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Seychelles:
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Other pages in this profile of the Seychelles:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Definition 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. |
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Location |
Definition archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar |
Geographic coordinates |
Definition 4 35 S, 55 40 E |
Map references |
Definition Africa |
Area |
Definition - World rank and map total: 455 sq km land: 455 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative |
Definition 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
Land boundaries |
Definition 0 km |
Coastline |
Definition 491 km |
Maritime claims |
Definition 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 |
Definition tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) |
Terrain |
Definition Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs |
Elevation extremes |
Definition lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m |
Natural resources |
Definition fish, copra, cinnamon trees |
Land use |
Definition - World rank and map arable land: 2.17% permanent crops: 13.04% other: 84.79% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
Definition NA |
Natural hazards |
Definition lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible |
Environment - current issues |
Definition water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater |
Environment - international agreements |
Definition 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 |
Definition 41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands |
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