Seychelles

I

Introduction

Seychelles, island republic in the western Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar. The Seychelles are an archipelago of some 115 islands with a total land area of 455 sq km (176 sq mi).

II

Land and Resources

The country consists of two distinct island groups: the Mahé group in the north and a chain of low-lying coral islands stretching to the south. All the country’s principal islands belong to the Mahé group; they include Mahé Island (the largest), Praslin, Silhouette, La Digue, and 28 smaller islands. The 83 coral islands are largely without water resources, and most are uninhabited.

Rising abruptly from the sea, the Seychelles are the exposed part of a submarine bank in line with Madagascar, with which they show similarities in geology and native plant and animal life. They have, however, some unique plants, such as the coco de mer (sea coconut), a coconut with a two-lobed nut in one husk. The highest peak is Morne Seychellois (905 m/2,969 ft) on Mahé. Most of the larger islands are of granite formation and the smaller ones coral.

Rainfall varies from an average of about 2,300 mm (about 90 in) a year at sea level to more than 3,400 mm (more than 135 in) at the highest elevations. Temperatures remain warm year-round, ranging from 24° to 29°C (75° to 85°F).

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III

People

The population of the Seychelles (2009 estimate) is 87,476. The capital, principal city, and leading port is Victoria on Mahé Island. About 90 percent of the country’s population lives on Mahé. Most people are of mixed French and African descent; Indian and Chinese minorities are also present. The official languages are Creole (a patois based on French), English, and French. Some 98 percent of the population is Christian, most of them Roman Catholic.

IV

Economy

Tourism and tuna fishing are the principal drivers of the Seychelles economy. Receipts from tourism were $285 million in 2007, when 161,000 tourists visited the country. Seychelles fishers net enough tuna to satisfy domestic need and supply a significant canning industry. Various fruits are grown for domestic consumption, but the staple food, rice, must be imported. Besides canned tuna, exports include petroleum (imported and then reexported), copra, and cinnamon bark. Guano is the country’s only mineral resource. An international airport and major port are located at Victoria.

In 2007 the national budget included $369 million in revenue and $376 in expenditure. The unit of currency is the Seychelles rupee (6.70 rupees equal U.S. $1; 2007 average).

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