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Compare British Virgin Islands (2008) - Seychelles (2002)

Compare British Virgin Islands (2008) z Seychelles (2002)

 British Virgin Islands (2008)Seychelles (2002)
 British Virgin IslandsSeychelles
Administrative divisions none (overseas territory of the UK) 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), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Age structure 0-14 years: 20.2% (male 2,410/female 2,337)


15-64 years: 74.5% (male 9,004/female 8,534)


65 years and over: 5.4% (male 665/female 602) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 27.8% (male 11,238; female 11,002)


15-64 years: 66% (male 25,763; female 27,086)


65 years and over: 6.2% (male 1,667; female 3,342) (2002 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; tuna fish
Airports 3 (2007) 14 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways total: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 1


under 914 m: 1 (2007)
total: 7


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 2 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
total: 7


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 4 (2002)
Area total: 153 sq km


land: 153 sq km


water: 0 sq km


note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke
total: 455 sq km


land: 455 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Background First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. 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.
Birth rate 14.82 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 17.27 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Budget revenues: $204.7 million


expenditures: $180.4 million (2004)
revenues: $249 million


expenditures: $262 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) (1998 est.)
Capital name: Road Town


geographic coordinates: 18 27 N, 64 37 W


time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Victoria
Climate subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Coastline 80 km 491 km
Constitution 13 June 2007 18 June 1993
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: British Virgin Islands


abbreviation: BVI
conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles


conventional short form: Seychelles
Currency - Seychelles rupee (SCR)
Death rate 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 6.57 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Debt - external $36.1 million (1997) $240 million (1999 est.)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to the Seychelles
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Claude Sylvestre MOREL


chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017


telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785


FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786
Disputes - international none claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)
Economic aid - recipient $NA $16.4 million (1995) (1995)
Economy - overview The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 820,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2005. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959. Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level. 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 in order 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. The vulnerability of the tourist sector was illustrated by the sharp drop in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war and once again following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Other issues facing the government are the curbing of the budget deficit, including the containment of social welfare costs, and further privatization of public enterprises. Growth slowed in 1998-2001, due to sluggish tourist and tuna sectors. Also, tight controls on exchange rates and the scarcity of foreign exchange have impaired short-term economic prospects. The black market value of the Seychelles rupee is half the official exchange rate; without a devaluation of the currency the tourist sector should remain sluggish as vacationers seek cheaper destinations such as Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar.
Electricity - consumption 41.85 million kWh (2005) 148.8 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 0 kWh (2000)
Electricity - production 45 million kWh (2005) 160 million kWh (2000)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2000)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m


highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Environment - current issues limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments) water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater
Environment - international agreements - 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
Ethnic groups black 83%, other 17% (includes white, Indian, Asian and mixed) mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab
Exchange rates the US dollar is used Seychelles rupees per US dollar - 5.7458 (January 2002), 5.8575 (2001), 5.7138 (2000), 5.3426 (1999), 5.2622 (1998), 5.0263 (1997)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor David PEAREY (since 18 April 2006)


head of government: Premier Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 23 August 2007)


cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor
chief of state: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 31 August-2 September 2001 (next to be held NA 2006)


election results: France Albert RENE reelected president; percent of vote - France Albert RENE (SPPF) 54.19%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (UO) 44.95%, Philippe BOULLE 0.86%; note - the first time that presidential elections have been held separately from legislative elections
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) $182.6 million f.o.b. (2001)
Exports - commodities rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand canned tuna, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)
Exports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US (2006) UK 48.1%, Italy 23.1%, France 14.8%, Netherlands 2.7% (1999)
Fiscal year 1 April - 31 March calendar year
Flag description blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
GDP - purchasing power parity - $605 million (2001 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 1.8%


industry: 6.2%


services: 92% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 3%


industry: 26%


services: 71% (1999) (1999)
GDP - per capita - purchasing power parity - $7,600 (2001 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 1% (2002 est.) 1.5% (2001 est.)
Geographic coordinates 18 30 N, 64 30 W 4 35 S, 55 40 E
Geography - note strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands
Highways - total: 280 km


paved: 176 km


unpaved: 104 km (1997)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Illicit drugs transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering -
Imports 604.3 bbl/day (2004) $360.2 million f.o.b. (2001)
Imports - commodities building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US (2006) Italy 13.3%, South Africa 10.7%, France 9.9%, UK 8.0%, Singapore 7.7% (1999)
Independence none (overseas territory of the UK) 29 June 1976 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA% NA%
Industries tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
Infant mortality rate total: 16.13 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 18.82 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 13.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
16.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2% (2005) 6.1% (2001 est.)
International organization participation Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA NA sq km
Judicial branch Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president
Labor force 12,770 (2004) 30,900 (1996) (1996)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 0.6%


industry: 40%


services: 59.4% (2005)
industry 19%, services 71%, agriculture 10% (1989) (1989)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 20%


permanent crops: 6.67%


other: 73.33% (2005)
arable land: 2.22%


permanent crops: 13.33%


other: 84.45% (1998 est.)
Languages English (official) English (official), French (official), Creole
Legal system English law based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law
Legislative branch unicameral House of Assembly (13 elected seats and 1 non-voting ex officio member in the attorney general; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 20 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011)


election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 45.2%, NDP 39.6%, independent 15.2%; seats by party - VIP 10, NDP 2, independent 1
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats - 25 elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; members serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 4-6 December 2002 (next held by 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 54.3%, SNP 42.6%, DP 3.1%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11


note: the 9 awarded seats are apportioned according to the percentage that each party won of the total vote
Life expectancy at birth total population: 76.86 years


male: 75.71 years


female: 78.07 years (2007 est.)
total population: 70.97 years


male: 65.48 years


female: 76.63 years (2002 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 58%


male: 56%


female: 60% (1971 est.)
Location Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Map references Central America and the Caribbean Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin


exclusive economic zone: 200 NM


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,086 GRT/10,192 DWT


ships by type: cargo 2


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: South Africa 2 (2002 est.)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK -
Military branches - Army, Coast Guard (includes Air Wing), Presidential Protection Unit (includes Presidential Guard), Police Force (includes Police Mobile Unit, a special weapons and tactics unit capable of assisting the Army in maintaining internal stability)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $11 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.8% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 23,210 (2002 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 11,554 (2002 est.)
National holiday Territory Day, 1 July (1956) Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
Nationality noun: British Virgin Islander(s)


adjective: British Virgin Islander
noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)


adjective: Seychellois
Natural hazards hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible
Natural resources NEGL fish, copra, cinnamon trees
Net migration rate 8.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) -5.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)
Political parties and leaders Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL] Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM]; Seychelles National Party or SNP (formerly the United Opposition or UO) [Wavel RAMKALAWAN]; Seychelles People's Progressive Front or SPPF [France Albert RENE] - the governing party
Political pressure groups and leaders NA Roman Catholic Church; trade unions
Population 23,552 (July 2007 est.) 80,098 (July 2002 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% NA%
Population growth rate 1.923% (2007 est.) 0.47% (2002 est.)
Ports and harbors - Victoria
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004) AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios - 42,000 (1997)
Railways - 0 km (2003)
Religions Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, other 2%, none 2% (1991) Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.8%, other Christian 2.5%, other 4.1%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.031 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.055 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.105 male(s)/female


total population: 1.053 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female


total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2002 est.)
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal 17 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: worldwide telephone service


domestic: NA


international: country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) optic submarine cable provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean (2007)
general assessment: effective 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)
Telephones - main lines in use 11,700 (2002) 19,635 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 8,000 (2002) 16,316 (1999)
Television broadcast stations 1 (plus 1 cable company) (1997) 2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs
Total fertility rate 1.72 children born/woman (2007 est.) 1.81 children born/woman (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate 3.6% (1997) NA%
Waterways - none
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