Seychelles Travel Guide

Seychelles — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Indian Ocean, 1,600km (990 miles) east of Kenya.
Language: Creole, English and French.
Area: 455.3 sq km (176 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 4.
Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz. British three-pin plugs are in use.
Population: 81,100 (2005).
Population Density: 177.7 per sq km.
Capital City: Victoria (Mahé). Population: 71,000 (2005).
Government: Republic since 1976. Gained independence from the UK in 1975.
Head of State: President James Alix Michel since 2004.
Religion: 83% Roman Catholic with Anglican, Seventh Day Adventist, Muslim, Baha’i and other minorities.

Recent History

In April 2004, after more than a quarter of a century in power, Albert René retired and handed presidency over to his vice-president, James Michel. Michel promised to introduce a more open dialog, particularly over economic matters, and to involve the private sector in the national economy. Michel was re-elected in July 2006.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +248.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies.

Internet

There are several Internet cafes on Mahé. Most of the larger hotels have arrangements for visitors to obtain a temporary guest account.

Media

The government controls much of the islands' media, and operates the only radio and TV stations and the sole daily newspaper. SBC operates national mediumwave (AM) services and music station Paradise FM; the BBC World Service and Radio France Internationale are available via FM relays. State-run SBC TV is operated by Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). Seychelles Nation is an English-language newspaper (morning daily except on Sundays); Regar is an opposition weekly publication.

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.Mon-Fri 0800-1600, Sat 0800-1200.

Public Holidays

Below are the Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec - 25 Dec Christmas Day

2011
1 Jan - 2 Jan New Year
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
5 Jun Liberation Day (Anniversary of 1977 Coup)
18 Jun National Day
23 Jun Corpus Christi
29 Jun Independence Day
15 Aug Assumption/La Digue Festival
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
8 Dec Immaculate Conception
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan - 2 Jan New Year
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
5 Jun Liberation Day (Anniversary of 1977 Coup)
7 Jun Corpus Christi
18 Jun National Day
29 Jun Independence Day
15 Aug Assumption/La Digue Festival
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
8 Dec Immaculate Conception
25 Dec Christmas Day