A group of some 30 islands, largest Mahe (59 sq. m.), situated in the Indian Ocean, 600 m. NE. of Madagascar; taken from the French by Britain in 1798, and now under the governor of Mauritius; are mountainous and mostly surrounded by coral reefs; export fibres, nuts, palm-oil, etc.; Victoria, in Mahe, is the chief town, and an imperial coaling station.