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Praslin

Coordinates: 4°19′48″S 55°44′48″E / 4.33000°S 55.74667°E / -4.33000; 55.74667
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For the town in France, see Praslin, Aube. For the town in Saint Lucia, see Praslin, Saint Lucia.
Praslin Island
Nickname: Ile de Palmes
Praslin Island is located in Seychelles
Praslin Island
Praslin Island
Geography
LocationSeychelles, Indian Ocean
Coordinates4°19′48″S 55°44′48″E / 4.33000°S 55.74667°E / -4.33000; 55.74667
ArchipelagoInner Islands, Seychelles
Adjacent toIndian Ocean
Total islands1
Major islands
  • Praslin
Area38.52 km2 (14.87 sq mi)
Length12 km (7.5 mi)
Width4.6 km (2.86 mi)
Coastline46 km (28.6 mi)
Highest elevation367 m (1204 ft)
Highest pointMont Azore
Administration
GroupInner Islands
Sub-GroupGranitic Seychelles
Sub-GroupPraslin Islands
DistrictsSplit
Largest settlementBaie Sainte Anne (pop. 2500)
Demographics
Population7,553 (2014)
Ethnic groupsCreole, French, East Africans, Chinese, Indians.
Additional information
Time zone
ISO codeSC-07,14
Official websiteOfficial Site

Praslin (French pronunciation: [pʁalɛ̃]) is the second largest island (38.5 km2) of the Inner Seychelles, lying 44 km (27 mi) northeast of Mahé. Praslin has a population of around 7,533 people and comprises two administrative districts: Baie Sainte Anne and Grand' Anse. The main settlements are the Baie Ste Anne, Anse Volbert and Grand' Anse.

History

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It was named Isle de Palmes by explorer Lazare Picault in 1744. During that time it was used as a hideaway by pirates and Arab merchants. In 1768 it was renamed Praslin in honor of French diplomat César Gabriel de Choiseul, duc de Praslin.

Praslin is known as a tourist destination with several hotels and resorts, as well as a number of beaches such as Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette.

It has substantial tracts of tropical forests with birds such as the endemic Seychelles bulbul and the Seychelles black parrot. The Vallée de Mai Nature Preserve, established in 1979,[1] is known for the unique coco de mer and vanilla orchids. It has been reported that General Charles George Gordon of Khartoum (1833–1885), an ardent Christian cosmologist, was convinced that Vallée de Mai was the Biblical "Garden of Eden".[2]

Praslin is home to Praslin Island Airport, while surrounding islands include Curieuse Island, La Digue, Cousin Island, Cousine Island and Aride Island. There are a few near offshore islets including Round Island (0.193 km2) and Chauve Souris (0.007 km2), both of which have hotel accommodations.

A large area in the south of the island has been designated as Praslin National Park and surrounding areas Important Bird Area.

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  • Beach Anse Georgette, Praslin
    Beach Anse Georgette, Praslin
  • Beach Anse Lazio, Praslin
    Beach Anse Lazio, Praslin
  • Beach Anse Lazio
    Beach Anse Lazio
  • Coco de Mer from Praslin
    Coco de Mer from Praslin
  • Praslin, Seychellen
    Praslin, Seychellen
  • Beach Petite Anse Kerlan, Praslin
    Beach Petite Anse Kerlan, Praslin
  • Praslin within Seychelles
    Praslin within Seychelles
  • Map of Praslin
    Map of Praslin
  • Praslin airport
    Praslin airport
  • Anse Lazio Beach on Praslin
    Anse Lazio Beach on Praslin
  • Seychelles bulbul (Hypsipetes crassirostris) on Praslin
    Seychelles bulbul (Hypsipetes crassirostris) on Praslin
  • The Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island.
    The Vallée de Mai on Praslin Island.
  • Coco de mer
    Coco de mer
  • Praslin seen from the east
    Praslin seen from the east
  • View of the second largest island of the Seychelles, Praslin, from Anse Sévère, La Digue, Seychelles
    View of the second largest island of the Seychelles, Praslin, from Anse Sévère, La Digue, Seychelles

See also

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References

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  1. ^ reserve info
  2. ^ Colley, Linda (2 September 2011). "Ghosts of Empire by Kwasi Kwarteng – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
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