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Compare Gabon (2002) - Sao Tome and Principe (2001)

Compare Gabon (2002) z Sao Tome and Principe (2001)

 Gabon (2002)Sao Tome and Principe (2001)
 GabonSao Tome and Principe
Administrative divisions 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome

note:
Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995
Age structure 0-14 years: 33.3% (male 205,559; female 204,796)


15-64 years: 60.6% (male 376,103; female 371,422)


65 years and over: 6.1% (male 37,220; female 38,253) (2002 est.)
0-14 years:
47.7% (male 39,857; female 38,859)

15-64 years:
48.28% (male 38,430; female 41,246)

65 years and over:
4.02% (male 3,034; female 3,608) (2001 est.)
Agriculture - products cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Airports 59 (2001) 2 (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 (2002)
total:
2

1,524 to 2,437 m:
1

914 to 1,523 m:
1 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 47


1,524 to 2,437 m: 8


914 to 1,523 m: 15


under 914 m: 24 (2002)
-
Area total: 267,667 sq km


land: 257,667 sq km


water: 10,000 sq km
total:
1,001 sq km

land:
1,001 sq km

water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Colorado more than five times the size of Washington, DC
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 considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous black African countries. Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The first free elections were held in 1991.
Birth rate 27.24 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 42.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Budget revenues: $1.8 billion


expenditures: $1.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $310 million (2002 est.)
revenues:
$58 million

expenditures:
$114 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (1993 est.)
Capital Libreville Sao Tome
Climate tropical; always hot, humid tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Coastline 885 km 209 km
Constitution adopted 14 March 1991 approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990
Country name conventional long form: Gabonese Republic


conventional short form: Gabon


local long form: Republique Gabonaise


local short form: Gabon
conventional long form:
Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe

conventional short form:
Sao Tome and Principe

local long form:
Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe

local short form:
Sao Tome e Principe
Currency Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States dobra (STD)
Death rate 17.59 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 7.54 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Debt - external $3.6 billion (2001 est.) $268 million (2000)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: Ambassador Kenneth P. MOOREFIELD


embassy: Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville


mailing address: Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville


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


FAX: [241] 74 55 07
the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Jules-Darius OGOUEBANDJA


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


telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000


FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668


consulate(s): New York
Sao Tome and Principe does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA, located at 122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1604, New York, NY 10168, telephone [1] (212) 317-0533
Disputes - international maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial Guinea because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay none
Economic aid - recipient $331 million (1995) (1995) $200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program
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, and manganese 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. 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. This small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 25 years ago. However, cocoa production has substantially declined because of drought and mismanagement. The resulting shortage of cocoa for export has created a persistent balance-of-payments problem. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a significant amount of food. Over the years, it has been unable to service its external debt and has had to depend on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies, but economic growth has remained sluggish. Sao Tome is also optimistic that significant petroleum discoveries are forthcoming in its territorial waters in the oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea. Corruption scandals continue to weaken the economy. At the same time, progress in the economic reform program has attracted international financial institutions' support, and GDP growth will likely rise to at least 4% in 2001-02.
Electricity - consumption 790.5 million kWh (2000) 15.8 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - production 850 million kWh (2000) 17 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 29%


hydro: 71%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
fossil fuel:
41.18%

hydro:
58.82%

nuclear:
0%

other:
0% (1999)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


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

highest point:
Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Environment - current issues deforestation; poaching deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
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
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution

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 mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Exchange rates Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 742.79 (January 2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per euro dobras per US dollar - 2390.04 (December 2000), 7,119.0 (1999), 6,883.2 (1998), 4,552.5 (1997), 2,203.2 (1996)
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%
chief of state:
President Miguel TROVOADA (since 4 April 1991)

head of government:
Prime Minister Guilherma Posser da COSTA (since 30 December 1998)

cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister

elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 30 June and 21 July 1996 (next to be held NA July 2001); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president

election results:
Miguel TROVOADA reelected president in Sao Tome's second multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - Miguel TROVOADA 52.74%, Manuel Pinto da COSTA 47.26%
Exports $2.5 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.) $3.2 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Exports - commodities crude oil 81%, timber, manganese, uranium (2000) cocoa 90%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners US 51%, France 17%, China 8%, Netherlands Antilles 4% (2000) Netherlands 18%, Germany 9%, Portugal 9% (1998)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
GDP purchasing power parity - $6.7 billion (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $178 million (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 10%


industry: 60%


services: 30% (1999 est.)
agriculture:
23%

industry:
19%

services:
58% (1997 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $5,500 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $1,100 (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 2.5% (2001 est.) 3% (2000 est.)
Geographic coordinates 1 00 S, 11 45 E 1 00 N, 7 00 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 -
Highways total: 8,454 km


paved: 838 km (including 30 km of expressways)


unpaved: 7,616 km (2000)
total:
320 km

paved:
218 km

unpaved:
102 km (1996)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


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

highest 10%:
NA%
Imports $921 million f.o.b. (2001 est.) $40 million (f.o.b., 2000 est.)
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Imports - partners France 62%, Cote d'Ivoire 7%, US 5%, Belgium 3% (2000) Portugal 42%, US 20%, South Africa 6% (1998)
Independence 17 August 1960 (from France) 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
Industrial production growth rate -6.4% (2001 est.) NA%
Industries food and beverage; textile; lumbering and plywood; cement; petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, and gold mining; chemicals; ship repair light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timber
Infant mortality rate 93.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) 48.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 1.5% (2001 est.) 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, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1 (2001) 2 (2000)
Irrigated land 150 sq km (1998 est.) 100 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 Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Labor force 600,000 600,000 NA
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 60%, services and government 25%, industry and commerce 15% population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing

note:
shortages of skilled workers
Land boundaries total: 2,551 km


border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 1.26%


permanent crops: 0.66%


other: 98.08% (1998 est.)
arable land:
2%

permanent crops:
36%

permanent pastures:
1%

forests and woodland:
0%

other:
61% (1993 est.)
Languages French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi Portuguese (official)
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 based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; 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


elections: National Assembly - last held 9 and 23 December 2001 (next to be held NA December 2006); Senate - last held 26 January and 9 February 1997 (next to be held in January 2004)


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
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 8 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2003)

election results:
percent of vote by party - MLSTP-PSD 56%, PCD 14.5%, ADI 29%; seats by party - MLSTP-PSD 31, ADI 16, PCD 8
Life expectancy at birth total population: 49.11 years


male: 48.01 years


female: 50.25 years (2002 est.)
total population:
65.59 years

male:
64.15 years

female:
67.07 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.)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write

total population:
73%

male:
85%

female:
62% (1991 est.)
Location Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims contiguous zone: 24 NM


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines

exclusive economic zone:
200 NM

territorial sea:
12 NM
Merchant marine - total:
39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 130,843 GRT/149,048 DWT

ships by type:
bulk 3, cargo 21, chemical tanker 1, container 3, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 5, specialized tanker 1 (2000 est.)
Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential (Republican) Guard (charged with protecting the president and other senior officials), National Gendarmerie, National Police Army, Navy, Security Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure $70.8 million (FY01) $1 million (FY94)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2% (FY01) 1.5% (FY94)
Military manpower - availability males age 15-49: 284,358 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
34,205 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service males age 15-49: 146,908 (2002 est.) males age 15-49:
18,043 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - military age 20 years of age (2002 est.) -
Military manpower - reaching military age annually males: 11,304 (2002 est.) -
National holiday Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March (1968) Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Nationality noun: Gabonese (singular and plural)


adjective: Gabonese
noun:
Sao Tomean(s)

adjective:
Sao Tomean
Natural hazards NA NA
Natural resources petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower fish, hydropower
Net migration rate 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) -3.38 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]; 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, secretary general]; Gabonese Party for Progress or PGP [Pierre-Louis AGONDJO-OKAWE, president]; Gabonese People's Union or UPG [Pierre MAMBOUNDOU]; 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] Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Carlos NEVES]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Manuel Pinto Da COSTA]; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Aldo BANDEIRA]; Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; other small parties
Political pressure groups and leaders NA NA
Population 1,233,353


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 2002 est.)
165,034 (July 2001 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 0.97% (2002 est.) 3.18% (2001 est.)
Ports and harbors Cap Lopez, Kango, Lambarene, Libreville, Mayumba, Owendo, Port-Gentil Santo Antonio, Sao Tome
Radio broadcast stations AM 6, FM 7 (and 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001) AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios 208,000 (1997) 38,000 (1997)
Railways total: 649 km


standard gauge: 649 km 1.435-m gauge; single-track (2001)
0 km
Religions Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1% Christian 80% (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist)
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female


total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:
1.03 male(s)/female

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

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

total population:
0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Suffrage 21 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: adequate service by African standards and improving with the help of the growing mobile cell system


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); fiber optic submarine cable to be in service in 2002
general assessment:
adequate facilities

domestic:
minimal system

international:
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use 39,000 (1998) 3,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 120,000 (2000) 6,942 (1997)
Television broadcast stations 4 (plus four low-powered repeaters) (2001) 2 (1997)
Terrain narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south volcanic, mountainous
Total fertility rate 3.65 children born/woman (2002 est.) 6.02 children born/woman (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate 21% (1997 est.) NA%
Waterways 1,600 km (perennially navigable) none
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