the Seychelles
/ðə ˌseɪˈʃelz/
/ðə ˈseɪʃelz/
- a country in the Indian Ocean consisting of over 100 islands. It was controlled by the French until the late 18th century, when it became part of the British Empire. It has been an independent republic and a member of the Commonwealth since 1976. Tourism is an important industry in the Seychelles. In Britain it is thought of as a place where people go for expensive holidays.