Seychelles ( Seychelles) is a country in Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar. Seychelles geographic coordinates 4 35 S, 55 40 E; area 455 sq km; area comparative 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC; land boundaries 0 km; coastline 491 km; maritime claims 20; climate tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer seaso; terrain Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs; elevation extremes Morne Seychellois 905 m; natural resources fish, copra, cinnamon trees; land use 84.45% (2001); irrigated land NA sq km; natural hazards lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible; environment current issues water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater; environment international agreements none of the selected agreements; geography note 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands;

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A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. The most recent presidential elections were held 31 August-2 September 2001. President RENE, who has served since 1977, was re-elected. On 14 April 2004 RENE stepped down and Vice President James MICHEL was sworn in as president. government type republic; capital Victoria; administrative divisions 23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka; independence 29 June 1976 (from UK); national holiday Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993); constitution 18 June 1993; legal system based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law; suffrage 17 years of age; universal;

people

Seychelles population 81,188 (July 2005 est.); age structure 6.2% (male 1,622/female 3,392) (2005 est.); median age 28.76 years (2005 est.); population growth rate 0.43% (2005 est.); birth rate 16.22 births/1,000 population (2005 est.); death rate 6.34 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.); net migration rate -5.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.); sex ratio 0.93 male(s)/female (2005 est.); infant mortality rate 19.65 deaths/1,000 live births; life expectancy at birth 77.4 years (2005 est.); total fertility rate 1.75 children born/woman (2005 est.); hiv adult rate NA; hiv people with aids NA; hiv deaths NA; nationality Seychellois; ethnic groups mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab; religions Roman Catholic 86.6%, Anglican 6.8%, other Christian 2.5%, other 4.1%; languages English (official), French (official), Creole; literacy 60% (1971 est.);

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