Seychelles is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean. It was uninhabited when first discovered by Europeans in the early 1500s and remained that way for over 150 years. In 1756 the French took formal possession of the islands. They were named after a French finance minister. After the Napoleonic wars in 1814, the Seychelles were taken over by the British. In 1903, the islands became a British Crown Colony.
The Seychelles became an independent country in 1976. They had the same president, France-Albert Rene, who led from 1977 to 2004.
The Geography of Seychelles
Total Size: 455 square km
Size Comparison: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
General Terrain: Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs
Geographical Low Point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Geographical High Point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Climate: tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
Major cities: VICTORIA (capital) 26,000 (2009)
The People of Seychelles
Type of Government: republic
Languages Spoken: Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census)
Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK)
National Holiday: Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
Nationality: Seychellois (singular and plural)
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% (2002 census)
National Symbol:
National Anthem or Song: Koste Seselwa (Seychellois Unite)
Economy of Seychelles
Major Industries: fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
