Seychelles history
Early times
The Arabs certainly know these islands from the 9th century on but most shipping clings to the safer waters of the African coast.
18th century
A Frenchman, Lazare Picault, is sent to explore the Indian Ocean in 1742. He finds the main island and calls it Abondance. Two years later he returns and renames the island Mahe after Mahe de La Bourdonnais, governor of Reunion and Mauritius, who sent him on this mission. The French take official possession after the Seven Years' War in 1756 and call the archipelago "Sechelles" in honour of Moreau de Sechelles, Finance Minister to France's Louis XV. In 1794 the British show interest in the archipelago but are forestalled by the French governor de Quinssy who surrenders the town and its dependencies but replaces the Union Jack by the French flag as soon as the British disappear over the horizon.
20th century
The Seychelles become a British Crown Colony in 1903. In June 1976 the islands gain their independence. Mancham, president of the Republic of the Seychelles, is ousted by a coup in 1977. Albert Rene installs a one-party system. The first multi-party elections for 16 years are held in 1993, Rene defeating Mancham, the main opposition leader.
