| Background: | Oceania, archipelagoes in the South Pacific Ocean about half way between South America and AustraliaDiscovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently held by the Dutch, French, and British before independence was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa 's highest per capita incomes. | |
| Location: | Southern Africa, Island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar | |
| Area: | total: 2,040 sq km land: 2,030 sq km water: 10 sq km note: includes Agalega Islands , Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues |
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| Coastline: | 177 km | |
| Natural hazards: | Occasional cyclonic storms in January | |
| Climate: | tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) | |
| Terrain: | small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau | |
| Elevation extremes: | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Piton 828 m |
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| Natural resources: | arable land, fish | |
| Land use: | arable land: 49.26% permanent crops: 2.96% other: 47.78% (2001) |
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| Natural hazards: | cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards | |
| Health | No vaccinations are required. However a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelers over 1 year old who arrive from areas where yellow fever cases are reported | |
| Medical services | Free public medical facilities are widely available. Private clinics providing medical services for a fee are also available. | |
| GDP by sector: | agriculture: 3.1% industry: 19% services: 77.8% (2005) |
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| Geography - note: | the main Island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs | |
| Electricity: | 220 volts and 60 cycles with French style two-pin sockets so adapters are normally required for U.S. 110 volt appliances. | |
| Currency (code): | Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 87.59 (2007), 94.97 (2006), 95.89 (2005), 96.04 (2004), 105.66 (2003) note: pegged at the rate of 119.25 XPF to the euro |
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| Culture | Mauritius is a blend of diverse cultures and religions. The population consists of Hindus, Creole, Chinese, Muslims and Europeans | |
| Population: | 1,230,602 (July 2005 est.) | |
| Ethnic groups: | Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2% | |
| Religions: | Hindu 48%, Roman Catholic 23.6%, other Christian 8.6%, Muslim 16.6%, other 2.5%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.4% (2000 census) | |
| Languages: | Most people speak both French and English. Creole 80.5%, Bhojpuri 12.1%, French 3.4% (official), other 3.7%, unspecified 0.3% (2000 census) | |
| Literacy: | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.6% male: 88.6% female: 82.7% (2003 est.) |
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| Government type: | Parliamentary democracy based on the Westminster model and enjoys political stability | |
| Capital: | Port-Louis | |
| Administrative divisions: | 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands *, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port , Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis , Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne | |
| Independence : | 12 March 1968 (from UK ) | |
| Legal system: | based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas | |
| Driving | People in Mauritius drive on the left-hand side of the road and give way to the right. Foreigners with a driving licence issued by a Competent Authority in their respective countries are allowed to drive during their stay in Mauritius | |
| Economy - overview: | The Mauritian economy is based on four sectors: Textile, Tourism, Sugar and Services. Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 25% of export earnings | |
| GDP - composition by sector: | agriculture: 7.6% industry: 30% services: 62.4% (2004 est.) |
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| Agriculture - products: | sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish | |
| Industries: | food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing; chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery; tourism | |
| Electricity | 220 volts | |
| Visa & entry requirements | Visitors are required to have a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. A visitor’s visa is normally granted for a period of two weeks to one month upon arrival, to almost all holders of a valid passport, with one or two exceptions, e.g. EU. Visitors are strongly recommended to contact the Passport and Immigration Office in Mauritius or the nearest Mauritian Embassy or Consulate. The visa can be extended upon request at the Passport and Immigration Office, Sterling House, 11-19 Lislet Geoffroy Street , Port-Louis, Tel : (230) 210-9312 to 210-9317 Fax (230) 210-9322 | |
| Banking hours | Monday to Thursday : 9.15 am -3.15 pm; Friday: 9.15 am -3.30 pm; Saturday :9.15 am -11.15 am | |
| Currency (code): | Mauritian rupee ( MUR ) | |
| Credit Cards | Credit cards are normally accepted by banks and most hotels, restaurants and tourist shops | |
| Sales Tax | A value added tax (VAT) of 15% is payable on goods and services including hotel and restaurant bills | |
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