Assumption Island

Assumption Island

Nickname: Île de l'Assomption
Assumption Island Location of Assumption Island in Seychelles
Geography
Location	Indian Ocean
Coordinates	09°45′S 46°29′E / 9.750°S 46.483°E / -9.750; 46.483Coordinates: 09°45′S 46°29′E / 9.750°S 46.483°E / -9.750; 46.483
Archipelago	Seychelles
Adjacent bodies of water	Indian Ocean
Total islands	1
Major islands	Assumption
Area	11.60 km2 (4.48 sq mi)
Length	6.7 km (4.16 mi)
Width	2.9 km (1.8 mi)
Coastline	17.23 km (10.706 mi)
Highest elevation	32 m (105 ft)
Highest point	southeast hill
Administration
Seychelles
Group	Outer Islands
Sub-Group	Aldabra Group
Districts	Outer Islands District
Largest settlement	Assumption (population 20)
Demographics
Demonym	Creole
Population	20 (2016)
Pop. density	1.7 /km2 (4.4 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Creole, French, East Africans, Indians.
Additional information
Time zone	SCT (UTC+4)
Official website	www.seychelles.travel/en/discover/the-islands/outer-islands
ISO Code = SC-26

Indian Navy Assumption base
IATA: none ICAO: FSAS
Summary
Airport type	Indian Navy base
Owner	India
Operator	India
Location	Assumption Island, Seychelles
Built	1989–1990; Major extensions 2015–2016
In use	1990–present
Elevation AMSL	ft / 3 m
Coordinates	9°44′05″S 46°30′01″E / 9.73472°S 46.50028°E / -9.73472; 46.50028
Map
Assumption base Show map of Seychelles Assumption base Show map of Indian Ocean Location of Assumption base
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 13/31 1,210 Concrete

Assumption Island is a small island in the Outer Islands of Seychelles north of Madagascar, with a distance of 1,135 km (705 mi) southwest of the capital, Victoria, on Mahé Island. The island is leased to India.

Assumption Island was discovered by Captain Nicolas Morphey on 14 August 1756, and was named after the religious feast of the next day. In 1908, the island was leased to Mr H. Savy of Mahé, who built a coconut plantation on the island. The first settlement was in the northern part of the island. During a visit 2 years later, he realized the guano potential of the island. The villagers transferred their labor force to guano mining camp, that operated until 1983. The camp was the location of the current village. After that, the villagers were employed as fishermen, usually of bêche-de-mer, until it was declared protected. In the mid 1960s the island was proposed as an American military base, including a deep sea port. After strong protests from environmental organizations, this plan was rejected. In 1990 The airfield was built. In 2015, India leased the island from the Seychelles. The President of Seychelles confirmed that India is building a base for the Indian armed forces on the island, and as a listening and surveillance post.

Assumption Island is located about 27 km south of Anse Takamaka on Aldabra Atoll and is part of the Aldabra Group. It is a single coral island which measures 11.6 km² (4.5 sq mi) in area. The western shore features an almost uninterrupted sandy beach of 5.5 km. Two large sand dunes are prominent on the southeastern coast of the island, one of them 32 metres (105 ft) high. The 5.5 km, white, sandy beach that stretches on the southeastern side of the island has been several times named 'the best beach in the world' for its white sand, crystalline waters, diversity of marine life and, due to its remote location, lack of crowds (or in fact, any people at all). Due to the disruptive effect of guano mining which lasted until 1983, the island is dominated by expanses of bare rock and caves, and is sparsely covered with low-growing vegetation.