The
Seychelles are an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar. The
Seychelles Archipelago occupies 400,000 sq km (150,000 sq miles) of the Indian
Ocean northeast of Madagascar and contains 115 islands and islets.
The largest island in either group is Mahé, lying 4°S of the equator. It is 27km (17 miles) long
by 8km (5 miles) wide and contains Victoria, the capital and main port, and 90%
of the population. Mahé is typical of the Granitic Islands, being mountainous
and covered with jungle vegetation.
The Seychellois are descended from a mixture of
French and British landowners, freed African slaves and a small number of
Chinese and Indian immigrants, creating a unique culture.The climate is tropical marine and often humid. The Seychelles do have a cooler season during
southeast monsoon (late May to September) and a warmer season during northwest
monsoon (March to May). The Seychelles do not lie in the cyclone belt.
Creole, English and French are all spoken in the
Seychelles.