:Fiji Economy
Overview:Fiji's economy is primarily agricultural, with a large subsistence sector.Sugar exports are a major source of foreign exchange, and sugar processingaccounts for one-third of industrial output. Industry, including sugarmilling, contributes 13% to GDP. Fiji traditionally had earned considerablesums of hard currency from the 250,000 tourists who visited each year. In1987, however, after two military coups, the economy went into decline. GDPdropped by 7.8% in 1987 and by another 2.5% in 1988; political uncertaintycreated a drop in tourism, and the worst drought of the century caused sugarproduction to fall sharply. In contrast, sugar and tourism turned in strongperformances in 1989, and the economy rebounded vigorously. In 1990 theeconomy received a setback from cyclone Sina, which cut sugar output by anestimated 21%.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $1.3 billion, per capita $1,700; real growth rate3.5% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):7.0% (1991)Unemployment rate:5.9% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues $413 million; expenditures $464 million, including capitalexpenditures of NA (1992 est.)Exports:$646 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:sugar 40%, gold, clothing, copra, processed fish, lumberpartners:EC 31%, Australia 21%, Japan 8%, US 6%Imports:$840 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.)commodities:machinery and transport equipment 32%, food 15%, petroleum products,consumer goods, chemicalspartners:Australia 30%, NZ 17%, Japan 13%, EC 6%, US 6%External debt:$428 million (December 1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 8.4% (1991 est.); accounts for 13% of GDPElectricity:215,000 kW capacity; 330 million kWh produced, 430 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:sugar, tourism, copra, gold, silver, fishing, clothing, lumber, smallcottage industriesAgriculture:accounts for 23% of GDP; principal cash crop is sugarcane; coconuts,cassava, rice, sweet potatoes, and bananas; small livestock sector includescattle, pigs, horses, and goatsEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89),$815 millionCurrency:Fijian dollar (plural - dollars); 1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 centsExchange rates:Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1 - 1.4855 (January 1992), 1.4756 (1991), 1.4809(1990), 1.4833 (1989), 1.4303 (1988), 1.2439 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Fiji Communications
Railroads:644 km 0.610-meter narrow gauge, belonging to the government-owned FijiSugar CorporationHighways:3,300 km total (1984) - 1,590 km paved; 1,290 km gravel, crushed stone, orstabilized soil surface; 420 unimproved earthInland waterways:203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton bargesPorts:Lambasa, Lautoka, Savusavu, SuvaMerchant marine:7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 40,072 GRT/47,187 DWT; includes 2roll-on/roll-off, 2 container, 1 petroleum tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1cargoCivil air:1 DC-3 and 1 light aircraftAirports:25 total, 22 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) publicand special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities;regional radio center; important COMPAC cable link between US-Canada and NewZealand-Australia; 53,228 telephones; broadcast stations - 7 AM, 1 FM, noTV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:Fiji Defense Forces
Branches:Fiji Military Force (FMF; including a naval division, Police)Manpower availability:males 15-49, 192,056; 105,898 fit for military service; 7,564 reach militaryage (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $22.4 million, 1.7% of GDP (FY 91)
:Finland Geography
Total area:337,030 km2Land area:305,470 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than MontanaLand boundaries:2,628 km; Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 kmCoastline:1,126 km; excludes islands and coastal indentationsMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:6 nmContinental shelf:200 m (depth) or to depth of exploitationExclusive fishing zone:12 nmTerritorial sea:4 nmDisputes:noneClimate:cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because ofmoderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and morethan 60,000 lakesTerrain:mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hillsNatural resources:timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silverLand use:arable land 8%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forest andwoodland 76%; other 16%; includes irrigated NEGL%Environment:permanently wet ground covers about 30% of land; population concentrated onsmall southwestern coastal plainNote:long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital onEuropean continent
:Finland People
Population:5,004,273 (July 1992), growth rate 0.3% (1992)Birth rate:12 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:10 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:6 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:72 years male, 80 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.7 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Finn(s); adjective - FinnishEthnic divisions:Finn, Swede, Lapp, Gypsy, TatarReligions:Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1%Languages:Finnish 93.5%, Swedish (both official) 6.3%; small Lapp- andRussian-speaking minoritiesLiteracy:100% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)Labor force:2,533,000; public services 30.4%; industry 20.9%; commerce 15.0%; finance,insurance, and business services 10.2%; agriculture and forestry 8.6%;transport and communications 7.7%; construction 7.2%Organized labor:80% of labor force
:Finland Government
Long-form name:Republic of FinlandType:republicCapital:HelsinkiAdministrative divisions:12 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Ahvenanmaa, Hame, Keski-Suomi,Kuopio, Kymi, Lappi, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pohjois-Karjala, Turku ja Pori, Uusimaa,VaasaIndependence:6 December 1917 (from Soviet Union)Constitution:17 July 1919Legal system:civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislationinterpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, withreservationsNational holiday:Independence Day, 6 December (1917)Executive branch:president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of State(Valtioneuvosto)Legislative branch:unicameral Parliament (Eduskunta)Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Korkein Oikeus)Leaders:Chief of State:President Mauno KOIVISTO (since 27 January 1982)Head of Government:Prime Minister Esko AHO (since 26 April 1991); Deputy Prime Minister IlkkaKANERVA (since 26 April 1991)Suffrage:universal at age 18Elections:Parliament:last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1995); results - Center Party24.8%, Social Democratic Party 22.1%, National Coalition (Conservative)Party 19.3%, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 10.1%, Green League 6.8%, SwedishPeople's Party 5.5%, Rural 4.8%, Finnish Christian League 3.1%, LiberalPeople's Party 0.8%; seats - (200 total) Center Party 55, Social DemocraticParty 48, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 40, Leftist Alliance(Communist) 19, Swedish People's Party 12, Green League 10, FinnishChristian League 8, Rural 7, Liberal People's Party 1President:last held 31 January - 1 February and 15 February 1988 (next to be heldJanuary 1994); results - Mauno KOIVISTO 48%, Paavo VAYRYNEN 20%, HarriHOLKERI 18%Communists:28,000 registered members; an additional 45,000 persons belong to People'sDemocratic LeagueOther political or pressure groups:Finnish Communist Party-Unity, Yrjo HAKANEN; Constitutional Rightist Party;Finnish Pensioners Party; Communist Workers Party, Timo LAHDENMAKI
:Finland Government
Member of:AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, CSCE, EBRD,ECE, EFTA, ESA (associate), FAO, G-9, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM(observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, MTCR, NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS(observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO,UNIFIL, UNIIMOG, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation:Ambassador Jukka VALTASAARI; Chancery at 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW,Washington, DC 20016; telephone (202) 363-2430; there are Finnish ConsulatesGeneral in Los Angeles and New York, and Consulates in Chicago and HoustonUS:Ambassador John H. KELLY (as of December 1991); Embassy at Itainen Puistotie14A, SF-00140, Helsinki (mailing address is APO AE 09723); telephone [358](0) 171931; FAX [358] (0) 174681Flag:white with a blue cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the verticalpart of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the DANNEBROG(Danish flag)
:Finland Economy
Overview:Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free market economy, with percapita output nearly three-fourths the US figure. Its main economic force isthe manufacturing sector - principally the wood, metals, and engineeringindustries. Trade is important, with the export of goods representing about30% of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends onimported raw materials, energy, and some components of manufactured goods.Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintainingself-sufficiency in basic commodities. The economy, which experienced anaverage of 4.9% annual growth between 1987 and 1989, sank into a deeprecession in 1991 as growth contracted by 6.2%. The recession - which isexpected to bottom out in late 1992 - has been caused by economicoverheating, depressed foreign markets, and the dismantling of the bartersystem between Finland and the former Soviet Union in which Soviet oil andgas had been exchanged for Finnish manufactured goods. The FinnishGovernment has proposed efforts to increase industrial competitiveness andefficiency by an increase in exports to Western markets, cuts in publicexpenditures, partial privatization of state enterprises, and foreigninvestment and exchange liberalization. Helsinki tied the markkaa to theEC's European Currency Unit to promote stability but was forced to devaluethe markkaa by about 12% in November 1991. The devaluation should improveindustrial competitiveness and business confidence in 1992. Finland, as amember of EFTA, negotiated a European Economic Area arrangement with the ECthat allows for free movement of capital, goods, services, and labor withinthe organization as of January 1993. Finland applied for full EC membershipin March 1992.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $80.6 billion, per capita $16,200; real growthrate - 6.2% (1991)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.9% (1991)Unemployment rate:7.6% (1991)Budget:revenues $35.8 billion; expenditures $41.5 billion, including capitalexpenditures of NA billion (1991)Exports:$22.9 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:timber, paper and pulp, ships, machinery, clothing and footwearpartners:EC 50.25%, Germany 15.5%, UK 10.4%, EFTA 20.7%, Sweden 14%, US 6.1%, Japan1.5%, USSR/EE 6.71% (1991)Imports:$21.6 billion (c.i.f., 1991)commodities:foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transportequipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, foddergrainspartners:EC 45.9% (Germany 16.9%), UK 7.7%, EFTA 19.9%, Sweden 12.3%, US 6.9%, Japan6%, USSR/EE 10.7%External debt:$5.3 billion (1989)Industrial production:growth rate - 8.6% (1991 est.)Electricity:13,324,000 kW capacity; 49,330 million kWh produced, 9,857 kWh per capita(1991)
:Finland Economy
Industries:metal products, shipbuilding, forestry and wood processing (pulp, paper),copper refining, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothingAgriculture:accounts for 8% of GDP (including forestry); livestock production,especially dairy cattle, predominates; forestry is an important exportearner and a secondary occupation for the rural population; main crops -cereals, sugar beets, potatoes; 85% self-sufficient, but short of foodgrainsand fodder grains; annual fish catch about 160,000 metric tonsEconomic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $2.7 billionCurrency:markka (plural - markkaa); 1 markka (FMk) or Finmark = 100 penniaExchange rates:markkaa (FMk) per US$1 - 4.2967 (January 1992), 4.0440 (1991), 3.8235(1990), 4.2912 (1989), 4.1828 (1988), 4.3956 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Finland Communications
Railroads:5,924 km total; Finnish State Railways (VR) operate a total of 5,863 km1.524-meter gauge, of which 480 km are multiple track and 1,445 km areelectrifiedHighways:about 103,000 km total, including 35,000 km paved (bituminous, concrete,bituminous-treated surface) and 38,000 km unpaved (stabilized gravel,gravel, earth); additional 30,000 km of private (state-subsidized) roadsInland waterways:6,675 km total (including Saimaa Canal); 3,700 km suitable for steamersPipelines:natural gas 580 kmPorts:Helsinki, Oulu, Pori, Rauma, Turku; 6 secondary, numerous minor portsMerchant marine:80 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 794,094 GRT/732,585 DWT; includes 1passenger, 9 short-sea passenger, 16 cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo, 26roll-on/roll-off, 12 petroleum tanker, 6 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 7bulkCivil air:42 major transportAirports:159 total, 156 usable; 58 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 23 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:good service from cable and radio relay network; 3,140,000 telephones;broadcast stations - 6 AM, 105 FM, 235 TV; 1 submarine cable; INTELSATsatellite transmission service via Swedish earth station and a receive-onlyINTELSAT earth station near Helsinki
:Finland Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Frontier Guard (including Coast Guard)Manpower availability:males 15-49, 1,314,305; 1,087,286 fit for military service; 33,053 reachmilitary age (17) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $1.8 billion, 1.6% of GDP (1989 est.)
:France Geography
Total area:547,030 km2Land area:545,630 km2; includes Corsica and the rest of metropolitan France, butexcludes the overseas administrative divisionsComparative area:slightly more than twice the size of ColoradoLand boundaries:2,892.4 km; Andorra 60 km, Belgium 620 km, Germany 451 km, Italy 488 km,Luxembourg 73 km, Monaco 4.4 km, Spain 623 km, Switzerland 573 kmCoastline:3,427 km; mainland 2,783 km, Corsica 644 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:12-24 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:Madagascar claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan deNova Island, and Tromelin Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claimsTromelin Island; Seychelles claims Tromelin Island; Suriname claims part ofFrench Guiana; Mexico claims Clipperton Island; territorial claim inAntarctica (Adelie Land)Climate:generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summersalong the MediterraneanTerrain:mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder ismountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in eastNatural resources:coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, timber, zinc, potashLand use:arable land 32%; permanent crops 2%; meadows and pastures 23%; forest andwoodland 27%; other 16%; includes irrigated 2%Environment:most of large urban areas and industrial centers in Rhone, Garonne, Seine,or Loire River basins; occasional warm tropical wind known as mistralNote:largest West European nation
:France People
Population:57,287,258 (July 1992), growth rate 0.5% (1992)Birth rate:13 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:9 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:1 migrant/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:7 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:74 years male, 82 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:1.8 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women); adjective - FrenchEthnic divisions:Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African, Indochinese, andBasque minoritiesReligions:Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 2%, Jewish 1%, Muslim (North African workers)1%, unaffiliated 6%Languages:French (100% of population); rapidly declining regional dialects (Provencal,Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish)Literacy:99% (male NA%, female NA%) age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)Labor force:24,170,000; services 61.5%, industry 31.3%, agriculture 7.3% (1987)Organized labor:20% of labor force (est.)
:France Government
Long-form name:French RepublicType:republicCapital:ParisAdministrative divisions:metropolitan France - 22 regions (regions, singular - region); Alsace,Aquitaine, Auvergne, Basse-Normandie, Bourgogne, Bretagne, Centre,Champagne-Ardenne, Corse, Franche-Comte, Haute-Normandie, Ile-de-France,Languedoc-Roussillon, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais,Pays de la Loire, Picardie, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur,Rhone-Alpes; note - the 22 regions are subdivided into 96 departments; seeseparate entries for the overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe,Martinique, Reunion) and the territorial collectivities (Mayotte, SaintPierre and Miquelon)Independence:unified by Clovis in 486, First Republic proclaimed in 1792Constitution:28 September 1958, amended concerning election of president in 1962Dependent areas:Bassas da India, Clipperton Island, Europa Island, French Polynesia, FrenchSouthern and Antarctic Lands, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, NewCaledonia, Tromelin Island, Wallis and Futunanote:the US does not recognize claims to AntarcticaLegal system:civil law system with indigenous concepts; review of administrative but notlegislative actsNational holiday:Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)Executive branch:president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet)Legislative branch:bicameral Parliament (Parlement) consists of an upper house or Senate(Senat) and a lower house or National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)Judicial branch:Constitutional Court (Cour Constitutionnelle)Leaders:Chief of State:President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)Head of Government:Prime Minister Pierre BEREGOVOY (since 2 April 1992)Political parties and leaders:Rally for the Republic (RPR, formerly UDR), Jacques CHIRAC; Union for FrenchDemocracy (UDF, federation of PR, CDS, and RAD), Valery Giscard d'ESTAING;Republican Party (PR), Gerard LONGUET; Center for Social Democrats (CDS),Pierre MEHAIGNERIE; Radical (RAD), Yves GALLAND; Socialist Party (PS),Laurent FABIUS; Left Radical Movement (MRG), Emile ZUCCARELLI; CommunistParty (PCF), Georges MARCHAIS; National Front (FN), Jean-Marie LE PENSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:National Assembly:last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993); results - SecondBallot PS-MRG 48. 7%, RPR 23.1%, UDF 21%, PCF 3.4%, other 3.8%; seats - (577total) PS 272, RPR 127, UDF 91, UDC 40, PCF 26, independents 21
:France Government
President:last held 8 May 1988 (next to be held May 1995); results - Second BallotFrancois MITTERRAND 54%, Jacques CHIRAC 46%Elections:Senate:last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (321 total; 296 metropolitan France, 13for overseas departments and territories, and 12 for French nationalsabroad) RPR 91, UDF 143 (PR 52, CDS 68, RAD 23), PS 66, PCF 16, independents2, unknown 3Communists:700,000 claimed but probably closer to 150,000; Communist voters, 2.8million in 1988 electionOther political or pressure groups:Communist-controlled labor union (Confederation Generale du Travail) nearly2.4 million members (claimed); Socialist-leaning labor union (ConfederationFrancaise Democratique du Travail or CFDT) about 800,000 members est.;independent labor union (Force Ouvriere) 1 million members (est.);independent white-collar union (Confederation Generale des Cadres) 340,000members (claimed); National Council of French Employers (Conseil National duPatronat Francais - CNPF or Patronat)Member of:ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CCC, CDB, CE,CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, ESA, ESCAP, FAO, FZ, GATT,G-5, G-7, G-10, IABD, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO,IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU,LORCS, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, SPC, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UN Security Council, UNTrusteeship Council, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Jacques ANDREANI; Chancery at 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington,DC 20007; telephone (202) 944-6000; there are French Consulates General inBoston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Miami, NewYork, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)US:Ambassador Walter J. P. CURLEY; Embassy at 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 ParisCedex 08, Unit 21551 (mailing address is APO AE 09777); telephone [33] (1)42-96-12-02 or 42-61-80-75; FAX [33] (1) 42-66-97-83; there are USConsulates General in Bordeaux, Marseille, and StrasbourgFlag:three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known asthe French Tricouleur (Tricolor); the design and colors have been the basisfor a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Ireland,Ivory Coast, and Luxembourg; the official flag for all French dependentareas
:France Economy
Overview:One of the world's most developed economies, France has substantialagricultural resources and a highly diversified modern industrial sector.Large tracts of fertile land, the application of modern technology, andsubsidies have combined to make it the leading agricultural producer inWestern Europe. France is largely self-sufficient in agricultural productsand is a major exporter of wheat and dairy products. The industrial sectorgenerates about one-quarter of GDP, and the growing services sector hasbecome crucial to the economy. After expanding at a rapid 3.8% pace duringthe period 1988-89, the economy slowed down in 1990, with growth of 1.5% in1990 and 1.4% in 1991; growth in 1992 is expected to be about 2%. Theeconomy has had difficulty generating enough jobs for new entrants into thelabor force, resulting in a high unemployment rate, which rose to almost 10%in 1991. The steadily advancing economic integration within the EuropeanCommunity is a major force affecting the fortunes of the various economicsectors.GDP:purchasing power equivalent - $1,033.7 billion, per capita $18,300; realgrowth rate 1.4% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3.3% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:9.8% (end 1991)Budget:revenues $229.8 billion; expenditures $246.4 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $36 billion (1992 budget)Exports:$209.5 billion (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, agriculturalproducts, iron and steel products, textiles and clothingpartners:FRG 17.3%, Italy 11.4%, UK 9.2%, Spain 10.3%, Netherlands 9.0%,Belgium-Luxembourg 9.4%, US 6.1%, Japan 1.9%, former USSR 0.7% (1989 est.)Imports:$232.5 billion (c.i.f., 1990)commodities:crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, ironand steel productspartners:FRG 18.9%, Italy 11.6%, Belgium-Luxembourg 8.8%, Netherlands 8.6%, US 8.0%,Spain 7.9%, UK 7.2%, Japan 4.0%, former USSR 1.4% (1989 est.)External debt:$59.3 billion (December 1987)Industrial production:growth rate 1.2% (1990); accounts for 26% of GDPElectricity:109,972,000 kW capacity; 399,318 million kWh produced, 7,200 kWh per capita(1991)Industries:steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics,mining, textiles, food processing, and tourismAgriculture:accounts for 4% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); one of the world'stop five wheat producers; other principal products - beef, dairy products,cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; self-sufficient for mosttemperate-zone foods; shortages include fats and oils and tropical produce,but overall net exporter of farm products; fish catch of 850,000 metric tonsranks among world's top 20 countries and is all used domestically
:France Economy
Economic aid:donor - ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $75.1 billionCurrency:French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimesExchange rates:French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.3801 (January 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453(1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:France Communications
Railroads:French National Railways (SNCF) operates 34,568 km 1.435-meter standardgauge; 11,674 km electrified, 15,132 km double or multiple track; 2,138 kmof various gauges (1.000-meter to 1.440-meter), privately owned and operatedHighways:1,551,400 km total; 33,400 km national highway; 347,000 km departmentalhighway; 421,000 km community roads; 750,000 km rural roads; 5,401 km ofcontrolled-access divided autoroutes; about 803,000 km pavedInland waterways:14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveledPipelines:crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km; natural gas 24,746 kmPorts:maritime - Bordeaux, Boulogne, Brest, Cherbourg, Dunkerque, Fos-Sur-Mer, LeHavre, Marseille, Nantes, Rouen, Sete, Toulon; inland - 42Merchant marine:128 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,222,539 GRT/5,117,091 DWT; includes6 short-sea passenger, 11 cargo, 18 container, 1 multifunction large-loadcarrier, 30 roll-on/roll-off, 34 petroleum tanker, 8 chemical tanker, 6liquefied gas, 2 specialized tanker, 11 bulk, 1 refrigerated cargo; note -France also maintains a captive register for French-owned ships in theKerguelen Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) and French PolynesiaCivil air:195 major transport aircraft (1989 est.)Airports:472 total, 460 usable; 251 with permanent-surface runways; 3 with runwaysover 3,659 m; 36 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 136 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:highly developed; extensive cable and radio relay networks; large-scaleintroduction of optical-fiber systems; satellite systems for domestictraffic; 39,200,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 41 AM, 800 (mostlyrepeaters) FM, 846 (mostly repeaters) TV; 24 submarine coaxial cables; 2INTELSAT earth stations (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for the Indian OceanINTELSAT and 3 for the Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT); HF radio communicationswith more than 20 countries; INMARSAT service; EUTELSAT TV service
:France Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy (including Naval Air), Air Force, National GendarmerieManpower availability:males 15-49, 14,599,636; 12,225,969 fit for military service; 411,211 reachmilitary age (18) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $33.1 billion, 3.4% of GDP (1991)
:French Guiana Geography
Total area:91,000 km2Land area:89,150 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than IndianaLand boundaries:1,183 km; Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 kmCoastline:378 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (bothheadwaters of the Lawa)Climate:tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variationTerrain:low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountainsNatural resources:bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fishLand use:arable land NEGL%; permanent crops NEGL%; meadows and pastures NEGL%; forestand woodland 82%; other 18%Environment:mostly an unsettled wilderness
:French Guiana People
Population:127,505 (July 1992), growth rate 4.6% (1992)Birth rate:27 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:24 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:17 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:71 years male, 78 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:3.6 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - French Guianese (singular and plural); adjective - French Guianese;note - they are a colony/department; they hold French passportsEthnic divisions:black or mulatto 66%; Caucasian 12%; East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%;other 10%Religions:predominantly Roman CatholicLanguages:FrenchLiteracy:82% (male 81%, female 83%) age 15 and over can read and write (1982)Labor force:23,265; services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%,agriculture 18.2% (1980)Organized labor:7% of labor force
:French Guiana Government
Long-form name:Department of GuianaType:overseas department of FranceCapital:CayenneAdministrative divisions:none (overseas department of France)Independence:none (overseas department of France)Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)Legal system:French legal systemNational holiday:Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)Executive branch:French president, commissioner of the republicLegislative branch:unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional CouncilJudicial branch:highest local court is the Court of Appeals based in Martinique withjurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French GuianaLeaders:Chief of State:President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)Head of Government:Commissioner of the Republic Jean-Francois DICHIARA (since NA 1990)Political parties and leaders:Guianese Socialist Party (PSG), Gerard HOLDER; Rally for the Republic (RPR),Paulin BRUNE; Guianese Democratic Action (ADG), Andre LECANTE; Union forFrench Democracy (UDF), Claude Ho A CHUCK; National Front (FN), Guy MALON;Popular and National Party of Guiana (PNPG), Claude ROBO; NationalAnti-Colonist Guianese Party (PANGA), Michel KAPELSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:French National Assembly:last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) PSG 1, RPR 1French Senate:last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) PSG 1Regional Council:last held 16 March 1986 (next to be held NA 1991); results - PSG 43%, RPR27.7%, ADG 12.2%, UDF 8. 9%, FN 3.7%, PNPG 1.4%, other 3.1%; seats - (31total) PSG 15, RPR 9, ADG 4, UDF 3Member of:FZ, WCL, WFTUDiplomatic representation:as an overseas department of France, the interests of French Guiana arerepresented in the US by FranceFlag:the flag of France is used
:French Guiana Economy
Overview:The economy is tied closely to that of France through subsidies and imports.Besides the French space center at Kourou, fishing and forestry are the mostimportant economic activities, with exports of fish and fish products(mostly shrimp) accounting for more than 60% of total revenue in 1987. Thelarge reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support anexpanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivationof crops - rice, cassava, bananas, and sugarcane - are limited to thecoastal area, where the population is largely concentrated. French Guiana isheavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a seriousproblem, particularly among younger workers.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $186 million, per capita $2,240; real growth rateNA% (1985)Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.1% (1987)Unemployment rate:15% (1987)Budget:revenues $735 million; expenditures $735 million, including capitalexpenditures of NA (1987)Exports:$54.0 million (f.o.b., 1987)commodities:shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essencepartners:France 31%, US 22%, Japan 10% (1987)Imports:$394.0 million (c.i.f., 1987)commodities:food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods,petroleumpartners:France 62%, Trinidad and Tobago 9%, US 4%, FRG 3% (1987)External debt:$1.2 billion (1988)Industrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:92,000 kW capacity; 185 million kWh produced, 1,821 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold miningAgriculture:some vegetables for local consumption; rice, corn, manioc, cocoa, bananas,sugar; livestock - cattle, pigs, poultryEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),$1.51 billionCurrency:French franc (plural - francs); 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimesExchange rates:French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.3801 (January 1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453(1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988), 6.0107 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:French Guiana Communications
Highways:680 km total; 510 km paved, 170 km improved and unimproved earthInland waterways:460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and river and coastalsteamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craftPorts:CayenneCivil air:no major transport aircraftAirports:10 total, 10 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:fair open-wire and radio relay system; 18,100 telephones; broadcast stations- 5 AM, 7 FM, 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:French Guiana Defense Forces
Branches:French Forces, GendarmerieManpower availability:males 15-49 37,467; 24,534 fit for military serviceNote:defense is the responsibility of France
:French Polynesia Geography
Total area:3,941 km2Land area:3,660 km2Comparative area:slightly less than one-third the size of ConnecticutLand boundaries:noneCoastline:2,525 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:noneClimate:tropical, but moderateTerrain:mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefsNatural resources:timber, fish, cobaltLand use:arable land 1%; permanent crops 19%; meadows and pastures 5%; forest andwoodland 31%; other 44%Environment:occasional cyclonic storm in January; includes five archipelagoesNote:Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islandsin the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati andNauru
:French Polynesia People
Population:205,620 (July 1992), growth rate 2.3% (1992)Birth rate:28 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:5 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:15 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:68 years male, 73 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:3.3 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - French Polynesian(s); adjective - French PolynesianEthnic divisions:Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%Religions:mainly Christian; Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16%Languages:French and Tahitian (both official)Literacy:98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 14 and over but definition of literacy notavailable (1977)Labor force:76,630 employed (1988)Organized labor:NA
:French Polynesia Government
Long-form name:Territory of French PolynesiaType:overseas territory of France since 1946Capital:PapeeteAdministrative divisions:none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrativedivisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 5 archipelagicdivisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel desTubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent; note - Clipperton Island isadministered by France from French PolynesiaIndependence:none (overseas territory of France)Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)Legal system:based on French systemNational holiday:Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)Executive branch:French president, high commissioner of the republic, president of theCouncil of Ministers, vice president of the Council of Ministers, Council ofMinistersLegislative branch:unicameral Territorial AssemblyJudicial branch:Court of AppealLeaders:Chief of State:President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); High Commissioner of theRepublic Jean MONTPEZAT (since November 1987)Head of Government:President of the Council of Ministers Gaston FLOSSE (since 10 May 1991);Vice President of the Council of Ministers Joel BUILLARD (since 12 September1991)Political parties and leaders:People's Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira; Gaullist), Gaston FLOSSE; PolynesianUnion Party (Te Tiarama; centrist), Alexandre LEONTIEFF; New FatherlandParty (Ai'a Api), Emile VERNAUDON; Polynesian Liberation Front (TaviniHuiraatira), Oscar TEMARU; other small partiesSuffrage:universal at age 18Elections:National Assembly last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held June 1993);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) People's Rally(Gaullist) 1, New Fatherland Party 1French Senate:last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1992); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) party NATerritorial Assembly:last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1996); results - percent ofvote by party NA; seats - (41 total) People's Rally (Gaullist) 18,Polynesian Union Party 14, New Fatherland Party 5, other 4Member of:FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMODiplomatic representation:as an overseas territory of France, French Polynesian interests arerepresented in the US by France
:French Polynesia Government
Flag: the flag of France is used
:French Polynesia Economy
Overview:Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, FrenchPolynesia has changed from a subsistence economy to one in which a highproportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supportsthe tourist industry. Tourism accounts for about 20% of GDP and is a primarysource of hard currency earnings.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $1.2 billion, per capita $6,000; real growth rateNA% (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.9% (1989)Unemployment rate:14.9% (1988 est.)Budget:revenues $614 million; expenditures $957 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1988)Exports:$88.9 million (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:coconut products 79%, mother-of-pearl 14%, vanilla, shark meatpartners:France 54%, US 17%, Japan 17%Imports:$765 million (c.i.f., 1989)commodities:fuels, foodstuffs, equipmentpartners:France 53%, US 11%, Australia 6%, NZ 5%External debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:72,000 kW capacity; 265 million kWh produced, 1,390 kWh per capita (1990)Industries:tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicraftsAgriculture:coconut and vanilla plantations; vegetables and fruit; poultry, beef, dairyproductsEconomic aid:Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88),$3.95 billionCurrency:Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique franc (plural - francs); 1 CFP franc (CFPF)= 100 centimesExchange rates:Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 97.81 (January1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988), 109.27(1987); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French francFiscal year:calendar year
:French Polynesia Communications
Highways:600 km (1982)Ports:Papeete, Bora-boraMerchant marine:3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,128 GRT/6,710 DWT; includes 2passenger-cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo; note - a captive subset of the FrenchregisterCivil air:about 6 major transport aircraftAirports:43 total, 41 usable; 23 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 12 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:33,200 telephones; 84,000 radio receivers; 26,400 TV sets; broadcaststations - 5 AM, 2 FM, 6 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:French Polynesia Defense Forces
Branches:French forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), GendarmerieManpower availability:males 15-49, 50,844; NA fit for military serviceNote:defense is responsibility of France
:French Southern and Antarctic Lands Geography
Total area:7,781 km2Land area:7,781 km2; includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Kerguelen, and IlesCrozet; excludes Terre Adelie claim of about 500,000 km2 in Antarctica thatis not recognized by the USComparative area:slightly less than 1.5 times the size of DelawareLand boundaries:noneCoastline:1,232 kmMaritime claims:Exclusive economic zone:200 nm (Iles Kerguelen only)Territorial sea:12 nmDisputes:Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the USClimate:antarcticTerrain:volcanicNatural resources:fish, crayfishLand use:arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest andwoodland 0%; other 100%Environment:Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoesNote:located in the southern Indian Ocean about equidistant between Africa,Antarctica, and Australia
:French Southern and Antarctic Lands People
Population:summer (January 1991) - 200, winter (July 1992) - 150, growth rate 0.0%(1992); note - mostly researchers
:French Southern and Antarctic Lands Government
Long-form name:Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic LandsType:overseas territory of France since 1955; governed by High AdministratorBernard de GOUTTES (since May 1990), who is assisted by a 7-memberConsultative Council and a 12-member Scientific CouncilCapital:none; administered from Paris, FranceAdministrative divisions:none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrativedivisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts namedIle Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes TerreAdelie claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the USFlag:the flag of France is used
:French Southern and Antarctic Lands Economy
Overview:Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysicalresearch stations and French and other fishing fleets. The fishing catcheslanded on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France andReunion.Budget:$33.6 million (1990)
:French Southern and Antarctic Lands Communications
Ports:none; offshore anchorage onlyMerchant marine:12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 192,752 GRT/334,400 DWT; includes 1cargo, 3 refrigerated cargo, 2 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 petroleum tanker, 1liquefied gas, 2 bulk, 1 multifunction large load carrier; note - a captivesubset of the French registerTelecommunications:NA
:French Southern and Antarctic Lands Defense Forces
Branches:French Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force)Note:defense is the responsibility of France
:Gabon Geography
Total area:267,670 km2Land area:257,670 km2Comparative area:slightly smaller than ColoradoLand boundaries:2,551 km; Cameroon 298 km, Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 kmCoastline:885 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:24 nmExclusive economic zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial Guinea because of disputedsovereignty over islands in Corisco BayClimate:tropical; always hot, humidTerrain:narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and southNatural resources:crude oil, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron oreLand use:arable land 1%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 18%; forest andwoodland 78%; other 2%Environment:deforestation
:Gabon People
Population:1,106,355 (July 1992), growth rate 1.5% (1992)Birth rate:29 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:14 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:100 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:51 years male, 56 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:4.1 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Gabonese (singular and plural); adjective - GaboneseEthnic divisions:about 40 Bantu tribes, including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Eshira,Bapounou, Bateke); about 100,000 expatriate Africans and Europeans,including 27,000 FrenchReligions:Christian 55-75%, Muslim less than 1%, remainder animistLanguages:French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, BandjabiLiteracy:61% (male 74%, female 48%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:120,000 salaried; agriculture 65.0%, industry and commerce 30.0%, services2.5%, government 2.5%; 58% of population of working age (1983)Organized labor:there are 38,000 members of the national trade union, the Gabonese TradeUnion Confederation (COSYGA)
:Gabon Government
Long-form name:Gabonese RepublicType:republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990)Capital:LibrevilleAdministrative divisions:9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga,Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-NtemIndependence:17 August 1960 (from France)Constitution:21 February 1961, revised 15 April 1975Legal system:based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review oflegislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; compulsoryICJ jurisdiction not acceptedNational holiday:Renovation Day (Gabonese Democratic Party established), 12 March (1968)Executive branch:president, prime minister, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee 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 Casimir OYE-MBA (since 3 May 1990)Political parties and leaders:Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG, former sole party), El Hadj Omar BONGO,president; National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks (Morena-Bucherons);Gabonese Party for Progress (PGP); National Recovery Movement(Morena-Original); Association for Socialism in Gabon (APSG); GaboneseSocialist Union (USG); Circle for Renewal and Progress (CRP); Union forDemocracy and Development (UDD)Suffrage:universal at age 21Elections:National Assembly:last held on 28 October 1990 (next to be held by NA); results - percent ofvote NA; seats - (120 total, 111 elected) PDG 62, National Recovery Movement- Lumberjacks (Morena-Bucherons) 19, PGP 18, National Recovery Movement(Morena-Original) 7, APSG 6, USG 4, CRP 1, independents 3President:last held on 9 November 1986 (next to be held December 1993); results -President Omar BONGO was reelected without oppositionMember of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA,IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT,INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UDEAC, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador-designate Alexandre SAMBAT; Chancery at 2034 20th Street NW,Washington, DC 20009; telephone (202) 797-1000
:Gabon Government
US:Ambassador Keith L. WAUCHOPE; Embassy at Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville(mailing address is B. P. 4000, Libreville); telephone (241) 762003/4, or743492Flag:three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue
:Gabon Economy
Overview:The economy, dependent on timber and manganese until the early 1970s, is nowdominated by the oil sector. During the period 1981-85, oil accounted forabout 46% of GDP, 83% of export earnings, and 65% of government revenues onaverage. The high oil prices of the early 1980s contributed to a substantialincrease in per capita income, stimulated domestic demand, reinforcedmigration from rural to urban areas, and raised the level of real wages toamong the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The three-year slide of Gabon'seconomy, which began with falling oil prices in 1985, was reversed in 1989because of a near doubling of oil prices over their 1988 lows. In 1990 theeconomy posted strong growth despite serious strikes, but debt servicingproblems are hindering economic advancement. The agricultural and industrialsectors are relatively underdeveloped, except for oil.GDP:exchange rate conversion - $3.3 billion, per capita $3,090; real growth rate13% (1990 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):3% (1989 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $1.1 billion; expenditures $1.5 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $277 million (1990 est.)Exports:$1.16 billion (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:crude oil 70%, manganese 11%, wood 12%, uranium 6%partners:France 53%, US 22%, FRG, JapanImports:$0.78 billion (c.i.f., 1989)commodities:foodstuffs, chemical products, petroleum products, construction materials,manufactures, machinerypartners:France 48%, US 2.6%, FRG, Japan, UKExternal debt:$3.4 billion (December 1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -10% (1988 est.)Electricity:315,000 kW capacity; 995 million kWh produced, 920 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:petroleum, food and beverages, timber, cement, plywood, textiles, mining -manganese, uranium, goldAgriculture:accounts for 10% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); cash crops -cocoa, coffee, palm oil; livestock not developed; importer of food; smallfishing operations provide a catch of about 20,000 metric tons; okoume (atropical softwood) is the most important timber productEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $66 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2,225 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $27 millionCurrency:Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF)= 100 centimes
:Gabon Economy
Exchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54(1987)Fiscal year:calendar year
:Gabon 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 earthInland waterways:1,600 km perennially navigablePipelines:crude oil 270 km; petroleum products 14 kmPorts:Owendo, Port-Gentil, LibrevilleMerchant marine:2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,563 GRT/25,330 DWTCivil air:15 major transport aircraftAirports:70 total, 59 usable; 10 with permanent-surface runways; none with runwaysover 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,220-2,439 mTelecommunications:adequate system of cable, radio relay, tropospheric scatter links andradiocommunication stations; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 6FM, 3 (5 repeaters) TV; satellite earth stations - 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSATand 12 domestic satellite
:Gabon Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard, National Gendarmerie, NationalPoliceManpower availability:males 15-49, 267,580; 134,665 fit for military service; 9,262 reach militaryage (20) annuallyDefense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $102 million, 3.2% of GDP (1990 est.)
:The Gambia Geography
Total area:11,300 km2Land area:10,000 km2Comparative area:slightly more than twice the size of DelawareLand boundaries:740 km; Senegal 740 kmCoastline:80 kmMaritime claims:Contiguous zone:18 nmContinental shelf:not specificExclusive fishing zone:200 nmTerritorial sea:12 nmDisputes:short section of boundary with Senegal is indefiniteClimate:tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (Novemberto May)Terrain:flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hillsNatural resources:fishLand use:arable land 16%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 9%; forest andwoodland 20%; other 55%; includes irrigated 3%Environment:deforestationNote:almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa
:The Gambia People
Population:902,089 (July 1992), growth rate 3.1% (1992)Birth rate:47 births/1,000 population (1992)Death rate:17 deaths/1,000 population (1992)Net migration rate:0 migrants/1,000 population (1992)Infant mortality rate:129 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)Life expectancy at birth:47 years male, 51 years female (1992)Total fertility rate:6.4 children born/woman (1992)Nationality:noun - Gambian(s); adjective - GambianEthnic divisions:African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other4%); non-Gambian 1%Religions:Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%Languages:English (official); Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernacularsLiteracy:27% (male 39%, female 16%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)Labor force:400,000 (1986 est.); agriculture 75.0%, industry, commerce, and services18.9%, government 6.1%; 55% population of working age (1983)Organized labor:25-30% of wage labor force
:The Gambia Government
Long-form name:Republic of The GambiaType:republic under multiparty democratic ruleCapital:BanjulAdministrative divisions:5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank,Upper River, WesternIndependence:18 February 1965 (from UK); The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12December 1981 (effective 1 February 1982) that called for the creation of aloose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement wasdissolved on 30 September 1989Constitution:24 April 1970Legal system:based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law;accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsNational holiday:Independence Day, 18 February (1965)Executive branch:president, vice president, CabinetLegislative branch:unicameral House of RepresentativesJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State and Head of Government:President Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba JAWARA (since 24 April 1970); VicePresident 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), Hassan Musa CAMARA; United Party (UP), leader NA; People's DemocraticOrganization of Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), leader NA; People'sDemocratic Party (PDP), Jabel SALLAHSuffrage:universal at age 21Elections:House of Representatives:last held on 11 March 1987 (next to be held by March 1992); results - PPP56.6%, NCP 27.6%, GPP 14.7%, PDOIS 1%; seats - (43 total, 36 elected) PPP31, NCP 5President:last held on 11 March 1987 (next to be held March 1992); results - Sir DawdaJAWARA (PPP) 61.1%, Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 25.2%, Assan Musa CAMARA(GPP) 13.7%Member of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTODiplomatic representation:Ambassador Ousman A. SALLAH; Chancery at Suite 720, 1030 15th Street NW,Washington, DC 20005; telephone (202) 842-1356 or 842-1359US:Ambassador Arlene RENDER; 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
:The Gambia Government
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green
:The Gambia Economy
Overview:The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has alimited agricultural base. It is one of the world's poorest countries with aper capita income of about $230. About 75% of the population is engaged incrop production and livestock raising, which contribute 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 Gambiaimports one-third of its food, all fuel, and most manufactured goods.Exports are concentrated on peanut products (about 75% of total value).GDP:exchange rate conversion - $207 million, per capita $235; real growth rate3% (FY91 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):6.0% (FY91)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $79 million; expenditures $84 million, including capitalexpenditures of $21 million (FY90)Exports:$116 million (f.o.b., FY90)commodities:peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernelspartners:Japan 60%, Europe 29%, Africa 5%, US 1, other 5% (1989)Imports:$147 million (f.o.b., FY90)commodities:foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and transportequipmentpartners:Europe 57%, Asia 25%, USSR/EE 9%, US 6%, other 3% (1989)External debt:$336 million (December 1990 est.)Industrial production:growth rate 6.7%; accounts for 5.8% of GDP (FY90)Electricity:30,000 kW capacity; 65 million kWh produced, 75 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:peanut processing, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly,woodworking, metalworking, clothingAgriculture:accounts for 30% of GDP and employs about 75% of the population; importsone-third of food requirements; major export crop is peanuts; the otherprincipal crops - millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava, palm kernels;livestock - cattle, sheep, and goats; forestry and fishing resources notfully exploitedEconomic aid:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $93 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $535 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $39 millionCurrency:dalasi (plural - dalasi); 1 dalasi (D) = 100 bututsExchange rates:dalasi (D) per US$1 - 8.790 (March 1992), 8.803 (1991), 7.883 (1990), 7.5846(1989), 6.7086 (1988), 7.0744 (1987)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
:The Gambia Communications
Highways:3,083 km total; 431 km paved, 501 km gravel/laterite, and 2,151 kmunimproved earthInland waterways:400 kmPorts:BanjulCivil air:4 major transport aircraftAirports:1 with permanent-surface runway 2,440-3,659 mTelecommunications:adequate network of radio relay and wire; 3,500 telephones; broadcaststations - 3 AM, 2 FM; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
:The Gambia Defense Forces
Branches: Army, Navy, National Gendarmerie, National Police Manpower availability: males 15-49, 194,480; 98,271 fit for military service Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - more than $1 million, 0.7% of GDP (1989) \
:Gaza Strip Geography
Total area:380 km2Land area:380 km2Comparative area:slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:62 km; Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 kmCoastline:40 kmMaritime claims:Israeli occupied with status to be determinedDisputes:Israeli occupied with status to be determinedClimate:temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summersTerrain:flat to rolling, sand- and dune- covered coastal plainNatural resources:negligibleLand use:arable land 13%, permanent crops 32%, meadows and pastures 0%, forest andwoodland 0%, other 55%Environment:desertificationNote:The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 ended with Israel incontrol of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Sinai, and the GolanHeights. As stated in the 1978 Camp David accords and reaffirmed byPresident Bush's post - Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status ofthe West Bank and the Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors,and a peace treaty be-tween Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among theconcerned parties. Camp David further specifies that these negotiations willresolve the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process,it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Striphas yet to be determined. In the US view, the term West Bank describes allof the area west of the Jordan River under Jordanian administration beforethe 1967 Arab-Israeli war. With respect to negotiations envisaged in theframework agreement, however, it is US policy that a distinction must bemade between Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank because of the city'sspecial status and circumstances. Therefore, a negotiated solution for thefinal status of Jerusalem could be different in character from that of therest of the West Bank.The Gaza Strip is currently governed by Israeli military authorities andIsraeli civil administration; it is US policy that the final status of theGaza Strip will be determined by negotiations among the concerned parties;these negotiations will determine how this area is to be governed.There are 18 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip.