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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.sc

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

264 (2003)

Internet users [time series]

11,700 (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: effective system domestic: radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago international: country code - 248; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

21,700 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

54,500 (2003)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; tuna fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $338.7 million expenditures: $323.3 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2003 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Seychelles rupee (SCR)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

SCR

Current account balance [time series]

$-73 million (2003)

Debt - external [time series]

$213 million (2003 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$16.4 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. A sharp drop illustrated the vulnerability of the tourist sector in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war, and once again following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Other issues facing the government are the curbing of the budget deficit, including the containment of social welfare costs, and further privatization of public enterprises. Growth slowed in 1998-2002, due to sluggish tourist and tuna sectors. Also, tight controls on exchange rates and the scarcity of foreign exchange have impaired short-term economic prospects. The black market value of the Seychelles rupee is half the official exchange rate; without a devaluation of the currency the tourist sector should remain sluggish as vacationers seek cheaper destinations such as Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

148.8 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

160 million kWh (2001)

Exchange rates [time series]

Seychelles rupees per US dollar - 5.4007 (2003), 5.48 (2002), 5.8575 (2001), 5.7138 (2000), 5.3426 (1999)

Exports [time series]

$250 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)

Exports - partners [time series]

UK 38.8%, France 31.8%, Italy 14.5%, Germany 7.5% (2003)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $626 million (2002 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 2.8% industry: 28.7% services: 68.9% (2003)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $7,800 (2002 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

1.5% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$383.7 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals

Imports - partners [time series]

Saudi Arabia 15.7%, South Africa 10.9%, Spain 10.4%, France 9.7%, Italy 9.2%, Singapore 7%, UK 6.8% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

Industries [time series]

fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.3% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

39.1% of GDP (2003)

Labor force [time series]

30,900 (1996)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 10%, industry 19%, services 71% (1989)

Oil - consumption [time series]

4,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

Public debt [time series]

129.3% of GDP (2003)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold (Reserves of foreign exchange & gold) [time series]

$66 million (2003)

Unemployment rate [time series]

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 455 sq km land: 455 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)

Coastline [time series]

491 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

4 35 S, 55 40 E

Geography - note [time series]

40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands

Irrigated land [time series]

NA sq km

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2.22% permanent crops: 13.33% other: 84.45% (2001)

Location [time series]

Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Natural hazards [time series]

lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible

Natural resources [time series]

fish, copra, cinnamon trees

Terrain [time series]

Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka

Capital [time series]

Victoria

Constitution [time series]

18 June 1993

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles conventional short form: Seychelles

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to the Seychelles

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Claude Sylvestre MOREL chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785 FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 31 August-2 September 2001 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: France Albert RENE re-elected president; percent of vote - France Albert RENE (SPPF) 54.19%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (UO) 44.95%, Philippe BOULLE 0.86%; note - the first time that presidential elections have been held separately from legislative elections; France Albert RENE stepped down 14 April 2004 and Vice President James MICHEL was sworn in as president

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

29 June 1976 (from UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Judicial branch [time series]

Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president

Legal system [time series]

based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats - 25 elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4-6 December 2002 (next held by 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 54.3%, SNP 42.6%, DP 3.1%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11 note: the 9 awarded seats are apportioned according to the percentage that each party won of the total vote

National holiday [time series]

Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Daniel BELLE]; Mouvement Seychellois pour la Democratie [Jacques HODOUL]; Seychelles National Party or SNP (formerly the United Opposition or UO) [Wavel RAMKALAWAN]; Seychelles People's Progressive Front or SPPF [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] - the governing party

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Roman Catholic Church; trade unions

Suffrage [time series]

17 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. The most recent presidential elections were held 31 August-2 September 2001. President RENE, who has served since 1977, was re-elected. On 14 April 2004 RENE stepped down and Vice President James MICHEL was sworn in as president.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Coast Guard (including Navy Wing, Air Wing), National Guard, Presidential Protection Unit (includes Presidential Guard), Seychelles National Police (includes Police Mobile Unit)

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$11.6 million (2003)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.8% (2003)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 23,661 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 11,712 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 26.9% (male 10,987; female 10,717) 15-64 years: 66.9% (male 26,380; female 27,731) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 1,638; female 3,379) (2004 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

16.55 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate [time series]

6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 15.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages [time series]

English (official), French (official), Creole

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 71.53 years male: 66.1 years female: 77.14 years (2004 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58% male: 56% female: 60% (1971 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 27.3 years male: 26.2 years female: 28.4 years (2004 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) adjective: Seychellois

Net migration rate [time series]

-5.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population [time series]

80,832 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.45% (2004 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.8%, other Christian 2.5%, other 4.1%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.77 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

15 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 373 km paved: 315 km unpaved: 58 km (1997 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 42,223 GRT/63,538 DWT by type: cargo 4, chemical tanker 3, container 1 foreign-owned: Bulgaria 1, Cyprus 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 2 (2004 est.)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Victoria