*French Guiana, Government
US diplomatic representation:none (overseas department of France)Flag: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 - is limited to the coastalarea, where the population is largely concentrated. French Guiana is heavilydependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem,particularly among younger workers.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $421 million (1986)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$4,390 (1986)Inflation rate (consumer prices):4.1% (1987)Unemployment rate:13% (1990)Budget:revenues $735 million; expenditures $735 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (1987)Exports:$64.8 million (f.o.b., 1990)commodities:shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essencepartners:France 36%, US 14%, Japan 6% (1990)Imports:$435 million (c.i.f., 1990)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, 1,450 kWh per capita (1992)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:1 French franc (F) = 100 centimesExchange rates:French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.4812 (January 1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421(1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988)Fiscal year:calendar year
*French Guiana, Communications
Highways:680 km total; 510 km paved, 170 km improved and unimproved earthInland waterways:460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and river and coastalsteamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craftPorts:CayenneAirports:total:10usable:10with permanent-surface runways:4with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:1Telecommunications:fair open-wire and microwave radio relay system; 18,100 telephones;broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7 FM, 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earthstation
*French Guiana, Defense Forces
Branches:French Forces, GendarmerieManpower availability:males 15-49 39,005; fit for military service 25,477 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDPNote:defense is the responsibility of France
*French Polynesia, Header
Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)
*French Polynesia, Geography
Location:Oceania, halfway between Australia and South AmericaMap references:OceaniaArea:total area:3,941 km2land area:3,660 km2comparative area:slightly less than one-third the size of ConnecticutLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:2,525 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes: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 and woodland: 31%other:44%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment: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:210,333 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:2.26% (1993 est.)Birth rate:27.89 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:5.27 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:15 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:70.33 yearsmale:67.95 yearsfemale:72.84 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:3.32 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:French Polynesian(s)adjective:French PolynesianEthnic divisions:Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%Religions:Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16%Languages:French (official), Tahitian (official)Literacy:age 14 and over but definition of literacy not available (1977)total population:98%male:98%female:98%Labor force:76,630 employed (1988)
*French Polynesia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Territory of French Polynesiaconventional short form:French Polynesialocal long form:Territoire de la Polynesie Francaiselocal short form:Polynesie FrancaiseDigraph:FPType: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-Ventnote:Clipperton Island is administered by France from French PolynesiaIndependence:none (overseas territory of France)Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)Legal system:based on French systemNational holiday:National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)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:18 years of age; universalElections:French National Assembly:last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held 21 and 28 March 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 1998); 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 4Executive 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 Appeal, Court of the First Instance, Court of Administrative Law
*French Polynesia, Government
Leaders:Chief of State:President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); High Commissioner of theRepublic Michel JAU (since NA 1992)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)Member of:ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMODiplomatic representation in US:as an overseas territory of France, French Polynesian interests arerepresented in the US by FranceUS diplomatic representation:none (overseas territory of France)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.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.2 billion (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$6,000 (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:75,000 kW capacity; 275 million kWh produced, 1,330 kWh per capita (1992)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:1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 99.65 (January1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30(1988); 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 4,127 GRT/6,710 DWT; includes 2passenger-cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo; note - a captive subset of the FrenchregisterAirports:total:43usable:41with permanent-surface runways:23with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m:12Telecommunications: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), GendarmerieNote:defense is responsibility of France
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Header
Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Geography
Location:in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica,and AustraliaMap references:Antarctic Region, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:7,781 km2land area:7,781 km2comparative area:slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Delawarenote:includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Crozet;excludes Terre Adelie claim of about 500,000 km2 in Antarctica that is notrecognized by the USLand boundaries:0 kmCoastline:1,232 kmMaritime claims:exclusive economic zone:200 nm from Iles Kerguelen onlyterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes: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 and woodland:0%other:100%Irrigated land:0 km2Environment:Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoesNote:remote location in the southern Indian Ocean
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, People
Population:no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are researchers whose numbers varyfrom 150 in winter (July) to 200 in summer (January)
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Government
Names:conventional long form:Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Landsconventional short form:French Southern and Antarctic Landslocal long form:Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaiseslocal short form:Terres Australes et Antarctiques FrancaisesDigraph:FSType: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 USIndependence: none (overseas territory of France)Flag: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:revenues $17.5 million; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of$NA (1992)
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Communications
Ports:none; offshore anchorage onlyMerchant marine:16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 292,490 GRT/514,389 DWT; includes 2cargo, 4 refrigerated cargo, 4 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 oil tanker, 3 bulk,1 multifunction large load carrier; note - a captive subset of the FrenchregisterTelecommunications:NA
*French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of France
*Gabon, Geography
Location:Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator between theCongo and Equatorial GuineaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:267,670 km2land area:257,670 km2comparative area:slightly smaller than ColoradoLand boundaries: total 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 nmInternational disputes: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:petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron oreLand use:arable land:1%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:18%forest and woodland:78%other:2%Irrigated land:NA km2Environment:deforestation
*Gabon, People
Population:1,122,550 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:1.45% (1993 est.)Birth rate:28.63 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:14.08 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:97.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:54.19 yearsmale:51.46 years female:57.01 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:4.02 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Gabonese (singular and plural)adjective:GaboneseEthnic divisions:Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Eshira, Bapounou,Bateke), Africans and Europeans 100,000, including 27,000 FrenchReligions:Christian 55-75%, Muslim less than 1%, animistLanguages:French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou/Eschira, BandjabiLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:61%male:74%female:48%Labor force:120,000 salariedby occupation:agriculture 65.0%, industry and commerce 30.0%, services 2.5%, government2.5%note:58% of population of working age (1983)
*Gabon, Government
Names:conventional long form:Gabonese Republicconventional short form:Gabonlocal long form:Republique Gabonaiselocal short form:GabonDigraph:GBType: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, 12 March (1968) (Gabonese Democratic Party established)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:21 years of age; universalElections: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 oppositionExecutive 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)
*Gabon, Government
Member 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 in US:chief of mission:(vacant)chancery:2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone:(202) 797-1000US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador John C. WILSON IVembassy:Boulevard de la Mer, Librevillemailing address:B. P. 4000, Librevilletelephone:(241) 762003/4, or 743492FAX:[241] 745-507Flag: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. In 1981-85, oil accounted for about 45% of GDP,80% of export earnings, and 65% of government revenues on average. The highoil prices of the early 1980s contributed to a substantial increase in percapita national income, stimulated domestic demand, reinforced migrationfrom rural to urban areas, and raised the level of real wages to among thehighest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The subsequent slide of Gabon's economy,which began with falling oil prices in 1985, was reversed in 1989-90, butdebt servicing obligations continue to limit prospects for further domesticdevelopment. Real growth in 1991-92 was weak because of a combination of anoverstaffed bureaucracy, a large budget deficit, and the continuedunderdevelopment of the whole economy outside the petroleum sector.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $4.6 billion (1991)National product real growth rate:13% (1990 est.)National product per capita:$4,200 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.7% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $1.4 billion, including capitalexpenditures of $247 million (1990 est.)Exports:$2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:crude oil 80%, manganese 7%, wood 7%, uranium 2%partners:France 48%, US 15%, Germany 2%, Japan 2%Imports:$702 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.)commodities:foodstuffs, chemical products, petroleum products, construction materials,manufactures, machinerypartners:France 64%, African countries 7%, US 5%, Japan 3%External debt: $4.4 billion (1991)Industrial production:growth rate - 10% (1988 est.); accounts for 45% of GDP, including petroleumElectricity:315,000 kW capacity; 995 million kWh produced, 920 kWh per capita (1991)Industries:petroleum, food and beverages, lumbering and plywood, textiles, mining -manganese, uranium, gold, cementAgriculture: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 (FY70-90), $68 million; Western (non-US)countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90), $2,342 million;Communist countries (1970-89), $27 millionCurrency:1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
*Gabon, Economy
Exchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 274.06 (January1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85(1988)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 DWTAirports:total:68usable:56with permanent-surface runways:10with runways over 3,659 m:0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with runways 1,220-2,439 m:22Telecommunications: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 age 15-49 269,066; fit for military service 135,836; reach militaryage (20) annually 9,680 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $102 million, 3.2% of GDP (1990 est.)
*The Gambia, Geography
Location:Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean almost completelysurrounded by SenegalMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:11,300 km2land area:10,000 km2comparative area:slightly more than twice the size of DelawareLand boundaries:total 740 km, Senegal 740 kmCoastline:80 kmMaritime claims:contiguous zone:18 nmcontinental shelf:not specifiedexclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:12 nmInternational disputes: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 and woodland:20%other:55%Irrigated land:120 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:deforestationNote:almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa
*The Gambia, People
Population:930,249 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.07% (1993 est.)Birth rate:46.85 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:16.1 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:126.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:49.61 yearsmale:47.41 yearsfemale:51.87 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:6.35 children born/woman (1993 est.)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:age 15 and over can read and write (1990)total population:27%male:39%female:16%Labor force:400,000 (1986 est.)by occupation:agriculture 75.0%, industry, commerce, and services 18.9%, government 6.1%note:55% population of working age (1983)
*The Gambia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of The Gambiaconventional short form:The GambiaDigraph:GAType: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 that called for the creation of a loose confederation to beknown as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989)Constitution: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)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:21 years of age; universalElections: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%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 Saihou SABALLY (since NA)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 in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Ousman A. SALLAH
*The Gambia, Government
chancery:Suite 720, 1030 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005telephone:(202) 842-1356 or 842-1359US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Arlene RENDERembassy:Pipeline Road (Kairaba Avenue), Fajara, Banjulmailing address:P. M. B. No. 19, Banjultelephone:[220] 92856 or 92858, 91970, 91971FAX:(220) 92475Flag: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 $325. 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).National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $292 million (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:3% (1991)National product per capita:$325 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):12% (1992 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues $94 million; expenditures $80 million, including capitalexpenditures of $25 million (FY91 est.)Exports:$133 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.)commodities:peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernelspartners:Japan 60%, Europe 29%, Africa 5%, US 1%, other 5% (1989)Imports:$174 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.)commodities:foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and transportequipmentpartners:Europe 57%, Asia 25%, USSR and Eastern Europe 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; otherprincipal crops - millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava, palm kernels;livestock - cattle, sheep, goats; forestry and fishing resources not fullyexploitedEconomic 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:1 dalasi (D) = 100 bututsExchange rates:dalasi (D) per US$1 - 8.673 (October 1992), 8.803 (1991), 7.883 (1990),7.5846 (1989), 6.7086 (1988), 7.0744 (1987)
*The Gambia, Economy
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:BanjulAirports:total:1usable:1with permanent-surface runways:1with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications: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 PoliceManpower availability:males age 15-49 201,026; fit for military service 101,642 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Gaza Strip, Header
Note: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 of theWest Bank and the Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and apeace treaty between 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.
*Gaza Strip, Geography
Location:Middle East, bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt andIsraelMap references:Middle EastArea:total area:380 km2land area:380 km2comparative area:slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DCLand boundaries:total 62 km, Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 kmCoastline:40 kmMaritime claims:Israeli occupied with status to be determinedInternational disputes: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 and woodland:0%other:55%Irrigated land: 200 km2Environment:desertification
*Gaza Strip, People
Population:705,834 (July 1993 est.)note:in addition, there are 4,000 Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip (1993 est.)Population growth rate:3.56% (1993 est.)Birth rate:45.66 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:5.71 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:-4.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:38.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:67.26 yearsmale:66.01 yearsfemale:68.57 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:7.51 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:NAadjective:NAEthnic divisions:Palestinian Arab and other 99.8%, Jewish 0.2%Religions:Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 99%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish 0.3%Languages:Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers), English (widely understood)Literacy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:NAby occupation:small industry, commerce and business 32.0%, construction 24.4%, service andother 25.5%, agriculture 18.1% (1984)note:excluding Israeli Jewish settlers
*Gaza Strip, Government
Note: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.Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Gaza Striplocal long form:nonelocal short form:Qita GhazzahDigraph:GZ
*Gaza Strip, Economy
Overview:In 1990 roughly 40% of Gaza Strip workers were employed across the border byIsraeli industrial, construction, and agricultural enterprises, with workerremittances accounting for about one-third of GNP. The construction,agricultural, and industrial sectors account for about 15%, 12%, and 8% ofGNP, respectively. Gaza depends upon Israel for some 90% of its externaltrade. Unrest in the territory in 1988-93 (intifadah) has raisedunemployment and substantially lowered the standard of living of Gazans. ThePersian Gulf crisis and its aftershocks also have dealt severe blows to Gazasince August 1990. Worker remittances from the Gulf states have plunged,unemployment has increased, and exports have fallen dramatically. The area'seconomic outlook remains bleak.National product:GNP - exchange rate conversion - $380 million (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:-30% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$590 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):9% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:20% (1990 est.)Budget:revenues $33.8 million; expenditures $33.3 million, including capitalexpenditures of $NA (FY88)Exports:$30 million (f.o.b., 1989)commodities:citruspartners: Israel, EgyptImports:$255 million (c.i.f., 1989)commodities:food, consumer goods, construction materialspartners:Israel, EgyptExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate 10% (1989); accounts for about 8% of GNPElectricity:power supplied by IsraelIndustries:generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap, olive-woodcarvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established somesmall-scale modern industries in an industrial centerAgriculture:accounts for about 12% of GNP; olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables,beef, dairy productsEconomic aid:NACurrency:1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorotExchange rates:new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.6480 (November 1992), 2.4591 (1992),2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987)Fiscal year:calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
*Gaza Strip, Communications
Railroads:one line, abandoned and in disrepair, some trackage remainsHighways:small, poorly developed indigenous road networkPorts:facilities for small boats to service the city of GazaAirports:total:1useable:1with permanent-surface runways:0with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:0with runways 1,220-2,439 m:0Telecommunications:broadcast stations - no AM, no FM, no TV
*Gaza Strip, Defense Forces
Branches:NAManpower availability:males age 15-49 136,311; fit for military service NA (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP
*Georgia, Header
Note:Georgia is currently besieged by conflicts driven by separatists in itsAbkazian and South Ossetian enclaves, and supporters of ousted PresidentGAMAKHURDIA control much of western Georgia
*Georgia, Geography
Location:Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and RussiaMap references:Africa, Asia, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:69,700 km2land area:69,700 km2comparative area:slightly larger than South CarolinaLand boundaries:total 1,461 km, Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252kmCoastline:310 kmMaritime claims:note:12 nm in 1973 USSR-Turkish Protocol concerning the sea boundary between thetwo states in the Black Sea; Georgia claims the coastline along the BlackSea as its international waters, although it cannot control this area andthe Russian navy and commercial ships transit freelyInternational disputes:noneClimate:warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coastTerrain:largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and LesserCaucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhida Lowland opens to the Black Sea inthe west; Kura River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley floodplains, foothills of Kolkhida lowlandNatural resources: forest lands, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ores, copper, minor coaland oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea andcitrus growthLand use:arable land:NA%permanent crops:NA%meadows and pastures:NA%forest and woodland:NA%other:NA%Irrigated land:4,660 km2 (1990)Environment:air pollution, particularly in Rustavi; heavy pollution of Kura River, BlackSea
*Georgia, People
Population:5,634,296 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:0.85% (1993 est.)Birth rate:16.48 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:8.68 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) note - this data may be lowbecause of movement of Ossetian, Russian, and Abkhaz refugees due to ongoingconflictsInfant mortality rate:24.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:72.58 yearsmale:68.89 yearsfemale:76.46 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:2.21 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:Georgian(s)adjective:GeorgianEthnic divisions:Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz1.8%, other 5%Religions: Georgian Orthodox 65%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Muslim 11%, Armenian Orthodox8%, unknown 6%Languages:Armenian 7%, Azerbaijani 6%, Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, other 7%Literacy:age 9-49 can read and write (1970)total population:100%male:100%female:100%Labor force:2.763 millionby occupation:industry and construction 31%, agriculture and forestry 25%, other 44%(1990)
*Georgia, Government
Names:conventional long form:Republic of Georgiaconventional short form:Georgialocal long form:Sakartvelo Respublikalocal short form:Sakartveloformer:Georgian Soviet Socialist RepublicDigraph:GGType:republicCapital:T'bilisi (Tbilisi)Administrative divisions:2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika);Abkhazia (Sukhumi), Ajaria (Batumi)note:the administrative centers of the autonomous republics are included inparentheses; there are no oblasts - the rayons around T'bilisi are underdirect republic jurisdiction; also included is the South Ossetia AutonomousOblastIndependence:9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)Constitution:adopted NA 1921; currently amending constitution for Parliamentary andpopular review by late 1995Legal system:based on civil law systemNational holiday:Independence Day, 9 April 1991Political parties and leaders:All-Georgian Merab Kostava Society, Vazha ADAMIA, chairman; All-GeorgianTraditionalists' Union, Akakiy ASATIANI, chairman; Georgian National Front -Radical Union, Ruslan GONGADZE, chairman; Georgian Social Democratic Party,Guram MUCHAIDZE, chairman; Green Party, Zurab ZHVANIA, chairman;Monarchist-Conservative Party (MCP), Temur ZHORZHOLIANI, chairman; GeorgianPopular Front (GPF), Nodar NATADZE, chairman; National Democratic Party(NDP), Georgi CHANTURIA, chairman; National Independence Party (NIP), IrakliTSERETELI and Irakli BATIASHVILI, chairmen; Charter 1991 Party, TedoPAATASHVILI, chairman; Democratic Georgia Party, Georgiy SHENGELAYA,Chairman; Peace Bloc; Unity; October 11Other political or pressure groups:supporters of ousted President GAMSAKHURDIA boycotted the October electionsand remain an important source of opposition and instabilitySuffrage:18 years of age; universalElections:Chairman of Parliament:last held NA October 1992 (next to be held NA); results - EduardSHEVARDNADZE 95%
*Georgia, Government
Georgian Parliament (Supreme Soviet):last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote byparty NA; seats - (225 total) number of seats by party NA; note -representatives of 26 parties elected; Peace Bloc, October 11, Unity,National Democratic Party, and the Greens Party won the largestrepresentationExecutive branch:chairman of Parliament, Council of Ministers, prime ministerLegislative branch:unicameral ParliamentJudicial branch:Supreme CourtLeaders:Chief of State:Chairman of Parliament Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (since 10 March1992)Head of Government:Prime Minister Tengiz SIGUA (since NA January 1992); First Deputy PrimeMinister Roman GOTSIRIDZE (since NA); Deputy Prime Ministers AleksandrKAVADZE, Avtandil MARGIANI, Zurab KERVALISHVILI (since NA)Member of:BSEC, CSCE, EBRD, IBRD, IMF, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:NAchancery:NAtelephone:NAUS diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador Kent N. BROWNembassy:#25 Antoneli Street, T'bilisimailing address:APO AE 09862telephone:(7) 8832-74-46-23Flag:maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangledivided horizontally with black on top, white below
*Georgia, Economy
Overview:Among the former Soviet republics, Georgia has been noted for its Black Seatourist industry, its large output of citrus fruits and tea, and anindustrial sector that accounted, however, for less than 2% of the USSR'soutput. Another salient characteristic of the economy has been a flourishingprivate sector (compared with the other republics). About 25% of the laborforce is employed in agriculture. Mineral resources consist of manganese andcopper, and, to a lesser extent, molybdenum, arsenic, tungsten, and mercury.Except for very small quantities of domestic oil, gas, and coal, fuel mustbe imported from neighboring republics. Oil and its products have beendelivered by pipeline from Azerbaijan to the port of Batumi for export andlocal refining. Gas has been supplied in pipelines from Krasnodar andStavropol'. The dismantling of central economic controls has been delayed bypolitical factionalism, marked by bitter armed struggles. In early 1993 theGeorgian economy was operating at well less than half capacity due todisruptions in fuel supplies and vital transportation links as a result ofconflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, antigovernment activity in WesternGeorgia, and Azerbaijani pressure against Georgian assistance for Armenia.To restore economic viability, Georgia must establish domestic peace andmust maintain economic ties to the other former Soviet republics whiledeveloping new links to the West.National product:GDP $NANational product real growth rate:-35% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$NAInflation rate (consumer prices):50% per month (January 1993 est.)Unemployment rate:3% but large numbers of underemployed workersBudget:revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$NAcommodities:citrus fruits, tea, other agricultural products; diverse types of machinery;ferrous and nonferrous metals; textilespartners:Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan (1992)Imports: $NAcommodities:machinery and parts, fuel, transport equipment, textilespartners:Russia, Ukraine (1992)External debt:$650 million (1991 est.)Industrial production:growth rate -50% (1992)Electricity:4,875,000 kW capacity; 15,800 million kWh produced, about 2,835 kWh percapita (1992)
*Georgia, Economy
Industries:heavy industrial products include raw steel, rolled steel, cement, lumber;machine tools, foundry equipment, electric mining locomotives, tower cranes,electric welding equipment, machinery for food preparation, meat packing,dairy, and fishing industries; air-conditioning electric motors up to 100 kWin size, electric motors for cranes, magnetic starters for motors; devicesfor control of industrial processes; trucks, tractors, and other farmmachinery; light industrial products, including cloth, hosiery, and shoesAgriculture:accounted for 97% of former USSR citrus fruits and 93% of former USSR tea;berries and grapes; sugar; vegetables, grains, potatoes; cattle, pigs,sheep, goats, poultry; tobaccoIllicit drugs:illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption;used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western EuropeEconomic aid:NACurrency:coupons introduced in April 1993 to be followed by introduction of the lariat undetermined future date; Russian ruble remains official currency untilintroduction of the lariExchange rates:rubles per US$1 - 415 (24 December 1992) but subject to wide fluctuationsFiscal year:calendar year
*Georgia, Communications
Railroads:1,570 km, does not include industrial lines (1990)Highways:33,900 km total; 29,500 km hard surfaced, 4,400 km earth (1990)Pipelines:crude oil 370 km, refined products 300 km, natural gas 440 km (1992)Ports:coastal - Batumi, Poti, SukhumiMerchant marine: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 658,192 GRT/1,014,056 DWT; includes 16bulk cargo, 30 oil tanker, and 1 specialized liquid carrierAirports:total:37useable:26with permanent-surface runways:19with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:10with runways 1,220-2,439 m:9Telecommunications:poor telephone service; as of 1991, 672,000 republic telephone linesproviding 12 lines per 100 persons; 339,000 unsatisfied applications fortelephones (31 January 1992); international links via landline to CISmembers and Turkey; low capacity satellite earth station and leasedinternational connections via the Moscow international gateway switch;international electronic mail and telex service establishedNote:transportation network is disrupted by ethnic conflict, criminal activities,and fuel shortages
*Georgia, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, National Guard, Interior Ministry TroopsManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,338,606; fit for military service 1,066,309; reachmilitary age (18) annually 43,415 (1993 est.)Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GNPNote:Georgian forces are poorly organized and not fully under the government'scontrol
*Germany, Geography
Location:Western Europe, bordering the North Sea between France and PolandMap references:Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:356,910 km2land area:349,520 km2comparative area:slightly smaller than Montananote:includes the formerly separate Federal Republic of Germany, the GermanDemocratic Republic, and Berlin following formal unification on 3 October1990Land boundaries:total 3,621 km, Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646 km,Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577 km, Poland456 km, Switzerland 334 kmCoastline:2,389 kmMaritime claims:continental shelf:200 m depth or to depth of exploitationexclusive fishing zone:200 nmterritorial sea:3 nm in North Sea and Schleswig-Holstein coast of Baltic Sea (extends, atone point, to 16 nm in the Helgolander Bucht); 12 nm in remainder of BalticSeaInternational disputes:noneClimate:temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasionalwarm, tropical foehn wind; high relative humidityTerrain:lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in southNatural resources:iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt,nickelLand use:arable land:34%permanent crops:1%meadows and pastures:16%forest and woodland:30%other:19%Irrigated land:4,800 km2 (1989 est.)Environment:air and water pollution; groundwater, lakes, and air quality in easternGermany are especially bad; significant deforestation in the easternmountains caused by air pollution and acid rain
*Germany, Geography
Note:strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to theBaltic Sea
*Germany, People
Population:80,767,591 (July 1993 est.)Population growth rate:0.4% (1993 est.)Birth rate:11 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)Death rate:11 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)Net migration rate:4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)Infant mortality rate:7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:76 yearsmale:73 yearsfemale:79 years (1993 est.)Total fertility rate:1.4 children born/woman (1993 est.)Nationality:noun:German(s)adjective:GermanEthnic divisions:German 95.1%, Turkish 2.3%, Italians 0.7%, Greeks 0.4%, Poles 0.4%, other1.1% (made up largely of people fleeing the war in the former Yugoslavia)Religions:Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 37%, unaffiliated or other 18%Languages:GermanLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1977 est.)total population:99%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:36.75 millionby occupation:industry 41%, agriculture 6%, other 53% (1987)
*Germany, Government
Names:conventional long form:Federal Republic of Germany conventional short form:Germanylocal long form:Bundesrepublik Deutschlandlocal short form:DeutschlandDigraph:GMType:federal republicCapital:Berlinnote:the shift from Bonn to Berlin will take place over a period of years withBonn retaining many administrative functions and several ministriesAdministrative divisions:16 states (laender, singular - land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern, Berlin,Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen,Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Sachsen, Sachsen-Anhalt,Schleswig-Holstein, ThuringenIndependence:18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones ofoccupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II;Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 andincluded the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic(GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSRzone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October1990; all four power rights formally relinquished 15 March 1991Constitution:23 May 1949, provisional constitution known as Basic LawLegal system:civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislativeacts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJjurisdictionNational holiday:German Unity Day, 3 October (1990)Political parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Helmut KOHL, chairman; Christian SocialUnion (CSU), Theo WAIGEL, chairman; Free Democratic Party (FDP), KlausKINKEL, chairman; Social Democratic Party (SPD); Green Party, Ludger VOLMER,Christine WEISKE, co-chairmen (after the 2 December 1990 election the Eastand West German Green Parties united); Alliance 90 united to form one partyin September 1991, Petra MORAWE, chairwoman; Party of Democratic Socialism(PDS), Gregor GYSI, chairman; Republikaner, Franz SCHOENHUBER; NationalDemocratic Party (NPD), Walter BACHMANN; Communist Party (DKP), Rolf PRIEMEROther political or pressure groups:expellee, refugee, and veterans groupsSuffrage:18 years of age; universal
*Germany, Government
Elections:Federal Diet: last held 2 December 1990 (next to be held October 1994); results - CDU36.7%, SPD 33.5%, FDP 11.0%, CSU 7.1%, Green Party (West Germany) 3.9%, PDS2.4%, Republikaner 2.1%, Alliance 90/Green Party (East Germany) 1.2%, other2.1%; seats - (662 total, 656 statutory with special rules to allow forslight expansion) CDU 268, SPD 239, FDP 79, CSU 51, PDS 17, Alliance90/Green Party (East Germany) 8; note - special rules for this electionallowed former East German parties to win seats if they received at least 5%of vote in eastern GermanyExecutive branch:president, chancellor, CabinetLegislative branch:bicameral parliament (no official name for the two chambers as a whole)consists of an upper chamber or Federal Council (Bundesrat) and a lowerchamber or Federal Diet (Bundestag)Judicial branch:Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht)Leaders:Chief of State:President Dr. Richard von WEIZSACKER (since 1 July 1984)Head of Government:Chancellor Dr. Helmut KOHL (since 4 October 1982)Member of:AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australian Group, BDEAC, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CDB(non-regional), CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-5,G-7, G-10, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC,ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS,MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNHCR, UNTAC, UPU, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Juergen RUHFUSchancery:4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone:(202) 298-4000consulates general:Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York,San Francisco, Seattleconsulates:Manila (Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands) and Wellington (AmericaSamoa)US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Robert M. KIMMITTembassy:Deichmanns Avenue, 5300 Bonn 2, Unit 21701mailing address:APO AE 09080telephone:[49] (228) 3391FAX:[49] (228) 339-2663branch office:Berlinconsulates general:Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich, and StuttgartFlag:three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and yellow
*Germany, Economy
Overview:With the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989, prospects seemedbright for a fairly rapid incorporation of East Germany into the highlysuccessful West German economy. The Federal Republic, however, continues toexperience difficulties in integrating and modernizing eastern Germany, andthe tremendous costs of unification have sunk western Germany deeper intorecession. The western German economy grew by less than 1% in 1992 as theBundesbank set high interest rates to offset the inflationary effects oflarge government deficits and high wage settlements. Eastern Germany grew by6.8% in 1992 but this was from a shrunken base. Despite government transfersto the east amounting to nearly $110 billion annually, a self-sustainingeconomy in the region is still some years away. The bright spots are easternGermany's construction, transportation, telecommunications, and servicesectors, which have experienced strong growth. Western Germany has anadvanced market economy and is a world leader in exports. It has a highlyurbanized and skilled population that enjoys excellent living standards,abundant leisure time, and comprehensive social welfare benefits. WesternGermany is relatively poor in natural resources, coal being the mostimportant mineral. Western Germany's world-class companies manufacturetechnologically advanced goods. The region's economy is mature: services andmanufacturing account for the dominant share of economic activity, and rawmaterials and semimanufactured goods constitute a large portion of imports.In recent years, manufacturing has accounted for about 31% of GDP, withother sectors contributing lesser amounts. Gross fixed investment in 1992accounted for about 21.5% of GDP. GDP in the western region is now $20,000per capita, or 85% of US per capita GDP. Eastern Germany's economy appearsto be changing from one anchored on manufacturing into a moreservice-oriented economy. The German government, however, is intent onmaintaining a manufacturing base in the east and is considering a policy forsubsidizing industrial cores in the region. Eastern Germany's share ofall-German GDP is only 7% and eastern productivity is just 30% that of thewest even though eastern wages are at roughly 70% of western levels. Theprivatization agency for eastern Germany, Treuhand, has privatized more thanfour-fifths of the almost 12,000 firms under its control and will likelywind down operations in 1994. Private investment in the region continues tobe lackluster, resulting primarily from the deepening recession in westernGermany and excessively high eastern wages. Eastern Germany has one of theworld's largest reserves of low-grade lignite coal but little else in theway of mineral resources. The quality of statistics from eastern Germany isimproving, yet many gaps remain; the federal government began producingall-German data for select economic statistics at the start of 1992. Themost challenging economic problem is promoting eastern Germany's economicreconstruction - specifically, finding the right mix of fiscal, monetary,regulatory, and tax policies that will spur investment in eastern Germany -without destabilizing western Germany's economy or damaging relations withWest European partners. The government hopes a "solidarity pact" among laborunions, business, state governments, and the SPD opposition will provide theright mix of wage restraints, investment incentives, and spending cuts tostimulate eastern recovery. Finally, the homogeneity of the German economicculture has been changed by the admission of large numbers of immigrants.National product:Germany:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.398 trillion (1992)western:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.294 trillion (1992)eastern:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $104 billion (1992)
*Germany, Economy
National product real growth rate:Germany:1.5% (1992)western:0.9% (1992)eastern:8% (1992)National product per capita:Germany:$17,400 (1992)western:$20,000 (1992)eastern:$6,500 (1992)Inflation rate (consumer prices):western:4% (1992)eastern:NA%Unemployment rate:western:7.1% (1992)eastern:13.5% (December 1992)Budget:western (federal, state, local):revenues $684 billion; expenditures $704 billion, including capitalexpenditures $NA (1990)eastern:revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NAExports:$378.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities:manufactures 86.6% (including machines and machine tools, chemicals, motorvehicles, iron and steel products), agricultural products 4.9%, rawmaterials 2.3%, fuels 1.3%partners:EC 54.3% (France 12.9%, Netherlands 8.3%, Italy 9.3%, UK 7.7%,Belgium-Luxembourg 7.4%), other Western Europe 17.0%, US 6.4%, EasternEurope 5.6%, OPEC 3.4% (1992)Imports:$354.5 billion (f.o.b., 1991)commodities: manufactures 68.5%, agricultural products 12.0%, fuels 9.7%, raw materials7.1%partners:EC 52.0 (France 12.0%, Netherlands 9.6%, Italy 9.2%, UK 6.8%,Belgium-Luxembourg 7.0%), other Western Europe 15.2%, US 6.6%, EasternEurope 5.5%, OPEC 2.4% (1992)External debt:$NAIndustrial production:western:growth rates -5% (1992 est.)eastern:$NAElectricity:134,000,000 kW capacity; 580,000 million kWh produced, 7,160 kWh per capita(1992)