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Seychelles: Seychelles Islands
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The Seychelles are right in the heart of the Indian Ocean between the African East Coast and India. They are a bit closer to Africa geographically speaking but culturallyit is an amalgam of european, african,indian and chineese cultures which can be found in the language creole based onfrench the cuisine french base with indianspices and chineese way of cooking and tfinally the music which comes predominantly from african roots music mixed with european country dance which has give rise to the sega beat unique to the indian ocean region,and geologically speaking it is maybe closer to the Indian subcontinent. The Seychelles are the only granitic islands in the world (all the others are volcanic or biological in origin) which accounts for it's unusual rock formations. The islands were "left behind" as the Indian sub-continent moved northward on its way to collide with Asia.
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LOCATION & GEOGRAPHY: Seychelles is an archipelago of over 100 islands that are widely scattered in the West Indian Ocean. The principal island is Mahe which is mountainous with towering rugged crests, boulders and cliffs, although sandy beaches surround the coastline. In general, the islands are divided into two groups, (1.) the granite islands which number 32 and (2.) the coralline islands which number over 60. After Mahe the three largest islands are Praslin, La Digue and Silhouette. Major Cities; Victoria 24,300 (1987). Land Use; forested 11%, pastures and agricultural-cultivated 16%, other 73% (1993).
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As the islands of the Seychelles had no indigenous population, the current Seychellois are composed of people who have immigrated to the island. The largest ethnic groups are those of French, African, Indian, and Chinese descent. French and English are official languages along with Seychellois Creole, which is primarily based upon French. Most Seychellois are Christians; the Roman Catholic Church is the predominant denomination.
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Seychelles Islands located in the Indian Ocean, is a group of about 115 small islands, the main islands are Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. Victoria is the capital of Seychelles islands located in Mahé. It is located about 1600 km from the east coast of Africa. The three main islands are all out of granite, the others are coral atolls. The first who visited the island were the Arabs. In 1505 the island appeared on the Portuguese charts, Mahé de Labourdonnais, who was been the French Governor of Mauritius island, sent in 1742 an expedition to the Seychelles islands.
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Once considered the original site of the Garden of Eden, the Seychelles’ archipelago still nurtures unique species of flora and fauna (such as the fabulous coco-de-mer, as well as awe-inspiring natural granite structures that date from the dawn of time). With almost half its limited landmass set aside as nature reserves, one of the highest percentages of any country in the world, Seychelles remains a pristine sanctuary of legendary beauty and immense diversity. For today’s discerning traveller seeking tranquility, and the ultimate in tropical magic, Seychelles is as pure as it gets. Like pearls on a thread of 1,400,000 sq. km of azure ocean, Seychelles comprises a nucleus of 41 spectacular granitic islands, the cultural hub of the nation, and 74 sparkling sand cays and out-of-the-way atolls. Together, these form six distinct groups: the Inner Islands, the Amirantes, Southern Coral, Alphonse, Farquhar, and Aldabra all lying between 480km and 1600km from the east African coast.
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Like Mauritius, Reunion and Rodriguez the Seychelles were uninhabited when first visited by Europeans; though fragments of ruins found on Praslin and Frigate islands may indicate the presence of man in earlier centuries. The islands were colonized by Mauritian and Bourbon creoles; the white element, still prevailingly French, has been strengthened by the settlement of several British families. The first planters introduced slaves from Mauritius, and the negro element has been increased by the introduction of freed slaves from East Africa. There has been ... an immigration of Chinese and, in larger numbers, of Indians (mainly from the Malabar coast). An official report issued in 1910 stated that the greater part of the valuable town property had passed into the hands of Indians, and that Indians and Chinese had the bulk of the retail trade. Of the coloured population those born in the Seychelles of negro, or negro-Indian blood are known as "enfants des files."
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