Seychelles
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Introduction
The Seychelles is an
archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar, consisting of more
than 100 islands of which 83 are named and 46 are permanently uninhabited.
Mahé is the principal island comprising of 142 sq km, with the islands
of Praslin, La Digue and Silhouette being the next important . Situated about
1,600 km off the east coast of Africa, Mahe extends 27 km north to south and 11
km east to west and has a coastline of 127 km.
The Seychelles Islands
are the highest point of the Mascarene Ridge, an Indian Ocean ridge running in
a generally north-south direction.
The granite islands rise above the
sea surface to form a peak or ridge which, in the case of Mahé, attains
an elevation of 3,000 ft at Morne Seychellois, the highest point. Rugged
crests, towering cliffs, boulders and domes contribute to the islands great
natural beauty. Here and there, in the hollows between the rock relief, are
pockets of lateritic soil, often very thin and easily eroded.
Mahé possesses white sandy beaches which are flats of coral and shell
known locally as plateaus, although they rarely achieve an elevation of more
than 10 ft above sea level. Small streams descending the mountain slopes
deposit alluvial material, creating the most fertile soils on the island.
The coralline Seychelles are, in contrast, low-lying, rising only a few
feet above the surface of the sea. Many have the typical Indian Ocean lagoon.
Soils tend to be thin with poor moisture retention. These island are suited
only to coconut palm and a few other species.
| The Africa Guide's recommended Book
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Seychelles,
3rd (Bradt Travel Guide)
(amazon.com) - USA (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
Palm-fringed silvery sands,
turquoise seas, misty mountain peaks and coral reefs coupled with tropical sun,
starry skies and delightful people, the Seychelles are an idyllic escape for
discerning travellers. A haven for those interested in natural history, the
guide gives fascinating coverage of the islands' biodiversity, from mangroves,
turtles and birds to nature reserves and conservation projects. Seychelles'
many secrets like the coco de mer palm forest, island bird sanctuaries and
Creole cuisine are all revealed |
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