# The 1990 CIA World Factbook ## Part 25 Book page: https://www.cyberlibrary.org/en/books/the-1990-cia-world-factbook-14/index.md Type: overseas territory of France governed by High Administrator Claude CORBIER (since NA 1988) Flag: the flag of France is used - Economy Overview: Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. The fishing catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. - Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: 10 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 217,203 GRT/348,632 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 2 bulk; note--a subset of the French register Telecommunications: NA - Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Gabon - Geography Total area: 267,670 km2; land area: 257,670 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Colorado Land boundaries: 2,551 km total; Cameroon 298 km, Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km Coastline: 885 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 24 nm; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: maritime boundary with Equatorial Guinea Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south Natural resources: crude oil, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore Land use: 1% arable land; 1% permanent crops; 18% meadows and pastures; 78% forest and woodland; 2% other Environment: deforestation - People Population: 1,068,240 (July 1990), growth rate 0.8% (1990) Birth rate: 28 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 15 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 6 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 106 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 50 years male, 56 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 4.0 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Gabonese (sing., pl.); adjective--Gabonese Ethnic divisions: about 40 Bantu tribes, including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Eshira, Bapounou, Bateke); about 100,000 expatriate Africans and Europeans, including 27,000 French Religion: 55-75% Christian, less than 1% Muslim, remainder animist Language: French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi Literacy: 61.6% Labor force: 120,000 salaried; 65.0% agriculture, 30.0% industry and commerce, 2.5% services, 2.5% government; 58% of population of working age (1983) Organized labor: there are 38,000 members of the national trade union, the Gabonese Trade Union Confederation (COSYGA) - Government Long-form name: Gabonese Republic Type: republic; one-party presidential regime since 1964 Capital: Libreville Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France) Constitution: 21 February 1961, revised 15 April 1975 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; compulsory ICJ jurisdiction not accepted National holiday: Renovation Day (Gabonese Democratic Party established), 12 March (1968) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemble Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State--President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967); Head of Government--Prime Minister Leon MEBIAME (since 16 April 1975) Political parties and leaders: only party--Gabonese Social Democratic Rally (RSDG), El Hadj Omar Bongo, president; formerly Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), which was dissolved in February 1990 Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: President--last held on 9 November 1986 (next to be held November 1993); results--President Omar BONGO was reelected without opposition; National Assembly--last held on 17 February 1985 (next to be held by February 1992); results--PDG was the only party; seats--(120 total, 111 elected) PDG 111 Communists: no organized party; probably some Communist sympathizers Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Conference of East and Central African States, EAMA, EIB (associate), FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCO, ICO, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UDEAC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Jean Robert ODZAGA; Chancery at 2034 20th Street NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone (202) 797-1000; US--Ambassador Keith L. WAUCHOPE; Embassy at Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville (mailing address is B. P. 4000, Libreville); telephone 762003 or 762004, 761337, 721348, 740248 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue - Economy Overview: The economy, dependent on timber and manganese until the early 1970s, is now dominated by the oil sector. During the period 1981-85 oil accounted for about 46% of GDP, 83% of export earnings, and 65% of government revenues on average. The high oil prices of the early 1980s contributed to a substantial increase in per capita income, stimulated domestic demand, reinforced migration from rural to urban areas, and raised the level of real wages to among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The three-year slide of Gabon's economy, which began with falling oil prices in 1985, stabilized in 1989 because of a near doubling of oil prices over their 1988 lows. The agricultural and industrial sectors are relatively underdeveloped, accounting for only 8% and 10%, respectively, of GDP in 1986. GDP: $3.2 billion, per capita $3,200; real growth rate 0% (1989) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1989) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $927 million; expenditures $1.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $33 million (1988) Exports: $1.14 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--crude oil 70%, manganese 11%, wood 12%, uranium 6%; partners--France 53%, US 22%, FRG, Japan Imports: $0.76 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--foodstuffs, chemical products, petroleum products, construction materials, manufactures, machinery; partners--France 48%, US 2.6%, FRG, Japan, UK External debt: $2.0 billion (October 1989) Industrial production: growth rate 1.7% (1986) Electricity: 310,000 kW capacity; 980 million kWh produced, 920 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: sawmills, petroleum, food and beverages; mining of increasing importance (especially manganese and uranium) Agriculture: accounts for 8% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); cash crops--cocoa, coffee, palm oil; livestock not developed; importer of food; small fishing operations provide a catch of about 20,000 metric tons; okoume (a tropical softwood) is the most important timber product Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $64 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $1.7 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $27 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year - Communications Railroads: 649 km 1.437-meter standard-gauge single track (Transgabonese Railroad) Highways: 7,500 km total; 560 km paved, 960 km laterite, 5,980 km earth Inland waterways: 1,600 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil, 270 km; refined products, 14 km Ports: Owendo, Port-Gentil, Libreville Merchant marine: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,563 GRT/25,330 DWT Civil air: 11 major transport aircraft Airports: 79 total, 68 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 21 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: adequate system of open-wire, radio relay, tropospheric scatter links and radiocommunication stations; 13,800 telephones; stations--6 AM, 6 FM, 8 TV; satellite earth stations--2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 12 domestic satellite - Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie Military manpower: males 15-49, 266,110; 133,158 fit for military service; 9,282 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: 3.2% of GDP, or $102 million (1990 est.) ---------------------------------------------------- Country: The Gambia - Geography Total area: 11,300 km2; land area: 10,000 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Delaware Land boundary: 740 km with Senegal Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 18 nm; Continental shelf: not specific; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: short section of boundary with Senegal is indefinite Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) Terrain: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills Natural resources: fish Land use: 16% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 9% meadows and pastures; 20% forest and woodland; 55% other; includes 3% irrigated Environment: deforestation Note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa - People Population: 848,147 (July 1990), growth rate 3.1% (1990) Birth rate: 48 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 140 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 46 years male, 50 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Gambian(s); adjective--Gambian Ethnic divisions: 99% African (42% Mandinka, 18% Fula, 16% Wolof, 10% Jola, 9% Serahuli, 4% other); 1% non-Gambian Religion: 90% Muslim, 9% Christian, 1% indigenous beliefs Language: English (official); Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars Literacy: 25.1% Labor force: 400,000 (1986 est.); 75.0% agriculture, 18.9% industry, commerce, and services, 6.1% government; 55% population of working age (1983) Organized labor: 25-30% of wage labor force - Government Long-form name: Republic of The Gambia Type: republic Capital: Banjul Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank, Upper River, Western Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK); The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 (effective 1 February 1982) that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989 Constitution: 24 April 1970 Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965) Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba JAWARA (since 24 April 1970); Vice President Bakary Bunja DARBO (since 12 May 1982) Political parties and leaders: People's Progressive Party (PPP), Dawda K. Jawara, secretary general; National Convention Party (NCP), Sheriff Dibba; Gambian People's Party (GPP), Assan Musa Camara; United Party (UP); People's Democratic Organization of Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) Suffrage: universal at age 21 Elections: President--last held on 11 March 1987 (next to be held March 1992); results--Sir Dawda Jawara (PPP) 61.1%, Sherif Mustapha Dibba (NCP) 25.2%, Assan Musa Camara (GPP) 13.7%; House of Representatives--last held on 11 March 1987 (next to be held by March 1992); results--PPP 56.6%, NCP 27.6%, GPP 14.7%, PDOIS 1%; seats--(43 total, 36 elected) PPP 31, NCP 5 Communists: no Communist party Member of: ACP, AfDB, APC, Commonwealth, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, IRC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Ousman A. SALLAH; Chancery at Suite 720, 1030 15th Street NW, Washington DC 20005; telephone (202) 842-1356 or 842-1359; US--Ambassador (vacant); Embassy at Pipeline Road (Kairaba Avenue), Fajara, Banjul (mailing address is P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul); telephone Serrekunda [220] 92856 or 92858, 91970, 91971 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green - Economy Overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. It is one of the world's poorest countries with a per capita income of about $250. About 75% of the population is engaged in crop production and livestock raising, which contributes about 30% to GDP. Small-scale manufacturing activity--processing peanuts, fish, and hides--accounts for less than 10% of GDP. Tourism is a growing industry. The Gambia imports about 33% of its food, all fuel, and most manufactured goods. Exports are concentrated on peanut products (over 75% of total value). GDP: $195 million, per capita $250; real growth rate 4.6% (FY89 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.0% (FY89 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $75 million; expenditures $67 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (FY89) Exports: $133 million (f.o.b., FY89); commodities--peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels; partners--Ghana 49%, Europe 27%, Japan 12%, US 1% (1986) Imports: $105 million (c.i.f., FY89); commodities--foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and transport equipment; partners--Europe 55% (EC 39%, other 16%), Asia 20%, US 11%, Senegal 4% (1986) External debt: $330 million (December 1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 7.3% (FY88) Electricity: 29,000 kW capacity; 64 million kWh produced, 80 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: peanut processing, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing Agriculture: accounts for 30% of GDP and employs about 75% of the population; imports one-third of food requirements; major export crop is peanuts; the principal crops--millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava, palm kernels; livestock--cattle, sheep, and goats; forestry and fishing resources not fully exploited Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $84 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $422 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $39 million Currency: dalasi (plural--dalasi); 1 dalasi (D) = 100 bututs Exchange rates: dalasi (D) per US$1--8.3232 (December 1989), 7.5846 (1989), 6.7086 (1988), 7.0744 (1987), 6.9380 (1986), 3.8939 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June - Communications Highways: 3,083 km total; 431 km paved, 501 km gravel/laterite, and 2,151 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 400 km Ports: Banjul Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway 2,440-3,659 m Telecommunications: adequate network of radio relay and wire; 3,500 telephones; stations--3 AM, 2 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station - Defense Forces Branches: Army, paramilitary Gendarmerie Military manpower: males 15-49, 182,308; 92,001 fit for military service Defense expenditures: NA ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Gaza Strip Note: The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights. As stated in the 1978 Camp David Accords and reaffirmed by President Reagan's 1 September 1982 peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. Camp David further specifies that these negotiations will resolve the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has yet to be determined. In the view of the US, the term West Bank describes all of the area west of the Jordan under Jordanian administration before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. With respect to negotiations envisaged in the framework agreement, however, it is US policy that a distinction must be made between Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank because of the city's special status and circumstances. Therefore, a negotiated solution for the final status of Jerusalem could be different in character from that of the rest of the West Bank. - Geography Total area: 380km2; land area: 380 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 62 km total; Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: Israeli occupied with status to be determined Disputes: Israeli occupied with status to be determined Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers Terrain: flat to rolling, sand and dune covered coastal plain Natural resources: negligible Land use: 13% arable land, 32% permanent crops, 0% meadows and pastures, 0% forest and woodland, 55% other Environment: desertification Note: there are 18 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip - People Population: 615,575 (July 1990), growth rate 3.2% (1990); in addition, there are 2,500 Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip Birth rate: 47 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 7 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 55 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 63 years male, 66 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 7.0 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: NA Ethnic divisions: 99.8% Palestinian Arab and other, 0.2% Jewish Religion: 99% Muslim (predominantly Sunni), 0.7% Christian, 0.3% Jewish Language: Arabic, Israeli settlers speak Hebrew, English widely understood Literacy: NA% Labor force: (excluding Israeli Jewish settlers) 32.0% small industry, commerce and business, 24.4% construction, 25.5% service and other, and 18.1% agriculture (1984) Organized labor: NA - Government Long-form name: none Note: The Gaza Strip is currently governed by Israeli military authorities and Israeli civil administration. It is US policy that the final status of the Gaza Strip will be determined by negotiations among the concerned parties. These negotiations will determine how this area is to be governed. - Economy Overview: Nearly half of the labor force of the Gaza Strip is employed across the border by Israeli industrial, construction, and agricultural enterprises, with worker transfer funds accounting for 40% of GNP in 1989. The once dominant agricultural sector now contributes only 13% to GNP, about the same as that of the construction sector, and industry accounts for 7%. Gaza depends upon Israel for 90% of its imports and as a market for 80% of its exports. Unrest in the territory in 1988-89 (intifadah) has raised unemployment and substantially lowered the incomes of the population. GNP: $380 million, per capita $650; real growth rate NA% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $36.6 million; expenditures $32.0 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1986) Exports: $88 million; commodities--citrus; partners--Israel, Egypt (1989 est.) Imports: $260 million; commodities--food, consumer goods, construction materials; partners--Israel, Egypt (1989 est.) External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: power supplied by Israel Industries: generally small family businesses that produce cement, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial center Agriculture: olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables, beef, dairy products Aid: none Currency: new Israeli shekel (plural--shekels); 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1--1.9450 (January 1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987), 1.4878 (1986), 1.1788 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 April-March 31 - Communications Railroads: one line, abandoned and in disrepair, but trackage remains Highways: small, poorly developed indigenous road network Ports: facilities for small boats to service Gaza Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runway less than 1,220 m Telecommunications: stations--no AM, no FM, no TV - Defense Forces Branches: NA Military manpower: NA Defense expenditures: NA ---------------------------------------------------- Country: German Democratic Republic (East Germany) - Geography Total area: 108,330 km2; land area: 105,980 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Tennessee Land boundaries: 2,296 km total; Czechoslovakia 459 km, Poland 456 km, FRG 1,381 km Coastline: 901 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: it is US policy that the final borders of Germany have not been established; the US is seeking to settle the property claims of US nationals against the GDR Climate: temperate; cloudy, cold winters with frequent rain and snow; cool, wet summers Terrain: mostly flat plain with hills and mountains in south Natural resources: lignite, potash, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel Land use: 45% arable land; 3% permanent crops; 12% meadows and pastures; 28% forest and woodland; 12% other; includes 2% irrigated Environment: significant deforestation in mountains caused by air pollution and acid rain Note: strategic location on North European Plain and near the entrance to the Baltic Sea; West Berlin is an enclave (about 116 km by air or 176 km by road from FRG) - People Population: 16,307,170 (July 1990), growth rate - 0.6% (1990) Birth rate: 12 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 6 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 77 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--German(s); adjective--German Ethnic divisions: 99.7% German, 0.3% Slavic and other Religion: 47% Protestant, 7% Roman Catholic, 46% unaffiliated or other; less than 5% of Protestants and about 25% of Roman Catholics active participants Language: German Literacy: 99% Labor force: 8,960,000; 37.5% industry, 21.1% services, 10.8% agriculture and forestry, 10.3% commerce, 7.4% transport and communications, 6.6% construction, 3.1% handicrafts, 3.2% other (1987) Organized labor: 87.7% of labor force - Government Long-form name: German Democratic Republic; abbreviated GDR Type: Communist state Capital: East Berlin (not officially recognized by France, UK, and US, which together with the USSR have special rights and responsibilities in Berlin) Administrative divisions: 14 districts (bezirke, singular--bezirk); Cottbus, Dresden, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Gera, Halle, Karl-Marx-Stadt, Leipzig, Magdeburg, Neubrandenburg, Potsdam, Rostock, Schwerin, Suhl Independence: self-government proclaimed 7 October 1949, with permission of the Soviet authorities Constitution: 9 April 1968, amended 7 October 1974 Legal system: civil law system modified by Communist legal theory; no judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Foundation of the German Democratic Republic, 7 October (1949) Executive branch: Council of State abolished on 5 April 1990, post of president to be created; chairman of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers (cabinet)