Geography

The granitic islands of the Republic of Seychelles were, as recently as 10,000 years ago, a single land mass covering about 300,000 km2. Today, their area totals only 235 km2 and the main island of Mahé accounts for well over half this area. The Mahé Group is a narrow rocky and hilly coastal strip. The remaining 220 km2 of land area in Seychelles is made up of 75 “outer” coralline islands. Among these, Aldabra (154 km2) is the largest raised coral atoll in the world, and is also a World Heritage Site.

The highest point of the Seychelles is Morne Seychellois at 905 m above sea level. The climate is tropical marine, hot and humid all year round with a cooler season during the south-east monsoon (late May to September) and a warmer season during the north-west monsoon (March to May). The population is 80,832 (July 2004 estimate) and languages are English (official), French (official) and Creole. For more information please refer to CIA Factbook.