Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 900 kilometers (560 mi) east of Madagascar and about 3,943 kilometers (2,450 mi) southwest of India. It is a volcanic island and covers an area of 1,865 square kilometres (720 sq mi). Surrounded by coral reefs except the southern regions, Mauritius has one of the most beautiful lagoons and beaches among the tropical islands. The average temperature during day time is 25° C (75° F) and rarely under 13° C (62° F) at night. There are two seasons. Summer is normally hot from November to April and winter is usually warm from May to October.
Mauritius has a population of about 1.2 million with a unique blend of different races, cultures and religions. People of European, African, Indian and Chinese origins have created a multiracial society where the various cultures and traditions flourish in peace and harmony. Even though the official language of Mauritius is English, most Mauritian speaks French and the native language is Creole. Some people are proficient in other oriental languages apart from German and Italian. The music of Mauritius, the Sega Dance (pronounced Saygah) is a dance which originated from the ritual music of Madagascar and the mainland of Africa, and it is the Musical Expression of the Mauritian Way of Life: Joy, Carefree and Lively.
The Dodo Bird unique to Mauritius lived undisturbed till the Portuguese set foot on the island in 1505. The bird having lost its need and ability to fly became an easy source of fresh meat for the sailors of the ships that stopped over at the Mauritius. The Dodo, which is now extinct, was a metre-high and lived on fruit and nested on the ground.
Background:
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Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505,
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Location:
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Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
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Area:
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total: 2,040 sq km |
Coastline:
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177 km |
Climate:
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tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) |
Terrain:
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small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau |
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
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Natural resources:
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arable land, fish |
Land use:
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arable land: 49.26% |
Natural hazards:
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cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards |
Health
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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
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Free public medical facilities are widely available. Private clinics providing medical services for a fee are also available. |
Geography - note:
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the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs |
Culture
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Population:
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1,230,602 (July 2005 est.) |
Ethnic groups:
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Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2% |
Religions:
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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:
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Creole 80.5%, Bhojpuri 12.1%, French 3.4% (official), other 3.7%, unspecified 0.3% (2000 census) |
Literacy:
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definition: age 15
and over can read and write |
Country name:
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conventional long form:
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Government type:
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Parliamentary democracy based on the
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Capital:
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Administrative
divisions:
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9 districts and 3 dependencies*;
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12 March 1968 (from
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Legal system:
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based on French civil law system with elements of English common law in certain areas |
International
organization participation:
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ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, C, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO |
Driving
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People in
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Flag description:
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four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green |
Economy - overview:
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The Mauritian economy is based on four sectors: Textile,
Tourism, Sugar and Services. Since independence in 1968,
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GDP - composition
by sector:
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agriculture: 7.6% |
Inflation rate
(consumer prices):
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4.5% (2004 est.) |
Agriculture -
products:
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sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish |
Industries:
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food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing; chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery; tourism |
Electricity
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220 volts |
Visa & entry requirements
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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. Visitors are strongly recommended
to contact the Passport and Immigration Office in
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Working Hours
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Private Sector : Monday to
Friday: 8.30 am - 4.15 pm; Saturday : 9am -noon (Some offices) |
Banking hours
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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):
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Mauritian rupee (
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Credit Cards
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Credit cards are normally accepted by banks and most hotels, restaurants and tourist shops |
Sales Tax
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A value added tax (VAT) of 15% is payable on goods and services including hotel and restaurant bills |
Emergency
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Police & ambulance :999, Police : 208-7018/20; Fire : 995; Samu (ambulance): 114 |