Seychelles
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesCountry name - conventional long form : Republic of Seychelles
Country name - conventional short form : Seychelles
Country name - local long form : Republic of Seychelles
Country name - local short form : Seychelles
Government type : republic
Capital - name : Victoria
Capital - time difference : UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday : Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
Population : 82,247 (July 2008 est.)
Nationality - noun : Seychellois (singular and plural)
Nationality - adjective : Seychellois
Languages : Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census)
Currency (code) : Seychelles rupee (SCR)
Currency code : SCR
Seychelles is located archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar. The climate is tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May). The terrain is Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs.
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.Background : 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. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term.
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