Seychelles
Seychelles (/seɪˈʃɛl(z)/ ⓘ, /ˈseɪʃɛl(z)/; French: [sɛʃɛl] or [seʃɛl]), officially the Republic of Seychelles (French: République des Seychelles; Seychellois Creole: Repiblik Sesel), is an island country and archipelagic state consisting of 115 islands (as per the Constitution) in the Indian Ocean. Its capital and largest city, Victoria, is 1,500 kilometres (800 nautical miles) east of mainland Africa. Nearby island countries and territories include the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and the French overseas departments of Mayotte and Réunion to the south; and Maldives and the Chagos Archipelago (administered by the United Kingdom as the British Indian Ocean Territory) to the east. Seychelles is the smallest country in Africa as well as the least populated sovereign African country, with an estimated population of 100,600 in 2022.
Republic of Seychelles
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| Motto: "Finis Coronat Opus" (Latin) "The End Crowns the Work" | |
| Anthem: Koste Seselwa Join together all Seychellois | |
Location of Seychelles (dark blue) – in Africa (light blue & dark grey) | |
| Capital and largest city | Victoria 4°37′S 55°27′E |
| Official languages | |
| Ethnic groups | Seychellois Creoles others |
| Religion (2020) |
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| Demonym(s) |
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| Government | Unitary presidential republic |
| Wavel Ramkalawan | |
| Ahmed Afif | |
| Legislature | Lasanble Nasyonal |
| Independence from the United Kingdom | |
• Independence declared | 29 June 1976 |
| Area | |
• Total | 457 km2 (176 sq mi) (181st) |
• Water (%) | negligible |
| Population | |
• 2022 estimate | 100,060 (200th) |
• Density | 262.3/km2 (679.4/sq mi) (67th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $4.175 billion (177th) |
• Per capita | $41,828 (49th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $2.085 billion (186th) |
• Per capita | $20,889 (50th) |
| Gini (2018) | 32.1 medium |
| HDI (2021) | 0.785 high · 72nd |
| Currency | Seychellois rupee (SCR) |
| Time zone | UTC+4 (SCT) |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +248 |
| ISO 3166 code | SC |
| Internet TLD | .sc |
Seychelles was uninhabited prior to being encountered by Europeans in the 16th century. It faced competing French and British interests until it came under full British control in the late 18th century. Since proclaiming independence from the United Kingdom in 1976, it has developed from a largely agricultural society to a market-based diversified economy, characterized by service, public sector, and tourism activities. From 1976 to 2015, nominal GDP grew nearly 700%, and purchasing power parity nearly 1600%. Since the late 2010s, the government has taken steps to encourage foreign investment.
As of the early 21st century, Seychelles has the highest nominal per capita GDP of any African nation. It has the second-highest Human Development Index of any African country after Mauritius. According to 2023 V-Dem Democracy indices Seychelles is ranked 43rd electoral democracy worldwide and 1st ranked electoral democracy in Africa.
Seychellois culture and society is an eclectic mix of French, British, and African influences, with infusions of Chinese and Indian elements. The country is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, and the Commonwealth of Nations.