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Mauritius
The small tropical Indian Ocean island of Mauritius is a volcanic island of lagoons and trendy beaches, enjoying political stability and cultural harmony among its diverse population of Asians, Europeans and Africans. There has been an influx of substantial foreign investment into the country, resulting in having one of Africa's highest per capita incomes.
Though the island finds mention in the accounts of the Arab travelers in the 10th century, it was first discovered by the Portuguese in 1505. Later it became the colony of the Dutch, French, and British before attaining its independence in 1968. The country commands respect in the comity of nations for its successful tryst with democracy and a positive human rights record.
Travel overview
“Mauritius was made first, then heaven was copied from it,”
said Mark Twain. Simply put, the beauty of Mauritius cannot be described
in words. Covered with lush forest, trendy beaches and waterfalls
including Chamarel Waterfall, and palms fringed lagoons, colonial
places the island is a travel destination for a dream holiday.
Port Louis, the capital city, is located on the west coast and famous
for its beautiful French colonial architecture, fort and Chinese style
pagodas. Curepipe is the island's other major town.
For wildlife enthusiasts, Mauritius offers a wide range of national parks including the Black River Gorges National Park, Domaine Les Pailles, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens, Pamplemousses Gardens and La Vanille Crocodile Park.
Casela Bird Park is known for Mauritian Pink Pigeon, one of the rarest birds in the world.
Mauritius can also enjoy a choice of wonderful beach and water sports activities like diving, snorkeling, yachting, sunbathing and windsurfing.
Capital: Port Louis
Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Climate: tropical, moderated by southeast trade winds, warm, dry winter,
hot, wet, humid summers
Total Area: 2,040 sq km
Total Population: 1,250,882
Population Growth Rate: 0.798%
Sex Ratio: 0.971 male(s)/female
Literacy: 84.4%
Ethnic Groups: Indo-Mauritian, Creole, Sino-Mauritian, Franco-Mauritian
Irrigated land: 220 sq km
Languages: Creole, Bhojpuri , French , English
Time Zone: UTC+4
Currency: Mauritian rupee (MUR)
Type of govt.: parliamentary democracy
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam
Major Political Parties: Alliance Sociale or AS; Hizbullah , Mauritian
Labor Party or MLP , Mauritian Militant Movement or MMM , Mauritian
Social Democrat Party or PMSD , Militant Socialist Movement or MSM
, Rodrigues Movement or MR , Rodrigues Peoples Organization or OPR
Participation in International Organizations: C, COMESA, FAO, ACCT,
ACP, AfDB, AU, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, ISO, ITU,
ITUC, OPCW, PCA, SADC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNWTO, UPU, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO
Major Agricultural Products: potatoes, bananas, sugarcane, tea, corn,
pulses, cattle, goats, fish
Natural Resources & Minerals: fish, arable land,
Industry & Transport: food processing, textiles, chemicals, clothing,
mining, metal products, tourism transport equipment, nonelectrical
machinery
Airports: 6
Roadways: 2,020 km
Major Trade Partners: UK, France, US, UAE, Madagascar, Italy, China,
South Africa, France, India, Bahrain, Finland, Germany
Exports: $2.318 billion
Imports: $3.391 billion
