World Country Guide

General Information

Area
455.3 sq km (175.8 sq miles).

Population
80,800 (official estimate 2002).

Population Density
177.5 per sq km.

Capital
Victoria (Mah). Population: 60,000 (1994).

Geography
The Seychelles Archipelago occupies 400,000 sq km (150,000 sq miles) of the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar and contains 115 islands and islets. These fall into two groups of markedly different appearance, stemming from their distinct geologies:
Granitic: A dense cluster of 42 islands, the only mid-ocean group in the world with a granite rock formation. Their lush green vegetation is tropical in character, with a profusion of coconut palms, bananas, mangoes, yams, breadfruit and other tropical fruit. Indigenous forest exists on the higher slopes, where cinnamon and tea are planted. All, including the second largest, Praslin, are less than 65km (40 miles) from Mah.
Coralline: Isolated coral outcrops speckling a vast area of the Indian Ocean to the southwest of the granitic group. They rise only a few feet above sea level but are covered with rich and dense vegetation due to fertilisation by copious amounts of guano. There is no permanent population. Aldabra, the largest atoll in the world, contains one-third of all Seychellois land and is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site.
The largest island in either group is Mah, lying 4S of the equator. It is 27km (17 miles) long by 8km (5 miles) wide and contains Victoria, the capital and main port, and 90 per cent of the population. Mah is typical of the Granitic Islands, being mountainous and covered with jungle vegetation. Its highest point, indeed the highest point in the Seychelles, is Morne Seychellois (905m/2970ft). The isolated nature of the Seychelles has given rise to the evolution of many unique species of flora and fauna, including the coco-de-mer palm and unique varieties of orchid, giant tortoise, gecko, chameleon and ‘flying fox’ (fruitbat). National parks and reserves have been set up to protect this heritage. The Seychellois are descended from a mixture of French and British landowners, freed African slaves and a small number of Chinese and Indian immigrants, creating a unique culture.

Government
Republic since 1976. Gained independence from the UK in 1975. Head of State and Government: President James Alix Michel since 2004.

Language
The official language is Seselwa; Creole, English and French are also spoken.

Religion
92 per cent Roman Catholic with Anglican, Seventh Day Adventist, Muslim, Baha’i and other minorities.

Time
GMT + 4.

Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz. British three-pin plugs are in use.

Communications

Telephone, fax, telegram
SEYTELS offers a 24-hour service for telegrams, telephones and faxes via SEYTELS/Cable & Wireless Ltd, Francis Rachel Street, Victoria, Mah. Phonecards are available. IDD is available. Country code: 248. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network. Network operators are Cable & Wireless (website: www.cwseychelles.com) and Telecom (Seychelles) LTD (website: www.airtel.sc).

Internet
ISPs include Atlas Ltd (website: http://www.seychelles.net).

Post
The main post office is in Victoria. Airmail collections are at 1500 weekdays and 1200 Saturdays; airmail to Western Europe normally takes up to one week. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1500, Sat 0800-1200.

Press
English-language newspapers include Seychelles Nation (morning daily except on Sundays), The People (monthly, published by the Seychelles Progressive Front) and Seychelles Review (monthly news review).

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.