@France, Communications
Railroads:French National Railways (SNCF) operates 34,322 km 1,435-mm standardgauge; 12,434 km electrified, 15,132 km double or multiple track; 99km of various gauges (1,000-mm), privately owned and operatedHighways:total:1,510,750 kmpaved:747,750 km (including 7,450 km of controlled access divided highway)unpaved:763,000 kmInland waterways:14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveledPipelines:crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km; natural gas 24,746 kmPorts:coastal - Bordeaux, Boulogne, Brest, Cherbourg, Dunkerque,Fos-Sur-Mer, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Sete, Toulon; inland - RouenMerchant marine:124 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,226,175 GRT/5,109,375 DWT,bulk 9, cargo 10, chemical tanker 8, container 21, liquefied gas 6,multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 37, passenger 1,roll-on/roll-off cargo 21, short-sea passenger 7, specialized tanker 3note:France also maintains a captive register for French-owned ships in theKerguelen Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) and FrenchPolynesiaAirports:total:472usable:461with permanent-surface runways:258with runways over 3,659 m:3with runways 2,440-3,659 m:37with runways 1,220-2,439 m:136Telecommunications:highly developed; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks;large-scale introduction of optical-fiber systems; satellite systemsfor domestic traffic; 39,200,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 41AM, 800 (mostly repeaters) FM, 846 (mostly repeaters) TV; 24 submarinecoaxial cables; 2 INTELSAT earth stations (with total of 5 antennas -2 for the Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 3 for the Atlantic OceanINTELSAT); HF radio communications with more than 20 countries;INMARSAT service; EUTELSAT TV service
@France, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy (including Naval Air), Air Force, National GendarmerieManpower availability:males age 15-49 14,717,461; fit for military service 12,265,874; reachmilitary age (18) annually 376,485 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:exchange rate conversion - $33.0 billion, 3.3% of GDP (1993)
@French Guiana
Header Affiliation: (overseas department of France)
@French Guiana, Geography
Location: Northern South America, bordering on the North Atlantic Ocean between Suriname and Brazil Map references: South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 91,000 sq km land area: 89,150 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total 1,183 km, Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km Coastline: 378 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) Climate: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains Natural resources: bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 82% other: 18% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: mostly an unsettled wilderness
@French Guiana, People
Population:139,299 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:4.27% (1994 est.)Birth rate:25.83 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:4.67 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:21.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:15.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:75.2 yearsmale:71.93 yearsfemale:78.63 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:3.5 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:French Guianese (singular and plural)adjective:French GuianeseEthnic divisions:black or mulatto 66%, Caucasian 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian12%, other 10%Religions:Roman CatholicLanguages:FrenchLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1982)total population:82%male:81%female:83%Labor force:23,265by occupation:services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture18.2% (1980)Names:conventional long form:Department of Guianaconventional short form:French Guianalocal long form:nonelocal short form:GuyaneDigraph:FGType:overseas department of FranceCapital:CayenneAdministrative divisions:none (overseas department of France)Independence:none (overseas department of France)National holiday:National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)Legal system:French legal systemSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)head of government:Prefect Jean-Francois CORDET (since NA 1992); President of the GeneralCouncil Elie CASTOR (since NA); President of the Regional CouncilAntoine KARAM (22 March 1993)cabinet:Council of MinistersLegislative branch:unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional CouncilGeneral Council:elections last held 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be heldNA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19 total) PSG 12,URC 7Regional Council:elections last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held NA); results -percent of vote by party NA; seats - (31 total) PSG 16French Senate:elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) PSG 1French National Assembly:elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1998);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) RPR 1,independent 1Judicial branch:Court of Appeals (highest local court based in Martinique withjurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana)Political parties and leaders:Guianese Socialist Party (PSG), Elie CASTRO; Conservative Union forthe Republic (UPR), Leon BERTRAND; Rally for the Center Right (URC);Rally for the Republic (RPR); Guyana Democratic Front (FDG), GeorgesOTHILY; Walwari Committee, Christine TAUBIRA-DELANONMember of:FZ, WCLDiplomatic representation in US:none (overseas department of France)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 andimports. Besides the French space center at Kourou, fishing andforestry are the most important economic activities, with exports offish and fish products (mostly shrimp) accounting for more than 60% oftotal revenue in 1992. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, notfully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that providessawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops - rice, cassava, bananas,and sugar cane - is limited to the coastal area, where the populationis largely concentrated. French Guiana is heavily dependent on importsof food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularlyamong 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 millionexpenditures:$735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987)Exports:$59 million (f.o.b., 1992)commodities:shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essencepartners:France 52%, Spain 15%, US 5% (1992)Imports:$1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1992)commodities:food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods,petroleumpartners:France 77%, Germany 11%, US 5% (1992)External debt:$1.2 billion (1988)Industrial production:growth rate NA%Electricity:capacity:92,000 kWproduction:185 million kWhconsumption per capita:1,450 kWh (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:recipient: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$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year
@French Guiana, Communications
Highways:total:680 kmpaved:510 kmunpaved:improved, unimproved earth 170 kmInland waterways:460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and river and coastalsteamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craftPorts:CayenneAirports:total:10usable:10with permanent-surface runways:4with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:1with runways 1,220-2,439 m:1Telecommunications:fair open-wire and microwave radio relay system; 18,100 telephones;broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7 FM, 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earthstation
@French Guiana, Defense Forces
Branches:French Forces, GendarmerieManpower availability:males age 15-49 40,506; fit for military service 26,394Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDPNote:defense is the responsibility of France
@French Polynesia
Header Affiliation: (overseas territory of France)
@French Polynesia, Geography
Location: Oceania, Polynesia halfway between Australia and South America Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 3,941 sq km land area: 3,660 sq km comparative area: slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,525 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, but moderate Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 19% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 31% other: 44% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: occasional cyclonic storms in January international agreements: NA Note: includes five archipelagoes; Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru
@French Polynesia, People
Population: 215,129 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.25% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 27.75 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.27 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.54 years male: 68.14 years female: 73.06 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.31 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian Ethnic 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-orderadministrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but thereare 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipeldes Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Ventnote:Clipperton Island is administered by France from French PolynesiaIndependence:none (overseas territory of France)National holiday:National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)Constitution:28 September 1958 (French Constitution)Legal system:based on French systemSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); High Commissionerof the Republic Michel JAU (since NA February 1992)head of government:President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia GastonFLOSSE (since 10 May 1991); Deputy to the French Assembly andPresident of the Territorial Assembly Jean JUVENTIN (since NA November1992); Territorial Vice President and Minister of Health MichelBUILLARD (since 12 September 1991)cabinet:Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of theAssembly for approval by them to serve as ministersLegislative branch:unicameralTerritorial Assembly:elections last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1996);results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) People'sRally for the Republic (Gaullist) 18, Polynesian Union Party 12, NewFatherland Party 7, other 4French Senate:elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) partyNAFrench National Assembly:elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA March1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total)People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2Judicial branch:Court of Appeal, Court of the First Instance, Court of AdministrativeLawPolitical parties and leaders:People's Rally for the Republic (Tahoeraa Huiraatira), Gaston FLOSSE;Polynesian Union Party includes Te Tiarama, Alexandre LEONTIEFF, andPupu Here Ai'a Te Nuneao Ia Ora, Jean JUVENTIN; New Fatherland Party(Ai'a Api), Emile VERNAUDON; Polynesian Liberation Front (TaviniHuiraatira), Oscar TEMARU; Independent Party (Ia Mana Te Nunaa), JamesSALMON; other small partiesMember of:ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMODiplomatic representation in US:none (overseas territory of France)US 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,French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence economy to one inwhich a high proportion of the work force is either employed by themilitary or supports the tourist industry. Tourism accounts for about20% of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings.National product:GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.5 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:NA%National product per capita:$7,000 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):-0.6% (1991)Unemployment rate:10% (1990 est.)Budget:revenues:$614 millionexpenditures:$957 million, including capital expenditures 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:capacity:75,000 kWproduction:275 million kWhconsumption per capita:1,330 kWh (1992)Industries:tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicraftsAgriculture:coconut and vanilla plantations; vegetables and fruit; poultry, beef,dairy productsEconomic aid:recipient: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 - 107.63(January 1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00(1990), 115.99 (1989); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to theFrench francFiscal year:calendar year
@French Polynesia, Communications
Highways:total:600 km (1982)paved:NAunpaved:NAPorts:Papeete, Bora-boraMerchant marine:3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,127 GRT/6,710 DWT,passenger-cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1note:a captive subset of the French registerAirports:total:43usable:41with permanent-surface runways:23with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:2with 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: Southern Africa, in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia Map references: Antarctic Region, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 7,781 sq km land area: 7,781 sq km comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Delaware note: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Crozet; excludes Terre Adelie claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,232 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen only territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the US Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic Natural resources: fish, crayfish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes international agreements: NA Note: remote location in the southern Indian Ocean
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands, People
Population:no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are researchers whose numbersvary from 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 HighAdministrator Bernard de GOUTTES (since May 1990), who is assisted bya 7-member Consultative Council and a 12-member Scientific CouncilCapital:none; administered from Paris, FranceAdministrative divisions:none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-orderadministrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but thereare 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paulet Amsterdam; excludes Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica that is notrecognized 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 andgeophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. Thefishing catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exportedto France and Reunion.Budget:revenues:$17.5 millionexpenditures:$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992)
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Communications
Highways:total:NApaved:NAunpaved:NAPorts:none; offshore anchorage onlyMerchant marine:21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 441,962 GRT/813,779 DWT, bulk 3,cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, liquified gas 2, multifunction large loadcarrier 1, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo4note:a captive subset of the French registerTelecommunications: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 betweenthe Congo and Equatorial GuineaMap references:Africa, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:267,670 sq kmland area:257,670 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than ColoradoLand boundaries:total 2,551 km, Cameroon 298 km, Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350kmCoastline: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 sq kmEnvironment:current issues:deforestation; poachingnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed,but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
@Gabon, People
Population:1,139,006 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:1.46% (1994 est.)Birth rate:28.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:13.9 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:94.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:54.67 yearsmale:51.88 yearsfemale:57.53 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:3.97 children born/woman (1994 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 27,000FrenchReligions: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 est.)total population:61%male:74%female:48%Labor force:120,000 salariedby occupation:agriculture 65.0%, industry and commerce 30.0%, services 2.5%,government 2.5%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 legalized1990)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)National holiday:Renovation Day, 12 March (1968) (Gabonese Democratic Partyestablished)Constitution:adopted 14 March 1991Legal system:based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review oflegislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;compulsory ICJ jurisdiction not acceptedSuffrage:21 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967); election lastheld on 5 December 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - PresidentOmar BONGO was reelected with 51% of the votehead of government:Prime Minister Casimir OYE-MBA (since 3 May 1990)cabinet:Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister in consultationwith the presidentLegislative branch:unicameralNational Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):elections last held on 21 and 28 October and 4 November 1990 (next tobe held by NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120total) PDG 62, Morena-Bucherons/RNB 19, PGP 18, National RecoveryMovement (Morena-Original) 7, APSG 6, USG 4, CRP 1, independents 3Judicial branch:Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)Political parties and leaders:Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG, former sole party), Jaques ADIAHENOT,Secretary General; National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks(Morena-Bucherons/RNB), Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE, leader; Gabonese Partyfor Progress (PGP), Pierre-Louis AGONDHO-OKAWE, President; NationalRecovery Movement (Morena-Original), Pierre ZONGUE-NGUEMA, Chairman;Association for Socialism in Gabon (APSG), leader NA; GaboneseSocialist Union (USG), leader NA; Circle for Renewal and Progress(CRP), leader NA; Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), leaderNA; Rally of Democrats (RD), leader NA; Forces of Change forDemocratic Union, leader NAMember of:ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, GATT,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, 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:Ambassador Paul BOUNDOUKOU-LATHAchancery:2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone:(202) 797-1000US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Joseph 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:Notwithstanding its serious ongoing economic problems, Gabon enjoys aper capita income more than twice that of most nations of sub-SaharanAfrica. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil wasdiscovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accountsfor 50% of GNP. Real growth was feeble in 1992 and Gabon continues toface weak prices for its timber, manganese, and uranium exports.Despite an abundance of natural wealth, and a manageable rate ofpopulation growth, the economy is hobbled by poor fiscal management.In 1992, the fiscal deficit widened to 2.4% of GDP, and Gabon failedto settled arrears on its bilateral debt, leading to a cancellation ofrescheduling agreements with official and private creditors.Devaluation of the local currency by 50% in January 1994 could set offan inflationary spiral if the government fails to reign in spendingand grants large wage increases to an already overpaid public sectorworkforce.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $5.4 billion (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:0.5% (1992 est.)National product per capita:$4,800 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):0.7% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$1.3 billionexpenditures:$1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $272 million (1992est.)Exports:$2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est)commodities:crude oil 80%, timber 9%, manganese 7%, uranium 2%partners:France 48%, US 15%, Germany 2%, Japan 2%Imports:$702 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)commodities:foodstuffs, chemical products, petroleum products, constructionmaterials, 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 8% of GDP, includingpetroleumElectricity:capacity:315,000 kWproduction:995 million kWhconsumption per capita:920 kWh (1991)Industries:petroleum, food and beverages, lumbering and plywood, textiles, mining- manganese, uranium, gold, cementAgriculture:accounts for 9% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); cash crops -cocoa, coffee, palm oil; livestock not developed; importer of food;small fishing operations provide a catch of about 20,000 metric tons;okoume (a tropical softwood) is the most important timber productEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $68 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90),$2.342 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $27 millionCurrency:1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimesExchange rates:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05(January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26(1990), 319.01 (1989)note:beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 perFrench franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948Fiscal year:calendar year
@Gabon, Communications
Railroads:649 km 1.437-meter standard-gauge single track (TransgaboneseRailroad)Highways:total:7,500 kmpaved:560 kmunpaved:crushed stone 960 km; earth 5,980 kmInland 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 18,562 GRT/25,330 DWTAirports:total:70usable:59with permanent-surface runways:10with runways over 3,659 m:0with 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 - 6AM, 6 FM, 3 (5 repeaters) TV; satellite earth stations - 3 AtlanticOcean INTELSAT and 12 domestic satellite
@Gabon, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard, National Gendarmerie,National PoliceManpower availability:males age 15-49 270,501; fit for military service 136,995; reachmilitary age (20) annually 10,107 (1994 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 sq kmland area:10,000 sq kmcomparative 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(November to 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 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalentnatural hazards:rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last thirty yearsinternational agreements:party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, OzoneLayer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified -Biodiversity, Climate ChangeNote:almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent ofAfrica
@The Gambia, People
Population:959,300 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:3.08% (1994 est.)Birth rate:46.39 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:15.64 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:123.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:50.08 yearsmale:47.83 yearsfemale:52.39 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:6.29 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Gambian(s)adjective:GambianEthnic divisions:African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%,other 4%), non-Gambian 1%Religions:Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%Languages:English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenousvernacularsLiteracy:age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)total population:27%male:39%female:16%Labor force:400,000 (1986 est.)by occupation:agriculture 75.0%, industry, commerce, and services 18.9%, government6.1%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, NorthBank, Upper River, WesternIndependence:18 February 1965 (from UK; The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreementon 12 December 1981 that called for the creation of a looseconfederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement wasdissolved on 30 September 1989)National holiday:Independence Day, 18 February (1965)Constitution:24 April 1970Legal system:based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customarylaw; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservationsSuffrage:21 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state and head of government:President Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba JAWARA (since 24 April 1970); VicePresident Saihou SABALLY (since NA); election last held on 29 April1992 (next to be held April 1997); results - Sir Dawda JAWARA (PPP)58.5%, Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 22.2%, Assan Musa CAMARA (GPP) 8.0%cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the president from members of the House ofRepresentativesLegislative branch:unicameralHouse of Representatives:elections last held on 29 April 1992 (next to be held April 1997);results - PPP 58.1%, seats - (43 total, 36 elected) PPP 30, NCP 6Judicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical 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'sDemocratic Organization of Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), leaderNA; People's Democratic Party (PDP), Jabel SALLAHMember of:ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), 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. SALLAHchancery:Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005telephone:(202) 785-1399, 1379, or 1425FAX:(202) 785-1430US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Arlene RENDERembassy:Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, 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, andgreen
@The Gambia, Economy
Overview:The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and hasa limited agricultural base. It is one of the world's poorestcountries with a per capita income of roughly $800. About 75% of thepopulation is engaged in crop production and livestock raising, whichcontribute 30% to GDP. Small-scale manufacturing activity - processingpeanuts, fish, and hides - accounts for less than 10% of GDP. Asustained structural adjustment program, including a liberalized tradepolicy, has fostered a respectable 4% rate of growth in recent years.Re-export trade constitutes one-third of economic activity; however,border closures associated with Senegal's monetary crisis in late 1993led to a 50% decline in re-export trade, reducing government revenuesin turn. Devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 has madeSenegalese goods more competitive, and is likely to prompt arelaxation of Senegalese controls, paving the way for a comeback inre-exports.National product:GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $740 million (1993 est.)National product real growth rate:4.5% (FY92 est)National product per capita:$800 (1993 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):5% (FY 92 est.)Unemployment rate:NA%Budget:revenues:$94 millionexpenditures:$80 million, including capital expenditures of $25 million (FY91 est.)Exports:$164 million (f.o.b., FY92 est.)commodities:peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernelspartners:Japan 60%, Europe 29%, Africa 5%, US 1%, other 5% (1989)Imports:$214 million (f.o.b., FY92 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% (year NA); accounts for 5.8% of GDP (FY90)Electricity:capacity:30,000 kWproduction:65 million kWhconsumption per capita:75 kWh (1991)Industries:peanut processing, tourism, beverages, agricultural machineryassembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothingAgriculture:accounts for 30% of GDP and employs about 75% of the population;imports one-third of food requirements; major export crop is peanuts;other principal crops - millet, sorghum, rice, corn, cassava, palmkernels; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats; forestry and fishingresources not fully exploitedEconomic aid:recipient:US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $93 million; Western(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $535million; Communist countries (1970-89), $39 millionCurrency:1 dalasi (D) = 100 bututExchange rates:dalasi (D) per US$1 - 9.440 (November 1993), 8.888 (1992), 8.803(1991), 7.883 (1990), 7.5846 (1989), 6.7086 (1988)Fiscal year:1 July - 30 June
@The Gambia, Communications
Highways: total: 3,083 km paved: 431 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 501 km; unimproved earth 2,151 km Inland waterways: 400 km Ports: Banjul Merchant marine: 1 bulk ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,194 GRT/19,394 DWT Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: adequate network of radio relay and wire; 3,500 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@The Gambia, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Navy, National Gendarmerie, National PoliceManpower availability:males age 15-49 207,754; fit for military service 105,100Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
@Gaza Strip
HeaderNote:The war between Israel and Egypt, Syria, and Jordan in June 1967 endedwith Israel in control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the GazaStrip, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights. Israel withdrewfrom the Sinai Peninsula pursuant to a 1979 peace treaty with Egypt.The Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-GovernmentArrangements ("the DOP"), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993,provides for a transitional period not exceeding five years ofPalestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the WestBank. Under the DOP, final status negotiations are to begin no laterthan the beginning of the third year of the transitional period.
@Gaza Strip, Geography
Location:Middle East, bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea, between Egyptand IsraelMap references:Middle EastArea:total area:360 sq kmland area:360 sq kmcomparative 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:West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli occupied with interim statussubject to Israeli/Palestinian negotiations - final status to bedeterminedClimate: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 sq kmEnvironment:current issues:desertificationnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:NANote:there are 24 Jewish settlements and civilian land use sites in theGaza Strip (April 1994)
@Gaza Strip, People
Population:731,296 (July 1994 est.)note:in addition, there are 4,500 Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip (1994est.)Population growth rate:3.53% (1994 est.)Birth rate:45.01 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:5.45 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:-4.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:36.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:67.78 yearsmale:66.47 yearsfemale:69.16 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:7.39 children born/woman (1994 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 (widelyunderstood)Literacy:total population:NA%male:NA%female:NA%Labor force:NAby occupation:construction 33.4%, agriculture 20.0%, commerce, restaurants, andhotels 14.9%, industry 10.0%, other services 21.7% (1991)note:excluding Jewish settlers
@Gaza Strip, Government
Note:Under the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on InterimSelf-Government Arragements ("the DOP"), Israel agreed to transfercertain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, andsubsequently to an elected Palestinian Council, as part of interimself-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Atransfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jerichohas taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreementon the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. The DOP provides that Israelwill retain responsibility during the transitional period for externalsecurity and for internal security and public order of settlements andIsraelis. Final status is to be determined through direct negotiationswithin five years.Names:conventional long form:noneconventional short form:Gaza Striplocal long form:nonelocal short form:Qita GhazzahDigraph:GZ
@Gaza Strip, Economy
Overview:In 1991 roughly 40% of Gaza Strip workers were employed across theborder by Israeli industrial, construction, and agriculturalenterprises, with worker remittances accounting for about one-third ofGNP. The construction, agricultural, and industrial sectors accountfor about 18%, 16%, and 12% of GNP, respectively. Gaza depends uponIsrael for nearly 90% of its external trade. Aggravating the impact ofIsraeli military administration, unrest in the territory since 1988(intifadah) has raised unemployment and lowered the standard of livingof Gazans. The Persian Gulf crisis and its aftershocks also have dealtblows to Gaza since August 1990. Worker remittances from the Gulfstates have dropped, unemployment has increased, and exports havefallen. The withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip in May 1994brings a new set of adjustment problems.National product:GNP - exchange rate conversion - $840 million (1991 est.)National product real growth rate:1% (1991 est.)National product per capita:$1,275 (1991 est.)Inflation rate (consumer prices):7% (1991 est.)Unemployment rate:20% (1991 est.)Budget:revenues:$33.6 millionexpenditures:$34.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90)Exports:$75 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)commodities:citruspartners:Israel, EgyptImports:$370 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.)commodities:food, consumer goods, construction materialspartners:Israel, EgyptExternal debt:$NAIndustrial production:growth rate 11% (1991 est.); accounts for about 12% of GNPElectricity:power supplied by IsraelIndustries:generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap,olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis haveestablished some small-scale modern industries in an industrial centerAgriculture:accounts for about 16% 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$1 - 2.9760 (February 1994), 2.8301(1993), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989)Fiscal year:calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
@Gaza Strip, Communications
Railroads: one line, abandoned and in disrepair, some trackage remains Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA note: small, poorly developed road network Ports: facilities for small boats to service the city of Gaza Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 0 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: broadcast stations - no AM, no FM, no TV
@Gaza Strip, Defense Forces
Branches:NADefense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GDP
@Georgia
Note:Georgia is currently besieged by interethnic strife in its Abkhazianand South Ossetian enclaves.
@Georgia, Geography
Location:Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and RussiaMap references:Africa, Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - European States,Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:69,700 sq kmland area:69,700 sq kmcomparative area:slightly larger than South CarolinaLand boundaries:total 1,461 km, Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km,Turkey 252 kmCoastline:310 kmMaritime claims:note:12 nm in 1973 USSR-Turkish Protocol concerning the sea boundarybetween the two states in the Black Sea; Georgia claims the coastlinealong the Black Sea as its international waters, although it cannotcontrol this area and the Russian navy and commercial ships transitfreelyInternational disputes:noneClimate:warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coastTerrain:largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north andLesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhida Lowland opens to theBlack Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils inriver valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida LowlandNatural resources:forest lands, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ores, copper, minorcoal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for importanttea and citrus growthLand use:arable land:NA%permanent crops:NA%meadows and pastures:NA%forest and woodland:NA%other:NA%Irrigated land:4,660 sq km (1990)Environment:current issues:air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of MtkvariRiver and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of safe drinking water;soil pollution from toxic chemicalsnatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:NA
@Georgia, People
Population:5,681,025 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.81% (1994 est.)Birth rate:16.11 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:8.69 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:23.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:72.84 yearsmale:69.16 yearsfemale:76.7 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:2.18 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:Georgian(s)adjective:GeorgianEthnic divisions:Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%,Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%Religions:Georgian Orthodox 65%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Muslim 11%, ArmenianOrthodox 8%, unknown 6%Languages:Armenian 7%, Azeri 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:Sak'art'velos Respublikalocal short form:Sak'art'veloformer:Georgian Soviet Socialist RepublicDigraph:GGType:republicCapital:T'bilisiAdministrative divisions:2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtomrespublika); Abkhazia (Sokhumi), Ajaria (Bat'umi)note:the administrative centers of the autonomous republics are included inparentheses; there are no oblasts - the rayons around T'bilisi areunder direct republic jurisdictionIndependence:9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)National holiday:Independence Day, 9 April (1991)Constitution:adopted NA February 1921; currently amending constitution forParliamentary and popular review by late 1995Legal system:based on civil law systemSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:Chairman of Parliament Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (since 10March 1992); election last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA1995); results - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 95%head of government:Prime Minister Otar PATSATSIA (since September 1993); Deputy PrimeMinisters Avtandil MARGIANI, Zurab KERVALISHVILI (since NA), TamazNADARISHVILI (since September 1993), Teimuraz BASILIA (since NA)cabinet:Council of MinistersLegislative branch:unicameralGeorgian Parliament (Supreme Soviet):elections last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA 1995); results- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (225 total) number of seats byparty NA; note - representatives of 26 parties elected; Peace Bloc,October 11, Unity, National Democratic Party, and the Greens Party wonthe largest representationJudicial branch:Supreme CourtPolitical parties and leaders:Merab Kostava Society, Vazha ADAMIA, chairman; Traditionalists' Union,Akaki ASATIANI, chairman; Georgian Social Democratic Party, GuramMUCHAIDZE, chairman; Green Party, Zurab ZHVANIA, chairman; GeorgianPopular Front (GPF), Nodar NATADZE, chairman; National DemocraticParty (NDP), Gia CHANTURIA, chairman; National Independence Party(NIP), Irakliy TSERETELI, chairmen; Charter 1991 Party, TedoPATASHVILI, chairman; Peace Bloc; Unity; October 11Other political or pressure groups:supporters of ousted President Zuiad GAMSAKHURDIA (deceased 1 January1994) boycotted the October elections and remain a source ofopposition and instabilityMember of:BSEC, CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IBRD, IDA, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, IOC,ITU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHODiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Petr CHKHEIDZEchancery:(temporary) Suite 424, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DCtelephone:(202) 393-6060US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Kent N. BROWNembassy:#25 Antoneli Street, T'bilisi 380026mailing address:use embassy street addresstelephone:(7) 8832-98-99-68FAX:(7) 8832-93-37-59Flag:maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner;rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below
@Georgia, Economy
Overview: Georgia's economy has traditionally revolved around Black Sea tourism; cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and a small industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and textiles. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas and coal. Its only sizable domestic energy resource is hydropower. Since 1990, widespread conflicts, e.g., in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Mengrelia, severely aggravated the economic crisis resulting from the disintegration of the Soviet command economy in December 1991. Throughout 1993, much of industry was functioning at only 20% of capacity; heavy disruptions in agricultural cultivation were reported; and tourism was shut down. The country is precariously dependent on US and EU humanitarian grain shipments, as most other foods are priced beyond reach of the average citizen. Georgia is also suffering from an acute energy crisis, as it is having problems paying for even minimal imports. Georgia is pinning its hopes for recovery on reestablishing trade ties with Russia and on developing international transportation through the key Black Sea ports of P'ot'i and Bat'umi. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $7.8 billion (1993 estimate from the UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 and published in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and as extrapolated to 1993 using official Georgian statistics, which are very uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990) National product real growth rate: -35% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $1,390 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 40.5% per month (2nd half 1993 est.) Unemployment rate: officially less than 5% but real unemployment may be up near 20%, with even larger numbers of underemployed workers; real unemployment may be up near 20% with even larger numbers of underemployed workers Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA commodities: citrus fruits, tea, wine, other agricultural products; diverse types of machinery; ferrous and nonferrous metals; textiles; chemicals; fuel re-exports partners: Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan (1992) Imports: $NA commodities: fuel, grain and other foods, machinery and parts, transport equipment partners: Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey (1993) External debt: $100 million to $200 million (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -27% (1993); accounts for 36% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 4,875,000 kW production: 15.8 billion kWh consumption per capita: 2,835 kWh (1992) Industries: heavy industrial products include raw steel, rolled steel, airplanes; machine tools, foundry equipment, electric locomotives, tower cranes, electric welding equipment, machinery for food preparation and meat packing, electric motors, process control equipment, instruments; trucks, tractors, and other farm machinery; light industrial products, including cloth, hosiery, and shoes; chemicals; wood-working industries; the most important food industry is wine Agriculture: accounts for 41% of GDP; accounted for 97% of former USSR citrus fruits and 93% of former USSR tea; important producer of grapes; also cultivates vegetables and potatoes; dependent on imports for grain, dairy products, sugar; small livestock sector Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: recipient: heavily dependent on US for humanitarian grain shipments; EC granted around $70 million in trade credits in 1992 and another $40 million in 1993; Turkey granted $50 million in 1993; smaller scale credits granted by Russia and China Currency: coupons introduced in April 1993 to be followed by introduction of the lari at undetermined future date; in July 1993 use of the Russian ruble was banned Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year
@Georgia, Communications
Railroads:1,570 km, does not include industrial lines (1990)Highways:total:33,900 kmpaved and gravelled:29,500 kmunpaved:earth 4,400 km (1990)Pipelines:crude oil 370 km; refined products 300 km; natural gas 440 km (1992)Ports:coastal - Bat'umi, P'ot'i, SokhumiMerchant marine:41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 575,823 GRT/882,110 DWT, bulkcargo 14, oil tanker 27Airports:total:37usable:27with permanent-surface runways:14with runways over 3,659 m:0with runways 2,440-3,659 m:10with runways 1,060-2,439 m:4note:a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstripTelecommunications:poor telephone service; as of mid-1993, 672,000 telephone linesproviding 14 lines per 100 persons; 339,000 unsatisfied applicationsfor telephones (31 December 1990); international links via landline toCIS members and Turkey; low capacity satellite earth station andleased international connections via the Moscow international gatewayswitch with other countries; international electronic mail and telexservice availableNote:transportation network is disrupted by ethnic conflict, criminalactivities, and fuel shortages
@Georgia, Defense Forces
Branches:Army, Air Force, Navy, Interior Ministry Troops, Border GuardsManpower availability:males age 15-49 1,362,818; fit for military service 1,081,624; reachmilitary age (18) annually 42,881 (1994 est.)Defense expenditures:$NA, NA% of GNPNote:Georgian forces are poorly organized and not fully under thegovernment's control
@Germany, Geography
Location:Central Europe, bordering the North Sea between France and PolandMap references:Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the WorldArea:total area:356,910 sq kmland area:349,520 sq kmcomparative area:slightly smaller than Montananote:includes the formerly separate Federal Republic of Germany, the GermanDemocratic Republic, and Berlin following formal unification on 3October 1990Land 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,Poland 456 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,at one point, to 16 nm in the Helgolander Bucht); 12 nm in remainderof Baltic SeaInternational disputes:noneClimate:temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers;occasional warm, 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 sq km (1989 est.)Environment:current issues:emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries in the southeastand lead emissions from vehicle exhausts (the result of continued useof leaded fuels) contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resultingfrom sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; heavy pollution inthe Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers ineastern Germanynatural hazards:NAinternational agreements:party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping,Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, TropicalTimber, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Hazardous WastesNote:strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance tothe Baltic Sea
@Germany, People
Population:81,087,506 (July 1994 est.)Population growth rate:0.36% (1994 est.)Birth rate:11.04 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)Death rate:10.89 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)Net migration rate:3.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)Infant mortality rate:6.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)Life expectancy at birth:total population:76.34 yearsmale:73.22 yearsfemale:79.64 years (1994 est.)Total fertility rate:1.47 children born/woman (1994 est.)Nationality:noun:German(s)adjective:GermanEthnic divisions:German 95.1%, Turkish 2.3%, Italians 0.7%, Greeks 0.4%, Poles 0.4%,other 1.1% (made up largely of people fleeing the war in the formerYugoslavia)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 Germanyconventional 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 yearswith Bonn retaining many administrative functions and severalministriesAdministrative divisions:16 states (laender, singular - land); Baden-Wurttemberg, 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 zonesof occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 followingWorld War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany)proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and Frenchzones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; unification of WestGermany and East Germany took place 3 October 1990; all four powerrights formally relinquished 15 March 1991National holiday:German Unity Day (Day of Unity), 3 October (1990)Constitution:23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the unitedGerman people 3 October 1990Legal system:civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review oflegislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not acceptedcompulsory ICJ jurisdictionSuffrage:18 years of age; universalExecutive branch:chief of state:President Dr. Richard von WEIZSACKER (since 1 July 1984); note -presidential elections were held on 23 May 1994; Roman HERZOG was thewinner and will be inaugurated 1 July 1994head of government:Chancellor Dr. Helmut KOHL (since 4 October 1982)cabinet:Cabinet; appointed by the president upon the proposal of thechancellorLegislative branch:bicameral chamber (no official name for the two chambers as a whole)Federal Assembly (Bundestag):last held 2 December 1990 (next to be held by 16 October 1994);results - CDU 36.7%, SPD 33.5%, FDP 11.0%, CSU 7.1%, Green Party (WestGermany) 3.9%, PDS 2.4%, Republikaner 2.1%, Alliance 90/Green Party(East Germany) 1.2%, other 2.1%; seats - (662 total) CDU 268, CSU 51,SPD 239, FDP 79, PDS 17, Greens/Alliance '90 8; elected by directpopular vote under a system combining direct and proportionalrepresentation; a party must win 5% of the national vote or 3 directmandates to gain representationFederal Council (Bundesrat):State governments are directly represented by votes; each has 3 to 6votes depending on size and are required to vote as a block; currentcomposition: votes - (68 total) SPD-led states 37, CDU-led states 31Judicial branch:Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht)Political parties and leaders:Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Helmut KOHL, chairman; ChristianSocial Union (CSU), Theo WAIGEL, chairman; Free Democratic Party(FDP), Klaus KINKEL, chairman; Social Democratic Party (SPD), RudolfSCHARPING, chairman; Alliance '90/Greens, Ludger VOLMER, MarianneBIRTHLER, co-chairmen; Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), LotharBISKY, chairman; Republikaner, Franz SCHOENHUBER; National DemocraticParty (NPD), Guenter DECKERT; Communist Party (DKP), Rolf PRIEMEROther political or pressure groups:expellee, refugee, and veterans groupsMember 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, UNOMIG,UNOSOM, UNTAC, UPU, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZCDiplomatic representation in US:chief of mission:Ambassador Immo STABREITchancery:4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007telephone:(202) 298-4000FAX:(202) 298-4249consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, NewYork, San Francisco, Seattleconsulate(s):Manila (Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands) and Wellington(America Samoa)US diplomatic representation:chief of mission:Ambassador Richard C. HOLBROOKEembassy:Deichmanns Avenue 29, 53170 Bonnmailing address:Unit 21701, Bonn; APO AE 09080telephone:[49] (228) 3391FAX:[49] (228) 339-2663branch office:Berlinconsulate(s) general:Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich, and StuttgartFlag:three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and yellow