Victoria, Seychelles

Victoria
Counter-Clockwise from top: Victoria clock tower, Seychelles State House, Cathedral of Victoria, Port Victoria.
Official seal of Victoria
Seal
Location of Victoria on Mahé Island
Location of Victoria on Mahé Island
Coordinates: 4°37′23″S 55°27′09″E / 4.62306°S 55.45250°E / -4.62306; 55.45250
CountrySeychelles
IslandMahé
Government
 • MayorLydia Charlie
Area
 • Total20.1 km2 (7.8 sq mi)
Population
 (2010)[1]
 • Total26,450
WebsiteMayorsOfficeSeychelles.com

Victoria (French pronunciation: [viktɔʁja]) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Seychelles, situated on the north-eastern side of Mahé, the archipelago's main island. The city was first established as the seat of the British colonial government. In 2010, the population of Greater Victoria (including the suburbs) was 26,450 (26.66%) out of the country's total population of 99,202.[2] The port is known as Port Victoria.[3]

History

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The area that would become Victoria was originally settled in 1778 by French colonists after they claimed the island in 1756. The town was called L'Établissement until 1841 when it was renamed to Victoria by the British, after Queen Victoria.[4][5][6]

Economy

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Tourism is an important sector of the economy. The principal exports of Victoria are vanilla, coconuts, coconut oil, fish and guano.[7]

Education

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The Mont Fleuri campus of the University of Seychelles is in Victoria.[8]

Culture

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Victoria Clocktower

Attractions in the city include a clocktower modelled on Little Ben in London,[7][9] the courthouse, the Botanical Gardens, the National Museum of History, the Natural History Museum and the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market.[7] Victoria Market and the brightly coloured fish and fruit markets is the local hot spot for the Seychellois people.

Places of worship

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Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Arulmigu Navasakti Vinayagar Temple

There are two cathedrals in Victoria, Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Roman Catholic) and St Paul's Cathedral (Anglican).[10] There are also Baptist and Pentecostal churches,[11] mosques and Hindu temples.

Sports

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Stade Linité, the national stadium, is in Victoria. It is mostly used for football matches.

Transport

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Victoria is served by Seychelles International Airport, completed in 1971.[7] The inner harbour lies immediately east of the town, where tuna fishing and canning is a major industry.[7] One of the largest bridges in Victoria was destroyed by tsunami waves from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.[9]

Districts

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Four of the districts of Seychelles are in Victoria:

Twin towns and sister cities

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Victoria is twinned with:

Country City
 Djibouti Djibouti
 Israel Daliyat al-Karmel
 China Haikou

Climate

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Victoria features a tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification Af) with high temperatures throughout the course of the year. The capital does have noticeably wetter and drier periods during the year, with June and July being its driest months and December through February being the city's wettest months. However, since in no month does the average monthly precipitation falls below 60 millimetres or 2.4 inches in Victoria, the city does not have a true dry season month. This lack of a true dry season month is a primary reason why the climate falls under the tropical rainforest climate category. The capital averages about 2,300 millimetres or 91 inches of rainfall annually. Although being very rainy, skies are usually clear to partly clear and completely cloudy days remain scarce throughout the year even during the rainiest months.

Victoria, Seychelles
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
401
 
 
30
24
 
 
270
 
 
31
25
 
 
196
 
 
31
25
 
 
188
 
 
32
25
 
 
146
 
 
31
26
 
 
103
 
 
29
25
 
 
80
 
 
28
24
 
 
114
 
 
29
24
 
 
150
 
 
29
24
 
 
193
 
 
30
25
 
 
205
 
 
30
24
 
 
303
 
 
30
24
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
16
 
 
86
76
 
 
11
 
 
87
77
 
 
7.7
 
 
88
77
 
 
7.4
 
 
89
78
 
 
5.7
 
 
87
78
 
 
4.1
 
 
85
77
 
 
3.2
 
 
83
75
 
 
4.5
 
 
83
75
 
 
5.9
 
 
85
76
 
 
7.6
 
 
86
76
 
 
8.1
 
 
86
76
 
 
12
 
 
86
76
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Climate data for Victoria (Seychelles International Airport) 1991–2020
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 33.3
(91.9) 		33.4
(92.1) 		33.7
(92.7) 		34.8
(94.6) 		33.5
(92.3) 		32.7
(90.9) 		31.3
(88.3) 		31.4
(88.5) 		31.6
(88.9) 		32.5
(90.5) 		34.4
(93.9) 		33.4
(92.1) 		34.8
(94.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 30.1
(86.2) 		30.6
(87.1) 		31.3
(88.3) 		31.7
(89.1) 		30.9
(87.6) 		29.5
(85.1) 		28.7
(83.7) 		28.8
(83.8) 		29.4
(84.9) 		30.1
(86.2) 		30.4
(86.7) 		30.5
(86.9) 		30.2
(86.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 27.1
(80.8) 		27.8
(82.0) 		28.2
(82.8) 		28.5
(83.3) 		28.2
(82.8) 		27.1
(80.8) 		26.3
(79.3) 		26.3
(79.3) 		26.8
(80.2) 		27.2
(81.0) 		27.3
(81.1) 		27.3
(81.1) 		27.3
(81.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 24.6
(76.3) 		25.3
(77.5) 		25.4
(77.7) 		25.6
(78.1) 		25.9
(78.6) 		25.1
(77.2) 		24.3
(75.7) 		24.4
(75.9) 		24.7
(76.5) 		24.9
(76.8) 		24.7
(76.5) 		24.6
(76.3) 		25.0
(77.0)
Record low °C (°F) 21.5
(70.7) 		21.1
(70.0) 		22.1
(71.8) 		22.0
(71.6) 		21.6
(70.9) 		20.9
(69.6) 		20.4
(68.7) 		19.6
(67.3) 		20.2
(68.4) 		20.5
(68.9) 		21.5
(70.7) 		20.0
(68.0) 		19.6
(67.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 426.6
(16.80) 		250.8
(9.87) 		204.5
(8.05) 		196.3
(7.73) 		171.4
(6.75) 		121.8
(4.80) 		79.9
(3.15) 		114.9
(4.52) 		183.6
(7.23) 		191.2
(7.53) 		214.9
(8.46) 		298.1
(11.74) 		2,454.1
(96.62)
Average relative humidity (%) 82.7 80.0 79.4 78.9 78.6 79.0 79.5 79.5 79.3 78.5 79.4 80.8 79.6
Average dew point °C (°F) 23.9
(75.0) 		23.9
(75.0) 		24.2
(75.6) 		24.4
(75.9) 		24.1
(75.4) 		23.1
(73.6) 		22.4
(72.3) 		22.3
(72.1) 		22.8
(73.0) 		23.1
(73.6) 		23.3
(73.9) 		23.6
(74.5) 		23.4
(74.2)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 155.1 177.8 217.4 239.0 250.4 215.7 234.4 235.3 210.2 223.7 203.1 176.1 2,538.2
Mean daily sunshine hours 5.0 6.2 6.9 7.7 8.2 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.3 7.3 6.8 5.7 6.97
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization[12]
Source 2: Seychelles National Meteorological Services (extremes, mean daily sun 1972-2011)[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]
Climate data for Victoria (Seychelles International Airport) 1972–2011
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 33.3
(91.9) 		33.4
(92.1) 		33.5
(92.3) 		34.1
(93.4) 		33.5
(92.3) 		32.6
(90.7) 		31.1
(88.0) 		31.4
(88.5) 		31.6
(88.9) 		32.4
(90.3) 		34.4
(93.9) 		33.4
(92.1) 		34.4
(93.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.9
(85.8) 		30.5
(86.9) 		31.1
(88.0) 		31.5
(88.7) 		30.7
(87.3) 		29.2
(84.6) 		28.4
(83.1) 		28.6
(83.5) 		29.2
(84.6) 		29.9
(85.8) 		30.2
(86.4) 		30.2
(86.4) 		30.0
(86.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.9
(80.4) 		27.5
(81.5) 		27.9
(82.2) 		28.1
(82.6) 		27.9
(82.2) 		26.8
(80.2) 		26.0
(78.8) 		26.1
(79.0) 		26.5
(79.7) 		26.9
(80.4) 		27.0
(80.6) 		27.0
(80.6) 		27.1
(80.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 24.3
(75.7) 		24.9
(76.8) 		25.1
(77.2) 		25.3
(77.5) 		25.6
(78.1) 		24.8
(76.6) 		24.1
(75.4) 		24.1
(75.4) 		24.4
(75.9) 		24.6
(76.3) 		24.3
(75.7) 		24.2
(75.6) 		24.6
(76.3)
Record low °C (°F) 24.1
(75.4) 		21.1
(70.0) 		22.1
(71.8) 		22.3
(72.1) 		21.6
(70.9) 		20.9
(69.6) 		20.4
(68.7) 		19.6
(67.3) 		20.2
(68.4) 		20.5
(68.9) 		21.5
(70.7) 		20.0
(68.0) 		19.6
(67.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 401.3
(15.80) 		270.2
(10.64) 		195.5
(7.70) 		188.1
(7.41) 		146.0
(5.75) 		102.9
(4.05) 		80.3
(3.16) 		114.2
(4.50) 		150.0
(5.91) 		192.8
(7.59) 		205.0
(8.07) 		303.2
(11.94) 		2,349.5
(92.50)
Average relative humidity (%) 83 80 80 80 79 79 80 79 79 79 80 82 80
Mean monthly sunshine hours 155.0 175.2 213.9 231.0 254.2 225.0 232.5 232.5 219.0 226.3 204.0 176.7 2,545.3
Mean daily sunshine hours 5.0 6.2 6.9 7.7 8.2 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.3 7.3 6.8 5.7 6.97
Source: Seychelles National Meteorological Services[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "SEYCHELLES". citypopulation.de. City Population. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  2. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. (1 March 2014). Britannica Book of the Year 2014. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. p. 716. ISBN 978-1-62513-171-3.
  3. ^ "Home". Seychelles Ports Authority. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  4. ^ Roman Adrian Cybriwsky, Capital Cities around the World: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2013, p. 321
  5. ^ "History". seychelles.travel. Seychelles Tourism Board. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  6. ^ "History of the Seychelles". stgt.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e Cybriwsky, Roman A. (2013). Capital Cities around the World. ABC-CLIO. p. 321. ISBN 9781610692489.
  8. ^ "Mont Fleuri Campus". University of Seychelles. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  9. ^ a b Encyclopedia of Africa. Oxford University Press. 2010. p. 530. ISBN 9780195337709.
  10. ^ "6 buildings in the capital highlighting Seychelles' history". Seychelles News Agency. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  11. ^ J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, "Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices", ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 2591
  12. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Climatic Averages for January" (PDF). Seychelles Climate Guide. Seychelles National Meteorological Services. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Climatic Averages for February" (PDF). Seychelles Climate Guide. Seychelles National Meteorological Services. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  15. ^ a b "Climatic Averages for March" (PDF). Seychelles Climate Guide. Seychelles National Meteorological Services. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  16. ^ a b "Climatic Averages for April" (PDF). Seychelles Climate Guide. Seychelles National Meteorological Services. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  17. ^ a b "Climatic Averages for May" (PDF). Seychelles Climate Guide. Seychelles National Meteorological Services. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  18. ^ a b "Climatic Averages for June" (PDF). Seychelles Climate Guide. Seychelles National Meteorological Services. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  19. ^ a b "Climatic Averages for July" (PDF). Seychelles Climate Guide. Seychelles National Meteorological Services. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  20. ^ a b "Climatic Averages for August" (PDF). Seychelles Climate Guide. Seychelles National Meteorological Services. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Climatic Averages for September" (PDF). Seychelles Climate Guide. Seychelles National Meteorological Services. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  22. ^ a b "Climatic Averages for October" (PDF). Seychelles Climate Guide. Seychelles National Meteorological Services. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  23. ^ a b "Climatic Averages for November" (PDF). Seychelles Climate Guide. Seychelles National Meteorological Services. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  24. ^ a b "Climatic Averages for December" (PDF). Seychelles Climate Guide. Seychelles National Meteorological Services. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
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4°37′23″S 55°27′09″E / 4.6231°S 55.4525°E / -4.6231; 55.4525

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