Chapter 93
Defense expenditures: 245 billion dinars, 4% to 6% of GDP (1992 est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
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@Seychelles ----------
Map ---
Location: 4 35 S, 55 40 E -- Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Flag ----
Description: five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
Geography ---------
Location: Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates: 4 35 S, 55 40 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total area: 455 sq km land area: 455 sq km comparative area: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 491 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: claims Tromelin Island
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 lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees
Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 18% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 18% other: 60%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: no natural fresh water resources, catchments collect rain water natural hazards: lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Geographic note: 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands
People ------
Population: 77,575 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 31% (male 12,005; female 11,835) 15-64 years: 63% (male 24,003; female 24,946) 65 years and over: 6% (male 1,669; female 3,117) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.76% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 21.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 7.31 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.54 male(s)/female all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.24 years male: 64.23 years female: 74.39 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.09 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Seychellois (singular and plural) adjective: Seychelles
Ethnic divisions: Seychellois (mixture of Asians, Africans, Europeans)
Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 8%, other 2%
Languages: English (official), French (official), Creole
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1971 est.) total population: 58% male: 56% female: 60%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles conventional short form: Seychelles
Data code: SE
Type of government: republic
Capital: Victoria
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 Island), Grand' Anse (on Praslin Island), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK)
National holiday: National Day, 18 June (1993) (adoption of new constitution)
Constitution: 18 June 1993
Legal system: based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law
Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President France Albert RENE (since 5 June 1977) was elected for a five-year term by popular vote; election last held 20-23 July 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - President France Albert RENE (SPPF) reelected with 59.5% of the vote, Sir James MANCHAM (DP) 36.72% cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly (Assemblee du Peuple): elections last held 20-23 July 1993 (next to be held NA); results - SPPF 82%, DP 15%, UO 3%; seats - (33 total, 22 elected, 11 awarded) seats elected - SPPF 21, DP 1; seats awarded - SPPF 6, DP 4, UO 1 note: the 11 awarded seats are apportioned according to the share of each party in the total vote
Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: ruling party - Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF), France Albert RENE; Democratic Party (DP), Sir James MANCHAM; United Opposition (UO), Wavel RAMKALAWAN - a coalition of the following parties: Seychelles Party (PS), Wavel RAMKALAWAN; Seychelles Democratic Movement (MSPD), Jacques HONDOUL; Seychelles Liberal Party (SLP), Ogilvie BERLOUIS; New Democratic Party , Christopher GILL (former member of DP)
Other political or pressure groups: trade unions; Roman Catholic Church
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, C, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marc Michael R. MARENGO chancery: (temporary) 820 Second Avenue, Suite 900F, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 687-9766, 9767 FAX: [1] (212) 922-9177
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Carl Burton STOKES embassy: 4th Floor, Victoria House, Box 251, Victoria, Mahe mailing address: Box 148, Victoria; Unit 62501, APO AE 09815-2501 telephone: [248] 225256 FAX: [248] 225189
Flag: five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
Economy -------
Economic overview: Since independence in 1976, per capita output has grown to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level, led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings. 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 high 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. Although the industry has rebounded, the government recognizes the continuing need for upgrading the sector in the face of stiff international competition.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $430 million (1993 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -2% (1993 est.)
GDP per capita: $6,000 (1993 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (1993 est.)
Labor force: 27,700 (1985) by occupation: industry and commerce 31%, services 21%, government 20%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 12%, other 16% (1985)
Unemployment rate: 9% (1987)
Budget: revenues: $227.4 million expenditures: $263 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (1993 est.)
Industries: tourism, processing of coconut and vanilla, fishing, coir (coconut fiber) rope factory, boat building, printing, furniture, beverage
Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1992)
Electricity: capacity: 30,000 kW production: 110 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,399 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; expansion of tuna fishing under way
Exports: $50 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (re-exports) partners: France 43%, UK 22%, Reunion 11%, (1992)
Imports: $261 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: manufactured goods, food, petroleum products, tobacco, beverages, machinery and transportation equipment partners: Singapore 16%, Bahrain 16%, South Africa, 14%, UK 13% (1992)
External debt: $181 million (1993 est.)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 Seychelles rupee (SRe) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: Seychelles rupees (SRe) per US$1 - 4.9257 (January 1996), 4.7620 (1995), 5.0559 (1994), 5.1815 (1993), 5.1220 (1992), 5.2893 (1991)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Transportation --------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 269 km paved: 187 km unpaved: 82 km (1988 est.)
Ports: Victoria
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 14 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 with paved runways under 914 m: 6 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 8,300 (1982 est.)
Telephone 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)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0
Radios: 34,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 2
Televisions: 8,200 (1991 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, Presidential Protection Unit, Police Force
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 21,547 males fit for military service: 10,883 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP
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@Sierra Leone ------------
Map ---
Location: 8 30 N, 11 30 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
Flag ----
Description: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue
Geography ---------
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
Geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 11 30 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total area: 71,740 sq km land area: 71,620 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries: total: 958 km border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)
Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
Land use: arable land: 25% permanent crops: 2% meadows and pastures: 31% forest and woodland: 29% other: 13%
Irrigated land: 340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment: current issues: rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources; overfishing natural hazards: dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (November to May); sandstorms, dust storms international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Environmental Modification
People ------
Population: 4,793,121 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 1,057,824; female 1,092,291) 15-64 years: 52% (male 1,197,547; female 1,298,834) 65 years and over: 3% (male 75,066; female 71,559) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 4.14% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 47.13 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 18.24 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 12.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 135.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.47 years male: 44.56 years female: 50.47 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.36 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Sierra Leonean(s) adjective: Sierra Leonean
Ethnic divisions: 13 native African tribes 99% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 39%), Creole, European, Lebanese, and Asian 1%
Religions: Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10%
Languages: English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (the language of the re-settled ex-slave population of the Freetown area and is lingua franca)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic (1995 est.) total population: 31.4% male: 45.4% female: 18.2%
Government ----------
Name of country: conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone conventional short form: Sierra Leone
Data code: SL
Type of government: constitutional democracy
Capital: Freetown
Administrative divisions: 3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*
Independence: 27 April 1961 (from UK)
National holiday: Republic Day, 27 April (1961)
Constitution: 1 October 1991; subsequently amended several times
Legal system: based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state and head of government: President Ahmad Tejan KABBAH (inaugurated 29 March 1996); election held 26-27 February 1996 (next to be held NA 2000) cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Representatives: elections last held NA February 1996 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats (80 total, 68 elected, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections) SLPP 27, UNPP 17, PDP 12, APC 5, NUP 4, DCP 3; note - first elections since the former House of Representatives was shut down by the military coup of 29 April 1992
Judicial branch: Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: 15 parties registered for the February 1996 elections; National Peoples Party (NPP), Andrew TURAY; Democratic Center Party (DCP), Abu KOROMA; Peoples Progressive Party (PPP), Edward KAMARA, chairman; Coalition for Progress Party (CPP), Geredine WILLIAMS-SARHO; National Unity Movement (NUM); United National Peoples Party (UNPP); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Thaimu BANGURA, chairman; All Peoples Congress (APC), S. A. T. KOROMA, chairman; National Republican Party (NRP); Social Democratic Party (SDP); Peoples National Convention (PNC), I. B. KARGBO, chairman; National Unity Party (NUP), A. O. D. GEORGE, chairman; Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), Paul DUNBAR, chairman; National Democratic Alliance (NDA); National Alliance for Democracy Party (NADP)
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant) chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador John L. HIRSCH embassy: Corner of Walpole and Siaka Stevens Streets, Freetown mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [232] (22) 226481 through 226485 FAX: [232] (22) 225471
Flag: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue
Economy -------
Economic overview: Sierra Leone has substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources. However, the economic and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to push down production, exports, and the value of the leone. Agriculture employs about two-thirds of the working population, with subsistence agriculture dominating the sector. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. The mining of diamonds, bauxite, and rutile is the major source of hard currency. The government has worked hard to meet its IMF- and World Bank-mandated stabilization targets, holding down fiscal deficits, and retiring much of its domestic debt - but at a steep cost in terms of forgone capital investments and social spending. Moreover, the economic infrastructure has nearly collapsed due to neglect and war-related disruptions in the mining and agricultural export sectors. The continuing civil war in Liberia has led to a large influx of refugees, who place additional burdens on Sierra Leone's fragile economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.4 billion (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: -4% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $960 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: 40% industry: 17% services: 43% (1994)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 24% (1994 est.)
Labor force: 1.369 million (1981 est.) by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981 est.) note: only about 65,000 wage earners (1985)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $75 million expenditures: $128 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY94/95 est.)
Industries: mining (diamonds, bauxite, rutile); small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining
Industrial production growth rate: $NA
Electricity: capacity: 130,000 kW production: 220 million kWh consumption per capita: 44 kWh (1993)
Agriculture: rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish catch was 65,000 metric tons in 1994
Exports: $115 million (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: rutile 51%, bauxite 20%, diamonds 16%, coffee 6%, cocoa 7%, fish (1989) partners: US, UK, Belgium, Germany, other Western Europe
Imports: $150 million (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: foodstuffs 38%, machinery and equipment 44%, fuels and lubricants 18% (1989) partners: US, EU countries, Japan, China, Nigeria
External debt: $1.4 billion (yearend 1993)
Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA
Currency: 1 leone (Le) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: leones (Le) per US$1 - 951.63 (January 1996), 755.22 (1995), 586.74 (1994), 567.46 (1993), 499.44 (1992), 295.34 (1991)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Transportation --------------
Railways: total: 84 km used on a limited basis because the mine at Marampa is closed narrow gauge: 84 km 1.067-m gauge
Highways: total: 11,674 km paved: 1,284 km unpaved: 10,390 km (1992 est.)
Waterways: 800 km; 600 km navigable year round
Ports: Bonthe, Freetown, Pepel
Merchant marine: none
Airports: total: 5 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)
Communications --------------
Telephones: 17,526 (1991 est.)
Telephone system: marginal telephone and telegraph service domestic: national microwave radio relay system made unserviceable by military activities international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 980,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 1
Televisions: 45,000 (1992 est.)
Defense -------
Branches: Army, Navy, Police, Security Forces
Manpower availability: males age 15-49: 1,019,093 males fit for military service: 494,451 (1996 est.)
Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $14 million, 2.6% of GDP (FY92/93)
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@Singapore ---------
Map ---
Location: 1 22 N, 103 48 E -- Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Flag ----
Description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Geography ---------
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total area: 632.6 sq km land area: 622.6 sq km comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: two islands in dispute with Malaysia
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry seasons; thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April)
Terrain: lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports
Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 5% other: 84%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment: current issues: industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change
Geographic note: focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
People ------
Population: 3,396,924 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 379,076; female 358,739) 15-64 years: 72% (male 1,220,131; female 1,219,412) 65 years and over: 6% (male 97,882; female 121,684) (July 1996 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.9% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 16.28 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 7.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.13 years male: 75.07 years female: 81.39 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: Singaporean(s) adjective: Singapore
Ethnic divisions: Chinese 76.4%, Malay 14.9%, Indian 6.4%, other 2.3%
Religions: Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist