Mahé, Seychelles
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Mahé is the largest island (155 sq km) of the Seychelles, lying in the north east of the nation. The population of Mahe is 72,000. It contains the capital city of Victoria and has 90% of the country's total population. The island was named for Mahé de Labourdonnais, a governor of Mauritius.
Mahé's tallest peak is Morne Seychellois at 905m, which lies in the Morne Seychellois National Park. The northern and eastern parts of the island are home to much of the population and the international airport which opened in 1971. The southern and western parts have Baie Ternay Marine National Park and Port Launay Marine National Park. The Ste Anne Marine National Park lies offshore, as do Conception Island, Thérèse Island, Anonyme Island and Silhouette Island.
Mahe was first visited by the British in 1609 and not visited by Europeans again until Lazare Picault's expedition of 1742. Mahe remained a French possession until 1814 when it became a British colony. It remained a colony until 1976 when Seychelles became an independent nation.
Mahe's forests have rare endemic plants found only in the Seychelles, such as the Jellyfish tree, the carnivorous Seychelles Pitcher plant and many species of unique orchids.
Mahe is currently undergoing a huge land reclamation project due to housing problems.[citation needed]
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