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NAVIGATION
Republic of Seychelles
INTRODUCTION
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Background:
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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. |
GEOGRAPHY
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Location:
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Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar |
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Geographic coordinates:
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4 35 S, 55 40 E |
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Map references:
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Africa |
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Area:
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total: 455 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 455 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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2.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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491 km |
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Maritime claims:
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contiguous zone: 24 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin |
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Climate:
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tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) |
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Terrain:
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Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m |
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Natural resources:
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fish, copra, cinnamon trees |
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Land use:
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arable land: 2.22%
permanent crops: 13.33% other: 84.45% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km |
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Natural hazards:
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lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible |
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Environment - current issues:
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water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol |
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Geography - note:
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40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands |
PEOPLE
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Population:
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80,469 (July 2003 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 27.3% (male 11,116; female 10,844)
15-64 years: 66.5% (male 26,068; female 27,425) 65 years and over: 6.2% (male 1,654; female 3,362) (2003 est.) |
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Median age:
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total: 26.9 years
male: 25.8 years female: 27.9 years (2002) |
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Population growth rate:
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0.46% (2003 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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16.89 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Death rate:
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6.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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-5.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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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 (2003 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 16.41 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 20.75 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 71.25 years
male: 65.78 years female: 76.88 years (2003 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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NA% |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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NA |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA |
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Nationality:
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noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)
adjective: Seychellois |
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Ethnic groups:
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mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab |
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Religions:
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Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.8%, other Christian 2.5%, other 4.1% |
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Languages:
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English (official), French (official), Creole |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 58% male: 56% female: 60% (1971 est.) |