Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (28)

France is in the midst of transition from a well-to-do modern economy that has featured extensive government ownership and intervention to one that relies more on market mechanisms. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, banks, and insurers, and has ceded stakes in such leading firms as Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. It maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. The telecommunications sector is gradually being opened to competition. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that reduce income disparity and the impact of free markets on public health and welfare. Widespread opposition to labor reform has in recent years hampered the government's ability to revitalize the economy. During 2007-08, the government implemented several important labor reforms, including a de facto extension of the 35-hour workweek by allowing employees to work longer overtime hours. During 2009, the government is expected to delay or even renounce other reform efforts due to the on-going financial crisis. GDP growth dropped to 0.3% in 2008; the French government plans to increase public investment and continue injecting capital into the banking sector to alleviate the negative effects of the crisis during 2009. As a result of lower fiscal revenues and increased expenditures the general government deficit is expected to exceed the euro-zone ceiling 3% of GDP. France's tax burden remains one of the highest in Europe - at nearly 50% of GDP in 2005. With at least 75 million foreign tourists per year, France is the most visited country in the world and maintains the third largest income in the world from tourism.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.133 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $2.126 trillion (2007 est.)

$2.078 trillion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$2.867 trillion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 2.3% (2007 est.)

2.4% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$33,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $33,400 (2007 est.)

$32,800 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 2%

industry: 20.4%

services: 77.6% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

27.97 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 3.8%

industry: 24.3%

services: 71.8% (2005)

Unemployment rate:

7.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 7.9% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

6.2% (2004)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 3%

highest 10%: 24.8% (2004)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

32.7 (2008) country comparison to the world: 98 32.7 (1995)

Investment (gross fixed):

21.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Budget:

revenues: $1.407 trillion

expenditures: $1.506 trillion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

68.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 67.7% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 1.5% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

3% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 94 5% (31 December 2007)

note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

8.13% (31 December 2008)

Stock of money:

$NA

note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders

Stock of quasi money:

$NA

Stock of domestic credit:

$4.102 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 6 $3.397 trillion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 6 $2.771 trillion (31 December 2007)

$2.429 trillion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes, wine grapes; beef, dairy products; fish

Industries:

machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

-1.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Electricity - production:

535.7 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Electricity - consumption:

447.2 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Electricity - exports:

58.69 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

10.68 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

70,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Oil - consumption:

1.986 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Oil - exports:

554,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

Oil - imports:

2.346 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Oil - proved reserves:

103.3 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Natural gas - production:

920 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64

Natural gas - consumption:

49.27 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Natural gas - exports:

1 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 34

Natural gas - imports:

49.35 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Natural gas - proved reserves:

6.937 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Current account balance:

-$52.91 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 -$31.25 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$601.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $546 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and transportation equipment, aircraft, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical products, iron and steel, beverages

Exports - partners:

Germany 14.3%, Italy 8.7%, Spain 8.3%, UK 7.8%, Belgium 7.6%, US 5.8%, Netherlands 4.2% (2008)

Imports:

$692 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $600.9 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, vehicles, crude oil, aircraft, plastics, chemicals

Imports - partners:

Germany 17.9%, Belgium 11.7%, Italy 8.3%, Spain 6.9%, Netherlands 6.8%, UK 5.1%, US 4.3% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$102.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $115.7 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$4.935 trillion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 4 $4.88 trillion (31 December 2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$1.147 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 $1.026 trillion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$1.624 trillion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $1.399 trillion (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)

Communications ::France

Telephones - main lines in use:

35.909 million; 35.0 million (metropolitan France) (2008) country comparison to the world: 8

Telephones - mobile cellular:

59.259 million; 57.972 million (metropolitan France) (2008) country comparison to the world: 18

Telephone system:

general assessment: highly developed

domestic: extensive cable and microwave radio relay; extensive use of fiber-optic cable; domestic satellite system

international: country code - 33; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and US; satellite earth stations - more than 3 (2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries

overseas departments: country codes: French Guiana - 594; Guadeloupe - 590; Martinique - 596; Reunion - 262

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 41, FM about 3,500 (this figure is an approximation and includes many repeaters), shortwave 2 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:

584 (plus 9,676 repeaters) (1995)

Internet country code:

metropolitan France - .fr; French Guiana - .gf; Guadeloupe - .gp; Martinique - .mq; Reunion - .re

Internet hosts:

14.327 million; 14,341,000 (metropolitan France) (2009) country comparison to the world: 6

Internet users:

42.912 million; 42.315 million (metropolitan France) (2008) country comparison to the world: 9

Transportation ::France

Airports:

475 (2009) country comparison to the world: 16

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 297

over 3,047 m: 14

2,438 to 3,047 m: 27

1,524 to 2,437 m: 97

914 to 1,523 m: 82

under 914 m: 77 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 178

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 70

under 914 m: 107 (2009)

Heliports:

1 (2009)

Pipelines:

gas 14,688 km; oil 3,036 km; refined products 5,080 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 29,213 km country comparison to the world: 9 standard gauge: 29,046 km 1.435-m gauge (15,164 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 167 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 951,500 km country comparison to the world: 7 paved: 951,500 km (metropolitan France; includes 10,950 km of expressways)

note: there are another 5,100 km of roadways in overseas departments (2006)

Waterways:

metropolitan France: 8,501 km (1,621 km accessible to craft of 3,000 metric tons) country comparison to the world: 16 French Guiana: 3,760 km (460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers, 3,300 km by native craft) (2008)

Merchant marine:

total: 138 country comparison to the world: 43 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, chemical tanker 32, container 25, liquefied gas 12, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 33, petroleum tanker 23, roll on/roll off 7

foreign-owned: 38 (Belgium 6, China 5, Denmark 2, Germany 1, Italy 2, Japan 1, NZ 1, Norway 5, Saudi Arabia 1, Singapore 2, Sweden 9, Switzerland 3)

registered in other countries: 127 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Australia 1, Bahamas 30, Belgium 2, Bermuda 1, Hong Kong 1, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 1, Italy 2, Liberia 5, Luxembourg 17, Malta 5, Morocco 14, Netherlands 1, Norway 3, Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6, Singapore 1, Taiwan 1, UK 23, Wallis and Futuna 6) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Bordeaux, Calais, Dunkerque, Le Havre, Marseille, Nantes, Paris, Rouen, Strasbourg

Military ::France

Military branches:

Army (Armee de Terre; includes Marines, Foreign Legion, Army Light Aviation), Navy (Marine Nationale, includes Naval Air, Maritime Gendarmerie (Coast Guard)), Air Force (Armee de l'Air, includes Air Defense), National Gendarmerie (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

17-40 years of age for male or female voluntary military service; no conscription; 12-month service obligation; women serve in noncombat military posts (2008)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 14,646,427

females age 16-49: 14,379,630 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 12,087,606

females age 16-49: 11,811,260 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 391,480

female: 373,334 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Transnational Issues ::France

Disputes - international:

Madagascar claims the French territories of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; France asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); France and Vanuatu claim Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia

Illicit drugs:

metropolitan France: transshipment point for South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics

French Guiana: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe

Martinique: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe

page last updated on November 11, 2009

======================================================================

@French Polynesia (Australia-Oceania)

Introduction ::French Polynesia

Background:

The French annexed various Polynesian island groups during the 19th century. In September 1995, France stirred up widespread protests by resuming nuclear testing on the Mururoa atoll after a three-year moratorium. The tests were suspended in January 1996. In recent years, French Polynesia's autonomy has been considerably expanded.

Geography ::French Polynesia

Location:

Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean about half way between South America and Australia

Geographic coordinates:

15 00 S, 140 00 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls) country comparison to the world: 174 land: 3,827 sq km

water: 340 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

2,525 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical, but moderate

Terrain:

mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m

Natural resources:

timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 0.75%

permanent crops: 5.5%

other: 93.75% (2005)

Irrigated land:

10 sq km (2003)

Natural hazards:

occasional cyclonic storms in January

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

includes five archipelagoes (four volcanic, one coral); 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

People ::French Polynesia

Population:

287,032 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Age structure:

0-14 years: 24.3% (male 35,631/female 34,097)

15-64 years: 68.9% (male 102,537/female 95,317)

65 years and over: 6.8% (male 9,821/female 9,629) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 29.1 years

male: 29.4 years

female: 28.8 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.391% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Birth rate:

15.91 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Death rate:

4.73 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

Net migration rate:

2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Urbanization:

urban population: 52% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 7.55 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 166 male: 8.67 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.71 years country comparison to the world: 63 male: 74.26 years

female: 79.29 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.92 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: French Polynesian(s)

adjective: French Polynesian

Ethnic groups:

Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4%

Religions:

Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6%

Languages:

French 61.1% (official), Polynesian 31.4% (official), Asian languages 1.2%, other 0.3%, unspecified 6% (2002 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 14 and over can read and write

total population: 98%

male: 98%

female: 98% (1977 est.)

Education expenditures:

NA

Government ::French Polynesia

Country name:

conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia

conventional short form: French Polynesia

local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynesie Francaise

local short form: Polynesie Francaise

former: French Colony of Oceania

Dependency status:

overseas lands of France; overseas territory of France from 1946-2004

Government type:

NA

Capital:

name: Papeete

geographic coordinates: 17 32 S, 149 34 W

time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas lands of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are five archipelagic divisions named Archipel des Marquises, Archipel des Tuamotu, Archipel des Tubuai, Iles du Vent, Iles Sous-le-Vent

Independence:

none (overseas lands of France)

National holiday:

Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)

Constitution:

4 October 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system:

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Adolphe COLRAT (since 7 July 2008)

head of government: President of French Polynesia Oscar TEMARU (since 7 February 2009); President of the Territorial Assembly Eduoard FRITCH (since 12 February 2009)

cabinet: Council of Ministers; president submits a list of members of the Territorial Assembly for approval by them to serve as ministers

elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of the territorial government and the president of the Territorial Assembly are elected by the members of the assembly for five-year terms (no term limits)

Legislative branch:

unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (57 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 27 January 2008 (first round) and 10 February 2008 (second round) (next to be held in 2013)

election results: percent of vote by party - Our Home alliance 45.2%, Union for Democracy alliance 37.2%, Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) 17.2% other 0.5%; seats by party - Our Home alliance 27, Union for Democracy alliance 20, Popular Rally 10

note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 21 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2014); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS 1, independent 1; two seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 10-17 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance for a New Democracy or ADN [Nicole BOUTEAU and Philip SCHYLE](includes the parties The New Star and This Country is Yours); Independent Front for the Liberation of Polynesia (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU]; New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON]; Our Home alliance; Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE]; Union for Democracy alliance or UPD [Oscar TEMARU]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

FZ, ITUC, PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas lands of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas lands of France)

Flag description:

two narrow red horizontal bands encase a wide white band; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern on the upper half; a stylized red, blue, and white ship rides on the wave pattern

note: the flag of France is used for official occasions

Government - note:

under certain acts of France, French Polynesia has acquired autonomy in all areas except those relating to police and justice, monetary policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign affairs; the duties of its president are fashioned after those of the French prime minister

Economy ::French Polynesia

Economy - overview:

Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural products. The territory benefits substantially from development agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses and strengthening social services.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$4.718 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $4.58 billion (2003 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):

$6.1 billion (2004)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.7% (2005) country comparison to the world: 134 5.1% (2002)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$18,000 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $17,500 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 3.5%

industry: 20.4%

services: 76.1% (2005)

Labor force:

116,000 (2007) country comparison to the world: 174

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 13%

industry: 19%

services: 68% (2002)

Unemployment rate:

11.7% (2005) country comparison to the world: 134

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Budget:

revenues: $865 million

expenditures: $644.1 million (1999)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.1% (2007) country comparison to the world: 9 1.1% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

fish; coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits, coffee; poultry, beef, dairy products

Industries:

tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

650 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Electricity - consumption:

604.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Oil - consumption:

7,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Oil - imports:

6,701 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 177

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Exports:

$211 million (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Exports - commodities:

cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark meat

Imports:

$1.706 billion (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Imports - commodities:

fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment

Debt - external:

$NA

Exchange rates:

Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003)

note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro

Communications ::French Polynesia

Telephones - main lines in use:

54,600 (2008) country comparison to the world: 160

Telephones - mobile cellular:

187,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 173

Telephone system:

general assessment: NA

domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is roughly 85 per 100 persons

international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:

7 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997)

Internet country code:

.pf

Internet hosts:

13,796 (2009) country comparison to the world: 113

Internet users:

90,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 156

Transportation ::French Polynesia

Airports:

53 (2009) country comparison to the world: 88

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 47

over 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 34

under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 4 (2009)

Heliports:

1 (2009)

Roadways:

total: 2,590 km country comparison to the world: 169 paved: 1,735 km

unpaved: 855 km (1999)

Merchant marine:

total: 15 country comparison to the world: 104 by type: cargo 6, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1

registered in other countries: 2 (Wallis and Futuna 2) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Papeete

Military ::French Polynesia

Military branches:

no regular military forces (2009)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 79,540 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 65,408

females age 16-49: 64,421 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 2,665

female: 2,552 (2009 est.)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues ::French Polynesia

Disputes - international:

none

page last updated on November 11, 2009

======================================================================

@French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Antarctica)

Introduction ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Background:

In February 2007, the Iles Eparses became an integral part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). The Southern Lands are now divided into five administrative districts, two of which are archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; the third is a district composed of two volcanic islands, Ile Saint-Paul and Ile Amsterdam; the fourth, Iles Eparses, consists of five scattered tropical islands around Madagascar. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna, scientists at the various scientific stations, fishermen, and military personnel. The fifth district is the Antarctic portion, which consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840.

Ile Amsterdam: Discovered but not named in 1522 by the Spanish, the island subsequently received the appellation of Nieuw Amsterdam from a Dutchman; it was claimed by France in 1843. A short-lived attempt at cattle farming began in 1871. A French meteorological station established on the island in 1949 is still in use.

Ile Saint Paul: Claimed by France since 1893, the island was a fishing industry center from 1843 to 1914. In 1928, a spiny lobster cannery was established, but when the company went bankrupt in 1931, seven workers were abandoned. Only two survived until 1934 when rescue finally arrived.

Iles Crozet: A large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau, Iles Crozet is divided into two main groups: L'Occidental (the West), which includes Ile aux Cochons, Ilots des Apotres, Ile des Pingouins, and the reefs Brisants de l'Heroine; and L'Oriental (the east), which includes Ile d'Est and Ile de la Possession (the largest island of the Crozets). Discovered and claimed by France in 1772, the islands were used for seal hunting and as a base for whaling. Originally administered as a dependency of Madagascar, they became part of the TAAF in 1955.

Iles Kerguelen: This island group, discovered in 1772, is made up of one large island (Ile Kerguelen) and about 300 smaller islands. A permanent group of 50 to 100 scientists resides at the main base at Port-aux-Francais.

Adelie Land: The only non-insular district of the TAAF is the Antarctic claim known as "Adelie Land." The US Government does not recognize it as a French dependency.

Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide.

Europa Island: This heavily wooded island has been a French possession since 1897; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station.

Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.

Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station.

Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station.

Geography ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Location:

southeast and east of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, some near Madagascar and others about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land"

Geographic coordinates:

Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 37 50 S, 77 32 E

Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 38 72 S, 77 53 E

Iles Crozet: 46 25 S, 51 00 E

Iles Kerguelen: 49 15 S, 69 35 E

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 21 30 S, 39 50 E

Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22 20 S, 40 22 E

Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 11 30 S, 47 20 E

Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 17 03 S, 42 45 E

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 15 52 S, 54 25 E

Map references:

Antarctic Region

Area:

Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 55 sq km; land - 55 sq km; water - 0 sq km country comparison to the world: 229 Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 7 sq km; land - 7 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Iles Crozet: total - 352 sq km; land - 352 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Iles Kerguelen: total - 7,215 sq km; land - 7,215 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km; water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon)

Europa Island (Iles Eparses): total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq km; water - 0 sq km

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km; water - 0 sq km

note: excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US

Area - comparative:

Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): less than one-half the size of Washington, DC

Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): more than 10 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Iles Crozet: about twice the size of Washington, DC

Iles Kerguelen: slightly larger than Delaware

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): land area about one-third the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Europa Island (Iles Eparses): about one-sixth the size of Washington, DC

Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): about seven times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): about 1.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 28 km

Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul):

Iles Kerguelen: 2,800 km

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km

Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22.2 km

Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km

Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 24.1 km

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 3.7 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen and Iles Eparses (does not include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands); Juan de Nova Island and Tromelin Island claim a continental shelf of 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity

Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy

Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy

Iles Eparses: tropical

Terrain:

Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): a volcanic island with steep coastal cliffs; the center floor of the volcano is a large plateau

Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): triangular in shape, the island is the top of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs on the eastern side; has active thermal springs

Iles Crozet: a large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau is divided into two groups of islands

Iles Kerguelen: the interior of the large island of Ile Kerguelen is composed of rugged terrain of high mountains, hills, valleys, and plains with a number of peninsulas stretching off its coasts

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon

Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: low, flat, and sandy

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic seamount

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont de la Dives on Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 867 m; unnamed location on Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 272 m; Pic Marion-Dufresne in Iles Crozet 1,090 m; Mont Ross in Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m; unnamed location on Bassas de India (Iles Eparses) 2.4 m; unnamed location on Europa Island (Iles Eparses) 24 m; unnamed location on Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) 12 m; unnamed location on Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) 10 m; unnamed location on Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) 7 m

Natural resources:

fish, crayfish

note: Glorioso Islands and Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) have guano, phosphates, and coconuts

Land use:

Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) - 100% trees, grasses, ferns, and moss; Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) - 100% grass, ferns, and moss; Iles Crozet - 100% tossock grass, heath, and fern; Iles Kerguelen - 100% tossock grass and Kerguelen cabbage; Bassas da India (Iles Eparses) - 100% rock, coral reef, and sand; Europa Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% mangrove swamp and dry woodlands; Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) - 100% lush vegetation and coconut palms; Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) - 90% forest, 10% other; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% grasses and scattered brush (2005)

Irrigated land:

0 sq km

Natural hazards:

Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are inactive volcanoes; Iles Eparses subject to periodic cyclones; Bassas da India is a maritime hazard since it is under water for a period of three hours prior to and following the high tide and surrounded by reefs

Environment - current issues:

introduction of foreign species on Iles Crozet has caused severe damage to the original ecosystem; overfishing of Patagonian toothfish around Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen

Geography - note:

islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): the atoll is a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano

Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles

Glorioso Island (Iles Eparses): the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)

People ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Population:

no indigenous inhabitants

Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): has no permanent residents but has a meteorological station

Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): is uninhabited but is frequently visited by fishermen and has a scientific research cabin for short stays

Iles Crozet: are uninhabited except for 18 to 30 people staffing the Alfred Faure research station on Ile del la Possession

Iles Kerguelen: 50 to 100 scientists are located at the main base at Port-aux-Francais on Ile Kerguelen

Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): uninhabitable

Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists on each possession; visited by scientists

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): uninhabited, except for visits by scientists

Government ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Country name:

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

abbreviation: TAAF

Dependency status:

overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by Administrateur Superieur Eric PILLOTON (since 10 April 2007)

Administrative divisions:

none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are five administrative districts named Iles Crozet, Iles Eparses, Iles Kerguelen, Ile Saint-Paul et Ile Amsterdam; the fifth district is the "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by the US

Legal system:

the laws of France, where applicable, apply

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007), represented by Senior Administrator Rollon MOUCHEL-BLAISOT (16 October 2008)

International organization participation:

UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of France)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of France)

Flag description:

the flag of France is used

Economy ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Economy - overview:

Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations, military bases, and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion.

Communications ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Internet country code:

.tf

Internet hosts:

44 (2009) country comparison to the world: 210

Communications - note:

one or more meteorological stations on each possession; note - meteorological station on Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) is important for forecasting cyclones

Transportation ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Airports:

4 (note - one each on Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the Iles Eparses district) (2006) country comparison to the world: 189

Ports and terminals:

none; offshore anchorage only

Transportation - note:

aids to navigation - lighthouses: Europa Island 18m; Juan de Nova Island (W side) 37m; Tromelin Island (NW point) 11m (all in the Iles Eparses district)

Military ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of France

Transnational Issues ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands

Disputes - international:

French claim to "Adelie Land" in Antarctica is not recognized by the US

Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): claimed by Madagascar

Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): claimed by Mauritius

page last updated on October 28, 2009

======================================================================

@Gabon (Africa)

Introduction ::Gabon

Background:

Until recently, only two autocratic presidents had ruled Gabon since its independence from France in 1960. The recent president of Gabon, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba -one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - had dominated the country's political scene for four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in 2002-03 and the presidential elections in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. President BONGO died in June 2009 and was replaced in accordance with the constitution by Rose Francine ROGOMBE, the president of the Senate. New elections are planned for the summer of 2009. This will be the first Gabonese elections in which BONGO is not participating. Despite political conditions, a small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous and stable African countries.

Geography ::Gabon

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea

Geographic coordinates:

1 00 S, 11 45 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 267,667 sq km country comparison to the world: 76 land: 257,667 sq km

water: 10,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Colorado

Land boundaries:

total: 2,551 km

border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km

Coastline:

885 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; always hot, humid

Terrain:

narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 1.21%

permanent crops: 0.64%

other: 98.15% (2005)

Irrigated land:

70 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

164 cu km (1987)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.12 cu km/yr (50%/8%/42%)

per capita: 87 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

deforestation; poaching

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity

People ::Gabon

Population:

1,514,993 country comparison to the world: 151 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 42.1% (male 320,414/female 318,027)

15-64 years: 53.9% (male 407,461/female 409,633)

65 years and over: 3.9% (male 24,799/female 34,659) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.6 years

male: 18.4 years

female: 18.9 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.934% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Birth rate:

35.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Death rate:

12.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Net migration rate:

-3.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Urbanization:

urban population: 85% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 51.78 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 48 male: 60.17 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 43.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 53.11 years country comparison to the world: 198 male: 52.19 years

female: 54.05 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.65 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

5.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

49,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

2,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria and chikungunya

water contact disease: schistosomiasis

animal contact disease: rabies (2009)

Nationality:

noun: Gabonese (singular and plural)

adjective: Gabonese

Ethnic groups:

Bantu tribes, including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi, Obamba); other Africans and Europeans, 154,000, including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality

Religions:

Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1%

Languages:

French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 63.2%

male: 73.7%

female: 53.3% (1995 est.)

Education expenditures:

3.8% of GDP (2000) country comparison to the world: 118

Government ::Gabon

Country name:

conventional long form: Gabonese Republic

conventional short form: Gabon

local long form: Republique Gabonaise

local short form: Gabon

Government type:

republic; multiparty presidential regime

Capital:

name: Libreville

geographic coordinates: 0 23 N, 9 27 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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:

Independence Day, 17 August (1960)

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; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ali BONGO Ondimba (since 16 October 2009)

head of government: Prime Minister Paul BIYOGHE MBA (since 15 July 2009)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 30 August 2009 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: President Ali BONGO Ondimba elected; percent of vote - Ali BONGO Ondimba 41.7%, Andre MBA OBAME 25.9%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 25.2%, Zacharie MYBOTO 3.9%, other 3.3%

note: President BONGO died on 8 June 2009 after serving as president for 32 years, in accordance with the constitution he was replaced on an interim basis by the president of the Senate, Rose Francine ROGOMBE on 10 June 2009, new elections where held on 30 August 2009 and the son of the former president, Ali BONGO Ondimba, was elected president

Legislative branch:

bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (102 seats; members elected by members of municipal councils and departmental assemblies to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 18 January 2009 (next to be held in January 2015); National Assembly - last held 17 and 24 December 2006 (next to be held in December 2011)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 75, GPR 6, UGDD 3, CLR 2, PGCI 2, UPG 2, ADERE 1, independents 9; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 82, RPG 8, UPG 8, UGDD 4, ADERE 3, CLR 2, PGP-Ndaot 2, PSD 2, independents 4, others 5

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers - Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts

Political parties and leaders:

Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE]; Congress for Democracy and Justice or CDJ [Jules Aristide Bourdes OGOULIGUENDE]; Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG (former sole party) [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA]; Gabonese Party for Progress or PGP [Benoit Mouity NZAMBA]; Gabonese Union for Democracy and Development or UGDD [Zacherie MYBOTO]; National Rally of Woodcutters or RNB; National Rally of Woodcutters-Rally for Gabon or RNB-RPG (Bucherons) [Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE]; Party of Development and Social Solidarity or PDS [Seraphin Ndoat REMBOGO]; People's Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]; Union for Democracy and Social Integration or UDIS; Union of Gabonese Patriots or UPG [Pierre MAMBOUNDOU]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos BOUNGOU

chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000

FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668

consulate(s): New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Eunice S. REDDICK

embassy: Boulevard du Bord de Mer, Libreville

mailing address: Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville; pouch:2270 Libreville Place, Washington, DC 20521-2270

telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, after hours - 07380171

FAX: [241] 74 55 07

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue

Economy ::Gabon

Economy - overview:

Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most sub-Saharan African nations, but because of high income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for more than 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management hobbles the economy. In 1997, an IMF mission to Gabon criticized the government for overspending on off-budget items, overborrowing from the central bank, and slipping on its schedule for privatization and administrative reform. The rebound of oil prices since 1999 have helped growth, but drops in production have hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains, and will continue to temper the gains for most of this decade. In December 2000, Gabon signed a new agreement with the Paris Club to reschedule its official debt. A follow-up bilateral repayment agreement with the US was signed in December 2001. Gabon signed a 14-month Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF in May 2007, and received Paris Club debt rescheduling later that year.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$21.16 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 120 $20.74 billion (2007 est.)

$19.64 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$14.54 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 5.6% (2007 est.)

1.2% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$14,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $14,200 (2007 est.)

$13,800 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 5.6%

industry: 57.8%

services: 36.6% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

581,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 60%

industry: 15%

services: 25% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

21% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Investment (gross fixed):

27.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Budget:

revenues: $4.511 billion

expenditures: $2.932 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

24.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 29.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 5% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 83 5.25% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 43 15% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$1.547 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$799.3 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$NA (31 December 2008)

$359.8 million (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish

Industries:

petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement

Industrial production growth rate:

1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Electricity - production:

1.774 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Electricity - consumption:

1.446 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

247,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Oil - consumption:

14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Oil - exports:

227,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Oil - imports:

4,185 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Oil - proved reserves:

2 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Natural gas - production:

90 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Natural gas - consumption:

90 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 175

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Natural gas - proved reserves:

28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Current account balance:

$2.727 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $1.549 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$9.333 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $7.046 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

crude oil 70%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001)

Exports - partners:

US 25.4%, China 19.1%, Japan 10.2%, France 5.4%, Spain 4% (2008)

Imports:

$2.577 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $2.2 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials

Imports - partners:

France 32.2%, US 11.1%, China 5.4%, Belgium 4.7%, Cameroon 4.4%, Netherlands 4.2% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$1.925 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $1.238 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$2.986 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $4.895 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004)

note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par

Communications ::Gabon

Telephones - main lines in use:

26,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 182

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.3 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 137

Telephone system:

general assessment: adequate service by African standards and improving with the help of a growing mobile cell network system with multiple providers; mobile-cellular subscribership reached nearly 90 per 100 persons in 2008

domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations

international: country code - 241; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 6, FM 7 (plus 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

4 (plus 4 repeaters) (2001)

Internet country code:

.ga

Internet hosts:

91 (2009) country comparison to the world: 199

Internet users:

90,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 158

Transportation ::Gabon

Airports:

44 (2009) country comparison to the world: 98

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 13

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 31

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 14 (2009)

Pipelines:

gas 240 km; oil 723 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 814 km country comparison to the world: 100 standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 9,170 km country comparison to the world: 138 paved: 937 km

unpaved: 8,233 km (2004)

Waterways: