October, 1993 [Etext #87]Part 13 out of 42military age (18) annually 386,504 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $36.6 billion, 3.1% of GDP (1993 est.) *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 km2 land area: 89,150 km2 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 km2 Environment: mostly an unsettled wilderness *French Guiana, People Population: 133,376 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 4.42% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 26.46 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 4.72 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 22.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 16.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.87 years male: 71.59 years female: 78.32 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.54 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: French Guianese (singular and plural) adjective: French Guianese Ethnic divisions: black or mulatto 66%, Caucasian 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10% Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: French Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982) total population: 82% male: 81% female: 83% Labor force: 23,265 by occupation: services, government, and commerce 60.6%, industry 21.2%, agriculture 18.2% (1980) *French Guiana, Government Names: conventional long form: Department of Guiana conventional short form: French Guiana local long form: none local short form: Guyane Digraph: FG Type: overseas department of France Capital: Cayenne Administrative divisions: none (overseas department of France) Independence: none (overseas department of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Political parties and leaders: Guianese Socialist Party (PSG), Gerard HOLDER; Rally for the Republic (RPR), Paulin BRUNE; Union of the Center Rally (URC); Union for French Democracy (UDF), Claude Ho A CHUCK; Guyana Democratic Front (FDG), Georges OTHILY Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: French National Assembly: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held March 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) PSG 1, RPR 1 French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) PSG 1 Regional Council: last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (31 total) PSG 16 Executive branch: French president, commissioner of the republic Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional Council Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (highest local court based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana) Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) Head of Government: Prefect Jean-Francois CORDET (since NA 1992) Member of: FZ, WCL Diplomatic representation in US: as an overseas department of France, the interests of French Guiana are represented in the US by France *French Guiana, Government US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France) Flag: the flag of France is used *French Guiana, Economy Overview: The economy is tied closely to that of France through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou, fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities, with exports of fish and fish products (mostly shrimp) accounting for more than 60% of total revenue in 1987. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops - rice, cassava, bananas, and sugarcane - is limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $421 million (1986) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $4,390 (1986) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1987) Unemployment rate: 13% (1990) Budget: revenues $735 million; expenditures $735 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987) Exports: $64.8 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essence partners: France 36%, US 14%, Japan 6% (1990) Imports: $435 million (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods, petroleum partners: France 62%, Trinidad and Tobago 9%, US 4%, FRG 3% (1987) External debt: $1.2 billion (1988) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 92,000 kW capacity; 185 million kWh produced, 1,450 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining Agriculture: some vegetables for local consumption; rice, corn, manioc, cocoa, bananas, sugar; livestock - cattle, pigs, poultry Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.51 billion Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.4812 (January 1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989), 5.9569 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year *French Guiana, Communications Highways: 680 km total; 510 km paved, 170 km improved and unimproved earth Inland waterways: 460 km, navigable by small oceangoing vessels and river and coastal steamers; 3,300 km navigable by native craft Ports: Cayenne Airports: total: 10 usable: 10 with permanent-surface runways: 4 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: fair open-wire and microwave radio relay system; 18,100 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7 FM, 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station *French Guiana, Defense Forces Branches: French Forces, Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males 15-49 39,005; fit for military service 25,477 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP Note: defense is the responsibility of France *French Polynesia, Header Affiliation: (overseas territory of France) *French Polynesia, Geography Location: Oceania, halfway between Australia and South America Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 3,941 km2 land area: 3,660 km2 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 km2 Environment: occasional cyclonic storm in January; includes five archipelagoes Note: 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: 210,333 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.26% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 27.89 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.27 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 15 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.33 years male: 67.95 years female: 72.84 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.32 children born/woman (1993 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 Polynesia conventional short form: French Polynesia local long form: Territoire de la Polynesie Francaise local short form: Polynesie Francaise Digraph: FP Type: overseas territory of France since 1946 Capital: Papeete Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 5 archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, and Iles Sous-le-Vent note: Clipperton Island is administered by France from French Polynesia Independence: none (overseas territory of France) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: based on French system National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Political parties and leaders: People's Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira; Gaullist), Gaston FLOSSE; Polynesian Union Party (Te Tiarama; centrist), Alexandre LEONTIEFF; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api), Emile VERNAUDON; Polynesian Liberation Front (Tavini Huiraatira), Oscar TEMARU; other small parties Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: French National Assembly: last held 5 and 12 June 1988 (next to be held 21 and 28 March 1993); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) People's Rally (Gaullist) 1, New Fatherland Party 1 French Senate: last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) party NA Territorial Assembly: last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) People's Rally (Gaullist) 18, Polynesian Union Party 14, New Fatherland Party 5, other 4 Executive branch: French president, high commissioner of the republic, president of the Council of Ministers, vice president of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Court of the First Instance, Court of Administrative Law *French Polynesia, Government Leaders: Chief of State: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); High Commissioner of the Republic Michel JAU (since NA 1992) Head of Government: President of the Council of Ministers Gaston FLOSSE (since 10 May 1991); Vice President of the Council of Ministers Joel BUILLARD (since 12 September 1991) Member of: ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: as an overseas territory of France, French Polynesian interests are represented in the US by 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 in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. Tourism accounts for about 20% of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.2 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $6,000 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (1989) Unemployment rate: 14.9% (1988 est.) Budget: revenues $614 million; expenditures $957 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988) Exports: $88.9 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: coconut products 79%, mother-of-pearl 14%, vanilla, shark meat partners: France 54%, US 17%, Japan 17% Imports: $765 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, equipment partners: France 53%, US 11%, Australia 6%, NZ 5% External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 75,000 kW capacity; 275 million kWh produced, 1,330 kWh per capita (1992) Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts Agriculture: coconut and vanilla plantations; vegetables and fruit; poultry, beef, dairy products Economic aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $3.95 billion Currency: 1 CFP franc (CFPF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1 - 99.65 (January 1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989), 108.30 (1988); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: calendar year *French Polynesia, Communications Highways: 600 km (1982) Ports: Papeete, Bora-bora Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,127 GRT/6,710 DWT; includes 2 passenger-cargo, 1 refrigerated cargo; note - a captive subset of the French register Airports: total: 43 usable: 41 with permanent-surface runways: 23 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 12 Telecommunications: 33,200 telephones; 84,000 radio receivers; 26,400 TV sets; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 2 FM, 6 TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station *French Polynesia, Defense Forces Branches: French forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), Gendarmerie Note: defense is responsibility of France *French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Header Affiliation: (overseas territory of France) *French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Geography Location: in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia Map references: Antarctic Region, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 7,781 km2 land area: 7,781 km2 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 km2 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 km2 Environment: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes Note: remote location in the southern Indian Ocean *French Southern and Antarctic Lands, People Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are researchers whose numbers vary 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 Lands conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises Digraph: FS Type: overseas territory of France since 1955; governed by High Administrator Bernard de GOUTTES (since May 1990), who is assisted by a 7-member Consultative Council and a 12-member Scientific Council 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 Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Independence: none (overseas territory of France) Flag: the flag of France is used *French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Economy Overview: Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations and French and other fishing fleets. The fishing catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. Budget: revenues $17.5 million; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992) *French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 292,490 GRT/514,389 DWT; includes 2 cargo, 4 refrigerated cargo, 4 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 2 oil tanker, 3 bulk, 1 multifunction large load carrier; note - a captive subset of the French register Telecommunications: NA *French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France *Gabon, Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator between the Congo and Equatorial Guinea Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 267,670 km2 land area: 257,670 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Colorado Land boundaries: total 2,551 km, Cameroon 298 km, Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 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 Equatorial Guinea because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay Climate: tropical; always hot, humid Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south 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 km2 Environment: deforestation *Gabon, People Population: 1,122,550 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.45% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 28.63 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 14.08 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 97.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.19 years male: 51.46 years female: 57.01 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.02 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Gabonese (singular and plural) adjective: Gabonese Ethnic divisions: Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Eshira, Bapounou, Bateke), Africans and Europeans 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 (1990) total population: 61% male: 74% female: 48% Labor force: 120,000 salaried by 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 Republic conventional short form: Gabon local long form: Republique Gabonaise local short form: Gabon Digraph: GB Type: 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) Constitution: 21 February 1961, revised 15 April 1975 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 National holiday: Renovation Day, 12 March (1968) (Gabonese Democratic Party established) Political parties and leaders: Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG, former sole party), El Hadj Omar BONGO, president; National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks (Morena-Bucherons); Gabonese Party for Progress (PGP); National Recovery Movement (Morena-Original); Association for Socialism in Gabon (APSG); Gabonese Socialist Union (USG); Circle for Renewal and Progress (CRP); Union for Democracy and Development (UDD) Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: National Assembly: last held on 28 October 1990 (next to be held by NA); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (120 total, 111 elected) PDG 62, National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks (Morena-Bucherons) 19, PGP 18, National Recovery Movement (Morena-Original) 7, APSG 6, USG 4, CRP 1, independents 3 President: last held on 9 November 1986 (next to be held December 1993); results - President Omar BONGO was reelected without opposition Executive branch: president, prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State: President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967) Head of Government: Prime Minister Casimir OYE-MBA (since 3 May 1990) *Gabon, Government Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant) chancery: 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 797-1000 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John C. WILSON IV embassy: Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville mailing address: B. P. 4000, Libreville telephone: (241) 762003/4, or 743492 FAX: [241] 745-507 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue *Gabon, Economy Overview: The economy, dependent on timber and manganese until the early 1970s, is now dominated by the oil sector. In 1981-85, oil accounted for about 45% of GDP, 80% of export earnings, and 65% of government revenues on average. The high oil prices of the early 1980s contributed to a substantial increase in per capita national income, stimulated domestic demand, reinforced migration from rural to urban areas, and raised the level of real wages to among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. The subsequent slide of Gabon's economy, which began with falling oil prices in 1985, was reversed in 1989-90, but debt servicing obligations continue to limit prospects for further domestic development. Real growth in 1991-92 was weak because of a combination of an overstaffed bureaucracy, a large budget deficit, and the continued underdevelopment of the whole economy outside the petroleum sector. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $4.6 billion (1991) National product real growth rate: 13% (1990 est.) National product per capita: $4,200 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.7% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $1.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $247 million (1990 est.) Exports: $2.2 billion (f.o.b., 1991) commodities: crude oil 80%, manganese 7%, wood 7%, uranium 2% partners: France 48%, US 15%, Germany 2%, Japan 2% Imports: $702 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, chemical products, petroleum products, construction materials, manufactures, machinery partners: France 64%, African countries 7%, US 5%, Japan 3% External debt: $4.4 billion (1991) Industrial production: growth rate - 10% (1988 est.); accounts for 45% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: 315,000 kW capacity; 995 million kWh produced, 920 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: petroleum, food and beverages, lumbering and plywood, textiles, mining - manganese, uranium, gold, cement Agriculture: accounts for 10% 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 product Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $68 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90), $2,342 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $27 million Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes *Gabon, Economy Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 274.06 (January 1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year *Gabon, Communications Railroads: 649 km 1.437-meter standard-gauge single track (Transgabonese Railroad) Highways: 7,500 km total; 560 km paved, 960 km laterite, 5,980 km earth Inland waterways: 1,600 km perennially navigable Pipelines: crude oil 270 km; petroleum products 14 km Ports: Owendo, Port-Gentil, Libreville Merchant marine: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,563 GRT/25,330 DWT Airports: total: 68 usable: 56 with permanent-surface runways: 10 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 22 Telecommunications: adequate system of cable, radio relay, tropospheric scatter links and radiocommunication stations; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 6 FM, 3 (5 repeaters) TV; satellite earth stations - 3 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT and 12 domestic satellite *Gabon, Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard, National Gendarmerie, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 269,066; fit for military service 135,836; reach military age (20) annually 9,680 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $102 million, 3.2% of GDP (1990 est.) *The Gambia, Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean almost completely surrounded by Senegal Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 11,300 km2 land area: 10,000 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Delaware Land boundaries: total 740 km, Senegal 740 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: short section of boundary with Senegal is indefinite 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 Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 16% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 9% forest and woodland: 20% other: 55% Irrigated land: 120 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: deforestation Note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa *The Gambia, People Population: 930,249 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.07% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 46.85 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 16.1 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 126.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 49.61 years male: 47.41 years female: 51.87 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.35 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian Ethnic 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 indigenous vernaculars Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 27% male: 39% female: 16% Labor force: 400,000 (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 75.0%, industry, commerce, and services 18.9%, government 6.1% note: 55% population of working age (1983) *The Gambia, Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: The Gambia Digraph: GA Type: republic under multiparty democratic rule Capital: Banjul Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank,, Upper River, Western Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK; The Gambia and Senegal signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989) Constitution: 24 April 1970 Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Koranic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965) Political parties and leaders: People's Progressive Party (PPP), Dawda K. JAWARA, secretary general; National Convention Party (NCP), Sheriff DIBBA; Gambian People's Party (GPP), Hassan Musa CAMARA; United Party (UP), leader NA; People's Democratic Organization of Independence and Socialism (PDOIS), leader NA; People's Democratic Party (PDP), Jabel SALLAH Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Elections: House of Representatives: last held on 11 March 1987 (next to be held by March 1992); results - PPP 56.6%, NCP 27.6%, GPP 14.7%, PDOIS 1%; seats - (43 total, 36 elected) PPP 31, NCP 5 President: last held on 11 March 1987 (next to be held March 1992); results - Sir Dawda JAWARA (PPP) 61.1%, Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 25.2%, Assan Musa CAMARA (GPP) 13.7% Executive branch: president, vice president, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government: President Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba JAWARA (since 24 April 1970); Vice President Saihou SABALLY (since NA) Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ousman A. SALLAH *The Gambia, Government chancery: Suite 720, 1030 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: (202) 842-1356 or 842-1359 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Arlene RENDER embassy: Pipeline Road (Kairaba Avenue), Fajara, Banjul mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul telephone: [220] 92856 or 92858, 91970, 91971 FAX: (220) 92475 Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green *The Gambia, Economy Overview: The Gambia has no important mineral or other natural resources and has a limited agricultural base. It is one of the world's poorest countries with a per capita income of about $325. About 75% of the population is engaged in crop production and livestock raising, which contribute 30% to GDP. Small-scale manufacturing activity - processing peanuts, fish, and hides - accounts for less than 10% of GDP. Tourism is a growing industry. The Gambia imports one-third of its food, all fuel, and most manufactured goods. Exports are concentrated on peanut products (about 75% of total value). National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $292 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 3% (1991) National product per capita: $325 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $94 million; expenditures $80 million, including capital expenditures of $25 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $133 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.) commodities: peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels partners: Japan 60%, Europe 29%, Africa 5%, US 1%, other 5% (1989) Imports: $174 million (f.o.b., FY91 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and transport equipment partners: Europe 57%, Asia 25%, USSR and Eastern Europe 9%, US 6%, other 3% (1989) External debt: $336 million (December 1990 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 6.7%; accounts for 5.8% of GDP (FY90) Electricity: 30,000 kW capacity; 65 million kWh produced, 75 kWh per capita (1991) Industries: peanut processing, tourism, beverages, agricultural machinery assembly, woodworking, metalworking, clothing Agriculture: 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, palm kernels; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats; forestry and fishing resources not fully exploited Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $93 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $535 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $39 million Currency: 1 dalasi (D) = 100 bututs Exchange rates: dalasi (D) per US$1 - 8.673 (October 1992), 8.803 (1991), 7.883 (1990), 7.5846 (1989), 6.7086 (1988), 7.0744 (1987) *The Gambia, Economy Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June *The Gambia, Communications Highways: 3,083 km total; 431 km paved, 501 km gravel/laterite, and 2,151 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: 400 km Ports: Banjul 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 Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 201,026; fit for military service 101,642 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP *Gaza Strip, Header Note: The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights. As stated in the 1978 Camp David accords and reaffirmed by President Bush's post-Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. Camp David further specifies that these negotiations will resolve the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has yet to be determined. In the US view, the term West Bank describes all of the area west of the Jordan River under Jordanian administration before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. With respect to negotiations envisaged in the framework agreement, however, it is US policy that a distinction must be made between Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank because of the city's special status and circumstances. Therefore, a negotiated solution for the final status of Jerusalem could be different in character from that of the rest of the West Bank. *Gaza Strip, Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel Map references: Middle East Area: total area: 380 km2 land area: 380 km2 comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total 62 km, Egypt 11 km, Israel 51 km Coastline: 40 km Maritime claims: Israeli occupied with status to be determined International disputes: Israeli occupied with status to be determined Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers Terrain: flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 32% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 55% Irrigated land: 200 km2 Environment: desertification *Gaza Strip, People Population: 705,834 (July 1993 est.) note: in addition, there are 4,000 Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip (1993 est.) Population growth rate: 3.56% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 45.66 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 5.71 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -4.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 38.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.26 years male: 66.01 years female: 68.57 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.51 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic divisions: Palestinian Arab and other 99.8%, Jewish 0.2% Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 99%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish 0.3% Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers), English (widely understood) Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: small industry, commerce and business 32.0%, construction 24.4%, service and other 25.5%, agriculture 18.1% (1984) note: excluding Israeli Jewish settlers *Gaza Strip, Government Note: The Gaza Strip is currently governed by Israeli military authorities and Israeli civil administration. It is US policy that the final status of the Gaza Strip will be determined by negotiations among the concerned parties. These negotiations will determine how this area is to be governed. Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Gaza Strip local long form: none local short form: Qita Ghazzah Digraph: GZ *Gaza Strip, Economy Overview: In 1990 roughly 40% of Gaza Strip workers were employed across the border by Israeli industrial, construction, and agricultural enterprises, with worker remittances accounting for about one-third of GNP. The construction, agricultural, and industrial sectors account for about 15%, 12%, and 8% of GNP, respectively. Gaza depends upon Israel for some 90% of its external trade. Unrest in the territory in 1988-93 (intifadah) has raised unemployment and substantially lowered the standard of living of Gazans. The Persian Gulf crisis and its aftershocks also have dealt severe blows to Gaza since August 1990. Worker remittances from the Gulf states have plunged, unemployment has increased, and exports have fallen dramatically. The area's economic outlook remains bleak. National product: GNP - exchange rate conversion - $380 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: -30% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $590 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1990 est.) Budget: revenues $33.8 million; expenditures $33.3 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY88) Exports: $30 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: citrus partners: Israel, Egypt Imports: $255 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials partners: Israel, Egypt External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 10% (1989); accounts for about 8% of GNP Electricity: power supplied by Israel 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 Agriculture: accounts for about 12% of GNP; olives, citrus and other fruits, vegetables, beef, dairy products Economic aid: NA Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1 - 2.6480 (November 1992), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989), 1.5989 (1988), 1.5946 (1987) Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992) *Gaza Strip, Communications Railroads: one line, abandoned and in disrepair, some trackage remains Highways: small, poorly developed indigenous road network Ports: facilities for small boats to service the city of Gaza Airports: total: 1 useable: 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: NA Manpower availability: males age 15-49 136,311; fit for military service NA (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP *Georgia, Header Note: Georgia is currently besieged by conflicts driven by separatists in its Abkazian and South Ossetian enclaves, and supporters of ousted President GAMAKHURDIA control much of western Georgia *Georgia, Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia Map references: Africa, Asia, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 69,700 km2 land area: 69,700 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than South Carolina Land boundaries: total 1,461 km, Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km Coastline: 310 km Maritime claims: note: 12 nm in 1973 USSR-Turkish Protocol concerning the sea boundary between the two states in the Black Sea; Georgia claims the coastline along the Black Sea as its international waters, although it cannot control this area and the Russian navy and commercial ships transit freely International disputes: none 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; Kolkhida Lowland opens to the Black Sea in the west; Kura River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida lowland Natural resources: forest lands, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ores, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: 4,660 km2 (1990) Environment: air pollution, particularly in Rustavi; heavy pollution of Kura River, Black Sea *Georgia, People Population: 5,634,296 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.85% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 16.48 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 8.68 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) note - this data may be low because of movement of Ossetian, Russian, and Abkhaz refugees due to ongoing conflicts Infant mortality rate: 24.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.58 years male: 68.89 years female: 76.46 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.21 children born/woman (1993 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: Georgian Orthodox 65%, Russian Orthodox 10%, Muslim 11%, Armenian Orthodox 8%, unknown 6% Languages: Armenian 7%, Azerbaijani 6%, Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, other 7% Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1970) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 2.763 million by occupation: industry and construction 31%, agriculture and forestry 25%, other 44% (1990) *Georgia, Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Georgia conventional short form: Georgia local long form: Sakartvelo Respublika local short form: Sakartvelo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic Digraph: GG Type: republic Capital: T'bilisi (Tbilisi) Administrative divisions: 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abkhazia (Sukhumi), Ajaria (Batumi) note: the administrative centers of the autonomous republics are included in parentheses; there are no oblasts - the rayons around T'bilisi are under direct republic jurisdiction; also included is the South Ossetia Autonomous Oblast Independence: 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union) Constitution: adopted NA 1921; currently amending constitution for Parliamentary and popular review by late 1995 Legal system: based on civil law system National holiday: Independence Day, 9 April 1991 Political parties and leaders: All-Georgian Merab Kostava Society, Vazha ADAMIA, chairman; All-Georgian Traditionalists' Union, Akakiy ASATIANI, chairman; Georgian National Front - Radical Union, Ruslan GONGADZE, chairman; Georgian Social Democratic Party, Guram MUCHAIDZE, chairman; Green Party, Zurab ZHVANIA, chairman; Monarchist-Conservative Party (MCP), Temur ZHORZHOLIANI, chairman; Georgian Popular Front (GPF), Nodar NATADZE, chairman; National Democratic Party (NDP), Georgi CHANTURIA, chairman; National Independence Party (NIP), Irakli TSERETELI and Irakli BATIASHVILI, chairmen; Charter 1991 Party, Tedo PAATASHVILI, chairman; Democratic Georgia Party, Georgiy SHENGELAYA, Chairman; Peace Bloc; Unity; October 11 Other political or pressure groups: supporters of ousted President GAMSAKHURDIA boycotted the October elections and remain an important source of opposition and instability Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Elections: Chairman of Parliament: last held NA October 1992 (next to be held NA); results - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 95% *Georgia, Government Georgian Parliament (Supreme Soviet): last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (225 total) number of seats by party NA; note - representatives of 26 parties elected; Peace Bloc, October 11, Unity, National Democratic Party, and the Greens Party won the largest representation Executive branch: chairman of Parliament, Council of Ministers, prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State: Chairman of Parliament Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (since 10 March 1992) Head of Government: Prime Minister Tengiz SIGUA (since NA January 1992); First Deputy Prime Minister Roman GOTSIRIDZE (since NA); Deputy Prime Ministers Aleksandr KAVADZE, Avtandil MARGIANI, Zurab KERVALISHVILI (since NA) Member of: BSEC, CSCE, EBRD, IBRD, IMF, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: NA chancery: NA telephone: NA US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Kent N. BROWN embassy: #25 Antoneli Street, T'bilisi mailing address: APO AE 09862 telephone: (7) 8832-74-46-23 Flag: maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below *Georgia, Economy Overview: Among the former Soviet republics, Georgia has been noted for its Black Sea tourist industry, its large output of citrus fruits and tea, and an industrial sector that accounted, however, for less than 2% of the USSR's output. Another salient characteristic of the economy has been a flourishing private sector (compared with the other republics). About 25% of the labor force is employed in agriculture. Mineral resources consist of manganese and copper, and, to a lesser extent, molybdenum, arsenic, tungsten, and mercury. Except for very small quantities of domestic oil, gas, and coal, fuel must be imported from neighboring republics. Oil and its products have been delivered by pipeline from Azerbaijan to the port of Batumi for export and local refining. Gas has been supplied in pipelines from Krasnodar and Stavropol'. The dismantling of central economic controls has been delayed by political factionalism, marked by bitter armed struggles. In early 1993 the Georgian economy was operating at well less than half capacity due to disruptions in fuel supplies and vital transportation links as a result of conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, antigovernment activity in Western Georgia, and Azerbaijani pressure against Georgian assistance for Armenia. To restore economic viability, Georgia must establish domestic peace and must maintain economic ties to the other former Soviet republics while developing new links to the West. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: -35% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 50% per month (January 1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 3% but large numbers of underemployed workers Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA commodities: citrus fruits, tea, other agricultural products; diverse types of machinery; ferrous and nonferrous metals; textiles partners: Russia, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan (1992) Imports: $NA commodities: machinery and parts, fuel, transport equipment, textiles partners: Russia, Ukraine (1992) External debt: $650 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -50% (1992) Electricity: 4,875,000 kW capacity; 15,800 million kWh produced, about 2,835 kWh per capita (1992) *Georgia, Economy Industries: heavy industrial products include raw steel, rolled steel, cement, lumber; machine tools, foundry equipment, electric mining locomotives, tower cranes, electric welding equipment, machinery for food preparation, meat packing, dairy, and fishing industries; air-conditioning electric motors up to 100 kW in size, electric motors for cranes, magnetic starters for motors; devices for control of industrial processes; trucks, tractors, and other farm machinery; light industrial products, including cloth, hosiery, and shoes Agriculture: accounted for 97% of former USSR citrus fruits and 93% of former USSR tea; berries and grapes; sugar; vegetables, grains, potatoes; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry; tobacco Illicit drugs: illicit producers of cannabis and opium; mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid: NA Currency: coupons introduced in April 1993 to be followed by introduction of the lari at undetermined future date; Russian ruble remains official currency until introduction of the lari Exchange rates: rubles per US$1 - 415 (24 December 1992) but subject to wide fluctuations Fiscal year: calendar year *Georgia, Communications Railroads: 1,570 km, does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: 33,900 km total; 29,500 km hard surfaced, 4,400 km earth (1990) Pipelines: crude oil 370 km, refined products 300 km, natural gas 440 km (1992) Ports: coastal - Batumi, Poti, Sukhumi Merchant marine: 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 658,192 GRT/1,014,056 DWT; includes 16 bulk cargo, 30 oil tanker, and 1 specialized liquid carrier Airports: total: 37 useable: 26 with permanent-surface runways: 19 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 10 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 9 Telecommunications: poor telephone service; as of 1991, 672,000 republic telephone lines providing 12 lines per 100 persons; 339,000 unsatisfied applications for telephones (31 January 1992); international links via landline to CIS members and Turkey; low capacity satellite earth station and leased international connections via the Moscow international gateway switch; international electronic mail and telex service established Note: transportation network is disrupted by ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages *Georgia, Defense Forces Branches: Army, National Guard, Interior Ministry Troops Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,338,606; fit for military service 1,066,309; reach military age (18) annually 43,415 (1993 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GNP Note: Georgian forces are poorly organized and not fully under the government's control *Germany, Geography Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea between France and Poland Map references: Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 356,910 km2 land area: 349,520 km2 comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana note: includes the formerly separate Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic, and Berlin following formal unification on 3 October 1990 Land 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 km Coastline: 2,389 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial 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 remainder of Baltic Sea International disputes: none Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm, tropical foehn wind; high relative humidity Terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south 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 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: air and water pollution; groundwater, lakes, and air quality in eastern Germany are especially bad; significant deforestation in the eastern mountains caused by air pollution and acid rain *Germany, Geography Note: strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea *Germany, People Population: 80,767,591 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 0.4% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 11 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76 years male: 73 years female: 79 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1993 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 people fleeing the war in the former Yugoslavia) Religions: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 37%, unaffiliated or other 18% Languages: German Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1977 est.) total population: 99% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 36.75 million by occupation: industry 41%, agriculture 6%, other 53% (1987) *Germany, Government Names: conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany conventional short form: Germany local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland local short form: Deutschland Digraph: GM Type: federal republic Capital: Berlin note: the shift from Bonn to Berlin will take place over a period of years with Bonn retaining many administrative functions and several ministries 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, Thuringen 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 Constitution: 23 May 1949, provisional constitution known as Basic Law Legal system: civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: German Unity Day, 3 October (1990) Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Helmut KOHL, chairman; Christian Social Union (CSU), Theo WAIGEL, chairman; Free Democratic Party (FDP), Klaus KINKEL, chairman; Social Democratic Party (SPD); Green Party, Ludger VOLMER, Christine WEISKE, co-chairmen (after the 2 December 1990 election the East and West German Green Parties united); Alliance 90 united to form one party in September 1991, Petra MORAWE, chairwoman; Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), Gregor GYSI, chairman; Republikaner, Franz SCHOENHUBER; National Democratic Party (NPD), Walter BACHMANN; Communist Party (DKP), Rolf PRIEMER Other political or pressure groups: expellee, refugee, and veterans groups Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal *Germany, Government Elections: Federal Diet: last held 2 December 1990 (next to be held October 1994); results - CDU 36.7%, SPD 33.5%, FDP 11.0%, CSU 7.1%, Green Party (West Germany) 3.9%, PDS 2.4%, Republikaner 2.1%, Alliance 90/Green Party (East Germany) 1.2%, other 2.1%; seats - (662 total, 656 statutory with special rules to allow for slight expansion) CDU 268, SPD 239, FDP 79, CSU 51, PDS 17, Alliance 90/Green Party (East Germany) 8; note - special rules for this election allowed former East German parties to win seats if they received at least 5% of vote in eastern Germany Executive branch: president, chancellor, Cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral parliament (no official name for the two chambers as a whole)
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