2001 Edition

Administrative divisions

9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem

Age structure

0-14 years: 33.29% (male 203,677; female 202,833) 15-64 years: 60.77% (male 373,828; female 368,282) 65 years and over: 5.94% (male 35,867; female 36,688) (2001 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

59 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 10 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 49 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 24 (2000 est.) Gabon Military

Area

total: 267,667 sq km land: 257,667 sq km water: 10,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Colorado

Background

Ruled by autocratic presidents since independence from France in 1960, Gabon introduced a multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s that allowed for a more transparent electoral process and for reforms of governmental institutions. A small population, abundant natural resources, and foreign private investment have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous black African countries. Gabon Geography

Birth rate

27.42 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Budget

revenues: $1.5 billion expenditures: $1.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $302 million (1996 est.)

Capital

Libreville

Climate

tropical; always hot, humid

Coastline

885 km

Constitution

adopted 14 March 1991

Country name

conventional long form: Gabonese Republic conventional short form: Gabon local long form: Republique Gabonaise local short form: Gabon

Currency

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Currency code

XAF

Death rate

17.22 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Debt - external

$3.9 billion (2000 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador James V. LEDESMA embassy: Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville mailing address: B. P. 4000, Libreville telephone: [241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, 74 34 92

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Paul BOUNDOUKOU-LATHA chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000

Disputes - international

maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial Guinea because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay

Economic aid - recipient

$331 million (1995)

Economy - overview

Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most nations of sub-Saharan Africa. This has supported a sharp decline in extreme poverty; yet 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 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, manganese, and uranium exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, the economy is hobbled by poor fiscal management. In 1992, the fiscal deficit widened to 2.4% of GDP, and Gabon failed to settle arrears on its bilateral debt, leading to a cancellation of rescheduling agreements with official and private creditors. Devaluation of its Francophone currency by 50% on 12 January 1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped to 6% in 1996. The IMF provided a one-year standby arrangement in 1994-95, a three-year Enhanced Financing Facility (EFF) at near commercial rates beginning in late 1995, and stand-by credit of $119 million in October 2000. Those agreements mandate progress in privatization and fiscal discipline. France provided additional financial support in January 1997 after Gabon had met IMF targets for mid-1996. 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 in 1999-2000 helped growth, but drops in production hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains. An expected decline in oil output may lead to contraction in GDP in 2001-02.

Electricity - consumption

948.6 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - production

1.02 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 29.9% hydro: 70.1% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; poaching

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Gabon People

Ethnic groups

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

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per euro

Executive branch

chief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967) head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Francois NTOUTOUME-EMANE (since 23 January 1999) 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; election last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2005); prime minister appointed by the president election results: President El Hadj Omar BONGO reelected; percent of vote - El Hadj Omar BONGO 66.6%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 16.5%, Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE 13.4%

Exports

$3.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil 75%, timber, manganese, uranium (1998)

Exports - partners

US 47%, France 19%, China 8%, Japan 1.3% (1999)

FAX

[1] (202) 332-0668 consulate(s): New York

[241] 74 55 07

Fiscal year

calendar year Gabon Communications

Flag description

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

GDP

purchasing power parity - $7.7 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 10% industry: 60% services: 30% (1999 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $6,300 (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.2% (2000 est.)

Geographic coordinates

1 00 S, 11 45 E

Government type

republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized in 1990)

Highways

total: 7,670 km paved: 629 km (including 30 km of expressways) unpaved: 7,041 km (1996)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

4.16% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

2,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

23,000 (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$1 billion (f.o.b., 2000 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, petroleum products, construction materials

Imports - partners

France 64%, US 4%, UK 2%, Netherlands 2%, (1999)

Independence

17 August 1960 (from France)

Industrial production growth rate

2.3% (1995)

Industries

food and beverage; textile; lumbering and plywood; cement; petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, uranium, and gold mining; chemicals; ship repair

Infant mortality rate

94.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.5% (2000 est.)

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Internet country code

.ga

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet users

5,000 (2000) Gabon Transportation

Irrigated land

40 sq km (1993 est.)

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

Labor force

600,000

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 60%, services and government 25%, industry and commerce 15%

Land boundaries

total: 2,551 km border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km

Land use

arable land: 1% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 18% forests and woodland: 77% other: 3% (1993 est.)

Languages

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

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

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of the Senate (91 seats) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats); members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms elections: National Assembly - last held 15 and 29 December 1996 (next to be held NA December 2001); Senate - last held 26 January and 9 February 1997 (next to be held in January 2002) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PDG 89, PGP 9, RNB 6, CLR 3, UPG 2, USG 2, independents 4, others 5; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PDG 53, RNB 20, PGP 4, ADERE 3, RDP 1, CLR 1, independents 9

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 49.59 years male: 48.47 years female: 50.75 years (2001 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 63.2% male: 73.7% female: 53.3% (1995 est.) Gabon Government

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone: 24 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM territorial sea: 12 NM

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard (charged with protecting the president and other senior officials), National Gendarmerie, National Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$91 million (FY96)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.6% (FY96) Gabon Transnational Issues

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 281,218 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 145,062 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age

20 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 11,304 (2001 est.)

National holiday

Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March (1968)

Nationality

noun: Gabonese (singular and plural) adjective: Gabonese

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 270 km; petroleum products 14 km

Political parties and leaders

African Forum for Reconstruction or FAR [Leon MBOU-YEMBI]; Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE]; Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB]; Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG, former sole party [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA, secretary general]; Gabonese Party for Progress or PGP [Pierre-Louis AGONDJO-OKAWE, president]; Gabonese People's Union or UPG [Pierre MAMBOUNDOU]; Gabonese Socialist Union or USG [Serge MBA BEKALE]; National Rally of Woodcutters (Bucherons) or RNB [Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE]; People's Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Pierre EMBONI]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

1,221,175 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

1.02% (2001 est.)

Ports and harbors

Cap Lopez, Kango, Lambarene, Libreville, Mayumba, Owendo, Port-Gentil

Radio broadcast stations

AM 6, FM 7, shortwave 6 (1998)

Radios

208,000 (1997)

Railways

total: 649 km (Gabon State Railways or OCTRA) standard gauge: 649 km 1.435-m gauge; single track (1994)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Telephone system

general assessment: NA domestic: adequate system of cable, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, radiotelephone communication stations, and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

37,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

9,500 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

4 (plus five low-power repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

63,000 (1997)

Terrain

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

Total fertility rate

3.69 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate

21% (1997 est.)

Waterways

1,600 km (perennially navigable)