Seychelles
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.
Since its independence in 1976, the economic growth has been steadily growing, led by the tourism sector and tuna fishing. In the past few years, the government has also created incentives for foreign investments. Per capita, Seychelles is the most indebted country in the world.
· Official Name Republic of the Seychelles
· Population 86,335
· Capital City Victoria (pop. 24,970)
· Currency Seychelles Rupee
· Languages English (official), French (official)
· National Day 18 June, Constitution Day
Religions Catholic, others
· Land Area 270 sq km (104 sq miles)
· Highest Point Morne Seychellois (2,969 ft.) (905 m)
Land Divisions 23 administrative districts including: Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis and Takamaka
Latitude/Longitude 4° 62' S, 55° 45' E
Just to the south of the Equator, the Seychelles are warm and humid throughout the year, with high temperatures staying between 78 - 83 degrees.
Temperatures are slightly cooler during the southeast monsoon season late May to September, while conditions are warmer during the northwest monsoon season, March to May.
Some Interesting Facts About Seychelles:
Pirate Olivier le Vasseur's treasure
That the fabulous treasure of the notorious Pirate Olivier le Vasseur, (La Buze) today valued at $US 160,000,000 probably still lies buried somewhere at Bel Ombre in North Mahé.
General Gordon of Khartoum
That General Gordon of Khartoum made public his belief that Praslin’s famous Vallée de Mai, home of the Coco-de-Mer was the original site of the Garden of Eden.
Seychelles was once a pirate hideout
That Seychelles was once a pirate hideout, in particular Anse Forbans (means Pirate’s Cove) on Mahé and Côte d’Or on Praslin.
Aldabra - world’s largest raised coral atoll
Aldabra is the world’s largest raised coral atoll and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is so vast that the whole of Mahé could fit inside its lagoon
Aldabra home to only flightless bird in the Indian Ocean Aldabra is home to the only flightless bird in the Indian Ocean, the White-Throated Rail as well as to 273 species of plants and ferns.
Aldabra also has the largest population of Giant Tortoises in the world; 150,000 in total.
Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke
The Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market was named after a former Governor of Seychelles, Percy Selwyn Clarke (1947 – 1951), who after his term as Governor was knighted Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke.
Aride Island - important breeding site for 10 species of seabird Aride Island is an important breeding site for 10 species of seabird and the world’s largest population of lesser noddies.
It is known as the seabird citadel of the Indian Ocean.First settlers landed on Ste. Anne The first settlers to arrive in Seychelles landed on the island of Sainte Anne in 1770. Seychelles area - Indian Ocean Seychelles is scattered over an area of 1.4 million km² of ocean.
Victoria one of the tiniest capitals in the world Victoria is one of the tiniest capitals in the world and can easily be explored on foot in less than a day.
Coco-de-Mer heaviest seed
The Coco-de-Mer palm produces the largest seed in the world which weighs up to 15kg+.
Home to endemic birds
Seychelles is home to some of the rarest endemic birds (Seychelles bush warbler, paradise fly-catcher, bare-legged scops owl) to be found anywhere on earth.
'Roc’, Marco Polo’s mythical bird
Arab historians believed that the ‘Roc’, Marco Polo’s mythical bird that could carry off and devour elephants, lived in Seychelles.
Oldest oceanic islands on earth
Seychelles’ granitic islands are the oldest oceanic islands on earth.
Jellyfish Tree
That the Jellyfish tree (Medusagyne oppostifolia), is considered to be one of the rarest trees on earth, with only a handful of specimens remaining.
Clock Tower
The Clock Tower in Victoria or Lorloz as it is better known in Creole was officially inaugurated on 1st April 1903. The Clock Tower is an elegant replica of the clock that was first erected in London in 1897 at the junction of Victoria Street and Vauxhall Bridge Road, near Victoria Station.
World’s heaviest land tortoise
Seychelles is home to the world’s heaviest land tortoise living in the wild. This is Esmeralda (304 kg) on Bird Island.
Moyenne Island haunted Moyenne Island, in the Ste. Anne Marine National park, is claimed to be haunted by a spirit that stands jealous guard over buried treasure.
Bare-legged Scops owl
Mahé’s rarest bird, the Bare-legged Scops Owl is so rare that it was once thought to have become extinct before being re-discovered in 1959.
Coco-de-Mer, once thought to originate from beneath ocean The Coco-de-Mer was once thought to originate from a tree growing beneath the ocean, and fetched princely sums in the courts of Europe.
Finest Bone-fishing
Seychelles is considered to offer the finest Bone-fishing in the world.
Thunderbirds
Did you know that Tracy Island, in the Thunderbirds blockbuster of 2004, was no other than the Seychelles North Island. Other scenes in the movie were also filmed in the famous Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island.
Miss World Beauty Pageant
The Miss World Beauty Pageant was held in Seychelles in 1997and 1998.
Sainte Anne Marine National Park
The Sainte Anne Marine National Park, founded in 1973, was the first marine park in the Indian Ocean.
Vasco da Gama & Pedro de Mascarenhas
The first Europeans to discover the islands were Vasco da Gama in 1502 and Pedro de Mascarenhas 1505.
Telegraphy
Telegraphy came to Seychelles in 1893 when Cable and Wireless laid an undersea cable from Zanzibar to Seychelles and Mauritius.
Tomb of French commandant Jean-Baptiste Queau de Quincy
The tomb of French commandant Jean-Baptiste Queau de Quincy lies in the ground of Government House (now State House).
Fleming, James Bond author, wrote few of his books at Northolme
The author of the famous James Bond character, Mr. Ian Fleming, wrote a few of his books at Le Northolme Hotel now called Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa.
World record for Dogtooth tuna and indo-pacific bonito
Seychelles holds world records for Dogtooth tuna and indo-pacific bonito.
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.
Since its independence in 1976, the economic growth has been steadily growing, led by the tourism sector and tuna fishing. In the past few years, the government has also created incentives for foreign investments. Per capita, Seychelles is the most indebted country in the world.
· Official Name Republic of the Seychelles
· Population 86,335
· Capital City Victoria (pop. 24,970)
· Currency Seychelles Rupee
· Languages English (official), French (official)
· National Day 18 June, Constitution Day
Religions Catholic, others
· Land Area 270 sq km (104 sq miles)
· Highest Point Morne Seychellois (2,969 ft.) (905 m)
Land Divisions 23 administrative districts including: Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis and Takamaka
Latitude/Longitude 4° 62' S, 55° 45' E
Just to the south of the Equator, the Seychelles are warm and humid throughout the year, with high temperatures staying between 78 - 83 degrees.
Temperatures are slightly cooler during the southeast monsoon season late May to September, while conditions are warmer during the northwest monsoon season, March to May.
Some Interesting Facts About Seychelles:
 |
| Picture of Pirate Olivier Le Vasseur |
Pirate Olivier le Vasseur's treasure
That the fabulous treasure of the notorious Pirate Olivier le Vasseur, (La Buze) today valued at $US 160,000,000 probably still lies buried somewhere at Bel Ombre in North Mahé.
General Gordon of Khartoum
That General Gordon of Khartoum made public his belief that Praslin’s famous Vallée de Mai, home of the Coco-de-Mer was the original site of the Garden of Eden.
Seychelles was once a pirate hideout
That Seychelles was once a pirate hideout, in particular Anse Forbans (means Pirate’s Cove) on Mahé and Côte d’Or on Praslin.
 |
| NASA Picture of Aldabra Atoll |
Aldabra - world’s largest raised coral atoll
Aldabra is the world’s largest raised coral atoll and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is so vast that the whole of Mahé could fit inside its lagoon
 |
| aldabra rail (dryolimnas aldabranus), the last flightless bird of the |
Aldabra home to only flightless bird in the Indian Ocean Aldabra is home to the only flightless bird in the Indian Ocean, the White-Throated Rail as well as to 273 species of plants and ferns.
Aldabra also has the largest population of Giant Tortoises in the world; 150,000 in total.
 |
| Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke-market-bazar. |
Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke
The Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market was named after a former Governor of Seychelles, Percy Selwyn Clarke (1947 – 1951), who after his term as Governor was knighted Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke.
 |
| Aride Island Nature Reserve |
 |
| Aride Island is an important breeding site for 10 species of seabird |
It is known as the seabird citadel of the Indian Ocean.First settlers landed on Ste. Anne The first settlers to arrive in Seychelles landed on the island of Sainte Anne in 1770. Seychelles area - Indian Ocean Seychelles is scattered over an area of 1.4 million km² of ocean.
 |
| Victoria one of the tiniest capitals in the world |
Victoria one of the tiniest capitals in the world Victoria is one of the tiniest capitals in the world and can easily be explored on foot in less than a day.
 |
| Coco-de-Mer heaviest seed |
Coco-de-Mer heaviest seed
The Coco-de-Mer palm produces the largest seed in the world which weighs up to 15kg+.
 |
| paradise fly-catcher |
Home to endemic birds
Seychelles is home to some of the rarest endemic birds (Seychelles bush warbler, paradise fly-catcher, bare-legged scops owl) to be found anywhere on earth.
 |
| Bare-legged scops Owl |
Arab historians believed that the ‘Roc’, Marco Polo’s mythical bird that could carry off and devour elephants, lived in Seychelles.
 |
| 'Roc’, Marco Polo’s mythical bird |
Oldest oceanic islands on earth
Seychelles’ granitic islands are the oldest oceanic islands on earth.
 |
| Jellyfish tree (Medusagyne oppostifolia) |
Jellyfish Tree
That the Jellyfish tree (Medusagyne oppostifolia), is considered to be one of the rarest trees on earth, with only a handful of specimens remaining.
 |
| Clock_Tower_-Victoria_-Seychelles |
Clock Tower
The Clock Tower in Victoria or Lorloz as it is better known in Creole was officially inaugurated on 1st April 1903. The Clock Tower is an elegant replica of the clock that was first erected in London in 1897 at the junction of Victoria Street and Vauxhall Bridge Road, near Victoria Station.
 |
| World’s heaviest land tortoise |
World’s heaviest land tortoise
Seychelles is home to the world’s heaviest land tortoise living in the wild. This is Esmeralda (304 kg) on Bird Island.
 |
| Moyenne_Island_Seychelles |
Moyenne Island haunted Moyenne Island, in the Ste. Anne Marine National park, is claimed to be haunted by a spirit that stands jealous guard over buried treasure.
|
| Bare-legged scops Owl |
Bare-legged Scops owl
Mahé’s rarest bird, the Bare-legged Scops Owl is so rare that it was once thought to have become extinct before being re-discovered in 1959.
Coco-de-Mer, once thought to originate from beneath ocean The Coco-de-Mer was once thought to originate from a tree growing beneath the ocean, and fetched princely sums in the courts of Europe.
 |
| Bone fishing or fly fishing in the flats of the Seychelles Islands |
Finest Bone-fishing
Seychelles is considered to offer the finest Bone-fishing in the world.
Thunderbirds
Did you know that Tracy Island, in the Thunderbirds blockbuster of 2004, was no other than the Seychelles North Island. Other scenes in the movie were also filmed in the famous Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island.
Miss World Beauty Pageant
The Miss World Beauty Pageant was held in Seychelles in 1997and 1998.
 | |||
| Miss World 1997 From Israel |
 |
| Miss World 1998 From India (Dyna Hayden) |
Sainte Anne Marine National Park
The Sainte Anne Marine National Park, founded in 1973, was the first marine park in the Indian Ocean.
 |
| Ste-Anne-Island-Seychelles |
Vasco da Gama & Pedro de Mascarenhas
The first Europeans to discover the islands were Vasco da Gama in 1502 and Pedro de Mascarenhas 1505.
Telegraphy
Telegraphy came to Seychelles in 1893 when Cable and Wireless laid an undersea cable from Zanzibar to Seychelles and Mauritius.
Tomb of French commandant Jean-Baptiste Queau de Quincy
The tomb of French commandant Jean-Baptiste Queau de Quincy lies in the ground of Government House (now State House).
 |
| Fleming, James Bond author |
Fleming, James Bond author, wrote few of his books at Northolme
The author of the famous James Bond character, Mr. Ian Fleming, wrote a few of his books at Le Northolme Hotel now called Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa.
 |
| World record for Dogtooth tuna |
Seychelles holds world records for Dogtooth tuna and indo-pacific bonito.
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