Serbian Orthodox 85%, Catholic 5.5%, Protestant 1.1%, Muslim 3.2%, unspecified 2.6%, other, unknown, or atheist 2.6% (2002 census)
Languages:
Serbian 88.3% (official), Hungarian 3.8%, Bosniak 1.8%, Romany(Gypsy) 1.1%, other 4.1%, unknown 0.9% (2002 census)
note: Romanian, Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Croatian all official in Vojvodina
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.4%
male: 98.9%
female: 94.1% (2003 census)
note: includes Montenegro
Education expenditures:
Government ::Serbia
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Serbia
conventional short form: Serbia
local long form: Republika Srbija
local short form: Srbija
former: People's Republic of Serbia, Socialist Republic of Serbia
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Belgrade (Beograd)
geographic coordinates: 44 50 N, 20 30 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
167 municipalities (opcstine, singular - opcstina)
Serbia Proper: Belgrade City (Beograd): Barajevo, Cukarica, Grocka,Lazarevac, Mladenovac, Novi Beograd, Obrenovac, Palilula, Rakovica,Savski Venac, Sopot, Stari Grad, Surcin, Vozdovac, Vracar, Zemun,Zvezdara; Bor: Bor, Kladovo, Majdanpek, Negotin; Branicevo: Golubac,Kucevo, Malo Crnice, Petrovac, Pozarevac, Veliko Gradiste, Zabari,Zagubica; Grad Nis: Crveni Krst, Mediana, Niska Banja, Palilula,Pantelej Jablanica: Bojnik, Crna Trava, Lebane, Leskovac, Medveda,Vlasotince; Kolubara: Lajkovac, Ljig, Mionica, Osecina, Ub, Valjevo;Macva: Bogatic, Koceljeva, Krupanj, Ljubovija, Loznica, MaliZvornik, Sabac, Vladimirci; Moravica: Cacak, Gornkji Milanovac,Ivanjica, Lucani; Nisava: Aleksinac, Doljevac, Gadzin Han, Merosina,Nis, Razanj, Svrljig; Pcinja: Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Presevo,Surdulica, Trgoviste, Vladicin Han, Vranje; Pirot: Babusnica, BelaPalanka, Dimitrovgrad, Pirot; Podunavlje: Smederevo, SmederevskiaPalanka, Velika Plana; Pomoravlje: Cuprija, Despotovac, Jagodina,Paracin, Rekovac, Svilajnac; Rasina: Aleksandrovac, Brus, Cicevac,Krusevac, Trstenik, Varvarin; Raska: Kraljevo, Novi Pazar, Raska,Tutin, Vrnjacka Banja; Sumadija: Arandelovac, Batocina, Knic,Kragujevac, Lapovo, Raca, Topola; Toplica: Blace, Kursumlija,Prokuplje, Zitorada; Zajecar: Boljevac, Knjazevac, Sokobanja,Zajecar; Zlatibor: Arilje, Bajina Basta, Cajetina, Kosjeric, NovaVaros, Pozega, Priboj, Prijepolje, Sjenica, Uzice
Vojvodina Autonomous Province: South Backa: Bac, Backa Palanka,Backi Petrovac, Becej, Beocin, Novi Sad, Sremski Karlovci,Srobobran, Temerin, Titel, Vrbas, Zabalj; South Banat: Alibunar,Bela Crkva, Kovacica, Kovin, Opovo, Pancevo, Plandiste, Vrsac; NorthBacka: Backa Topola, Mali Idjos, Subotica; North Banat: Ada, Coka,Kanjiza, Kikinda, Novi Knezevac, Senta; Central Banat: Nova Crnja,Novi Becej, Secanj, Zitiste, Zrenjanin; Srem: Indija, Irig, Pecinci,Ruma, Sid, Sremska Mitrovica, Stara Pazova; West Backa: Apatin,Kula, Odzaci, Sombor
Independence:
5 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro)
National holiday:
National Day, 15 February
Constitution:
adopted 8 November 2006; effective 10 November 2006
Legal system:
based on civil law system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Boris TADIC (since 11 July 2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Mirko CVETKOVIC (since 7 July 2008)
cabinet: Federal Ministries act as cabinet
elections: president elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 3 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013); prime minister elected by the National Assembly
election results: Boris TADIC elected president in the second round of voting; Boris TADIC received 51.2% of the vote and Tomislav NIKOLIC 48.8%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (250 seats; deputies elected according to party lists to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 11 May 2008 (next to be held in May 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - For a European Serbia coalition 38.4%, SRS 29.5%, DSS-NS 11.6%, SPS-led coalition 7.6%, LPD 5.2%, other 7.7%; seats by party - For a European Serbia coalition 102, SRS 77, DSS-NS 30, SNS 21, SPS-led coalition 20, LDP 13, other 7; note - the seat allocation for the SNS and SRS is uncertain because of an ongoing dispute with the SRS
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court, Supreme Court (to become court of cassation under new constitution), appellate courts, district courts, municipal courts
Political parties and leaders:
Coalition of Albanians of the Presevo Valley or KAPD [Riza HALIMI];Coalition for Sandzak or KZS [Sulejman UGLJANIN]; Democratic Partyof Albanians or PDSh [Ragmi MUSTAFA]; Democratic Party of Serbia orDSS [Vojislav KOSTUNICA]; Democratic Party or DS [Boris TADIC];Democratic Union of the Valley or BDL [Skender DESTANI]; For aEuropean Serbia [Boris TADIC]; Force of Serbia Movement or PSS[Bogoljub KARIC]; G17 Plus [Mladjan DINKIC]; League of VojvodinaHungarians or SVM [Istvan PASTOR]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP[Cedomir JOVANOVIC]; Movement for Democratic Progress or LPD [JonuzMUSLIU]; New Serbia or NS [Velimir ILIC]; Party of Democratic Actionor PVD [Riza HALIMI]; People's Party or NS [Maja GOJKOVIC]; RomaParty or RP [Srdjan SAJN]; Serbian Progressive Party or SNS[Tomislav NIKOLIC]; Serbian Radical Party or SRS [Vojislav SESELJ(currently on trial at The Hague), with Dragan TODOROVIC as actingleader]; Socialist Party of Serbia or SPS [Ivica DACIC]; Union ofRoma of Serbia or URS [Rajko DJURIC]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
International organization participation:
BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt,ICRM, IDA, IFAD (suspended), IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO,Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM(observer), OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP,SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU,WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Vladimir PETROVIC
chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-0333
consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cameron MUNTER
embassy: Kneza Milosa 50, 11000 Belgrade
mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070
telephone: [381] (11) 361-9344
Flag description:
three equal horizontal stripes of red (top), blue, and white; charged with the coat of arms of Serbia shifted slightly to the hoist side
Economy ::Serbia
Economy - overview:
MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an extended period of international economic sanctions, and the damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the NATO airstrikes in 1999 left the economy only half the size it was in 1990. After the ousting of former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC in September 2000, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government implemented stabilization measures and embarked on a market reform program. After renewing its membership in the IMF in December 2000, Yugoslavia continued to reintegrate into the international community by rejoining the World Bank (IBRD) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). A World Bank-European Commission sponsored Donors' Conference held in June 2001 raised $1.3 billion for economic restructuring. In November 2001, the Paris Club agreed to reschedule the country's $4.5 billion public debt and wrote off 66% of the debt. In July 2004, the London Club of private creditors forgave $1.7 billion of debt just over half the total owed. Belgrade has made progress in trade liberalization and enterprise restructuring and privatization, including telecommunications and small- and medium-size firms. It has made halting progress towards EU membership despite signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement with Brussels in May 2008. Serbia is also pursuing membership in the World Trade Organization. Unemployment and the large current account deficit remain ongoing political and economic problems.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$79.77 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $75.68 billion (2007 est.)
$70.8 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$50.06 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 6.9% (2007 est.)
5.2% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$10,800 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $10,200 (2007 est.)
$9,500 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 12.3%
industry: 24.2%
services: 63.5% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
2.961 million (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 30%
industry: 46%
services: 24% (2002)
Unemployment rate:
18.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 163
Population below poverty line:
6.5% (2007 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30 (2003) country comparison to the world: 116
Investment (gross fixed):
20.1% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Budget:
revenues: $9.6 billion
expenditures: $9.8 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt:
37% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.8% (2007) country comparison to the world: 114
Central bank discount rate:
17.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 45 9.57% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
18.11% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 73 11.13% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$3.831 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 60 $4.632 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$11.95 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 48 $12.19 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$17.06 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 63 $13.44 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 66 $23.93 billion (31 December 2007)
$10.99 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, maize, sugar beets, sunflower, raspberries, beef, pork, milk
Industries:
sugar, agricultural machinery, electrical and communication equipment, paper and pulp, lead, transportation equipment
Industrial production growth rate:
1.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Electricity - production:
33.87 billion kWh (2004) country comparison to the world: 61
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - exports:
12.05 billion kWh (2004 est.)
Electricity - imports:
11.23 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:
11,420 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Oil - consumption:
NA bbl/day
Oil - exports:
3,641 bbl/day (2005) country comparison to the world: 108
Oil - imports:
70,760 bbl/day (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Oil - proved reserves:
77.5 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - production:
650 million cu m (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Natural gas - consumption:
2.55 billion cu m (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2005) country comparison to the world: 129
Natural gas - imports:
2.1 billion cu m (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Natural gas - proved reserves:
48.14 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Current account balance:
-$6.889 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Exports:
$8.824 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92
Exports - commodities:
manufactured goods, food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment
Imports:
$18.35 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$14.22 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $14.22 billion (2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$26.24 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$11.95 billion (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Exchange rates:
Serbian dinars (RSD) per US dollar - 54.5 (2007), 59.98 (2006)
Communications ::Serbia
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.085 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 49
Telephones - mobile cellular:
9.619 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 61
Telephone system:
general assessment: modernization of the telecommunications network has been slow as a result of damage stemming from the 1999 war and transition to a competitive market-based system; network was 90% digitalized in 2006
domestic: teledensity remains below the average for neighboring states; GSM wireless service, available through multiple providers with national coverage, is growing very rapidly; best telecommunications service centered in urban centers
international: country code - 381
Radio broadcast stations:
153 (station types NA) (2001)
Internet country code:
.rs
Internet hosts:
181,313 (2009) country comparison to the world: 64
Internet users:
2.936 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 59
Transportation ::Serbia
Airports:
28 (2009) country comparison to the world: 121
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 10
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Heliports:
2 (2007)
Pipelines:
gas 1,921 km; oil 323 km (2008)
Railways:
total: 3,379 km country comparison to the world: 52 standard gauge: 3,379 km 1.435-m gauge (electrified 1,254 km) (2006)
Roadways:
total: 36,875 km country comparison to the world: 92 paved: 31,392 km
unpaved: 5,483 km (2006)
Waterways:
587 km (primarily on Danube and Sava rivers) (2008) country comparison to the world: 81
Military ::Serbia
Military branches:
Serbian Armed Forces (Vojska Srbije, VS): Land Forces Command(includes Riverine Component, consisting of a river flotilla on theDanube), Joint Operations Command, Air and Air Defense ForcesCommand (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
19-35 years of age for male compulsory military service; under a state of war or impending war, conscription can begin at age 16; conscription is to be abolished in 2010; 6-month service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 60 for men and 50 for women (2007)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,415,007
females age 16-49: 1,379,541 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 44,601
female: 41,845 (2009 est.)
Transnational Issues ::Serbia
Disputes - international:
Serbia with several other states protest the U.S. and other states' recognition of Kosovo's declaring itself as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; several thousand NATO-led KFOR peacekeepers under UNMIK authority continue to keep the peace within Kosovo between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority in Kosovo; Serbia delimited about half of the boundary with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but sections along the Drina River remain in dispute
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 71,111 (Croatia); 27,414 (Bosnia and Herzegovina); 206,000 (Kosovo), note - mostly ethnic Serbs and Roma who fled Kosovo in 1999 (2007)
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money laundering
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Seychelles (Africa)
Introduction ::Seychelles
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. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term.
Geography ::Seychelles
Location:
archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 455 sq km country comparison to the world: 198 land: 455 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
491 km
Maritime claims:
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
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 extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Natural resources:
fish, copra, cinnamon trees
Land use:
arable land: 2.17%
permanent crops: 13.04%
other: 84.79% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Natural hazards:
lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible
Environment - current issues:
water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater
Environment - international agreements:
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
Geography - note:
41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands
People ::Seychelles
Population:
87,476 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 197
Age structure:
0-14 years: 22.8% (male 10,201/female 9,732)
15-64 years: 70.1% (male 31,870/female 29,439)
65 years and over: 7.1% (male 2,321/female 3,913) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 31.4 years
male: 30.9 years
female: 32 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.999% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Birth rate:
15.87 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Death rate:
6.93 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Net migration rate:
1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Urbanization:
urban population: 54% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 142 male: 15.44 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.02 years country comparison to the world: 112 male: 68.33 years
female: 77.85 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.93 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Nationality:
noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)
adjective: Seychellois
Ethnic groups:
mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab
Religions:
Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census)
Languages:
Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.8%
male: 91.4%
female: 92.3% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
6.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 31
Government ::Seychelles
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form: Seychelles
local long form: Republic of Seychelles
local short form: Seychelles
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Victoria
geographic coordinates: 4 38 S, 55 27 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, AnseEtoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, BeauVallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe),Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, MontBuxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, SaintLouis, Takamaka
Independence:
29 June 1976 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
Constitution:
18 June 1993
Legal system:
based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President James Alix 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)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held 28-30 July 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 53.73%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 45.71%, Philippe BOULLE 0.56%; note - this was the first 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
Legislative branch:
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; to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 10-12 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 56.2%, SNP 43.8%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Paul CHOW]; SeychellesNational Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the UnitedOpposition or UO); People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL [France AlbertRENE, James MICHEL] (the governing party)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Roman Catholic Church
other: trade unions
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Ronald JUMEAU
chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles
Flag description:
five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
Economy ::Seychelles
Economy - overview:
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. GDP grew about 7-8% per year in 2006-07, driven by tourism and a boom in tourism-related construction. The Seychelles rupee was allowed to depreciate in 2006 after being overvalued for years and fell by 10% in the first 9 months of 2007. Despite these actions, the Seychelles economy has struggled to maintain its gains and in 2008 suffered from food and oil price shocks, a foreign exchange shortage, high inflation and large financing gaps, with GDP growth reduced to about 3% in 2008. In July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit rating. Seychelles requested an IMF Stand-By Agreement in December 2008.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.821 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $1.838 billion (2007 est.)
$1.675 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$822 million (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 9.7% (2007 est.)
9.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$21,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $21,400 (2007 est.)
$19,800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 28.9%
services: 69.2% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
39,560 (2006) country comparison to the world: 191
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 23%
services: 74% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
2% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
13.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Budget:
revenues: $260.5 million
expenditures: $291.2 million (2008 est.)
Public debt:
74.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 122.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
37% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 5.3% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 90 5.13% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.81% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 76 10.89% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$164.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 107 $330.8 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$188.5 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 117 $249 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$375.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 117 $660.2 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; poultry; tuna
Industries:
fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Electricity - production:
250 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Electricity - consumption:
232.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Oil - consumption:
7,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Oil - imports:
7,653 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 121
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Current account balance:
-$430 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 -$274.8 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$495 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $391.7 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)
Exports - partners:
UK 21.1%, France 19.1%, Mauritius 10.1%, Japan 7.9%, Italy 7.8%,Netherlands 6% (2008)
Imports:
$1.018 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $804 million (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 17.5%, Singapore 12.4%, France 10.3%, Spain 8.1%,Germany 7%, India 5.4%, South Africa 4.7% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$64 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $40.8 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.422 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $1.059 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 8 (2008 est.), 6.5 (2007), 5.5 (2006), 5.5 (2005), 5.5 (2004)
Communications ::Seychelles
Telephones - main lines in use:
23,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 188
Telephones - mobile cellular:
85,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 184
Telephone system:
general assessment: effective system
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 130 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)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
.sc
Internet hosts:
324 (2009) country comparison to the world: 179
Internet users:
32,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 179
Transportation ::Seychelles
Airports:
14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 149
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 5 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 458 km country comparison to the world: 193 paved: 440 km
unpaved: 18 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 8 country comparison to the world: 121 by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6
foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Victoria
Military ::Seychelles
Military branches:
Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing,Air Wing), National Guard (2005)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 23,598
females age 16-49: 24,424 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 19,702
females age 16-49: 19,780 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 714
female: 685 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Transnational Issues ::Seychelles
Disputes - international:
together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Sierra Leone (Africa)
Introduction ::Sierra Leone
Background:
Democracy is slowly being reestablished after the civil war from 1991 to 2002 that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population). The military, which took over full responsibility for security following the departure of UN peacekeepers at the end of 2005, is increasingly developing as a guarantor of the country's stability. The armed forces remained on the sideline during the 2007 presidential election, but still look to the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) - a civilian UN mission - to support efforts to consolidate peace. The new government's priorities include furthering development, creating jobs, and stamping out endemic corruption.
Geography ::Sierra Leone
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 71,740 sq km country comparison to the world: 118 land: 71,620 sq km
water: 120 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 958 km
border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline:
402 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)
Terrain:
coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Natural resources:
diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
Land use:
arable land: 7.95%
permanent crops: 1.05%
other: 91% (2005)
Irrigated land:
300 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
160 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.38 cu km/yr (5%/3%/92%)