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Victoria, Seychelles facts for kids

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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
Country Seychelles
Island Mahé
Area
 • Total 20.1 km2 (7.8 sq mi)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 26,450
 • Density 1,315.9/km2 (3,408/sq mi)

Victoria is the capital city of the Republic of Seychelles. It's the biggest city in this island nation. Victoria is located on the northeast side of Mahé Island, which is the main island of the Seychelles.

The city was first set up by the British colonial government. In 2010, about 26,450 people lived in Victoria and its nearby areas. This was about 26% of the country's total population. The city's port is called Port Victoria.

History of Victoria

The area where Victoria now stands was first settled in 1778. French colonists moved there after they claimed the island in 1756. The town was first named L'Établissement. In 1841, the British renamed it Victoria. They named it after Queen Victoria, who was the Queen of England.

Economy and Trade

Tourism is a very important part of Victoria's economy. Many people visit the beautiful islands of Seychelles. The main things that Victoria exports are vanilla, coconuts, coconut oil, fish, and guano (which is used as fertilizer).

Education in Victoria

Victoria is home to the Mont Fleuri campus of the University of Seychelles. This is where students can go to college and learn many different subjects.

Cultural Attractions

Victoria has many interesting places to visit.

  • The famous Victoria Clock Tower looks like Little Ben in London.
  • You can also see the courthouse and the beautiful Botanical Gardens.
  • There's the National Museum of History and the Natural History Museum.
  • The Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market is a busy place. It's known for its colorful fish and fruit stalls. It's a popular spot for local people in Seychelles.

Places of Worship

Victoria has different places where people can worship.

Sports and Recreation

Stade Linité is the national stadium in Victoria. It is mostly used for exciting football matches. Many local and national games are played there.

Transportation Hub

Victoria is served by Seychelles International Airport. This airport was finished in 1971. The inner harbor is just east of the town. Here, tuna fishing and canning are big industries. In 2004, a large bridge in Victoria was damaged by tsunami waves from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

City Districts

Four of the main districts of Seychelles are located within Victoria:

  • English River (La Rivière Anglaise), which is the central district
  • Saint Louis
  • Mont Fleuri
  • Bel Air

Sister Cities

Victoria is connected with other cities around the world. These are called "sister cities" or "twin towns."

Country City
 Djibouti Djibouti
 Israel Daliyat al-Karmel
 China Haikou

Climate and Weather

Victoria has a tropical rainforest climate. This means it has high temperatures all year round. The city experiences both wetter and drier times of the year. June and July are usually the driest months. December through February are the wettest months. Even in the drier months, Victoria still gets a good amount of rain. This is why it's called a tropical rainforest climate. On average, Victoria gets about 2,300 millimeters (90 inches) of rain each year. Even with all the rain, the skies are often clear or partly cloudy. Days that are completely cloudy are rare.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Victoria (Seychelles) para niños

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