La Digue
Encyclopedia
La Digue is the fourth largest inhabited island of the Seychelles
, lying east of Praslin
and west of Felicite Island
. It has a population of about 2,000 people, who mostly live in the west coast villages of La Passe (linked by ferry
to Praslin and Mahé
) and La Réunion. It has an area of 10 km². La Digue is named after a ship in the fleet of French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne
, who visited the Seychelles in 1768.
and vanilla
production were mainstays of the local economy, which is commemorated in the island's museum. Veuve Nature Reserve, in the island's interior, is home to the rare Black Paradise Flycatcher, of which there are only about 100 in existence. La Digue's tallest peak, Belle Vue (Eagle's Nest Mountain), is also in the central part of the island, with a summit more than 300 meters above sea level.
Seychelles
Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
, lying east of Praslin
Praslin
Praslin is the second largest island of the Seychelles, lying 44 km north east of Mahé. Praslin has a population of around 6,500 people and comprises two administrative districts; Baie Sainte Anne and Grand' Anse . The main settlements are the Baie Ste Anne, Anse Volbert and Grand' Anse.It was...
and west of Felicite Island
Felicite Island
Félicité Island is a small heavy forested granitic island 4 km east of La Digue in the Seychelles. It is 2.68 km² and today is a resort that can handle up to 20 guests.The highest point on the island is 213 meters....
. It has a population of about 2,000 people, who mostly live in the west coast villages of La Passe (linked by ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
to Praslin and Mahé
Mahé, Seychelles
Mahé is the largest island of the Seychelles, lying in the north east of the nation. The population of Mahé is 80,000. It contains the capital city of Victoria and accommodates 90% of the country's total population...
) and La Réunion. It has an area of 10 km². La Digue is named after a ship in the fleet of French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne
Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne
Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne , with the surname sometimes spelt Dufresne, was a French explorer who made important discoveries in the south Indian Ocean, in Tasmania and in New Zealand, where he died...
, who visited the Seychelles in 1768.
Tourism
Today, the island's main industry is tourism and it is known for its beaches, especially Anse Source d'Argent. In former times, copraCopra
Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...
and vanilla
Vanilla
Vanilla is a flavoring derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla, primarily from the Mexican species, Flat-leaved Vanilla . The word vanilla derives from the Spanish word "", little pod...
production were mainstays of the local economy, which is commemorated in the island's museum. Veuve Nature Reserve, in the island's interior, is home to the rare Black Paradise Flycatcher, of which there are only about 100 in existence. La Digue's tallest peak, Belle Vue (Eagle's Nest Mountain), is also in the central part of the island, with a summit more than 300 meters above sea level.
External links
- La Digue Official Website
- Map of La Digue - Seychelles
- PhotoGlobe La Digue Georeferenced Photos with maps
- Photogallery - Praslin & La Digue
- La Digue Island Guide