vere storms are rare; short droughts
possible; no fresh water - catchments collect rain; 40 granitic and about 50
coralline islands

*Seychelles, People

Population:
71,494 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.88% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
22.35 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
7.12 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
-6.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
12.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
69.26 years
male:
65.56 years
female:
73.07 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.3 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Seychellois (singular and plural)
adjective:
Seychelles
Ethnic divisions:
Seychellois (mixture of Asians, Africans, Europeans)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, Anglican 8%, other 2%
Languages:
English (official), French (official), Creole
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1971)
total population:
58%
male:
56%
female:
60%
Labor force:
27,700 (1985)
by occupation:
industry and commerce 31%, services 21%, government 20%, agriculture,
forestry, and fishing 12%, other 16% (1985)
note:
57% of population of working age (1983)

*Seychelles, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form:
Seychelles
Digraph:
SE
Type:
republic
Capital:
Victoria
Administrative divisions:
23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse
Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel
Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe Island), Grand' Anse (on
Praslin Island), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri,
Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Independence:
29 June 1976 (from UK)
Constitution:
5 June 1979
note:
new constitution now being drafted by multiparty conference, to take effect
in mid-1993
Legal system:
based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 5 June (1977) (anniversary of coup)
Political parties and leaders:
ruling party - Seychelles People's Progressive Front (SPPF), France Albert
RENE; Democratic Party (DP), Sir James MANCHAM; Seychelles Party (PS), Wavel
RAMKALAWAN; Seychelles Democratic Movement (MSPD), Jacques HONDOUL;
Seychelles Liberal Pa