Seychelles

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.
Location: Eastern Africa, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar Area: Total: 455 sq km. Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC. Coastline: 491 km.
Climate and Terrain: Climate: Tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) Terrain: Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs, elevation extremes: Natural resources: Fish, copra, cinnamon trees Land use: Environment - current issues: Water supply depends on catchments to collect rainwater. Geography - note: 40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands.
People: Population: 80,098. 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.
Government: Government type: Republic. Capital: Victoria. Independence: 29 June 1976 (from UK).
Economy overview: Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago 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. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. Labor force - by occupation: Industry 19%, services 71%, agriculture 10% (1989) Industries: Fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 19,635. Telephones - mobile cellular: 16,316. Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2. Radios: 42,000. Television broadcast stations: 2. Televisions: 11,000. Internet users: 6,000. Railways: 0 km . Highways: Total: 280 km paved: 176 km unpaved: 104 km. Airports - with paved runways: 7, with unpaved runways: 7.