Seychelles - officially the Republic of Seychelles is an archipelago nation of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some 1,600 km east of mainland Africa, North-East of the island of Madagascar. Other nearby island countries and territories include Mauritius and Reunion to the South, Comoros and Mayotte to the South-West, and the Suva dives of the Maldives to the North-East.
Politics - The Seychelles 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 Rene, was democratically elected after the constitutional reforms of 1992, though he had been in power since a coup d'etat in 1977. He stood down in 2004 in favor 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 Seychelles are part of the Indian Ocean Commission.
Climate - The local climate is tropical, tempered by marine influences and fairly humid. The southwest 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.
Economy - Since independence in 1976, per capita output has expanded to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services.
Demographics of Seychelles - As the islands of the Seychelles had no indigenous population; the current Seychellois are composed of immigrants, mostly of French, African, Indian, and Chinese descent. French and English are official languages along with a French-based Creole. Most Seychellois are Christians, mostly Catholics.
Culture - The folk music incorporates multiple influences in a syncretic fashion, including English contredanse, polka and mazurka, French folk and pop, Sega from Mauritius and Reunion, taarab, soukous and other pan-African genres, and Polynesian, Indian and Arcadian music.
Mahe is the biggest island. It is dominated by a mountain range that forms the backbone of the island. The highest peak, Morne Seychellois, reaches a height of 905metres and provides a perfect backdrop to the capital city Victoria. Nearby is the beautiful Ste Anne Marine National Park.
Praslin is the second biggest island. One century ago, General Gordon (of Khartoum) visited this island and became convinced that it was the location of the original earthly paradise, the Garden of Eden.
But La Digue is probably the most beautiful island. An aura of charm and tranquillity surrounds La Digue. This island is accessible by boat and helicopter; by boat about one and a half hours from Mahé and thirty minutes from Praslin. For years the way of life on La Digue has remained unchanged, transport is mainly by ox-cart or bicycle. On La Digue, time seems to stand still.
The seychelles consist of 115 islands. The Seychelles are the only granitic islands in the world which accounts for it's unusual rock formations.