Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.5% (2005 est.)
Transnational Issues Nepal
Disputes - international:
joint border commission continues to work on contested sections of
boundary with India, including the 400 square kilometer dispute over
the source of the Kalapani River; India has instituted a stricter
border regime to restrict transit of Maoist insurgents and illegal
cross-border activities; approximately 103,000 Bhutanese Lhotshampas
(Hindus) have been confined in refugee camps in southeastern Nepal
since 1990
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 106,248 (Bhutan), 20,153 (Tibet/China)
IDPs: 100,000-200,000 (ongoing conflict between government forces
and Maoist rebels; displacement spread across the country) (2006)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and
international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast
Asia to the West
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Netherlands
Introduction Netherlands
Background:
The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain
in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring
and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the
world. After a 20-year French occupation, a 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 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 EEC (now the EU), and participated in the
introduction of the euro in 1999.