available domestic: adequate network of microwave radio relay
and open wire international: microwave radio relay links to Senegal and
Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001)

Radios: 196,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 1 (government-owned) (1997)

Televisions: 5,000 (2000)

Internet country code: .gm

Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2001)

Internet users: 5,000 (2001)

Transportation Gambia, The

Railways: 0 km

Highways: total: 2,700 km paved: 956 km unpaved: 1,744 km (1996)

Waterways: 400 km

Ports and harbors: Banjul

Merchant marine: none (2002 est.)

Airports: 1 (2001)

Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2001)

Military Gambia, The

Military branches: Gambian National Army (GNA) (includes marine unit),
National Police, Presidential Guard

Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 327,677 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 165,249
(2002 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.2 million (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 0.3% (FY01)

Transnational Issues Gambia, The

Disputes - international: none

This page was last updated on 1 January 2002

========================================================================

Gabon

Introduction

Gabon

Background: Ruled by autocratic presidents since independence from France
in 1960, Gabon introduced a multiparty system and a new constitution in
the early 1990s that allowed for a more transparent electoral process and
for reforms of governmental institutions. A small population, abundant
natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make
Gabon one of the more prosperous black 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: 200 NM territorial sea: Climate: tropical; always
hot, humid

Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly in