| Area |
2040 sq km (788 sq miles). |
| Population |
1,122,811 (2003). |
| Capital |
Port Louis- population 144,303 (2000). |
| Climate |
Warm coastal climate (particularly January to April), with relatively little seasonal variation in temperatures, although they are generally slightly lower inland, with more rain on the plateau around Curepipe. Cyclones may occur between November and February. Sea breezes blow all year, especially on the east coast |
| Language |
English is the official language. The most widely spoken languages are French, Creole (36 per cent), Hindi and Bhojpuri (32 per cent). Urdu and Chinese are also among the languages spoken. |
| Religion |
51 per cent Hindu, 30 per cent Christian, 17 per cent Muslim. |
| Time |
GMT + 4
|
| Highlights |
An attractive island with a fascinating culture - offering visitors a chance to enjoy some unique landscapes, scenery and excellent beach areas. The island's capital and main port, Port Louis is sheltered by a semi circle of mountains, an attractive town with character and signs of its past elegance is still evident. Mauritius is a beautiful island with picturesque villages and some of the best white sand beaches and colourful lagoons surrounding the Indian Ocean. The recent development of nature reserves and conservation projects provides visitors with superb opportunities to explore the interior of the island, which is rich in exotic flora and fauna. In spite of the growth of tourism, the Mauritians remain some of the friendliest and welcoming people in the world.
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| Country Facts |
Located almost 1250 miles of Africa's East coast this independent island group consists of Mauritius, Rodriguez and two smaller groups of islands and reefs. The majority of the islands' 1,034,255 (1985) inhabitants are descendants from Hindu and Moslem Indian immigrants who were originally brought over as contract labourers. The island of Mauritius stands on what was once the land bridge between Africa and Asia known as the Mascarene archipelago. The land rises to form a fertile plain, which to date has seen an enormous amount of sugar cane production. Mauritius was the home of the now extinct flightless Dodo bird. |