Seychelles: The Smallest Country in Africa
The Republic of Seychelles holds the title of the smallest African nation both in terms of area and population. With an area of approximately 460 km², it has an estimated population of around 107,660 residents according to the 2023 statistics. Seychelles ranks 197th in the world in terms of land area. Below are some essential facts about this unique island nation:
Location
Seychelles is an archipelagic nation located in the Indian Ocean, specifically northeast of Madagascar on the African continent. Geographically, it lies at a longitude of 44°55′E and a latitude of 4°35′N. Its capital city, Victoria, is home to the majority of the population.
Geography
Seychelles comprises two main groups of islands: one group includes over 40 granite islands, while the other consists of more than 70 flat coral islands. The granite islands, known as Mahé, are distinguished by their lush tropical vegetation and clear lakes. The highest point in the country is Morne Seychellois, which rises to an elevation of approximately 905 meters.
In contrast, the coral islands are only a few meters above sea level. They are characterized by their flat terrain and relatively scarce water resources, resulting in a significantly lower population compared to the granite islands.
Climate
The climate of Seychelles is classified as tropical marine, with minimal temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Daytime temperatures can reach around 30°C, while nighttime temperatures may drop to approximately 20°C. Precipitation levels vary considerably among the islands, with the annual rainfall on Mahé ranging from 2,300 mm at sea level to 3,560 mm on the mountainous slopes.
Population
Seychelles has a population density of approximately 234 individuals per km², with an annual growth rate of 0.4%. Most residents reside in the capital, Victoria. Notably, there are no indigenous inhabitants in Seychelles; the population comprises migrants and their descendants, along with ethnic groups from Britain, France, China, and India. In terms of religion, around 82% of the population practices Christianity, while 2% adhere to Hinduism, and 1% to Islam.
Below are the population figures for various cities in Seychelles as of 2023:
| City | Population |
| Victoria | 22,881 |
| Anse Boileau | 4,183 |
| Bel Ombre | 4,163 |
| Beau Vallon | 4,142 |
| Cascade | 4,088 |
| Anse Royale | 3,818 |
| Takamaka | 2,580 |
| Port Glaud | 2,174 |
List of the Smallest Countries in Africa by Area
Below is a list of the smallest countries in Africa based on land area:
| Rank | Country | Area (km²) |
| 1 | Seychelles | 451 |
| 2 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 964 |
| 3 | Mauritius | 2,040 |
| 4 | Comoros | 2,235 |
| 5 | Cape Verde | 4,033 |
| 6 | The Gambia | 10,380 |
| 7 | Eswatini | 17,364 |
| 8 | Djibouti | 23,200 |
| 9 | Rwanda | 26,798 |
| 10 | Burundi | 27,830 |
List of the Smallest Countries in Africa by Population
Here is a list of the smallest countries in Africa based on population:
| Rank | Country | Population (persons) |
| 1 | Seychelles | 107,660 |
| 2 | São Tomé and Príncipe | 231,117 |
| 3 | Western Sahara | 584,302 |
| 4 | Cape Verde | 597,204 |
| 5 | Comoros | 848,379 |
| 6 | Djibouti | 1,132,759 |
| 7 | Eswatini | 1,208,604 |
| 8 | Mauritius | 1,300,557 |
| 9 | Equatorial Guinea | 1,705,061 |
| 10 | Guinea-Bissau | 2,140,493 |