DOCUMENT RESUME ED 063 213 SO 003 020 AUTHOR Stoddard, Theodore L.; And Others TITLE Area Hanabook for the Indian OceanTerritories. INSTITUTION American Univ., Washington, D.C. Foreign Area Studies. PUB DATE 71 NOTE 174p. EDRS PRICE MF-$0.65 HC-$6.5 8 DESCRIPTORS *Area Studies; Cultural Context; Demography; *Developing Nations; Economics; *Ethnic Groups; *Foreign Culture; Foreign Relations; Geography; Governmental Structure; Guides; History; Institutions; Religion; Social Structure; Social Systems ABSTRACT This volume, one of a series of handbooks on foreign culture, is intended as a reference tool formilitary and other personnel requiring an objective, comprehensive, andbalanced description of the Indian Ocean Territories, namely, the two republics of Meldives and Mauritius, and the two European dependencies of Seychelles and Reunion. An analytical appraisalof social, economic, and political aspects is provided withemphasis on the interaction of these societal elements in anattempt to convey to the reader an understanding of the country and the peopleof the area who widely differ in ethnic backgrounds and from opeterritory to another. The handbook provides a description of notonlythe physical characteristics of the territories but also of changes that are expected to occur. Since none of the territories areeconomically self-sufficient, the need for econanic diversif ication and development is a recurring theme. Other information about the territories includes historical background, physical environment, population and labor force, ethnic groups, languages,religion, culture and security. Additional features are an area summaryand a bibliography. Related documents are: SO 002 053 through SO002 058, SO 002 428, and SO 002 249.(Author/SJM) U.S. DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE OFFICE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HASBEEN REPRO- DUCED EXACTLY ASRECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATIONORIG- INATING IT POINTS OF VIEWOR OPIN- IONS STATED DO NOTNECESSARILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICEOF EDU- CATION POSITION OR POUCY AREA HANDBOOK for THE INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORIES Co-Authors Theodore I., Stoddard William H. Carr Daniel L. Spencer Nancy E. Walstrom Audrey B. Whiteley Prepared for The American University by the Institute for Cross-Cultural Research Research and writing were completed March 19, 1971 Pubished 1971 DA PAM 550-154 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 73-171984 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402Price $2.25 3 4 FOREWORD This volume is one of a series of handbooks prepared under the auspices of Foreign Area Studies (FAS) of The American Univer- sity, designed to be useful to military and other personnel who need a convenient compilation of basic facts about the social, eco- nomic, political and military institutions and practices of various countries. The emphasis is on objective description of the nation's present society and the kinds of possible or probable changes that might be expected in the future. The handbook seeks to present as full and as balanced an integrated exposition as limitations on space and research time permit. It was compiled from information available in openly published material. Extensive bibliographies are provided to permit recourse to other published sourcesfor more detailed information. There has been no attempt to express any specific point of view or to make policy recommendations.The contents of the handbook represent the work of the authors and FAS and do not represent the official view of the United States Government. An effort has been made to make the handbook as comprehen- sive as possible. It can be expected, however, that the material, interpretations, and conclusions are subject to modification in the light of new information and developments. Such corrections, ad- ditions, and suggestions for factual, interpretative, or other change as readers may have will be welcomed for use in future revisions. Comments may be addressed to: The Director Foreign Area Studies The American University 5010 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C.20016 in AIP PREFACE The gradual withdrawal of British forces from southern Asia beginning in the late 1960s, and the simultaneous appearance of Soviet naval forces in the same region have focused world atten- tion on the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean area. Among the enduring features of the area are the widely scattered island groups that have served as bases for British and French forces from the early days of the colonial era. Two of the island territo- ries recently have become independent republics, and political pressures for more autonomy are being felt elsewhere. None of the territories is economically self-sufficient, however, and the need for economic diversification and development is a recurring theme. Throughout the area people of widely different ethnic back- grounds have been brought together, and they have formed socie- ties that differ substantially from one territory to another. The social, political, and economic factors affecting their lives are de- scribed here to the extent that published information permits. This handbook has been written for The American University by individual contributors under the direction of the Institute for Cross-Cultural Research. The maps were drawn by Frank and Clare Ford, and the Index was compiled by Anne L. Carr. A Glossary also has been compiled for the convenience of the reader. 5 AREA SUMMARY 1. POLITICAL UNITS : The areaincludes two independent states and two European dependencies. TheRepublic of Maldives became independent in 1965, and Mauritius became anindependent mem- ber of the British Commonwealth in 1968.Parts of Seychelles, a British Crown Colony, including the AldabraIslands, the Far-. quhar Islands, the island of Desroches in theAmirante group, and the Chagos Archipelago (formerly adependency of Mauritius) were joined administrativelyin 1965 to form a new colony called the British Indian Ocean Territory. The territoryis administered by the Governor of Seychelle& The island ofReunion (sometimes La Reunion; formerly Bourbon) has been an overseasdepartment of France since 1946. 2. GOVERNMENTS: The Republic of Maldives isgoverned by a President who is elected by a unicameral legislaturewhich is elected by popular vote. The President's election isconfirmed by popular referendum. Mauritius has a unicameral systemof parlia- mentary government headed by a Prime Minister whois appointed by a Governor-General representing Queen Elizabeth II.The Prime Minister is assisted by a Council of Ministers. He is theleader of the majority party in the legislature which is elected byuniversal suffrage. The Colony of Seychelles is governed by an electedGov- erning Council which combines legislative and executIvefunctions. A Governor appointed by Queen Elizabeth also serves asCommis- sioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory. TheFrench Over- seas Department of Reunion isadministered by a Prefect who is appointed by the central government's ifinister of theInterior. The island elects three Deputies and two Senators tothe French National Assembly. It also elects a local representative assembly, called the General Council, a President of the Council,and other municipal councils. 3. CONSTITUTIONS: The Maldives constitution was promul- gated in 1964 and modified in 1968. TheMauritius constitution was promulgated in 1967 and amendedin 1969. A new constitu- tion for Seychelles was approved in the 1970 elections.Reunion abides by the French constitution of the Fifth Republicwhich came into force in 1958. 4. POPULATIONS :Maldives.107,000 persons, derived primarily vu from India and Ceylon, with some Arab and Negro admixture. Emigration is negligible. Seychelles. 51,000 persons (1969), pri- marily Creole (Africans mixed with Europeans), Africans, Indi- ans, and Europeans. Mau7itius. 810,000 persons (1968), Indo- Mauritians, 60 perc ; Sino-Mauritians, 3 percent; mixed Afri- can-European and others, 37 percent Rate of emigration is about 4.5 per thousand per year. Reunion. 426,000 persons (1969), pri- marily Creole (Africans mixed with Europeans), Hindu Indians, Muslim Indians, Chinese, and Europeans. Emigration rate is about six percent per year. 5. GEOGRAPHY: Maldives. About 215 small, flat, low, coral is- lands distributed over a 500 mile long archipelago have a total area of about 100 square miles. Seychelles. Thirty-two granitic (high) islands and sixty to seventy coralline (low) islands with a cumulative area of about 100 square miles. Mauritius. The island consists of a broad plateau with several low mountain groups. It is surrounded by a coral reef and covers 720 square miles. Reunion. The 969 square mile island has a narrow coastal plain surrounding a central mountainous massif which is divided by a high plateau. 6. LANGUAGES: Maldives. The national language is Male, which is related to Sinhalese of Ceylon. Seychelles. English is the official language, French is the most prestigious one, and Creole is the most common. Mauritius. English is the official language. Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, and other Indian languages also are spoken. Reunion. French is the official language. Creole, Tamil (Indian), and Gujarati (Indian) also are widely spoken. 7. RELIGIONS: Maldives. Islam is the state religion. There is a small Hindu minority. Seychelles. Ninety percent Roman Catholic, eight percent Church of England, and the remainder is Hindu or Muslim. Mauritius. Forty percent Hindu, thirty percent Christian, fourteen percent Muslim, and the remainder