$NA
Agriculture - products:
cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish
Industries:
petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement
Industrial production growth rate:
1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Electricity - production:
1.774 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - consumption:
1.446 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
247,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Oil - consumption:
14,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Oil - exports:
227,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Oil - imports:
4,185 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Oil - proved reserves:
2 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Natural gas - production:
90 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - consumption:
90 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 175
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Natural gas - proved reserves:
28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Current account balance:
$2.727 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $1.549 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$9.333 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $7.046 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
crude oil 70%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001)
Exports - partners:
US 25.4%, China 19.1%, Japan 10.2%, France 5.4%, Spain 4% (2008)
Imports:
$2.577 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 $2.2 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials
Imports - partners:
France 32.2%, US 11.1%, China 5.4%, Belgium 4.7%, Cameroon 4.4%,
Netherlands 4.2% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.925 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $1.238 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$2.986 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $4.895 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.89 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004)
note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par
Communications ::Gabon
Telephones - main lines in use:
26,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 182
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.3 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 137
Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate service by African standards and improving with the help of a growing mobile cell network system with multiple providers; mobile-cellular subscribership reached nearly 90 per 100 persons in 2008
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; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 6, FM 7 (plus 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
4 (plus 4 repeaters) (2001)
Internet country code:
.ga
Internet hosts:
91 (2009) country comparison to the world: 199
Internet users:
90,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 158
Transportation ::Gabon
Airports:
44 (2009) country comparison to the world: 98
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 13
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 31
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 11
under 914 m: 14 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 240 km; oil 723 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 814 km country comparison to the world: 100 standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 9,170 km country comparison to the world: 138 paved: 937 km
unpaved: 8,233 km (2004)
Waterways:
1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2008) country comparison to the world: 51
Merchant marine:
registered in other countries: 2 (Cambodia 1, Panama 1) (2008) country comparison to the world: 143
Ports and terminals:
Gamba, Libreville, Lucinda, Port-Gentil
Military ::Gabon
Military branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police
Military service age and obligation:
20 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2007)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 331,181
females age 16-49: 332,498 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 195,519
females age 16-49: 190,519 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 16,933
female: 16,942 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
3.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Transnational Issues ::Gabon
Disputes - international:
UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and lesser islands and to establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 7,178 (Republic of Congo) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Gabon is predominantly a destination country for children trafficked from other African countries for the purpose of forced labor; girls are primarily trafficked for domestic servitude, forced market vending, forced restaurant labor, and sexual exploitation, while boys are trafficked for forced street hawking and forced labor in small workshops
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Gabon is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat human trafficking in 2007, particularly in terms of efforts to convict and punish trafficking offenders; the government has not reported the convictions or sentences of any trafficking offenders; the government did not take steps to reduce demand for commercial sex acts (2008)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
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@Gambia, The (Africa)
Introduction ::Gambia, The
Background:
The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president in all subsequent elections, including most recently in late 2006.
Geography ::Gambia, The
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Geographic coordinates:
13 28 N, 16 34 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 11,295 sq km country comparison to the world: 166 land: 10,000 sq km
water: 1,295 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly less than twice the size of Delaware
Land boundaries:
total: 740 km
border countries: Senegal 740 km
Coastline:
80 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: extent not specified
Climate:
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)
Terrain:
flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 53 m
Natural resources:
fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum
Land use:
arable land: 27.88%
permanent crops: 0.44%
other: 71.68% (2005)
Irrigated land:
20 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
8 cu km (1982)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.03 cu km/yr (23%/12%/65%)
per capita: 20 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa
People ::Gambia, The
Population:
1,782,893 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Age structure:
0-14 years: 43.6% (male 390,806/female 387,172)
15-64 years: 53.6% (male 473,478/female 481,315)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 25,071/female 25,051) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.9 years
male: 17.8 years
female: 18.1 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.668% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Birth rate:
37.87 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 26
Death rate:
11.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
Net migration rate:
0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 68
Urbanization:
urban population: 57% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 67.33 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 29 male: 73.56 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 60.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 55.35 years country comparison to the world: 193 male: 53.43 years
female: 57.34 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.04 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
8,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
600 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian
Ethnic groups:
African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1% (2003 census)
Religions:
Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%
Languages:
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 40.1%
male: 47.8%
female: 32.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 7 years
male: 7 years
female: 7 years (2004)
Education expenditures:
2% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 166
Government ::Gambia, The
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form: The Gambia
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Banjul
geographic coordinates: 13 27 N, 16 34 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Central River, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, Western
Independence:
18 February 1965 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
Constitution:
approved by national referendum 8 August 1996; effective 16 January 1997
Legal system:
based on a composite of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); note - from 1994 to 1996 he was chairman of the Junta; Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996); Vice President Isatou NJIE-SAIDY (since 20 March 1997)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 22 September 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 67.3%, Ousainou DARBOE 26.6%, Halifa SALLAH 6.0%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 members elected by popular vote, 5 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 25 January 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APRC 47, UDP 4, NADD 1, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC (the
ruling party) [Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH]; Gambia People's Democratic
Party or GPDP [Henry GOMEZ]; National Alliance for Democracy and
Development or NADD [Halifa SALLAH]; National Convention Party or
NCP [Sheriff DIBBA]; National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat N.
K. BAH]; People's Democratic Organization for Independence and
Socialism or PDOIS [Halifa SALLAH]; United Democratic Party or UDP
[Ousainou DARBOE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
National Environment Agency or NEA; West African Peace Building
Network-Gambian Chapter or WANEB-GAMBIA; Youth Employment Network
Gambia or YENGambia
other: special needs group advocates; teachers and principals
International organization participation:
ABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,
ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: Suite 600, 1424 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1379, 1399, 1425
FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Barry L. WELLS
embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, Banjul
mailing address: P. M. B. No. 19, Banjul
telephone: [220] 439-2856, 437-6169, 437-6170
FAX: [220] 439-2475
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green
Economy ::Gambia, The
Economy - overview:
The Gambia has no confirmed mineral or natural resource deposits and has a limited agricultural base. About 75% of the population depends on crops and livestock for its livelihood. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of peanuts, fish, and hides. Reexport trade normally constitutes a major segment of economic activity, but a 1999 government-imposed preshipment inspection plan, and instability of the Gambian dalasi (currency) have drawn some of the reexport trade away from The Gambia. The Gambia's natural beauty and proximity to Europe has made it one of the larger markets for tourism in West Africa. The government's 1998 seizure of the private peanut firm Alimenta eliminated the largest purchaser of Gambian groundnuts. Despite an announced program to begin privatizing key parastatals, no plans have been made public that would indicate that the government intends to follow through on its promises. Unemployment and underemployment rates remain extremely high; short-run economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, on continued technical assistance from the IMF and bilateral donors, and on expected growth in the construction sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.277 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $2.15 billion (2007 est.)
$2.023 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$810 million (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 6.3% (2007 est.)
6.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 202 $1,300 (2007 est.)
$1,200 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 33.3%
industry: 7.6%
services: 59% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
777,100 (2007) country comparison to the world: 143
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 75%
industry: 19%
services: 6% (1996)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 36.9% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.2 (1998) country comparison to the world: 23
Investment (gross fixed):
28% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
Budget:
revenues: $155.6 million
expenditures: $167.3 million (2008 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 5.1% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 10% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 8 27.92% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$186.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$180.4 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$169.9 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares: