Map of Seychelles
Seychelles is a country in Africa with its capital at Victoria, home to about 122,730 people across 459 km². The interactive map below plots 1 cities and towns and 1 mountain summits recorded for Seychelles in YearMaps.
- Population
- 122,730
- Area
- 459 km²
- Capital
- Victoria
- Continent
- Africa
Interactive Map of Seychelles
Centred on Victoria at 4.6166° S, 55.4500° E. Use the layer panel to switch on rivers, dams, ports, peaks and historical borders.
About Seychelles
Seychelles ( , ; French: [sɛʃɛl] or [seʃɛl]), officially the Republic of Seychelles (French: République des Seychelles; Seychellois Creole: Repiblik Sesel), is an archipelagic country consisting of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. Its capital and largest city, Victoria, is 1,500 kilometres (800 nautical miles) east of mainland Africa. Nearby island countries and territories include the Maldives, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and the French overseas departments of Mayotte and Réunion to the south; and the Chagos Archipelago to the east.
Seychelles is the smallest country in Africa as well as the least populated sovereign African country, with an estimated population of 100,600 in 2022.
The Seychelles archipelago was uninhabited prior to sustained external contact. Although Arab and Swahili sailors likely knew of the islands earlier through Indian Ocean trade routes, there is no evidence of permanent settlement before European involvement. The islands were first recorded by Europeans in the 16th century, but were not settled until the 18th century, when France formally claimed them. During the period of French colonization, enslaved Africans were brought to the islands for plantation labor; many had already been captured and enslaved through existing African-Arab slave trade or Indian Ocean slave trade.
It faced competing French and British interests until it came under full British control in the early 19th century. After Britain assumed control in the early 19th century, slavery was abolished and later replaced in part by indentured laborers from India. Since proclaiming independence from the United Kingdom in 1976, it has developed from a largely agricultural society to a market-based diversified economy, characterized by service, public sector, and tourism activities. From 1976 to 2015, nominal GDP grew nearly 700%, and purchasing power parity nearly 1600%. Since the late 2010s, the government has taken steps to encourage foreign investment.
As of the early 21st century, Seychelles has the highest nominal per capita GDP and the highest Human Development Index ranking of any African country. According to the 2024 V-Dem Democracy indices, Seychelles is the 43rd-ranked electoral democracy worldwide, the 1st-ranked liberal democracy in Africa, and the 2nd-ranked electoral democracy on the continent. Seychellois culture and society is an eclectic mix of French, British, Indian and African influences, with infusions of Chinese elements.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia: Seychelles (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Geography and Climate of Seychelles
Seychelles was uninhabited before Europeans discovered the islands early in the 16th century. After a lengthy struggle, France eventually ceded control of the islands to Great Britain in 1814. During colonial rule, a plantation-based economy developed that relied on imported labor, primarily from European colonies in Africa. Seychelles gained independence in 1976 through negotiations with Great Britain. In 1977, Prime Minister France-Albert RENE launched a coup against the country’s first president, and Seychelles became a socialist one-party state until adopting a new constitution and holding elections in 1993. RENE continued to lead Seychelles through two election cycles until he stepped down in 2004. Vice President James Alix MICHEL took over the presidency and in 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in 2011 and again in 2015. In 2016, James MICHEL resigned and handed over the presidency to his vice-president, Danny FAURE. In 2020, Wavel RAMKALAWAN was elected president, the first time an opposition candidate has won the presidency.
- Location
- Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar.
- Climate
- Tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)
- Terrain
- Mahe Group is volcanic with a narrow coastal strip and rocky, hilly interior; others are relatively flat coral atolls, or elevated reefs; sits atop the submarine Mascarene Plateau.
- Highest point
- Morne Seychellois 905 m.
- Lowest point
- Indian Ocean 0 m.
- Coastline
- 491 km.
- Land borders
- Total: 0 km.
- Natural resources
- Fish, coconuts (copra), cinnamon trees.
- Land use
- Agricultural land: 3.4% (2023 est.); arable land: 0.3% (2023 est.); permanent crops: 3% (2023 est.); permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.); forest: 58.6% (2023 est.); other: 38% (2023 est.)
- Natural hazards
- Lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; occasional short droughts.
- Geographic note
- The smallest African country in terms of both area and population; the constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155 islands, including 42 granitic and 113 coralline; the largest island by far is Mahe, which is home to about 90% of the population and is the site of the capital city of Victoria.
- Languages
- Seychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 10.5% (Anglican 6.1%, Pentecostal Assembly 1.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.2%, other Protestant 1.7%), other Christian 2.4%, Hindu 2.4%, Muslim 1.6%, other non-Christian 1.1%, unspecified 4.8%, none 0.9% (2010 est.)
- Ethnic groups
- Predominantly Creole (mainly of East African and Malagasy heritage); also French, Indian, Chinese, and Arab populations.
- Economy
- High-income Indian Ocean island economy; rapidly growing tourism sector; major tuna exporter; offshore financial hub; environmentally fragile and investing in ocean rise mitigation; recently discovered offshore oil potential; successful anticorruption efforts.
From the CIA World Factbook (public domain), archived edition of 2026-01-22. The Factbook is no longer updated, so figures reflect that edition.
Seychelles in Numbers
- Population
- 122,730
- GDP
- US$2.4 billion
- GDP per person
- US$19,449
- Life expectancy
- 76.3 years
- Population growth
- 1.13% a year
- Population density
- 266 per km²
- Urban population
- 45.5%
- Surface area
- 457 km²
- Forest cover
- 58.5%
- Arable land
- 0.3%
- Access to electricity
- 100.0%
- Internet users
- 87.8%
Indicators from World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). The year under each figure is its reference year.
Seychelles in Depth
History
Seychelles was uninhabited throughout most of recorded history, although simulations of Austronesian migration patterns indicate a good probability that they visited the islands. Tombs visible until 1910 at Anse Lascars on Silhouette Island have also been conjectured to belong to later Maldivian and Arab traders visiting the archipelago. Vasco da Gama and his 4th Portuguese India Armada discovered the Seychelles on 15 March 1503; the first sighting was made by Thomé Lopes aboard Rui Mendes de Brito. Da Gama's ships passed close to an elevated island, probably Silhouette Island, and the following day Desroches Island. Later, the Portuguese mapped a group of seven islands and named them The Seven Sisters.
Geography
An island nation, Seychelles is located in the Somali Sea segment of the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar and about 1,600 km (860 nmi) east of Kenya. The Constitution of Seychelles lists 155 named islands, and a further 7 reclaimed islands have been created subsequent to the publication of the Constitution. The majority of the islands are uninhabited, with many dedicated as nature reserves. Seychelles' largest island, Mahé, is located 1,550 km (835 nmi) from Mogadishu (Somalia's capital).
Seychelles sits atop a large submerged granite block known as the Seychelles microcontinent, which was sandwiched between Madagascar and India before the breakup of Gondwanaland. Alfred Wegener cited the Seychelles' granitic composition, akin to that of continents, as evidence of continental drift.
Economy
During the plantation era, cinnamon, vanilla and copra were the chief exports. In 1965, during a three-month visit to the islands, futurist Donald Prell prepared for the crown colony's Governor General an economic report containing a scenario for the future of the economy. Quoting from his report, in the 1960s, about 33% of the working population worked at plantations, and 20% worked in the public or government sector. The Indian Ocean Tracking Station on Mahé used by the United States' Air Force Satellite Control Network was closed in August 1996 after the Seychelles government attempted to raise the rent to more than $10,000,000 per year.
Since independence in 1976, per capita output has expanded to roughly seven times the old near-subsistence level.
Demographics
When the British gained control of the islands during the Napoleonic Wars, they allowed the French upper class to retain their land. Both the French and British settlers used enslaved Africans, and although the British prohibited slavery in 1835, African workers continued to come. The Gran blan ("big whites") of French origin dominated economic and political life. The British administration employed Indians on indentured servitude to the same degree as in Mauritius resulting in a small Indian population.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Seychelles (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Seychelles: Key Facts
| Currency | Seychellois rupee |
|---|---|
| Official languages | French, English, Seychellois Creole |
| Head of state | Patrick Herminie |
| Head of government | Patrick Herminie |
| Calling code | +248 |
| Internet domain | .sc |
| Highest point | Morne Seychellois |
| Lowest point | Indian Ocean |
| Established | 29 June 1976 |
Facts from Wikidata Q1042 (CC0).
Visiting Seychelles
The Seychelles (Seychellois Creole: Sesel) is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar and east of Kenya. It consists of 115 islands, of which the largest are Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. The capital and largest city is Victoria, located on the island of Mahe.
Seychelles is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life. It is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. The economy is largely based on tourism and fishing, and the country has made significant progress in developing its infrastructure and promoting sustainable development.
Seychelles is also home to a unique biodiversity, with many species of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. The Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest raised coral atoll in the world and is home to over 150,000 giant tortoises.
Travel notes adapted from Wikivoyage: Seychelles (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Largest Cities in Seychelles
1 city recorded. Ranked by metropolitan population. A port city's harbour is written up on the page of its sea.
| # | Name | Population | Region | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Victoria | 33,576 | — | National capital |
Highest Mountains in Seychelles
1 mountain recorded. Ranked by summit elevation above sea level. A summit on a border is listed under both countries.
| # | Name | Elevation | Feet | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morne Seychellois | 905 m | 2,969 ft | Seven seas (open ocean) |
Morne Seychellois
Mountain · 905 m
Morne Seychellois is a mountain rising to 905 metres (2,969 ft) in the Seychelles, in the Seven seas (open ocean) region. From PeakBagger.com, with kind permission..
Morne Seychellois is the highest peak in Seychelles. Morne Seychellois is located on the island of Mahé in the Morne Seychellois National Park.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Morne Seychellois (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Elevation
- 905 m (2,969 ft)
- Global rank
- #571 of 641 indexed
- Region
- Seven seas (open ocean) (#8)
- Subregion
- Indian Ocean
- Country
- Seychelles
- Coordinates
- -4.6322°, 55.4397°
Of the 641 named summits indexed in YearMaps, Morne Seychellois ranks #571 by elevation, below Soufrière Hills Volcano (914 m) and above Serra dos Carajás-Pico (898 m).
- Ranges:
- Ogo Mountains (Africa), Ahmar Mountains (Africa)
- Neighbouring summits:
- Maromokotro (2,876 m), Benara (660 m), Piton des Neiges (3,069 m)
- Settlements below:
- Victoria (2 km), Antsiranana (1,084 km), Sambava (1,217 km)
More about Morne Seychellois
Morne Seychellois: Key Facts
| Topographic prominence | 905 m |
|---|
Facts from Wikidata Q1579060 (CC0).
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Seychelles
2 World Heritage Sites recorded. Listed by year of inscription, earliest first. Sites shared with another country appear under each.
| # | Name | Inscribed | Type | Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aldabra | 1982 | Natural | (vii) (ix) (x) |
| 2 | Vallée de Mai | 1983 | Natural | (vii) (viii) (ix) (x) |
Largest Islands of Seychelles
2 islands recorded. Ranked by mapped area. An island divided between countries is listed under each, with the area of the whole island.
| # | Name | Area | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mahé Island | 175 km² | Island |
| 2 | Aldabra Island | 123 km² | Island |
Mahé Island
Island · 175 km²
Mahé Island is an island in Seven seas (open ocean) (Seychelles), covering an estimated 175 km².
Mahé is the largest island of Seychelles, with an area of 157.3 square kilometres (60.7 sq mi), lying in the northeast of the Seychellois nation in the Somali Sea part of the Indian Ocean. The population of Mahé was 77,000, as of the 2010 census. It contains the capital city of Victoria and accommodates 86% of the country's total population. The island was named after Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais, a French governor of Isle de France (modern-day Mauritius).
Adapted from Wikipedia: Mahé (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Feature class
- Island
- Mapped extent
- 175 km²
- Size rank
- #373 of 445 islands
- Region
- Seven seas (open ocean)
- Subregion
- Seychelles
- Coordinates
- -4.6231°, 55.4452°
- Summits:
- Morne Seychellois (905 m), Maromokotro (2,876 m), Benara (660 m)
- Ranges:
- Ogo Mountains (Africa), Ahmar Mountains (Africa)
- Settlements:
- Victoria (1 km), Antsiranana (1,086 km), Sambava (1,218 km)
More about Mahé Island
Geography
Mahé's tallest peak is Morne Seychellois at 905 m (2,969 ft), which lies in the Morne Seychellois National Park. The northern and eastern parts of the island are home to much of the population and the Seychelles International Airport, which opened in 1971. The southern and western parts have Baie Ternay Marine National Park, Port Launay Marine National Park, and University of Seychelles. The Sainte Anne Marine National Park lies offshore, as do Conception Island, Thérèse Island, Anonyme Island, and several smaller islands.
Mahé's forests have rare endemic plants found only in Seychelles, such as the critically endangered Medusagyne oppositifolia (the jellyfish tree), the carnivorous Nepenthes pervillei (Seychelles pitcher plant), and many unique species of orchid.
History
Mahé was first visited by the British in 1609 and not visited by Europeans again until Lazare Picault's expedition of 1742. The French navy frégate Le Cerf (English: The Deer) arrived at Port Victoria on 1 November 1756. On board was Corneille Nicholas Morphey, leader of the French expedition, which claimed the island for the King of France by laying a Stone of Possession on Mahé, Seychelles' oldest monument, now on display in the National Museum, Victoria.
In August 1801, Royal Navy frigate HMS Sibylle captured the French frigate Chiffonne on the island. Mahé remained a French possession until 1812 when it became a British colony. It remained a colony until 1976 when Seychelles became an independent nation.
Economy
Air Seychelles has its head office on the property of Seychelles International Airport on the island. The Port of Victoria is home to a tuna fishing and canning industry. From 1963 to 1996, the United States Air Force maintained a satellite control network at the Indian Ocean Station, where it had a significant impact on the local economy.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Mahé (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Mahé Island: Key Facts
| Area | 157 km² |
|---|---|
| Population | 77,000 (2010) |
| Highest point | Morne Seychellois |
| Surrounded by | Indian Ocean |
Facts from Wikidata Q219642 (CC0).
Visiting Mahé Island
Mahé is the largest and most populous island in the Seychelles, home to 90% of the country's population and its largest airport. It is home to the national capital, Victoria. The island is named in honor of the 18th century governor of Mauritius. Mahé is dominated by the granite peaks of Morne Seychellois National Park.
The key reasons for visiting are the white sand beaches such as Beau Vallon and Anse Royal, the waters of St Anne National Park, the numerous hikes available, and the colonial architecture.
Mahé is the main hub for Seychelles island hopping.
Travel notes adapted from Wikivoyage: Mahé (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Aldabra Island
Island · 123 km²
Aldabra Island is an island in Seven seas (open ocean) (Seychelles), covering an estimated 123 km².
Aldabra, the world's second-largest coral atoll (the largest is Kiritimati), is located east of the continent of Africa. It is part of the Aldabra Group of islands in the Indian Ocean that are part of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles, with a distance of 1,120 km (700 mi) southwest of the capital, Victoria on Mahé Island.
Adapted from Wikipedia: Aldabra (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Feature class
- Island
- Mapped extent
- 123 km²
- Size rank
- #383 of 445 islands
- Region
- Seven seas (open ocean)
- Subregion
- Seychelles
- Coordinates
- -9.4036°, 46.4323°
- Summits:
- Benara (660 m), Maromokotro (2,876 m), Morne Seychellois (905 m)
- Ranges:
- Inyanga Mountains (Africa), Ruwenzori Range (Africa)
- Settlements:
- Dzaoudzi (397 km), Moroni (433 km), Antsiranana (448 km)
More about Aldabra Island
Geography
Aldabra atoll is in the most southwesterly part of the Seychelles, and is closer to the coast of Africa 630 km (390 mi) than to Mahé. It is 407 km (253 mi) northwest of Madagascar and 440 km (270 mi) from Moroni on the Comoro Islands. The atoll is the largest raised coral reef in the world with an elevation of 8 metres (26 ft); and the second-largest atoll in the world after Kiritimati Atoll. It lies at 9°24′S 46°22′E and belongs to the Aldabra Group, one of the island groups of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles, which includes the island of Assumption and the atolls of Astove and Cosmoledo. Aldabra atoll is 34 kilometres (21 mi) long (in east–west direction) and 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) wide.
History
The name Aldabra, originally Al-Hadra or Al-Khadra (with several variants), was given by Arab seafarers for "the atoll's harsh, sun-baked environment"; this name was included in the Portuguese maps of the 16th century. The islands were already known to the Persians and Arabs, from whom they got their name. They had named the Indian Ocean as Bahr-el zanj. It was visited by Portuguese navigators in 1511. In the middle of the 18th century, the atoll became a dependency of the French colony of Réunion, from where expeditions were made for the capture of the Aldabra giant tortoises.
Geology
The atoll reflects both fossil and geomorphological features, the former is the source of the biodiversity seen today. The atoll consists of reef limestone of Pleistocene age (with irregular coral formations called "champignon", made up of two layers of varying stages of crystallization) and this extends over an average width of 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) rising to a height of 8 metres (26 ft) above sea level, and forming the rim line (low cliffs with "deep notches, preceded by jagged pinnacles") of the shallow central lagoon. Geologically the limestone beds have been subjected to striation, sink holes and pits with prominent and continuous limestone bed on the eastern side above the sediment deposits.
Climate and tides
Aldabra is situated in the dry zone of the south-west Indian Ocean. The northwest monsoon season is from November to March and brings the heaviest rainfall. In the remaining months, the south-easterly trade winds are dominant. Aldabra receives an annual average rainfall of 960 millimetres (38 in). Cyclones are rare in the Seychelles due to its nearness to the Equator. The reported monthly mean maximum air temperature recorded in December is 31 °C (88 °F). The mean minimum temperature recorded in August is 22 °C (72 °F).
The hydrodynamics of Aldabra's lagoon are dominated by the tides. The maximum tidal range at Aldabra is around 2.7m, which is exceptionally large for an atoll.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Aldabra (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Aldabra Island: Key Facts
| Area | 155 km² |
|---|---|
| Surrounded by | Indian Ocean |
Facts from Wikidata Q272768 (CC0).
Countries Bordering Seychelles
Land and maritime neighbours.
More Maps in Africa
Seychelles: Quick Answers
- What is the capital of Seychelles?
- The capital of Seychelles is Victoria.
- What is the population of Seychelles?
- Seychelles has a population of about 122,730, the #193 largest of 225 countries in YearMaps. Source: World Bank, 2025.
- How big is Seychelles?
- Seychelles covers 459 km², ranking #201 by area, with about 267 people per square kilometre.
- Which continent is Seychelles in?
- Seychelles is in Africa.
- Which countries border Seychelles?
- Seychelles shares a land or maritime border with France, Tanzania, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius.
- What is the largest city in Seychelles?
- Victoria is the largest city in Seychelles, with a metropolitan population of about 33,576.
- What is the highest mountain in Seychelles?
- The highest summit recorded for Seychelles in YearMaps is Morne Seychellois at 905 m (2,969 ft). Summits on a border are counted for both countries.