Imagine finding these gems of the Indian Ocean for the first time. No human inhabitants - just sublime flora & fauna.

While Arab traders were probably the first to visit the uninhabited Seychelles, the first recorded sighting of them took place in 1505, by the Portuguese.

Used as a transit point for trading between Africa & Asia, they were occasionally used by pirates until the French began to take control of the islands starting in 1756, naming them after Jean Moreau de Sechelles, the then French finance minister.

Seychelles is a comparatively young nation which can trace its first settlement back to 1770 when the islands were first settled by the French, who lead the way for a small party of predominantly whites, Indians & African slaves.

The islands remained in French hands until the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, evolving from humble beginnings to attain a population of 3,500 by the time Seychelles was ceded to Britain under the treaty of Paris in 1814.

During this period Seychelles came to know the enlightened policies of administrators such as Pierre Poivre, the brilliant politicking of Governor Queau de Quinssy & of course, the terrible repercussions of the French Revolution.

Under the British, Seychelles achieved a population of some 7,000 by the year 1825.

Important estates were established during this time producing coconut, food crops, cotton and sugar cane. During this period Seychelles also saw the establishment of Victoria as her capital, (named after the British Monarch Queen Victoria) the exile of numerous & colorful scoundrel troublemakers from the Empire, the devastation caused by the famous Avalanche of 1862 & the economic repercussions which followed the abolition of slavery.

Seychelles achieved independence from Britain in 1976 & became a republic within the commonwealth.

Following a period of single party rule by the government of Mr. France Albert René, on December 4, 1991, President René announced a return to the democratic multiparty system of government. The year 1993 saw the first multiparty presidential & legislative elections held under a new constitution in which President René was victorious. President René also won the 1998 & 2003 elections before transferring the Presidency to James Alix Michel in June 2004.

In the evolution of its society, Seychelles has remained faithful to its multi-ethnic roots, as over the past two centuries, the islands have remained a melting pot of different races, traditions & religions & in addition, freed-slaves, all of whom have emanated from the four corners of the earth.

Inspired by its grand diversity of cultural influences, ethnic diversity with racial harmony remain the mainstays of today's vibrant yet tranquil Creole nation for which neighborly harmony is an accepted & practiced way of life.

There are three officially accepted languages used in the Seychelles; Creole – which is a lilting French patois; English & French. Many of the local Seychellois population also are fluent in Italian & German.

Roman Catholicism remains the dominant religion of Seychelles, but there are also Anglican & Protestant churches in addition to the places of worship of other denominations. These base religions live in harmony alongside, Muslim, Hindu & Bahaï communities based on Mahé, Praslin & La Digue.

The local climate is tropical, tempered by marine influences & fairly humid. The Seychelles are fortunate to lie outside the tropical cyclone belt.

The southeast monsoon is a generally cooler season which lasts from late May to September, while the warmer northwest monsoon lasts from March to May.

The Inner Islands of the Seychelles archipelago – those which are mostly granitic - cluster mainly around the principal islands of Mahé, Praslin & La Digue, forming the cultural & the economic hub of Seychelles, as well as the centre of its tourism industry.

Together they are home to the majority of Seychelles’ accommodation facilities as well almost the entire population of the archipelago. There are 43 Inner islands in total – 41 granitic & 2 coralline.

Below is the list of Inner Islands that would be of primary interest to international visitors to the Seychelles as these are the islands with a wide range of accommodation options.

• Mahé
• Praslin
• La Digue

Other islands in Seychelles that offer small boutique properties are:

• Bird Island
• Cerf
• Chauve Souris
• Cousine
• Denis Island
• Frégate
• North Island
• Round Island (Praslin)
• Silhouette
• Ste. Anne

The Outer Islands constitute those situated beyond the Seychelles plateau.

They comprise 72 low-lying sand cays & atolls lying anywhere between 230km - 1150km from Mahé.

Less visited than their granitic cousins due to their relative remoteness, these pristine miniature worlds, some little more than sand spits or lonely rocky outcrops, offer untouched habitats for many species of wildlife.

Only two islands among the Outer Island groups, namely Alphonse & Desroches, currently offer accommodation facilities. They boast luxuriously appointed 5 star + resort lodges as well as unparalleled opportunities for sailing, fishing & diving in places where few have gone before.

Seychelles is a living museum of natural history; a sanctuary for some of the rarest species of flora & fauna on earth.

With almost 50% of its limited landmass set aside as National Parks & Reserves, Seychelles prides itself on its record for far sighted conservation policies that have resulted in an enviable degree of protection for the environment & the varied ecosystems it supports.

Nowhere else on earth will you find unique endemic specimens such as the fabulous Coco-de-mer, the largest seed in the world; the jellyfish tree, with only eight surviving examples; the Seychelles’ paradise flycatcher & Seychelles warbler.

TheSeychelles warbler is a passerine living on a few small islands of the Seychelles.

In 2004 a translocation was carried out, 58 warblers were transported from the island of Cousin to a previously unoccupied island. The birds started reproducing & the population is steadily growing now.

Seychelles is also home to two U.N.E.S.C.O World Heritage Sites: Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll & Praslin’s Vallée de Mai, once believed to be the original site of the Garden of Eden.

From the smallest frog to the heaviest land tortoise & the only flightless bird of the Indian Ocean, Seychelles nurtures an amazing array of endemic species within surrounds of exceptional natural beauty.

Seychelles has to be the most concentrated place on earth for stunning, practically deserted beaches.

Starting with the island of Mahe, Beau Vallon beach to the north is the most frequented of the beaches in the region & perhaps the most popular on the island. And that’s simply for good reason. Easy access & short distance from Victoria, it is close for everyone.

Anse Source D'Argent, the second best beach in the Seychelles is also one of the most popular.

The coastline is a series of small crescent pink sand beaches separated by gigantic granite boulders which are famous for their unusual curves worn by time and weather.

The beach is sheltered by a reef, ideal for snorkeling & sun bathing. The calm waters make it perfect for families.

Anse Source D'Argent, voted numerous times the 'best beaches in the world', is also one of the most photographed beaches, featured in numerous travel magazines as well as travel programs.

Anse Source D'Argent is located on La Digue, one of the principal islands. La Digue manages to be tropical, homey, understated and classy all at once, without sprawling resort hotels, grand casinos & bustling sport activity centers.

If you find it hard to tear yourself away, don't say we didn't warn you. However, you can explore the coastline here for hours & hours.

The Seychelles was once thought to be the location of the Garden of Eden, & Anse Source D'Argent almost leaves no doubt — you just may be tempted to cancel your return flight home!

Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles & the most popular with tourists.

Why? The top beach in the Seychelles is located here: Anse Lazio on the isle of Praslin.

Soft white sand beaches & crystal clear turquoise waters surround the small island.

The Best Beach in the Seychelles goes to Anse Lazio.

Situated on the North West corner of Praslin in Bay Chevalier, it is a perfect crescent of soft, fine grained sand. The beach is relatively deep, from the fringe of Takamaka trees & palms to the waves of the warm Indian Ocean.

To the right of the beach you'll see the craggy deserted Pointe Chevalier. Bounded on the other side by the curve of the island, you feel secluded.

This is why year after year Anse Lazio is voted "the best beach in the world" by numerous travel publications & influential tourism newspapers. Don't miss this. Travelers make a special day trip to Praslin just to see it. The guide books talk it up as if it is the eighth wonder of the world.

Due to its north-west facing location, Anse Lazio is perfectly situated to experience the full force of a Seychelles sunset.