Seychelles

Gama armada of 1502 (Livro de Lisuarte de Abreu)

Seychelles 1953 coronation stamp.JPG

Queen Elizabeth Seychelles stamp 1977

Victoria Seychelles 1900s

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Republic of Seychelles
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Finis Coronat Opus"
Anthem: "Koste Seselwa"
Capital	Victoria
Largest city	Victoria
Official languages	English, French, Seychellois Creole
Ethnic groups	93.2% Seychellois Creole, 3.8% Indian, 1.1% Chinese, 1.9% Other
Government	Unitary presidential republic
• President	Wavel Ramkalawan
Area
• Total	459 km2 (177 sq mi) (180th)
Population
• 2021 estimate	98,462
• Density	214/km2 (554.3/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2021 estimate
• Total	$3.1 billion
Currency	Seychellois rupee (SCR)
Time zone	UTC+4 (SCT)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+248
ISO 3166 code	[[ISO 3166-2:SC |SC ]]
Internet TLD	.sc

Seychelles, officially the Republic of Seychelles, is an island country in the Indian Ocean. The country consists of 115 islands, with its capital and largest city being Victoria, located on Mahé Island. Seychelles is located northeast of Madagascar and about 1,600 km east of Kenya.

History

The islands of Seychelles were uninhabited until the 18th century when they were first settled by the French. The islands were named after Jean Moreau de Séchelles, a French politician. In 1814, Seychelles was ceded to the United Kingdom and became a British colony. Seychelles gained independence on June 29, 1976, and became a republic within the Commonwealth.

Geography

Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands, with the majority of the population living on the islands of Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue. The islands are divided into two groups: the Inner Islands and the Outer Islands. The Inner Islands are granitic and mountainous, while the Outer Islands are mostly coral atolls and reef islands.

Climate

Seychelles has a tropical climate with high humidity and temperatures ranging from 24°C to 30°C throughout the year. The islands experience two main seasons: the northwest monsoon from November to March and the southeast monsoon from May to September.

Economy

The economy of Seychelles is primarily based on tourism, fishing, and agriculture. The country has a high Human Development Index and a relatively high standard of living compared to other African nations. The government has been working to diversify the economy by promoting offshore banking and information technology.

Demographics

The population of Seychelles is a mix of different ethnic groups, including Seychellois Creole, Indian, Chinese, and others. The official languages are English, French, and Seychellois Creole. The majority of the population practices Christianity, with Roman Catholicism being the dominant denomination.

Culture

Seychelles has a rich cultural heritage influenced by African, European, and Asian traditions. The country is known for its music, dance, and cuisine, which reflect this diverse heritage. Popular music genres include Sega and Moutya.

Government and Politics

Seychelles is a unitary presidential republic. The President is both the head of state and the head of government. The National Assembly is the legislative body, and the judiciary is independent.

Transportation

The main modes of transportation in Seychelles include air travel, sea travel, and road transport. The country has one international airport, Seychelles International Airport, located on Mahé Island. Inter-island travel is facilitated by ferries and domestic flights.

See also

• List of islands of Seychelles
• Geography of Seychelles
• Economy of Seychelles
• Tourism in Seychelles