2005 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: 42.1% (male 293,668/female 291,816) 15-64 years: 53.8% (male 372,134/female 374,850) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 23,551/female 33,182) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

56 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

11 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 23 (2004 est.) Military Gabon

Area

land

257,667 sq km

total

267,667 sq km

water

10,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Colorado

Background

Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since independence from France in 1960. Gabon's current President, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - has dominated Gabon's political scene for almost four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, the low turnout and allegations of electoral fraud during the most recent local elections in 2002-03 have exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. Presidential elections scheduled for 2005 are unlikely to bring change since the opposition remains weak, divided, and financially dependent on the current regime. 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

Birth rate

36.24 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$1.64 billion, including capital expenditures of $310 million (2004 est.)

revenues

$2.129 billion

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 (code)

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

Currency code

XAF

Current account balance

$196.8 million (2004 est.)

Death rate

11.72 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$3.804 billion (2004 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Barrie R. WALKLEY

embassy

Boulevard du Bord de Mer, Libreville

FAX

[241] 74 55 07

mailing address

Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville

telephone

[241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, after hours - 74 34 92

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

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

chief of mission

Ambassador Jules Marius OGOUEBANDJA

consulate(s)

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 332-0668

telephone

[1] (202) 797-1000

Disputes - international

UN presses Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and to establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay; only a few hundred out of the 20,000 Republic of the Congo refugees who fled militia fighting in 2000 remain in Gabon This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

Economic aid - recipient

$331 million (1995)

Economy - overview

Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most of sub-Saharan African nations. 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, and manganese exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management hobbles the economy. Devaluation of its currency by 50% in 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. 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 2004, and received Paris Club debt rescheduling later that year. Short-term progress depends on an upbeat world economy and fiscal and other adjustments in line with IMF policies.

Electricity - consumption

1.08 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

1.161 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

34.5%

hydro

65.5%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mont Iboundji 1,575 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; poaching

Environment - international agreements

party to

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

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

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000)

Executive branch

cabinet

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

chief of state

President El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba (since 2 December 1967)

election results

President El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba reelected; percent of vote - El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba 66.6%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 16.5%, Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE 13.4%

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

head of government

Prime Minister Jean-Francois NTOUTOUME-EMANE (since 23 January 1999)

Exports

$3.71 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil 77%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001)

Exports - partners

US 53.3%, China 8.5%, France 7.4% (2004)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Gabon

Flag description

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

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

7.4%

industry

46.7%

services

45.9% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $5,900 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.9% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$7.966 billion (2004 est.)

Geographic coordinates

1 00 S, 11 45 E

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

Government type

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

Highways

paved

838 km

total

8,464 km

unpaved

7,626 km (2000 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

8.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

48,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports

$1.225 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials

Imports - partners

France 43.8%, US 6.3%, UK 5.9%, Netherlands 4% (2004)

Independence

17 August 1960 (from France)

Industrial production growth rate

1.6% (2002 est.)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

43.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

63.21 deaths/1,000 live births

total

53.64 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.5% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Internet country code

.ga

Internet hosts

93 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2001)

Internet users

35,000 (2003) Transportation Gabon

Investment (gross fixed)

21.8% of GDP (2004 est.)

Irrigated land

150 sq km (1998 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

650,000 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25%

Land boundaries

border countries

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

total

2,551 km

Land use

arable land

1.26%

other

98.08% (2001)

permanent crops

0.66%

Languages

French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, 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; members elected by members of municipal councils and departmental assemblies) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (120 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms)

election results

National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PDG 86, RNB-RPG 8, PGP 3, ADERE 3, CLR 2, PUP 1, PSD 1, independents 13, others 3; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PDG 53, RNB 20, PGP 4, ADERE 3, RDP 1, CLR 1, independents 9

elections

National Assembly - last held 9 and 23 December 2001 (next to be held December 2006); Senate - last held 26 January and 9 February 2003 (next to be held by January 2009)

Life expectancy at birth

female

56.45 years (2005 est.)

male

53.63 years

total population

55.02 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

53.3% (1995 est.) Government Gabon

male

73.7%

total population

63.2%

Location

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

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49: 276,310 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49: 156,632 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

males

15,150 (2005 est.)

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

18.8 years (2005 est.)

male

18.34 years

total

18.57 years

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$184.8 million (2004)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2% (2004) Transnational Issues Gabon

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001)

National holiday

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

Nationality

adjective

Gabonese

noun

Gabonese (singular and plural)

Natural gas - consumption

80 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

80 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

66.47 billion cu m (2004)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

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

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption

13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA

Oil - imports

NA

Oil - production

264,900 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

2.022 billion bbl (2004 est.)

Pipelines

gas 210 km; oil 1,385 km (2004)

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 [Pierre-Louis AGONDJO-OKAWE]; National Rally of Woodcutters-Rally for Gabon or RNB-RPG (Bucherons) [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]; Union for Democracy and Social Integration or UDIS [leader NA]; Union of Gabonese People or UPG [Pierre MAMBOUNDOU]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

1,389,201 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 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA

Population growth rate

2.45% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors

Gamba, Libreville, Lucinda, Owendo, Port-Gentil

Public debt

29.3% of GDP (2004 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

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

Radios

208,000 (1997)

Railways

standard gauge

814 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)

total

814 km

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$268.6 million (2004 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

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

general assessment

adequate service by African standards and improving with the help of the growing mobile cell system

international

country code - 241; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Telephones - main lines in use

38,400 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular

300,000 (2003)

Television broadcast stations

4 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001)

Televisions

63,000 (1997)

Terrain

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

Total fertility rate

4.77 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

21% (1997 est.)

Waterways

1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2003)