along
with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US
does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land"
Geographic coordinates:
43 00 S, 67 00 E
Map references:
Antarctic Region
Area:
total: 7,829 sq km
land: 7,829 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet and Iles
Kerguelen; excludes "Adelie Land" claim of about 500,000 sq km in
Antarctica that is not recognized by the US
Area - comparative:
slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Delaware
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,232 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen (does not
include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands)
Climate:
antarctic
Terrain:
volcanic
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Ross on Iles Kerguelen 1,850 m
Natural resources:
fish, crayfish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes
Environment - current issues:
NA
Geography - note:
islands component is widely scattered across remote locations in
the southern Indian Ocean
People French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants (July 2005 est.)
note: in 2002, there were 145 researchers whose numbers vary from
winter (July) to summer (January) (July 2005 est.)
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
Dependency status:
overseas territory of France since 1955; administered from Paris by
Administrateur Superieur Michel CHAMPON (since 20 December 2004),
assisted by Secretary General Jean-Yves HERMOSO (since NA)
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas territory of France); there are no first-order
administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there
are 3 districts named Ile Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, and Iles
Saint-Paul et Amsterdam; excludes "Adelie Land" claim in Antarctica
that is not recognized by the US
Legal system:
the laws of France, where applicable, apply
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 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
Transportation French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Ports and harbors:
none; offshore anchorage only
Merchant marine:
total: 75 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 3,092,387 GRT/5,056,658 DWT
by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 1, chemical tanker 21, container 19,
liquefied gas 7, petroleum tanker 15, roll on/roll off 6, vehicle
carrier 4
foreign-owned: 71 (Belgium 5, Denmark 2, France 45, Germany 2,
Greece 2, Hong Kong 5, Japan 4, Saudi Arabia 1, Sweden 5) (2005)
Airports:
none (2004 est.)
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 United States
This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005
======================================================================
@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
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.
Geography Gabon
Location: