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Compare French Guiana (2002) - Central African Republic (2003)

Compare French Guiana (2002) z Central African Republic (2003)

 French Guiana (2002)Central African Republic (2003)
 French GuianaCentral African Republic
Administrative divisions none (overseas department of France) 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga
Age structure 0-14 years: 30.2% (male 28,140; female 26,876)


15-64 years: 64.2% (male 63,183; female 53,902)


65 years and over: 5.6% (male 5,192; female 5,040) (2002 est.)
0-14 years: 43.1% (male 799,241; female 788,370)


15-64 years: 53.5% (male 969,581; female 1,000,740)


65 years and over: 3.4% (male 53,322; female 72,284) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sugar, cocoa, vegetables, bananas; cattle, pigs, poultry cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber
Airports 11 (2001) 50 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 4


over 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 7


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 5 (2002)
total: 47


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 10


914 to 1,523 m: 23


under 914 m: 13 (2002)
Area total: 91,000 sq km


land: 89,150 sq km


water: 1,850 sq km
total: 622,984 sq km


land: 622,984 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Indiana slightly smaller than Texas
Background First settled by the French in 1604, French Guiana was the site of notorious penal settlements until 1951. The European Space Agency launches its communication satellites from Kourou. The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. In March 2003 a military coup deposed the civilian government of President Ange-Felix PATASSE and has since established a new government.
Birth rate 21.66 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 35.93 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: $225 million


expenditures: $390 million, including capital expenditures of $105 million (1996) (1996)
revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Capital Cayenne Bangui
Climate tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Coastline 378 km 0 km (landlocked)
Constitution 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January 1995
Country name conventional long form: Department of Guiana


conventional short form: French Guiana


local long form: none


local short form: Guyane
conventional long form: Central African Republic


conventional short form: none


local long form: Republique Centrafricaine


local short form: none


former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire


abbreviation: CAR
Currency euro (EUR); French franc (FRF) Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States
Death rate 4.78 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 19.73 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external $1.2 billion (1988) (1988) $881.4 million (2000 est.)
Dependency status overseas department of France -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas department of France) chief of mission: Ambassador Mattie R. SHARPLESS


embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui


mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui


telephone: [236] 61 02 00


FAX: [236] 61 44 94
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas department of France) chief of mission: Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY


chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800


FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893
Disputes - international Suriname claims area between Riviere Litani and Riviere Marouini (both headwaters of the Lawa) internal political instabilities with fighting and violence overlap into Chad and CAR, leaving refugees and rebel groups in both countries; violent ethnic skirmishes persist along the border with Sudan
Economic aid - recipient $NA ODA $73 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France (2000 est.)
Economy - overview The economy is tied closely to the French economy through subsidies and imports. Besides the French space center at Kourou, fishing and forestry are the most important economic activities. Forest and woodland cover 90% of the country. The large reserves of tropical hardwoods, not fully exploited, support an expanding sawmill industry that provides sawn logs for export. Cultivation of crops is limited to the coastal area, where the population is largely concentrated; rice and manioc are the major crops. French Guiana is heavily dependent on imports of food and energy. Unemployment is a serious problem, particularly among younger workers. Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 54%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization, with GDP growth likely to be no more than 1.3% in 2003. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs.
Electricity - consumption 418.5 million kWh (2000) 98.63 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 450 million kWh (2000) 106 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel: 19.8%


hydro: 80.2%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Bellevue de l'Inini 851 m
lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m


highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m
Environment - current issues NA tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94


signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Ethnic groups black or mulatto 66%, white 12%, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian 12%, other 10% Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%
Exchange rates Euros per US dollar - 1.1324 (January 2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); French francs per US dollar - 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997) Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998)
Executive branch chief of state: President Jacques CHIRAC of France (since 17 May 1995), represented by Prefect Ange MANCINI (since 31 July 2002)


head of government: President of the General Council Joseph HO-TEN-YOU (since 26 March 2001); President of the Regional Council Antoine KARAM (since 22 March 1992)


cabinet: NA


elections: French president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; presidents of the General and Regional Councils are appointed by the members of those councils
chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup)


head of government: Prime Minister Abel GOUMBA (since NA March 2003)


cabinet: Council of Ministers


elections: NA; current president assumed power following a coup on 15 March 2003 in which former President Ange-Felix PATASSE was overthrown (President BOZIZE has stated that elections will be held by NA 2004); prime minister appointed by the president
Exports $155 million f.o.b. (1997) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities shrimp, timber, gold, rum, rosewood essence, clothing diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
Exports - partners France 62%, Switzerland 7%, US 2% (1997) Belgium 66.8%, Spain 6.4%, Kazakhstan 4% (2002)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description the flag of France is used 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
GDP purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1998 est.) purchasing power parity - $4.296 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA%


industry: NA%


services: NA%
agriculture: 55%


industry: 20%


services: 25% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $6,000 (1998 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA% 1.5% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 4 00 N, 53 00 W 7 00 N, 21 00 E
Geography - note mostly an unsettled wilderness; the only non-independent portion of the South American continent landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
Highways total: 1,817 km


paved: 817 km


unpaved: 1,000 km (1998)
total: 23,810 km


paved: 643 km


unpaved: 23,167 km (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 0.7%


highest 10%: 47.7% (1993)
Illicit drugs small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe -
Imports $625 million c.i.f. (1997) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities food (grains, processed meat), machinery and transport equipment, fuels and chemicals food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners France 52%, US 14%, Trinidad and Tobago 6% (1997) France 30%, US 5.2%, Cameroon 4.5%, Germany 4.3% (2002)
Independence none (overseas department of France) 13 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate NA% 3% (2002)
Industries construction, shrimp processing, forestry products, rum, gold mining diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Infant mortality rate 13.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 93.3 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 100.35 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 86.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.5% (1992) (1992) 3.6% (2001 est.)
International organization participation FZ, WCL, WFTU ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC (observer), OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) 1 (2002)
Irrigated land 20 sq km (1998 est.) NA sq km
Judicial branch Court of Appeals or Cour d'Appel (highest local court based in Martinique with jurisdiction over Martinique, Guadeloupe, and French Guiana) Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts
Labor force 58,800 (1997) (1997) NA
Labor force - by occupation services, government, and commerce 61%, industry 21%, agriculture 18% (1980) -
Land boundaries total: 1,183 km


border countries: Brazil 673 km, Suriname 510 km
total: 5,203 km


border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km
Land use arable land: 0.11% NEGL


permanent crops: 0.03%


other: 99.86% (90% forest, 10% other) (1998 est.)
arable land: 3.1%


permanent crops: 0.14%


other: 96.76% (1998 est.)
Languages French French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
Legal system French legal system based on French law
Legislative branch unicameral General Council or Conseil General (19 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and a unicameral Regional Council or Conseil Regional (31 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms)


elections: General Council - last held NA March 2000 (next to be held NA 2006); Regional Council - last held 15 March 1998 (next to be held NA 2004)


election results: General Council - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PSG 5, various left-wing parties 5, independents 7, other 2; Regional Council - percent of vote by party - PS 28.28%, various left parties 22.56%, RPR 15.91%, independents 8.6%, Walwari Committee 6%; seats by party - PS 11, various left parties 9, RPR 6, independents 3, Walwari Committee 2


note: one seat was elected to the French Senate on 27 September 1998 (next to be held NA September 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; 2 seats were elected to the French National Assembly on 9 June-16 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007); results - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - UMP/RPR 1, Walwari Committee 1
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - there were 85 seats in the National Assembly before the 1998 election)


elections: last held 22-23 November and 13 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2003)


election results: percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD 9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%, independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD 6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7
Life expectancy at birth total population: 76.49 years


male: 73.16 years


female: 79.99 years (2002 est.)
total population: 41.71 years


male: 40.18 years


female: 43.29 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 83%


male: 84%


female: 82% (1982 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 51%


male: 63.3%


female: 39.9% (2003 est.)
Location Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Map references South America Africa
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
none (landlocked)
Merchant marine none (2002 est.) -
Military - note defense is the responsibility of France -
Military branches no regular indigenous military forces; French Forces, Gendarmerie Central African Armed Forces (FACA) (including Republican Guard, Ground Forces, Naval Forces, and Air Force), Presidential Security Guard, Gendarmerie, National Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA $13.43 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% 1.1% (FY02)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 50,504 (2002 est.) males age 15-49: 858,671 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 32,720 (2002 est.) males age 15-49: 449,466 (2003 est.)
National holiday Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Republic Day, 1 December (1958)
Nationality noun: French Guianese (singular and plural)


adjective: French Guianese
noun: Central African(s)


adjective: Central African
Natural hazards high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common
Natural resources bauxite, timber, gold (widely scattered), cinnabar, kaolin, fish diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower
Net migration rate 8.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Political parties and leaders Guyanese Democratic Action or ADG [Andre LECANTE]; Guyanese Socialist Party or PSG [Marie-Claude VERDAN]; Guyana Democratic Forces or FDG [Georges OTHILY]; Popular National Guyanese Party or PNPG [Jose DORCY]; Rally for the Republic or RPR [Roland HO-WEN-SZE]; Socialist Party or PS [Pierre RIBARDIERE]; Walwari Committee [Christine TAUBIRA-DELANON] Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Assembly or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [the party of deposed president, Ange-Felix PATASSE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 182,333 (July 2002 est.) 3,683,538


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 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 2.57% (2002 est.) 1.62% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Cayenne, Degrad des Cannes, Saint-Laurent du Maroni Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 14 (including 6 repeaters), shortwave 6 (including 5 repeaters) (1998) AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)
Radios 104,000 (1997) -
Railways 0 km 0 km
Religions Roman Catholic indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%


note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.17 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female


total population: 1.13 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female


total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 21 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: NA


domestic: fair open wire and microwave radio relay system


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
general assessment: fair system


domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 47,000 (1997) 9,500 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 710 (1998)
Television broadcast stations 3 (plus eight low-power repeaters) (1997) 1 (2001)
Terrain low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
Total fertility rate 3.13 children born/woman (2002 est.) 4.68 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate 21.4% (1998) (1998) 8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.)
Waterways 3,300 km navigable by native craft


note: 460 km navigable by small oceangoing vessels and coastal and river steamers
900 km


note: traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river, navigable all year to craft drawing 0.6 m or less; 282 km navigable to craft drawing as much as 1.8 m
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