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Compare Western Sahara (2004) - Seychelles (2003)

Compare Western Sahara (2004) z Seychelles (2003)

 Western Sahara (2004)Seychelles (2003)
 Western SaharaSeychelles
Administrative divisions none (under de facto control of Morocco) 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: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA
0-14 years: 27.3% (male 11,116; female 10,844)


15-64 years: 66.5% (male 26,068; female 27,425)


65 years and over: 6.2% (male 1,654; female 3,362) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads) coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; tuna fish
Airports 11 (2003 est.) 14 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2004 est.)
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: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)
total: 7


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 4 (2002)
Area total: 266,000 sq km


land: 266,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 455 sq km


land: 455 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Colorado 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Background Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed. A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. The most recent presidential elections were held 31 August-2 September 2001. President RENE, who has served since 1977, was re-elected.
Birth rate NA births/1,000 population 16.89 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: NA


expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA
revenues: $249 million


expenditures: $262 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.)
Capital none Victoria
Climate hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Coastline 1,110 km 491 km
Constitution - 18 June 1993
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Western Sahara


former: Spanish Sahara
conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles


conventional short form: Seychelles
Currency Moroccan dirham (MAD) Seychelles rupee (SCR)
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population 6.49 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external NA $170 million (2002 est.)
Diplomatic representation from the US none the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to the Seychelles
Diplomatic representation in the US none 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 Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, whose sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991 but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)
Economic aid - recipient NA $16.4 million (1995)
Economy - overview Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level. 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. A sharp drop 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. 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 1998-2002, 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 83.7 million kWh (2001) 148.8 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2001) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 90 million kWh (2001) 160 million kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m


highest point: unnamed location 463 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Environment - current issues sparse water and lack of arable land water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater
Environment - international agreements party to: none of the selected agreements


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected 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 Arab, Berber mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab
Exchange rates Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 9.574 (2003), 11.584 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.626 (2000), 9.804 (1999) Seychelles rupees per US dollar - 5.48 (2002), 5.86 (2001), 5.71 (2000), 5.34 (1999), 5.26 (1998)
Executive branch none 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 NA (2001) NA (2001)
Exports - commodities phosphates 62% canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)
Exports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts UK 28.6%, France 20%, Italy 8.7%, US 8.4%, Spain 6.7%, Japan 6.7%, Netherlands 6.6%, Thailand 6.4% (2002)
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
GDP purchasing power parity - NA purchasing power parity - $626 million (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: 40% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 2.4%


industry: 24.4%


services: 73.2% (2000)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - NA purchasing power parity - $7,800 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA 1.5% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 24 30 N, 13 00 W 4 35 S, 55 40 E
Geography - note the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands
Highways total: 6,200 km


paved: 1,350 km


unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est)
total: 373 km


paved: 315 km


unpaved: 58 km (1997 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA (2001) NA (2001)
Imports - commodities fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts (2000) Saudi Arabia 15.6%, France 12.8%, Spain 9.9%, Italy 9.7%, South Africa 8.4%, Singapore 7.3%, UK 6.1%, Taiwan 4.2% (2002)
Independence - 29 June 1976 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA NA%
Industries phosphate mining, handicrafts fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total: 16.41 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 20.75 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 11.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA 0.5% (2002 est.)
International organization participation none ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km NA sq km
Judicial branch - Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president
Labor force 12,000 30,900 (1996)
Labor force - by occupation animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50% industry 19%, services 71%, agriculture 10% (1989)
Land boundaries total: 2,046 km


border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 0.02%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.98% (2001)
arable land: 2.22%


permanent crops: 13.33%


other: 84.45% (1998 est.)
Languages Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic English (official), French (official), Creole
Legal system - based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law
Legislative branch - 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: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years
total population: 71.25 years


male: 65.78 years


female: 76.88 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: NA


male: NA


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


total population: 58%


male: 56%


female: 60% (1971 est.)
Location Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Map references Africa Africa
Maritime claims contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue 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: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 37,281 GRT/55,702 DWT


ships by type: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1, container 1


note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: South Africa 2 (2002 est.)
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 NA $12.8 million (FY02)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP NA 1.8% (FY02)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 23,444 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 11,639 (2003 est.)
National holiday - Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
Nationality noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)


adjective: Sahrawi,Sahrawian, Sahraouian
noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)


adjective: Seychellois
Natural hazards hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible
Natural resources phosphates, iron ore fish, copra, cinnamon trees
Net migration rate - -5.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Political parties and leaders - Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Daniel BELLE]; Mouvement Seychellois pour la Democratie [Jacques HODOUL]; Seychelles National Party or SNP (formerly the United Opposition or UO) [Wavel RAMKALAWAN]; Seychelles People's Progressive Front or SPPF [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] - the governing party
Political pressure groups and leaders none Roman Catholic Church; trade unions
Population 267,405 (July 2004 est.) 80,469 (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate NA 0.46% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun) Victoria
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (1998)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Muslim Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.8%, other Christian 2.5%, other 4.1%
Sex ratio NA at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female


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


65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female


total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed 17 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: sparse and limited system


domestic: NA


international: country code - 212; tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco
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 about 2,000 (1999 est.) 19,635 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 0 (1999) 16,316 (1999)
Television broadcast stations NA 2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997)
Terrain mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman 1.79 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate NA NA%
Waterways - none
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