News: Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie will be on a state visit to India from February 5 to 10 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Key Facts about Seychelles
- Seychelles is an island country located in the western Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar and east of mainland Africa.
- Total area: 446 km2
- Capital: Victoria on Mahe
- The country consists of an archipelago of 115 islands (only 8 are permanently inhabited).
- Island groups: It consists of two Island groups – Inner Island and outer island groups.
- Seychelles Inner Islands: It is also known as the Mahé group of Island and consists of 45 islands.
- The largest are Mahé, Praslin, La Digue and Silhouette Island.
- They are surrounded by coral reefs and have narrow coastlines and ranges of hills.
- Morne Seychellois is the highest peak of the archipelago.
- Seychelles Outer Islands: The Seychelles Outer Islands are a chain of coral atolls, such as the Amirante and Alphonse Islands. They are mostly uninhabited.
- Seychelles Inner Islands: It is also known as the Mahé group of Island and consists of 45 islands.
- Flora: Seychelles has a unique variety of plants such as Coco de Mer palm, which produces the largest seed in the world and grows only in Seychelles.
- The islands also have mangroves, orchids, fruit trees, and many native plants.
- Fauna: It is home to many rare animals such as Seychelles sheath-tailed bat, giant Aldabra tortoises, Gardiner’s frog, and birds such as the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, Magpie Robin, and Blue Pigeon.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: The Vallée de Mai on Praslin with its rare coco-de-mer nuts and the Aldabra Atoll, the largest uplifted coral atoll in the world.
