degree of risk: intermediate
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne disease: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Serb(s)
adjective: Serbian
Ethnic groups:
Serb 82.9%, Hungarian 3.9%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.4%, Yugoslavs 1.1%,Bosniaks 1.8%, Montenegrin 0.9%, other 8% (2002 census)
Religions:
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
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 91
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; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; note - Serbia is working to reform its justice sector and harmonize its judicial systems with EU standards
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: Republican Ministries act as cabinet (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 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 57, DSS-NS 30, SNS 21, SPS-led coalition 20, LDP 13, other 7
Judicial branch:
courts of general jurisdiction (municipal courts, district courts, Appellate Courts, the Supreme Court of Cassation); courts of special jurisdiction (commercial courts, the High Commercial Court, the High Magistrates Court, the Administrative Court)
Political parties and leaders:
Coalition for Sandzak or KZS [Sulejman UGLJANIN]; Democratic Party or DS [Boris TADIC]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh [Ragmi MUSTAFA]; Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS [Vojislav KOSTUNICA]; Democratic Union of the Valley or BDL [Skender DESTANI]; Force of Serbia Movement or PSS [Bogoljub KARIC]; G17 Plus [Mladjan DINKIC]; League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina or LSV [Nenad CANAK]; League of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM [Istvan PASTOR]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Cedomir JOVANOVIC]; Movement for Democratic Progress or LPD [Jonuz MUSLIU]; New Serbia or NS [Velimir ILIC]; Party of Democratic Action or PVD [Riza HALIMI]; Party of United Pensioners of Serbia or PUPS [Jovan KRKOBABIC]; People's Party or NS [Maja GOJKOVIC]; Roma Party or RP [Srdjan SAJN]; Sandzak Democratic Party or SDP [Resad HODZIC]; Serbian Progressive Party or SNS [Tomislav NIKOLIC]; Serbian Radical Party or SRS [Vojislav SESELJ (currently on trial at The Hague), with Dragan TODOROVIC as acting leader]; Serbian Renewal Movement or SPO [Vuk DRASKOVIC]; Social Democratic Party of Serbia or SDPS [Rasim LJAJIC]; Socialist Party of Serbia or SPS [Ivica DACIC]; Union of Roma of Serbia or URS [Rajko DJURIC]; United Serbia or JS [Dragan "Palma" MARKOVIC]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Obraz (Orthodox clero-fascist organization); 1389 (Serbian nationalist movement)
International organization participation:
BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol,IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer),OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN,UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU,WCO, 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 Mary WARLICK
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 - the Pan-Slav colors representing freedom and revolutionary ideals; charged with the coat of arms of Serbia shifted slightly to the hoist side; the principal field of the coat of arms represents the Serbian state and displays a white two-headed eagle on a red shield; a smaller red shield on the eagle represents the Serbian nation, and is divided into four quarters by a white cross; a white Cyrillic "C" in each quarter stands for the phrase "Only Unity Saves the Serbs"; a royal crown surmounts the coat of arms
note: the Pan-Slav colors were inspired by the 19th-century flag of Russia
National anthem:
name: "Boze pravde" (God of Justice)
lyrics/music: Jovan DORDEVIC/Davorin JENKO
note: adopted 1904; the song was originally written as part of a play in 1872 and has been used as an anthem by the Serbian people throughout the 20th and 21st centuries
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). Belgrade has made progress in trade liberalization and enterprise restructuring and privatization, including telecommunications and small- and medium-size firms. It has made some progress towards EU membership, signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement with Brussels in May 2008, and with full implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement with the EU in February 2010. Serbia is also pursuing membership in the World Trade Organization. Reforms needed to ensure the country's long-term viability have largely stalled since the onset of the global financial crisis. Serbia is grappling with fallout from crisis, which has led to a sharp drop in exports to Western Europe and a decline in manufacturing output. Unemployment and limited export earnings remain ongoing political and economic problems. Serbia signed an augmented $4 billion Stand By Arrangement with the IMF in May 2009. IMF conditions on Serbia constrain the use of stimulus efforts to revive the economy, while Serbia's concerns about inflation and exchange rate stability preclude the use of expansionary monetary policy. Serbia's economy grew by 1.8% in 2010 after a 3% contraction in 2009 as a recovery in Western Europe began.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$80.65 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $79.22 billion (2009 est.)
$81.67 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$38.92 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 -3% (2009 est.)
5.5% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$11,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $10,700 (2009 est.)
$11,000 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 22.6%
services: 64.5% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
3.25 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 23.9%
industry: 20.5%
services: 55.6% (October 2009)
Unemployment rate:
17.2% (2010 est.); 16.6% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Population below poverty line:
7.9% (2008 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
26 (2008) country comparison to the world: 129 30 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
25.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Public debt:
37.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 31.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 8.4% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
9.92% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 14 17.75% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.78% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 26 18.11% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$3.554 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 105 $3.821 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$18.69 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $17.82 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$18.88 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $19.25 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$11.52 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 64 $12.17 billion (31 December 2008)
$23.93 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, maize, sugar beets, sunflower, raspberries; beef, pork, milk
Industries:
base metals, furniture, food processing, machinery, chemicals, sugar, tires, clothes, pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate:
1.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Electricity - production:
36 billion kWh (2009) country comparison to the world: 60
Electricity - consumption:
33.4 billion kWh (2009) country comparison to the world: 57
Electricity - exports:
1.5 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
121 million kWh (2009)
Oil - production:
12,170 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Oil - consumption:
90,000 bbl/day NA bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Oil - exports:
5,045 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 104
Oil - imports:
72,570 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
Oil - proved reserves:
77.5 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Natural gas - production:
230 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Natural gas - consumption:
2.61 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Natural gas - imports:
2.4 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45
Natural gas - proved reserves:
48.14 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Current account balance:
-$1.046 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 -$1.356 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$9.372 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 $8.368 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
iron and steel, clothes, wheat, fruit and vegetables, non-ferrous metals
Exports - partners:
Bosnia and Herzegovina 13.12%, Italy 10.96%, Germany 9.9%, Serbia and Montenegro 7%, Austria 5.4%, Slovenia 5.38%, Macedonia 5.26%, Russia 4.39%, Hungary 4.36% (2009)
Imports:
$15.78 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $15.03 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - partners:
Germany 11.79%, Italy 9.36%, Hungary 6.71%, Slovenia 6.52%, Austria 4.79% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$16.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $15.22 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$32.31 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $32.01 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$23.52 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $11.95 billion (2006 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Exchange rates:
Serbian dinars (RSD) per US dollar - 79.979 (2010), 62.9 (2008), 54.5 (2007), 59.98 (2006)
Communications ::Serbia
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.106 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 48
Telephones - mobile cellular:
9.912 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 64
Telephone system:
general assessment: replacements of, and upgrades to, telecommunications equipment damaged during the 1999 war has resulted in a modern telecommunications system more than 95% digitalized in 2009
domestic: wireless service, available through multiple providers with national coverage, is growing very rapidly; best telecommunications services are centered in urban centers; 3G mobile network launched in 2007
international: country code - 381 (2009)
Internet country code:
.rs
Internet hosts:
528,253 (2010) country comparison to the world: 49
Internet users:
4.107 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 57
Transportation ::Serbia
Airports:
29 (2010) country comparison to the world: 116
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 8 (2010)
Heliports:
2 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 1,921 km; oil 323 km (2009)
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: 36,884 km country comparison to the world: 92 paved: 31,938 km
unpaved: 4,946 km (2007)
Waterways:
587 km (primarily on Danube and Sava rivers) (2009) 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 the Danube), Air and Air Defense Forces Command (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; conscription to be abolished effective 2011; 6-month service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 60 for men and 50 for women (2010)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,405,391
females age 16-49: 1,368,207 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 43,925
female: 41,342 (2010 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 January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@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: 197 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:
88,340 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 196
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) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 32 years
male: 31.5 years
female: 32.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.966% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Birth rate:
15.53 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Death rate:
6.92 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Net migration rate:
1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56
Urbanization:
urban population: 54% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.031 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.97 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 140 male: 15.02 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.28 years country comparison to the world: 115 male: 68.6 years
female: 78.09 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.92 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
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: 16 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 69
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 (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held on 28-30 July 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 53.7%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 45.7%, Philippe BOULLE 0.6%; 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; members to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 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]; People's Party(Parti Lepep) or PL [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] (thegoverning party); Seychelles National Party or SNP [WavelRAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Roman Catholic Church
other: trade unions
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt,ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO(correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, 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; 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
National anthem:
name: "Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)
lyrics/music: David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET
note: adopted 1996
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, large financing gaps, and the global recession. In July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit rating, but in October 2010 the EU approved a $2.9 million grant as part of a larger four-year program for Seychelles. In response to Seychelles successful implementation of tighter monetary and fiscal policies, the IMF upgraded Seychelles to a three-year exteneded fund facility (EFF) of $31 million in December 2009. In 2008, GDP fell more than 1% due to declining tourism, but the economy recovered in 2009-10 with a notable increase in tourist numbers for 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.908 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $1.843 billion (2009 est.)
$1.83 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$919 million (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 0.7% (2009 est.)
-1.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$21,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 61 $21,100 (2009 est.)
$21,100 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 30.8%
services: 66.2% (2009 est.)
Labor force:
39,560 (2006) country comparison to the world: 197
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 23%
services: 74% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
2% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
36.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6
Public debt:
58.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 58.7% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-2.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 31.8% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 84 5.13% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
15.35% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 11.81% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$274.2 million (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 168 $240.5 million (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$415 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175 $352 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$678.5 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 159 $582.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), copra, 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% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 129
Electricity - production:
250 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
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 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Oil - consumption:
7,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Oil - imports:
7,653 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Current account balance:
-$351 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 -$284.2 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$464 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168 $432.5 million (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)
Exports - partners:
UK 24.84%, France 18.53%, Italy 9.45%, Mauritius 9.03%, Japan 6.98%,Spain 4.92% (2009)
Imports:
$831 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176 $759.1 million (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals, other manufactured goods
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 16.44%, India 8.33%, Spain 7.49%, South Africa 6.72%,France 6.39%, Brazil 6.07%, Singapore 5.07% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$193 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 $190.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.374 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $1.321 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 12.221 (2010), 13.6124 (2009), 8 (2008), 6.5 (2007), 5.5 (2006)
Communications ::Seychelles
Telephones - main lines in use:
22,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 188
Telephones - mobile cellular:
92,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 186
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)
Broadcast media:
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 via subscription; the government operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2007)
Internet country code:
.sc
Internet hosts:
256 (2010) country comparison to the world: 187
Internet users:
32,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 179
Transportation ::Seychelles
Airports:
14 (2010) country comparison to the world: 150
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 5 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 458 km country comparison to the world: 195 paved: 440 km
unpaved: 18 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 9 country comparison to the world: 120 by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2010)
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 (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 26,040
females age 16-49: 23,961 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 19,989
females age 16-49: 19,882 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 704
female: 672 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
2% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Transnational Issues ::Seychelles
Disputes - international:
together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)
page last updated on January 19, 2011
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@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.