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The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands set within 400,000 square kilometres of the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar.
With the majority of the islands founded on low-level coral, it is the 32 granite islands that are home to most of the republic's 80,000 inhabitants. Mahé, with the republic's capital, Victoria, is the largest island, covering 150 square kilometres. Its highest point, the summit of the Morne Seychellois mountain, is over 900 metres above sea level.
Known as "Repiblik Sesel" in Seselwa, the native Creole of the islands, the Seychelles gained independence from Britain in 1976. Today, the most important branches of industry are tourism and fishing.
The Seychelles is one of the world's last remaining paradises and the protection of the environment is deemed to be of paramount importance. Two areas have been designated UNECSO World Heritage sites and, in addition to numerous nature reserves, there are strictly controlled regulations to protect the area's unique flora & fauna.
