1. CIA Factbook - Sao Tome Principe ^Top Date Accessed: 24 Mar. 2005 Title: CIA - The World Factbook -- Sao Tome and Principe URL: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/tp.html Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Sao Tome and Principe Introduction Sao Tome and Principe Background: 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. Though the first free elections were held in 1991, the political environment has been one of continued instability with frequent changes in leadership and coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea is likely to have a significant impact on the country's economy. Geography Sao Tome and Principe Location: Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 7 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,001 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 1,001 sq km Area - comparative: more than five times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 209 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May) Terrain: volcanic, mountainous Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m Natural resources: fish, hydropower Land use: arable land: 6.25% permanent crops: 48.96% other: 44.79% (2001) Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous People Sao Tome and Principe Population: 181,565 (July 2004 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 47.7% (male 43,810; female 42,708) 15-64 years: 48.4% (male 42,469; female 45,456) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 3,275; female 3,847) (2004 est.) Median age: total: 16.1 years male: 15.5 years female: 16.7 years (2004 est.) Population growth rate: 3.18% (2004 est.) Birth rate: 41.36 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) Death rate: 6.89 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) Net migration rate: -2.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) Sex ratio: 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: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2004 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 44.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 42.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.) male: 46.57 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.63 years male: 65.11 years female: 68.21 years (2004 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.8 children born/woman (2004 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: typhoid fever, malaria overall degree of risk: high (2004) Nationality: noun: Sao Tomean(s) adjective: Sao Tomean Ethnic groups: 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) Religions: Christian 80% (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day Adventist) Languages: Portuguese (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 79.3% male: 85% female: 62% (1991 est.) Government Sao Tome and Principe Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe local short form: Sao Tome e Principe local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe Government type: republic Capital: Sao Tome Administrative divisions: 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995 Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975) Constitution: approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990 Legal system: based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Fradique DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001) election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president in Sao Tome's third multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - NA% elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 29 July 2001 (next to be held NA July 2006); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president head of government: Prime Minister Damiao Vaz DE ALMEIDA (since 17 September 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 3 March 2002 (next to be held NA March 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - MLSTP 39.6%, Force for Change Democratic Movement 39.4%, Ue-Kedadji coalition 16.2%; seats by party - MLSTP 24, Force for Change Democratic Movement 23, Ue-Kedadji coalition 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Renovation Party [Armindo GRACA]; Force for Change Democratic Movement [leader NA]; 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]; Ue-Kedadji coalition [leader NA]; other small parties Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: 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 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022, telephone [1] (212) 317-0580 Diplomatic representation from the US: 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 Flag description: 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 Economy Sao Tome and Principe Economy - overview: This small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 29 years ago. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement, but strengthening prices helped boost export earnings in 2003. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial 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. Sao Tome's success in implementing structural reforms has been rewarded by international donors, who pledged increased assistance in 2001. 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. Sao Tome is optimistic about the development of petroleum resources in its territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea; production could begin as early as 2004. GDP: purchasing power parity - $214 million (2003 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (2003 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2003 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 19.6% industry: 17.8% services: 62.6% (2003 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 51.6% of GDP (2003) Population below poverty line: 54% NA (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9% (2003 est.) Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing note: shortages of skilled workers Unemployment rate: NA Budget: revenues: $38.59 million expenditures: $42.04 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (2003 est.) Agriculture - products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish Industries: light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timber Industrial production growth rate: NA Electricity - production: 17 million kWh (2001) Electricity - consumption: 15.81 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 700 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Current account balance: $-8 million (2003) Exports: $6.479 million f.o.b. (2003 est.) Exports - commodities: cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil Exports - partners: Netherlands 41.7%, Canada 16.7%, Belgium 8.3%, Germany 8.3%, Philippines 8.3% (2003) Imports: $30.03 million f.o.b. (2003 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products Imports - partners: Portugal 51.6%, Germany 11.3%, Italy 6.5%, Belgium 4.8%, Netherlands 4.8% (2003) Reserves of foreign exchange & gold: $18 million (2003) Debt - external: $318 million (2002) Economic aid - recipient: $200 million in December 2000 under the HIPC program Currency: dobra (STD) Currency code: STD Exchange rates: dobras per US dollar - 9,347.58 (2003), 9,088.32 (2002), 8,842.11 (2001), 7,978.17 (2000), 7,118.96 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Sao Tome and Principe Telephones - main lines in use: 7,000 (2003) Telephones - mobile cellular: 4,800 (2003) Telephone system: general assessment: adequate facilities domestic: minimal system international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002) Radios: 38,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 2 (2002) Televisions: 23,000 (1997) Internet country code: .st Internet hosts: 1,069 (2003) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002) Internet users: 15,000 (2003) Transportation Sao Tome and Principe Highways: total: 320 km paved: 218 km unpaved: 102 km (1999 est.) Ports and harbors: Santo Antonio, Sao Tome Merchant marine: total: 24 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 79,490 GRT/97,077 DWT by type: bulk 2, cargo 14, chemical tanker 2, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 3 foreign-owned: British Virgin Islands 1, Egypt 1, Greece 1, Lebanon 1, Portugal 1, Ukraine 2 (2004 est.) Airports: 2 (2003 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.) Military Sao Tome and Principe Military branches: Army, Coast Guard, Presidential Guard, National Guard Military manpower - military age and obligation: 18 years of age (est.) (2004) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 38,347 (2004 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 20,188 (2004 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $500,000 (2003) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.8% (2003) Transnational Issues Sao Tome and Principe Disputes - international: none This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005 2. CIA Factbook -- Gabon ^Top Date Accessed: 24 Mar. 2005 Title: CIA - The World Factbook -- Gabon URL: http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/gb.html Country List | World Factbook Home The World Factbook   Gabon Introduction Gabon Background: Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since independence from France in 1960. Gabon's current President, El Hadj Omar BONGO - 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. In addition, recent strikes have underscored the popular disenchantment with the political system. 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. 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 water: 10,000 sq km land: 257,667 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, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower Land use: arable land: 1.26% permanent crops: 0.66% other: 98.08% (2001) Irrigated land: 150 sq km (1998 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: deforestation; poaching Environment - international 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 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: 1,355,246 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 2004 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.2% (male 286,819; female 285,184) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 362,311; female 365,132) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 23,157; female 32,643) (2004 est.) Median age: total: 18.5 years male: 18.3 years female: 18.8 years (2004 est.) Population growth rate: 2.5% (2004 est.) Birth rate: 36.4 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) Death rate: 11.43 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) Sex ratio: 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: 0.98 male(s)/female (2004 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 54.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 44.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.) male: 64.15 deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: 56.46 years male: 54.85 years female: 58.12 years (2004 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.8 children born/woman (2004 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 8.1% (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 48,000 (2003 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,000 (2003 est.) Major infectious diseases: typhoid fever, malaria overall degree of risk: very high (2004) Nationality: noun: Gabonese (singular and plural) adjective: Gabonese 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 Religions: Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1% Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 63.2% male: 73.7% female: 53.3% (1995 est.) Government Gabon Country name: conventional long form: Gabonese Republic conventional short form: Gabon local short form: Gabon local long form: Republique Gabonaise Government type: republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized in 1990) Capital: Libreville Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March (1968) Constitution: adopted 14 March 1991 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 Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal 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% 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 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 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 Political parties and leaders: Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE]; 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] Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jules Marius OGOUEBANDJA consulate(s): New York FAX: [1] (202) 332-0668 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000 chancery: Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 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 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue Economy Gabon 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, poor fiscal management hobbles the economy. 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. Short-term progress depends on an upbeat world economy and fiscal and other adjustments in line with IMF policies. GDP: purchasing power parity - $7.301 billion (2003 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.2% (2003 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,500 (2003 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 8.1% industry: 48.8% services: 43.1% (2003 est.) Investment (gross fixed): 22.7% of GDP (2003) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.5% (2003 est.) Labor force: 610,000 (2003) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25% Unemployment rate: 21% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $1.771 billion expenditures: $1.413 billion, including capital expenditures of $310 million (2003 est.) Public debt: 31.5% of GDP (2003) Agriculture - products: cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish Industries: petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, and gold mining; chemicals; ship repair; food and beverage; textile; lumbering and plywood; cement Industrial production growth rate: 1.6% (2002 est.) Electricity - production: 798.4 million kWh (2001) Electricity - consumption: 742.5 million kWh (2001) Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2001) Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2001) Oil - production: 301,300 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - consumption: 13,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) Oil - exports: NA (2001) Oil - imports: NA (2001) Oil - proved reserves: 2.45 billion bbl (1 January 2002) Natural gas - production: 80 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - consumption: 80 million cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2001 est.) Natural gas - proved reserves: 66.47 billion cu m (1 January 2002) Current account balance: $-101 million (2003) Exports: $2.891 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.) Exports - commodities: crude oil 77%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001) Exports - partners: US 51.5%, France 8.7%, China 7.5%, Japan 4% (2003) Imports: $1.079 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials Imports - partners: France 49.9%, US 5.3%, UK 4.6% (2003) Reserves of foreign exchange & gold: $201.9 million (2003) Debt - external: $3.284 billion (2003 est.) Economic aid - recipient: $331 million (1995) Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States Currency code: XAF Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 581.2 (2003), 696.988 (2002), 733.039 (2001), 711.976 (2000), 615.699 (1999) Fiscal year: calendar year Communications Gabon Telephones - main lines in use: 38,400 (2003) Telephones - mobile cellular: 300,000 (2003) 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: country code - 241; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 7 (and 11 repeaters), shortwave 4 (2001) Radios: 208,000 (1997) Television broadcast stations: 4 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001) Televisions: 63,000 (1997) Internet country code: .ga Internet hosts: 93 (2004) Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2001) Internet users: 35,000 (2003) Transportation Gabon Railways: total: 814 km standard gauge: 814 km 1.435-m gauge (2003) Highways: total: 8,464 km paved: 838 km unpaved: 7,626 km (2000 est.) Waterways: 1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2003) Pipelines: gas 210 km; oil 1,385 km (2004) Ports and harbors: Cap Lopez, Kango, Lambarene, Libreville, Mayumba, Owendo, Port-Gentil Airports: 56 (2003 est.) Airports - with paved runways: 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: 45 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 23 (2004 est.) Military Gabon Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, National Police Military manpower - military age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2001) Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 314,434 (2004 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 162,847 (2004 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 13,462 (2004 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $149.3 million (2003) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2% (2003) Transnational Issues Gabon Disputes - international: creation of a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay with Equatorial Guinea is hampered by dispute over Mbane Island, administered and occupied by Gabon since the 1970s This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005 3. World Oil Transit Chokepoints ^Top Date Accessed: 24 Mar. 2005 Title: World Oil Transit "Chokepoints" Country Analysis Brief URL: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/choke.html      Home > Country Analysis Briefs > World Oil Transit "Chokepoints" Country Analysis Brief PDF version | PDB version   April 2004 Background | Bab el-Mandab | Bosporus/Turkish Straits | Panama Canal and Trans-Panama Pipeline | Russian Oil and Gas Export Pipelines/Ports | Strait of Hormuz Strait of Malacca | Suez Canal and Sumed Pipeline | Links World Oil Transit Chokepoints The following presents information on major world oil transit centers. Over 35 million barrels per day (bbl/d) pass through the relatively narrow shipping lanes and pipelines discussed below. These routes are known as chokepoints due to their potential for closure. Disruption of oil flows through any of these export routes could have a significant impact on world oil prices. The information in this report is the best available as of March 2004 and is subject to change. GENERAL BACKGROUND Given the fact that oil consumption occurs mainly in the industrialized West, while oil production takes place largely in the Middle East, former Soviet Union, West Africa, and South America, a significant volume of oil is traded internationally. This oil is moved mainly by two methods: oil tanker ships and oil pipelines. About 2/3 of the world’s oil trade (both crude oils and refined products) moves by tanker. About 43 million barrels per day of that trade is crude oil. Tankers have made global (intercontinental) transport of oil possible; they are low cost, efficient, and extremely flexible. Oil transported by sea generally follows a fixed set of maritime routes. Along the way, tankers encounter several geographic "chokepoints," or narrow channels, such as the Strait of Hormuz leading out of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Malacca linking the Indian Ocean (and oil coming from the Middle East) with the Pacific Ocean (and major consuming markets in Asia). Other important maritime "chokepoints" include the Bab el-Mandab passage from the Arabian Sea to the Red Sea; the Panama Canal and the Panama Pipeline connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans; the Suez Canal and the Sumed Pipeline connecting the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea; and the Turkish Straits/Bosporus linking the Black Sea (and oil coming from the Caspian Sea region) to the Mediterranean Sea."Chokepoints" are critically important to world oil trade because so much oil passes through them, yet they are narrow and theoretically could be blocked -- at least temporarily. In addition, "chokepoints" are susceptible to pirate attacks and shipping accidents in their narrow channels. Not all tanker trade routes use the same size ship. Each route usually has one size that is the clear economic winner, based on voyage length, port and canal constraints and volume. Thus, crude exports from the Middle East -- high volumes that travel long distances -- are moved mainly by VLCC’s (200,000 to 300,000 dead weight tons) typically carrying over 2 million barrels of oil on every voyage. Pipelines, on the other hand, are the mode of choice for transcontinental oil movements. Pipelines are critical for landlocked crudes and also complement tankers at certain key locations by relieving bottlenecks or providing shortcuts. Pipelines come into their own in intra-regional trade. They are the primary option for transcontinental transportation, because they are at least an order of magnitude cheaper than any alternative such as rail, barge, or road, and because political vulnerability is a small or non-existent issue within a nation's border or between neighbors such as the United States and Canada. Pipelines are also an important oil transport mode in mainland Europe, although the system is much smaller, matching the shorter distances. Bab el-Mandab Location: Djibouti/Eritrea/Yemen; connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea Oil Flows (2000E): 3.2-3.3 million bbl/d Destination of Oil Exports: Europe, United States, Asia Concerns/Background: Closure of the Bab el-Mandab could keep tankers from the Persian Gulf from reaching the Suez Canal/Sumed Pipeline complex, diverting them around the southern tip of Africa (the Cape of Good Hope). This would add greatly to transit time and cost, and effectively tie up spare tanker capacity. The Bab el-Mandab could be bypassed (for northbound oil traffic by utilizing the East-West oil pipeline, which traverses Saudi Arabia and has a capacity of about 4.8 million bbl/d. However, southbound oil traffic would still be blocked. In addition, closure of the Bab el-Mandab would effectively block non-oil shipping from using the Suez Canal, except for limited trade within the Red Sea region. Security remains a major concern of foreign firms doing business in the region, particularly after the French-flagged tanker Limburg was attacked off the coast of Yemen by terrorists in October 2002. The Canadian oil company Nexen, which operates the ash-Shihr oil export terminal, agreed in January 2003 to provide assistance to the Yemeni government in improving security. Prior to this, the region had faced different security concerns. In December 1995 and again in August 1996, Eritrean and Yemeni forces clashed over control of the Hanish Islands, located just north of the Bab el-Mandeb. In October 1996, the two countries signed an agreement over the islands. Bosporus/Turkish Straits Location: Turkey; this 17-mile long waterway divides Asia from Europe and connects the Black Sea with the Mediterranean Sea Oil Flows (2003E): 3.0 million bbl/d (nearly all southbound; mostly crude oil with several hundred thousand barrels per day of products as well) Destination of Oil Exports: Western and Southern Europe; Concerns/Background: Only half a mile wide at its narrowest point, the Turkish Straits are one of the world's busiest (50,000 vessels annually, including 5,500 oil tankers), and most difficult-to-navigate waterways. Many of the proposed export routes for forthcoming production from the Caspian Sea region pass westwards through the Black Sea and the Turkish Straits en route to the Mediterranean Sea and world markets. The ports of the Black Sea, along with those in the Baltic Sea, were the primary oil export routes of the former Soviet Union, and the Black Sea remains the largest outlet for Russian oil exports. Exports through the Turkish Straits have grown since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, and there is growing concern that projected Caspian Sea export volumes exceed the ability of the Turkish Straits to accommodate the tanker traffic. Turkey is concerned that the projected increase in large oil tankers would pose a serious navigational safety and environmental threats to the Turkish Straits. The largest tankers that can pass through the Turkish Straits are the Suezmax class tankers (120,000-200,000 dead weight tons). Under the Montreux Convention of 1936, commercial shipping has the right of free passage through the Bosporus and Turkish Straits in peacetime, although Turkey claims the right to impose regulations for safety and environmental purposes. In October 2002, Turkey placed new restrictions on oil tanker transit through the Bosporus that have slowed tanker transit, including a ban on nighttime transit for ships longer than 200 meters, effectively including all crude oil and large petroleum product tankers. Poor weather has caused transit delays as well; during the past winter, delays reportedly reached as much as 20 days for tankers waiting to transit the Turkish Straits. Panama Canal and Trans-Panama Pipeline Location: Panama; connects the Pacific Ocean with the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean Oil Flows (2003): 0.4 million bbl/d Concerns/Background: The Panama Canal extends approximately 50 miles from Panama City on the Pacific Ocean to Colon on the Caribbean Sea. The largest vessel that can transit the Panama Canal is known as a PANAMAX-size vessel (ships ranging from 50,000 - 80,000 dead weight tons in size). A long-term program is underway to widen the narrow, eight-mile stretch of Gaillard Cut to allow unrestricted two-way traffic of PANAMAX-size vessels. The United States is the dominant country of origin for products transiting the Panama Canal, and it is also the single largest destination as well. Most of the traffic through the Panama Canal moves between the east coast of the United States and Asia, while movements between Europe and the west coast of the United States and Canada comprise the second major trade route at the waterway. However, other regions and countries, such as the neighboring countries of Central and South America, are proportionately more dependent on the Panama Canal for their trade. In fiscal year (FY) 2003, petroleum and petroleum products were the second largest commodity (by tonnage) shipped through the Canal after grains, accounting for 11% of total canal shipments. Petrochemicals and coal (including coke from coal) are also shipped through the canal, accounting for 1% and 4%, respectively, of total Canal traffic. About 62% of total oil shipments went south from the Atlantic to the Pacific, with oil products dominating southbound traffic. The United States is not heavily reliant on the Panama Canal for its petroleum imports. In 2003, only 1% of total U.S. petroleum imports (crude oil plus petroleum products) transited the Canal en route to American ports. On the whole, very little crude oil destined for U.S. shores (31,000 bbl/d or 0.3% in 2003) passes through the canal. As a share of U.S. imports, however, the Canal is more important for petroleum products. In 2003, a little over 3% of all U.S. imported petroleum products came to the United States through the Panama Canal. The Trans-Panama pipeline (Petroterminal de Panama, S.A.) is located outside the former Canal Zone near the Costa Rican border, and runs from the port of Charco Azul on the Pacific Coast (near Puerto Armuelles, southwest of David) to the port of Chiriqui Grande, Bocas del Toro on the Caribbean. It was opened in October 1982 as an economical alternative to the Panama Canal for transporting Alaskan oil across Panama en route to Gulf Coast ports. More than 2.7 billion barrels of Alaskan crude oil were transported through the 81-mile pipeline at peak rates exceeding 860,000 bbl/d. However, the pipeline was closed in April 1996 after Alaskan oil shipments to the Gulf Coast declined with falling Alaskan oil production and increased oil consumption on the west coast of the United States, especially in California. In addition, the decision to allow Alaskan oil to be exported outside the United States reduced the incentives to ship Alaskan oil to the Gulf Coast. The Trans-Panama pipeline re-opened in November 2003, and began shipping over 100,000 bbl/d of Ecuadorian crude oil to US Gulf ports. Russian Oil and Gas Export Pipelines/Ports Location: Russian oil and gas exports transit via pipelines that pass through Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland, Major Oil Export Ports: Novorossiisk (Russia -- Black Sea); Primorsk (Russia -- Baltic Sea/Gulf of Finland); Tuapse (Russia); Ventspils (Latvia); Odessa (Ukraine) Major Oil Pipelines (capacity, 2003E): Druzhba (1.2 million bbl/d); Baltic Pipeline System/Primorsk (840,000 bbl/d) Major Natural Gas Pipelines (capacity, 2003E): Brotherhood, Progress, and Union (1 trillion cubic feet -- tcf -- capacity each); Northern Lights (0.8 tcf); Volga/Urals-Vyborg, Finland (0.1 tcf). Yamal (to Europe, via Belarus; 1.0 Tcf, partly operational); Blue Stream (to Turkey via Black Sea; 0.56 Tcf, construction completed in October 2002) Destination of Oil and Gas Exports: Eastern Europe, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, France, other Western Europe. Concerns/Background: Russia is a major supplier of crude oil and natural gas to Europe. All of the ports and pipelines are operating at or near capacity, leaving limited alternatives if problems arose at Russian export terminals. With a windfall in oil export tariffs over the past several years, Transneft, the state oil transport monopoly, has taken steps to upgrade the country's pipeline system, with an emphasis on building new export pipelines to increase and diversify export routes for oil exporters. Nearly 90% of Russia's natural gas exports to Europe are routed through Ukraine. In an effort to diversify its export routes, as well as reach new markets, Russia is expanding its natural gas pipeline system. The Blue Stream pipeline to Turkey is the centerpiece of Russia's export diversification strategy. Construction on the 565-Bcf-capacity pipeline, which consists of twin pipelines laid on the bottom of the Black Sea, was completed in October 2002. Strait of Hormuz Location: Oman/Iran; connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea Oil Flows (2003E): 15-15.5 million bbl/d Destination of Oil Exports: Japan, United States, Western Europe Concerns/Background: By far the world's most important oil chokepoint, the Strait consists of 2-mile wide channels for inbound and outbound tanker traffic, as well as a 2-mile wide buffer zone. Closure of the Strait of Hormuz would require use of longer alternate routes (if available) at increased transportation costs. Such routes include the 5 million-bbl/d capacity Petroline (East-West Pipeline) and the 290,000-bbl/d Abqaiq-Yanbu natural gas liquids line across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea. Theoretically, the 1.65-million bbl/d Iraqi Pipeline across Saudi Arabia (IPSA) also could be utilized, more oil could be pumped north to Ceyhan (Turkey), and the 0.5 million-bbl/d Tapline to Lebanon could be reactivated. Strait of Malacca Location: Malaysia/Singapore; connects the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Oil Flows (2003E): 11 million bbl/d Destination of Oil Exports: Japan, South Korea, China, other Pacific Rim countries. Concerns/Background: The Strait of Malacca, linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans, is the shortest sea route between three of the world's most populous countries -- India, China, and Indonesia -- and therefore is considered to be the key choke point in Asia. The narrowest point of this shipping lane is the Phillips Channel in the Singapore Strait, which is only 1.5 miles wide at its narrowest point. This creates a natural bottleneck, with the potential for a collision, grounding, or oil spill (in addition, piracy is a regular occurrence in the Singapore Strait). If the strait were closed, nearly half of the world's fleet would be required to sail further, generating a substantial increase in the requirement for vessel capacity. All excess capacity of the world fleet might be absorbed, with the effect strongest for crude oil shipments and dry bulk such as coal. Closure of the Strait of Malacca would immediately raise freight rates worldwide. More than 50,000 vessels per year transit the Strait of Malacca. With Chinese oil imports from the Middle East increasing steadily, the Strait of Malacca is likely to grow in strategic importance in coming years. Suez Canal and Sumed Pipeline Location: Egypt; connects the Red Sea and Gulf of Suez with the Mediterranean Sea Oil Flows (2003E): 3.8 million bbl/d. Of this total, the Sumed Pipeline transported 2.5 million bbl/d of oil northbound (nearly all from Saudi Arabia) and the Suez Canal about 1.3 million bbl/d total. Destination of Sumed Oil Exports: Predominantly Europe; also United States. Concerns/Background: Closure of the Suez Canal and/or Sumed Pipeline would divert tankers around the southern tip of Africa (the Cape of Good Hope), adding greatly to transit time and effectively tying up tanker capacity. In 2003, about 2,800 oil tankers passed through the Suez Canal carrying 1.3 million bbl/d of oil. This represented a 26% increase in oil shipments from 2002 levels, when 2,500 ships transported about 1.0 million bbl/d of oil through the canal. Oil historically has represented about 25 percent of Suez Canal revenues. Currently, the Suez Canal can accommodate Suezmax class tankers with drafts of up to 62 feet and 200,000-dead-weight-ton maximum cargos. In 2001, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) launched a 5-year program to reduce tanker transit times (from 14 hours to 11 hours) through the Canal. The SCA also is moving ahead with a 10-year project to widen and deepened the Canal, so that by 2010 it can accommodate Very-Large-Crude-Carrier (VLCC) and Ultra-Large-Crude-Carrier (ULCC) class tankers with oil cargos of up to 350,000 dead-weight-tons. The Sumed pipeline, with a capacity of about 2.5 million bbl/d, links the Ain Sukhna terminal on the Gulf of Suez with Sidi Kerir on the Mediterranean. Sumed consists of two parallel 42-inch lines, and is owned by Arab Petroleum Pipeline Co., a joint venture of EGPC (50%), Saudi Aramco (15%), Abu Dhabi's ADNOC (15%), three Kuwaiti companies (15% total), and Qatar's QGPC (5%). The pipeline has been in operation since January 1977, and has served as an alternative to the Suez Canal to transport loads from tankers that are too large to pass fully laden through the canal. Sources for this report include: Egyptian Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center/Suez Canal Authority; Panama Canal Authority; Petroterminal de Panama, S.A.; U.S. Energy Information Administration LINKS For more information on any of the countries or topics listed in this report, see these other sources on the EIA web site: EIA - Energy Supply Security - The latest information on events that could affect energy security EIA - International Energy Data EIA - Oil Market Basics (trade) Panama World Crude Oil Flows 1997 - Map Links to other U.S. government sites: National Defense University, Institute for National Strategic Studies - South China Sea: Future Source of Prosperity or Conflict in South East Asia? National Defense University, Institute for National Strategic Studies - Southeast Asian Chokepoints The following links are provided solely as a service to our customers, and therefore should not be construed as advocating or reflecting any position of the Energy Information Administration (EIA) or the United States Government. In addition, EIA does not guarantee the content or accuracy of any information presented in linked sites outside of EIA. Egypt Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center - Egyptian Economic Bulletin Egypt State Information Service, Calendar - The Inauguration of the Suez Canal Intertanko Panama Canal Authority Petroterminal de Panama (PTP) Suez Canal Guide - Atlas Marine Services Turkish Maritime Pilots' Association If you liked this Country Analysis Brief or any of our many other Country Analysis Briefs, you can be automatically notified via e-mail of updates. You can also join any of our several mailing lists by selecting the listserv to which you would like to be subscribed. The main URL for listserv signup is http://www.eia.doe.gov/listserv_signup.html. Please follow the directions given. You will then be notified within an hour of any updates to Country Analysis Briefs in your area of interest. Return to Country Analysis Briefs home page   File last modified: April 5, 2004 Contact: Erik Kreil erik.kreil@eia.doe.gov Phone: (202)586-6573 Fax: (202)586-9753

Bibliography

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CIA - The World Factbook -- Sao Tome and Principe. 24 Mar. 2005 <http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/tp.html>.

CIA - The World Factbook -- Gabon. 24 Mar. 2005 <http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/gb.html>.

World Oil Transit "Chokepoints" Country Analysis Brief. 24 Mar. 2005 <http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/choke.html>.