The Seychelles Islands is an island country comprised of an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. The islands are piece of Gondwanaland that were cast adrift millions of years ago when India drifted north toward Asia. Due to 75 million years of isolation, the Seychelles now host a unique assemblage of flora and fauna, many of which are exceedingly primitive. However, 200 years of human settlement has employed graved influences on the native biota of these islands. Human disturbances has caused fragmentation, habitat loss, and the introduction of invasive species that have resulted in species extinction and reduction in population of species to extremely perilous levels. Humans continue to pose a serous threat to the native flora and fauna of the Seychelles Islands. |
History
There is lack of evidence that a native population existed in the Granitic Seychelles, however many explorers have come across the islands numerous times in history. The Britons were the first to actually step foot onto the islands, but the Greeks and the Phoenicians are possibly among the first human populations to have discovered the chain of islands. The Arabs and the Portuguese populations were few of the exploring groups that came across the islands as well. The Seychelles islands have been an important supply base for travelers providing fresh water, timber, and food. As a result to such readily available resources, a lengthy struggle between the French and British for the rights to access the islands emerged. The rivalry for the islands ended in 1814, and the Seychelles islands were ceded to the British. Independence came in 1976, and in 1993, a new constitution and free elections marked the end of Socialist rule. In 2001, President France-Albert Rene, who had served since 1977, was re-elected but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James Michel assumed the role of president and was elected to serve a five year term in 2006.
Culture
Seychellios/ Native by: Scarlettini.nl
The Culture of the Seychelles Islands is connected to colonial rule and has ties to slavery. It draws from all various ethnicities from those whom have lived on the island and their native origins. Traditions of those of African, French, Indian, Chinese and Arab decent are present on the islands. A distinct aspect of the Seychelles culture consists of an erotic dance derived from a period of time in which slavery was prominent, called the traditional moutya. It was often performed as a means to express strong emotions, particularly that of discontentment. Due to the diversity of the people, provisions such as food are equally unique. There is no distinctly "Seychelles" cuisine, for the food from the islands draws from foods from different regions of the world. There is a strong religious sentiment present in the form of Catholicism, but many other religious beliefs exist among the islands. Creole is the primary language for many inhabitants.
Government
The Republic of the Seychelles is the formal name of the islands, and they are ruled by a republic government with a president acting as both the head of state and chief of state. The current president is James Alix Michel. The republic consists of the executive, judicial, and legislative branches all in which are active, and universal suffrage is granted to all those 17 years of age.
References:
http://www.indian-ocean-island.com/seychelles-hotels-resorts/about-seychelles.php, http://www.eoearth.org/article/Granitic_Seychelles_forests?topic=49597, http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/at/at0113_full.html, http://seychelles.travel/en/about_seychelles/culture.php
http://www.indian-ocean-island.com/seychelles-hotels-resorts/about-seychelles.php, http://www.eoearth.org/article/Granitic_Seychelles_forests?topic=49597, http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/at/at0113_full.html, http://seychelles.travel/en/about_seychelles/culture.php