1989 Edition

Climate

tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers

tropical in south, desert in north

Coastline

none — landlocked

none — landlocked

Comparative area

slightly smaller than Texas

slightly more than three times the size of California

Disputes

Libya claims and occupies a small portion of the Aozou Strip in far north; exact locations of the Chad-NigerNigeria and Cameroon-Chad-Nigeria tripoints in Lake Chad have not been determined— since the boundary has not been demarcated, border incidents have resulted

Environment

hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; poaching has diminished reputation as one of last great wildlife refuges; desertification

hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; drought and desertification adversely affecting south; subject to plagues of locusts

Land boundaries

5,203 km total; Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km, Zaire 1,577 km

5,968 km total; Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km

Land use

3% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 5% meadows and pastures; 64% forest and woodland; 28% other

2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 36% meadows and pastures; 11% forest and woodland; 51% other; includes NEGL% irrigated

Maritime claims

none — landlocked

none — landlocked

Natural resources

diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil

small quantities of crude oil (unexploited but exploration beginning), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)

Note

landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa

landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel

Terrain

vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest

broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south

Total area

622,980 km2; land area: 622,980 km2

1,284,000 km2; land area: 1,259,200 km2

Birth rate

44 births/ 1 ,000 population (1990)

42 births/ 1,000 population (1990)

Death rate

18 deaths/ 1,000 population (1990)

22 deaths/ 1,000 population (1990)

Ethnic divisions

about 80 ethnic groups, the majority of which have related ethnic and linguistic characteristics; 34% Baya, 27% Banda, 10% Sara, 21% Mandjia, 4% Mboum, 4% M'Baka; 6,500 Europeans, of whom 3,600 are French

some 200 distinct ethnic groups, most of whom are Muslims (Arabs, Toubou, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Kanembou, Baguirmi, Boulala, and Maba) in the north and center and non-Muslims (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moudang, Moussei, Massa) in the south; some 150,000 nonindigenous, of whom 1,000 are French

Infant mortality rate

141 deaths/ 1,000 live births (1990)

136 deaths/ 1,000 live births (1990)

Labor force

775,413 (1986 est.); 85% agriculture, 9% commerce and services, 3% industry, 3% government; about 64,000 salaried workers; 55% of population of working age (1985)

NA; 85% agriculture (engaged in unpaid subsistence farming, herding, and fishing)

Language

French (official); Sangho (lingua franca and national language); Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili

French and Arabic (official); Sara and Sango in south; mere than 100 different languages and dialects are spoken

Life expectancy at birth

45 years male, 48 years female (1990)

38 years male, 40 years female (1990)

Literacy

40.2%

25.3%

Nationality

noun — Central African(s); adjective — Central African Central African Republic (continued)

noun — Chadian(s); adjective — Chadian

Net migration rate

0 migrants/ 1 ,000 population (1990)

NEGL migrants/ 1,000 population (1990)

Organized labor

1 % of labor force

about 20% of wage labor force

Population

2,877,365 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990)

5,017,431 (July 1990), growth rate 2.1% (1990)

Religion

24% indigenous beliefs, 25% Protestant, 25% Roman Catholic, 15% Muslim, 1 1% other; animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority

44% Muslim, 33% Christian, 23% indigenous beliefs, animism

Total fertility rate

5.6 children born/ woman (1990)

5.3 children born/ woman (1990)

Administrative divisions

14 prefectures (prefectures, singular — prefecture) and 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular — prefecture economique); Bamingui-Bangoran, Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, OuhamPende, Sangha*, Vakaga; note — there may be a new autonomous commune of Bangui

14 prefectures (prefectures, singular — prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, ChariBaguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai', Salamat, Tandjile

Capital

Bangui

N'Djamena

Communists

small number of Communist sympathizers

no front organizations or underground party; probably a few Communists and some sympathizers

Constitution

21 November 1986

22 December 1989

Diplomatic representation

Ambassador Jean-Pierre SOHAHONG-KOMBET; Chancery at 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 483-7800 or 7801; US— Ambassador Daniel H. SIMPSON; Embassy at Avenue du President David Dacko, Bangui (mailing address is B. P. 924, Bangui); telephone 61-02-00 or 61-25-78, 61-43-33

Ambassador Mahamat Ali ADOUM; Chancery at 2002 R Steet NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone (202) 462-4009; US— Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires, Julius WALKER; Embassy at Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena (mailing address is B. P. 413, N'Djamena); telephone [235] (51) 32-69 or 35-13, 28-62, 23-29, 32-29, 30-94, 28-47

Elections

President — last held 21 November 1986 (next to be held November 1993); results — President Kolingba was reelected without opposition; National Assembly — last held 3 1 July 1987 (next to be held July 1992); results— RDC is the only party; seats — (total) RDC

President — last held 10 December 1989 (next to be held December 1996); results — President Habre was reelected without opposition

Executive branch

president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)

president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)

Flag

four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Andorra which has a national coat of arms featuring a quartered shield centered in the yellow band; also similar to the flag of Romania which has a national coat of arms featuring a mountain landscape centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France

Independence

1 3 August 1 960 (from France; formerly Central African Empire)

1 1 August 1 960 (from France)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

Court of Appeal

Leaders

Chief of State and Head of Government— President Andre-Dieudonne KOLINGBA (since 1 September 1981) Political parties and leaders: only party — Centrafrican Democrtic Rally Party (RDC), Andre-Dieudonne Kolingba

Chief of State and Head of Government— President Hissein HABRE (since 19 June 1982) Political parties and leaders: National Union for Independence and Revolution (UNIR) established June 1984 with Habre as President; numerous dissident groups Chad (continued) (most significant opponents have returned to the government since mid1986)

Legal system

based on French law

based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

bicameral Congress consists of an upper house or Economic and Regional Council (Conseil Economique et Regional) and a lower house or National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale)

unicameral National Consultative Council (Conseil National Consultatif)

Long-form name

Central African Republic (no short-form name); abbreviated CAR

Republic of Chad

Member of

ACP, AfDB, CCC, Conference of East and Central African States, EAMA, ECA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ITU, NAM, OAU, OCAM, UDEAC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

ACP, AfDB, CEAO, Conference of East and Central African States, EAMA, ECA, EC (associate), FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, IDA, IDB— Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ITU, Lake Chad Basin Commission, NAM, OAU, OCAM, QIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO

National holiday

National Day (proclamation of the republic), 1 December (1958)

National Day (founding of the Third Republic), 7 June (1982)

Other political or pressure groups

NA

Suffrage

universal at age 21

universal at age NA

Type

republic, one-party presidential regime since 1986

republic

Agriculture

minor production of vegetables, fruit, livestock; turtle farming

accounts for 40% of GDP; self-sufficient in food production except for grain; commercial crops — cotton, coffee, tobacco, timber; food crops — manioc, yams, millet, corn, bananas

accounts for 45% of GDP; largely subsistence farming; cotton most important cash crop; food crops include sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc; livestock — cattle, sheep, goats, camels; self-sufficient in food in years of adequate rainfall

Aid

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $26.7 million; Western (nonUS) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $32.2 million

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $44 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $1.3 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $6 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $38 million

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $178 million; Western (nonUS) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $1.2 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $28 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $71 million

Budget

revenues $46.2 million; expenditures $47.0 million, including capital expenditures of $9.1 million (1986)

revenues $132 million; current expenditures $305 million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (1989 est.)

revenues $61 million; expenditures $85 million, including capital expenditures of NA(1988est.)

Currency

Caymanian dollar (plural — dollars); 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural — francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural — francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes

Electricity

59,000 kW capacity; 213 million kWh produced, 8,960 kWh per capita (1989)

35,000 kW capacity; 84 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1989)

38,000 kW capacity; 70 million kWh produced, 14 kWh per capita (1989)

Exchange rates

Caymanian dollars (CIS) per US$1— 0.835 (fixed rate)

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1— 287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26(1985) Fiscal yean calendar year

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 — 287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26(1985)

Exports

$2.2 million (f.o.b., 1986 est.); commodities — turtle products, manufactured consumer goods; partners — mostly US

$138 million (f.o.b., 1988 est.); commodities — diamonds, cotton, coffee, timber, tobacco; partners — France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, US

$432 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities— cotton 43%, cattle 35%, textiles 5%, fish; partners — France, Nigeria, Cameroon

External debt

$15 million (1986)

$660 million (December 1989)

$360 million (December 1989)

Fiscal year

1 April-31 March

calendar year

GDP

$238 million, per capita $10,000 (1989 est.); real growth rate 12% (1987 est.)

$1.27 billion, per capita $453; real growth rate 2.0% (1988 est.)

$902 million, per capita $190; real growth rate 7.0% (1988)

Imports

$134 million (c.i.f., 1986 est.); commodities — foodstuffs, manufactured goods; partners — US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan

$285 million (c.i.f., 1988 est.); commodities — food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial products; partners — France, other EC, Japan, Algeria, Yugoslavia

$214 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities— machinery and transportation equipment 39%, industrial goods 20%, petroleum products 13%, foodstuffs 9%; partners — US, France

Industrial production

growth rate NA%

1.9% (1987 est.)

growth rate —7.0% (1986)

Industries

tourism, banking, insurance and finance, real estate and construction

sawmills, breweries, diamond mining, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles

cotton textile mills, slaughterhouses, brewery, natron (sodium carbonate)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.4% (1986)

—4.2% (1988 est.)

—3.0% (1987)

Overview

The economy depends heavily on tourism (70% of GDP and 75% of export earnings) and offshore financial services, with the tourist industry aimed at the luxury market and catering mainly to visitors from North America. About 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods needs must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the region.

The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the poorest countries in Africa, with a per capita income of roughly $450 in 1988. Subsistence agriculture, including forestry, is the backbone of the economy, with over 70% of the population living in the countryside. In 1988 the agricultural sector generated about 40% of GDP, mining and manufacturing 14%, utilities and construction 4%, and services 41%. Agricultural products accounted for about 60% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 30%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation infrastructure, and a weak human resource base. Multilateral and bilateral development assistance plays a major role in providing capital for new investment.

The climate, geographic location, and lack of infrastructure and natural resources potential make Chad one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world. Its economy is slowly recovering from the ravaging effects of prolonged civil war, conflict with Libya, drought, and food shortages. In 1986 real GDP returned to its 1977 level, with cotton, the major cash crop, accounting for 43% of exports. Over 80% of the work force is employed in subsistence farming and fishing. Industry is based almost entirely on the processing of agricultural products, including cotton, sugarcane, and cattle. Chad is still highly dependent on foreign aid, with its economy in trouble and many regions suffering from shortages.

Unemployment rate

NA%

30% in Bangui (1988 est.)

NA

Airports

3 total; 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 2 with runways 1,220-2,439 m

66 total, 49 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 22 with runways 1,2202,439 m Chad

71 total, 55 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 3 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 24 with runways 1,2202,439 m

Branches

Army, Air Force

Army, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard

Civil air

2 major transport aircraft

3 major transport aircraft

Defense expenditures

1.8% of GDP, or $23 million (1989 est.) SeercfionilmapVIl

3.5% of GDP (1987)

Highways

160 km of main roads

22,000 km total; 458 km bituminous, 10,542 km improved earth, 1 1 ,000 unimproved earth

31,322 km total; 32 km bituminous; 7,300 km gravel and laterite; remainder unimproved

Inland waterways

2,000 km navigable

Intend waterways

800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river

Merchant marine

32 ships (1,000 CRT or over) totaling 355,055 GRT/576,622 DWT; includes 1 passenger-cargo, 8 cargo, 8 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 4 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 1 specialized tanker, 1 liquefied gas carrier, 8 bulk; note — a flag of convenience registry

Military manpower

males 15-49, 642,207; 335,863 fit for military service

males 15-49, 1,163,312; 603,923 fit for military service; 50,255 reach military age (20) annually

Note

defense is the responsibility of the UK 400km Secretions! mtp VII

Ports

George Town, Cayman Brae

Telecommunications

35,000 telephones; telephone system uses 1 submarine coaxial cable and 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station to link islands and access international services; stations — 2 AM, 1 FM, no TV Defense Forces

fair system; network relies primarily on radio relay links, with low-capacity, low-powered radiocommunication also used; 6,000 telephones; stations—I AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station Defense Forces

fair system of radiocommunication stations for intercity links; 5,000 telephones; stations — 3 AM, 1 FM, limited TV service; many facilities are inoperative; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station Defense Forces