Fact 1: Smallest Capital in the World
Seychelles hosts the smallest capital city in the world, in terms of population – Victoria. Known for its colonial-era architecture, markets, and Creole culture, this capital city has approximately 24,000 inhabitants.
Fact 2: Giant Tortoises
Seychelles is home to the largest population of Aldabra giant tortoises. These tortoises, native to the island, are the largest species in the world. The oldest recorded giant tortoise lived to be 255 years old.
Fact 3: A Nation of Islands
Seychelles is a true ‘nation of islands’ as it consists of 115 diverse islands. Every island is unique in terms of geographic features, offering beautiful landscapes from coral atolls to verdant mountains.
Fact 4: World's Oldest Ocean Islands
The Seychelles islands are considered to be the oldest ocean islands on the earth. The granitic islands of Seychelles are remnants of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, which began breaking apart over 200 million years ago.
Fact 5: Unique Cuisine
Creole cuisine in Seychelles is a fusion of flavors from African, Chinese, French and Indian cuisines. Coconut plays a significant role in many dishes and seafood is, naturally, abundant.
Fact 6: The Coral Reef Cemetery
Seychelles hosts the intriguing Coral Reef Cemetery, made of coral and built by a Frenchman using coral blocks from the sea. The cemetery is one of the oldest in the country and remains a hauntingly beautiful landmark.
Fact 7: The Coco-de-mer Palm
The Vallée de Mai nature reserve in Praslin is the only place in the world where you can see the unique and erotic Coco-de-mer palm growing in its natural state.
Fact 8: The Bird Island
Bird Island, the northernmost island in Seychelles, is a famous birdwatcher's paradise. It’s known to host millions of sooty terns between May and September.
Fact 9: Multiple Time Zones
Incredible as it may seem, Seychelles has no official time zones. The entire country operates on Seychelles Time, which doesn't adjust for daylight saving.
Fact 10: Left-Hand Driving
Similar to countries like the U.K and Australia, Seychelles practices left-hand driving, inherited from colonial British rule.
Fact 11: Diverse Religious Composition
Seychelles has a diverse religious composition with the majority being Roman Catholics, followed by Anglicans, Hindus, and Muslims.
Fact 12: The Love Nut
Coco-de-mer, a type of coconut that is grown only in Seychelles, is also known as the love nut due to its suggestive shape.
Fact 13: Majority of Land is Protected
More than 50% of the country's total land area is national parks and reserves, showcasing Seychelles' commitment to preserving its natural environment.
Fact 14: Marine Paradises
Seychelles is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites Рboth of them marine areas: Aldabra, the world's largest coral atoll, and Vall̩e de Mai on Praslin island.
Fact 15: Origins of Seychellois
There is no indigenous population in Seychelles. The current Seychellois are descendants of early French settlers, African slaves, Indian and Chinese traders.
Fact 16: Dual National Language
Seychelles has two national languages: English and French. The local language is Seychellois Creole, which is a Creole language derived from French.
Fact 17: Largest Cinnamon Producer
Seychelles was once the world's leading producer of cinnamon. Even today, cinnamon is an integral part of Seychellois cuisine and economy.
Fact 18: Independence from Britain
Seychelles got its independence from Britain on 29 June 1976. The day is now celebrated as the National Day of Seychelles.
Fact 19: World's Smallest Frog
The world's smallest frog, the Gardiner's Seychelles frog, is found in Seychelles. This tiny creature, measuring only 11mm long, is one of the world's tiniest vertebrates.
Fact 20: Pirates' Treasure
Seychelles is rumored to be the location of a massive buried treasure, left behind by the infamous pirate Olivier Levasseur, also known as 'La Buse'. Despite countless efforts, the treasure remains undiscovered.