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Mauritius profile

The Republic of Mauritius

The Republic of Mauritius

Mauritius is an island nation off the coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometres east of Madagascar. In addition to the island of Mauritius, the Republic includes the islands of St. Brandon, Rodrigues and the Agalega Islands. Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands, with the French island of Réunion 200 km to the southwest and the island of Rodrigues 570 km to the northeast.

Mauritius was uninhabited when the Dutch took possession in 1598. Abandoned in 1710, it was taken over by the French in 1715 and seized by the British in 1810. Mauritius attained independence in 1968, and the country became a republic within the Commonwealth in 1992.

Mauritius is renowned for having been the only known home of the dodo, the famous flightless bird that became extinct by the end of the 17th century. The island has maintained one of the developing world's most successful democracies and has enjoyed years of constitutional order and has attracted considerable foreign investment earning one of Africa's highest per capita incomes.   

Geography

Together with Réunion and Rodrigues, Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands. This archipelago was formed in a series of undersea volcanic eruptions 8-10 million years ago, as the African plate drifted over the Réunion hotspot. They are no longer volcanically active, and the hotspot now rests under Réunion.

The island of Mauritius itself is formed around a central plateau, with its highest peak in the southwest, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire at 828 metres. Around the plateau, the original crater can still be distinguished from several mountains.  

Climate

The local climate is tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; there is a warm, dry winter from May to November and a hot, wet, and humid summer from November to May. Anti-cyclones affect the country during May to September. Cyclones affect the country during November-April.

Tourism

Mauritius is a volcanic island of lagoons and palm-fringed beaches well known for its natural beauty, and has an enviable reputation for stability and racial harmony among its mixed population of Asians, Europeans and Africans. An ideal holiday destination.

• Population: 1.3 million (UN, 2008)
• Capital and largest city: Port Louis
• Area: 2,040 sq km
• Major languages: English, French (both official), Creole, Indian languages
• Major religions: Hinduism, Christianity, Islam
• Monetary unit: 1 Mauritian rupee=100 cents
• Internet domain: .mu
• International dialling code: +230
• Voltage: 230V
• Plug size: British 13amp three pin plug

(sources:  Oxford History of the British Empire, Wikipedia, BBC)

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