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Compare Venezuela (2005) - Netherlands (2002)

Compare Venezuela (2005) z Netherlands (2002)

 Venezuela (2005)Netherlands (2002)
 VenezuelaNetherlands
Administrative divisions 23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 federal district* (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia


note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands
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: 29.9% (male 3,909,876/female 3,667,958)


15-64 years: 65% (male 8,287,255/female 8,209,599)


65 years and over: 5.1% (male 590,236/female 710,357) (2005 est.)
0-14 years: 18.3% (male 1,502,687; female 1,437,141)


15-64 years: 67.9% (male 5,548,188; female 5,362,412)


65 years and over: 13.8% (male 913,020; female 1,304,306) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock
Airports 369 (2004 est.) 28 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 127


over 3,047 m: 5


2,438 to 3,047 m: 11


1,524 to 2,437 m: 31


914 to 1,523 m: 61


under 914 m: 19 (2004 est.)
total: 21


over 3,047 m: 2


2,438 to 3,047 m: 7


1,524 to 2,437 m: 6


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 242


1,524 to 2,437 m: 10


914 to 1,523 m: 88


under 914 m: 144 (2004 est.)
total: 7


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 5 (2002)
Area total: 912,050 sq km


land: 882,050 sq km


water: 30,000 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 California slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Background Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include: a polarized political environment, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples. 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 Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in 1999.
Birth rate 18.91 births/1,000 population (2005 est.) 11.58 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $26.91 billion


expenditures: $30.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.6 billion (2004 est.)
revenues: $134 billion


expenditures: $134 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)
Capital Caracas Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government
Climate tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
Coastline 2,800 km 451 km
Constitution 30 December 1999 adopted 1814; amended many times, last time 17 February 1983
Country name conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela


conventional short form: Venezuela


local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela


local short form: Venezuela
conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands


conventional short form: Netherlands


local long form: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden


local short form: Nederland
Currency - euro (EUR); Netherlands guilder (NLG)


note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries
Death rate 4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.) 8.67 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $33.29 billion (2004 est.) -
Dependent areas - Aruba, Netherlands Antilles
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador William R. BROWNFIELD


embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080


mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037


telephone: [58] (212) 975-9234, 975-6411


FAX: [58] (212) 975-8991
chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL


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 chief of mission: Ambassador Bernardo ALVAREZ Herrera


chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007


telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214


FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820


consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
chief of mission: Ambassador Boudewijn J. VAN EENENNAAM


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, Miami, New York


consulate(s): Boston
Disputes - international claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in Guyana, preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before UNCLOS that the Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; dispute with Colombia over Los Monjes islands and maritime boundary near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Venezuela's shared border region resulting in several thousand residents migrating away from the border; US, France and the Netherlands recognize Venezuela's claim to give full effect to Aves Island, which creates a Venezuelan EEZ/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the Caribbean Sea; Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines protest Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation and other states' recognition of it none
Economic aid - donor - ODA, $3.5 billion (2000 est.)
Economic aid - recipient $74 million (2000) -
Economy - overview Venezuela continues to be highly dependent on the petroleum sector, accounting for roughly one-third of GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and over half of government operating revenues. A disastrous two-month national oil strike from December 2002 to February 2003, temporarily halted economic activity. The economy remained in depression in 2003, declining by 9.2% after an 8.9% fall in 2002. Despite continued domestic instability, output recovered strongly in 2004, aided by high oil prices. Both inflation and unemployment remain fundamental problems. 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 Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. The country continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment. Economic growth slowed considerably in 2001-02, as part of the global economic slowdown, but for the four years before that, annual growth averaged nearly 4%, well above the EU average.
Electricity - consumption 89.3 billion kWh (2003) 100.71 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 450 million kWh (2003) 4.031 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 30 million kWh (2003) 22.946 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 89.7 billion kWh (2003) 87.953 billion kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 90%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 4%


other: 5% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m
lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m


highest point: Vaalserberg 322 m
Environment - current issues sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations 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: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands


signed but not ratified:: none of the selected agreements
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: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Ethnic groups Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people Dutch 83%, other 17% (of which 9% are non-western origin mainly Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, Surinamese and Indonesians) (1999 est.)
Exchange rates bolivares per US dollar - 1,891.3 (2004), 1,607 (2003), 1,161 (2002), 723.7 (2001), 680 (2000) euros per US dollar - 1.1324 (January 2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Netherlands guilders per US dollar - 1.9837 (1998), 1.9513 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL Vale (since 28 April 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Jose Vicente RANGEL Vale (since 28 April 2002); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2006)


election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - 60%


note: a special presidential recall vote on 15 August 2004 resulted in a victory for CHAVEZ; percent of vote - 58% in favor of CHAVEZ fulfilling the remaining two years of his term, 42% in favor of terminating his presidency immediately
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 Jan Peter BALKENENDE (since 22 July 2002) and Vice Prime Ministers Johan REMKES (since NA 2002) and Roelf DE BOER (since NA 2002)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarchy 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: there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the prime minister on legislative and administrative policy
Exports 2.1 million bbl/day (2004 est.) $221.9 billion f.o.b. (2002)
Exports - commodities petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs
Exports - partners US 55.6%, Netherlands Antilles 4.7%, Dominican Republic 2.8% (2004) EU 77.6% (Germany 25.6%, Benelux 11.8%, UK 11.1%, France 10.3%, Italy 6.2%) (2001)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue 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; one of the oldest flags in constant use, originating with William I, Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the 16th century
GDP - purchasing power parity - $434 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 0.1%


industry: 46.5%


services: 53.4% (2004 est.)
agriculture: 3%


industry: 26%


services: 71% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $5,800 (2004 est.) purchasing power parity - $26,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 16.8% (2004 est.) 0.3% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 8 00 N, 66 00 W 52 30 N, 5 45 E
Geography - note on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)
Heliports - 1 (2002)
Highways total: 96,155 km


paved: 32,308 km


unpaved: 63,847 km (1999 est.)
total: 116,500 km


paved: 104,850 km (including 2,235 km of expressways)


unpaved: 11,650 km (1999)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: 0.8%


highest 10%: 36.5% (1998)
lowest 10%: 3%


highest 10%: 25% (1994)
Illicit drugs small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border 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; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering
Imports NA $201.1 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)
Imports - commodities raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs, clothing
Imports - partners US 28.8%, Colombia 9.9%, Brazil 7%, Mexico 4.1% (2004) EU 54.6% (Germany 18.4%, Benelux 9.2%, UK 8.9%, France 5.8%), US 9.9% (2001)
Independence 5 July 1811 (from Spain) 1579 (from Spain); note - the northern provinces of the Low Country concluded the Union of Utrecht, but it was 1648 before Spain finally recognized their independence
Industrial production growth rate 12.3% (2004 est.) 2% (2002 est.)
Industries petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing
Infant mortality rate total: 22.2 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 25.31 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 18.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
4.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 22.4% (2004 est.) 3.4% (2002 est.)
International organization participation CAN, CDB, CSN, FAO, G-3, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO 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, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMEE, UNMIBH, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 52 (2000)
Irrigated land 540 sq km (1998 est.) 5,650 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribuna Suprema de Justicia (magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term) Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the monarch)
Labor force 12.25 million (2004 est.) 7.2 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 13%, industry 23%, services 64% (1997 est.) services 73%, industry 23%, agriculture 4% (1998 est.)
Land boundaries total: 4,993 km


border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
total: 1,027 km


border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km
Land use arable land: 2.95%


permanent crops: 0.92%


other: 96.13% (2001)
arable land: 26.53%


permanent crops: 1.03%


other: 72.44% (1998 est.)
Languages Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects Dutch
Legal system open, adversarial court system 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 Asamblea Nacional (165 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela)


elections: last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held July 2005)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - pro-government 108 (MVR 92, MAS 6, indigenous 3, other 7), opposition 57 (AD 33, COPEI 6, Justice First 5, other 13)
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 15 May 2003); Second Chamber - last held 22 January 2003 (next to be held NA January 2007)


election results: First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDA 20, VVD 19, PvdA 15, D66 4, other 17; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - CDA 28.6%, PvdA 27.3%, VVD 12.9%, Socialist Party 6.3%, List Pim Fortuyn 5.7%, Green Party 5.1%, D66 4.1%; seats by party - CDA 44, PvdA 42, VVD 28, Socialist Party 9, List Pim Fortuyn 8, Green Party 8, D66 6, other 5
Life expectancy at birth total population: 74.31 years


male: 71.27 years


female: 77.58 years (2005 est.)
total population: 78.58 years


male: 75.7 years


female: 81.59 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 93.4%


male: 93.8%


female: 93.1% (2003 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 99% (2000 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
Location Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
Map references South America Europe
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 15 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine total: 56 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 740,919 GRT/1,191,483 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 16, chemical tanker 1, container 1, liquefied gas 5, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 19, roll on/roll off 1


foreign-owned: 9 (Denmark 2, Greece 1, Hong Kong 2, Mexico 1, Russia 2, Spain 1)


registered in other countries: 20 (2005)
total: 622 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,587,662 GRT/5,251,529 DWT


ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 380, chemical tanker 46, container 64, liquefied gas 16, livestock carrier 2, multi-functional large-load carrier 15, passenger 9, petroleum tanker 28, refrigerated cargo 34, roll on/roll off 18, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 5


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Belgium 1, Canada 1, Denmark 5, Finland 5, Germany 55, Ireland 12, Norway 12, Sweden 17, United Kingdom 33, United States 12 (2002 est.)
Military branches National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales, FAN): Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces (Fuerzas Navales or Armada - includes Marines, Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional) Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (including Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Constabulary
Military expenditures - dollar figure $1.687 billion (2004) $6.5 billion (FY00/01 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 1.5% (2004) 1.5% (FY00/01 est.)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 4,077,917 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 3,546,030 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 20 years of age (note - age 17 for cadets and midshipmen) (2002 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 96,082


note: Netherlands has an all-volunteer, 74,100 force in 2001 (2002 est.)
National holiday Independence Day, 5 July (1811) 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: Venezuelan(s)


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


adjective: Dutch
Natural hazards subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts flooding
Natural resources petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds natural gas, petroleum, arable land
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.) 2.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Pipelines extra heavy crude 992 km; gas 5,262 km; oil 7,360 km; refined products 1,681 km; unknown (oil/water) 141 km (2004) crude oil 418 km; petroleum products 965 km; natural gas 10,230 km
Political parties and leaders Democratic Action or AD [Jesus MENDEZ Quijada]; Fifth Republic Movement or MVR [Hugo CHAVEZ]; Homeland for All or PPT [Jose ALBORNOZ]; Justice First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Hector MUJICA]; National Convergence or Convergencia [Juan Jose CALDERA]; Radical Cause or La Causa R [Andres VELASQUEZ]; Social Christian Party or COPEI [Eduardo FERNANDEZ]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Romer] Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Jan Peter BALKENENDE]; Christian Union Party [M. VAN DAALEN]; Democrats 66 or D66 [Thom DE GRAAF]; Green Party [Femke HALSEMA]; Labor Party or PvdA [Wouter BOS]; List Pim Fortuyn [Mat HERBEN]; People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Liberal) or VVD [Gerrit ZALM]; Socialist Party [Jan MARIJNISSEN]; a host of minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action) 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 25,375,281 (July 2005 est.) 16,067,754 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line 47% (1998 est.) NA%
Population growth rate 1.4% (2005 est.) 0.53% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors Amuay, La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Groningen, Haarlem, Ijmuiden, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Utrecht, Vlissingen
Radio broadcast stations AM 201, FM NA (20 in Caracas), shortwave 11 (1998) AM 4, FM 58, shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios - 15.3 million (1996)
Railways total: 682 km


standard gauge: 682 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)
total: 2,808 km


standard gauge: 2,808 km 1.435-m gauge (2,061 km electrified) (2001)
Religions nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2% Roman Catholic 31%, Protestant 21%, Muslim 4.4%, other 3.6%, unaffiliated 40% (1998)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female


total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2005 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 (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: modern and expanding


domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines; installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of digital multimedia services


international: country code - 58; 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in the construction of an international fiber-optic network
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 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 2,841,800 (2002) 9,132,400 (1999)
Telephones - mobile cellular 6,463,600 (2002) 4,081,891 (April 1999)
Television broadcast stations 66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997) 21 (plus 26 repeaters) (1995)
Terrain Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast
Total fertility rate 2.26 children born/woman (2005 est.) 1.65 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 17.1% (2004 est.) 3% (2002 est.)
Waterways 7,100 km


note: Orinoco River and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoing vessels, Orinoco for 400 km (2004)
5,046 km (of which 3,745 km are canals)


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