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Compare Seychelles (2008) - Costa Rica (2006)

Compare Seychelles (2008) z Costa Rica (2006)

 Seychelles (2008)Costa Rica (2006)
 SeychellesCosta Rica
Administrative divisions 23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Age structure 0-14 years: 25.4% (male 10,504/female 10,272)


15-64 years: 68.5% (male 27,405/female 28,706)


65 years and over: 6.1% (male 1,590/female 3,418) (2007 est.)
0-14 years: 28.3% (male 590,261/female 563,196)


15-64 years: 66% (male 1,359,750/female 1,329,346)


65 years and over: 5.7% (male 108,041/female 124,667) (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; poultry; tuna coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes; beef; timber
Airports 15 (2007) 157 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways total: 9


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 6


under 914 m: 2 (2007)
total: 32


2,438 to 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 2


914 to 1,523 m: 19


under 914 m: 9 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 6


914 to 1,523 m: 2


under 914 m: 4 (2007)
total: 125


914 to 1,523 m: 24


under 914 m: 101 (2006)
Area total: 455 sq km


land: 455 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 51,100 sq km


land: 50,660 sq km


water: 440 sq km


note: includes Isla del Coco
Area - comparative 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than West Virginia
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. Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including: disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.
Birth rate 15.83 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) 18.32 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Budget revenues: $380.9 million


expenditures: $361.2 million (2007 est.)
revenues: $2.722 billion


expenditures: $3.195 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.)
Capital name: Victoria


geographic coordinates: 4 38 S, 55 27 E


time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
name: San Jose


geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W


time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Coastline 491 km 1,290 km
Constitution 18 June 1993 7 November 1949
Country name conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles


conventional short form: Seychelles


local long form: Republic of Seychelles


local short form: Seychelles
conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica


conventional short form: Costa Rica


local long form: Republica de Costa Rica


local short form: Costa Rica
Death rate 6.25 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) 4.36 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Debt - external $957 million (31 December 2007 est.) $5.049 billion (2005 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles chief of mission: Ambassador Mark LANGDALE


embassy: Calle 120 Avenida O, Pavas, San Jose


mailing address: APO AA 34020


telephone: [506] 519-2000


FAX: [506] 519-2305
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


FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786
chief of mission: Ambassador Tomas DUENAS


chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945


FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795


consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Hammond (temporary location in Louisiana), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Tampa (temporarily closed), Washington, DC


consulate(s): San Francisco
Disputes - international together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory) in September 2005, Costa Rica took its case before the ICJ to advocate the navigation, security, and commercial rights of Costa Rican vessels using the Río San Juan over which Nicaragua retains sovereignty
Economic aid - recipient $18.81 million (2005) -
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. Sharp drops illustrated the vulnerability of the tourist sector in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf War and once again following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Economic growth slowed in 1998-2002 and fell in 2003-04, due to sluggish tourist and tuna sectors, but resumed in 2005-07. Real GDP grew by 5.8% in 2007, 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. Costa Rica's basically stable economy depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been substantially reduced over the past 15 years, and a strong social safety net has been put into place. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and high education levels, and tourism continues to bring in foreign exchange. Low prices for coffee and bananas have hurt the agricultural sector. The government continues to grapple with its large internal and external deficits and sizable internal debt. The reduction of inflation remains a difficult problem because of rises in the price of imports, labor market rigidities, and fiscal deficits. The country also needs to reform its tax system and its pattern of public expenditure. Costa Rica is the only signatory to the US-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) that has not ratified it. CAFTA implementation would result in economic reforms and an improved investment climate.
Electricity - consumption 193.4 million kWh (2005) 7.12 billion kWh (2003)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2005) 115 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2005) 50 million kWh (2003)
Electricity - production 208 million kWh (2005) 7.726 billion kWh (2003)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m


highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m
Environment - current issues water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution
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
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Ethnic groups mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab white (including mestizo) 94%, black 3%, Amerindian 1%, Chinese 1%, other 1%
Exchange rates Seychelles rupees per US dollar - 6.5 (2007), 5.5 (2006), 5.5 (2005), 5.5 (2004), 5.4007 (2003) Costa Rican colones per US dollar - 477.79 (2005), 437.91 (2004), 398.66 (2003), 359.82 (2002), 328.87 (2001)
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
chief of state: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President Laura CHINCHILLA (since 8 May 2006); Second Vice President Kevin CASAS Zamora (since 8 May 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government


head of government: President Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (since 8 May 2006); First Vice President Laura CHINCHILLA (since 8 May 2006); Second Vice President Kevin CASAS Zamora (since 8 May 2006)


cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president


elections: president and vice presidents elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single four-year term; election last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held February 2010)


election results: Oscar ARIAS Sanchez elected president; percent of vote - Oscar ARIAS Sanchez (PLN) 40.9%; Otto SOLIS (PAC) 39.8%, Otto GUEVARA Guth (PML) 8%, Ricardo TOLEDO (PUSC) 3%; note - official results pending the resolution of election challenges
Exports 0 bbl/day (2004) NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports) coffee, bananas, sugar, pineapples; textiles, electronic components, medical equipment
Exports - partners UK 25.5%, France 17.5%, Italy 11.9%, Mauritius 8.5%, Japan 8.3%, Spain 8.2%, Netherlands 4.3% (2006) US 42.6%, Hong Kong 6.9%, Netherlands 6.4%, Guatemala 4.2% (2005)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk on the hoist side of the red band; above the coat of arms a light blue ribbon contains the words, AMERICA CENTRAL, and just below it near the top of the coat of arms is a white ribbon with the words, REPUBLICA COSTA RICA
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 2.4%


industry: 25.6%


services: 72% (2007 est.)
agriculture: 8.8%


industry: 29.9%


services: 61.4% (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate 5.8% (2007 est.) 5.9% (2005 est.)
Geographic coordinates 4 35 S, 55 40 E 10 00 N, 84 00 W
Geography - note 41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
lowest 10%: 1.1%


highest 10%: 36.8% (2002)
Illicit drugs - transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots; domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising
Imports 5,800 bbl/day (2004) NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment, petroleum
Imports - partners Saudi Arabia 17.7%, South Africa 9.7%, Spain 8.1%, France 7.8%, Singapore 7.2%, Italy 4.8%, UK 4% (2006) US 41.3%, Japan 5.6%, Venezuela 4.8%, Mexico 4.8%, Ireland 4.3%, Brazil 4.2%, China 4.2% (2005)
Independence 29 June 1976 (from UK) 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Industrial production growth rate 1% (2007 est.) 5.7% (2005 est.)
Industries fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages microprocessors, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Infant mortality rate total: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 18.67 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 10.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
total: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 10.58 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 8.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2.9% (2007 est.) 13.8% (2005 est.)
International organization participation ACCT, 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, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Irrigated land NA 1,080 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (22 justices are elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly)
Labor force 30,900 (1996) 1.82 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation agriculture: 10%


industry: 19%


services: 71% (1989)
agriculture: 20%


industry: 22%


services: 58% (1999 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 639 km


border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km
Land use arable land: 2.17%


permanent crops: 13.04%


other: 84.79% (2005)
arable land: 4.4%


permanent crops: 5.87%


other: 89.73% (2005)
Languages Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census) Spanish (official), English
Legal system based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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
unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: last held 5 February 2006 (next to be held February 2010)


election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PLN 25, PAC 18, PML 6, PUSC 4, other 4
Life expectancy at birth total population: 72.34 years


male: 66.98 years


female: 77.86 years (2007 est.)
total population: 77.02 years


male: 74.43 years


female: 79.74 years (2006 est.)
Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 91.8%


male: 91.4%


female: 92.3% (2002 census)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 96%


male: 95.9%


female: 96.1% (2003 est.)
Location archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Map references Africa Central America and the Caribbean
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
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm


continental shelf: 200 nm
Merchant marine total: 6 ships (1000 GRT or over) 108,348 GRT/165,593 DWT


by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 4


foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2007)
total: 2 ships (1000 GRT or over) 2,308 GRT/743 DWT


by type: passenger/cargo 2 (2006)
Military branches Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005) no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security, Government, and Police (2006)
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $83.46 million (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP 2% (2006 est.) 0.4% (2005 est.)
National holiday Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993) Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Nationality noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)


adjective: Seychellois
noun: Costa Rican(s)


adjective: Costa Rican
Natural hazards lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes
Natural resources fish, copra, cinnamon trees hydropower
Net migration rate -5.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) 0.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Pipelines - refined products 242 km (2006)
Political parties and leaders Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Paul CHOW]; Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO); Seychelles People's Progressive Front or SPPF [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] (the governing party) Authentic Member from Heredia [Jose SALAS]; Citizen Action Party or PAC [Otton SOLIS]; Costa Rican Renovation Party or PRC [Gerardo Justo OROZCO Alvarez]; Democratic Force Party or PFD [Vladimir DE LA CRUZ]; General Union Party or PUGEN [Carlos Alberto FERNANDEZ Vega]; Homeland First or PP [Juan Jose VARGAS Fallas]; Independent Worker Party or PIO [Jose Alberto CUBERO Carmona]; Libertarian Movement Party or PML [Otto GUEVARA Guth]; National Christian Alliance Party or ANC [Juan Carlos CHAVEZ Mora]; National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]; National Liberation Party or PLN [Francisco Antonio PACHECO]; National Patriotic Party or PPN [Daniel Enrique REYNOLDS Vargas]; National Restoration Party or PRN [Carlos AVENDANO]; Nationalist Democratic Alliance or ADN [Jose Miguel VILLALOBOS Umana]; Patriotic Union or UP [Humberto ARCE Salas]; Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Lorena VASQUEZ Badilla]; Union for Change Party or UPC [Antonio ALVAREZ Desanti]; United Leftist Coalition or IU [Humberto VARGAS Carbonel]
Political pressure groups and leaders Roman Catholic Church; trade unions Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers or CATD (Communist Party affiliate); Chamber of Coffee Growers; Confederated Union of Workers or CUT (Communist Party affiliate); Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers or CCTD (Liberation Party affiliate); Federation of Public Service Workers or FTSP; National Association for Economic Development or ANFE; National Association of Educators or ANDE; Rerum Novarum or CTRN (PLN affiliate) [Gilbert BROWN]
Population 81,895 (July 2007 est.) 4,075,261 (July 2006 est.)
Population below poverty line NA% 18% (2004 est.)
Population growth rate 0.432% (2007 est.) 1.45% (2006 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (2001) AM 65, FM 51, shortwave 19 (2002)
Railways - total: 278 km


narrow gauge: 278 km 1.067-m gauge (2005)
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) Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Sex ratio at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.023 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 0.955 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.465 male(s)/female


total population: 0.932 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female


total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Suffrage 17 years of age; universal 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Telephone system general assessment: effective system


domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 110 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)
general assessment: good domestic telephone service in terms of breadth of coverage; restricted cellular telephone service


domestic: point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available


international: country code - 506; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); two submarine cables (1999)
Telephones - main lines in use 20,700 (2006) 1,388,500 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular 70,300 (2006) 1.101 million (2005)
Television broadcast stations 2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997) 20 (plus 43 repeaters) (2002)
Terrain Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes
Total fertility rate 1.74 children born/woman (2007 est.) 2.24 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate NA% 6.6% (2005 est.)
Waterways - 730 km (seasonally navigable by small craft) (2005)
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