The 1994 Edition of the CIA World FactbookPart 14 out of 46
kept French interest rates high despite France's low inflation. Although the pace of economic integration within the European Community has slowed down, integration presumably will remain a major force shaping the fortunes of the various economic sectors. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $1.05 trillion (1993) National product real growth rate: -0.7% (1993) National product per capita: $18,200 (1993) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1993) Unemployment rate: 12.2% (May 1994) Budget: revenues: $220.5 billion expenditures: $249.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $47 billion (1993 budget) Exports: $270.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, agricultural products, iron and steel products, textiles and clothing partners: Germany 18.6%, Italy 11.0%, Spain 11.0%, Belgium-Luxembourg 9.1%, UK 8.8%, Netherlands 7.9%, US 6.4%, Japan 2.0%, former USSR 0.7% (1991 est.) Imports: $250.2 billion (c.i.f., 1993) commodities: crude oil, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, chemicals, iron and steel products partners: Germany 17.8%, Italy 10.9%, US 9.5%, Netherlands 8.9%, Spain 8.8%, Belgium-Luxembourg 8.5%, UK 7.5%, Japan 4.1%, former USSR 1.3% (1991 est.) External debt: $300 billion (1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -4.3% (1993) Electricity: capacity: 110 million kW production: 426 billion kWh consumption per capita: 7,430 kWh (1992) Industries: steel, machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics, mining, textiles, food processing, tourism Agriculture: accounts for 4% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); one of the world's top five wheat producers; other principal products - beef, dairy products, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; self-sufficient for most temperate-zone foods; shortages include fats and oils and tropical produce, but overall net exporter of farm products; fish catch of 850,000 metric tons ranks among world's top 20 countries and is all used domestically Economic aid: donor: ODA and OOF commitments (1970-89), $75.1 billion Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year @France, Communications Railroads: French National Railways (SNCF) operates 34,322 km 1,435-mm standard gauge; 12,434 km electrified, 15,132 km double or multiple track; 99 km of various gauges (1,000-mm), privately owned and operated Highways: total: 1,510,750 km paved: 747,750 km (including 7,450 km of controlled access divided highway) unpaved: 763,000 km Inland waterways: 14,932 km; 6,969 km heavily traveled Pipelines: crude oil 3,059 km; petroleum products 4,487 km; natural gas 24,746 km Ports: coastal - Bordeaux, Boulogne, Brest, Cherbourg, Dunkerque, Fos-Sur-Mer, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Sete, Toulon; inland - Rouen Merchant marine: 124 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,226,175 GRT/5,109,375 DWT, bulk 9, cargo 10, chemical tanker 8, container 21, liquefied gas 6, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 37, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 21, short-sea passenger 7, specialized tanker 3 note: France also maintains a captive register for French-owned ships in the Kerguelen Islands (French Southern and Antarctic Lands) and French Polynesia Airports: total: 472 usable: 461 with permanent-surface runways: 258 with runways over 3,659 m: 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 37 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 136 Telecommunications: highly developed; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks; large-scale introduction of optical-fiber systems; satellite systems for domestic traffic; 39,200,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 41 AM, 800 (mostly repeaters) FM, 846 (mostly repeaters) TV; 24 submarine coaxial cables; 2 INTELSAT earth stations (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for the Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 3 for the Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT); HF radio communications with more than 20 countries; INMARSAT service; EUTELSAT TV service @France, Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy (including Naval Air), Air Force, National Gendarmerie Manpower availability: males age 15-49 14,717,461; fit for military service 12,265,874; reach military age (18) annually 376,485 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $33.0 billion, 3.3% of GDP (1993) @French Guiana Header Affiliation: (overseas department of France) @French Guiana, Geography Location: Northern South America, bordering on the North Atlantic Ocean between Suriname and Brazil Map references: South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 91,000 sq km land area: 89,150 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total 1,183 km, Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km Coastline: 378 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) Climate: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains Natural resources: bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 82% other: 18% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: mostly an unsettled wilderness @French Guiana, People Population: 139,299 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 4.27% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 25.83 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 4.67 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 21.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 15.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.2 years male: 71.93 years female: 78.63 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (1994 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) 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) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French legal system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) head of government: Prefect Jean-Francois CORDET (since NA 1992); President of the General Council Elie CASTOR (since NA); President of the Regional Council Antoine KARAM (22 March 1993) cabinet: Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and a unicameral Regional Council General Council: elections last held 25 September and 8 October 1988 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19 total) PSG 12, URC 7 Regional Council: elections last held 22 March 1992 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (31 total) PSG 16 French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) PSG 1 French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) RPR 1, independent 1 Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (highest local court based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana) Political parties and leaders: Guianese Socialist Party (PSG), Elie CASTRO; Conservative Union for the Republic (UPR), Leon BERTRAND; Rally for the Center Right (URC); Rally for the Republic (RPR); Guyana Democratic Front (FDG), Georges OTHILY; Walwari Committee, Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON Member of: FZ, WCL Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of France) US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France) Flag: the flag of France is used @French Guiana, Economy Overview: The economy is tied closely to that of France through subsidies 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 1992. 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 sugar cane - 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: $59 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: shrimp, timber, rum, rosewood essence partners: France 52%, Spain 15%, US 5% (1992) Imports: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1992) commodities: food (grains, processed meat), other consumer goods, producer goods, petroleum partners: France 77%, Germany 11%, US 5% (1992) External debt: $1.2 billion (1988) Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 92,000 kW production: 185 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,450 kWh (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: recipient: 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 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year @French Guiana, Communications Highways: total: 680 km paved: 510 km unpaved: improved, unimproved earth 170 km 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 age 15-49 40,506; fit for military service 26,394 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, Polynesia halfway between Australia and South America Map references: Oceania Area: total area: 3,941 sq km land area: 3,660 sq km comparative area: slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2,525 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, but moderate Terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 19% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 31% other: 44% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: occasional cyclonic storms in January international agreements: NA Note: includes five archipelagoes; Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru @French Polynesia, People Population: 215,129 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.25% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 27.75 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.27 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.54 years male: 68.14 years female: 73.06 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.31 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian Ethnic divisions: Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Religions: Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 16% Languages: French (official), Tahitian (official) Literacy: age 14 and over but definition of literacy not available (1977) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% Labor force: 76,630 employed (1988) @French Polynesia, Government Names: conventional long form: Territory of French 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) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: based on French system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981); High Commissioner of the Republic Michel JAU (since NA February 1992) head of government: President of the Territorial Government of French Polynesia Gaston FLOSSE (since 10 May 1991); Deputy to the French Assembly and President of the Territorial Assembly Jean JUVENTIN (since NA November 1992); Territorial Vice President and Minister of Health Michel BUILLARD (since 12 September 1991) cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Territorial Assembly: elections last held 17 March 1991 (next to be held March 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (41 total) People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 18, Polynesian Union Party 12, New Fatherland Party 7, other 4 French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) party NA French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) People's Rally for the Republic (Gaullist) 2 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Court of the First Instance, Court of Administrative Law Political parties and leaders: People's Rally for the Republic (Tahoeraa Huiraatira), Gaston FLOSSE; Polynesian Union Party includes Te Tiarama, Alexandre LEONTIEFF, and Pupu Here Ai'a Te Nuneao Ia Ora, Jean JUVENTIN; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api), Emile VERNAUDON; Polynesian Liberation Front (Tavini Huiraatira), Oscar TEMARU; Independent Party (Ia Mana Te Nunaa), James SALMON; other small parties Member of: ESCAP (associate), FZ, ICFTU, SPC, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas territory of France) US diplomatic representation: none (overseas territory of France) Flag: the flag of France is used @French Polynesia, Economy Overview: Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence economy to one 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 - $1.5 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $7,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.6% (1991) Unemployment rate: 10% (1990 est.) Budget: revenues: $614 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: capacity: 75,000 kW production: 275 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,330 kWh (1992) Industries: tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts Agriculture: coconut and vanilla plantations; vegetables and fruit; poultry, beef, dairy products Economic aid: recipient: 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 - 107.63 (January 1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989); note - linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc Fiscal year: calendar year @French Polynesia, Communications Highways: total: 600 km (1982) paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Papeete, Bora-bora Merchant marine: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,127 GRT/6,710 DWT, passenger-cargo 2, refrigerated cargo 1 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: Southern Africa, in the southern Indian Ocean, about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia Map references: Antarctic Region, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 7,781 sq km land area: 7,781 sq km comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Delaware note: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles Crozet; excludes Terre Adelie claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,232 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen only territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: Terre Adelie claim in Antarctica is not recognized by the US Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic Natural resources: fish, crayfish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes international agreements: NA Note: remote location in the southern Indian Ocean @French Southern and Antarctic Lands, People Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are researchers whose 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 Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 441,962 GRT/813,779 DWT, bulk 3, cargo 2, chemical tanker 1, liquified gas 2, multifunction large load carrier 1, oil tanker 4, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4 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 sq km land area: 257,670 sq km 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 sq km Environment: current issues: deforestation; poaching natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea @Gabon, People Population: 1,139,006 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.46% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 28.46 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 13.9 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 94.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 54.67 years male: 51.88 years female: 57.53 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.97 children born/woman (1994 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 est.) 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) National holiday: Renovation Day, 12 March (1968) (Gabonese Democratic Party established) Constitution: adopted 14 March 1991 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; compulsory ICJ jurisdiction not accepted Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967); election last held on 5 December 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - President Omar BONGO was reelected with 51% of the vote head of government: Prime Minister Casimir OYE-MBA (since 3 May 1990) cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held on 21 and 28 October and 4 November 1990 (next to be held by NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (120 total) PDG 62, Morena-Bucherons/RNB 19, PGP 18, National Recovery Movement (Morena-Original) 7, APSG 6, USG 4, CRP 1, independents 3 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Political parties and leaders: Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG, former sole party), Jaques ADIAHENOT, Secretary General; National Recovery Movement - Lumberjacks (Morena-Bucherons/RNB), Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE, leader; Gabonese Party for Progress (PGP), Pierre-Louis AGONDHO-OKAWE, President; National Recovery Movement (Morena-Original), Pierre ZONGUE-NGUEMA, Chairman; Association for Socialism in Gabon (APSG), leader NA; Gabonese Socialist Union (USG), leader NA; Circle for Renewal and Progress (CRP), leader NA; Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), leader NA; Rally of Democrats (RD), leader NA; Forces of Change for Democratic Union, leader NA Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAU, OIC, OPEC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paul BOUNDOUKOU-LATHA chancery: 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 797-1000 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph 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: Notwithstanding its serious ongoing economic problems, Gabon enjoys a per capita income more than twice that of most nations of sub-Saharan Africa. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GNP. Real growth was feeble in 1992 and Gabon continues to face weak prices for its timber, manganese, and uranium exports. Despite an abundance of natural wealth, and a manageable rate of population growth, the economy is hobbled by poor fiscal management. In 1992, the fiscal deficit widened to 2.4% of GDP, and Gabon failed to settled arrears on its bilateral debt, leading to a cancellation of rescheduling agreements with official and private creditors. Devaluation of the local currency by 50% in January 1994 could set off an inflationary spiral if the government fails to reign in spending and grants large wage increases to an already overpaid public sector workforce. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $5.4 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 0.5% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $4,800 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.7% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $1.3 billion expenditures: $1.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $272 million (1992 est.) Exports: $2.3 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est) commodities: crude oil 80%, timber 9%, manganese 7%, uranium 2% partners: France 48%, US 15%, Germany 2%, Japan 2% Imports: $702 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, chemical products, petroleum products, 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 8% of GDP, including petroleum Electricity: capacity: 315,000 kW production: 995 million kWh consumption per capita: 920 kWh (1991) Industries: petroleum, food and beverages, lumbering and plywood, textiles, mining - manganese, uranium, gold, cement Agriculture: accounts for 9% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); cash crops - cocoa, coffee, palm oil; livestock not developed; importer of food; small fishing operations provide a catch of about 20,000 metric tons; okoume (a tropical softwood) is the most important timber product Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $68 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90), $2.342 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $27 million Currency: 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05 (January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948 Fiscal year: calendar year @Gabon, Communications Railroads: 649 km 1.437-meter standard-gauge single track (Transgabonese Railroad) Highways: total: 7,500 km paved: 560 km unpaved: crushed stone 960 km; earth 5,980 km 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 18,562 GRT/25,330 DWT Airports: total: 70 usable: 59 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 15-49 270,501; fit for military service 136,995; reach military age (20) annually 10,107 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $102 million, 3.2% of GDP (1990 est.) @The Gambia, Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean almost completely surrounded by Senegal Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 11,300 sq km land area: 10,000 sq km 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 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent natural hazards: rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last thirty years international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change Note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa @The Gambia, People Population: 959,300 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.08% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 46.39 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 15.64 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 123.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.08 years male: 47.83 years female: 52.39 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.29 children born/woman (1994 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 est.) total population: 27% male: 39% female: 16% Labor force: 400,000 (1986 est.) by occupation: agriculture 75.0%, industry, commerce, and services 18.9%, 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) National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965) 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 Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba JAWARA (since 24 April 1970); Vice President Saihou SABALLY (since NA); election last held on 29 April 1992 (next to be held April 1997); results - Sir Dawda JAWARA (PPP) 58.5%, Sherif Mustapha DIBBA (NCP) 22.2%, Assan Musa CAMARA (GPP) 8.0% cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the president from members of the House of Representatives Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives: elections last held on 29 April 1992 (next to be held April 1997); results - PPP 58.1%, seats - (43 total, 36 elected) PPP 30, NCP 6 Judicial branch: Supreme Court 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 Member of: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ousman A. SALLAH chancery: Suite 1000, 1155 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: (202) 785-1399, 1379, or 1425 FAX: (202) 785-1430 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Arlene RENDER embassy: Fajara, Kairaba Avenue, 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 roughly $800. 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. A sustained structural adjustment program, including a liberalized trade policy, has fostered a respectable 4% rate of growth in recent years. Re-export trade constitutes one-third of economic activity; however, border closures associated with Senegal's monetary crisis in late 1993 led to a 50% decline in re-export trade, reducing government revenues in turn. Devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994 has made Senegalese goods more competitive, and is likely to prompt a relaxation of Senegalese controls, paving the way for a comeback in re-exports. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $740 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 4.5% (FY92 est) National product per capita: $800 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (FY 92 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $94 million expenditures: $80 million, including capital expenditures of $25 million (FY91 est.) Exports: $164 million (f.o.b., FY92 est.) commodities: peanuts and peanut products, fish, cotton lint, palm kernels partners: Japan 60%, Europe 29%, Africa 5%, US 1%, other 5% (1989) Imports: $214 million (f.o.b., FY92 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, manufactures, raw materials, fuel, machinery and 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% (year NA); accounts for 5.8% of GDP (FY90) Electricity: capacity: 30,000 kW production: 65 million kWh consumption per capita: 75 kWh (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: recipient: 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 butut Exchange rates: dalasi (D) per US$1 - 9.440 (November 1993), 8.888 (1992), 8.803 (1991), 7.883 (1990), 7.5846 (1989), 6.7086 (1988) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @The Gambia, Communications Highways: total: 3,083 km paved: 431 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 501 km; unimproved earth 2,151 km Inland waterways: 400 km Ports: Banjul Merchant marine: 1 bulk ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,194 GRT/19,394 DWT Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: adequate network of radio relay and wire; 3,500 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 2 FM; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station @The Gambia, Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, National Gendarmerie, National Police Manpower availability: males age 15-49 207,754; fit for military service 105,100 Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP @Gaza Strip Header Note: The war between Israel and Egypt, Syria, and Jordan in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights. Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula pursuant to a 1979 peace treaty with Egypt. The Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements ("the DOP"), signed in Washington on 13 September 1993, provides for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under the DOP, final status negotiations are to begin no later than the beginning of the third year of the transitional period. @Gaza Strip, Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel Map references: Middle East Area: total area: 360 sq km land area: 360 sq km 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: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli occupied with interim status subject to Israeli/Palestinian negotiations - final 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 sq km Environment: current issues: desertification natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: there are 24 Jewish settlements and civilian land use sites in the Gaza Strip (April 1994) @Gaza Strip, People Population: 731,296 (July 1994 est.) note: in addition, there are 4,500 Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip (1994 est.) Population growth rate: 3.53% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 45.01 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.45 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -4.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 36.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.78 years male: 66.47 years female: 69.16 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 7.39 children born/woman (1994 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: construction 33.4%, agriculture 20.0%, commerce, restaurants, and hotels 14.9%, industry 10.0%, other services 21.7% (1991) note: excluding Jewish settlers @Gaza Strip, Government Note: Under the Israeli-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arragements ("the DOP"), Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the Palestinian Authority, and subsequently to an elected Palestinian Council, as part of interim self-governing arrangements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities for the Gaza Strip and Jericho has taken place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4 May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area. The DOP provides that Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external security and for internal security and public order of settlements and Israelis. Final status is to be determined through direct negotiations within five years. 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 1991 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 18%, 16%, and 12% of GNP, respectively. Gaza depends upon Israel for nearly 90% of its external trade. Aggravating the impact of Israeli military administration, unrest in the territory since 1988 (intifadah) has raised unemployment and lowered the standard of living of Gazans. The Persian Gulf crisis and its aftershocks also have dealt blows to Gaza since August 1990. Worker remittances from the Gulf states have dropped, unemployment has increased, and exports have fallen. The withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip in May 1994 brings a new set of adjustment problems. National product: GNP - exchange rate conversion - $840 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate: 1% (1991 est.) National product per capita: $1,275 (1991 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7% (1991 est.) Unemployment rate: 20% (1991 est.) Budget: revenues: $33.6 million expenditures: $34.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90) Exports: $75 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: citrus partners: Israel, Egypt Imports: $370 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials partners: Israel, Egypt External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate 11% (1991 est.); accounts for about 12% 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 16% 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 - 2.9760 (February 1994), 2.8301 (1993), 2.4591 (1992), 2.2791 (1991), 2.0162 (1990), 1.9164 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992) @Gaza Strip, Communications Railroads: one line, abandoned and in disrepair, some trackage remains Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA note: small, poorly developed road network Ports: facilities for small boats to service the city of Gaza Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 0 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: broadcast stations - no AM, no FM, no TV @Gaza Strip, Defense Forces Branches: NA Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP @Georgia Note: Georgia is currently besieged by interethnic strife in its Abkhazian and South Ossetian enclaves. @Georgia, Geography Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia Map references: Africa, Asia, Commonwealth of Independent States - European States, Middle East, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 69,700 sq km land area: 69,700 sq km 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; Mtkvari 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 sq km (1990) Environment: current issues: air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of safe drinking water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA @Georgia, People Population: 5,681,025 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.81% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 16.11 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 23.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.84 years male: 69.16 years female: 76.7 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.18 children born/woman (1994 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%, Azeri 6%, Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, other 7% Literacy: age 9-49 can read and write (1970) total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% Labor force: 2.763 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: Sak'art'velos Respublika local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic Digraph: GG Type: republic Capital: T'bilisi Administrative divisions: 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika); Abkhazia (Sokhumi), Ajaria (Bat'umi) 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 Independence: 9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 9 April (1991) Constitution: adopted NA February 1921; currently amending constitution for Parliamentary and popular review by late 1995 Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Chairman of Parliament Eduard Amvrosiyevich SHEVARDNADZE (since 10 March 1992); election last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA 1995); results - Eduard SHEVARDNADZE 95% head of government: Prime Minister Otar PATSATSIA (since September 1993); Deputy Prime Ministers Avtandil MARGIANI, Zurab KERVALISHVILI (since NA), Tamaz NADARISHVILI (since September 1993), Teimuraz BASILIA (since NA) cabinet: Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral Georgian Parliament (Supreme Soviet): elections last held 11 October 1992 (next to be held NA 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (225 total) number of seats 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 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Merab Kostava Society, Vazha ADAMIA, chairman; Traditionalists' Union, Akaki ASATIANI, chairman; Georgian Social Democratic Party, Guram MUCHAIDZE, chairman; Green Party, Zurab ZHVANIA, chairman; Georgian Popular Front (GPF), Nodar NATADZE, chairman; National Democratic Party (NDP), Gia CHANTURIA, chairman; National Independence Party (NIP), Irakliy TSERETELI, chairmen; Charter 1991 Party, Tedo PATASHVILI, chairman; Peace Bloc; Unity; October 11 Other political or pressure groups: supporters of ousted President Zuiad GAMSAKHURDIA (deceased 1 January 1994) boycotted the October elections and remain a source of opposition and instability Member of: BSEC, CIS, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IBRD, IDA, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, IOC, ITU, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Petr CHKHEIDZE chancery: (temporary) Suite 424, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC telephone: (202) 393-6060 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Kent N. BROWN embassy: #25 Antoneli Street, T'bilisi 380026 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: (7) 8832-98-99-68 FAX: (7) 8832-93-37-59 Flag: maroon field with small rectangle in upper hoist side corner; rectangle divided horizontally with black on top, white below @Georgia, Economy Overview: Georgia's economy has traditionally revolved around Black Sea tourism; cultivation of citrus fruits, tea, and grapes; mining of manganese and copper; and a small industrial sector producing wine, metals, machinery, chemicals, and textiles. The country imports the bulk of its energy needs, including natural gas and coal. Its only sizable domestic energy resource is hydropower. Since 1990, widespread conflicts, e.g., in Abkhazia, South Ossetia, and Mengrelia, severely aggravated the economic crisis resulting from the disintegration of the Soviet command economy in December 1991. Throughout 1993, much of industry was functioning at only 20% of capacity; heavy disruptions in agricultural cultivation were reported; and tourism was shut down. The country is precariously dependent on US and EU humanitarian grain shipments, as most other foods are priced beyond reach of the average citizen. Georgia is also suffering from an acute energy crisis, as it is having problems paying for even minimal imports. Georgia is pinning its hopes for recovery on reestablishing trade ties with Russia and on developing international transportation through the key Black Sea ports of P'ot'i and Bat'umi.
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