SEYCHELLES (Sesel)

The archipelago of Seychelles is formed by 40 granitic (Mahe, Praslin, La Digue ....) and about 50 coralline islands, the total land area is 455 sq km, it's situated in Eastern Africa, in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar.

Population: 81,188 (July 2005 est.).

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 (French based).

Climate: tropical marine; humid; cooler season (May to October); warmer and rainy season (November to April), December and January are the wettest months.

The water temperature is between 25�C-29�C.

L'arcipelago della Seychelles � formato da 40 isole granitiche (le principali sono Mahe, Praslin, La Digue) e da circa 50 isole coralline, l'area totale � di 455 kmq, le Seychelles sono situate nell'Oceano Indiano al largo della costa dell'Africa Cccidentale, a nord-est del Madagascar.

Popolazione: 81188 (stima del luglio 2005).

Gruppi etnici: Francesi misti, Africani, Indiani, Cinesi e Arabi.

Religioni: Cattolici 86.6%, Anglicani 6.8%, altri Cristiani 2.5%, altri 4.1%.

Linguaggi: Inglese (ufficiale), Francese (ufficiale), Creolo (basato sul Francese).

Clima: tropicale marittimo; umido; stagione fresca (da maggio a ottobre); stagione calda e delle piogge (da novembre ad aprile), dicembre e gennaio sono i mesi pi� umidi.

La temperatura dell'acqua varia tra i 25�C-29�C.

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. A sharp drop illustrated the vulnerability of the tourist sector in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf war, and once again following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Growth slowed in 1998-2002, and fell in 2003, due to sluggish tourist and tuna sectors, but resumed in 2004, erasing a persistent budget deficit.

Agriculture - products: coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; broiler chickens; tuna fish.

Industries: fishing; tourism; processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture, beverages.