Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
Seychelles was uninhabited before Europeans discovered the islands early in the 16th century. After a lengthy struggle, France eventually ceded control of the islands to Great Britain in 1814. During colonial rule, a plantation-based economy developed that relied on imported labor, primarily from European colonies in Africa. Seychelles gained independence in 1976 through negotiations with Great Britain. In 1977, Prime Minister France-Albert RENE launched a coup against the country’s first president, and Seychelles became a socialist one-party state until adopting a new constitution and holding elections in 1993.
- Capital
- Victoria
- Government
- presidential republic
- Population
- 98,187
- Area
- 455 sq km
- Location
- archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
- Climate
- tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September);
- Natural resources
- fish; coconuts (copra); cinnamon trees
- Languages
- Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%; English (official) 5.1%; French (official) 0.7%; other 3.8%…
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 76.2%; Protestant 10.5% (Anglican 6.1%; Pentecostal Assembly 1.5%; Seventh Day Adventist 1.2%…
- Independence
- 29 June 1976 (from the UK)
- Administrative divisions
- 27 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Royale, Au Cap, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Ann…
- Currency
- Seychelles rupees (SCR)
- Export partners
- France 20%; Mauritius 12%; UK 9%; Japan 8%…
- Import partners
- UAE 32%; Spain 10%; France 6%; South Africa 6%…
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain