"The Outer Islands of Seychelles First Edition told for the first time the human and environmental story of these far flung islands. This Second Edition is an updated and expanded account incorporating a lot of new information and new features, including: Twelve new articles covering subjects from seagrass to cyclones -- New stories of emerging challenges such as piracy, beach erosion and fish aggregation devices -- 25 new maps and diagrams, most of them created especially for this book -- A new Chapter 1, The Evolution of the Outer Islands -- An updated Chapter 2, The History of the Outer Islands -- An updated Chapter 3, telling the story of the role of IDC in the outer islands -- An extensively updated and revised Chapter 4, Gazetteer of the Islands -- Five new interviews in Chapter 5, Interviews with People of the Outer Islands -- An updated and greatly expanded Chapter 6, with seven new stories covering piracy, cyclones, island mischief, the story of D'Arros, survival at sea and a philosophical reflection on islands -- A new Chapter 7, Island Conservation, updating the story of conservation on individual islands -- A new Chapter 8, The Future of the Islands looking at some of the challenges to be faced and possible solutions -- Almost 100 new or replacement images included throughout the book. The history of the islands is fascinating and unique in the world yet they have remained virtually unknown not just to visitors to the country but even to the majority of Seychellois. They were discovered and charted by Arab, Portuguese, French and British sailors but their exact position and in some cases even their names remained unclear well into the 19th century, resulting in many a shipwreck. Eventually they were settled, becoming amongst the last islands on earth to receive human inhabitants. The people who toiled on the islands were isolated for months at a time, with no contact with their employers on Mahé or indeed the rest of humanity, like a satellite colony marooned on another planet. It was essential for survival that they were totally self-reliant for all their needs from medical care and food to law and order. This is a story of a way of life that appeared from nowhere, rapidly evolved and adapted to suit the requirements of an ever changing world and it continues to do so. Life could be harsh and sometimes short, with no possibility of assistance in the case of emergency such as an appendicitis, serious accident or even murder. Today, there are airstrips for emergency evacuation and satellite communications to maintain daily contact with the outside world. The islands are now managed by Islands Development Company (IDC). Without doubt the quality of life for islanders has been raised immeasurably, yet the islands and the special breed of person they attract to their shores remain much the same. Despite all the changes wrought upon them, the outer islands remain some of the most beautiful islands in the world, epitomising the dream of untouched tropical splendour and an escape from the rat race, craved by many from the wealthier countries of the world. In a world where unspoilt beauty is an increasing rarity, the outer islands are priceless. They are among the last islands on earth where untamed nature rules supreme. With careful planning they may yet prove to be the tourism destination of the future, appreciated by a new kind of tourist and producing an income for Seychelles far greater than the workers that struggled to survive on the old coconut plantations could ever have imagined." -- Dustjacket.