The Republic of Seychelles is an archipelagic country made up of at least 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. Its capital and largest city is Victoria. Seychelles is located about 1,500 kilometers east of mainland Africa. In this topic we covered interesting information about Seychelles Islands.
Seychelles is near Comoros, Mauritius and Madagascar. The French overseas regions are Mayotte and Reunion to the south. The Maldives and the Chagos Archipelago was administered by the United Kingdom as the British Indian Ocean Territory, to the east.
Seychelles has an estimated population of 98,462, making it the least populous sovereign country.
Seychelles was uninhabited until it was encountered by Europeans in the 16th century. It was contested by French and British interests before coming under full British control in the late 18th century.
In the year 1976 Seychelles gain independence from the United Kingdom. After that Seychelles transformed into the largely agricultural society into a market-based, diversified economy. The economy now has a rapidly growing service and tourism sector and a strong public sector.
Beautiful information about Seychelles Islands
Seychelles nominal GDP has grown nearly 700% in the years of 1976 to 2015. It is purchasing power parity has grown about 1,600%. The government has taken steps to encourage foreign investment since the late 2010s.
Seychelles has the highest nominal per capita GDP in the early 21st century. The African country has the 2nd highest human development index after Mauritius. It is the only country classified as a high-income economy by the World Bank.
Seychellois society and cultures are a mix of British, French, African, Chinese, and Indian influences.
Seychelles is a member of the African Union, the United States, the Southern African Development Community, and the Commonwealth of Nations.
The Seychelles National Art Gallery was inaugurated in 1994. It is a part of the official opening of the National Cultural Centre. It has also houses the National Archives and National Library, as well as other offices of the Ministry of Culture.
The gallery’s inaugural exhibition featured works by Seychelles artists, sculptors, and painters. They are demonstrated the development of art in Seychelles as a form of creative expression.
The painters are often inspired by Seychelles’ natural features to produce a wide range of works in various media. They are including embossing, giclee prints, etching, collages, acrylics, metals, wood, aluminum, gouache, fabrics, pastels, charcoal, varnishes and watercolors to the oils etc.
Seychelles has the highest literacy rate compared to other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the year 2018, according to the World Factbook of the Central Intelligence Agency 95.9% of the population aged 15 and over can read and write in Seychelles.
Formal education in Seychelles was not widely available until the mid-19th century. The mission schools were opened by the Catholic and Anglican churches.
Later, the Catholic mission operated boys and girls. The secondary schools were staffed by religious brothers and nuns from abroad until the government took over their responsibility in 1944.
In 1959, a teacher training college was established. It was leading to a growth in the supply of locally trained teachers.
A system of free education, requiring attendance by all children in grades 1st class to 9th class, with education starting at age of 5, was implemented.
90% of children attend nursery school at age four. The government has plans to establish a university in an attempt to reduce brain drain.
