Republic of Seychelles is a group of islands located in the Indian Ocean, north-east of Madagascar. The archipelago consists of 115 islands and occupies the territory of approximately 455 square km. The total population is estimated at 80,098, descended primarily from French settlers, Africans, British sailors and traders from India, China and the Middle East. Victoria, the capital and the only commercial port of the Seychelles is situated on the largest island Mahe.

The official languages of the Seychelles are Creole (first), English (second), French (third). English is the main language of business. The most of the population are Roman Catholics (90 percent), 8 percent are Anglicans, and 2 percent practice other religions. The literacy factor is 58% (total population).

Discovery of the Islands is credited to the Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama (1460 - 1524). In 1756 a Stone of Possession was placed on Mahe officially marking the island group as a French territory. Subsequently, the group was called Seychelles after Vocimte Moreau des Sechelles Controlleur General of Finance in the French government of Louis XVI. The first French settlement was established on St. Anne Island in 1770. In 1814 the Seychelles, along with Mauritius, were ceded to Great Britain under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. It was only in 1960 that the first gradual constitutional reforms were introduced. Political independence from Britain was achieved in 1976 and a republican form of government was adopted. Currently the Seychelles is an independent republic within the British Commonwealth.

Both the State and the Government of the Seychelles are headed by an elected President together with a cabinet of ministers. Ministers are appointed by the President. The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

The economy of the Seychelles is based primarily on tourism which accounts for 50 percent of GDP. Now a significant element of the economy is the rapidly expanding financial sector, linked to the progressive laws facilitating the establishment of offshore structures and encouraging inward investment.

Seychelles is a member of Commonwealth of Nations; Organization of African Unity and Nonaligned Movement. The currency of Seychelles is Seychelles rupee (SCR), the exchange rate of which is as follows:
US$1 = SCR 5.8

Legal system of Seychelles is based on English common law and French civil law (civil Law is based on the French Napoleonic Code, criminal law is based on English laws). Principal corporate legalisation is the International Business Companies Act 1994.