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Official languages English, French and Seychellois Creole Capital Victoria President James Michel Area
- Total
- % water Ranked 177th
455 km²
Negligible Population
- Total (year)
- Density Ranked 182st
81,188 (2005 est.)
178/km² HDI (2003) 0.821 (51st) – high Independence
- Date From the United Kingdom
June 29, 1976 Currency Seychelles rupee Time zone UTC +4 National anthem Koste Seselwa Internet TLD .sc Calling Code 248 |
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Seychelles Information
Main article: Politics of Seychelles
The Seychellois president, who is both head of state and head of government, is elected by popular vote for a five-year term of office. The previous president, France-Albert René, was democratically elected after the constitutional reforms of 1992, though he had been in power since a coup d'état in 1977. He stood down in 2004 in favour of his vice-president, James Michel. The cabinet is presided over and appointed by the president, subject to the approval of a majority of the legislature.
The unicameral Seychellois parliament, the National Assembly or Assemblée Nationale, consists of 34 members, of whom 25 are elected directly by popular vote, while the remaining 9 seats are appointed proportionally according to the percentage of votes received by each party. All members serve five-year terms.
Politics is a topic of hot debate in the country - with many claiming there is a social and economic divide between the two leading parties and their supporters.
The Seychelles are part of the Indian Ocean Commission.
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 Map of the Seychelles
Map of the Seychelles
Main article: Geography of Seychelles
The Seychelles constitute an Morne Seychellois at 905 m.
The local climate is tropical, tempered by marine influences and fairly humid. The southeast monsoon is a generally cooler season which lasts from late May to September, while the warmer northwest monsoon lasts from October to May. The Seychelles are fortunate to lie outside the tropical cyclone belt.
Seychelles largely escaped the Asian Tsunami of December 2004 spawned by an earthquake. However, the islands did see significant flooding and damage - as well as loss of marine life and death toll of two persons.
 Anse Lazio on Praslin, an island of the Seychelles
Anse Lazio on Praslin, an island of the Seychelles
 25 cent coins from Seychelles
25 cent coins from Seychelles
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 palm spider, Seychelles
palm spider, Seychelles
Seychelles is known for success stories in protecting its flora and fauna. Conservation started in the 1960's by a small group of local enthusiasts, and the government has strictly protected the natural heritage of the islands for many years. Flagship species, the Seychelles Magpie Robin and the Seychelles Warbler, have been rescued from the brink of extinction by BirdLife International and Nature Seychelles with the support of the government. These birds, once restricted to one island each, have been translocated to many others. Seychelles has 12 endemic bird species including the Seychelles Flycatcher, Scops Owl, White Eye, Swiftlet, Kestrel, Blue Pigeon and Sunbird.
Seychelles is home to 2 U.N.E.S.C.O World Heritage Sites run by the Seychelles Islands Foundation. They include the island of Aldabra, which is the world's largest raised coral atoll and also the Vallée de Mai on Praslin island, which is believed to be the original site of the Garden of Eden. The Cousin Island Special Reserve, purchased by BirdLife International in 1968, is an internationally-known bird and marine sanctuary which has won several awards. Seychelles has six national marine parks including the St. Anne National Marine Park located adjacent to the captial, Port Victoria. Much of the land territory (about 40%) and a substantial part of the coastal sea around Seychelles are protected.
The islands are also the home to 81 endemic plant species. Well-known is the Coco de mer, a species of palm that grows only on the islands of Praslin and Curieuse. Sometimes nicknamed the 'love nut' because of its suggestive shape, the coco-de-mer is the world's largest seed. The jellyfish tree is to be found in only a few locations today. This strange and ancient plant has resisted all efforts to propagate it.
The giant tortoises from Aldabra now populate many of the islands of the Seychelles. These unique reptiles can be found even in captive herds. The granitic islands of Seychelles were once thought to have at least three distinct species of giant tortoises but recent genetic research on living as well as preserved specimens has shown they are all of Aldabra origin.
Seychelles hosts some of the largest seabird colonies in the world. Islands such as Bird, Aride, Cousin, Aldabra and Cosmoledo host many species of seabirds including the Sooty tern, Fairy tern, White-tailed tropic bird, Noddies and Frigatebirds.
The marine life around the islands, especially the more remote coral islands, is spectacular. More than 1000 species of fish have been recorded. Since the use of spearguns and dynamite for fishing was banned through efforts of local conservationists in the 1960's, the fish life is unafraid of snorklers and divers.
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Birds of the Seychelles Ian Bullock, Adrian Skerrett, Tony Disley
Bradt travel Guide: Seychelles Lynnath Beckleya and Lyn Mair
The History of Slavery in Mauritius and the Seychelles, 1810-1875 Moses D. E., Nwulia
Insight Guide: Mauritius, Réunion and Seychelles Emily Hatchwell
Insight Pocket Guide: Seychelles Judith Skerrett
Lonely Planet World Guide: Mauritius, Réunion and Seychelles Jan Dodd, Madeleine Philippe
Political Castaways Christopher Lee
The Seychelles Michael Friedel
Seychelles Vincenzo Paolillo
Seychelles: Garden of Eden in the Indian Ocean Sarah Carpin
Seychelles: The New Era France René
Seychelles Since 1770: History of a Slave and Post-Slavery Society Deryck Scarr
'Rivals in Eden' and 'Hard Times in Paradise' Bill McAteer
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