Seychelles

the government operates the only terrestrial TV station, which provides local programming and airs broadcasts from international services; multi-channel cable and satellite TV are available; the government operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2007)

.sc

247 (2012) country comparison to the world: 195

32,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 180

general assessment: effective system domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 170 telephones per 100 persons; 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) (2011)

28,900 (2012) country comparison to the world: 177

138,300 (2012) country comparison to the world: 185

coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (manioc, tapioca), copra, bananas; poultry; tuna

revenues: $516.7 million expenditures: $491.7 million (2013 est.)

2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

11.17% (31 December 2010 est.)

12.4% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 12.19% (31 December 2012 est.)

-$140 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 -$208.9 million (2012 est.)

$1.719 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $1.733 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the upper-middle-income group of countries. 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 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. In 2008, having depleted its foreign exchange reserves, Seychelles defaulted on interest payments due on a $230 million Eurobond, requested assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and immediately enacted a number of significant structural reforms, including liberalization of the exchange rate, reform of the public sector to include layoffs, and the selling of some state assets. In December 2013, the IMF declared that Seychelles had successfully transitioned to a market-based economy with full employment and a fiscal surplus.

Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 12 (2013 est.) 13.704 (2012 est.) 12.068 (2010 est.) 13.61 (2009) 8 (2008)

$516.7 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 $493.3 million (2012 est.)

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

France 27.7%, UK 17.6%, Japan 15.2%, Italy 10.6% (2012)

calendar year

$1.271 billion (2013 est.)

$2.404 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 $2.326 billion (2012 est.) $2.261 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

household consumption: 92.3% government consumption: 11.9% investment in fixed capital: 28.2% investment in inventories: 15.2% exports of goods and services: 35.1% imports of goods and services: -82.7% (2013 est.)

agriculture: 2% industry: 18.7% services: 79.4% (2013 est.)

$25,900 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 57 $25,300 (2012 est.) $24,900 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

3.3% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 2.9% (2012 est.) 5% (2011 est.)

18.7% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 10.6% of GDP (2012 est.) 6.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

lowest 10%: 4.7% highest 10%: 15.4% (2007)

$846.4 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 $889.6 million (2012 est.)

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals, other manufactured goods

Saudi Arabia 24%, Spain 12.1%, France 5.9% (2012)

3.7% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

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

4.3% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 7.1% (2012 est.)

39,560 (2006) country comparison to the world: 197

agriculture: 3% industry: 23% services: 74% (2006)

$NA

NA%

51.8% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 68.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

$362.4 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 $318.7 million (31 December 2012 est.)

$584.4 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 $383.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)

$617.6 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $408.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)

$380.7 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 164 $301.5 million (31 December 2012 est.)

40.7% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

2% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

1.088 million Mt (2011 est.)

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 210

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

263.2 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 196

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

0 kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 195

89,000 kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

283 million kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

7,793 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

6,316 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

total: 455 sq km country comparison to the world: 199 land: 455 sq km water: 0 sq km

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

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

491 km

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

water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater

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, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

4 35 S, 55 40 E

smallest African country; the constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155 islands: 42 granitic and 113 coralline; by far the largest island is Mahe, which is home to about 90% of the population and the site of the capital city of Victoria

2.6 sq km (2003)

0 km

arable land: 2.17% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 93.48% (2011)

archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar

Africa

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

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

fish, copra, cinnamon trees

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

25 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Royale, Au Cap, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand Anse Mahe, Grand Anse Praslin, Inner Islands, La Riviere Anglaise, Les Mamalles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caiman, Saint Louis, Takamaka

name: Victoria geographic coordinates: 4 37 S, 55 27 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

previous 1970, 1979; latest drafted May 1993, approved by referendum 18 June 1993, effective 23 June 1993; amended many times, last in 2011 (2011)

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

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

chief of mission: Ambassador Marie-Louise Cecile POTTER (since 6 September 2012) chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785 FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786

chief of state: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); Vice President Danny FAURE (since 1 July 2010); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); Vice President Danny FAURE (since 1 July 2010) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held on 19-21 May 2011 (next to be held in 2016) election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 55.5%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 41.4%, Philippe BOULLE 1.7%, Ralph VOLCERE 1.5%; note - this was the second election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004

five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side; the oblique bands are meant to symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future; blue represents sky and sea, yellow the sun giving light and life, red the peoples' determination to work for the future in unity and love, white social justice and harmony, green the land and natural environment

republic

29 June 1976 (from the UK)

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

highest court(s): Seychelles Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices; Supreme Court of Seychelles (consists of the chief justice and 5 pusine judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 3 Supreme Court judges) judge selection and term of office: all judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Appointments Committee, a 3-member body, with 1 member appointed by the president of the republic, 1 by the opposition leader in the National Assembly, and 1 by the other 2 appointees; judges appointed until retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts of Seychelles; Family Tribunal for issues such as domestic violence, and child custody and maintenance

mixed legal system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats; 25 members elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 29 September - 1 October 2011 (next to be held in 2016); note - the National Assembly was dissolved in July 2011 resulting in early elections election results: percent of vote by party - PL 88.6%, PDM 10.9%, independents 0.6%; seats by party - PL 31, PDM 1, vacant 2; note - the ruling SPPF changed its name to People's Party (Party Lepep) in June 2009; the SNP and NDP boycotted the 2011 elections

name: "Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)

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

Democratic Party or DP [Paul CHOW] People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL [James Alix MICHEL] Popular Democratic Movement or PDM [David PIERRE] Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO) Seychelles United Party or SUP [Ralph VOLCERE]

Roman Catholic Church other: trade unions

18 years of age; universal

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. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James Alix MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in May 2011.

males age 16-49: 26,257 females age 16-49: 23,996 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49: 20,231 females age 16-49: 19,891 (2010 est.)

male: 686 female: 650 (2010 est.)

Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005)

0.89% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 110 0.82% of GDP (2011) 0.89% of GDP (2010)

18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2012)

0-14 years: 20.9% (male 9,808/female 9,320) 15-24 years: 14.2% (male 6,827/female 6,190) 25-54 years: 49.4% (male 23,787/female 21,456) 55-64 years: 8.2% (male 3,915/female 3,632) 65 years and over: 7.3% (male 2,592/female 4,123) (2014 est.)

14.54 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

6.9 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

total dependency ratio: 42.8 % youth dependency ratio: 31.7 % elderly dependency ratio: 11.1 % potential support ratio: 9 (2014 est.)

improved: urban: 96.3% of population rural: 96.3% of population total: 96.3% of population unimproved: urban: 3.7% of population rural: 3.7% of population total: 3.7% of population (2012 est.)

3.6% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 121

mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab

NA

NA

NA

3.8% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 170

3.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)

total: 10.77 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 134 male: 13.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)

total population: 74.25 years country comparison to the world: 113 male: 69.66 years female: 78.98 years (2014 est.)

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.8% male: 91.4% female: 92.3% (2011 est.)

VICTORIA (capital) 27,000 (2011)

total: 33.9 years male: 33.4 years female: 34.5 years (2014 est.)

noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) adjective: Seychellois

1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

23.9% (2008) country comparison to the world: 70

1.51 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

91,650 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

0.87% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 10.6% (Anglican 6.1%, Pentecoastal Assembly 1.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.2%, other Protestant 1.6), other Christian 2.4%, Hindu 2.4%, Muslim 1.6%, other non-Christian 1.1%, unspecified 4.8%, none 0.9% (2010 est.)

improved: urban: 97.1% of population rural: 97.1% of population total: 97.1% of population unimproved: urban: 2.9% of population rural: 2.9% of population total: 2.9% of population (2012 est.)

total: 12 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2011)

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

1.88 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

total: 20.3% (2002) country comparison to the world: 58

urban population: 53.6% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 1.05% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)

current situation: Seychelles is a source and destination country for Seychellois children and foreign women subjected to sex trafficking; Seychellois girls and, to a lesser extent, boys are forced into prostitution in nightclubs, bars, guest houses, hotels, brothels, private homes, and on the streets by peers, family members, and pimps; foreign tourists, sailors, and migrant workers contribute to the demand for commercial sex acts in Seychelles; some of the large population of foreign migrant workers reportedly experience the underpayment of wages and substandard housing tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Seychelles does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has failed to report any investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of trafficking offenses; the government also has not identified or provided protective services to any trafficking victims and punished victims for crimes committed as a result of being trafficked, although it has acknowledged the need for specialized training of officials in recognizing, investigating, and prosecuting trafficking offenses, it did not provide any such training during the reporting period (2013)

14 (2013) country comparison to the world: 150

total: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2013)

total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2013)

1 (2013)

total: 9 country comparison to the world: 118 by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2010)

major seaport(s): Victoria

total: 508 km country comparison to the world: 194 paved: 490 km unpaved: 18 km (2010)