GENERAL
Official name of the state
Republic of Seychelles.
Capital
Victoria (Mahé).
Geography
As a country located in Africa according to localtimezone, the Seychelles archipelago covers 400,000 square kilometers of the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar and consists of 115 larger and smaller islands. These fall into two strikingly different geological categories:
A dense group of 42 islands; the only archipelago in the world made of granite. The lush tropical vegetation produces coconuts, bananas, mangoes, yams and breadfruit, among other things. There are native forests on higher slopes, where tea and cinnamon are also grown. All islands including the second largest island Praslin are less than 65 km from Mahé.
The Coral Islands cover a large area of the Indian Ocean southwest of the Granite Islands. They are only a few meters above sea level, but thanks to years of extensive guano fertilization, they are dense and lush. This group of islands is not inhabited all year round. Aldabra is the largest atoll in the world, makes up a third of the land area of the Seychelles and has been declared a UNESCO natural monument.
Mahé is the largest island of both groups and is 4 ° south of the equator. 90% of the population live on the 27 km long and 8 km wide island. The state capital with the main port Victoria is also located here. Mahé is a typical granite island, hilly and mostly covered with jungle; The highest point of the island and also of the country is the Morne Seychellois with 905 m. The remote location of the Seychelles has enabled the biodiversity of the flora and fauna to develop in a unique way. A number of national parks and nature reserves protect this amazing biodiversity.
Government
Presidential republic (in the Commonwealth) since 1976. New constitution from 1993. Unicameral parliament (national assembly) with 34 members. Independent since 1976 (former British colony).
Head of state
Danny Faure, since October 2016.
Head of government
James Michel, since 2004.
Electricity
240 V, 50 Hz; British three prong plug. Adapter required.
Time zone
Seychelles Time: CET +5
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Well-groomed attire is expected, although suits and ties are not common. Business hours: Mon-Fri 8 am-4pm / 5pm.
Economy
Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber of Commerce)
Ebrahim Building, 2nd Floor, PO Box 1399, Victoria, Mahé
Tel: 32 38 12th
Business contacts
Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Chamber of Commerce)
Ebrahim Building, 2nd Floor, PO Box 1399, Victoria, Mahé
Tel: 32 38 12th
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service. Telephone, fax and telegram services are offered by SEYTELS / Cable and Wireless Ltd., Francis Rachel Street, Victoria, Mahé. Phone cards are also available there. Public telephones are available in most areas of the Inner Islands.
Cellphone
GSM 900. The telephone network consists of two GSM networks. Network operators are Cable & Wireless (Internet: www.cws.sc) and Airtel Telecom Seychelles (Internet: www.airtel.sc).
Internet
Internet provider is Atlas Ltd. (Internet: www.seychelles.net). There are internet cafés in the center of Victoria, in the Beau Vallon region on Mahé, as well as on Praslin and La Digue.
Post Office
The main post office is in Victoria. Airmail deliveries are emptied at 3 p.m. on weekdays and at 12 p.m. on Saturdays; Airmail to Europe takes about a week. Post office opening times: Mon-Fri 8 am-3pm, Sat 8 am-12pm. There is a post office on Praslin and La Digue. International couriers are located in central Victoria.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Batik fabrics, wickerwork (including baskets, placemats and hats), carving and carpentry, ceramics, paintings and vanilla. Store
opening times: The larger stores in Victoria are open Mon-Fri 8 am-5pm and Sat 8 am-12pm. Some shops are closed from 12pm to 1pm.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
The local Kamtole music is very lively and is often accompanied by dancers. Theatrical performances are common for evening entertainment (Creole, French, and English), and there are cinemas in Victoria and casinos at the Beau Vallon Bay Hotel and Plantation Club.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Camping
Is prohibited in the Seychelles.
CULTURE
Religion
82.3% Catholics, also 6.4% Anglicans and others.
Social rules of conduct
Manners: Life on the islands is simple and undemanding, and tourism is being carefully expanded in order to maintain the Seychelles’ original charm. Hospitality is very important, visitors are often invited to private homes. Hosts look forward to a gift.
Clothing: Casual clothing is acceptable everywhere, more elegant clothing is rarely worn. Swimwear belongs on the beach, however.
Tip: 5-10% of the bill or fare is common and should be given in hotels, restaurants, when dealing with taxi drivers, hotel porters, etc. All hotel and restaurant bills include 10% service, but payment is not compulsory.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Monsoon rains mostly reach the islands between November and April together with the trade winds from the northwest. This humid season is followed by cooler weather and rougher seas, when the trade winds blow from the southeast from May to October – but temperatures rarely drop below 24 ° C.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +248 Area (square km) 455 Population 92,430 Population density (per square km) 203 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No major emergency number 999
