Which Seychelles island contains the capital city, Victoria? The answer is Mahé.
Mahé is the largest and most populous island of Seychelles, and it contains Victoria, the country’s capital, on its northeastern coast. The island is the political, commercial, and transportation hub of the archipelago, with Seychelles International Airport and the important harbor of Port Victoria.
Victoria began as a French colonial settlement in 1778, when the area was called L’Établissement. The British renamed it Victoria in 1841, honoring Queen Victoria. Today, the capital is known for landmarks including its clock tower, modeled on London’s Little Ben, as well as markets, museums, botanical gardens, and religious buildings.
Mahé is mountainous and heavily forested, unlike the mental image some visitors may have of Seychelles as entirely flat beach islands. Morne Seychellois, the country’s highest peak, rises on Mahé within Morne Seychellois National Park. Praslin and La Digue are other well-known Seychelles islands, while Silhouette is also mountainous, but none contains the national capital.