The cosmopolitan Seychellois are a colourful and harmonious blend of different races, which stem from African, European and Asian roots all of whom have brought something of their own customs and way of life to the islands. The result is a charming Creole culture enriched from the melting pot of many continents.
There are three official languages – English, French and Creole. Creole is spoken by everyone and is an adaptation of 17th Century French with additional words and expressions coming from African languages and from Madagascar. It has been elevated to national language status, earning the same respect as English and French. Today Creole is a written as well as a spoken language, which has resulted in an outburst of creativity in plays, poetry and prose.
The population of Seychelles stands at 87,000 of which 78,000 live on Mahe, in particular around the capital Victoria, some 7,000 on Praslin and the remainder on La Digue and scattered among the rest of the islands.
Roman Catholiscism is the dominant religion, but there are also Anglican and Protestant churches together with smaller Muslim, Hindu and Baha’i communities based on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue.
Country Profile
|
Titles |
Information |
|---|---|
|
Head of State |
H.E. James Alix Michel |
|
Head of Government ( if applicable) |
- |
|
Capital City |
Victoria |
|
Independence Day |
29 June 1976 |
|
Official Languages |
French, English,Seychellois Creole (Kreol) |
|
Currency |
Seychellois Rupee (SCR) ( 1 Rs = 100 cents) |
|
Average official exchange rate(s) Seychellois Ruppee/USD |
12.9020 (2011) |
|
Area/Size of country (km²) |
455 |
|
Population (latest census) |
87,000 |
|
Literacy Rate |
96% |
|
GDP per capita |
$,10,727 |
|
GDP annual growth rate |
+1.5% |
|
Annual inflation rate |
+7.88 % |
|
Imports(billion) |
$0.876 |
|
Exports(billion) |
$0.478 |
|
Natural resources |
fish (mostly tuna), cinnamon, copra |
|
Government website link |
Seychelles SADC National Focal Point
Mr Adolf Nourice
SADC National Contact Point
Divsion of Development and Regional Integration
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mont Fleuri
Maision de Quinssy
Mahe,
Seychelles
Tel : (+248) 4283548
Fax: (+248) 224845