Why Seychelles?

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Located in the western Indian Ocean between 4° and 10° south of the equator is The Seychelles Islands. This unique travel destination is renowned for its timeless beauty, tranquility and diversity, which rolls from emerald green rainforests down to crystal clear turquoise waters, home to some of the rarest species of flora and fauna on earth. The perfect setting for a tropical island dream holiday...world famous and exquisite beaches, incredible rock formations, amazing coral reefs, picturesque mountains, a warm climate year-round and a wide range of accommodation!

Seychelles is unique

The world's only granite islands in mid-ocean, the world's oldest ocean islands, the world's largest raised coral atoll and a whole host of attractions make up what is surely the world's ultimate tropical paradise. The Seychelles are made up of 115 granitic and coralline islands, covering a total land mass of 455 km² scattered across an Exclusive Economic Zone of nearly 1.4 million km² between 4° and 10° south of the equator in the western Indian Ocean. Of these 115 islands, 41 constitute the oldest mid-oceanic granite islands on earth while a further 74 form the low-lying coral atolls and reef islands of the Outer Islands.

A unique range of endemic species has evolved in the archipelago. This biodiversity is protected within two UNESCO World Heritage Sites ( Vallee de Mai in Praslin and Aldabra ) as well as several impressive Nature Reserves and National Parks. In 2011, the Seychelles Government announced plans to extend this network to cover more than 50% of the total landmass, making Seychelles the first nation on earth to officially protect more than half its total area. Each island has indeed a distinct character and attraction of its own.
Seychelles has a population of over 87000 inhabitants living mostly on three main inner islands: Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

Seychelles history, geography, economy and ecology

History

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Though the islands may have been known to Arab traders, they lay undiscovered until chartered by the Portuguese in the early 16th century. The first recorded landing was by the British East India Company in 1609, but it was the French who first lay claim to the islands in 1756 and settled in 1770. At the conclusion of the Napoleonic wars, Mauritius was ceded to Britain together with its dependencies including Seychelles. In 1903, Seychelles became a separate crown colony. The International Airport opened in 1971, and Seychelles obtained from Britain its independence in 1976. It has a multi-party democratic constitution, and the current Head of State is President James Michel.

Geology
Two hundred million years ago, the supercontinent of Pangaea united all the world's land masses. As these slid apart, Pangaea was wrenched into two, with Laurasia to the north and Gondwanaland to the south. Gondwana split in two also and later India and Madagascar separated from Africa. At the apex where these last three land masses met, a fragment of Eden was cast adrift. These are not just the only granite islands in the world, they are also the oldest islands of any ocean. For all but the tiniest fraction of their history, they lay forgotten and untouched. Now they may be visited and acclaimed by the world for what they are, a unique paradise. In addition, a string of perfect islands and coral atolls lie beyond the granitic group and form part of Seychelles. These include Aldabra, a world apart, whose reptiles are still the dominant land animal and thousands of turtles come ashore to nest in safety. There is nowhere else to compare with Seychelles.

Economy
Seychelles has a mixed developing economy that is heavily dependent upon tourism and fisheries and with the financial services sector which is currently being developed as the third pillar of the national economy.

Copra and cinnamon exports, which were the traditional sources of revenue, have now been largely replaced by the tourism and fishing industries. More recently the rapidly expanding financial sector linked to the establishment of the Seychelles International Business Authority(SIBA) and the introduction of progressive laws have facilitated the establishment of offshore structures which is now a significant element of the economy. Tourism provides today around 50% of the foreign currency earnings for the country and 30% of the government's revenue. Industrial tuna fishing and processing is the second vital sector of the Seychellois economy.

During the first years after independence, the largest investments have been made in infrastructures and social services, notably in education, health and housing. Recently an International Trade Zone was created for attracting foreign investments. Small manufacturing industries for local needs are also encouraged in order to reduce imports of goods. You can obtain the national statistics at www.seychelles.net/misdstat.

Ecology

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Over the millions of years that Seychelles lay isolated and undiscovered, a unique flora and fauna evolved. Birds and plants found nowhere else on earth have survived to the modern age and continue to thrive thanks to enlightened attitudes which have resulted in more than 50% of the land mass being set aside as nature reserves, National Parks and protected areas, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Vallee de Mai, in Praslin. Seventy-five plants are found in the granite islands and nowhere else on earth with a further twenty-six endemic plants confined to the Aldabra Group. The unique land birds also include many found only in Seychelles including the last flightless bird of the Indian Ocean, the Aldabra Rail and the enigmatic Seychelles Scops Owl, found only on Mahé. Reptiles include by far the world's largest population of Giant Tortoises. Pristine reefs host a huge range of fish (over 1,000 species recorded), corals and other marine life forms. Seychelles is the ultimate wildlife paradise.

Climate
The Seychelles islands enjoy a pleasant tropical climate year round, situated outside the cyclone belt there are no extreme of weather. The temperature seldom drops below 24 degrees or rises above 33 degrees centigrade. Globally changing climatic conditions however, make it difficult to predict exact weather patterns. However, the Seychelles' weather patterns are influenced by the two main trade winds which shift twice a year. During May to October the south-east trade wind blows, leading to relatively cooler, drier and windier conditions, with July and August usually being the driest months of the year. In November the wind shifts into a pre-north west condition, when the temperature warms up and winds being generally light and variable. During December to March the north-west trade blows, causing the relatively wetter season (especially in December and January), the sea is generally calm and the weather warm and humid. The calmest and warmest period of the year is in April and the trade winds again change direction. The table below is a summary of statistical averages for the Seychelles International Airport from 1972 to 2010. (Courtesy of the Seychelles Meteorological Services). For more detailed weather information, please visit the Seychelles Meteorological Services official website.

The Islands
Of the 115 islands in the Seychelles archipelago, 41 inner islands are granitic and 74 are the low-lying coral islands.

Inner Islands
The Inner Islands which are mostly granitic, cluster mainly around the principal islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, forming the cultural and economic hub of Seychelles, as well as the centre of its tourism industry. Together they are home to the majority of Seychelles' accommodation facilities as well almost the entire population of the archipelago. There are 43 Inner islands in total - 41 granitic and 2 coralline.

Mahé
Mahé is the largest island: 32 kilometres by 8 kilometres and is the most populated one with 90% of the Seychelles population (about 80 000 people). It is home to the capital, Victoria, the main port and the International Airport. This spectacular island is dominated by huge mountains (Morne Seychellois reaches a height of 905 metres) and is covered by lush tropical vegetation. Seventy five beaches with beautiful soft sand are scattered around the island.

Ste Anne
The small island of Ste Anne as well as its neighbours Cerf, Moyenne and Round islands are easily accessible from Mahe for a half day or full day excursion. All of them are part of the Ste Anne Marine National Park, one of the first Marine National Parks of the Indian Ocean which was constituted in 1973. The coral reefs are ideal for snorkeling and diving. Each island has its own unique character, while all are cloaked in luxuriant vegetation and surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches

Praslin
' Praslin, the secon d largest island is home to Vallée de Mai, an imposing 45-acre valley that was baptised as the Garden of Eden by General Gordon of Khartoum-fame. It is famed as the stronghold of the legendary Coco-de-Mer palm, unique to Seychelles. It bears the world's largest seed, and erotically shaped double nut. Huge shaped rocks alternate with beaches all around the island. This island lies approximately two and a half hours by schooner, one hour by fast ferry or 15 minutes by air from Mahé

La Digue
La Digue, the third largest in terms of population, is ideal for a tranquil and relaxed get-away, with its heavenly fine white sand beaches simply out of this world. Transport here is mainly by ox-cart or bicycle. The island is accessible in fifteen / thirty minutes by boat from Praslin

Curieuse Island
At one mile to the north east of Praslin, the small island of Curieuse is strictly protected. A Conservation Project focus on Giant tortoises originating from Aldabra: the small ones are protected in pens, while the adults roam freely on the island. A walk on a raised path allow visitors to explore a mangrove forest.

Cousin Island
This nature reserve is managed by BirdLife Seychelles and is famed for its huge seabird colonies and rare land birds, including the Seychelles Warbler and Seychelles Magpie-robin, two of the rarest birds on earth. During the breeding season, Hawksbill Turtles come ashore to lay their eggs above the tide level

Aride Island
Aride Island Nature Reserve is owned and managed by Island Conservation Society. It is home to more seabirds of more species than the other 40 granitic islands combined together with 5 endemic landbirds, thousands of frigatebirds and the fragrant Wright's Gardenia, found nowhere else in its natural state.

St Pierre Island
This island is a jewel among the Seychelles Inner Islands. It is a tiny tropical island part of the Curieuse National Park and an excellent site for snorkeling and diving

Silhouette
Silhouette is the the third largest island in the Seychelles but has a tiny population confined to the plateau. Most of the land is mountainous with five peaks over 500 metres and covered in dense forest where many endemic plants survive. Most of the island is protected within Silhouette National Park.

Other inner islands include:
Anonyme, Bird Island, Cerf, Chauve Souris, Conception, Cousine, Denis Island, Félicité, Fr?gate, Grande Soeur, Ile Cocos, Long Island, Moyenne, North Island, Petite Soeur, Round Island.

Outer Islands
Most islands outside the inner islands group are coralline and spread towards the south and south west. See the general map of Seychelles. These 74 outer islands are coral, flat, sandy and planted with coconut trees. They are less visited than the granitic islands due to their relative remoteness and they offer untouched habitats for many species of wildlife. They fall in four distinct groups: the Amirantes group, the Southern Coral group, the Farquhar group and the Aldabra group. Only Desroches island which is in the Amirantes group currently offers luxurious accommodation facilities. While Alphonse island can only offer accommodation to fishermen on fly-fishing trips.

Alphonse
Alphonse, situated at 450 km south-west of Mahé, is a typical coralline island. Unspoiled and protected by a coral reef, it boasts one of the most attractive turquoise lagoons.

Aldabra
Aldabra, the world largest coral atoll, is well-known for its unique and untouched environment. It is the home of 80000 giant tortoises, of the last remaining flightless bird of the Indian Ocean and of other unique landbirds. Turtles and vast colonies of seabirds come to Aldabra to breed. Among 273 species of plants, 26 are endemic taxa of which 22 are species. It became in 1982 Seychelles first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Special permission is required for anyone wishing to visit this remote island in order to ensure the protection of its fragile eco-system

Alphonse
Alphonse, situated at 450 km south-west of Mahé, is a typical coralline island. Unspoiled and protected by a coral reef, it boasts one of the most attractive turquoise lagoons.

List of the main islands in the outer island group:

Aldabra Group:
Aldabra, Atoll, Assumption, Astove, Cosmoledo Atoll
Amirantes Group:
African Banks, D'Arros, Desroches, Poivre Atoll, Remire, St. Joseph Atoll, Etoile, Boudeuse, Alphonse, Bijoutier, St François
Southern Coral Group:
Coëtivy, Platte
Farquhar Group:
Farquhar Atoll, Providence Atoll, St Pierre

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