Republic of South Africa

President: Kgalema Motlanthe (2008)

Current government officials

Total area: 471,008 sq mi (1,219,912 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 43,997,828 (growth rate: –0.5%); birth rate: 17.9/1000; infant mortality rate: 59.4/1000; life expectancy: 42.5; density per sq mi: 93

Administrative capital (2003 est.): Pretoria, 1,541,300 (metro. area), 1,249,700 (city proper); Legislative capital and largest city: Cape Town, 3,140,600 (metro. area), 2,733,000 (city proper). Judicial capital: Bloemfontein, 378,000. No decision has been made to relocate the seat of government. South Africa is demarcated into nine provinces, consisting of the Gauteng, Northern Province, Mpumalanga, North West, KwaZulu/Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Free State. Each province has its own capital

Other large cities: Durban/Pinetown, 2,396,100; Johannesburg, 1,675,200; East Rand, 1,378,792 (part of Johannesburg metro. area, 2000 est.)
Monetary unit: Rand

Languages: IsiZulu 23.8%, IsiXhosa 17.6%, Afrikaans 13.3%, Sepedi 9.4%, English 8.2%, Setswana 8.2%, Sesotho 7.9%, Xitsonga 4.4%, other 7.2% (2001)

Ethnicity/race: black African 79%, white 9.6%, colored 8.9%, Indian/Asian 2.5% (2001)

Religions: Zion Christian 11%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8%, Catholic 7%, Methodist 7%, Dutch Reformed 7%, Anglican 4%, other Christian 36%, Islam 2%, none 15% (2001)

Literacy rate: 86% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $467.1 billion; per capita $9,800. Real growth rate: 5.1%. Inflation: 7.1%. Unemployment: 24.3%. Arable land: 12%. Agriculture: corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products. Labor force: 15.23 million economically active; agriculture 30%, industry 25%, services 45% (1999 est.). Industries: mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair. Natural resources: gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas. Exports: $50.91 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): gold, diamonds, platinum, other metals and minerals, machinery and equipment. Imports: $52.97 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum products, scientific instruments, foodstuffs. Major trading partners: U.S., UK, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, China, France, Saudi Arabia, Iran (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: more than 5 million (2001); mobile cellular: 7.06 million (2001). Radio

broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 347 (plus 243 repeaters), shortwave 1 (1998). Radios: 17 million (2001). Television

broadcast stations: 556 (plus 144 network repeaters) (1997). Televisions: 6 million (2000). Internet Service Providers

(ISPs): 150 (2001). Internet users: 3.068 million (2002).

Transportation: Railways: total: 22,298 km (2002). Highways: total: 362,099 km; paved: 73,506 km (including 2,032 km of expressways); unpaved: 288,593 km (2000). Ports and harbors: Cape Town, Durban, East London, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha. Airports: 727 (2002).

International disputes: managed dispute with Namibia over the location of the boundary in the Orange River.

Republic of Namibia

President: Hifikepunye Pohamba (2005)

Prime Minister: Nahas Angula (2005)

Current government officials

Total area: 318,694 sq mi (825,418 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 2,063,927 (growth rate: 0.3%); birth rate: 22.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 46.4/1000; life expectancy: 43.0; density per sq km: 2

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Windhoek, 221,000. Summer capital: Swakopmund, 26,200

Monetary unit: Namibian dollar

Languages: English 7% (official), Afrikaans is common language of most of the population and of about 60% of the white population, German 32%; indigenous languages: Oshivambo, Herero, Nama

Ethnicity/race: black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%. Note: about 50% of the population belong to the Ovambo tribe and 9% to the Kavangos tribe; other ethnic groups are Herero 7%, Damara 7%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, Bushmen 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

Religions: Christian 80%–90% (Lutheran at least 50%), indigenous beliefs 10%–20%
National Holiday: Independence Day, March 21

Literacy rate: 84% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $10.72 billion; per capita $5,200. Real growth rate: 4.4%. Inflation: 6.7%.

Unemployment: 5.2%. Arable land: 1%. Agriculture: millet, sorghum, peanuts, grapes; livestock; fish. Labor force: 660,000; agriculture 47%, industry 20%, services 33% (1999 est.). Industries: meatpacking, fish processing, dairy products; mining (diamonds, lead, zinc, tin, silver, tungsten, uranium, copper). Natural resources: diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, zinc, salt, vanadium, natural gas, hydropower, fish; note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore. Exports: $2.87 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): diamonds, copper, gold, zinc, lead, uranium; cattle, processed fish, karakul skins. Imports: $2.82 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): foodstuffs; petroleum products and fuel, machinery and equipment, chemicals. Major trading partners: South Africa, U.S. (2006).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 138,900 (2005); mobile cellular: 495,000 (2005). Radio broadcast

stations: AM 2, FM 39, shortwave 4 (2001). Radios: 232,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 2 (2007). Televisions: 60,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3,717 (2007). Internet users: 80,600 (2005).

Transportation: Railways: total: 2,382 km (2002). Highways: total: 42,237 km; paved: 5,406 km; unpaved: 36,831 km (2002).

Ports and harbors: Luderitz, Walvis Bay. Airports: 137 (2007).

International disputes: commission established with Botswana to resolve small residual disputes along the Caprivi Strip, including the Situngu marshlands along the Linyanti River; Botswana residents protest Namibia's planned construction of the Okavango hydroelectric dam on Popa Falls; managed dispute with South Africa over the location of the boundary in the Orange River; dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge; Angolan rebels and refugees still reside in Namibia.

Republic of Botswana

President: Ian Khama (2008)

Current government officials
Land area: 226,012 sq mi (585,371 sq km); total area: 231,803 sq mi (600,370 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 1,842,323 (growth rate: 1.4%); birth rate: 22.9/1000; infant mortality rate: 44.0/1000; life expectancy: 50.1; density per sq km: 3

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Gaborone, 195,000

Monetary unit: Pula

Languages: English 2% (official), Setswana 78%, Kalanga 8%, Sekgalagadi 3%, other (2001)

Ethnicity/race: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other (including Kgalagadi and white) 7%

National Holiday: Independence Day (Botswana Day), September 30

Religions: Christian 72%, Badimo 6%, none 21% (2001)

Literacy rate: 81.2% (2006 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $25.68 billion; per capita $16,400. Real growth rate: 5.4%. Inflation: 7.1%. Unemployment: 7.5%. Arable land: 1%. Agriculture: livestock, sorghum, maize, millet, beans, sunflowers, groundnuts. Labor force: 288,400 formal sector employees (2004); agriculture n.a., industry n.a., services n.a.. Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing; textiles. Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver. Exports: $3.68 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): diamonds, copper, nickel, soda ash, meat, textiles. Imports: $3.37 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): foodstuffs, machinery, electrical goods, transport equipment, textiles, fuel and petroleum products, wood and paper products, metal and metal products. Major trading partners: European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Zimbabwe (2004).

Member of Commonwealth of Nations

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 142,400 (2002); mobile cellular: 435,000 (2002). Radio broadcast

stations: AM 8, FM 13, shortwave 4 (2001). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001). Internet hosts: 1,920 (2003).

Internet users: 60,000 (2002).

Transportation: Railways: total: 888 km (2004). Highways: total: 10,217 km; paved: 5,619 km; unpaved: 4,598 km (1999).

Ports and harbors: none. Airports: 85 (2004 est.).

International disputes: commission established with Namibia has yet to resolve small residual disputes along the Caprivi Strip, including the Situngu marshlands along the Linyanti River; downstream Botswana residents protest Namibia's planned construction of the Okavango hydroelectric dam at Popavalle (Popa Falls); Botswana has built electric fences to stem the thousands of Zimbabweans who flee to find work and escape political persecution; Namibia has long supported and in 2004 Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing their short, but not clearly delimited Botswana-Zambia boundary

Republic of Angola

National name: Republica de Angola

President: José Eduardo dos Santos (1979)

Prime Minister: Fernando da Piedade Dias dos Santos (2003)

Current government officials
Total area: 481,350 sq mi (1,246,699 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 12,263,596 (growth rate: 2.2%); birth rate: 44.5/1000; infant mortality rate: 184.4/1000; life expectancy: 37.6; density per sq mi: 25

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Luanda, 2,297,200

Other large cities: Huambo, 171,000; Lubango, 136,000

Monetary unit: New Kwanza

Languages: Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Ethnicity/race: Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%

Religions: Indigenous 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)

Literacy rate: 67.4% (2001 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $80.95 billion; per capita $6,500. Real growth rate: 16.3%. Inflation: 12.5%. Unemployment: extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2001 est.). Arable land: 2.65%. Agriculture: bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish. Labor force: 6.573 million; agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (2007 est.). Industries: petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair. Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium. Exports: $43.23 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton. Imports: $11.41 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods. Major trading partners: U.S., China, Taiwan, France, Chile (2006)

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 98,200 (2006); mobile cellular: 2.264 million (2006). Radio broadcast

stations: AAM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2001). Television broadcast stations: 6 (2000). Internet hosts: 3,337 (2007).

Internet users: 85,000 (2005).

Transportation: Railways: total: 2,761 km (2006). Highways: total: 51,429 km; paved: 5,349 km; unpaved: 46,080 km (2001).

Waterways: 1,300 km (2007). Ports and harbors: Cabinda, Luanda, Soyo. Airports: 232 (2007).

International disputes: many Cabinda exclave secessionists have sought shelter in neighboring states

Republic of Zambia

President: Rupiah Banda (2008)

Current government officials
Land area: 285,994 sq mi (740,724 sq km); total area: 290,586 sq mi (sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 11,477,447 (growth rate: 1.7%); birth rate: 40.8/1000; infant mortality rate: 100.7/1000; life expectancy: 38.4 density per sq mi: 40

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Lusaka, 1,773,300 (metro. area), 1,265,000 (city proper)

Other large cities: Ndola, 349,300; Kitwe, 306,200; Kabwe, 219,600, Chingola, 151,100

Monetary unit: Kwacha

Languages: English (official); major vernaculars: Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi, Lunda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga; about 70 other indigenous languages

Ethnicity/race: African 98.7%, European 1.1%, other 0.2%

Religions: Christian 50%–75%, Islam and Hindu 24%–49%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Literacy rate: 81% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $11.16 billion; per capita $1,300. Real growth rate: 5.3%. Inflation: 10.7%. Unemployment: 50% (2000 est.). Arable land: 7%. Agriculture: corn, sorghum, rice, peanuts, sunflower seed, vegetables, flowers, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), coffee; cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, milk, eggs, hides. Labor force: 4.989 million; agriculture 85%, industry 6%, services 9%. Industries: copper mining and processing, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture. Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower. Exports: $3.928 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): copper/cobalt 64%, cobalt, electricity, tobacco, flowers, cotton. Imports: $3.092 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, electricity, fertilizer; foodstuffs, clothing. Major trading partners: South Africa, UK, Switzerland, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, UAE (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 94,700 (2005); mobile cellular: 949,600 (2005). Radio broadcast stations: AM 19, FM 5, shortwave 4 (2001). Radios: 1.2 million (2001). Television broadcast stations: 9 (2002). Televisions: 277,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2001). Internet users: 231,000 (2005).

Transportation: Railways: total: 2,157 km km (2006). Highways: total: 91,440 km; paved: 20,117 km ; unpaved: 71,323 km (2001 est.). Waterways: 2,250 km, including Zambezi and Luapula rivers, Lake Tanganyika. Ports and harbors: Mpulungu. Airports: 111 (2006).

International conflicts: dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge.

Republic of Mozambique

National name: República de Moçambique

President: Armando Guebuza (2005)

Prime Minister: Luisa Diogo (2004)

Current government officials

Land area: 302,737 sq mi (784,089 sq km); total area: 309,494 sq mi (801,590 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 21,284,701 (growth rate: 1.7%); birth rate: 38.2/1000; infant mortality rate: 107.8/1000; life expectancy: 41.0; density per sq km: 27

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Maputo, 1,691,000 (metro. area), 1,114,000 (city proper)
Monetary unit: Metical

Languages: Portuguese 9% (official; second language of 27%), Emakhuwa 26%, Xichangana 11%, Elomwe 8%, Cisena 7%, Echuwabo 6%, other Mozambican languages 32% (1997)

Ethnicity/race: indigenous tribal groups 99.66% (Shangaan, Chokwe, Manyika, Sena, Makua, and others), Europeans 0.06%, Euro-Africans 0.2%, Indians 0.08%

Religions: Mozambique 24%, Islam 18%, Zionist Christian 18%, none 23% (1997)

National Holiday: Independence Day, June 25

Literacy rate: 48% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $17.02 billion; per capita $800. Real growth rate: 7%. Inflation: 8%. Unemployment: 21% (1997 est.). Arable land: 5%. Agriculture: cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers; beef, poultry. Labor force: 9.6 million (2007 est.); agriculture 81%, industry 6%, services 13% (1997 est.). Industries: food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, tobacco. Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite. Exports: $2.731 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): aluminum, prawns, cashews, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber; bulk electricity. Imports: $3.028 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles. Major trading partners: Netherlands, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Portugal (2006).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 67,000 (2006); mobile cellular: 2.339 million (2006). Radio broadcast

stations: AM 13, FM 17, shortwave 11 (2001). Radios: 730,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001).

Televisions: 67,600 (2000). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 15,231 (2007). Internet users: 178,000 (2005).

Transportation: Railways: total: 3,123 km (2006). Highways: total: 30,400 km; paved: 5,685 km; unpaved: 24,715 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 460 km (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake) (2007). Ports and harbors: Beira, Inhambane, Maputo, Nacala, Pemba, Quelimane. Airports: 147 (2007).

International disputes: none.

Republic of Zimbabwe

President: Robert Mugabe (1980)

Current government officials

Land area: 149,293 sq mi (386,669 sq km); total area: 150,804 sq mi (390,580 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 12,311,143 (growth rate: 0.6%); birth rate: 27.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 51.1/1000; life expectancy: 39.8; density per sq mi: 82

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Harare, 2,331,400 (metro. area), 1,919,700 (city proper)

Other large cities: Bulawayo, 965,000; Chitungwiza, 411,700

Monetary unit: Zimbabwean dollar

Languages: English (official), Shona, Ndebele (Sindebele), numerous minor tribal dialects

Ethnicity/race: African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1%

Religions: syncretic (part Christian, part indigenous beliefs) 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs 24%, Muslim and other 1%
Literacy rate: 91% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $2.211 billion; per capita $200. Real growth rate: –6.1%. Inflation: 10, 453% official data; private sector estimates are much higher (yearend 2007 est.). Unemployment: 80%. Arable land: 8%.

Agriculture: corn, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugarcane, peanuts; sheep, goats, pigs. Labor force: 4.032 million (2007); agriculture 66%, services 24%, industry 10% (1996). Industries: mining (coal, gold, platinum, copper, nickel, tin, clay, numerous metallic and nonmetallic ores), steel; wood products, cement, chemicals, fertilizer, clothing and footwear, foodstuffs, beverages. Natural resources: coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals.

Exports: $1.766 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): cotton, tobacco, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing. Imports: $2.055 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals, fuels. Major trading partners: South Africa, Switzerland, UK, China, Germany, Botswana (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 331,700 (2006); mobile cellular: 832,500 (2006). Radio broadcast

stations: AM 7, FM 20 (plus 17 repeater stations), shortwave 1 (1998). Radios: 1.14 million (1997). Television broadcast

stations: 16 (1997). Televisions: 370,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2000). Internet users: 1 million (2005).

Transportation: Railways: total: 3,077 km (2002). Highways: total: 97,440 km ; paved: 18,514 km ; unpaved: 78,926 km (2002 est.).

Waterways: the Mazoe and Zambezi rivers are used for transporting chrome ore from Harare to Mozambique.

Ports and harbors: Binga, Kariba. Airports: 430 (2002) .

International disputes:dormant dispute remains where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe boundaries converge.

Kingdom of Lesotho

Sovereign: King Letsie III (1996)

Prime Minister: Pakalitha Mosisili (1998)

Current government officials
Total area: 11,718 sq mi (30,350 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 2,128,180 (growth rate: 0.1%); birth rate: 24.4/1000; infant mortality rate: 78.5/1000; life expectancy: 40.1; density per sq km: 70

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Maseru 173,700

Monetary unit: Maluti

Languages: English, Sesotho (both official); Zulu, Xhosa

Ethnicity/race: Sotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3%

Religions: Christian 80%, indigenous beliefs 20%

National Holiday: Independence Day, October 4

Literacy rate: 85% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $3.092 billion; per capita $1,300. Real growth rate: 4.9%. Inflation: 8%.

Unemployment: 45% (2002). Arable land: 11%. Agriculture: corn, wheat, pulses, sorghum, barley; livestock. Labor force: 838,000 (2000); 86% of resident population engaged in subsistence agriculture; roughly 35% of the active male wage earners work in South Africa; industry and services 14%. Industries: food, beverages, textiles, apparel assembly, handicrafts, construction, tourism. Natural resources: water, agricultural and grazing land, diamonds, sand, clay, building stone. Exports: $602.8 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): manufactures 75% (clothing, footwear, road vehicles), wool and mohair, food and live animals (2000). Imports: $1.166 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): food; building materials, vehicles, machinery, medicines, petroleum products (2000). Major trading partners: U.S., Canada, UK, Hong Kong, China, India, South Korea, Germany (2004).

Member of Commonwealth of Nations

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 22,200 (2000); mobile cellular: 21,600 (2000). Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 1 (1998). Radios: n.a. (2002). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2000). Televisions: n.a. Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000). Internet users: 5,000 (2002).

Transportation: Railways: total: 2.6 km; note: owned by, operated by, and included in the statistics of South Africa (1995).

Highways: total: 5,940 km; paved: 1,087 km; unpaved: 4,853 km (1999). Ports and harbors: none. Airports: 28 (2002).
International disputes: none.

Kingdom of Swaziland
Ruler: King Mswati III (1986)

Prime Minister: Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini (1996)

Current government officials
Land area: 6,641 sq mi (17,200 sq km); total area: 6,704 sq mi (17,363 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 1,133,066 (growth rate: –0.3%); birth rate: 27.0/1000; infant mortality rate: 70.7/1000; life expectancy: 32.2; density per sq mi: 171

Capital (2003 est.): Mbabane, 69,000; Royal and legislative capital: Lobamba, circa 5,000

Largest city: Manzini, 75,000

Monetary unit: Lilangeni

Languages: English, siSwati (both official)

Ethnicity/race: African 97%, European 3%

Religions: Zionist (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship) 40%; Roman Catholic 20%; Muslim 10%; Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish, and other 30%

Literacy rate: 82% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $5.626 billion; per capita $4,800. Real growth rate: 2.4%. Inflation: 8.2%. Unemployment: 40%. Arable land: 10%. Agriculture: sugarcane, cotton, corn, tobacco, rice, citrus, pineapples, sorghum, peanuts; cattle, goats, sheep. Labor force: 155,700 (2003). Industries: mining (coal, raw asbestos), wood pulp, sugar, soft drink concentrates, textile and apparel. Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, talc. Exports: $1.991 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit. Imports: $2.149 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): motor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals. Major trading partners: South Africa, EU, U.S., Mozambique, Japan, Singapore (2004).

Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 38,500 (2001); mobile cellular: 45,000 (2001). Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 2 plus 4 repeaters, shortwave 3 (2001). Radios: 170,000 (1999). Television broadcast stations: 5 plus 7 relay stations (2001). Televisions: 23,000 (2000). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2002). Internet users: 7,000 (2002).
Transportation: Railways: total: 301 km (2002). Highways: total: 3,247 km (1998). Ports and harbors: none. Airports: 18 (2002).

International disputes: none.

Republic of Malawi
President: Bingu wa Mutharika (2004)

Current government officials
Land area: 36,324 sq mi (94,079 sq km); total area: 45,745 sq mi (118,480 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 13,931,831 (growth rate: 2.3%); birth rate: 41.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 90.5/1000; life expectancy: 43.4; density per sq km: 148

Capital (2003 est.): Lilongwe, 499,200

Largest city: Blantyre, 547,500

Monetary unit: Kwacha

Languages: Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998)

Ethnicity/race: Chewa, Nyanja, Tumbuko, Yao, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde, Asian, European

Religions: Christian 80%, Islam 13%, none 4% (1998)

National Holiday: Independence Day (Republic Day), July 6

Literacy rate: 63% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $10.51 billion; per capita $800. Real growth rate: 7.4%. Inflation: 8.1%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 20%. Agriculture: tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, tea, corn, potatoes, cassava (tapioca), sorghum, pulses, groundnuts, Macadamia nuts; cattle, goats. Labor force: 4.5 million (2001 est.); agriculture 90%, industry and services 10% (2003 est.). Industries: tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods. Natural resources: limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite. Exports: $364 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): tobacco 60%, tea, sugar, cotton, coffee, peanuts, wood products, apparel. Imports: $645 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): food, petroleum products, semimanufactures, consumer goods, transportation equipment. Major trading partners: South Africa, U.S., Germany, Egypt, UK, Mozambique, India, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania (2004).

Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 45,000 (2000); mobile cellular: 49,000 (2000). Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 5 (plus 15 repeater stations), shortwave 2 (plus a third station held in standby status) (2001). Radios: 2.6 million (1997). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001). Televisions: n.a. Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2002). Internet users: 35,000 (2002).

Transportation: Railways: total: 797 km (2002). Highways: total: 28,400 km; paved: 5,254 km; unpaved: 23,146 km (1999 est.).

Waterways: 144 km; Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and Shire Riverall. Ports and harbors: Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba. Airports: 43 (2002).

International disputes: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant.

Republic of Madagascar
National name: Repoblikan'i Madagasikara

President: Marc Ravalomanana (2002)

Prime Minister: Charles Rabemananjara (2007)

Current government officials
Land area: 224,533 sq mi (581,540 sq km); total area: 226,656 sq mi (587,040 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 20,042,551 (growth rate: 3.0%); birth rate: 38.3/1000; infant mortality rate: 55.5/1000; life expectancy: 62.5; density per sq km: 34

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Antananarivo, 1,390,800

Monetary unit: Malagasy franc

Languages: Malagasy and French (both official)

Ethnicity/race: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Côtiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry: Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran

Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Islam 7%

National Holiday: Independence Day, June 26

Literacy rate: 69% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $18.12 billion; per capita $1,100. Real growth rate: 6.3%. Inflation: 10.3%. Unemployment: 5.9% (1998). Arable land: 5%. Agriculture: coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, cloves, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), beans, bananas, peanuts; livestock products. Labor force: 7.3 million (2000). Industries: meat processing, soap, breweries, tanneries, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism. Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower. Exports: $951 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): coffee, vanilla, shellfish, sugar, cotton cloth, chromite, petroleum products. Imports: $1.4 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): capital goods, petroleum, consumer goods, food. Major trading partners: U.S., France, Germany, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Mauritius, South Africa (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 55,000 (2000); mobile cellular: 63,100 (2000). Radio broadcast stations: AM 2 (plus a number of repeater stations), FM 9, shortwave 6 (2001). Radios: 3.05 million (1997). Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus 36 repeaters) (2001). Televisions: 325,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000). Internet users: 35,000 (2002).

Transportation: Railways: total: 732 km (2002). Highways: total: 49,827 km; paved: 5,780 km; unpaved: 44,047 km (1999 est.). Waterways: of local importance only. Ports and harbors: Antsiranana, Antsohimbondrona, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara. Airports: 121 (2002).

International disputes: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island (all administered by France).

National Name: Republique Democratique du Congo

President: Joseph Kabila (2001)

Prime Minister: Antoine Gizenga (2006)

Current government officials
Land area: 875,520 sq mi (2,267,599 sq km); total area: 905,568 sq mi (2,345,410 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 68,008,922 (growth rate: 3.3%); birth rate: 42.5/1000; infant mortality rate: 64.0/1000; life expectancy: 57.6; density per sq km: 30

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Kinshasa, 6,541,300

Other large cities: Lubumbashi, 1,105,900; Mbuji-Mayi, 938,000; Kolwezi, 832,400; Kisangani, 523,000

Monetary unit: Congolese franc

Languages: French (official), Lingala, Kingwana, Kikongo, Tshiluba

Ethnicity/race: With over 200 African ethnic groups, the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes—Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic)—make up about 45% of the population

National Holiday: Independence Day, June 30

Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%, Islam 10%; other syncretic and indigenous 10%

Literacy rate: 67.2% (2006 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $18.84 billion; per capita $300. Real growth rate: 6.3%. Inflation: 16.7% (2006 est.). Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 3%. Agriculture: coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products. Labor force: n.a. Industries: mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair. Natural resources: cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium, uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower, timber. Exports: $1.108 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.): diamonds, copper, crude oil, coffee, cobalt. Imports: $1.319 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.): foodstuffs, mining and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels. Major trading partners: Belgium, Finland, U.S., China, South Africa, France, Zambia, Kenya, Germany (2004).
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 10,600 (2005); mobile cellular: 2.75 million (2005). Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 11, shortwave 2 (2001). Television broadcast stations: 4 (2001). Internet hosts: 1,778 (2006). Internet users: 140,600 (2005).

Transportation: Railways: total: 5,138 km (2005). Highways: total: 153,497 km; paved: 2,794 km; unpaved: 150,703 km (2004). Waterways: 15,000 km (navigation on the Congo curtailed by fighting) (2004). Ports and harbors: Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka. Airports: 234 (2006 est.).

International disputes: heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledge to end conflict but unchecked tribal, rebel, and militia fighting continues unabated in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, drawing in the neighboring states of Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda; the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has maintained over 14,000 peacekeepers in the region since 1999; thousands of Ituri refugees from the Congo continue to flee the fighting primarily into Uganda; 90,000 Angolan refugees were repatriated by 2004 with the remainder in the Democratic Republic of the Congo expected to return in 2005; in 2005, DROC and Rwanda established a border verification mechanism to address accusations of Rwandan military supporting Congolese rebels and the DROC providing rebel Rwandan “Interhamwe” forces the means and bases to attack Rwandan forces; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area.

United Republic of Tanzania
President: Jakaya Kikwete (2005)

Prime Minister: Mizengo Pinda (2008)

Current government officials
Land area: 342,100 sq mi (886,039 sq km); total area: 364,898 sq mi (945,087 sq km)1

Population (2007 est.): 38,139,640 (growth rate: 1.8%); birth rate: 37.3/1000; infant mortality rate: 94.5/1000; life expectancy: 46.1; density per sq mi: 111

Capital (2003 est.): Dodoma, 164,500. Largest city (2003 est.): Dar es Salaam, 2,489,800

Monetary unit: Tanzanian shilling

Languages: Swahili, English (both official); Arabic; many local languages

Ethnicity/race: mainland: native African 99% (includes 95% Bantu, consisting of well over 100 tribes), Asian, European, and Arab 1%; Zanzibar: Arab, native African, mixed

Religions: mainland: Christian 30%, Islam 35%, indigenous 35%; Zanzibar: more than 99% Islam
Literacy rate: 78% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $48.94 billion; per capita $1,300. Real growth rate: 7.3%. Inflation: 7%.

Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 5%. Agriculture: coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashew nuts, tobacco, cloves, corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats. Labor force: 20.04 million; agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2002 est.). Industries: agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine); diamond, gold, and iron mining, salt, soda ash; cement, oil refining, shoes, apparel, wood products, fertilizer. Natural resources: hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel. Exports: $1.581 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): gold, coffee, cashew nuts, manufactures, cotton. Imports: $2.391 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): consumer goods, machinery and transportation equipment, industrial raw materials, crude oil. Major trading partners: India, Spain, Netherlands, Japan, UK, China, Kenya, South Africa, UAE, U.S. (2004).

Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 127,000 (1998); mobile cellular: 30,000 (1999). Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 11, shortwave 2 (1998). Radios: 8.8 million (1997). Television broadcast stations: 3 (1999). Televisions: 103,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (2000). Internet users: 300,000 (2002).

Transportation: Railways: total: 3,690 km (2002). Highways: total: 88,200 km; paved: 3,704 km; unpaved: 84,496 km (1999 est.). Waterways: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa. Ports and harbors: Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Kilwa Masoko, Lindi, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pangani, Tanga, Wete, Zanzibar. Airports: 123 (2002).

International disputes: disputes with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant.
1. Including Zanzibar.

Republic of Kenya

National name: Jamhuri ya Kenya

President: Mwai Kibaki (2002)

Current government officials
Land area: 219,788 sq mi (569,251 sq km); total area: 224,961 sq mi (582,650 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 37,953,838 (growth rate: 2.7%); birth rate: 37.8/1000; infant mortality rate: 56.0/1000; life expectancy: 56.6; density per sq km: 66

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Nairobi, 3,064,800 (metro. area), 2,411,900 (city proper)

Other large city: Mombasa, 712,600

Monetary unit: Kenya shilling

Languages: English (official), Swahili (national), and numerous indigenous languages

Ethnicity/race: Kikuyu 22%; Luhya 14%; Luo 13%; Kalenjin 12%; Kamba 11%; Kisii 6%; Meru 6%; other African 15%; Asian, European, and Arab 1%

Religions: Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, indigenous beliefs 10%, Islam 10%, others 2% (note: estimates vary widely)

National Holiday: Independence Day, December 12

Literacy rate: 85% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $58.88 billion; per capita $1,700. Real growth rate: 7%. Inflation: 9.8%. Unemployment: 40% (2001 est.). Arable land: 8%. Agriculture: tea, coffee, corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruit, vegetables; dairy products, beef, pork, poultry, eggs. Labor force: 11.85 million; agriculture 75%, industry and services 25% (2003 est.). Industries: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products, oil refining; aluminum, steel, lead; cement, commercial ship repair, tourism. Natural resources: limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower. Exports: $3.76 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): tea, horticultural products, coffee, petroleum products, fish, cement. Imports: $7.602 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): machinery and transportation equipment, petroleum products, motor vehicles, iron and steel, resins and plastics. Major trading partners: Uganda, UK, U.S., Netherlands, Egypt, Tanzania, Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, India, China, Japan (2004).


Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 293,400 (2006); mobile cellular: 6.485 million (2006). Radio broadcast stations: AM 24, FM 18, shortwave 6 (2001). Radios: 3.07 million (1997). Television broadcast stations: 8 (2002).

Televisions: 730,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2,120 (2007). Internet users: 2.77 million (2006).

Transportation: Railways: total: 2,778 km (2006). Highways: total: 63,265 km; paved: 8,933 km; unpaved: 54,332 km (2004).

Waterways: part of the Lake Victoria system is within the boundaries of Kenya. Ports and harbors: Kisumu, Lamu, Mombasa. Airports: 225 (2007).

International disputes: Kenya's administrative boundary still extends into the Sudan, creating the “Ilemi triangle.”

Republic of Uganda
President: Yoweri Museveni (1986)

Prime Minister: Apolo Nsibambi (1999)

Current government officials
Land area: 77,108 sq mi (199,710 sq km); total area: 91,135 sq mi (236,040 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 30,262,610 (growth rate: 3.6%); birth rate: 48.1/1000; infant mortality rate: 67.2/1000; life expectancy: 51.8; density per sq mi: 392

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Kampala, 1,461,600 (metro. area), 1,244,000 (city proper)

Monetary unit: Ugandan new shilling

Languages: English (official), Ganda or Luganda, other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili, Arabic

Ethnicity/race: Baganda 17%, Ankole 8%, Basoga 8%, Iteso 8%, Bakiga 7%, Langi 6%, Rwanda 6%, Bagisu 5%, Acholi 4%, Lugbara 4%, Batoro 3%, Bunyoro 3%, Alur 2%, Bagwere 2%, Bakonjo 2%, Jopodhola 2%, Karamojong 2%, Rundi 2%, non-African (European, Asian, Arab) 1%, other 8%

Religions: Roman Catholic 33%, Protestant 33%, Islam 16%, indigenous beliefs 18%
Literacy rate: 70% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $29.04 billion; per capita $900. Real growth rate: 6.5%. Inflation: 6.8%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 22%. Agriculture: coffee, tea, cotton, tobacco, cassava (tapioca), potatoes, corn, millet, pulses, cut flowers; beef, goat meat, milk, poultry. Labor force: 14.02 (2007 est.) million; agriculture 82%, industry 5%, services 13% (1999 est.). Industries: sugar, brewing, tobacco, cotton textiles; cement, steel production. Natural resources: copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone, salt, arable land. Exports: $768 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): coffee, fish and fish products, tea, cotton, flowers, horticultural products; gold. Imports: $1.608 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): capital equipment, vehicles, petroleum, medical supplies; cereals. Major trading partners: Kenya, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Rwanda, U.S., UAE, South Africa, India, China, UK, Japan (2004).


Member of the Commonwealth of Nations
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 50,074; however, 80,868 main lines were installed (1998); mobile cellular: 9,000 (1998). Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 33, shortwave 2 (2001). Radios: 5 million (2001). Television broadcast stations: 8 (plus one low-power repeater) (2001). Televisions: 500,000 (2001). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2000). Internet users: 60,000 (2002).

Transportation: Railways: total: 1,241 km (2002). Highways: total: 27,000 km; paved: 1,809 km; unpaved: 25,191 km (1999 est.). Waterways: Lake Victoria, Lake Albert, Lake Kyoga, Lake George, Lake Edward, Victoria Nile, Albert Nile. Ports and harbors: Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell. Airports: 27 (2002).

International disputes: Tutsi, Hutu, and other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting in the Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda to gain control over populated areas and natural resources; government heads pledge to end conflict, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts; conflict in Sudan has extended rebel forces and refugees into Uganda.

National name: République du Congo

President: Denis Sassou-Nguesso (1997)

Prime Minister: Adolphe Muzito (2008)

Current government officials
Land area: 131,853 sq mi (341,499 sq km); total area: 132,047 sq mi (342,000 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 3,903,318 (growth rate: 2.6%); birth rate: 41.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 81.2/1000; life expectancy: 53.7; density per sq km: 11

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Brazzaville, 1,169,900
Other large city: Pointe-Noire, 544,200
Monetary unit: CFA Franc
Languages: French (official), Lingala, Monokutuba, Kikongo, many local languages and dialects
Ethnicity/race: Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%, Europeans and other 3%
National Holiday: Independence Day, August 15
Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Islam 2%
Literacy rate: 84% (2003 est.)

capital equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs. Major trading partners: China, Taiwan, North Korea, U.S., France, South Korea, Germany, Italy, Netherlands (2004).

.Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 7,000 (2003); mobile cellular: 330,000 (2003). Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2001). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002). Internet hosts: 46 (2003). Internet users: 15,000 (2003).

Transportation: Railways: total: 894 km (2004). Highways: total: 12,800 km; paved: 1,242 km; unpaved: 11,558 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 4,385 km (on Congo and Oubanqui rivers) (2004). Ports and harbors: Brazzaville, Djeno, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo, Pointe-Noire. Airports: 32 (2004 est.).

International disputes: about 7,000 Congolese refugees fleeing internal civil conflicts since the mid-1990s still reside in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area.

Gabonese Republic

National name: République Gabonaise

President: El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba (1967)

Premier: Jean Eyeghe Ndong (2006)

Current government officials
Land area: 99,486 sq mi (257,669 sq km); total area: 103,346 sq mi (267,667 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 1,484,149 (growth rate: 1.9%); birth rate: 35.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 52.7/1000; life expectancy: 53.5; density per sq km: 5

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Libreville, 661,600

Other large cities: Port-Gentil, 116,200; Franceville, 41,300

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi

Ethnicity/race: Bantu tribes, including four major tribal groupings: Fang, Punu, Nzeiby, Mbede (Obamba/Bateke); other Africans and Europeans 10.8%, including 0.8% French and 0.8% persons of dual nationality

Religions: Christian 55%–75%, animist, Islam less than 1%

National Holiday: Independence Day, August 17

Literacy rate: 63% (1995 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $20.18 billion; per capita $14,100. Real growth rate: 5.6%. Inflation: 5%. Unemployment: 21% (2006 est.). Arable land: 1%. Agriculture: cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber; cattle; okoume (a tropical softwood); fish. Labor force: 582,000 (2007); agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25%. Industries: petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement. Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower. Exports: $6.856 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): crude oil 77%, timber, manganese, uranium (2001). Imports: $1.951 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, construction materials. Major trading partners: U.S., China, France, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, Netherlands, Cameroon (2006).

Member of French Community
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 36,500 (2006); mobile cellular: 764,700 (2006). Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 7 (and 11 repeaters), shortwave 3 (2001). Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus six repeaters) (2001). Internet hosts: 288 (2007). Internet users: 81,000 (2006).

Transportation: Railways: total: 814 km (2006). Highways: total: 9,170 km; paved: 838 km; unpaved: 7,626 km (2004 est.). Waterways: 1,600 km (310 km on Ogooue River) (2007). Ports and harbors: Gamba, Libreville, Lucinda, Owendo, Port-Gentil. Airports: 53 (2007).

International disputes: UN presses Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and to establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay; only a few hundred out of the 20,000 Republic of the Congo refugees who fled militia fighting in 2000 remain in Gabon.

Republic of Cameroon
National name: République du Cameroun

President: Paul Biya (1982)

Prime Minister: Ephraïm Inoni (2004)

Current government officials
Land area: 181,251 sq mi (469,440 sq km); total area: 183,567 sq mi (475,440 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 18,467,692 (growth rate: 2.2%); birth rate: 34.5/1000; infant mortality rate: 64.5/1000; life expectancy: 53.3; density per sq km: 39

Capital: Yaoundé, 1,395,200 (metro. area), 1,154,400 (city proper)

Largest city: Douala, 1,490,500 (metro. area), 1,274.300 (city proper)

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

Languages: French, English (both official); 24 major African language groups

Ethnicity/race: Cameroon Highlanders 31%, Equatorial Bantu 19%, Kirdi 11%, Fulani 10%, Northwest Bantu 8%, Eastern Nigritic 7%, other African 13%, non-African less than 1%

National Holiday: Republic Day (National Day), May 20

Religions: indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 40%, Islam 20%

Literacy rate: 67.2% (2006 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $39.37 billion; per capita $2,100. Real growth rate: 3.3%. Inflation: 0.9%. Unemployment: 30% (2001 est.). Arable land: 13%. Agriculture: coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, bananas, oilseed, grains, root starches; livestock; timber. Labor force: 6.86 million; agriculture 70%, industry and commerce 13%, other 17%. Industries: petroleum production and refining, aluminum production, food processing, light consumer goods, textiles, lumber, ship repair. Natural resources: petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower. Exports: $3.236 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): crude oil and petroleum products, lumber, cocoa beans, aluminum, coffee, cotton. Imports: $2.514 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery, electrical equipment, transport equipment, fuel, food. Major trading partners: Spain, Italy, UK, France, U.S., South Korea, Netherlands, Nigeria, Belgium, China, Germany (2004).


Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 110,900 (2002); mobile cellular: 1.077 million (2003). Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 3 (2002). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002). Internet hosts: 479 (2004). Internet users: 60,000 (2002); note: Cameroon also had more than 100 cyber-cafes in 2001.


Transportation: Railways: total: 1,008 km (2004). Highways: total: 34,300 km; paved: 4,288 km; unpaved: 30,012 km (1999 est.). Waterways: navigation mainly on Benue River; limited during rainy season (2004). Ports and harbors: Douala, Limboh Terminal. Airports: 47 (2004 est.).

International disputes: ICJ ruled in 2002 on the entire Cameroon-Nigeria land and maritime boundary but the parties formed a Joint Border Commission, which continues to meet regularly to resolve differences bilaterally and have commenced with demarcation in less-contested sections of the boundary, starting in Lake Chad in the north; implementation of the ICJ ruling on the Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea is impeded by imprecisely defined coordinates, the unresolved Bakassi allocation, and a sovereignty dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River; Nigeria initially rejected cession of the Bakasi Peninsula, then agreed, but has yet to withdraw its forces while much of the indigenous population opposes cession; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes Chad and Niger

National name: République Centrafricaine

President: Gen. François Bozizé (2003)

Prime Minister: Faustin Archange Touadéra (2008)

Current government officials

Total area: 240,533 sq mi (622,980 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 4,434,873 (growth rate: 1.4%); birth rate: 33.1/1000; infant mortality rate: 82.3/1000; life expectancy: 43.9; density per sq km: 7

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Bangui, 810,000 (metro. area), 669,800 (city proper)
Monetary unit: CFA Franc

Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca, national), tribal languages

Ethnicity/race: Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%

National Holiday: Republic Day, December 1

Religions: indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant and Roman Catholic (both with animist influence) 25% each, Islam 15%

Literacy rate: 48.6% (2006 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP $3.1 billion (2007 est.); per capita $700. Real growth rate: 4.2%. Inflation: 0.9% (2007 est.). Unemployment: 8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.). Arable land: 3%. Agriculture: cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber. Labor force: n.a. Industries: gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles. Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower. Exports: $131 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco. Imports: $203 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals. Major trading partners: Belgium, Italy, Spain, U.S., France, Indonesia, China, Cameroon (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 10,000 (2004); mobile cellular: 60,000 (2004). Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001). Internet hosts: 10 (2006). Internet users: 9,000 (2005).

Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 23,810 km; paved: 643 km; unpaved: 23,167 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2004). Ports and harbors: Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga. Airports: 50 (2006 est.).

International disputes: about 30,000 refugees fleeing the 2002 civil conflict in the CAR still reside in southern Chad; periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist.

Federal Republic of Nigeria

President: Umaru Yar’Adua (2007)

Current government officials

Land area: 351,649 sq mi (910,771 sq km); total area: 356,667 sq mi (923,768 sq km)
Population (2008 est.): 138,283,240 (growth rate: 2.3%); birth rate: 39.9/1000; infant mortality rate: 93.9/1000; life expectancy: 47.8; density per sq km: 151

Capital (2003 est.): Abuja, 590,400 (metro. area), 165,700 (city proper)

Largest cities: Lagos (2003 est.), 11,135,000 (metro. area), 5,686,000 (city proper); Kano, 3,329,900; Ibadan, 3,139,500; Kaduna, 1,510,300

Monetary unit: Naira

Languages: English (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Fulani, and more than 200 others

Ethnicity/race: More than 250 ethnic groups, including Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Ibo 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%

Religions: Islam 50%, Christian 40%, indigenous beliefs 10%

National Holiday: Independence Day (National Day), October 1

Literacy rate: 68% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $292.7 billion; per capita $2,000. Real growth rate: 6.4%. Inflation: 5.5%. Unemployment: 4.9%. Arable land: 33%. Agriculture: cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava (tapioca), yams, rubber; cattle, sheep, goats, pigs; timber; fish. Labor force: 50.13 million; agriculture 70%, industry 10%, services 20% (1999 est.). Industries: crude oil, coal, tin, columbite; palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood; hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizer, printing, ceramics, steel, small commercial ship construction and repair. Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, arable land. Exports: $61.81 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): petroleum and petroleum products 95%, cocoa, rubber.
Imports: $30.35 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals. Major trading partners: U.S., Brazil, Spain, China, UK, Netherlands, France, Germany (2006).


Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 1.688 million (2006); mobile cellular: 32.322 million (2006). Radio broadcast stations: AM 83, FM 36, shortwave 11 (2001). Radios: 23.5 million (1997). Television broadcast stations: 3 (the government controls 2 broadcasting stations and 15 repeater stations) (2002). Televisions: 6.9 million (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1,968 (2007). Internet users: 8 million (2006).


Transportation: Railways: total: 3,505 km (2006). Highways: total: 194,394 km; paved: 60,068 km (including 1,194 km of expressways); unpaved: 134,326 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 8,600 km (Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks) (2007). Ports and harbors: Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri. Airports: 70 (2007).

International disputes: ICJ ruled in 2002 on the Cameroon-Nigeria land and maritime boundary by awarding the potentially petroleum-rich Bakassi Peninsula and offshore region to Cameroon; Nigeria rejected the cession of the peninsula but the parties formed a Joint Border Commission to peaceably resolve the dispute and commence with demarcation in other less-contested sections of the boundary; several villages along the Okpara River are in dispute with Benin; Lake Chad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over lake region, which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations and militias; Nigeria agreed to ratify the treaty and relinquish sovereignty of disputed lands to Cameroon by December 2003.

National name: Soomaaliya

President: Aden Mohamed Nur (2008; acting)

Prime Minister: Nur Hassan Hussein (2007)

Current government officials
Land area: 242,216 sq mi (627,339 sq km); total area: 246,199 sq mi (637,657 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 9,118,773 (growth rate: 2.8%); birth rate: 44.6/1000; infant mortality rate: 113.1/1000; life expectancy: 48.8; density per sq mi: 38

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Mogadishu, 1,208,800

Monetary unit: Somali shilling

Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, English, Italian

Ethnicity/race: Somali 85%, Bantu and others 15% (including Arabs 30,000)

Religion: Islam (Sunni)

Literacy rate: 38% (2001 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $5.575 billion; per capita $600. Real growth rate: 2.6%. Inflation: n.a. (businesses print their own money). Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 2%. Agriculture: bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; cattle, sheep, goats; fish. Labor force: 3.7 million (very few are skilled laborers); agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%, industry and services 29%. Industries: a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication. Natural resources: uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves. Exports: $241 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal. Imports: $576 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat. Major trading partners: UAE, Yemen, Oman, Djibouti, Kenya, India, Brazil (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 15,000 (2000); mobile cellular: n.a. Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 1, shortwave 5 (2001). Radios: 470,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 3; note: two in Mogadishu; one in Hargeisa (2001). Televisions: 135,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (one each in Boosaaso, Hargeisa, and Mogadishu) (2000). Internet users: 200 (2000).

Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 22,100 km; paved: 2,608 km; unpaved: 19,492 km (1999 est.). Ports and harbors: Boosaaso, Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Merca, Mogadishu. Airports: 60 (2002).

International disputes: “Somaliland” secessionists provide port facilities to land-locked Ethiopia and establish commercial ties with regional states; “Puntland” secessionists clash with “Somaliland” secessionists to establish territorial limits and clan loyalties, each seeking support from neighboring states; Ethiopia maintains only an administrative line with the Oromo region of southern Somalia and maintains alliances with local Somali clans opposed to the unrecognized Transitional National Government in Mogadishu.

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
National name: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik

President: Girma Woldegiorgis (2001)

Prime Minister: Meles Zenawi (1995)

Current government officials
Land area: 432,310 sq mi (1,119,683 sq km); total area: 435,186 sq mi (1,127,127 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 78,254,090 (growth rate: 2.2%); birth rate: 36.8/1000; infant mortality rate: 90.2/1000; life expectancy: 49.4; density per sq km: 69

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Addis Ababa, 2,716,200

Monetary unit: Birr

Languages: Amharic, Tigrigna, Orominga, Guaragigna, Somali, Arabic, English, over 70 others

Ethnicity/race: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1%

National Holiday: Independence Day, May 28

Religions: Islam 45%–50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%–40%, animist 12%, other 3%–8%

Literacy rate: 43% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $62.19 billion; per capita $800. Real growth rate: 11.4%. Inflation: 17%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 10%. Agriculture: cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, cotton, sugarcane, potatoes, qat, cut flowers; hides, cattle, sheep, goats; fish. Labor force: 27.27 million (1999); agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985). Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, leather, chemicals, metals processing, cement. Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower. Exports: $1.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): coffee, qat, gold, leather products, live animals, oilseeds. Imports: $4.54 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, machinery, motor vehicles, cereals, textiles. Major trading partners: Djibouti, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, U.S., UK, Italy, India, China (2006).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 725,000 (2006); mobile cellular: 866,700 (2006). Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 0, shortwave 1 (2001). Television broadcast stations: 1 plus 24 repeaters (2002). Internet hosts: 89 (2007). Internet users: 164,000 (2005).

Transportation: Railways: total: 699 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) (2006). Highways: total: 36,469 km ; paved: 6,980 km; unpaved: 29,489 km (2004). Ports and harbors: Ethiopia is landlocked and has used ports of Assab and Massawa in Eritrea and port of Djibouti. Airports: 84 (2007).

International disputes: Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by the 2002 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but despite international intervention, mutual animosities, accusations and armed posturing prevail, preventing demarcation; Ethiopia refuses to withdraw to the delimited boundary until technical errors made by the EEBC that ignored "human geography" are addressed, including the award of Badme, the focus of the 1998-2000 war; Eritrea insists that the EEBC decision be implemented immediately without modifications; Ethiopia has only an administrative line and no international border with the Oromo region of southern Somalia where it maintains alliances with local clans in opposition to the unrecognized Somali Interim Government in Mogadishu; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities and trade ties to landlocked Ethiopia; the UNHCR expects most of the remaining 23,000 Somali refugees in Ethiopia to be repatriated in 2005; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Sudan have been delayed by civil war. Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from Mogadishu in January 2007.

Republic of Djibouti
National name: Jumhouriyya Djibouti

President: Ismail Omar Guelleh (1999)

Prime Minister: Dileita Mohamed Dileita (2001)

Current government officials
Land area: 8,486 sq mi (21,979 sq km); total area: 8,880 sq mi (23,000 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 506,221 (growth rate: 1.9%); birth rate: 38.6/1000; infant mortality rate: 99.1/1000; life expectancy: 43.3; density per sq km: 22

Capital (1995 est.): Djibouti, 383,000

Monetary unit: Djibouti franc

Languages: French and Arabic (both official), Somali, Afar

Ethnicity/race: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (includes French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian)

National Holiday: Independence Day, June 27

Religions: Islam 94%, Christian 6%

Literacy rate: 68% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2006 est.): $1.878 billion; per capita $1,000. Real growth rate: 3.5%. Inflation: 3%. Unemployment: 59% in urban areas, 83% in rural areas (2007 est.). Arable land: 0.04%. Agriculture: fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels, animal hides. Labor force: 282,000 (2000). Industries: construction, agricultural processing, salt. Natural resources: geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum. Exports: $340 million f.o.b. (2006 est.): reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit). Imports: $1.555 billion f.o.b. (2006): foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products. Major trading partners: Somalia, Yemen, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, India, China (2006).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 10,800 (2005); mobile cellular: 44,100 (2005). Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002). Internet hosts: 168 (2007). Internet users: 11,000 (2006).

Transportation: Railways: total: 100 km (Djibouti segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) (2006). Highways: total: 2,890 km; paved: 364 km; unpaved: 2,526 km (1999 est.). Waterways: none. Ports and harbors: Djibouti. Airports: 13 (2007).
International disputes: Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with "Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to various factions in Somalia; although most of the 26,000 Somali refugees in Djibouti who fled civil unrest in the early 1990s have returned, several thousand still await repatriation in UNHCR camps.

Republic of the Sudan

National name: Jamhuryat as-Sudan

President: Lt. Gen. Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir (1989)

Current government officials
Land area: 917,374 sq mi (2,376,001 sq km); total area: 967,493 sq mi (2,505,810 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 42,292,929 (growth rate: 2.5%); birth rate: 33.9/1000; infant mortality rate: 59.6/1000; life expectancy: 59.3; density per sq mi: 46

Capital (2003 est.): Khartoum, 5,717,300 (metro. area), 1,397,900 (city proper)

Largest cities: Omdurman, 2,103,900; Port Sudan, 450,400

Monetary unit: Dinar

Languages: Arabic (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, diverse dialects of Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic languages, English

Ethnicity/race: black 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1%

Religions: Islam (Sunni) 70% (in north), indigenous 25%, Christian 5% (mostly in south and Khartoum)
Literacy rate: 61% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $80.71 billion; per capita $2,200. Real growth rate: 10.5%. Inflation: 8%. Unemployment: 18.7% (2002 est.). Arable land: 7%. Agriculture: cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), sorghum, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, cassava (tapioca), mangos, papaya, bananas, sweet potatoes, sesame; sheep, livestock. Labor force: 11 million (1996 est.); agriculture 80%, industry and commerce 7%, government 13% (1998 est.). Industries: oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly. Natural resources: petroleum; small reserves of iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver, gold, hydropower. Exports: $6.989 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): oil and petroleum products; cotton, sesame, livestock, groundnuts, gum arabic, sugar. Imports: $5.028 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines and chemicals, textiles, wheat. Major trading partners: China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, India, Germany, Australia (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 400,000 (2000); mobile cellular: 20,000 (2000). Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998). Radios: 7.55 million (1997). Television broadcast stations: 3 (1997). Televisions: 2.38 million (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2002). Internet users: 56,000 (2002).
Transportation: Railways: total: 5,978 km (2002). Highways: total: 11,900 km; paved: 4,320 km; unpaved: 7,580 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 5,310 km navigable. Ports and harbors: Juba, Khartoum, Kusti, Malakal, Nimule, Port Sudan, Sawakin. Airports: 63 (2002).

International disputes:the north-south civil war has drawn Sudan's neighbors into the fighting, sheltering refugees, and infiltration by rebel groups—Kenya and Uganda have acted as mediators; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia have been delayed by fighting in Sudan; Kenya's administrative boundary still extends into the Sudan, creating the “Ilemi triangle”; Egypt and Sudan retain claims to administer the triangular areas that extend north and south of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel, but have withdrawn their military presence; Egypt is economically developing the “Hala'ib triangle.”

National name: Hagere Ertra

President: Isaias Afwerki (1993)

Current government officials

Total area: 46,842 sq mi (121,320 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 5,028,475 (growth rate: 2.4%); birth rate: 33.6/1000; infant mortality rate: 44.2/1000; life expectancy: 60.0; density per sq km: 41

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Asmara, 899,000 (metro. area), 400,000 (city proper)

Other large cities: the ports of Massawa, 30,700; and Assab, 56,300

Monetary unit: Nakfa

Languages: Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages

Ethnicity/race: ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3%

National Holiday: Independence Day, May 24

Religions: Islam, Eritrean Orthodox Christianity, Roman Catholic, Protestant

Literacy rate: 59% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $3.619 billion; per capita $800 . Real growth rate: 1.5%. Inflation: 9.3%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 5%. Agriculture: sorghum, lentils, vegetables, corn, cotton, tobacco, coffee, sisal; livestock, goats; fish. Labor force: n.a.; agriculture 80%, industry and services 20%. Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, salt, cement, commercial ship repair. Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish. Exports: $16.82 million f.o.b. (2007 est.): livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures (2000). Imports: $565.9 million f.o.b. (2007 est.): machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods (2000). Major trading partners: Australia, France, Malaysia, Italy, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Germany, China, Brazil, U.S., Turkey (2006).
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 37,700 (2006); mobile cellular: 62,000 (2006) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 2 (2000). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2000). Internet hosts: 1,446 (2007). Internet users: 100,000 (2006).


Transportation: Railways: total: 306 km (2006). Highways: total: 4,010 km; paved: 874 km; unpaved: 3,136 km (1999 est.). Ports and harbors: Assab, Massawa. Airports: 18 (2007).

International disputes: Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by 2002 Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but despite international intervention, mutual animosities, accusations and armed posturing prevail, preventing demarcation; Ethiopia refuses to withdraw to the delimited boundary until technical errors made by the EEBC that ignored "human geography" are addressed, including the award of Badme, the focus of the 1998-2000 war; Eritrea insists that the EEBC decision be implemented immediately without modifications; since 2000, the UN Peacekeeping Mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) monitors the 25km-wide Temporary Security Zone in Eritrea. It is extended for six months in 2007 despite Eritrean restrictions on its operations and reduced force of 17,000; Sudan accuses Eritrea of supporting Sudanese rebel groups; Eritrea protests Yemeni fishing around the Hanish Islands awarded to Eritrea by the ICJ in 1999.

Arab Republic of Egypt


National name: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah

President: Hosni Mubarak (1981)

Prime Minister: Ahmed Nazif (2004)

Current government officials
Land area: 384,344 sq mi (995,451 sq km); total area: 386,662 sq mi (1,001,450 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 81,713,517 (growth rate: 1.6%); birth rate: 22.1/1000; infant mortality rate: 28.3/1000; life expectancy: 71.8; density per sq km: 82

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Cairo, 11,146,000 (metro. area), 7,629,866 (city proper)

Other large cities: Alexandria, 3,891,000; Giza, 2,597,600 (part of Cairo metro. area); Shubra el Khema, 1,018,000 (part of Cairo metro. area); El Mahalla el Kubra, 462,300

Monetary unit: Egyptian pound

Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated classes

Ethnicity/race: Egyptian 98%, Berber, Nubian, Bedouin, and Beja 1%, Greek, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian and French) 1%

National Holiday: Revolution Day, July 23

Religions: Islam (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, Christian 1%, other 6%

Literacy rate: 71.4% (2005 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP $404 billion (2007 est.); per capita $5,500. Real growth rate: 7.1%. Inflation: 11%. Unemployment: 9.1%. Arable land: 3%. Agriculture: cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables; cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats. Labor force: 22.5 million (2007); agriculture 32%, industry 17%, services 51% (2001 est.). Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures. Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc. Exports: $27.42 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals. Imports: $40.48 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, wood products, fuels. Major trading partners: Italy, U.S., Syria, Germany, Spain, France, China, UK, Saudi Arabia (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 10.8 million (2006); mobile cellular: 18.001 million (2006). Radio broadcast stations: AM 42 (plus 15 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 3 (1999). Television broadcast stations: 98 (Sept. 1995). Internet hosts: 5,363 (2007). Internet users: 6 million (2006).

Transportation: Railways: total: 5,063 km (2004). Highways: total: 92,370 km; paved: 74,820 km; unpaved: 17,550 km (2004 est.). Waterways: 3,500 km; note: includes Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in delta; Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches) navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m (2004). Ports and harbors: Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Port Said, Suez, Zeit. Airports: 88 (2007).

International disputes: Egypt and Sudan retain claims to administer the two triangular areas that extend north and south of the 1899 Treaty boundary along the 22nd Parallel, but have withdrawn their military presence; Egypt is developing the Hala'ib Triangle north of the Treaty line; since the attack on Taba and other Egyptian resort towns on the Red Sea in October 2004, Egypt vigilantly monitors the Sinai and borders with Israel and the Gaza Strip; Egypt does not extend domestic asylum to some 70,000 persons who identify as Palestinians but who largely lack UNRWA assistance and, until recently, UNHCR recognition as refugees.
Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya

National name: Al Jumahiriyah al Arabiyah al Libiyah ash Shabiyah al Ishtirakiyah al Uzma

Chief of State: Col. Muammar al-Qaddafi (1969)

Prime Minister: Mubarak Abdallah al-Shamikh (2000)

Current government officials
Total area: 679,358 sq mi (1,759,540 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 6,173,579 (growth rate: 2.2%); birth rate: 25.6/1000; infant mortality rate: 21.9/1000; life expectancy: 77.0; density per sq km: 3

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Tripoli, 2,357,800 (metro. area), 1,269,700 (city proper)

Other large city: Benghazi, 734,900

Monetary unit: Libyan dinar

Languages: Arabic, Italian, and English widely understood in major cities

Ethnicity/race: Berber and Arab 97%, Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, Tunisians

Religion: Islam (Sunni) 97%

National Holiday: Revolution Day, September 1

Literacy rate: 83% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $74.75 billion; per capita $ $12,300. Real growth rate: 6.8%. Inflation: 6.7%. Unemployment: 30% (2004 est.). Arable land: 1%. Agriculture: wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus, vegetables, peanuts, soybeans; cattle. Labor force: 1.64 million; agriculture 17%, industry 23%, services 60% (2004 est.). Industries: petroleum, iron and steel, food processing, textiles, handicrafts, cement. Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, gypsum. Exports: $30.79 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): crude oil, refined petroleum products, natural gas. Imports: $10.82 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery, transport equipment, semi-finished goods, food, consumer products. Major trading partners: Italy, Germany, Spain, Turkey, France, South Korea, UK, Tunisia (2004).


Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 500,000 (1998); mobile cellular: 20,000 (1998). Radio broadcast stations: AM 16, FM 3, shortwave 3 (2002). Radios: 1.35 million (1997). Television broadcast stations: 12 (plus one low-power repeater) (1999). Televisions: 730,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2002). Internet users: 20,000 (2001).
Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 83,200 km; paved :47,590 km; unpaved: 35,610 km (1999 est.). Waterways: none. Ports and harbors: Al Khums, Banghazi, Darnah, Marsa al Burayqah, Misratah, Ra's Lanuf, Tobruk, Tripoli, Zuwarah. Airports: 136 (2002).


International disputes: Libya has claimed more than 32,000 sq km in southeastern Algeria and about 25,000 sq km in Niger in currently dormant disputes; various Chadian rebels from the Aozou region reside in southern Libya.

Republic of Chad

National name: République du Tchad

President: Idriss Déby (1990)

Prime Minister: Youssouf Saleh Abbas (2008)

Current government officials
Land area: 486,178 sq mi (1,259,201 sq km); total area: 495,755 sq mi (1,284,000 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 10,111,337 (growth rate: 2.1%); birth rate: 41.6/1000; infant mortality rate: 100.3/1000; life expectancy: 47.4; density per sq km: 8

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): N'Djamena, 609,600

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

Languages: French, Arabic (both official); Sara; more than 120 languages and dialects

Ethnicity/race: 200 distinct groups. North and center, mostly Muslim: Arabs, Gorane (Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba. South, mostly Christian or animist: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moundang, Moussei, Massa

National Holiday: Independence Day, August 11

Religions: Islam 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7%

Literacy rate: 25.7% (2006 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $15.9 billion; per capita $1,200. Real growth rate: 0.6%. Inflation: -8.8%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 3%. Agriculture: cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels. Labor force: n.a.; agriculture 80%; industry and services 20% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing). Industries: oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, beer brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials. Natural resources: petroleum (unexploited but exploration under way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt. Exports: $4.342 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): cotton, cattle, gum arabic, oil. Imports: $823.1 million f.o.b. (2006 est.): machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles. Major trading partners: U.S., China, Portugal, France, Cameroon, Germany, Belgium (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 13,000 (2004); mobile cellular: 210,000 (2005). Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 5 (2002). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002). Internet hosts: 9 (2006) . Internet users: 35,000 (2005).

Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 33,400 km; paved: 267 km; unpaved: 33,133 km (1999 est.). Waterways: Chari and Legone rivers are navigable only in wet season (2002). Ports and harbors: none. Airports: 52 (2006 est.).
International disputes: since 2003, Janjawid armed militia and Sudanese military have driven about 200,000 Darfur region refugees into eastern Chad; Chad remains an important mediator in the Sudanese civil conflict; Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty which also includes Chad and Niger.

Republic of Benin
National name: Republique du Benin

President: Yayi Boni (2006)

Current government officials
Land area: 42,710 sq mi (110,619 sq km); total area: 43,483 sq mi (112,620 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 8,294,941 (growth rate: 2.6%); birth rate: 37.3/1000; infant mortality rate: 76.1/1000; life expectancy: 53.8; density per sq km: 75

Capital (2003 est.): Porto-Novo (official), 231,600; Largest city and seat of government: Cotonou 734,600

Other large cities: Parakou 205,300; Djougou, 184,200

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

Languages: French (official), Fon, Yoruba, tribal languages

Ethnicity/race: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500

Religions: indigenous 50%, Christian 30%, Islam 20%

National Holiday: National Day, August 1

Literacy rate: 34.7% (2006)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $12.1 billion; per capita $1,500. Real growth rate: 4.2%. Inflation: 2%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 25.53%. Agriculture: cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts; livestock. Labor force: n.a. Industries: textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement. Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber. Exports: $826.9 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa. Imports: $1.043 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products. Major trading partners: China, India, Ghana, Niger, Indonesia, Nigeria, France, Thailand, Côte d'Ivoire (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 66,500 (2003); mobile cellular: 236,200 (2003). Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001). Internet hosts: 879 (2004). Internet users: 70,000 (2003).

Transportation: Railways: total: 578 km (2004). Highways: total: 6,787 km; paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways); unpaved: 5,430 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2004). Ports and harbors: Cotonou. Airports: 5 (2004 est.).

International disputes: two villages remain in dispute along the border with Burkina Faso; accuses Burkina Faso of moving boundary pillars; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated, and the states expect a ruling in 2005 from the ICJ over the disputed Niger and Mekrou River islands; a joint task force was established in 2004 that resolved disputes over and redrew the maritime and the 870-km land boundary with Nigeria, including the sovereignty over seven villages along the Okpara River; a joint boundary commission continues to resurvey the boundary with Togo to verify Benin's claim that Togo moved boundary stones.

Republic of Niger

National name: République du Niger

President: Tandja Mamadou (1999)

Prime Minister: Seyni Oumarou (2007)

Current government officials

Land area: 489,072 sq mi (1,266,699 sq km); total area: 489,189 sq mi (1,267,000 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 13,272,679 (growth rate: 2.8%); birth rate: 49.6/1000; infant mortality rate: 115.4/1000; life expectancy: 44.2; density per sq km: 10

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Niamey, 748,600

Other large cities: Zinder, 202,300; Maradi, 189,000

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Ethnicity/race: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 1,200 French expatriates

Religions: Islam 80%, indigenous beliefs and Christian 20%

National Holiday: Republic Day, December 18

Literacy rate: 28.7% (2005 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $8.902 billion; per capita $700. Real growth rate: 3.2%. Inflation: 0.1%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 11%. Agriculture: cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry. Labor force: 70,000 receive regular wages or salaries (2002 est.); agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4%. Industries: uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses. Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, petroleum. Exports: $428 million f.o.b. (2006): uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions. Imports: $800 million f.o.b. (2006): foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals. Major trading partners: France, Nigeria, Russia, U.S., French Polynesia, Côte d'Ivoire, China (2006).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 24,000 (2005); mobile cellular: 323,900 (2005). Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 4 (2001). Radios: 680,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 5 (2007). Televisions: 125,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 200 (2007). Internet users: 40,000 (2006).

Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 14,565 km; paved: 3,641 km; unpaved: 10,924 km (2004). Waterways: the Niger is navigable 300 km from Niamey to Gaya on the Benin frontier from mid-December through March. Ports and harbors: none. Airports: 28 (2007).

International disputes: Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated but states accept 2001 arbitration over disputed Niger River islands; Lake Chad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over the lake region, which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations and militias.

Togolese Republic

National name: République Togolaise

President: Faure Gnassingbe (2005)

Prime Minister: Komlan Mally (2007)

Current government officials
Land area: 21,000 sq mi (54,390 sq km); total area: 21,925 sq mi (56,785 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 5,701,579 (growth rate: 2.7%); birth rate: 36.8/1000; infant mortality rate: 59.1/1000; life expectancy: 57.9; density per sq mi: 272

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Lomé, 749,700 (metro. area), 676,400 (city proper)

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

Languages: French (official, commerce); Ewé, Mina (south); Kabyé, Dagomba (north); and many dialects

Ethnicity/race: native African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%

Religions: Indigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 29%, Islam 20%

Literacy rate: 61% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $5.208 billion; per capita $800. Real growth rate: 2.1%. Inflation: 1%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 44%. Agriculture: coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish. Labor force: 1.302 million (1998); agriculture 65%, industry 5%, services 30% (1998 est.). Industries: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beverages. Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land. Exports: $768 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa. Imports: $1.047 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products. Major trading partners: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Benin, Mali, China, India, France, Côte d'Ivoire (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 25,000 (1997); mobile cellular: 2,995 (1997). Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998). Radios: 940,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 3 (plus two repeaters) (1997).

Televisions: 73,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 3 (2001). Internet users: 50,000 (2002).
Transportation: Railways: total: 525 km (2002). Highways: total: 7,520 km; paved: 2,376 km; unpaved: 5,144 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 50 km Mono river. Ports and harbors: Kpeme, Lome. Airports: 9 (2002).

International disputes: in 2001 Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint commission presently resurveying the boundary.

Republic of Côte d'Ivoire

National name: République de Côte d'lvoire

President: Laurent Gbagbo (2000)

Prime Minister: Charles Konan Banny (transitional) (2005)

Current government officials
Land area: 122,780 sq mi (318,000 sq km); total area: 124,502 sq mi (322,460 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 18,373,060 (growth rate: 1.9%); birth rate: 34.2/1000; infant mortality rate: 85.7/1000; life expectancy: 49.1; density per sq km: 57

Capital (2003 est.): Yamoussoukro (official), 185,600; Largest city and administrative center: Abidjan, 4,113,600 (metro. area), 3,427,500 (city proper)

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

Languages: French (official) and African languages (Dioula esp.)

Ethnicity/race: Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques (Gur) 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 14,000 French) (1998)

National Holiday: Independence Day, August 7

Religions: indigenous 25%–40%, Islam 35%–40%, Christian 20%–30% (2001)

Literacy rate: 51% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $32.18 billion; per capita $1,700. Real growth rate: 1.6%. Inflation: 2.1%. Unemployment: unemployment may have climbed to 40-50% as a result of the civil war. Arable land: 10%. Agriculture: coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber. Labor force: 6.95 million. Industries: foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity, ship construction and repair. Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, hydropower. Exports: $6.49 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, fish. Imports: $4.759 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): fuel, capital equipment, foodstuffs. Major trading partners: France, Netherlands, U.S., Nigeria, Italy, Thailand (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 328,000 (2003); mobile cellular: 1.236 million (2003). Radio broadcast

stations: AM 2, FM 8, shortwave 3 (1998). Television broadcast stations: 14 (1999). Internet hosts: 3,795 (2004).

Internet users: 90,000 (2002).

Transportation: Railways: total: 660 km (2004). Highways: total: 50,400 km; paved: 4,889 km; unpaved: 45,511 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 980 km (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons) (2003). Ports and harbors: Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro. Airports: 37 (2004 est.).

International disputes: rebel and ethnic fighting against the central government in 2002 has spilled into neighboring states, driven out foreign cocoa workers from nearby countries, and, in 2004, resulted in 6,000 peacekeepers deployed as part of UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI) assisting 4,000 French troops already in-country; the Ivorian Government accuses Burkina Faso and Liberia of supporting Ivorian rebels.

Republic of Mali

National name: République de Mali

President: Amadou Toumani Touré (2002)

Prime Minister: Modibo Sidibé (2007)

Current government officials
Land area: 471,042 sq mi (1,219,999 sq km); total area: 478,767 sq mi (1,240,000 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 12,324,029 (growth rate: 2.7%); birth rate: 49.3/1000; infant mortality rate: 103.8/1000; life expectancy: 49.9; density per sq km: 10

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Bamako, 1,323,200 (metro. area), 935,400

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

Languages: French (official), Bambara 80%, numerous African languages

Ethnicity/race: Mande 50% (Bambara, Malinke, Sarakole), Peul 17%, Voltaic 12%, Tuareg and Moor 10%, Songhai 6%, other 5%

Religions: Islam 90%, indigenous beliefs 9%, Christian 1%

National Holiday: Independence Day, September 22

Literacy rate: 46% (2003 est.)


Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $13.47 billion; per capita $1,000. Real growth rate: 2.5%. Inflation: 2.5%. Unemployment: 30% (2004 est.). Arable land: 4%. Agriculture: cotton, millet, rice, corn, vegetables, peanuts; cattle, sheep, goats. Labor force: 3.93 million (2001 est.); agriculture and fishing 80%, industry and services 20% (2001 est.). Industries: food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining. Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, hydropower; note: bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited. Exports: $323 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): cotton, gold, livestock. Imports: $1.858 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.): petroleum, machinery and equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, textiles. Major trading partners: China, Pakistan, Thailand, Italy, Germany, India, Bangladesh, France, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 45,000 (2000); mobile cellular: 40,000 (2001). Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 28, shortwave 1 note: the shortwave station in Bamako has seven frequencies and five transmitters and relays broadcasts for China Radio International (2001). Radios: 570,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus repeaters) (2001). Televisions: 45,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 13 (2001). Internet users: 30,000 (2002).
Transportation: Railways: total: 729 km (2002). Highways: total: 15,100 km; paved: 1,827 km; unpaved: 13,273 km (1999 est.). Waterways: 1,815 km. Ports and harbors: Koulikoro. Airports: 26 (2002.

International disputes: armed bandits based in Mali attack southern Algerian towns.

People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

National name: Al Jumhuriyah al Jaza'iriyah ad Dimuqratiyah ash Sha'biyah

President: Abdel-Aziz Bouteflika (1999)

Prime Minister: Ahmed Ouyahia (2008)

Current government officials

Total area: 919,590 sq mi (2,381,741 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 33,739,635 (growth rate: 1.2%); birth rate: 17.0/1000; infant mortality rate: 27.7/1000; life expectancy: 73.7; density per sq mi: 36

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Algiers, 3,917,000 (metro. area), 1,742,800 (city proper)

Other large cities: Oran, 752,200; Constantine, 530,100; Batna, 278,100; Annaba, 246,700

Monetary unit: Dinar

Languages: Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects

Ethnicity/race: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%

Religion: Islam (Sunni) 99% (state religion), Christian and Jewish 1%

National Holiday: Revolution Day, November 1

Literacy rate: 69.9%

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $268.9 billion; per capita $8,100. Real growth rate: 4.6%. Inflation: 4.6%. Unemployment: 14.1%. Arable land: 3.17%. Agriculture: wheat, barley, oats, grapes, olives, citrus, fruits; sheep, cattle. Labor force: 9.38 million; agriculture 14%, industry 13.4%, construction and public works 10%, trade 14.6%, government 32%, other 16% (2003 est.). Industries: petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing. Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc. Exports: $63.3 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%. Imports: $26.08 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods. Major trading partners: France, Italy, China, Germany, Spain, U.S., Turkey (2006)

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 2.841 million (2006); mobile cellular: 21 million (2006). Radio broadcast stations: AM 25, FM 1, shortwave 8 (1999). Television broadcast stations: 46 (plus 216 repeaters) (1995). Internet hosts: 2,077 (2007). Internet users: 2.46 million (2006).

Transportation: Railways: total: 3,973 km (2006). Highways: total: 108,302 km ; paved: 76,028 km; unpaved: 32,274 km (2004). Ports and harbors: Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda. Airports: 150 (2007).
International disputes: Algeria supports the Polisario Front exiled in Algeria and who represent the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic; Algeria rejects Moroccan administration of Western Sahara; most of the approximately 90,000 Western Saharan Sahrawi refugees are sheltered in camps in Tindouf, Algeria; Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling; Algeria remains concerned about armed bandits operating throughout the Sahel who sometimes destabilize southern Algerian towns; dormant disputes include Libyan claims of about 32,000 sq km still reflected on its maps of southeastern Algeria and the FLN's assertions of a claim to Chirac Pastures in southeastern Morocco.

Kingdom of Morocco
National name: al-Mamlaka al-Maghrebia

Ruler: King Muhammed VI (1999)

Prime Minister: Abbas El Fassi (2007)

Current government officials
Land area: 172,317 sq mi (446,301 sq km); total area: 172,413 sq mi (446,550 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 34,272,968 (growth rate: 1.5%); birth rate: 21.3/1000; infant mortality rate: 37.4/1000; life expectancy: 71.5; density per sq km: 76

Capital (2003 est.): Rabat, 1,636,600

Largest cities: Casablanca, 3,397,000; Fez, 941,800; Marrakech, 755,200

Monetary unit: Dirham

Languages: Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often used for business, government, and diplomacy

Ethnicity/race: Arab-Berber 99.1%, Jewish 0.2%, other 0.7%

Religions: Islam 99%, Christian 1%

National Holiday: Throne Day, July 30

Literacy rate: 52.3% (2004 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $125.3 billion; per capita $4,100. Real growth rate: 2.1%. Inflation: 2%. Unemployment: 10.2%. Arable land: 19%. Agriculture: barley, wheat, citrus, wine, vegetables, olives; livestock. Labor force: 11.35 million; agriculture 40%, services 45%, industry 15% (2003 est.). Industries: phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, tourism. Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt. Exports: $12.73 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): clothing, fish, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilizers (including phosphates), petroleum products, fruits, vegetables. Imports: $22.15 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors, plastics. Major trading partners: France, Spain, UK, Italy, India, Germany, Russia, Saudi Arabia, China (2006).


Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 1.266 million (2006); mobile cellular: 16.005 million (2006). Radio broadcast stations: AM 27, FM 25, shortwave 6 (1998). Radios: 6.64 million (1997). Television broadcast stations: 35 (plus 66 repeaters) (1995). Televisions: 3.1 million (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 137,187 (2007). Internet users: 6.1 million (2006).


Transportation: Railways: total: 1,907 km (2006). Highways: total: 57,493 km; paved: 32,716 km (includes 507 km of expressways); unpaved: 24,777 km (2004). Ports and harbors: Agadir, El Jadida, Casablanca, El Jorf Lasfar, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Nador, Rabat, Safi, Tangier; also Spanish-controlled Ceuta and Melilla. Airports: 60 (2007).
International disputes: claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected other proposals; Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; Morocco also rejected Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands in 2002 to set limits to undersea resource exploration and refugee interdiction; Morocco allowed Spanish fishermen to fish temporarily off the coast of Western Sahara after an oil spill soiled Spanish fishing grounds.

Tunisian Republic

National name: Al-Jumhuriyah at-Tunisiyah

President: Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali (1987)

Prime Minister: Mohamed Ghannouchi (1999)

Current government officials
Land area: 59,985 sq mi (155,361 sq km); total area: 63,170 sq mi (163,610 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 10,276,158 (growth rate: 1.0%); birth rate: 15.5/1000; infant mortality rate: 22.9/1000; life expectancy: 75.3; density per sq mi: 171

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Tunis, 1,660,300 (metro. area), 699,700 (city proper)

Monetary unit: Tunisian dinar

Languages: Arabic (official, commerce), French (commerce)

Ethnicity/race: Arab-Berber 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Religions: Islam (Sunni) 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Literacy rate: 74.3% (2004 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $77 billion; per capita $7,500. Real growth rate: 6.3%. Inflation: 3.1%. Unemployment: 14.1%. Arable land: 17%. Agriculture: olives, olive oil, grain, tomatoes, citrus fruit, sugar beets, dates, almonds; beef, dairy products. Labor force: 3.593 million; note: shortage of skilled labor; services 55%, industry 23%, agriculture 22% (1995 est.). Industries: petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate and iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages. Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt. Exports: $10.3 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): textiles, mechanical goods, phosphates and chemicals, agricultural products, hydrocarbons. Imports: $12.86 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): textiles, machinery and equipment, hydrocarbons, chemicals, food. Major trading partners: France, Italy, Germany, Spain (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 654,000 (1997); mobile cellular: 50,000 (1998). Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 20, shortwave 2 (1998). Radios: 2.06 million (1997). Television broadcast stations: 26 (plus 76 repeaters) (1995). Televisions: 920,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000). Internet users: 400,000 (2002).
Transportation: Railways: total: 2,152 km (2002). Highways: total: 18,997 km; paved: 12,310 km; unpaved: 6,687 km (2000). Ports and harbors: Bizerte, Gabes, La Goulette, Sfax, Sousse, Tunis, Zarzis. Airports: 30 (2002).
International disputes: none.

Total area: 102,703 sq mi (266,001 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 382,617 (growth rate: 2.9); birth rate: 40.4; infant mortality rate: 72.6; life expectancy: 53.5; density per sq mi: 4

Largest city (2003 est.): El Aaiun 198,200

Monetary unit: Tala

Languages: Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic

Ethnicity/race: Arab, Berber

Religion: Islam

Economic summary: GDP/PPP: n.a. Inflation: n.a. Arable land: 0.02%. Agriculture: fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads); fish. Labor force: 12,000; animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50%. Industries: phosphate mining, handicrafts. Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore. Exports: n.a.: phosphates 62%. Imports: n.a.: fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs. Major trading partners: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts.

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: about 2,000 (1999 est.); mobile cellular: 0 (1999). Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998). Radios: 56,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: n.a. Televisions: 6,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000).

Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 6,200 km; paved: 1,350 km; unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est.). Ports and harbors: Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun). Airports: 11 (2006).

International disputes: Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, but sovereignty remains unresolved; UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties have rejected other proposals; Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years; Morocco allowed Spanish fishermen to fish temporarily off the coast of Western Sahara after an oil spill soiled Spanish fishing grounds..

Islamic Republic of Mauritania

National name: Al Jumhuriyah al Islamiyah al Muritaniyah

President: Sidi Ould Sheik Abdellahi (2007)

Prime Minister: Sidi Mohamed Ould Boubacar (2005)

Current government officials
Land area: 397,837 sq mi (1,030,400 sq km); total area: 397, 953 sq mi (1,030,700 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 3,364,940 (growth rate: 2.8%); birth rate: 40.1/1000; infant mortality rate: 66.6/1000; life expectancy: 53.9; density per sq km: 3

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Nouakchott, 661,400

Monetary unit: Ouguiya

Languages: Hassaniya Arabic (official), Pulaar, Soninke, French, Wolof

Ethnicity/race: mixed Maur/black 40%, Maur 30%, black 30%

Religion: Islam 100%

National Holiday: Independence Day, November 28

Literacy rate: 42% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $5.947 billion; per capita $2,000. Real growth rate: 0.9%. Inflation: 7.3%. Unemployment: 20% (2004 est.). Arable land: 0.2%. Agriculture: dates, millet, sorghum, rice, corn; cattle, sheep. Labor force: 786,000 (2001); agriculture 50%, services 40%, industry 10% (2001 est.). Industries: fish processing, mining of iron ore and gypsum. Natural resources: iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphate, diamonds, gold, oil, fish. Exports: $784 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): iron ore, fish and fish products, gold. Imports: $1.124 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.): machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods. Major trading partners: Japan, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Côte d'Ivoire, China, Russia, U.S., UK (2004).


Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 26,500 (2001); mobile cellular: 35,000 (2001). Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 14, shortwave 1 (2001). Radios: 410,000 (2001). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2002). Televisions: 98,000 (2001). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 5 (2001). Internet users: 7,500 (2001).
Transportation: Railways: total: 717 km (2002). Highways: total: 7,720 km; paved: 830 km; unpaved: 6,890 km (2000). Waterways: ferry traffic on the Senegal River. Ports and harbors: Bogue, Kaedi, Nouadhibou, Nouakchott, Rosso. Airports: 26 (2002).


International disputes: Mauritanian claims to Western Sahara have been dormant in recent years.

Republic of Liberia
President: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (2006)

Current government officials
Land area: 37,189 sq mi (96,320 sq km); total area: 43,000 sq mi (111,370 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 3,334,587 (growth rate: 3.6%); birth rate: 42.9/1000; infant mortality rate: 143.8/1000; life expectancy: 41.1; density per sq km: 34

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Monrovia, 1,348,900 (metro. area), 550,200 (city proper)
Monetary unit: Liberian dollar

Languages: English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic-group languages

Ethnicity/race: indigenous African tribes 95% (including Kpelle, Bassa, Gio, Kru, Grebo, Mano, Krahn, Gola, Gbandi, Loma, Kissi, Vai, Bella, Mandingo, and Mende), Americo-Liberians 2.5% (descendants of former U.S. slaves), Congo People 2.5% (descendants of former Caribbean slaves)

Religions: traditional 40%, Christian 40%, Islam 20%

National Holiday: Independence Day, July 26

Literacy rate: 58% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $1.34 billion; per capita $400. Real growth rate: 9.4%. Inflation: 11.2%. Unemployment: 85% (2003 est.). Arable land: 4%. Agriculture: rubber, coffee, cocoa, rice, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, sugarcane, bananas; sheep, goats; timber. Labor force: agriculture 70%, industry 8%, services 22% (2000 est.). Industries: rubber processing, palm oil processing, timber, diamonds. Natural resources: iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower. Exports: $910 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa, coffee. Imports: $4.839 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.): fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods; foodstuffs. Major trading partners: Denmark, Germany, Poland, U.S., Greece, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Croatia (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 6,700 (2000); mobile cellular: 0 (1998). Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 7, shortwave 2 (2001). Radios: 790,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus four low-power repeaters) (2001). Televisions: 70,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 2 (2001). Internet users: 500 (2000).
Transportation: Railways: total: 490 km; note: none of the railways are in operation (2002). Highways: total: 10,600 km; paved: 657 km; unpaved: 9,943 km (1999 est.). Ports and harbors: Buchanan, Greenville, Harper, Monrovia. Airports: 47 (2002).

International disputes: rebels and refugees contribute to border instabilities with Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea; the Ivorian Government accuses Liberia of supporting Ivorian rebels.

Republic of Sierra Leone
President: Ernest Koroma (2007)

Current government officials

Land area: 27,653 sq mi (71,621 sq km); total area: 27,699 sq mi (71,740 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 6,144,562 (growth rate: 2.3%); birth rate: 45.4/1000; infant mortality rate: 158.3/1000; life expectancy: 40.6; density per sq mi: 222

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Freetown, 1,051,000

Monetary unit: Leone

Languages: English (official), Mende (southern vernacular), Temne (northern vernacular), Krio (lingua franca)

Ethnicity/race: 20 native African tribes 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%); Creole (Krio) 10%; refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians

Religions: Islam 60%, indigenous 30%, Christian 10%

Literacy rate: 35.1% (2004 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $3.971 billion; per capita $700. Real growth rate: 6.8%. Inflation: 11.7%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 8%. Agriculture: rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish. Labor force: 1.369 million (1981 est.). Industries: diamond mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship repair. Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite. Exports: $216 million f.o.b. (2006): diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish. Imports: $560 million f.o.b. (2006): foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals. Major trading partners: Belgium, Germany, U.S., UK, Côte d'Ivoire, China, Netherlands, South Africa, France (2004).

Member of Commonwealth of Nations

(1997). Television broadcast stations: 2 (1999). Televisions: 53,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 46 (2007). Internet users: 10,000 (2005).

Transportation: Railways: total: 84 km used on a limited basis because the mine at Marampa is closed (2001). Highways: total: 11,330 km; paved: 904 km; unpaved: 10,396 km (2002). Waterways: 800 km; 600 km navigable year round. Ports and harbors: Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel. Airports: 10 (2007).

International disputes: large UN peacekeeping presence ended civil war but rebel gang fighting, ethnic rivalries, illegal diamond trading, corruption, and refugees spill over into neighboring states beset with their own civil disorder, refugees, and violence.

Republic of Guinea

National name: République de Guinée

President: Moussa Camara (2008)

Prime Minister: Kabiné Komara (2008)

Current government officials
Total area: 94,927 sq mi (245,861 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 10,211,437 (growth rate: 2.6%); birth rate: 41.3/1000; infant mortality rate: 87.1/1000; life expectancy: 49.8; density per sq km: 41

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Conakry, 1,767,200

Monetary unit: Guinean franc

Languages: French (official), native tongues (Malinké, Susu, Fulani)

Ethnicity/race: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Susu 20%, smaller tribes 10%

Religions: Islam 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous 7%

National Holiday: Independence Day, October 2

Literacy rate: 29.5% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $10.69 billion; per capita $1,100. Real growth rate: 1.5%. Inflation: 22.9%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 4%. Agriculture: rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber. Labor force: 3.7 million (2006); agriculture 76%, industry and services 24% (2006 est.). Industries: bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries. Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish. Exports: $998 million f.o.b. (2007 est.): bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products. Imports: $838 million f.o.b. (2007 est.): petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs. Major trading partners: Russia, Spain, France, Belgium, South Korea, US, Germany, Ireland, UK, Switzerland, Ukraine, China, Netherlands (2006).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 26,300 (2005); mobile cellular: 189,000 (2005). Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2006). Television broadcast stations: 6 low-power stations (2001). Internet hosts: 173 (2007). Internet users: 50,000 (2006).

Transportation: Railways: total: 837 km (2006). Highways: total: 44,348 km; paved: 4,342 km; unpaved: 40,006 km (2003). Waterways: 1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2005). Ports and harbors: Kamsar. Airports: 16 (2007).
International disputes: conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states has spilled over into Guinea, resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone pressures Guinea to remove its forces from the town of Yenga occupied since 1998.

Republic of Guinea-Bissau

National name: Républica da Guiné-Bissau

President: João Bernardo Vieira (2005)

Prime Minister: Carlos Gomes Júnior (2008)

Current government officials

Land area: 10,811 sq mi (28,000 sq km); total area: 13,946 sq mi (36,120 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 1,503,182 (growth rate: 2.0%); birth rate: 36.4/1000; infant mortality rate: 101.6/1000; life expectancy: 47.5; density per sq km: 53

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Bissau, 296,900

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

Languages: Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages

Ethnicity/race: African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%

Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Islam 45%, Christian 5%

National Holiday: Independence Day, September 24

Literacy rate: 42.4% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $808 million; per capita $500. Real growth rate: 2.5%. Inflation: 3.8%.

Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 8%. Agriculture: rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; timber; fish. Labor force: 480,000 (1999); agriculture 82%, industry and services 18% (2000 est.). Industries: agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks. Natural resources: fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone, unexploited deposits of petroleum. Exports: $133 million f.o.b. (2006): cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber. Imports: $200 million f.o.b. (2006): foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products. Major trading partners: Pakistan, Nigeria, Italy, Senegal, Portugal (2006).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 10,200 (2005); mobile cellular: 95,000 (2005). Radio broadcast stations: AM 1 (transmitter out of service), FM 4, shortwave 0 (2002). Television broadcast stations: n.a. (2005). Internet hosts: 0 (2007). Internet users: 37,000 (2006).

Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 3,455 km; paved: 965 km; unpaved: 2,490 km (2002). Waterways: rivers are navigable for some distance; many inlets and creeks give shallow-water access to much of interior (2007). Ports and harbors: Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim. Airports: 27 (2007).

International disputes:attempts to stem refugees and cross-border raids, arms smuggling, and political instability from a separatist movement in Senegal's Casamance region.

Republic of Senegal
National name: République du Sénegal

President: Abdoulaye Wade (2000)

Prime Minister: Macky Sall (2004)

Current government officials

Land area: 74,131 sq mi (191,999 sq km); total area: 75,749 sq mi (196,190 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 12,521,851 (growth rate: 2.6%); birth rate: 37.4/1000; infant mortality rate: 60.2/1000; life expectancy: 56.7; density per sq mi: 169

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Dakar, 2,476,400

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

Languages: French (official); Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka

Ethnicity/race: Wolof 43.3%, Fulani 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Diola 3.7%, Mandingo 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%

Religions: Islam 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous 1%

Literacy rate: 40% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $20.61 billion; per capita $1,700. Real growth rate: 5%. Inflation: 5.9%.

Unemployment: 48%; note - urban youth 45% (2007 est.). Arable land: 13%. Agriculture: peanuts, millet, corn, sorghum, rice, cotton, tomatoes, green vegetables; cattle, poultry, pigs; fish. Labor force: 4.82 million (2005 est.); agriculture 77%, industry and services 23% (1990 est.). Industries: agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, construction materials, ship construction and repair. Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore. Exports: $1.725 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): fish, groundnuts (peanuts), petroleum products, phosphates, cotton. Imports: $3.673 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): foods and beverages, capital goods, fuels. Major trading partners: India, Mali, France, Italy, Spain, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Nigeria, Thailand (2004).


Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 282,600 (2006); mobile cellular: 2.983 million (2006). Radio broadcast stations: AM 8, FM 20, shortwave 1 (2001). Radios: 1.24 million (1997). Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997). Televisions: 361,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 199 (2007). Internet users: 650,000 (2006).
Transportation: Railways: total: 906 km (2002). Highways: total: 13,576 km; paved: 3,972 km; unpaved: 9,604 km (2003). Waterways: 897 km total; 785 km on the Senegal river, and 112 km on the Saloum river. Ports and harbors: Dakar, Kaolack, Matam, Podor, Richard Toll, Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor. Airports: 20 (2007).


International disputes:separatist war in Casamance region results in refugees and cross-border raids, arms smuggling, other illegal activities, and political instability in Guinea-Bissau.

Republic of Ghana

President: John Atta Mills (2009)

Current government officials
Land area: 88,811 sq mi (230,020 sq km); total area: 92,456 sq mi (239,460 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 23,382,848 (growth rate: 1.9%); birth rate: 29.2/1000; infant mortality rate: 52.3/1000; life expectancy: 59.4; density per sq km: 101

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Accra, 2,825,800 (metro. area), 1,661,400 (city proper)

Other large cities: Kumasi, 645,100; Tamale, 279,600

Monetary unit: Cedi

Languages: English (official), African languages (including Akan, Moshi-Dagomba, Ewe, and Ga)

Ethnicity/race: black African 98.5% (major tribes: Akan 44%, Moshi-Dagomba 16%, Ewe 13%, Ga 8%, Gurma 3%, Yoruba 1%), European and other 1.5% (1998)

Religions: Christian 63%, indigenous beliefs 21%, Islam 16%

National Holiday: Independence Day, March 6

Literacy rate: 75% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $31.33 billion; per capita $1,400. Real growth rate: 6.4%. Inflation: 9.6%. Unemployment: 11% (2000 est.). Arable land: 18%. Agriculture: cocoa, rice, coffee, cassava (tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas; timber. Labor force: 11.29 million (2007 est.); agriculture 60%, industry 15%, services 25% (1999 est.). Industries: mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building. Natural resources: gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone. Exports: $4.194 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds. Imports: $8.073 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): capital equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs. Major trading partners: Netherlands, UK, France, U.S., Belgium, Spain, South Africa, Nigeria, China (2006).


Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 356,400 (2006); mobile cellular: 5.207 million (2006). Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 49, shortwave 3 (2007). Television broadcast stations: 7 (2007). Internet hosts: 2,899 (2007). Internet users: 609,800 (2006).


Transportation: Railways: total: 953 km (2006). Highways: total: 42,623 km; paved: 3,267 km; unpaved: 39,356 km (2004). Waterways: 1,293 km; note: 168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta (2003). Ports and harbors: Takoradi, Tema. Airports: 12 (2007).

International disputes: Ghana struggles to accommodate returning nationals who worked in the cocoa plantations and escaped rebel fighting in Côte d'Ivoire.

Republic of Burundi
National name: Republika y'u Burundi

President: Pierre Nkurunziza (2005)

Current government officials
Land area: 9,903 sq mi (25,649 sq km); total area: 10,745 sq mi (27,830 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 8,691,005 (growth rate: 3.4%); birth rate: 41.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 60.7/1000; life expectancy: 51.7; density per sq km: 338

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Bujumbura, 331,700

Other large city: Gitega, 45,700

Monetary unit: Burundi franc

Languages: Kirundi and French (official), Swahili

Ethnicity/race: Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%

National Holiday: Independence Day, July 1

Religions: Roman Catholic 62%, indigenous 23%, Islam 10%, Protestant 5%

Literacy rate: 59.3% (2006 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $2.896 billion; per capita $400. Real growth rate: 3.6%. Inflation: 8.4%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 35%. Agriculture: coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides. Labor force: 2.99 million (2002); agriculture 93.6%, industry 2.3%, services 4.1% (2002 est.). Industries: light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing. Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone. Exports: $52 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides. Imports: $200 million f.o.b. (2005 est.): capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs. Major trading partners: Germany, Belgium, Pakistan, U.S., Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, France, Italy, Uganda, Japan (2004).
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 23,900 (2003); mobile cellular: 64,000 (2003). Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001). Television broadcast stations: 1 (2001). Internet hosts: 22 (2003). Internet users: 14,000 (2003).


Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 14,480 km; paved: 1,028 km; unpaved: 13,452 km (1999 est.). Waterways: mainly on Lake Tanganyika (2004). Ports and harbors: Bujumbura. Airports: 8 (2004 est.).
International disputes: Tutsi, Hutu, other conflicting ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting in the Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda in an effort to gain control over populated and natural resource areas; government heads pledge to end conflict, but localized violence continues despite the presence of about 6,000 peacekeepers from the UN Operation in Burundi (ONUB) since 2004; although some 150,000 Burundian refugees have been repatriated, as of February 2005, Burundian refugees still reside in camps in western Tanzania as well as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Republic of Rwanda
National name: Repubulika y'u Rwanda

President: Paul Kagame (2000)

Prime Minister: Bernard Makuza (2000)

Current government officials
Land area: 9,633 sq mi (24,949 sq km); total area: 10,169 sq mi (26,338 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 9,907,509 (growth rate: 2.8%); birth rate: 40.2/1000; infant mortality rate: 85.3/1000; life expectancy: 49.0; density per sq mi: 1,029

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Kigali, 298,100

Monetary unit: Rwanda franc

Languages: Kinyarwanda, French, and English (all official); Kiswahili in commercial centers

Ethnicity/race: Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1%

Religions: Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Islam 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001)
Literacy rate: 70% (2003 est.)


Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $8.4 billion; per capita $900. Real growth rate: 6%. Inflation: 9.4%. Unemployment: n.a. Arable land: 46%. Agriculture: coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock. Labor force: 4.6 million (2000); agriculture 90%, industry and services 10%. Industries: cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes. Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land. Exports: $170.8 million f.o.b. (2007 est.): coffee, tea, hides, tin ore. Imports: $472.5 million f.o.b. (2007 est.): foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material. Major trading partners: Indonesia, China, Germany, Kenya, Belgium, Uganda, France (2004).


Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 22,000 (2005); mobile cellular: 290,000 (2005). Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 3 (two main FM programs are broadcast through a system of repeaters and the third FM program is a 24 hour BBC program), shortwave 1 (2002). Radios: 601,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 2 (2004). Televisions: n.a.; probably less than 1,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1,592 (2007). Internet users: 65,000 (2006).
Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: total: 14,008 km paved: 2,662 km unpaved: 11,346 km (2004). Waterways: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft. Ports and harbors: Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye. Airports: 9 (2007).


International disputes: Tutsi, Hutu, and other conflicting ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces continue fighting in Great Lakes region, transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda to gain control over populated areas and natural resources - government heads pledge to end conflicts, but localized violence continues despite UN peacekeeping efforts.

Republic of Equatorial Guinea

National name: Républica de Guinea Ecuatorial

President: Col. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (1979)

Prime Minister: Ricardo Mangue Obama Nfubea (2006)

Current government officials
Total area: 10,830 sq mi (28,050 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 562,339 (growth rate: 1.9%); birth rate: 34.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 85.2/1000; life expectancy: 49.5; density per sq km: 20

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Malabo, 92,900

Monetary unit: CFA Franc

Languages: Spanish, French (both official); pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo

Ethnicity/race: Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Río Muni (primarily Fang); less than 1,000 Europeans, mostly Spanish
National Holiday: Independence Day, October 12

Religions: nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices

Literacy rate: 86% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $15.54 billion; per capita $12,900 (2007 est.). Real growth rate: 30%. Inflation: 4.6%. Unemployment: 30% (1998 est.). Arable land: 5%. Agriculture: coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber. Labor force: n.a. Industries: petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas. Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay. Exports: $10.03 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa. Imports: $3.29 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.): petroleum sector equipment, other equipment. Major trading partners: U.S., China, Spain, Taiwan, Portugal, South Korea, France, UK, Côte d'Ivoire, Italy (2004).
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 10,000 (2005); mobile cellular: 96,900 (2005). Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2002). Television broadcast stations: 19 (2006). Internet hosts: 81 (2007). Internet users: 8,000 (2006).


Transportation: Railways: total: 0 km. Highways: total: 2,880 km (1999 est.). Ports and harbors: Malabo. Airports: 5 (2007).

International disputes: in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River, imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision, and the unresolved Bakasi allocation contribute to the delay in implementation; UN has been pressing Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to pledge to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay.