Republic of Seychelles
SEYCHELLES. Republic of Seychelles
A state on the islands of the Seychelles archipelago (a total of about 115 islands, the largest being Mahé, with 46 islands considered inhabited) in the western part of the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Africa. Area - 455.3 km².
Capital - Victoria (about 26,000; on Mahé island). Population - about 80,000 (2000): Seychellois, Creoles (descendants of Europeans and Africans, as well as immigrants from Asian countries), Bantu Africans, Indians, Chinese, and others. Official languages - English, French, Creole. Religion: 80% of the population are Catholics, there are also adherents of the Anglican Church, Christian sects, Hinduism, and Islam. Currency - Seychellois rupee.
It has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on June 30, 1976).
National holiday - June 18 - Constitution Day (1993).
The Seychelles Islands are a republic. The head of state and government is the president (James Michel), elected by popular vote for a term of 5 years (the last elections were in July 2004). Legislative power belongs to the unicameral National Assembly (34 deputies; 25 are elected by popular vote, 9 are appointed by the president). Elections were held in December 2002.
Political parties: Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF) - has a majority in parliament, Democratic Party, Social Democratic Alliance, Seychelles National Party.
Trade union associations: National Trade Union of Seychelles, Seychelles Federation of Trade Unions.
The Portuguese began to penetrate the Seychelles in the 16th century. In the 18th century, they were captured by France, and in 1794 by Great Britain, and in 1814, by the Paris Treaty, they officially passed into British possession. Independence was proclaimed on June 28, 1976. On June 5, 1977, A. Michel came to power, becoming the president of the republic. In December 1991, at an Extraordinary Congress of the SPPF, President F. A. René proposed a transition to a multiparty system in Seychelles. The activity of political parties was allowed in the country. On June 18, 1993, a new constitution was adopted. It is a member of the Commonwealth, headed by Great Britain.
Since 1976 - a member of the UN and the African Union (formerly the OAU).
The economy of Seychelles is underdeveloped, the country lacks mineral resources, and industry is represented by small enterprises, mainly in the processing of agricultural products. Main agricultural crops: coconut palm, cinnamon, vanilla.
The leading sector of the economy is tourism, which employs over 1/3 of the working population. In 2004, the country was visited by 130,000 tourists.
Income per capita - about $6,500 per year.
Main export items: fish and canned fish, copra, vanilla, cinnamon. Imports include raw materials, petroleum products, machinery, and equipment. Main trading partners: EU, South Africa. External debt - at the level of $200 million (29% of GDP).
Several newspapers are published in the country. The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation and the Seychelles Press Agency (national information agency) are operational.
