About Seychelles
The Republic of Seychelles is spread over 115 small islands in the Indian Ocean, east of Africa and north of Madagascar and Mauritius. There are two types of islands scattered across an area of approximately 1100 x 800 km. In the northeast of the country are the actual Seychelles islands known as the “Inner Islands” (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and others). These are formed of massive granite rocks. The rest of the archipelago is known as the "Outer Islands" - these islands are formed of flat coral atolls which account for almost half of the dry land. Thirty-three islands are inhabited. Four-fifths of the population live on the largest island of Mahé, where the Seychelles capital of Victoria is located. The population is composed of a varied ethnic mix. There is a blend of African, European, Chinese, Indian as well as Arab blood here, which is also reflected in the languages. French, English and Creole are spoken on the islands, with Creole being the mother tongue of all Seychellois.
Because the Seychelles islands are situated just south of the equator, the climate is tropical, moist but very stable. Throughout the year, temperatures range between 25 and 32°C, with warmer weather prevailing from November to April. Tropical rainfall is more frequent in this period. However, the rain falls mostly at night in the form of short but heavy showers. The water temperature remains at a pleasant 27°C all year long and is even a few degrees higher in the coastal lagoons. Due to its position, Seychelles avoids the zone of tropical cyclones and is therefore ideal for year-round visits.
The charm of Seychelles lies mainly in its beautiful pristine nature which is still largely composed of dense tropical forest with endemic species of flora and fauna. The Aldabra Atoll particularly stands out in this respect as home to the world's largest population of giant tortoises, numbering 150 000 - 180 000 individuals. The Atoll was declared a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 1982. Coco de Mer palm trees are another unique symbol of the country. These coconuts, resembling the shape of a woman's buttocks, weigh up to 30 kilograms. The grove of 4 000 palm trees in the Vallée de Mai National Park on the island of Praslin is also included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Moreover, the Seychelles government makes great efforts to preserve the local environment, which is why natural reserves and national parks cover up to 42 % of the land area.
Access to Seychelles has improved significantly with the introduction of daily flights by Emirates Airlines from Prague, with transfers in Dubai. Another option is a direct flight from Frankfurt, Germany with the Condor company. Aircraft land at Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) situated 10 km southeast of the capital of Victoria on the island of Mahé.
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