Seychelles

Overview
The Seychelles islands remained uninhabited for more than 150 years, most Seychellois are (Creoles) descendants of early French settlers and the African slaves brought to the Seychelles in the 19th century by the British, who freed them from slave ships on the East African coast
The culture is mixed European, Arabic and Asian
Former British Colony
Achieved independence on June 29, 1976

Facts

Form of Government
Republic
Head of State is the President who is elected every 5 years
President is eligible for two terms

Government structure
President, Unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationales

Military Statistics
Manpower fit for military service: 39,482People
Expenditures: 2% of GDP (2006 )
Branches: Seychelles Defence Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing) and National Guard

Former Rulers

1976 to 1977 Sir James Richard Marie Mancham
1977 – 2004 France-Albert René
2004 –present James Alix Michel

Capital
Victoria
Altitude: 80 metres
Population: 22,881 People (2004)

Population
Size: 90,945 (2010)
Life Expectancy: 73 (years)
Gender make-up: Female - 51.77%, Male – 48.23%

GDP
$11,117 (2011)

Geography
Area: 455sqkm
Land Boundaries: None

Major Languages
Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), French 3.1%, unspecified 0.2%

Religious Portfolio
Christianity 93.2 %, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6%

National Make-up
Mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, Arab

Natural Resources
Fish, Copra, Cinnamon trees

Main exports
Fish, Cinnamon bark, Copra, Petroleum products

Land Use
Arable land: 2.17%
Permanent crops: 13.04%
other: 84.79%

Monetary unit/currency
Seychelles Rupee

Dialling Code
+248

Internet Code
.sc

Transport
Main Airport: Seychelles International Airport located 11km South-East of the capital and is accessible by the Victoria - Providence Highway
Main Port: Port Victoria

Modern issues

Environmental
Water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater

Political
The Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) has been the ruling party since 1977, when France Albert Rene came to power through coup
Mr. Michel was peacefully re-elected in May 2011 with a promise to revamp the country's economy battered by the 2008 global economic slump. He has delivered - extensive and continuing reform has improved the macroeconomic picture.

Economic
Dependant on tourism industry
Fishing in Seychelles, notably tuna fishing, is rapidly becoming a significant factor in the economy

Piracy has been a real headache in 2011. It is estimated to have cost the nation US$ 17 million but that doesn’t include the added cost of patrols within their territorial waters
Plantation based farming also contributes to country’s economy

Social
Racism (discrimination depending on colour of skin)
Alcoholism is prevalent in the society
Domestic violence and sexual abuse

Foreign Policy issues
Has retained strong ties were retained with the USSR, Cuba, Angola, North Korea, and Tanzania
Seychelles has improved its relations with the US and Western Europe
Mauritius and Seychelles both claim the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)

The Major Conflicts

British-French colonial conflict
When: 1810 -1814
Who : British and French
Why : Territory
Outcome: Seychelles was annexed from Mauritius and it became British territory

What to see
Giant tortoise and sea turtles
Seychelles Beach - La Digue
Vauxhall Bridge Tower Clock in Victoria
Château Saint-Cloud

Sports
Popular Sports
Soccer

Famous Sportsmen and Sportswomen
Andy Mougal: A famous striker on national football team

Quirks
Honourable Wavel Ramkalawan was suspended from the House in 1995 for tearing the President of the Republic’s photo from the official diary and had to apologise on his return
On November 11, 1997, Wavel Ramkalawan assaulted honourable Barry Faure in the corridors of the National Assembly