Seychelles

Official name: Republic of Seychelles

Capital city: Victoria

Internet country code: .sc

Flag description: Five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side

Geographical description: archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar

Total area: 176 sq. mi. (455 sq. km.)

Climate: Tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer sea­son during northwest monsoon (March to May)

Nationality: noun: Seychellois (singular and plural); adjec­tive: Seychellois

Population: 81,895 (July 2007 CIA est.)

Ethnic groups: Mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab

Languages spoken: Creole 91.8%, English 4.9%, other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2%

Religions: Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6%

a state (since June 28, 1976) situated on a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of the island of Madagascar. The state includes the Amirantes as well as the other islands between the Seychelles, Madagascar, and the Comoro Islands. Area, 405 sq km. Population, about 69,000 in 1976, including Creoles, Africans (Bantu), Indians, Chinese, French, and others. The official languages are English and French. The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. The city of Victoria (Mahé Island) is the capital. The most important islands are Mahé, Praslin, Silhouette, and La Digue.

The Seychelles are situated on a submarine bank and are composed of granites and syenites. Depths over the submerged portion of the bank range from 30 to 70 m. The smaller islands are partially coralline. The maximum elevation is 915 m (on Mahé Island). The climate is subequatorial maritime. Average monthly temperatures are 26°-28°C. Annual precipitation totals 4,000 mm, with summer the wettest season. In the island interiors, there are evergreen tropical forests with a large number of indigenous plants, including the fan palm sea coconut. In addition to the elephant tortoise Geochelone gigantea, there are indigenous amphibians and birds; Cousin Island has the only bird sanctuary in the Indian Ocean.

The Seychelles are an agricultural country; the main crop is the coconut palm. Cinnamon, cloves, tea, and plants for essential oils are also grown. Other economic activities include livestock raising, fishing, and tourism. Copra accounts for 50 percent of the country’s exports. The major trading partners are the USA, Great Britain, India, Kenya, and Japan. The monetary unit is the Seychelles rupee.

The Seychelles were discovered by Portuguese navigators in the early 16th century. In the mid-18th century, they were colonized by the French. Seized by the British in the late 18th century, the islands were proclaimed a British possession in 1810 and united with the possession of Mauritius in 1814. The 1880’s and 1890’s witnessed the creation of local administrative organs, such as executive and legislative councils. In 1903 the Seychelles became a crown colony of Great Britain. A national liberation movement emerged after World War II and was especially active in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Strikes took place in 1966 and 1972. In the 1960’s, the People’s United Party and the Democratic Party were created. The former favored independence for the Seychelles, while the latter advocated union with Great Britain. In 1970 the Seychelles were granted internal autonomy; they were proclaimed an independent republic on June 28, 1976.