REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES

Cultural Map

Welcome to Another World... Youve reached the official presentation for Seychelles (115 islands in the Indian Ocean). Let your journey of personal discovery through the worlds most beautiful islands begin...

The flag of the Seychelles was adopted on June 18, 1996. The oblique bands symbolise a dynamic new country moving into the future. Blue depicts the sky and the sea that surrounds the Seychelles. Yellow is for the sun which gives light and life. Red symbolises the people and their determination to work for the future in unity and love. White band represents social justice and harmony. Green depicts the land and natural environment.

COAT OF ARMS
The coat of arms of the Republic of Seychelles shows a shield, in which a giant tortoise is located on green grounds. On the ground there is a coconut tree. Behind it there is a blue sea with two islands and a sail ship to be seen. The shield is enthroned by a silver helmet, on which a tropicbird is located above blue and white waves. The shield is supported by two white swordfish. Beneath the shield the motto of Seychelles is stated: "Finis Coronat Opus" (Latin for "The End Crowns the Work")

THE PEOPLE OF THE SEYCHELLES

GEOGRAPHY
Seychelles is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar and about 1,600 km east of Kenya. The nation is an archipelago of 155 tropical islands, some granite and some coral. There are two distinct regions, the granitic islands, the world's only oceanic islands of granitic rock and the coralline outer islands. The granite islands are the worlds oldest ocean islands, while the outer islands are mainly very young, though the Aldabra group and St Pierre are unusual, raised coral islands that have emerged and submerged several times during their long history, the most recent submergence dating from about 125,000 years ago.

CLIMATE
Seychelles climate is always warm and without extremes.
In this tropical heaven the temperature seldom drops below 24C or rises above 32C. In January and February the islands receive their lifegiving rains, rejuvenating the rivers and streams and teasing the vibrant foliage into rainbows of colour.

Ethnic groups: mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab Religions: Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census) Languages: Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census)

History
Seychelles is a comparatively young nation which can trace its first settlement back to 1770 when the islands were first settled by the French, leading a small party of whites, Indians and Africans. The islands remained in French hands until the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, evolving from humble beginnings to attain a population of 3,500 by the time Seychelles was ceded to Britain under the treaty of Paris in 1814. During this period Seychelles came to know the enlightened policies of administrators such as Pierre Poivre, the brilliant politicking of Governor Queau de Quinssy and, of course, the terrible repercussions of the French Revolution. Under the British, Seychelles achieved a population of some 7,000 by the year 1825. Important estates were established during this time producing coconut, food crops, cotton and sugar cane. During this period Seychelles also saw the establishment of Victoria as her capital, the exile of numerous and colourful troublemakers from the Empire, the devastation caused by the famous Avalanche of 1862 and the economic repercussions of the abolition of slavery. Seychelles achieved independence from Britain in 1976 and became a republic within the commonwealth. Following a period of single party rule by the government of Mr. France Albert Ren, on December 4, 1991, President Ren announced a return to the multiparty system of government, 1993 saw the first multiparty presidential and legislative elections held under a new constitution in which President Ren was victorious. President Ren also won the 1998 and 2003 elections before transferring the Presidency to James Alix Michel in June 2004.

HISTORY OF THE SEYCHELLES

From the end of the 16th century until 1730, the Seychelles remained the secret hiding place for pirates. 1742

The first French exploratory expedition led by Lazare Picault and Grossin; commissioned by the Governor of Mauritius, Mahe de la Bourdonnais.

1756
French occupation by Captain Nicolas Morphey. The islands are named after King Louis XV chancellor Jean Moreau de Sechelles. 1770 The first 20 or so inhabitants arrive on the island of St. Anne, from the French colony of Mauritius. 1903 The Seychelles break away from the Mauritius colony, and become a separate colony under British rule. 1976 On 29th June 1996, the Seychelles became an Independent republic.

 Society Occupying a strategic position on the Europe-India sea route, the Seychelles were annexed by France in 1756 to support its colony on Mauritius. It passed to Britain after the Napoleon Wars. Most of the people are of mixed racial descent, and speak the Creole dialect. The Seychelles became independent in 1976 with James R. Mancham as president and Albert Rene as prime minister. In 1979 Albert Rene also took over the presidency, and has instituted a multiparty system. He has been re-elected several times, and has remained in office since 1979.

The Islands