Praslin ( French pronunciation: [pʁalɛ̃] ) is the second largest island (38.5 km) of the Inner Seychelles , lying 44 km (27 mi) northeast of Mahé . Praslin has a population of around 7,533 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 .
5-467: It was named Isle de Palmes by explorer Lazare Picault in 1744. During that time it was used as a hideaway by pirates and Arab merchants. In 1768 it was renamed Praslin in honor of French diplomat César Gabriel de Choiseul , duc de Praslin. Praslin is known as a tourist destination with several hotels and resorts, as well as a number of beaches such as Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette . It has substantial tracts of tropical forests with birds such as
10-469: A few near offshore islets including Round Island (0.193 km) and Chauve Souris (0.007 km), both of which have hotel accommodations. A large area in the south of the island has been designated as Praslin National Park and surrounding areas Important Bird Area . Lazare Picault Lazare Picault (fl. mid-18th century) was a French explorer known for his exploration of islands in
15-663: The Seychelles . Although Arab, Portuguese and British sailors visited the Seychelles prior to Picault, he was the first to do any extensive exploration. In 1742 on an expedition of exploration of the Indian Ocean , Picault discovered the largest island of the Seychelles which he named L’Île d’Abondance (Isle of Abundance). Also a smaller island to the east he called Ste. Anne Island , named after Saint Anne 's Day (the date of his landing there). In 1744 he returned to
20-726: The endemic Seychelles bulbul and the Seychelles black parrot . The Vallée de Mai Nature Preserve, established in 1979, is known for the unique coco de mer and vanilla orchids . It has been reported that General Charles George Gordon of Khartoum (1833–1885), an ardent Christian cosmologist , was convinced that Vallée de Mai was the Biblical " Garden of Eden ". Praslin is home to Praslin Island Airport , while surrounding islands include Curieuse Island , La Digue , Cousin Island , Cousine Island and Aride Island . There are
25-464: The Seychelles and renamed the largest island Mahé after Mahé de La Bourdonnais , the governor of Réunion and Mauritius , who was in charge of the mission. He also named the entire island group, Iles de la Bourdonnais . This was changed to Sechelles in 1756, in honour of the French Minister of Finances, Jean Moreau de Séchelles . In 1744 Picault also explored several other islands in
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