The Seychelles

Seychelles (pronounced /seɪˈʃɛl/ or IPA: [/seɪˈʃɛlz/] in English and [seʃɛl] in French), officially the Republic of Seychelles (French: République des Seychelles; Creole: Repiblik Sesel), is an archipelago nation of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some 1,500 kilometres (930 mi) east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar. Other nearby island countries and territories include Zanzibar to the west, Mauritius and Réunion to the south, Comoros and Mayotte to the southwest, and the Suvadives of the Maldives to the northeast. Seychelles has the smallest population of any state in Africa.

Contents

• 1 History
• 2 Politics
• 3 Subdivisions
• 4 Education
• 5 Geography
• 6 Economy
• 7 Demographics
• 8 Culture
• 9 Flora and fauna
• 10 Media and telecommunications
• 11 See also
• 12 References
• 13 Further reading
• 14 External links

Republic of Seychelles Repiblik Sesel République des Seychelles
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Finis Coronat Opus" (Latin) "The End Crowns the Work"
Anthem: Koste Seselwa
Capital (and largest city)		Victoria 4°37′S 55°27′E / 4.617°S 55.45°E / -4.617; 55.45
Official languages		English, French, Seychellois Creole
Demonym		Seychellois, Seychelloise
Government		Republic
-	President	James Michel
Independence		from the United Kingdom
-	Date	29 June 1976
Area
-	Total	451 km2 (197th) 174 sq mi
-	Water (%)	negligible
Population
-	2005 estimate	87, 476 (July 2009 estimate)[1] (205th)
-	Density	194/km2 (60th) 503/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$1.807 billion[2]
-	Per capita	$21,909[2]
GDP (nominal)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$834 million[2]
-	Per capita	$10,111[2]
HDI (2007)		▲ 0.843 (high) (50th)
Currency		Seychellois rupee (SCR)
Time zone		SCT (UTC+4)
-	Summer (DST)	not observed (UTC+4)
Drives on the		left
Internet TLD		.sc
Calling code		248