Aldabra Group

The Aldabra Group are part of the Outer Islands of the Seychelles, lying in the southwest of the island nation, around 1,100 kilometres (680 miles) from the capital, Victoria, on Mahé Island.^[1]

Aldabra Group

NASA Space Shuttle photo showing all the islands of the Aldabra Group
Aldabra Group Location of Aldabra Group in Seychelles
Geography
Location	Indian Ocean
Coordinates	09°42′S 47°3′E
Archipelago	Seychelles
Adjacent to	Indian Ocean
Total islands	100
Major islands	Picard Astove Assumption
Area	180.03 km2 (69.51 sq mi)
Highest elevation	35 m (115 ft)
Highest point	unnamed dune
Administration
Seychelles
Group	Outer Islands
Sub-Group	Aldabra Group
Districts	Outer Islands District
Largest settlement	Assumption village (pop. 20)
Demographics
Population	34 (2016)
Pop. density	0.19/km2 (0.49/sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Creole, French, East Africans, Indians.
Additional information
Time zone	SCT (UTC+4)
ISO code	SC-26
Official website	www.seychelles.travel/en/discover/the-islands/outer-islands

Population and area

The group contains four islands and atolls. By far the largest in terms of area is Aldabra Atoll, with a total land surface area of 155km², consisting of four main islands (Grand Terre, Malabar, Picard, and Polymnie) and many smaller islets. Aldabra Research Station (on Picard) was established by the Royal Society in 1971^[2] and is Aldabra's only permanent settlement, with a small group of scientists, conservationists, and support staff. There is a small settlement on Assumption, as well as an airstrip.^[3] There are small lodges on Astove and Wizard Island, Cosmoledo Atoll. The total land area of the Aldabra Group is 180.03 km².

Islands in the Aldabra group

1. Aldabra Atoll (a raised atoll with four main and some 40 small islets)
2. Assumption Island (a single island on a raised reef)
3. Cosmoledo Atoll (a raised atoll with two main and about 18 smaller islets)
4. Astove Island (a raised atoll with just one island)