Seychelles 2019
Yearbook 2019
Seychelles. Like many other small island nations, Seychelles is more threatened than most countries by climate change and other environmental degradation. While tourism is the dominant industry in the country, fishing and export of fresh and frozen fish, especially tuna, is also of great importance. In April, President Danny Faure made a spectacular play when, in a live broadcast from an underwater craft 120 meters below the Indian Ocean’s surface, he appealed to the outside world to take concrete action to save the ocean and everything living in them. He mentioned in particular expanded marine protection areas, sustainable fishing, reduced emissions and a halt to plastic littering.
In November, the BBC reported on the widespread heroin abuse in the country. With 5,000-6,000 heroin users out of a total of 97,000 residents, the country has the most per capita heroin addiction in the world. Since the country is scattered on 115 islands, it is very difficult to monitor what is being brought in across the border. Instead of a “war on drugs”, which is waged elsewhere in the world, Seychelles has invested in two different types of treatment programs, mainly methadone maintenance therapy. Head of the state authority responsible for drug prevention and rehabilitation, 2,000 people participated in a treatment program during the year. Of these, over two-thirds had some form of employment.
- ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG: Click to see the meanings of 3-letter acronym and abbreviation of SYC in general and in geography as Seychelles in particular.
In February, former President France-Albert René passed away at the age of 83. René came to power in 1977 through a military coup. He remained president even after the introduction of multi-party systems in 1993 and first resigned in 2004.
State of one hundred islands
The State of Seychelles is located on one hundred and fifteen islands north of Madagascar. Of these, 32 are actual rocky islands belonging to the Seychelles group, the rest are uninhabited islets and coral reefs. Seychelles has the smallest population in Africa. More than 90% of the population lives on the largest island of Mahé, where the capital Victoria is also located. Growing in a tropical forest, the island’s climate is hot and humid: rainfall ranges from 2,500 mm to over 3,500 mm.
Already the first Portuguese to come to the island began talking about the Garden of Eden after seeing the pale sandy beaches and palm trees. The Seychelles, like Mauritius, has invested in tourism. The island has accommodation for every taste and everyone’s budget. Indeed, tourism is an important pillar of the Seychelles economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. Some exports include coconut, copra, cinnamon and cloves, as well as fish products.
Population 2019
According to CountryAAH, the population of Seychelles in 2019 was 97,628, ranking number 200 in the world. The population growth rate was 0.660% yearly, and the population density was 212.4761 people per km2.
The population is made up of 93% Creoles; for the rest by Europeans (4.8%) and Asian immigrants (Chinese, Indians). The residents are concentrated for the most part on the island of Mahé, where the capital, Victoria (25,000 residents in 2004) is located. The demographic increase has been decreasing in recent years, settling just below 1% (years 2003-08). The traditional emigration to Europe, although diminished due to the good development achieved by the country thanks to tourist activities, is still quite intense. The language spoken by almost the entire population is a Creole-French language (also called Seselwa), the other two official languages (French and English) are used in administration, business, press, etc. The prevalent religion is the Catholic one (87%); minorities of Anglicans, Hindus, Muslims.
