Chapter 45
Terrain: volcanic
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Ross on Ile Kerguelen 1,850 m
Natural resources: fish, crayfish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)
Natural hazards: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes
Environment--current issues: NA
Environment--international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography--note: remote location in the southern Indian Ocean
People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: in 1997 there were about 100 researchers whose numbers vary from winter (July) to summer (January)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
Data code: FS
Dependency status: overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by a high commissioner of the Republic
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US
Legal system: NA
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of France)
Flag description: the flag of France is used
Economy
Economy--overview: Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion.
Budget: revenues: $19 million expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)
Transportation
Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine: total: 66 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,201,120 GRT/3,832,935 DWT ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 7, chemical tanker 10, container 9, liquefied gas tanker 6, oil tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 10 (1998 est.)
Airports: none
Military
Military--note: defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the US
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@Gabon -----
Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 11 45 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 267,670 sq km land: 257,670 sq km water: 10,000 sq km
Area--comparative: slightly smaller than Colorado
Land boundaries: total: 2,551 km border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km
Coastline: 885 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m
Natural resources: petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore
Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 18% forests and woodland: 77% other: 3% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment--current issues: deforestation; poaching
Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
People
Population: 1,225,853 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 205,076; female 205,198) 15-64 years: 61% (male 376,181; female 370,479) 65 years and over: 6% (male 34,078; female 34,841) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.48% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 27.89 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 13.07 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 83.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.98 years male: 53.98 years female: 60.08 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.77 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Gabonese (singular and plural) adjective: Gabonese
Ethnic groups: Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Eshira, Bapounou, Bateke), other Africans and Europeans 154,000, including 6,000 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality
Religions: Christian 55%-75%, Muslim less than 1%, animist
Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 63.2% male: 73.7% female: 53.3% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Gabonese Republic conventional short form: Gabon local long form: Republique Gabonaise local short form: Gabon
Data code: GB
Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990)
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)
National holiday: Independence Day, 17 August (1960) (Gabon granted full independence from France)
Constitution: adopted 14 March 1991
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
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Francois NTOUTOUME-EMANE (since 23 January 1999) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President El Hadj Omar BONGO reelected; percent of vote--El Hadj Omar BONGO 66%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 17%, Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE 13%
Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (91 seats) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats); members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms elections: National Assembly--last held in December 1996 (next to be held NA December 2001); Senate--last held 12 January 1997 (next to be held in January 2002) election results: National Assembly--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--PDG 100, Morena-Bucherons/RNB 8, PUP 3, CLR 3, FAR 1, UPG 1, USG 2, PGP 2; Senate--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--PDG 51, RNB 17, PGP 4, ADERE 3, RDP 1, others 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers--Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts
Political parties and leaders: African Forum for Reconstruction NA]
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURCA, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UDEAC, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paul BOUNDOUKOU-LATHA chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James V. LEDESMA embassy: Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville mailing address: B. P. 4000, Libreville
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue
Economy
Economy--overview: Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most nations of sub-Saharan Africa. This has supported a sharp decline in extreme poverty; yet because of high income inequality a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, manganese, and uranium exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, the economy is hobbled by poor fiscal management. In 1992, the fiscal deficit widened to 2.4% of GDP, and Gabon failed to settle arrears on its bilateral debt, leading to a cancellation of rescheduling agreements with official and private creditors. Devaluation of its Francophone currency by 50% on 12 January 1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped to 6% in 1996. The IMF provided a one-year standby arrangement in 1994-95 and a three-year Enhanced Financing Facility (EFF) at near commercial rates beginning in late 1995. Those agreements mandate progress in privatization and fiscal discipline. France provided additional financial support in January 1997 after Gabon had met IMF targets for mid-1996. In 1997, an IMF mission to Gabon criticized the government for overspending on off-budget items, overborrowing from the central bank, and slipping on its schedule for privatization and administrative reform. Growth in 1999 will depend mainly on how world oil prices move.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$7.7 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 1.7% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$6,400 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 8% industry: 67% services: 25% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (1998 est.)
Labor force: NA
Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry and commerce, services
Unemployment rate: 21% (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $302 million (1996 est.)
Industries: food and beverage; textile; lumbering and plywood; cement; petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, uranium, and gold mining; chemicals; ship repair
Industrial production growth rate: 2.3% (1995)
Electricity--production: 930 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 22.04% hydro: 77.96% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity--consumption: 930 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture--products: cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish
Exports: $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Exports--commodities: crude oil 81%, timber 12%, manganese 5%, uranium (1996)
Exports--partners: US 67%, China 9%, France 8%, Japan 3% (1997)
Imports: $890 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)
Imports--commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, petroleum products, construction materials
Imports--partners: France 38%, US 8%, Cameroon 5%, Netherlands 4%, Cote d'Ivoire, Japan (1997)
Debt--external: $4.1 billion (1997)
Economic aid--recipient: $331 million (1995)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1--577.61 (January 1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones: 22,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: satellite earth stations--3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 250,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 4 (in addition, there are five low-power repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 40,000 (1993 est.)
Transportation
Railways: total: 649 km Gabon State Railways (OCTRA) standard gauge: 649 km 1.435-m gauge; single track (1994)
Highways: total: 7,670 km paved: 629 km (including 30 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,041 km (1996 est.)
Waterways: 1,600 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 270 km; petroleum products 14 km
Ports and harbors: Cap Lopez, Kango, Lambarene, Libreville, Mayumba, Owendo, Port-Gentil
Merchant marine: total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 13,613 GRT/22,599 DWT (1998 est.) ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1 (1998 est.)
Airports: 62 (1998 est.)
Airports--with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1998 est.)
Airports--with unpaved runways: total: 52 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 26 (1998 est.)
Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard (charged with protecting the president and other senior officials), National Gendarmerie, National Police
Military manpower--military age: 20 years of age
Military manpower--availability: males age 15-49: 280,719 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--fit for military service: males age 15-49: 144,133 (1999 est.)
Military manpower--reaching military age annually: males: 11,392 (1999 est.)
Military expenditures--dollar figure: $91 million (1996)
Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 1.6% (1996)
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international: maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial Guinea because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay
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@Gambia, The -----------
Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 16 34 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 11,300 sq km land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km
Area--comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Delaware
Land boundaries: total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km
Coastline: 80 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
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
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 53 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 18% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 9% forests and woodland: 28% other: 45% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 150 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years
Environment--current issues: deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent
Environment--international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography--note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa
People
Population: 1,336,320 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 305,839; female 304,905) 15-64 years: 52% (male 341,947; female 348,163) 65 years and over: 2% (male 18,706; female 16,760) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.35% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 42.76 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 12.57 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 75.33 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.39 years male: 52.02 years female: 56.83 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 5.83 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian
Ethnic groups: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1%
Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%
Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 38.6% male: 52.8% female: 24.9% (1995 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia
Data code: GA
Government type: republic under multiparty democratic rule
Capital: Banjul
Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank, Upper River, Western note: it has been reported but not verified that the name of the MacCarthy Island division has been changed to Central River
Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK); note--The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989
National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
Constitution: 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished in January 1997
Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 12 October 1996); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet is appointed by the president elections: the president is elected by popular vote to a five-year term; the number of terms is not restricted; election last held 26 September 1996 (next to be held NA 2001) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH elected president; percent of vote--Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 55.5%, Ousainou DARBOE 35.8%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly; 49 seats (45 elected by popular vote, 4 appointed by the president; all for five-year terms) elections: last popular election held 2 January 1997 (next to be held NA 2002) election results: percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--APRC 33, UDP 7, NRP 2, PDOIS 1, independents 2
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Patriotic Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS note--in August 1996 the government banned the following from participation in the elections of 1996: People's Progressive Party President Sheriff DIBBA] and the Gambian People's Party or GPP
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Crispin GREY-JOHNSON chancery: Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador George W. HALEY embassy: Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green
Economy
Economy--overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but the 50% devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 made Senegalese goods more competitive and hurt the reexport trade. The Gambia has benefited from a rebound in tourism after its decline in response to the military's takeover in July 1994. Short-run economic progress remains highly dependent on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid and on responsible government economic management as forwarded by IMF technical help and advice.
GDP: purchasing power parity--$1.3 billion (1998 est.)
GDP--real growth rate: 3.8% (1998 est.)
GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,000 (1998 est.)
GDP--composition by sector: agriculture: 23% industry: 13% services: 64% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1998 est.)
Labor force: NA
Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 75%, industry, commerce, and services 19%, government 6%
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $88.6 million expenditures: $98.2 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY96/97 est.)
Industries: processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism; beverages; agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking; clothing
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity--production: 70 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)
Electricity--consumption: 70 million kWh (1996)
Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996)
Agriculture--products: peanuts, millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats; forest and fishery resources not fully exploited
Exports: $120 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports--commodities: peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels
Exports--partners: Belgium, Japan, Senegal, Hong Kong, France, Switzerland, UK, US, Indonesia (1997)
Imports: $207 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Imports--commodities: foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and transport equipment
Imports--partners: Cote d'Ivoire, Hong Kong, UK, Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium (1997)
Debt--external: $426 million (1995 est.)
Economic aid--recipient: $45.4 million (1995)
Currency: 1 dalasi (D) = 100 butut
Exchange rates: dalasi (D) per US$1--10.947 (December 1998), 10.643 (1998), 10.200 (1997), 9.789 (1996), 9.546 (1995), 9.576 (1994)
Fiscal year: 1 July--30 June
Communications
Telephones: 11,000 (1991 est.)