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Compare Samoa (2002) - Gabon (2005)

Compare Samoa (2002) z Gabon (2005)

 Samoa (2002)Gabon (2005)
 SamoaGabon
Administrative divisions 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem
Age structure 0-14 years: 30.6% (male 27,774; female 26,854)


15-64 years: 63.5% (male 71,358; female 42,150)


65 years and over: 5.9% (male 4,859; female 5,636) (2002 est.)
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 coconuts, bananas, taro, yams cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish
Airports 3 (2001) 56 (2004 est.)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2002)
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: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2002)
total: 45


1,524 to 2,437 m: 7


914 to 1,523 m: 15


under 914 m: 23 (2004 est.)
Area total: 2,944 sq km


land: 2,934 sq km


water: 10 sq km
total: 267,667 sq km


land: 257,667 sq km


water: 10,000 sq km
Area - comparative slightly smaller than Rhode Island slightly smaller than Colorado
Background New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997. 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.
Birth rate 15.53 births/1,000 population (2002 est.) 36.24 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Budget revenues: $105 million


expenditures: $119 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001/2002)
revenues: $2.129 billion


expenditures: $1.64 billion, including capital expenditures of $310 million (2004 est.)
Capital Apia Libreville
Climate tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October) tropical; always hot, humid
Coastline 403 km 885 km
Constitution 1 January 1962 adopted 14 March 1991
Country name conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa


conventional short form: Samoa


former: Western Samoa
conventional long form: Gabonese Republic


conventional short form: Gabon


local long form: Republique Gabonaise


local short form: Gabon
Currency tala (WST) -
Death rate 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.) 11.72 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Debt - external $192 million (1999) $3.804 billion (2004 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US chief of mission: the Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa


embassy: 5th floor John Williams Building, Beach Road, Apia


mailing address: P. O. Box 3430, Apia


telephone: [685] 21631


FAX: [685] 22030
chief of mission: Ambassador Barrie R. WALKLEY


embassy: Boulevard du Bord de 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
Diplomatic representation in the US chief of mission: Ambassador Tuiloma Neroni SLADE


chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400D, New York, NY 10017


telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196, 6197


FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797
chief of mission: Ambassador Jules Marius 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
Disputes - international none 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
Economic aid - recipient $42.9 million (1995) (1995) $331 million (1995)
Economy - overview The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, and agricultural exports. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. The decline of fish stocks in the area is a continuing problem. Tourism is an expanding sector, accounting for 16% of GDP; about 85,000 tourists visited the islands in 2000. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state, the external debt is stable, and inflation is low. 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 95.79 million kWh (2000) 1.08 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2000) 0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - production 103 million kWh (2000) 1.161 billion kWh (2002)
Electricity - production by source fossil fuel: 59%


hydro: 41%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
-
Elevation extremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m
Environment - current issues soil erosion deforestation; poaching
Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected 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 Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4% 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 tala per US dollar - 3.5236 (January 2002), 3.4722 (2001), 3.2712 (2000), 3.0120 (1999), 2.9429 (1998), 2.5562 (1997) 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 chief of state: Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA (cochief of state from 1 January 1962 until becoming sole chief of state 5 April 1963)


head of government: Prime Minister Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA (since 24 November 1998); note - TUILA'EPA served as deputy prime minister from 1992 until he assumed the prime ministership in November 1998, when former Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana resigned in poor health; the post of deputy prime minister is currently vacant


cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 members, appointed by the chief of state with the prime minister's advice


elections: upon the death of Chief Tanumafili II MALIETOA, a new chief of state will be elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a five-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the chief of state with the approval of the Legislative Assembly
chief of state: President El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba (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 Ondimba reelected; percent of vote - El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba 66.6%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 16.5%, Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE 13.4%
Exports $17 million f.o.b. (2000) NA
Exports - commodities fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, garments, beer crude oil 77%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001)
Exports - partners Australia 62%, Indonesia 13%, US 11%, American Samoa 3%, New Zealand 3% (2000) US 53.3%, China 8.5%, France 7.4% (2004)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description red with a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side quadrant bearing five white five-pointed stars representing the Southern Cross constellation three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue
GDP purchasing power parity - $618 million (2001 est.) -
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 16%


industry: 18%


services: 66% (2000 est.)
agriculture: 7.4%


industry: 46.7%


services: 45.9% (2004 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $3,500 (2001 est.) purchasing power parity - $5,900 (2004 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 6% (2001 est.) 1.9% (2004 est.)
Geographic coordinates 13 35 S, 172 20 W 1 00 S, 11 45 E
Geography - note occupies an almost central position within Polynesia 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: 836 km


paved: 267 km


unpaved: 569 km (1983)
total: 8,464 km


paved: 838 km


unpaved: 7,626 km (2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
Imports $90 million f.o.b. (2000) NA
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials
Imports - partners Australia 27%, US 26%, New Zealand 14%, Fiji 12%, Japan 9% (2000) France 43.8%, US 6.3%, UK 5.9%, Netherlands 4% (2004)
Independence 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship) 17 August 1960 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate 2.8% (2000) 1.6% (2002 est.)
Industries food processing, building materials, auto parts petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, and gold mining; chemicals; ship repair; food and beverage; textile; lumbering and plywood; cement
Infant mortality rate 30.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.) total: 53.64 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 63.21 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 43.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.5% (2001 est.) 1.5% (2004 est.)
International organization participation ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW (signatory), Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) 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 Service Providers (ISPs) 2 (2000) -
Irrigated land NA sq km 150 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; Court of Appeal 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 90,000 (2000 est.) 650,000 (2004 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture 65%, services 30%, industry 5% (1995 est.) agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25%
Land boundaries 0 km total: 2,551 km


border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km
Land use arable land: 19.43%


permanent crops: 23.67%


other: 56.9% (1998 est.)
arable land: 1.26%


permanent crops: 0.66%


other: 98.08% (2001)
Languages Samoan (Polynesian), English French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
Legal system based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction 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 unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (49 seats - 47 elected by Samoans, 2 elected by non-Samoans; only chiefs or matai may stand for election to the Fono; members serve five-year terms)


elections: byelection last held NA November 2001 (next byelection to be held 29 March 2002)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - HRPP 30, SNDP 13, independents 6
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 December 2006); Senate - last held 26 January and 9 February 2003 (next to be held by January 2009)


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
Life expectancy at birth total population: 69.8 years


male: 67.06 years


female: 72.69 years (2002 est.)
total population: 55.02 years


male: 53.63 years


female: 56.45 years (2005 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 80%


male: 81%


female: 79% (1999)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 63.2%


male: 73.7%


female: 53.3% (1995 est.)
Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Map references Oceania Africa
Maritime claims exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Merchant marine total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,091 GRT/ 8,127 DWT


ships by type: cargo 1


note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Germany 1 (2002 est.)
-
Military - note Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces; informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship -
Military branches no regular armed services; Samoa Police Force Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police
Military expenditures - dollar figure $NA $184.8 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA% 2% (2004)
National holiday Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, 1 June 1962 is the date that independence is celebrated Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March (1968)
Nationality noun: Samoan(s)


adjective: Samoan
noun: Gabonese (singular and plural)


adjective: Gabonese
Natural hazards occasional typhoons; active volcanism NA
Natural resources hardwood forests, fish, hydropower petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower
Net migration rate -11.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.) 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)
Pipelines - gas 210 km; oil 1,385 km (2004)
Political parties and leaders Christian Democratic Party [leader NA]; Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP [Sailele Malielegaoi TUILA'EPA, chairman]; Samoa All People's Party or SAPP [Matatumua NAIMOAGA]; Samoan National Development Party or SNDP [LE MAMEA Ropati, chairman] (opposition); Samoa National Party [FETU Tiatia, party secretary]; Samoan Progressive Conservative Party [LEOTA Ituau Ale]; Samoan United Independent Party or SUIP [leader NA] 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 NA
Population 178,631 (July 2002 est.) 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% NA
Population growth rate -0.25% (2002 est.) 2.45% (2005 est.)
Ports and harbors Apia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa Gamba, Libreville, Lucinda, Owendo, Port-Gentil
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 6, FM 7 (and 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001)
Radios 174,849 (1997) -
Railways 0 km total: 814 km


standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2004)
Religions Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist) Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.69 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female


total population: 1.39 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
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 21 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: adequate


domestic: NA


international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
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: 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 8,183 (1998) 38,400 (2003)
Telephones - mobile cellular 1,545 (February 1998) 300,000 (2003)
Television broadcast stations 6 (1997) 4 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001)
Terrain narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
Total fertility rate 3.3 children born/woman (2002 est.) 4.77 children born/woman (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate NA%; note - substantial underemployment 21% (1997 est.)
Waterways none 1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2003)
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