The Republic of Seychelles consists of over 116 islands scattered over 1
million square kilometres of sea in the middle of the Western Indian Ocean. The
Seychelles archipelago is divided into two distinct collections: the Mahe group,
43 islands in all, granitic with high hills and mountains and the outlying
islands; and the corralline group numbering 73 or more and for the most part
only a little above sea-level. Mahe the most important island lies between 4
degrees south latitude and 55 degrees east longitude.
It is 27 kms long and 11kms wide rising abruptly from the sea to a maximum
altitude of 905 meters in the mountain of Morne Seychellois. Two other islands
of major importance as regards to size and population are Praslin, 33.6 kms from
Mahe , and home to the unique Coco de Mer and La Digue 48 kms away, with its
bullock cart transport and the only remaining sanctuary of the veuve- the
Seychelles Black paradise flycatcher.In spite of the close proximity of
Seychelles to the Equator, the climate is healthy. The shade temperature varies
little throughout the year and the hottest months being March to April and the
coolest being July and August. The rainfall varies considerably from island to
island and from year to year. Most of the rainfall occurs during the hot months
when the northwest trade winds blows. The islands are outside the hurricane zone
and thunder storms are rare and mild when they do occur.
There is some evidence that Seychelles islands were known and visited as long
ago as the 8th and 9th centuries. More recently in the 15th and 16th centuries,
they were spasmodically inhabited by pirates but it was not until the middle of
the 18th century that the first settlers established themselves on Ste Anne in
1771.
General Data
Capital: Victoria
Land area: 455.3sq km
Climate: (Average 1972-2003)
Rainfall: 2,942mm
Sunshine: 6.9hrs per day
Mean max temp: 30.1C
Mean min temp: 25.0C
Humidity: 78%
Maximum gust: 50 knots
Currency: Rupees (R) and cents