Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 792 km paved: 792 km (1995 est.)
Ports: Mataura, Papeete, Rikitea, Uturoa
Merchant marine:total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,127 GRT/6,710 DWTships by type: passenger-cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 (1995 est.)
Airports:total: 41with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13with paved runways under 914 m: 15with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 33,200 (1983 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 2, shortwave 0
Radios: 116,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 6
Televisions: 35,000 (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: French Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force),Gendarmerie
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands —————————————————-
(overseas territory of France)
Map —-
Location: 43 00 S, 67 00 E — Southern Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, and Iles Kerguelen in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land"
Flag ——
Description: the flag of France is used
Geography ————-
Location: Southern Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean,about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note -French Southern and Antarctic Lands includes Ile Amsterdam, IleSaint-Paul, Iles Crozet, and Iles Kerguelen in the southern IndianOcean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "AdelieLand"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land"
Geographic coordinates: 43 00 S, 67 00 E
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area:total area: 7,781 sq kmland area: 7,781 sq kmcomparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Delawarenote: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet and IlesKerguelen; excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km inAntarctica 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 onlyterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica is notrecognized by the US
Climate: antarctic
Terrain: volcanic lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Ross on Kerguelen 1,850 m
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: NAnatural hazards: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinctvolcanoesinternational agreements: NA
Geographic note: remote location in the southern Indian Ocean
People ———
Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there were 145 (1995) mostly researchers whose numbers vary from winter (July) to summer (January)
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern andAntarctic Landsconventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Landslocal long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et AntarctiquesFrancaiseslocal short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
Data code: FS
Type of government: overseas territory of France since 1955; governed by High Administrator Christian DORS (since 4 December 1991)
Capital: none; administered from Paris, France
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US
Independence: none (overseas territory of France)
Flag: the flag of France is used
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion.
Budget:revenues: $22.6 millionexpenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995)
Transportation ———————
Ports: none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine:total: 66 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,133,942 GRT/3,617,863DWTships by type: bulk 2, cargo 6, chemical tanker 7, container 10,liquefied gas tanker 4, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oiltanker 18, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13,specialized tanker 1note: a subset of the French register allowing French-owned ships tooperate under more liberal taxation and manning regulations thanpermissable under the main French register (1995 est.)
Airports: none (1994 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: NA
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: NA
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France
======================================================================
@Gabon ——-
Map —-
Location: 1 00 S, 11 45 E — Western Africa, bordering theAtlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow,and blue
Geography ————-
Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at theEquator, between Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 11 45 E
Map references: Africa
Area:total area: 267,670 sq kmland area: 257,670 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Colorado
Land boundaries:total: 2,551 kmborder countries: Cameroon 298 km, Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea350 km
Coastline: 885 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with EquatorialGuinea because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east andsouthlowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m
Natural resources: petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber,iron ore
Land use:arable land: 1%permanent crops: 1%meadows and pastures: 18%forest and woodland: 78%other: 2%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:current issues: deforestation; poachingnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Endangered Species, MarineDumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Tropical Timber 94
People ———
Population: 1,172,798 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 34% (male 197,188; female 196,562)15-64 years: 61% (male 364,033; female 353,451)65 years and over: 5% (male 30,270; female 31,294) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.47% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 28.22 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 13.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.03 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 90.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.59 years male: 52.72 years female: 58.56 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: Gabonese (singular and plural)adjective: Gabonese
Ethnic divisions: Bantu tribes including four major tribalgroupings (Fang, Eshira, Bapounou, Bateke), other Africans andEuropeans 100,000, including 27,000 French
Religions: Christian 55%-75%, Muslim less than 1%, animist
Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Bateke,Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)total population: 63.2%male: 73.7%female: 53.3%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Gabonese Republicconventional short form: Gabonlocal long form: Republique Gabonaiselocal short form: Gabon
Data code: GB
Type of government: republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized 1990)
Capital: Libreville
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue,Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo,Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem
Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Renovation Day, 12 March (1968) (GaboneseDemocratic Party established)
Constitution: adopted 14 March 1991
Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; compulsory ICJ jurisdiction not accepted
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967)was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage on 5 December1993 (next election to be held 1998); results - President Omar BONGOreceived 51% of the votehead of government: Prime Minister Paulin OBAME Nguema (since 9December 1994) was appointed by the presidentcabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister inconsultation with the president
Legislative branch: unicameral; note - the provision of theconstitution for the establishment of a senate has not beenimplementedNational Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held on 5December 1993 (next to be held by July 1996, according to theOctober 1994 Paris Accords; however, President BONGO has indicatedthat date might slip); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats- (120 total) PDG 64, National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks(Morena-Bucherons/RNB) 17, PGP 12, National Recovery Movement(Morena-Original) 2, PUP 4, CLR 1, FAR 4, UPG 1, independents 15
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders: Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG,former sole party), Simplice Guedet MANZELA, secretary general;Circle of Liberal Reformers (CLR), General Jean Boniface ASSELE;People's Unity Party (PUP), Louis Gaston MAYILA; Gabonese SocialistUnion (USG), Dr. Serge Mba BEKALE; National Recovery Movement -Lumberjacks (Morena-Bucherons/RNB), Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE; GaboneseParty for Progress (PGP), Pierre-Louis AGONDHO-OKAWE, president;National Recovery Movement (Morena-Origina), note - this party won 2seats in the 5 December 1993 elections for the National Assembly butis no longer very active; Gabonese Party for Progress (PGP), PierreLouis AGONDJO OKAWE; African Forum for Reconstruction (FAR), LeonMBOU-YEMBI, secretary general; Gabonese People's Union (UPG), PierreMAMBOUNDOU
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU,IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol,IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Paul BOUNDOUKOU-LATHAchancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth RASPOLIC embassy: Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville mailing address: B. P. 4000, Libreville telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, 74 34 92 FAX: [241] 74 55 07
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Notwithstanding its serious ongoing economic problems, Gabon enjoys a per capita income more than three times that of most nations of sub-Saharan Africa. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Real GDP growth has been feeble since 1992 and Gabon continues to face the problem of fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, manganese, and uranium exports. Despite an abundance of natural wealth, and a manageable rate of population growth, the economy is hobbled by poor fiscal management. In 1992, the fiscal deficit widened to 2.4% of GDP, and Gabon failed to settle arrears on its bilateral debt, leading to a cancellation of rescheduling agreements with official and private creditors. Devaluation of its Francophone currency by 50% on 12 January 1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped to 15% in 1995. Nevertheless, the government must continue to keep a tight rein on spending and wage increases. The IMF and France are considering offering financial assistance in 1996 if Gabon shows progress in privatization and fiscal discipline.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 8.2% industry: 44.7% services: 47.1% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1995 est.)
Labor force: 120,000 salaried by occupation: agriculture 65.0%, industry and commerce 30.0%, services 2.5%, government 2.5%
Unemployment rate: 10%-14% (1993 est.)
Budget:revenues: $1.3 billionexpenditures: $1.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $311million (1993 est.)
Industries: food and beverage; textile; lumbering and plywood; cement; petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, uranium, and gold mining; chemicals; ship repair
Industrial production growth rate: -3% (1991)
Electricity: capacity: 315,000 kW production: 910 million kWh consumption per capita: 757 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil; rubber; okoume (a tropical softwood); cattle; small fishing operations (provide a catch of about 20,000 metric tons)
Exports: $2.1 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: crude oil 80%, timber 14%, manganese 6%, uranium partners: US 50%, France 16%, Japan 8%, Spain 6%, Germany NA (1994 est.)
Imports: $800 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, chemical products, petroleum products, construction materials, manufactures, machinery partners: France 35%, African countries, US, Japan, Netherlands (1994)
External debt: $3.8 billion (1993 )
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $75 million (1993)
Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100centimes
Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),282.11 (1991)note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since1948
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 649 km Gabon State Railways (OCTRA)standard gauge: 649 km 1.435-m gauge; single track (1994)
Highways: total: 7,456 km paved: 560 km unpaved: 6,896 km (1988 est.)
Waterways: 1,600 km perennially navigable
Pipelines: crude oil 270 km; petroleum products 14 km
Ports: Cape Lopez, Kango, Lambarene, Libreville, Mayumba, Owendo,Port-Gentil
Merchant marine:total: 3 bulk (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 36,976 GRT/60,319 DWT(1995 est.)
Airports:total: 54with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 7with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 21with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 8with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 15 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: 22,000 (1991 est.)
Telephone system:domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay,tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and adomestic satellite system with 12 earth stationsinternational: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 6, shortwave 0
Radios: 250,000 (1993 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 3 (repeaters 5)
Televisions: 40,000 (1993 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard, NationalGendarmerie, National Police
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 273,662 males fit for military service: 139,439 males reach military age (20) annually: 10,966 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $154 million, 2.4% of GDP (1993)
======================================================================
@Gaza Strip —————
The Israel-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. Permanent status negotiations began on 5 May 1996.
Map —-
Location: 31 25 N, 34 20 E — Middle East, bordering theMediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel
Geography ————-
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, betweenEgypt and Israel
Geographic coordinates: 31 25 N, 34 20 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:total area: 360 sq kmland area: 360 sq kmcomparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 62 km border countries: Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims: Israeli occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation
International disputes: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation
Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers
Terrain: flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use:arable land: 13%permanent crops: 32%meadows and pastures: 0%forest and woodland: 0%other: 55%
Irrigated land: 115 sq km (1992 est.)
Environment: current issues: desertification natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA
Geographic note: there are 24 Israeli settlements and civilianland use sites in the Gaza Strip (August 1995 est.)
People ———
Population: 923,940 (July 1996 est.)note: in addition, there are 5,000 Israeli settlers in the GazaStrip (August 1995 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 52% (male 244,026; female 231,976)15-64 years: 46% (male 210,706; female 210,764)65 years and over: 2% (male 11,553; female 14,915) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 6.79% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 50.67 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.4 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 21.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/femaleall ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.98 years male: 70.69 years female: 73.34 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 7.79 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA
Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 99.4%, Jewish 0.6%
Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 98.7%, Christian 0.7%,Jewish 0.6%
Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers), English(widely understood)
Literacy: NA
Government —————
Government note: Under the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements ("the DOP"), Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, which includes a Palestinian Legislative Council elected in January 1996, as part of interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho has taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September 1995 Interim Agreement. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external security and for internal security and public order of settlements and Israelis. Permanent status is to be determined through direct negotiations within five years.
Name of country: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gaza Strip local long form: none local short form: Qita Ghazzah
Data code: GZ
Economy ———-
Economic overview: In 1991 roughly 40% of Gaza Strip workers were employed across the border by Israeli industrial, construction, and agricultural enterprises, with worker remittances supplementing GDP by roughly 50%. Gaza has depended upon Israel for nearly 90% of its external trade. Aggravating the impact of Israeli military administration, unrest in the territory from 1988 to 1993 (intifadah) raised unemployment and lowered the standard of living of Gazans. The Persian Gulf crisis and its aftershocks also dealt blows to Gaza since August 1990. Worker remittances from the Gulf states have dropped, unemployment has increased, and exports have fallen. The withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip in May 1994 has brought a new set of adjustment problems. The stringent border restrictions have held back economic growth in 1995 and 1996.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 3%-4% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,200 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 33% industry: 7% services: 60% (1995 est., includes West Bank)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1995 est.)
Labor force: NAby occupation: construction 33.4%, agriculture 20.0%, commerce,restaurants, and hotels 14.9%, industry 10.0%, other services 21.7%(1991)note: excluding Israeli settlers
Unemployment rate: 30%-45% (1995 est.)
Budget: $NA
Industries: generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis have established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial center
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: power supplied by Israel
Agriculture: olives, citrus, other fruits, vegetables; beef, dairy products
Exports: $49 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)commodities: citruspartners: Israel, Egypt
Imports: $339 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materialspartners: Israel, Egypt
External debt: $NA
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $NAnote: $410 million (est.) disbursed from international aid pledgesin 1995 (includes aid to West Bank)
Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot
Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 3.1295 (January 1996), 3.0113 (1995), 3.0111 (1994), 2.8301 (1993), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992)
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: NA km; note - one line, abandoned and in disrepair, littletrackage remains
Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: small, poorly developed road network
Ports: Gaza
Airports: total: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications ———————
Telephones: NAnote: 10% of Palestinian households have telephones (1992 est.)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: NA
Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: NA; note - 95% of Palestinian households have radios (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA; note - 59% of Palestinian households havetelevisions (1992 est.)
Defense ———-
Branches: NA
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: NA males fit for military service: NA
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
======================================================================
@Georgia ———-
Beset by ethnic and civil strife since independence in 1991, Georgia began to stabilize in 1994. Separatist conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia have been dormant for more than two years, although political settlements remain elusive. Russian peacekeepers are deployed in both regions and a UN Observer Mission is operating in Abkhazia. As a result of these conflicts, Georgia still has about 250,000 internally displaced people. In November 1995, Georgia held peaceful, generally free and fair nationwide presidential and parliamentary elections. Although the country continues to suffer from a crippling economic crisis, aggravated by a severe energy shortage, some progress has been made and the Georgian Government remains committed to economic reform in cooperation with the IMF and the World Bank. Violence and organized crime were sharply curtailed in 1995.
Map —-
Location: 42 00 N, 43 30 E — Southwestern Asia, bordering theBlack Sea, between Turkey and Russia
Flag ——
Description: maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist sidecorner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below
Geography ————-
Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, betweenTurkey and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 43 30 E
Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States
Area:total area: 69,700 sq kmland area: 69,700 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than South Carolina
Land boundaries:total: 1,461 kmborder countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km,Turkey 252 km
Coastline: 310 km
Maritime claims: NA
International disputes: none
Climate: warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
Terrain: largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in thenorth and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhida Lowlandopens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east;good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of KolkhidaLowlandlowest point: Black Sea 0 mhighest point: Mt'a Mqinvartsveri (Gora Kazbek) 5,048 m
Natural resources: forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, ironore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soilsallow for important tea and citrus growth
Land use:arable land: 11%permanent crops: 4%meadows and pastures: 29%forest and woodland: 38%other: 18%
Irrigated land: 4,660 sq km (1990)
Environment:current issues: air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavypollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies ofpotable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicalsnatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
People ———
Population: 5,219,810 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 22% (male 595,524; female 571,207)15-64 years: 66% (male 1,643,506; female 1,784,286)65 years and over: 12% (male 229,910; female 395,377) (July 1996est.)
Population growth rate: -1.02% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 12.81 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.21 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -10.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.9 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 22.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.09 years male: 63.43 years female: 72.98 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian
Ethnic divisions: Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%,Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%
Religions: Christian Orthodox 75% (Georgian Orthodox 65%, RussianOrthodox 10%), Muslim 11%, Armenian Apostolic 8%, unknown 6%
Languages: Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, Georgian 71% (official), Russian9%, other 7%
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)total population: 99%male: 100%female: 98%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Republic of Georgiaconventional short form: Georgialocal long form: Sak'art'velos Respublikalocal short form: Sak'art'veloformer: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code: GG
Type of government: republic
Capital: T'bilisi
Administrative divisions: 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoyrespubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abkhazia (Sokhumi), Ajaria(Bat'umi)note: the administrative centers of the autonomous republics areincluded in parentheses; there are no oblasts - the rayons aroundT'bilisi are under direct republic jurisdiction
Independence: 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 May (1991)
Constitution: adopted 17 October 1995
Legal system: based on civil law system
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state and head of government: President EduardAmvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (previously elected Chairman of theGovernment Council 10 March 1992, Council has since been disbanded;previously elected Chairman of Parliament 11 October 1992);presidential election last held 5 November 1995 (next to be held NAApril 2001); results - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 74%; president's term tolast five yearscabinet: Cabinet of Ministers
Legislative branch: unicameral Georgian Parliament: elections last held 5 November 1995 (next to be held NA November 2000); results - CUG 24%, NDP 8%, All Georgia Revival Union 7%, all other parties received less than 5% each; seats - (235 total) number of seats by party NA
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Citizens Union of Georgia (CUG),Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, Zurab ZHVANIA, general secretary; NationalDemocratic Party (NDP), Irina SARISHVILI-CHANTARIA; UnitedRepublican Party, umbrella organization for parties including theGPF and the Charter 1991 Party, Notar NATADZE, chairman; GeorgianPopular Front (GPF), Nodar NATADZE, chairman; Charter 1991 Party,Tedo PAATASHVILI; Georgian Social Democratic Party (GSDP), GuramMUCHAIDZE, secretary general; All Georgia Union for Revival, AlsanABASHIDZE; Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Irakli SHENGELAYA;Democratic Georgia Union (DGU), Avtandil MARGIANI; NationalIndependence Party (NIP), Irakliy TSERETELI, chairman; GeorgianMonarchists' Party (GMP), Temur ZHORZHOLIANI; Greens Party; AgrarianParty of Georgia (APG), Roin LIPARTELIANI; United Communist Party ofGeorgia (UCP), Panteleimon GIORGADZE, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: supporters of ousted PresidentZviad GAMSAKHURDIA (deceased 1 January 1994) remain a source ofopposition; separatist elements in the breakaway region of Abkhazia
International organization participation: BSEC, CCC, CIS, EBRD,ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat,Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in US:chief of mission: Ambassador Tedo JAPARIDZEchancery: (temporary) Suite 424, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC20005telephone: [1] (202) 393-5959FAX: [1] (202) 393-6060
US diplomatic representation:chief of mission: Ambassador William H. COURTNEYembassy: #25 Antoneli Street, T'bilisi 380026mailing address: use embassy street addresstelephone: [7] (8832) 98-99-67, 93-38-03FAX: [7] (8832) 93-37-59
Flag: maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist sidecorner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below
Economy ———-
Economic 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 oil products. Its only sizable internal energy resource is hydropower. Since 1991 the economy has sustained severe damage from civil strife. Georgia has been suffering from acute energy shortages, as it is having problems paying for even minimal imports. Georgia is pinning its hopes for long-term recovery largely on reestablishing trade ties with Russia and on developing international transportation through the key Black Sea ports of P'ot'i and Bat'umi. Statistical estimates on Georgia are subject to a particularly wide margin of error, even compared with other FSU countries. The GDP estimate below probably does not reflect much of its grass roots economic activity. GDP is supplemented by considerable EU and US humanitarian aid.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.2 billion (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)
GDP real growth rate: -11% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita: $1,080 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 70.4% industry: 10.2% services: 19.4% (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% monthly average (first half 1995 est.)
Labor force: 2.763 millionby occupation: industry and construction 31%, agriculture andforestry 25%, other 44% (1990)
Unemployment rate: officially less than 5% but real unemploymentmay be more than 20%, with even larger numbers of underemployedworkers
Budget:revenues: $NAexpenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Industries: steel, aircraft, machine tools, foundry equipment, electric locomotives, tower cranes, electric welding equipment, machinery for food preparation and meat packing, electric motors, process control equipment, trucks, tractors, textiles, shoes, chemicals, wood products, wine
Industrial production growth rate: -10% (1995)
Electricity: capacity: 4,410,000 kW production: 9.1 billion kWh consumption per capita: 1,526 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: citrus, grapes, tea, vegetables, potatoes; 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
Exports: $140 million (c.i.f., 1995)commodities: citrus fruits, tea, wine, other agricultural products;diverse types of machinery; ferrous and nonferrous metals; textiles;chemicals; fuel re-exportspartners: Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan
Imports: $250 million (f.o.b., 1995)commodities: fuel, grain and other foods, machinery and parts,transport equipmentpartners: Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey; note - EU and US sendhumanitarian food shipments
External debt: $1.2 billion (of which $135 million to Russia)(1995 est.)
Economic aid:recipient: ODA, $28 million (1993)note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,200 million ($675 milliondisbursements)
Currency: lari introduced September 1995 replacing the coupon
Exchange rates: laris per US$1 - 1.24 (end December 1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation ———————
Railways:total: 1,570 km in common carrier service; does not includeindustrial linesbroad gauge: 1,570 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)
Highways:total: 35,100 kmpaved: 31,200 kmunpaved: 3,900 km (1990 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 370 km; refined products 300 km; natural gas440 km (1992)
Ports: Bat'umi, P'ot'i, Sokhumi
Merchant marine:total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 307,765 GRT/483,567 DWTships by type: bulk 8, cargo 2, oil tanker 12, short-sea passenger 1(1995 est.)
Airports:total: 28with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1with paved runways under 914 m: 1with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5with unpaved runways under 914 m: 6 (1994 est.)
Transportation note: transportation network is in poor condition and disrupted by ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages; network lacks maintenance and repair
Communications ———————
Telephones: 672,000 (1993 est.)
Telephone system: poor service; 339,000 unsatisfied applicationsfor telephones (December 1990 est.)domestic: NAinternational: landline to CIS members and Turkey; satellite earthstation - 1 Eutelsat; leased connections with other countries viathe Moscow international gateway switch; international electronicmail and telex service available
Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 3
Televisions: NA
Defense ———-
Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces,Republic Security Forces (internal and border troops)
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,288,291 males fit for military service: 1,021,632 males reach military age (18) annually: 40,654 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $60 million to $65 million, NA% of GDP (1995)
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@Germany ———-
Map —-
Location: 51 00 N, 9 00 E — Central Europe, bordering the BalticSea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south ofDenmark
Flag ——
Description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, andyellow
Geography ————-
Location: Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the NorthSea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark
Geographic coordinates: 51 00 N, 9 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: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 German Democratic Republic, and Berlin, following formalunification on 3 October 1990
Land boundaries:total: 3,621 kmborder countries: Austria 784 km, Belgium 167 km, Czech Republic 646km, Denmark 68 km, France 451 km, Luxembourg 138 km, Netherlands 577km, Poland 456 km, Switzerland 334 km
Coastline: 2,389 km
Maritime claims:continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitationexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters andsummers; occasional warm, tropical foehn wind; high relative humidity
Terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps insouthlowest point: Freepsum Lake -2 mhighest point: Zugspitze 2,962 m
Natural resources: iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite,uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel
Land 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 industriesand lead emissions from vehicle exhausts (the result of continueduse of leaded fuels) contribute to air pollution; acid rain,resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; heavypollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluentsfrom rivers in eastern Germanynatural hazards: NAinternational agreements: party to - Air Pollution, AirPollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, AirPollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-EnvironmentalProtocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, EndangeredSpecies, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of theSea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Desertification, Tropical Timber 94
Geographic note: strategic location on North European Plain andalong the entrance to the Baltic Sea
People ———
Population: 83,536,115 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 16.15% (male 6,928,750; female 6,563,026)15-64 years: 68.52% (male 29,339,780; female 27,902,549)65 years and over: 15.33% (male 4,658,014; female 8,143,996) (July1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.67% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 9.66 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 12.21 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 8.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/femaleall ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.95 years male: 72.8 years female: 79.27 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality:noun: German(s)adjective: German
Ethnic divisions: German 95.1%, Turkish 2.3%, Italians 0.7%,Greeks 0.4%, Poles 0.4%, other 1.1% (made up largely of peoplefleeing the war in the former Yugoslavia)
Religions: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 37%, unaffiliated orother 18%
Languages: German
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1977 est.)total population: 99%male: NA%female: NA%
Government —————
Name of country:conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germanyconventional short form: Germanylocal long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschlandlocal short form: Deutschland
Data code: GM
Type of government: federal republic
Capital: Berlinnote: the shift from Bonn to Berlin will take place over a period ofyears, with Bonn retaining many administrative functions and severalministries
Administrative 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, Thueringen
Independence: 18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October 1990; all four power rights formally relinquished 15 March 1991
National holiday: German Unity Day (Day of Unity), 3 October (1990)
Constitution: 23 May 1949, known as Basic Law; became constitution of the united German people 3 October 1990
Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: President Roman HERZOG (since 1 July 1994) waselected by the Federal Convention including members of the Bundestagand an equal number of members elected by the Land Parliamentshead of government: Chancellor Dr. Helmut KOHL (since 4 October1982) was elected by an absolute majority of the Bundestagcabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president upon the proposal ofthe chancellor
Legislative branch: bicameral chamber (no official name for thetwo chambers as a whole)Federal Assembly (Bundestag): election last held 16 October 1994(next to be held by NA 1998); results - CDU 34.2%, SPD 36.4%,Alliance 90/Greens 7.3%, CSU 7.3%, FDP 6.9%, PDS 4.4%, Republicans1.9%; seats - (usually 656 total, but 672 for the 1994 term) CDU244, SPD 252, Alliance 90/Greens 49, CSU 50, FDP 47, PDS 30; electedby direct popular vote under a system combining direct andproportional representation; a party must win 5% of the nationalvote or three direct mandates to gain representationFederal Council (Bundesrat): State governments are directlyrepresented by votes; each has 3 to 6 votes depending on size andare required to vote as a block; current composition: votes - (68total) SPD-led states 41, CDU-led states 27
Judicial branch: Federal Constitutional Court(Bundesverfassungsgericht), half the judges are elected by theBundestag and half by the Bundesrat
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Union (CDU),Helmut KOHL, chairman; Christian Social Union (CSU), Theo WAIGEL,chairman; Free Democratic Party (FDP), Wolfgang GERHARDT, chairman;Social Democratic Party (SPD), Oskar LA FONTAINE, chairman; Alliance'90/Greens, Krista SAGER, Juergen TRITTIN, cochairpersons; Party ofDemocratic Socialism (PDS), Lothar BISKY, chairman; Republikaner,Rolf SCHLIERER, chairman; National Democratic Party (NPD),Ellen-Doris SCHERER; Communist Party (DKP), Rolf PRIEMER and HeinzSTEHR, cochairpersons
Other political or pressure groups: expellee, refugee, andveterans groups
International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer),AsDB, Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CDB (non-regional),CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 5, G- 7, G-10, IADB,IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO,MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE,PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMIR, UNCRO, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNOMIG, UNPROFOR, UPU, WEU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Juergen CHROBOG chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-4000 FAX: [1] (202) 298-4249 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Charles E. REDMAN embassy: Deichmanns Aue 29, 53170 Bonn mailing address: APO AE 09080, PSC 117, Bonn telephone: [49] (228) 3391 FAX: [49] (228) 339-2663 branch office: Berlin consulate(s) general: Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich, and Stuttgart
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and yellow
Economy ———-
Economic overview: Germany, the world's third-most powerful economy, faces its own unique problem of bringing its eastern area up to scratch after 45 years of communist rule. Despite substantial progress toward economic integration, the eastern states will continue to rely on subsidies from the federal government into the next century. Assistance to the east of about $100 billion annually has helped the region average nearly 8% annual economic growth since 1991, even though the overall German economy has averaged less than 2% growth. The economic recovery in the east has been led by the construction industries, with growth increasingly supported by the service sectors and light manufacturing industries. Western Germany, which accounts for 90% of overall German GDP and has three times the per capita income of eastern Germany, is perennially the first- or second-largest exporter, after the US, in the world. Nonetheless, business and political leaders have in recent years become increasingly concerned about Germany's apparent decline in attractiveness as a business location. They cite the increasing preference of German companies to locate manufacturing facilities - long the strength of the postwar economy - to foreign countries, including the US, rather than in Germany, so they can be closer to their markets and avoid Germany's high production costs. The conditions under which European economic integration - especially movement toward a single European currency - will proceed will be another key issue facing Germany in the next few years.
GDP:Germany: purchasing power parity - $1.4522 trillion (1995 est.)western: purchasing power parity - $1.3318 trillion (1995 est.)eastern: purchasing power parity - $120.4 billion (1995 est.)
GDP real growth rate:Germany: 1.8% (1995 est.)western: 1.5% (1995 est.)eastern: 6.3% (1995 est.)
GDP per capita:Germany: $17,900 (1995 est.)western: $21,100 (1995 est.)eastern: $6,600 (1995 est.)
GDP composition by sector:agriculture: 1%industry: 34.2%services: 64.8% (1994)