Seychelles (redirected from Séchelles)

Seychelles (sāshĕlz`), officially Republic of Seychelles, republic (2005 est. pop. 81,000), c.110 sq mi (285 sq km), comprising approximately 100 islands in the Indian Ocean, c.600 mi (970 km) N of Madagascar and c.1,000 mi (1,600 km) E of Mombasa, Kenya. The capital and only urban center and port is Victoria, located on the largest island, Mahé (c.55 sq mi/140 sq km), where about 90% of the population lives.

Land, People, Economy, and Government

Mahé and the other principal islands (Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette, and Curieuse) are granitic; there are also around 50 coralline islands. The population is mainly of mixed Asian, African, and European descent; most of the inhabitants are Roman Catholic and speak a creole language, although English and French are the official languages. Fish, cinnamon, copra, and vanilla are exported. Tourism has expanded rapidly since the 1970s, and in the 1990s it became the nation's most important industry. Fishing (especially tuna) is the second leading economic activity, and there is some light manufacturing. The government is headed by a president, who is elected for a five-year term and is aided by a council of ministers. There is a 34-member legislative assembly. The country is divided into 23 administrative districts.

History

Probably known earlier to the Arabs, the Seychelles were explored by Vasco da Gama in 1502. In 1756 the French claimed the islands, and colonization by French planters and their slaves from Mauritius (Île de France) began in 1768. Britain took possession of the Seychelles in 1794 and gained permanent control of them by the Treaty of Paris (1814). The islands were administered as part of Mauritius until 1903, when they were constituted a crown colony. The first elections to a legislative council were held in 1948.

The Seychelles became self-governing in 1975 and gained independence within the Commonwealth of Nations in 1976. The first president, James Mancham, was overthrown in a bloodless coup in 1977 and replaced by Albert René, the head of the Seychelles People's Progressive Front. René suspended the existing constitution and in 1979 established a presidential government and one-party rule. He also introduced significant social reforms, maintained ties with Western nations, and fostered economic diversification. A multiparty democracy was reestablished in the Seychelles under the new constitution of 1993; René won reelection in 1993, 1998, and 2001. He retired in Apr., 2004, and was succeeded by his vice president, James Michel. In Aug., 2006, Michel was elected president in his own right.

Bibliography

See M. Franda, The Seychelles (1982).

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Seychelles

 officially Republic of Seychelles

Island country, western Indian Ocean. Area: 176 sq mi (455 sq km). Population (2005 est.): 82,800. Capital: Victoria. The mixed population is of French, African, and Asian ancestry. Languages: Creole, English, French. Religion: Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholic; also Protestant). Currency: Seychelles rupee. Located east of northeastern Tanzania, Seychelles is composed of two main island groups: the Mahé group of 40 central, mountainous, granitic islands and a second group of more than 70 outlying, flat, coralline islands. The country has a developing economy that depends heavily on tourism. Exports include fish, copra, and cinnamon. It is a republic with one legislative house; its head of state and government is the president. The first recorded landing on uninhabited Seychelles was made in 1609 by an expedition of the British East India Company. The archipelago was claimed by the French in 1756 and surrendered to the British in 1810. It became a British crown colony in 1903 and a republic within the Commonwealth in 1976. A one-party socialist state since 1979, it held multiparty elections in 1992 and adopted a new constitution in 1993.

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Seychelles

Official name: Republic of Seychelles

Capital city: Victoria

Internet country code: .sc

Flag description: Five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side

Geographical description: archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar

Total area: 176 sq. mi. (455 sq. km.)

Climate: Tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer sea­son during northwest monsoon (March to May)

Nationality: noun: Seychellois (singular and plural); adjec­tive: Seychellois

Population: 81,895 (July 2007 CIA est.)

Ethnic groups: Mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab

Languages spoken: Creole 91.8%, English 4.9%, other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2%

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%

Legal Holidays:

All Saints' Day	Nov 1
Assumption Day	Aug 15
Christmas Day	Dec 25
Good Friday	Apr 22, 2011; Apr 6, 2012; Mar 29, 2013; Apr 18, 2014; Apr 3, 2015
Holy Saturday	Apr 23, 2011; Apr 7, 2012; Mar 30, 2013; Apr 19, 2014; Apr 4, 2015
Immaculate Conception Day	Dec 8
Independence Day	Jun 29
Labour Day	May 1
Liberation Day	Jun 5
National Day	Jun 18
New Year Holiday	Jan 1

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Seychelles 

a state (since June 28, 1976) situated on a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of the island of Madagascar. The state includes the Amirantes as well as the other islands between the Seychelles, Madagascar, and the Comoro Islands. Area, 405 sq km. Population, about 69,000 in 1976, including Creoles, Africans (Bantu), Indians, Chinese, French, and others. The official languages are English and French. The predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. The city of Victoria (Mahé Island) is the capital. The most important islands are Mahé, Praslin, Silhouette, and La Digue.

The Seychelles are situated on a submarine bank and are composed of granites and syenites. Depths over the submerged portion of the bank range from 30 to 70 m. The smaller islands are partially coralline. The maximum elevation is 915 m (on Mahé Island). The climate is subequatorial maritime. Average monthly temperatures are 26°-28°C. Annual precipitation totals 4,000 mm, with summer the wettest season. In the island interiors, there are evergreen tropical forests with a large number of indigenous plants, including the fan palm sea coconut. In addition to the elephant tortoise Geochelone gigantea, there are indigenous amphibians and birds; Cousin Island has the only bird sanctuary in the Indian Ocean.

The Seychelles are an agricultural country; the main crop is the coconut palm. Cinnamon, cloves, tea, and plants for essential oils are also grown. Other economic activities include livestock raising, fishing, and tourism. Copra accounts for 50 percent of the country’s exports. The major trading partners are the USA, Great Britain, India, Kenya, and Japan. The monetary unit is the Seychelles rupee.

The Seychelles were discovered by Portuguese navigators in the early 16th century. In the mid-18th century, they were colonized by the French. Seized by the British in the late 18th century, the islands were proclaimed a British possession in 1810 and united with the possession of Mauritius in 1814. The 1880’s and 1890’s witnessed the creation of local administrative organs, such as executive and legislative councils. In 1903 the Seychelles became a crown colony of Great Britain. A national liberation movement emerged after World War II and was especially active in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Strikes took place in 1966 and 1972. In the 1960’s, the People’s United Party and the Democratic Party were created. The former favored independence for the Seychelles, while the latter advocated union with Great Britain. In 1970 the Seychelles were granted internal autonomy; they were proclaimed an independent republic on June 28, 1976.