Seychelles

Facts & Figures

Republic of Seychelles
President: Wavel Ramkalawan (2020)
Total area: 176 sq mi (456 sq km)
Population (2022 est.): 97,017 (growth rate: .64%); birth rate: 12.37/1000; infant mortality rate: 10.6/1000; life expectancy: 76.1.
Capital and largest city (2018 est.): Victoria, 28,000
Monetary unit: Seychelles rupee
Current government officials
Languages: Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)
Ethnicity/race: predominantly Creole (mainly of East African and Malagasy heritage); also French, Indian, Chinese, and Arab populations
Religions: Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 10.6% (Anglican 6.1%, Pentecoastal Assembly 1.5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1.2%, other Protestant 1.6), other Christian 2.4%, Hindu 2.4%, Muslim 1.6%, other non-Christian 1.1%, unspecified 4.8%, none 0.9% (2010 est.)
Literacy rate: 95.9% (2018 est.)
Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2020 est.): $2.4 billion; per capita $24,400. Real growth rate: 5.3%. Inflation: 1.8%. Unemployment: 3% (2017 est.). Arable land: 2.2%. Agriculture: coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (manioc, tapioca), copra, bananas; poultry; tuna. Labor force: 51,000 (2018); industry 23%, services 74%, agriculture 3% (2006). Industries: fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages. Natural resources: fish, copra, cinnamon trees. Exports: $1.09 billion (2020 est.): canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports). Major trading partners (exports): United Arab Emirates 17%, United Kingdom 13%, France 12%, British Virgin Islands 11%, Zambia 9%, Mauritius 5%, Japan 5% (2019): machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals, other manufactured goods. Imports: 1.35 billion (2019); recreational boats, refined petroleum, fish, aircraft, cars. Major trading partners (imports): United Arab Emirates 21%, Qatar 13%, British Virgin Islands 7%, Germany 6%, France 6%, China 5%, Spain 5%, South Africa 5% (2019).
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 18,882 (2020); mobile cellular: 183,498 (2020). Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1 (2007); the national broadcaster, Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), which is funded by taxpayer money, operates the only terrestrial TV station, which provides local programming and airs broadcasts from international services; a privately owned Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel also provides local programming multi-channel cable and satellite TV are available through 2 providers; the national broadcaster operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; there are 2 privately operated radio stations; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2019). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 247 (2012). Internet users: 77,785 (2020).
Transportation: Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 526 km km; paved: 514 km; unpaved: 12 km (2015). Ports and harbors: Victoria. Airports: 14 (2021).
International disputes: claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory).
Major sources and definitions

Index

Seychelles Profile

Geography

The Seychelles consist of an archipelago of about 100 islands in the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar. The principal islands are Mahé (55 sq mi; 142 sq km), Praslin (15 sq mi; 38 sq km), and La Digue (4 sq mi; 10 sq km). The Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches groups are included in the territory of the republic.

Government

Socialist multiparty republic.

History

The Seychelles were uninhabited when the British East India Company arrived on the archipelago in 1609. Thereafter, they became a favorite pirate haven. The French claimed the islands in 1756 and administered them as part of the colony of Mauritius. The British gained control of the islands through the Treaty of Paris (1814) and changed the islands' name from the French Séchelles to the Anglicized Seychelles.

The islands became self-governing in 1975 and independent on June 29, 1976. They have remained a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Their first president, James Mancham, was overthrown in 1977 by the prime minister, France-Albert René. At first René created a Socialist state with a one-party system, but later he reintroduced a multiparty system as well as various reforms.

To increase revenue, in 1996 the government quietly initiated an Economic Citizenship Program that provides foreigners with the opportunity to obtain a Seychelles passport upon payment of $25,000. A new law in late 1995 had granted immunity from criminal prosecution to anyone investing $10 million in the country.

In April 2004, President France-Albert René stepped down after 27 years in power. His vice president, James Michel, who had also served in the government for 27 years, assumed the presidency. In July 2006, Michel won reelection with 53.7% of the vote.

In presidential elections held May 19–21, 2011 incumbent James Michel (People's Party) won his third term with 55% of the vote against Wavel Ramkalawan's (Seychelles National Party) 41%. Voter turnout was 84% over a three-day period, which allowed for voters on outlying islands to participate.

See also Encyclopedia: Seychelles
U.S. State Dept. Country Notes: Seychelles .