All about Seychelles
Seychelles, a land of pristine beauty and a luxury destination that lies in the western part of the Indian Ocean. An archipelago of 115 islands, the island nation is known for its exquisite natural beauty, spectacular beaches, and luxury resorts. It is home to the oldest oceanic islands in the world and the largest raised coral atoll.
The island is blessed with year-round warm weather, making it a hotbed for water activities like scuba diving and snorkelling in its crystal clear turquoise waters. It is also a center for ecotourism and endemic wildlife viewing offering an incredible variety of flora and fauna with some of the most exotic trees, birds and marine life.
The entire population is concentrated in the inland region consisting of three islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. Together, these islands form the economic, cultural and tourist center of the country. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore Seychelles Creole cuisine and the country’s capital, Victoria, a city that can be fully explored on foot in less than a day.
Due to its remote location, the island nation is unlike any other island getaway. This tropical paradise exudes an aura of seclusion punctuated by soft, powdery white sands and spectacular turquoise waters.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SEYCHELLES
Name: Republic of Seychelles
Origin of the name: Jean Moreau de Sechelles (finance minister of King Louis XV)
First explorer of the Seychelles: Joao de Nova (1501) discovers the Farquhar Islands
Population: Approximately 97,871 people (2019) and 90% of the population living on the main island of Mahe
Total Island: 115 islands (42 granite islands and 73 coral islands) with a total size of 455 km² (175 sq mi)
Climate: Tropical with constant temperature and high humidity.
Main seasons: northwest monsoon from December to March and southeast monsoon from May to October
Time zone: GMT/UTC +4
Call code: +248 or (00248)
Language: Seychelles Creole, English, French,
National currency: 1 Seychelles rupee = 100 cents
National Day: June 18
National Flower: Orkid payanke
National Tree: Coco-de-Mer Palm
National Animal: Giant Tortoise
National Bird: Black Parrot
National Motto: “Finis Coronat Opus” (“The end crowns the work”)
Seychelles Fauna: 13 species of amphibians, 30 reptiles, 220 species of birds and more than 1000 species of invertebrates
Seychelles Endangered Birds: Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, Seychelles Warbler, Seychelles Robin, Seychelles White-eye, Seychelles Owl, Seychelles Black Parrot
Flightless bird of the Indian Ocean: White-throated rail from Aldabra Island.
Agricultural Products: Coconuts, cinnamon, sweet potato, Yuca (tapioca) and exotic fruits.
Food and Dishes: Coconut Curry, Ladob, Salted Fish, Shark Chutney, Grilled Fish or Octopus, etc.
Coral reef area: about 600,000 km² (230,000 sq mi)
Highest mountain: Morne Seychellois’, at 905 m or 2,969 ft.
Seychelles Pirates Hideout: Anse Forbans (Pirate’s Cove) on Mahe and Cote d’Or on Praslin. Notorious pirate Olivier Levasseur is believed to have hidden treasure worth more than $160,000 that remains undiscovered.
Forest conservation: about 50% of its land mass is occupied by national parks and reserves
Marine conservation: by 2020, 410,000 km2 or 30% of Seychelles’ waters are marine protected areas
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Vallee de Mai (Praslin Island) and Aldabra Atoll
Weirdest Trees on Earth in the Seychelles: Jellyfish Trees on Mahe Island and Coco-de-Mer Palms on Praslin Island
The second largest coral atoll in the world: Aldabra Atoll (also the world’s largest raised coral atoll) Area: 155.4 km²
First marine park in the Indian Ocean: The Sainte Anne National Marine Park, 1973.
The oldest oceanic islands in the world: the granitic islands of Seychelles
The smallest capital in the world: Victoria, the capital of Seychelles.
World’s largest seed: Coco de mer or love nut seeds on the island of Praslin (about 20 kg)
The largest arthropod in the world – the coconut crab (robber crab or palm robber) in Seychelles
The world’s largest colonies of Lesser Noddy Seabird: Aride Island.
The world’s largest tortoise population: Aldabra Atoll Over 152,000 giant tortoises (there are more tortoises than humans in Seychelles!)
The heaviest land turtle in the world: Esmeralda, is a boy, 363 Kgs, 170 years old who lives on Bird Island