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| Country | Seychelles | | | Flag |  | | | Capital | name: Victoria geographic coordinates: 4 38 S, 55 27 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) | | | Population | 81,895 (July 2007 est.) | | | GMT | +4 | | | Location | archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
see map | | | Area | total: 455 sq km land: 455 sq km water: 0 sq km | | | Ethnic groups | mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab | | | Religions | Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census) | | | Languages | Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census) | | | Government type | republic | | | National holiday | Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993) | | | Constitution | 18 June 1993 | | | Legal system | based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law | | | 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. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term. | | Internet country code | .sc | |
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