Seychelles is located in archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar.

Land in Seychelles is Mahe Group is granitic, narrow coastal strip, rocky, hilly; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs.

Seychellois land covers an area of 455 square kilometers which is 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

As for the Seychellois climate; tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May).

Seychellois (singular and plural) speak Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census).

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. The most recent presidential elections were held in 2001; President RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected. In April 2004 RENE stepped down and Vice President James MICHEL was sworn in as president.

Seychelles Country Profile

Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years the government has encouraged foreign investment in order to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. Sharp drops illustrated the vulnerability of the tourist sector in 1991-92 due largely to the Gulf War, and once again following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the US. Growth slowed in 1998-2002, and fell in 2003, due to sluggish tourist and tuna sectors, but resumed in 2004, erasing a persistent budget deficit. Growth turned negative again in 2005. Tight controls on exchange rates and the scarcity of foreign exchange have impaired short-term economic prospects. The black-market value of the Seychelles rupee is half the official exchange rate; without a devaluation of the currency, the tourist sector may remain sluggish as vacationers seek cheaper destinations such as Comoros, Mauritius, and Madagascar.

Seychellois natural resources include fish, copra, cinnamon trees

41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands

Seychellois religion is Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census).

Natural hazards in Seychelles include lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible.

Travel Advice on Seychelles

Seychelles

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Summary and Health section (leptospirosis). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

SUMMARY

You should be aware of petty thieves on beaches.
The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
Most visits to Seychelles are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals require consular assistance in Seychelles is for the replacement of lost and stolen passports (a few cases each year).
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Money

Seychelles foreign currency regulations require visitors to pay for most services in hard currency. As a general guide, you must pay for all hotel rooms and anything eaten or drunk in a hotel (even by those not resident in the hotel) in hard currency. You may also be required to pay for car hire, guided tours and recreational activities such as scuba diving in hard currency.

However, if you pay in foreign cash, expect to receive change in Seychelles rupees even though you cannot then spend them in the same place. Consider using a credit card. Credit cards are widely accepted.

While all hard currencies are supposedly acceptable, some establishments refuse Sterling, as the owners prefer to work only in US dollars or in Euros.

Seychelles rupees can be used in bars, restaurants and nightclubs not connected to hotels and in local shops and markets. All Seychelles rupees must be obtained at official rates with designated dealers e.g. banks. Barclays Bank has more branches than most in Seychelles and have ATM machines. Any other transaction is illegal and penalties can be severe.

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Seychelles Country Profile

Travel Advice on Seychelles

Seychelles