.ga
Internet hosts:
88 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
1 (2001)
Internet users:
145,000 (2007)
TransportationGabon
Airports:
53 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 10 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 43 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 23 (2007)
Pipelines:
gas 384 km; oil 1,427 km (2007)
Railways:
total: 814 km standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2006)
Roadways:
total: 9,170 km paved: 937 km unpaved: 8,233 km (2004)
Waterways:
1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2007)
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 2 (Cambodia 1, Panama 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Gamba, Libreville, Lucinda, Port-Gentil
MilitaryGabon
Military branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police
Military service age and obligation:
20 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 331,181 females age 16-49: 332,498 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 192,717 females age 16-49: 188,539 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 16,558 female: 16,577 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.4% of GDP (2005 est.)
Transnational IssuesGabon
Disputes - international:
UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and lesser islands and to establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 7,178 (Republic of Congo) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Gabon is predominantly a destination country for children trafficked from other African countries for the purpose of forced labor; girls are primarily trafficked for domestic servitude, forced market vending, forced restaurant labor, and sexual exploitation, while boys are trafficked for forced street hawking and forced labor in small workshops tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Gabon is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007, particularly in terms of efforts to convict and punish trafficking offenders; the government has not reported the convictions or sentences of any trafficking offenders; the government did not take steps to reduce demand for commercial sex acts (2008)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Gambia, The
IntroductionGambia, The
Background:
The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president in all subsequent elections, including most recently in late 2006.
GeographyGambia, The
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 11,300 sq km land: 10,000 sq km water: 1,300 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Delaware
Land boundaries:
total: 740 km border countries: Senegal 740 km
Coastline:
80 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm continental shelf: extent not specified
Climate:
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)
Terrain:
flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 53 m
Natural resources:
fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 27.88% permanent crops: 0.44% other: 71.68% (2005)
Irrigated land:
20 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
8 cu km (1982)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.03 cu km/yr (23%/12%/65%) per capita: 20 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa
PeopleGambia, The
Population:
1,735,464 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43.9% (male 382,385/female 378,853) 15-64 years: 53.4% (male 459,315/female 466,689) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 24,303/female 23,919) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.9 years male: 17.7 years female: 18 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.724% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
38.36 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
11.74 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 68.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 75.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 62.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 54.95 years male: 53.06 years female: 56.9 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.13 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.2% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
6,800 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
600 (2003 est.)
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2008)
Nationality:
noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian
Ethnic groups:
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003 census)
Religions:
Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%
Languages:
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 40.1% male: 47.8% female: 32.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 7 years male: 7 years female: 7 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
2% of GDP (2004)
GovernmentGambia, The
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Banjul geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western
Independence:
18 February 1965 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
Constitution:
approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January 1997
Legal system:
based on a composite of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); note - from 1994 to 1996 he was chairman of the Junta; Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 22 September 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 67.3%, Ousainou DARBOE 26.6%, Halifa SALLAH 6.0%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 25 January 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APRC 47, UDP 4, NADD 1, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC (theruling party) [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; Gambia People's DemocraticParty or GPDP [Henry GOMEZ]; National Alliance for Democracy andDevelopment or NADD [Halifa SALLAH]; National Convention Party orNCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N.K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence andSocialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA]; United Democratic Party or UDP[Ousainou DARBOE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
National Environment Agency or NEA; West African Peace BuildingNetwork-Gambian Chapter or WANEB-GAMBIA; Youth Employment NetworkGambia or YENGambiaother: special needs group advocates; teachers and principals
International organization participation:
ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Abdul Rahman COLE chancery: Suite 600, 1424 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Barry L. WELLS embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 439-2856, 437-6169, 437-6170 FAX: [220] 439-2475
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green
EconomyGambia, The
Economy - overview:
The Gambia has no confirmed mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger markets for tourism in West Africa. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts. Despite an announced program to begin privatizing key parastatals, no plans have been made public that would indicate that the government intends to follow through on its promises. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high; short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors, and on expected growth in the construction sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.061 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$653 million (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
7% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,200 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 32.8% industry: 8.7% services: 58.5% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
400,000 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 75% industry: 19% services: 6% (1996)
Unemployment rate:
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 37% (1998)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.2 (1998)
Investment (gross fixed):
25.4% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $181.1 million expenditures: $163.4 million (2007 est.)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
10% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
27.92% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$186.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$180.4 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$169.9 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
rice, millet, sorghum, peanuts, corn, sesame, cassava (tapioca), palm kernels; cattle, sheep, goats
Industries:
processing peanuts, fish, and hides; tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing
Industrial production growth rate:
-2.3% (2007 est.)
Electricity - production:
200.2 million kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
143.6 million kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
2,082 bbl/day (2006 est.)
Oil - exports:
41.62 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
2,123 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Current account balance:
-$71 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$88 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels, re-exports
Exports - partners:
India 37.7%, China 17.5%, UK 8.7%, France 5.1%, Belgium 4.2% (2007)
Imports:
$271 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, manufactures, fuel, machinery and transport equipment
Imports - partners:
China 23.7%, Senegal 11.5%, Cote d'Ivoire 8.3%, Brazil 8%,Netherlands 5.2% (2007)
Economic aid - recipient:
$58.15 million (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$142.8 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$628.8 million (2003 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Currency (code):
dalasi (GMD)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
dalasis (GMD) per US dollar - 27.79 (2007), 28.066 (2006), 28.575 (2005), 30.03 (2004), 27.306 (2003)
CommunicationsGambia, The
Telephones - main lines in use:
76,400 (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
795,900 (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate; a packet switched data network is available; two mobile-cellular service providers domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay and open-wire; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity reached 50 telephones per 100 persons in 2007 international: country code - 220; microwave radio relay links to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001)
Radios:
196,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (government-owned) (1997)
Televisions:
5,000 (2000)
Internet country code:
.gm
Internet hosts:
320 (2008)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
2 (2001)
Internet users:
100,200 (2007)
TransportationGambia, The
Airports:
1 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007)
Roadways:
total: 3,742 km paved: 723 km unpaved: 3,019 km (2004)
Waterways:
390 km (on River Gambia; small ocean-going vessels can reach 190 km) (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 5 by type: passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1 (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Banjul
MilitaryGambia, The
Military branches:
Office of the Chief of Defense: Gambian National Army (NationalGuard, GNA), Gambian Navy (GN) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 379,668 females age 16-49: 384,438 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 230,202 females age 16-49: 244,480 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 19,650 female: 19,582 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.5% of GDP (2006)
Transnational IssuesGambia, The
Disputes - international:
attempts to stem refugees, cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and other illegal activities by separatists from southern Senegal's Casamance region, as well as from conflicts in other west African states
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 5,955 (Sierra Leone) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: The Gambia is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation; women and girls, and to a lesser extent boys, are trafficked for sexual exploitation - in particular to meet the demand for European sex tourism - and for domestic servitude; boys are trafficked within the country for forced begging and street vending; Gambian women and children may be trafficked to Europe through trafficking schemes disguised as migrant smuggling tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, The Gambia is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking; The Gambia failed to report any trafficking arrests, prosecutions, or convictions in 2007, and the government demonstrated weak victim protection efforts during the reporting period (2008)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
======================================================================
@Gaza Strip
IntroductionGaza Strip
Background:
The September 1993 Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements provided for a transitional period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Under a series of agreements signed between May 1994 and September 1999, Israel transferred to the Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank and Gaza. Negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West Bank and Gaza stalled following the outbreak of an intifada in September 2000, as Israeli forces reoccupied most Palestinian-controlled areas. In April 2003, the Quartet (US, EU, UN, and Russia) presented a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005 based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. The proposed date for a permanent status agreement was postponed indefinitely due to violence and accusations that both sides had not followed through on their commitments. Following Palestinian leader Yasir ARAFAT's death in late 2004, Mahmud ABBAS was elected PA president in January 2005. A month later, Israel and the PA agreed to the Sharm el-Sheikh Commitments in an effort to move the peace process forward. In September 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew all its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip and withdrew settlers and redeployed soldiers from four small northern West Bank settlements. Nonetheless, Israel controls maritime, airspace, and most access to the Gaza Strip. A November 2005 PA-Israeli agreement authorized the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt under joint PA and Egyptian control. In January 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS, won control of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). The international community refused to accept the HAMAS-led government because it did not recognize Israel, would not renounce violence, and refused to honor previous peace agreements between Israel and the PA. HAMAS took control of the PA government in March 2006, but President ABBAS had little success negotiating with HAMAS to present a political platform acceptable to the international community so as to lift economic sanctions on Palestinians. The PLC was unable to convene throughout most of 2006 as a result of Israel's detention of many HAMAS PLC members and Israeli-imposed travel restrictions on other PLC members. Violent clashes took place between Fatah and HAMAS supporters in the Gaza Strip in 2006 and early 2007, resulting in numerous Palestinian deaths and injuries. ABBAS and HAMAS Political Bureau Chief MISHAL in February 2007 signed the Mecca Agreement in Saudi Arabia that resulted in the formation of a Palestinian National Unity Government (NUG) headed by HAMAS member Ismail HANIYA. However, fighting continued in the Gaza Strip, and in June, HAMAS militants succeeded in a violent takeover of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip. ABBAS dismissed the NUG and through a series of Presidential decrees formed a PA government in the West Bank led by independent Salam FAYYAD. HAMAS rejected the NUG's dismissal and has called for resuming talks with Fatah, but ABBAS has ruled out negotiations until HAMAS agrees to a return of PA control over the Gaza Strip and recognizes the FAYYAD-led government. FAYYAD and his PA government initiated a series of security and economic reforms to improve conditions in the West Bank. ABBAS participated in talks with Israel's Prime Minister OLMERT and secured the release of some Palestinian prisoners and previously withheld customs revenue. During a November 2007 international meeting in Annapolis Maryland, ABBAS and OLMERT agreed to resume peace negotiations with the goal of reaching a final peace settlement by the end of 2008.
GeographyGaza Strip
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt andIsrael
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 360 sq km land: 360 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
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
Climate:
temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers
Terrain:
flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Auda) 105 m
Natural resources:
arable land, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 29% permanent crops: 21% other: 50% (2002)
Irrigated land:
150 sq km; note - includes West Bank (2003)
Natural hazards:
droughts
Environment - current issues:
desertification; salination of fresh water; sewage treatment; water-borne disease; soil degradation; depletion and contamination of underground water resources
Geography - note:
strategic strip of land along Mideast-North African trade routes has experienced an incredibly turbulent history; the town of Gaza itself has been besieged countless times in its history
PeopleGaza Strip
Population:
1,500,202 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44.7% (male 343,988/female 325,856) 15-64 years: 52.7% (male 403,855/female 386,681) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 16,196/female 23,626) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.2 years male: 17 years female: 17.4 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.422% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
37.75 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
3.53 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.16 years male: 71.6 years female: 74.83 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.19 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: NA adjective: NA
Ethnic groups:
Palestinian Arab
Religions:
Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 99.3%, Christian 0.7%
Languages:
Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by many Palestinians), English (widely understood)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.4% male: 96.7% female: 88% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
GovernmentGaza Strip
Country name:
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gaza Strip local long form: none local short form: Qita Ghazzah
EconomyGaza Strip
Economy - overview:
High population density, limited land access, and strict internal and external security controls have kept economic conditions in the Gaza Strip - the smaller of the two areas under the Palestinian Authority (PA)- even more degraded than in the West Bank. The beginning of the second intifada in September 2000 sparked an economic downturn, largely the result of Israeli closure policies; these policies, which were imposed to address security concerns in Israel, disrupted labor and trade access to and from the Gaza Strip. In 2001, and even more severely in 2003, Israeli military measures in PA areas resulted in the destruction of capital, the disruption of administrative structures, and widespread business closures. The Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in September 2005 offered some medium-term opportunities for economic growth, but continued Israeli-imposed crossings closures, which became more restrictive after Hamas violently took over the territory in June 2007, have resulted in widespread private sector layoffs and shortages of most goods.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$5.034 billion (includes West Bank) (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.328 billion (includes West Bank) (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-8% (includes West Bank) (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,100 (includes West Bank) (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8% industry: 13% services: 79% (includes West Bank) (2006 est.)
Labor force:
267,000 (2006)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 12% industry: 18% services: 70% (2005)
Unemployment rate:
34.8% (2006)
Population below poverty line:
80% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $1.149 billion expenditures: $2.31 billion note: includes West Bank (2006)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.6% (includes West Bank) (2006)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.73% (31 December 2006)
Stock of money:
$1.574 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$3.048 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$1.455 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
olives, citrus, vegetables; beef, dairy products
Industries:
generally small family businesses that produce textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs; the Israelis had established some small-scale modern industries in an industrial center, but operations ceased prior to Israel's evacuation of Gaza Strip settlements
Industrial production growth rate:
2.4% (includes West Bank) (2005)
Electricity - production:
140,000 kWh (2005)
Electricity - consumption:
230,000 kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports:
90,000 kWh; note - from Israeli Electric Company (2005)
Exports:
$301 million f.o.b.; (includes West Bank) (2005)
Exports - commodities:
citrus, flowers, textiles
Exports - partners:
Israel, Egypt, West Bank (2006)
Imports:
$2.44 billion c.i.f.; (includes West Bank) (2005)
Imports - commodities:
food, consumer goods, construction materials
Imports - partners:
Israel, Egypt, West Bank (2006)
Economic aid - recipient:
$1.4 billion; (includes West Bank) (2006 est.)
Debt - external:
Currency (code):
new Israeli shekel (ILS)
Currency code:
Exchange rates:
new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006), 4.4877 (2005), 4.482 (2004), 4.5541 (2003)
CommunicationsGaza Strip
Telephones - main lines in use:
350,400 (includes West Bank) (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.026 million (includes West Bank) (2007)
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed line services; the Palestinian JAWAL company provides cellular services international: country code - 970 (2004)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 10, shortwave 0 (2008)
Radios:
NA; note - most Palestinian households have radios (1999)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (2008)
Televisions:
NA; note - most Palestinian households have televisions (1997)
Internet country code:
.ps; note - same as West Bank
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
3 (1999)
Internet users:
355,500 (includes West Bank) (2007)
TransportationGaza Strip
Airports:
2 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007)
Heliports:
1 (2007)
Roadways:
note: see entry for West Bank
Ports and terminals:
Gaza
MilitaryGaza Strip
Military branches:
in accordance with the peace agreement, the Palestinian Authority is not permitted conventional military forces; there are, however, public security forces (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 337,670 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 291,467 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 19,275 female: 18,309 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
Transnational IssuesGaza Strip
Disputes - international:
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; Israel removed settlers and military personnel from the Gaza Strip in August 2005
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 1.017 million (Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)) (2007)
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008
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@Georgia
IntroductionGeorgia
Background:
The region of present-day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D. and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. An attempt by the incumbent Georgian government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. New elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his National Movement party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Georgian military action in South Ossetia in early August 2008 led to a Russian military response that not only occupied the breakaway areas, but large portions of Georgia proper as well. Russian troops pulled back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This action was strongly condemned by most of the world's nations and international organizations.
GeographyGeorgia
Location:
Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Asia
Area:
total: 69,700 sq km land: 69,700 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 1,461 km border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km
Coastline:
310 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
Terrain:
largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m
Natural resources:
forests, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth
Land use:
arable land: 11.51% permanent crops: 3.79% other: 84.7% (2005)
Irrigated land:
4,690 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
63.3 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 3.61 cu km/yr (20%/21%/59%) per capita: 808 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them
PeopleGeorgia
Population:
4,630,841 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.3% (male 402,961/female 352,735) 15-64 years: 67.1% (male 1,496,802/female 1,610,725) 65 years and over: 16.6% (male 307,795/female 459,823) (2008 est.)
Median age:
total: 38.3 years male: 35.8 years female: 40.7 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.325% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
10.62 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
9.51 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
-4.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.13 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.81 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.51 years male: 73.21 years female: 80.26 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.43 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian
Ethnic groups:
Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5% (2002 census)
Religions:
Orthodox Christian 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%,Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census)
Languages:
Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.1% of GDP (2006)
GovernmentGeorgia
Country name: