French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy
to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either
employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the
halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to
the economy fell sharply. Tourism accounts for about one-fourth of
GDP and is a primary source of hard currency earnings. Other sources
of income are pearl farming and deep-sea commercial fishing. The
small manufacturing sector primarily processes agricultural
products. The territory benefits substantially from development
agreements with France aimed principally at creating new businesses
and strengthening social services.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.718 billion (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
$4.58 billion (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$6.1 billion (2004)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.7% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 134
5.1% (2002)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$18,000 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
$17,500 (2003 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 3.5%
industry: 20.4%
services: 76.1% (2005)
Labor force:
116,000 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 174
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 19%
services: 68% (2002)
Unemployment rate:
11.7% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 134
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
revenues: $865 million
expenditures: $644.1 million (1999)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.1% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 9
1.1% (2006 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
fish; coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits, coffee; poultry, beef,
dairy products
Industries:
tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
650 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Electricity - consumption:
604.5 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
Oil - consumption:
7,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Oil - imports:
6,701 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 177
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Exports:
$211 million (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Exports - commodities:
cultured pearls, coconut products, mother-of-pearl, vanilla, shark
meat
Imports:
$1.706 billion (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Imports - commodities:
fuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59
(2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003)
note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro
Communications ::French Polynesia
Telephones - main lines in use:
54,600 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 160
Telephones - mobile cellular:
187,100 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 173
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular density is roughly 85
per 100 persons
international: country code - 689; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 2, FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
7 (plus 17 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
.pf
Internet hosts:
13,796 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 113
Internet users:
90,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 156
Transportation ::French Polynesia
Airports:
53 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 88
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 47
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 34
under 914 m: 7 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 4 (2009)
Heliports:
1 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 2,590 km
country comparison to the world: 169
paved: 1,735 km
unpaved: 855 km (1999)
Merchant marine:
total: 15
country comparison to the world: 104
by type: cargo 6, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 5, refrigerated cargo
1, roll on/roll off 1
registered in other countries: 2 (Wallis and Futuna 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Papeete
Military ::French Polynesia
Military branches:
no regular military forces (2009)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 79,540 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 65,408
females age 16-49: 64,421 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,665
female: 2,552 (2009 est.)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues ::French Polynesia
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@French Southern and Antarctic Lands (Antarctica)
Introduction ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Background:
In February 2007, the Iles Eparses became an integral part of the
French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). The Southern Lands are
now divided into five administrative districts, two of which are
archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; the third is a
district composed of two volcanic islands, Ile Saint-Paul and Ile
Amsterdam; the fourth, Iles Eparses, consists of five scattered
tropical islands around Madagascar. They contain no permanent
inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native
fauna, scientists at the various scientific stations, fishermen, and
military personnel. The fifth district is the Antarctic portion,
which consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic
continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840.
Ile Amsterdam: Discovered but not named in 1522 by the Spanish, the
island subsequently received the appellation of Nieuw Amsterdam from
a Dutchman; it was claimed by France in 1843. A short-lived attempt
at cattle farming began in 1871. A French meteorological station
established on the island in 1949 is still in use.
Ile Saint Paul: Claimed by France since 1893, the island was a
fishing industry center from 1843 to 1914. In 1928, a spiny lobster
cannery was established, but when the company went bankrupt in 1931,
seven workers were abandoned. Only two survived until 1934 when
rescue finally arrived.
Iles Crozet: A large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau,
Iles Crozet is divided into two main groups: L'Occidental (the
West), which includes Ile aux Cochons, Ilots des Apotres, Ile des
Pingouins, and the reefs Brisants de l'Heroine; and L'Oriental (the
east), which includes Ile d'Est and Ile de la Possession (the
largest island of the Crozets). Discovered and claimed by France in
1772, the islands were used for seal hunting and as a base for
whaling. Originally administered as a dependency of Madagascar, they
became part of the TAAF in 1955.
Iles Kerguelen: This island group, discovered in 1772, is made up of
one large island (Ile Kerguelen) and about 300 smaller islands. A
permanent group of 50 to 100 scientists resides at the main base at
Port-aux-Francais.
Adelie Land: The only non-insular district of the TAAF is the
Antarctic claim known as "Adelie Land." The US Government does not
recognize it as a French dependency.
Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a
volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide.
Europa Island: This heavily wooded island has been a French
possession since 1897; it is the site of a small military garrison
that staffs a weather station.
Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso
Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile
Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison
operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.
Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th century Spanish
navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession
since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate.
Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological
station.
Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the island
came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it
serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important
meteorological station.
Geography ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Location:
southeast and east of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean,
some near Madagascar and others about equidistant between Africa,
Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic
Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, Iles
Kerguelen, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de
Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the southern Indian Ocean, along
with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US
does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land"
Geographic coordinates:
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 37 50 S, 77 32 E
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 38 72 S, 77 53 E
Iles Crozet: 46 25 S, 51 00 E
Iles Kerguelen: 49 15 S, 69 35 E
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 21 30 S, 39 50 E
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22 20 S, 40 22 E
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 11 30 S, 47 20 E
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 17 03 S, 42 45 E
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 15 52 S, 54 25 E
Map references:
Antarctic Region
Area:
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 55 sq km;
land - 55 sq km; water - 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 229
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): total - 7 sq km;
land - 7 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Iles Crozet: total - 352 sq km; land - 352 sq km; water - 0 sq km
Iles Kerguelen: total - 7,215 sq km; land - 7,215 sq km; water - 0
sq km
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): total - 80 sq km; land - 0.2 sq km;
water - 79.8 sq km (lagoon)
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): total - 28 sq km; land - 28 sq km;
water - 0 sq km
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): total - 5 sq km; land - 5 sq km;
water - 0 sq km
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): total - 4.4 sq km; land - 4.4 sq
km; water - 0 sq km
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): total - 1 sq km; land - 1 sq km;
water - 0 sq km
note: excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in
Antarctica that is not recognized by the US
Area - comparative:
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): less than one-half
the size of Washington, DC
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): more than 10 times
the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Iles Crozet: about twice the size of Washington, DC
Iles Kerguelen: slightly larger than Delaware
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): land area about one-third the size
of The Mall in Washington, DC
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): about one-sixth the size of
Washington, DC
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): about eight times the size of The
Mall in Washington, DC
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): about seven times the size of
The Mall in Washington, DC
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): about 1.7 times the size of The Mall
in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 28 km
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul):
Iles Kerguelen: 2,800 km
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km
Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22.2 km
Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km
Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 24.1 km
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 3.7 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen and Iles Eparses
(does not include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands);
Juan de Nova Island and Tromelin Island claim a continental shelf of
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly
winds and high humidity
Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy
Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy
Iles Eparses: tropical
Terrain:
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): a volcanic island
with steep coastal cliffs; the center floor of the volcano is a
large plateau
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): triangular in
shape, the island is the top of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs
on the eastern side; has active thermal springs
Iles Crozet: a large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau is
divided into two groups of islands
Iles Kerguelen: the interior of the large island of Ile Kerguelen is
composed of rugged terrain of high mountains, hills, valleys, and
plains with a number of peninsulas stretching off its coasts
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll, awash at high tide; shallow
(15 m) lagoon
Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: low, flat, and
sandy
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic
seamount
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont de la Dives on Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et
Ile Saint-Paul) 867 m; unnamed location on Ile Saint-Paul (Ile
Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 272 m; Pic Marion-Dufresne in Iles
Crozet 1,090 m; Mont Ross in Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m; unnamed
location on Bassas de India (Iles Eparses) 2.4 m; unnamed location
on Europa Island (Iles Eparses) 24 m; unnamed location on Glorioso
Islands (Iles Eparses) 12 m; unnamed location on Juan de Nova Island
(Iles Eparses) 10 m; unnamed location on Tromelin Island (Iles
Eparses) 7 m
Natural resources:
fish, crayfish
note: Glorioso Islands and Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) have
guano, phosphates, and coconuts
Land use:
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) - 100% trees,
grasses, ferns, and moss; Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile
Saint-Paul) - 100% grass, ferns, and moss; Iles Crozet - 100%
tossock grass, heath, and fern; Iles Kerguelen - 100% tossock grass
and Kerguelen cabbage; Bassas da India (Iles Eparses) - 100% rock,
coral reef, and sand; Europa Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% mangrove
swamp and dry woodlands; Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) - 100% lush
vegetation and coconut palms; Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) -
90% forest, 10% other; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) - 100% grasses
and scattered brush (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are inactive volcanoes; Iles
Eparses subject to periodic cyclones; Bassas da India is a maritime
hazard since it is under water for a period of three hours prior to
and following the high tide and surrounded by reefs
Environment - current issues:
introduction of foreign species on Iles Crozet has caused severe
damage to the original ecosystem; overfishing of Patagonian
toothfish around Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen
Geography - note:
islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in the
southern Indian Ocean
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): the atoll is a circular reef that
sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): wildlife
sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles
Glorioso Island (Iles Eparses): the islands and rocks are surrounded
by an extensive reef system
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): climatologically important location
for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife
sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)
People ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): has no permanent
residents but has a meteorological station
Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): is uninhabited but
is frequently visited by fishermen and has a scientific research
cabin for short stays
Iles Crozet: are uninhabited except for 18 to 30 people staffing the
Alfred Faure research station on Ile del la Possession
Iles Kerguelen: 50 to 100 scientists are located at the main base at
Port-aux-Francais on Ile Kerguelen
Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): uninhabitable
Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses):
a small French military garrison and a few meteorologists on each
possession; visited by scientists
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): uninhabited, except for visits by
scientists
Government ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of the French Southern and
Antarctic Lands
conventional short form: French Southern and Antarctic Lands
local long form: Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques
Francaises
local short form: Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises
abbreviation: TAAF
Dependency status:
overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by
Administrateur Superieur Eric PILLOTON (since 10 April 2007)
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are five administrative districts named Iles Crozet, Iles Eparses,
Iles Kerguelen, Ile Saint-Paul et Ile Amsterdam; the fifth district
is the "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica that is not recognized by
the US
Legal system:
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nicolas SARKOZY (since 16 May 2007),
represented by Senior Administrator Rollon MOUCHEL-BLAISOT (16
October 2008)
International organization participation:
UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (overseas territory of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (overseas territory of France)
Flag description:
the flag of France is used
Economy ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Economy - overview:
Economic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and
geophysical research stations, military bases, and French and other
fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign
ships are exported to France and Reunion.
Communications ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Internet country code:
.tf
Internet hosts:
44 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 210
Communications - note:
one or more meteorological stations on each possession; note -
meteorological station on Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) is
important for forecasting cyclones
Transportation ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Airports:
4 (note - one each on Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova
Island, and Tromelin Island in the Iles Eparses district) (2006)
country comparison to the world: 189
Ports and terminals:
none; offshore anchorage only
Transportation - note:
aids to navigation - lighthouses: Europa Island 18m; Juan de Nova
Island (W side) 37m; Tromelin Island (NW point) 11m (all in the Iles
Eparses district)
Military ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of France
Transnational Issues ::French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Disputes - international:
French claim to "Adelie Land" in Antarctica is not recognized by the
US
Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova
Island (Iles Eparses): claimed by Madagascar
Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): claimed by Mauritius
page last updated on October 28, 2009
======================================================================
@Gabon (Africa)
Introduction ::Gabon
Background:
Until recently, only two autocratic presidents had ruled Gabon since
its independence from France in 1960. The recent president of Gabon,
El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba -one of the longest-serving heads of
state in the world - had dominated the country's political scene for
four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system
and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of
electoral fraud during local elections in 2002-03 and the
presidential elections in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal
political structures in Gabon. President BONGO died in June 2009 and
was replaced in accordance with the constitution by Rose Francine
ROGOMBE, the president of the Senate. New elections are planned for
the summer of 2009. This will be the first Gabonese elections in
which BONGO is not participating. 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
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between
Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Geographic coordinates:
1 00 S, 11 45 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 267,667 sq km
country comparison to the world: 76
land: 257,667 sq km
water: 10,000 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Colorado
Land boundaries:
total: 2,551 km
border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km,
Equatorial Guinea 350 km
Coastline:
885 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold,
timber, iron ore, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 1.21%
permanent crops: 0.64%
other: 98.15% (2005)
Irrigated land:
70 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
164 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.12 cu km/yr (50%/8%/42%)
per capita: 87 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; poaching
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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
Population:
1,514,993
country comparison to the world: 151
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, higher death rates, lower
population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of
population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
2009 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.1% (male 320,414/female 318,027)
15-64 years: 53.9% (male 407,461/female 409,633)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 24,799/female 34,659) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 18.6 years
male: 18.4 years
female: 18.9 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.934% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Birth rate:
35.57 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Death rate:
12.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Net migration rate:
-3.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Urbanization:
urban population: 85% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.1% 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: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 51.78 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 48
male: 60.17 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 43.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: