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Seychelles |
AREA | 454 sq km (175 sq miles). |
POPULATION | 78,500 (1998). |
POPULATION DENSITY | 173 per sq km. |
CAPITAL | Victoria (Mahé). |
CAPITAL POPULATION | 70,000 (1998). |
GEOGRAPHY | The Seychelles Archipelago occupies 400,000 sq km (150,000 sq miles) of the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar and contains 115 islands and islets. These fall into two groups of markedly different appearance, stemming from their distinct geologies: Granitic: A dense cluster of 42 islands, the only mid-ocean group in the world with a granite rock formation. Their lush green vegetation is tropical in character, with a profusion of coconut palms, bananas, mangoes, yams, breadfruit and other tropical fruit. Indigenous forest exists on the higher slopes, where cinnamon and tea are planted. All, including the second largest, Praslin, are less than 65km (40 miles) from Mahé. Coralline: Isolated coral outcrops speckling a vast area of the Indian Ocean to the southwest of the granitic group. They rise only a few feet above sea level but are covered with rich and dense vegetation due to fertilisation by copious amounts of guano. There is no permanent population. Aldabra, the largest atoll in the world, contains one third of all Seychellois land and is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. The largest island in either group is Mahé, lying 4°S of the equator. It is 27km (17 miles) long by 8km (5 miles) wide and contains Victoria, the capital and main port, and 90% of the population. Mahé is typical of the granitic islands, being mountainous and covered with jungle vegetation. Its highest point, indeed the highest point in the Seychelles, is Morne Seychellois (905m/2970ft). The isolated nature of the Seychelles has given rise to the evolution of many unique species of flora and fauna, including the coco-de-mer palm and unique varieties of orchid, giant tortoise, gecko, chameleon and 'flying fox' (fruitbat). National parks and reserves have been set up to protect this heritage. The Seychellois are descended from a mixture of French and British landowners, freed African slaves and a small number of Indian and Chinese immigrants, creating a unique culture. |
GOVERNMENT | Republic since 1976. Gained independence from the UK in 1975. Head of State and Government: President France Albert René since 1977. |
LANGUAGE | The official languages are Creole, English and French. |
RELIGION | 92% Roman Catholic with Anglican, Seventh Day Adventist, Muslim and other minorities. |
STANDARD TIME | GMT + 4. |
ELECTRICITY | 240 volts AC, 50Hz. British 3-pin plugs are in use. |
Saudi Arabia |
AREA | 2,240,000 sq km (864,869 sq miles). |
POPULATION | 19,494,000 (1997). |
POPULATION DENSITY | 8.4 per sq km. |
CAPITAL | Riyadh. |
CAPITAL POPULATION | 1,975,000 (1990). |
GEOGRAPHY | Saudi Arabia occupies four-fifths of the Arabian peninsula. It is bordered to the northwest by Jordan, to the north by Iraq and Kuwait, to the east by the Gulf of Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, and to the south by Yemen. To the west lies the Red Sea. Along the Red Sea coast is a narrow coastal strip (Tihama) which becomes relatively hotter and more humid towards the south and has areas of extensive tidal flats and lava fields. Behind this coastal plain is a series of plateaux reaching up to 2000m (6560ft). The southern part of this range, Asir, has some peaks of over 3000m (9840ft). North of these mountains, in the far north, is An Nafud, a sand sea, and further south the landscape rises to Najd, a semi-desert area scattered with oases. Still further south the land falls away, levelling out to unremitting desert, the uninhabited 'Empty Quarter' or Rub al Khali. Along the Gulf coast is a low fertile plain giving way to limestone ridges inland. |
GOVERNMENT | Absolute monarchy since 1932. Head of State and Government: King Fahd Ibn Abdel-Aziz al Sa'ud since 1982. |
LANGUAGE | Arabic. English is spoken in business circles. |
RELIGION | The majority of Saudi Arabians are Sunni Muslim, but Shia Muslims predominate in the Eastern Province. |
STANDARD TIME | GMT + 3. |
ELECTRICITY | 125/215 volts AC, 50/60Hz. |