Other nearby island countries and territories include Zanzibar to the west, Mauritius and Réunion to the south, Comoros and Mayotte to the southwest. Seychelles, with an estimated population of 84,000, has the smallest population of any African state.

The Seychelles is a world leader in sustainable tourism. The country holds a record for the highest percentage of land under natural conservation—nearly 50% of the total land area of the Seychelles. The Seychelles today is known for success stories in protecting its flora and fauna. Seychelles hosts some of the largest seabird colonies in the world. The main natural resources of the Seychelles are fish, copra, cinnamon, coconuts, salt and iron.

Currently a professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Johns Hopkins University (JHU). He is also the Associate Director for Education and Outreach of the National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored Engineering Research Centers on Computer Integrated Surgical Systems and Technology at JHU. In addition, he was the former Director of Computer Engineering at JHU and the Institute of Neuromorphic Engineering (currently administered by University of Maryland, College Park).

His research interest includes mixed signal VLSI systems, computational sensors, computer vision, neuromorphic engineering, smart structures, mobile robotics, legged locomotion and neuroprosthetic devices.

Ralph Etienne-Cummings moved to England at the age of 12 and, at 18, came to America with his mother and father.

 Seychelloise multiple award poet.