Geography

The country covers a total area of 455,3 square kilometers and is situated in the western Indian ocean. It consists of 86 islands (46 populated) from the archipelagos Seychelles, Amirantes, Aldabra, Cosmoledo and Farquhar with a total of 620 km-long coastline. The biggest islands from the group of Seychelles (Mahe, Praslin, Silhouette and La Digue) are rocky and have hills up to 906 meters high (Morne hill at Mahe island), the remainder being small, mainly coralline.

Climate
Subequatorial, marine. The average monthly temperatures vary 26-28 ºС. Rainfalls - up to 4000 mm (with summer maximum). In the inner lowlands of the bigger islands, the evergreen tropical woods have been preserved.

Population
81,188 inhabitants (2005)
Population density - 209.9/sq.m.
Life expectancy: 70 years for males, 76 years for females.

Ethnic Groups
Seychellois - 89.1%, Indian- 4.7%, English - 1.6%, Chinese - 1.5%.

Official languages
Seychelles Creole (based on French), other languages - English and French.

Religion
Christians - 93.2% (Catholics - 94.6%, Protestants - 5.4%), Muslims - 3.2%, Hindus - 2.4%, Buddhists - 1.2%. 8 000 Seychellois live abroad, mainly in England. Urban population - 59%.

Capital
Victoria (25 000 inhabitants).

Administrative divisions
23 regions

Currency
Seychelles rupee (SCR) = 100 cents
1 euro = 5,95
1 US$ = 5,46

GSM Provider
Cable & Wireless Seychelles Ltd
GSM 900 network
Roaming in Seychelles.

Transport
Highways - 280 km. There are no railway lines.

From Sofia to Victoria
6177 km