Statistical information Seychelles 1993

Seychelles in the World

Seychelles - Introduction 1993

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Background: 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.

Seychelles - Geography 1993

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Location: in the western Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar

Geographic coordinates

Map reference: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World

Area
Total: 455 km²
Land: 455 km²

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 491 km
Continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Maritime claims

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

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

Elevation

Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees

Land use

Land use
Arable land: 4%
Permanent crops: 18%
Meadows and pastures: 0%
Forest and woodland: 18%
Other: 60%

Irrigated land: NA km²

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources

Natural hazards

Geography

Seychelles - People 1993

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Population: 71,494 (July 1993 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)
Adjective: Seychelles

Ethnic groups: Seychellois (mixture of Asians, Africans, Europeans)

Languages: English (official), French (official), Creole

Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 8%, other 2%

Demographic profile

Age structure

Age structure

Dependency ratios

Median age

Population growth rate

Birth rate: 22.35 births/1000 population (1993 est.)

Death rate: 7.12 deaths/1000 population (1993 est.)

Net migration rate: -6.43 migrant(s)/1000 population (1993 est.)

Population distribution

Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible; no fresh water - catchments collect rain; 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands

Air pollutants

Sex ratio

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate: 12.1 deaths/1000 live births (1993 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 69.26 years
Male: 65.56 years
Female: 73.07 years (1993 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.3 children born/woman (1993 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

Current health expenditure

Physicians density

Hospital bed density

Sanitation facility access

Hiv/Aids

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1971)
Total population: 58%
Male: 56%
Female: 60%

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment

Seychelles - Government 1993

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Country name
Conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles
Conventional short form: Seychelles

Government type: republic

Capital:

Victoria
Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne,
Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe
Island), Grand' Anse (on Praslin Island), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont
Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis,
Takamaka

Administrative divisions

Dependent areas

Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK)

National holiday: Liberation Day, 5 June (1977) (anniversary of coup)

Constitution: 5 June 1979

Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law

International law organization participation

Citizenship

Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal

Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers

Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple)

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal, Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD,
IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WCL, WHO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Second Secretary, Charge d'Affaires ad interim Marc R.
In the us chancery: (temporary) 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY 10,017
In the us telephone: (212) 687-9,766
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Matthew F. MATTINGLY
From the us embassy: 4th Floor, Victoria House, Victoria
From the us mailing address: Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe, or Box 148, Unit 62,501, APO AE 9,815-2,501
From the us telephone: (248) 25,256
From the us fax: (248) 25,189

Flag description

: three horizontal bands of red (top), white (wavy), and green; the white band is the thinnest, the red band is the thickest

National symbols

National anthem

National heritage

Seychelles - Economy 1993

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Economy overview: In this small, open, tropical island economy, the tourist industry employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings. 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 high dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing.

Real gdp purchasing power parity

Real gdp growth rate: -4.5% (1991 est.)

Real gdp per capita: $5,200 (1991 est.)

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by sector of origin