% (1995 est.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
99% (2000 est.)

male:
NA%

female:
NA%
Location Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
Map references Middle East Europe
Maritime claims continental shelf: not specified


territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine total: 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 186,709 GRT/278,575 DWT


ships by type: cargo 14, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 1 (2002 est.)
total:
596 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,321,500 GRT/4,877,632 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 3, cargo 371, chemical tanker 43, container 59, liquefied gas 21, livestock carrier 1, multi-functional large-load carrier 9, passenger 8, petroleum tanker 26, refrigerated cargo 29, roll on/roll off 18, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 5 (2000 est.)
Military branches Army, Republican Guard, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, Border Guard Force, Fedayeen Saddam Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Constabulary
Military expenditures - dollar figure $1.3 billion (FY00) $6.5 billion (FY00/01 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% 1.5% (FY00/01 est.)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 6,135,847 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
4,083,349 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 3,430,819 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
3,555,501 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 18 years of age (2002 est.) 20 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 274,035 (2002 est.) males:
96,082 (2001 est.)
National holiday Revolution Day, 17 July (1968) Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909 and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980), 30 April
Nationality noun: Iraqi(s)


adjective: Iraqi
noun:
Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)

adjective:
Dutch
Natural hazards dust storms, sandstorms, floods flooding
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur natural gas, petroleum, arable land
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 2.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Pipelines crude oil 4,350 km; petroleum products 725 km; natural gas 1,360 km crude oil 418 km; petroleum products 965 km; natural gas 10,230 km
Political parties and leaders Ba'th Party [SADDAM Husayn, central party leader] Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Jaap de Hoop SCHEFFER]; Democrats '66 or D'66 [Tom DE GRAAF]; Labor Party or PvdA [Wim KOK]; People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Liberal) or VVD [Hans F. DIJKSTAL]; a host of minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders any formal political activity must be sanctioned by the government; opposition to regime from Kurdish groups and southern Shi'a dissidents Federation of Netherlands Trade Union Movement (comprising Socialist and Catholic trade unions) and a Protestant trade union; Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers Associations; Interchurch Peace Council or IKV; large multinational firms; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises
Population 24,001,816 (July 2002 est.) 15,981,472 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.82% (2002 est.) 0.55% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Umm Qasr, Khawr az Zubayr, and Al Basrah have limited functionality Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Groningen, Haarlem, Ijmuiden, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Utrecht, Vlissingen
Radio broadcast stations AM 19 (5 are inactive), FM 51, shortwave 4 (1998) AM 4, FM 58, shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios 4.85 million (1997) 15.3 million (1996)
Railways total: 2,339 km


standard gauge: 2,339 km 1.435-m gauge (2001)
total:
2,739 km

standard gauge:
2,739 km 1.435-m gauge; (1,991 km electrified) (1998)
Religions Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3% Roman Catholic 31%, Protestant 21%, Muslim 4.4%, other 3.6%, unaffiliated 40% (1998)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female


total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth:
1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years:
1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over:
0.7 male(s)/female

total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: reconstitution of damaged telecommunication facilities began after the Gulf war; most damaged facilities have been rebuilt


domestic: the network consists of coaxial cables and microwave radio relay links


international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Arabsat (inoperative); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey; Kuwait line is probably nonoperational
general assessment:
highly developed and well maintained

domestic:
the existing system of multi-conductor cables is gradually being replaced by fiber-optic cables; the density of cellular telephone traffic is rapidly increasing and further modernization of the system is expected in the year 2001, with the introduction of the third generation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)

international:
5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (1996)
Telephones - main lines in use 675,000 (1997) 9,132,400 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA; service available in northern Iraq (2001) 4,081,891 (April 1999)
Television broadcast stations 13 (1997) 21 (plus 26 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast
Total fertility rate 4.63 children born/woman (2002 est.) 1.65 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 2.6% (2000 est.)
Waterways 1,015 km


note: Shatt al Arab is usually navigable by maritime traffic for about 130 km; channel has been dredged to 3 m and is in use; Tigris and Euphrates Rivers have navigable sections for shallow-draft boats; Shatt al Basrah canal was navigable by shallow-draft craft before closing in 1991 because of the Gulf war
5,046 km

note:
47% of total route length is usable by craft of 1,000 metric ton capacity or larger
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