Seychelles
Republic of Seychelles
republicIndependence 29 June 1976 (from UK)
Seychelles as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 85 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, | northeast of Madagascar
15 fieldsClimate
- 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
- lowest point:
- Indian Ocean 0 m
- highest point:
- Morne Seychellois 905 m
Environment
- current issues:
- no natural fresh water resources, catchments collect rain water
- natural hazards:
- lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible
- international agreements:
- party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling;
- signed, but not ratified - Desertification
People
15 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1996 est.)
Male · female(1996 est.)
Age structure
- 0-14 years:
- 31% (male 12,005; female 11,835)
- 15-64 years:
- 63% (male 24,003; female 24,946)
- 65 years and over:
- 6% (male 1,669; female 3,117) (July 1996 est.)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- under 15 years:
- 1.01 male(s)/female
- 15-64 years:
- 0.96 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.54 male(s)/female
- all ages:
- 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Government
Republic
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Administrative divisions
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 Island), Grand' Anse (on Praslin Island), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Executive branch
- chief of state and head of government:
- President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977) was elected for a five-year term by popular vote;
- election last held 20-23 July 1993 (next to be held NA 1998);
- results - President France Albert RENE (SPPF) reelected with 59.5% of the vote, Sir James MANCHAM (DP) 36.72%
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch
unicameral
- People's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple):
- elections last held 20-23 July 1993 (next to be held NA);
- results - SPPF 82%, DP 15%, UO 3%;
- seats - (33 total, 22 elected, 11 awarded) seats elected - SPPF 21, DP 1;
- seats awarded - SPPF 6, DP 4, UO 1
note: the 11 awarded seats are apportioned according to the share of each party in the total vote
Political parties and leaders
- ruling party - Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF), France Albert RENE;
- Democratic Party (DP), Sir James MANCHAM;
- United Opposition (UO), Wavel RAMKALAWAN - a
- coalition of the following parties:
- Seychelles Party (PS), Wavel RAMKALAWAN;
- Seychelles Democratic Movement (MSPD), Jacques HONDOUL;
- Seychelles Liberal Party (SLP), Ogilvie BERLOUIS;
- New Democratic Party , Christopher GILL (former member of DP)
International organization participation
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Marc Michael R. MARENGO
- chancery:
- (temporary) 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY 10017
- telephone:
- [1] (212) 687-9766, 9767
US diplomatic representation
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Carl Burton STOKES
- embassy:
- 4th Floor, Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe
- mailing address:
- Box 148, Victoria; Unit 62501, APO AE 09815-2501
- telephone:
- [248] 225256
Flag
five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
Economy
20 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 30,000 kW
Economic overview
Since independence in 1976, per capita output has grown to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level, led by the tourist sector, which 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. The vulnerability of the tourist sector was illustrated by the sharp drop in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war. Although the industry has rebounded, the government recognizes the continuing need for upgrading the sector in the face of stiff international competition.
Labor force
27,700 (1985); by occupation: industry and commerce 31%, services 21%, government 20%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 12%, other 16% (1985)
Industries
tourism, processing of coconut and vanilla, fishing, coir (coconut fiber) rope factory, boat building, printing, furniture, beverage
Agriculture
- coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas;
- broiler chickens;
- expansion of tuna fishing under way
Exports
$50 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
- commodities:
- fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (re-exports)
- partners:
- France 43%, UK 22%, Reunion 11%, (1992)
Imports
$261 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
- commodities:
- manufactured goods, food, petroleum products, tobacco, beverages, machinery and transportation equipment
- partners:
- Singapore 16%, Bahrain 16%, South Africa, 14%, UK 13% (1992)
Exchange rates
Seychelles rupees (SRe) per US$1 - 4.9257 (January 1996), 4.7620 (1995), 5.0559 (1994), 5.1815 (1993), 5.1220 (1992), 5.2893 (1991)
Transportation
5 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 14 in all
Networkskm
Communications
Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, Presidential | Protection Unit, Police Force
9 fieldsTelephone system
- domestic:
- radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago
- international:
- direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Seychelles.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/seychelles/1996.