SEYCHELLES
LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY
Seychelles is an exquisitely beautiful archipelago of 115 islands, 1600 km from the east coast of Madagascar in Africa in the western Indian Ocean. It is the second smallest country in Africa located just south of the equator. Most of these islands are not permanently inhabited. There are two main clusters of these islands- one is a granitic group, centering on Mahé; the other, to the SW, includes the coralline Aldabra Islands and the Farquhar group.
CLIMATE
Being just south of the equator, Seychelles enjoys a tropical climate, which is moderately warm. The heat is usually tempered by the sea breezes. The temperature there is consistently between 24- 32 degrees C but there is considerable humidity all year round and there is no distinct dry season.
CURRENCY
The Rupee, denoted by SCR, is the official currency of Seychelles. The currency which is locally called the ‘roupi’, is divided into 100 cents
ECONOMY
Seychelles has multiplied its per capita output about seven times since it got its independence in 1976. Tourism, agriculture and fishing, and industry contribute the maximum towards enhancing of the Seychelles economy. Even though the government has made vast efforts to promote fishing and agriculture as the economy boosters, tourism remains the largest and most popular economic sectors. It employs about 30% of the labor force, accounts for 12.7% of the GDP and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings.
LANGUAGE
The mother tongue of about 95 % of the population of Seychelles is Creole, which evolved from the dialects of southwest France spoken by the original French settlers. In 1990, Creole was adopted as the first official language of the country. Next only to Creole, English and French are widely used as spoken and written languages.
CULTURE
The population of Seychelles consists of peoples of many kinds- Créole, Indian, Chinese, French and British, have lived and thrived here since centuries, making the culture a unique blend of these different types of people. From the cuisine, to art and architecture, one can see the influence of different types of cultures, lending it contributing to the way of life and to the vibrant Seychellois culture. The Seychellois are friendly people who openly invite guests into their homes. It is a common gesture to present a gift when visiting someone's home.
HISTORY
The first settlement in Seychelles can be traced back to as early as 1770. The first settlers were the French, who came here with a small band of Indians, Africans and Whites. Until the defeat of Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, the Seychelles was occupied by the French. Under the treaty of Paris in 1814, Seychelles was ceded to Britain. It was only in 1976, that Seychelles gained independence from the British.
CAPITAL
The capital of Seychelles is Victoria. Victoria is located on the Northeast of the Island Mahé. It was the Queen of England of the same name, who gave the capital its name. The major attractions in the city include a clock tower modeled on that of Vauxhall Clock Tower in London, the Courthouse, the Victoria Botanical Gardens, the Victoria National Museum of History, the Victoria Natural History Museum and the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market.
HOLIDAYING IN SEYCHELLES
The most unique and popular activity that tourists can indulge in Seychelles is Island hopping. Since Seychelles is endowed with a vast variety of islands, each having their distinct geographical features, history and culture, it is ideal to stay a day or two on each one and then move on to the next one.
Being surrounded by an abundant ocean, it is natural that water sports and adventures are a-plenty to be enjoyed at Seychelles.
You can choose from an impressive array of water activities- waterskiing, windsurfing and sailing and particularly diving as there are sea cliffs, tunnels and caves and multitudes of fish of many different species.
Another interesting alternative is taking to the water in the St Anne National Marine Park, a favored snorkeling spot, which encompasses six islands off the coast of Mahé.
Denis offers deep sea fishing and from October to December Marlin may be caught. One can stat there for a minimum of three days. The location of Bird Island, at the edge of the Seychelles continental shelf also makes it a haven for fishermen. Alphonse and Desroches islands are the best places where one can indulge in salt-water fly fishing.
In case you have come to the country to soothe your tired nerves and muscles and are not the kind who enjoys much physical activities then there are other things you can do-
Hire a power boat, cabin cruiser or yacht to explore the islands at your own pace.
Relax on Mahé's numerous powdery white sandy beaches (there are almost 70 beaches on Mahé alone) admiring its lush vegetation and an unparallel view of the neighboring islands.
Underwater photography is one of the best hobbies to be indulged in at Seychelles, on account of its clear waters. 101 species of coral and over 920 species of fish can be found here in these coastal waters.
Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which contains the double-nutted coco-de-mer palm, is worth visiting.
At another UNESCO World Heritage Site on Aldabra, the world's largest atoll, you can see the giant land tortoises. Aldabra makes up about one-third of the Seychelles' land mass, consisting of 13 islands.
In La Digue, just over three hours by schooner from Mahé, see the black paradise flycatcher, a beautiful little bird endemic to the Seychelles. See old plantation houses, such as Château Saint-Cloud, as well as a vanilla plantation, copra factories and superb beaches.
On Bird island, you can see millions of sooty terns that migrate here to breed between May and October and in Aride, the most northerly of the granitic islands, see vast colonies of seabirds from October to the end of April.
GETTING AROUND
The public transport system in Seychelles is plenty and efficient. There is a regular network of air and sea transportation operating out of the principal island, Mahé and moving around in Seychelles. The traveling time between the islands is short.
Air travel
Air Seychelles runs regular flights to Praslin, Frégate, Desroches, Alphonse, Bird, and Denis Islands and will run charters to other islands. There are some of islands to which helicopters also fly.
Water travel
Schooner ferries run regularly between Praslin and la Digue - if you want to go to the other islands you'll have to charter a boat.
Travel by road
An extensive bus service operates throughout Mahé and there's a limited service on Praslin. Mini Mokes
Cars can be hired in Seychelles
they often have some sort of mechanical defect and they're no protection from the elements but they're pretty appropriate for conditions on the islands. Most of the roads on Mahé are sealed but other drivers can be a bit of a danger. Alternatively one can opt for a taxi.
Walking and cycling
There are plenty of bicycles for hire on Praslin and La Digue but you'll be lucky to get hold of one on Mahé.
Walking is an interesting way to get around most of the islands - the traffic is light distances are short and the scenery is lovely.
ACCOMMODATION
From self-catering apartments to 5-star hotels, all kids of accommodations are available at Seychelles but careful planning and booking in advance is advisable.
All recently built and there are numerous large resort hotels and most of all the newly constructed hotels come well up to international standards. Older hotels and guest houses on the smaller islands may lack some sophistication, but their charming seclusion makes them an attractive staying option for the tourist.
Many hotels and guest houses are former plantation houses modestly modernized and run by the resident owner. Other interesting accommodation styles are the thatched-roof chalets and guest houses that have been built in the local style and are to be found mainly on outlying islands.
In addition to hotels self-catering units too are available on the main islands.
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