Mauritius

Geography
Located off the South West coast of the Indian Ocean, approximately 230 km from Reunion Island and 860 km from Madagascar, Mauritius has a surface area of 1,872 square kilometres with a central plateau rising at 600 metres above sea level and 330 km of coastline. Of volcanic origin, Mauritius is the second largest island of the Mascareignes Archipelago. Sheltered from the open sea by the world’s third largest coral reef, Mauritius offers natural, secured, crystal clear lagoons and golden sandy beaches.

History
Arab sailors reportedly visited the island during the Middle Ages and in 1505, Portuguese navigator, Don Pedro Mascarenhas, discovered the island. Mascarenhas gave the name Mascareignes to the group of islands now known as Mauritius, Rodrigues and Reunion. In 1598 a Dutch squadron landed at Grand Port and the first attempt at Dutch settlement on the island was made in 1638. Along the years, they introduced sugarcane, domestic animals and deer before leaving Mauritius in 1710.

In 1715 the French landed in Mauritius and renamed the island Isle de France. In 1810, a powerful British expedition conquered the island. The British administration, which began under the governorship of Robert Farquhar, was marked by rapid social and economic change.

After general elections in 1967, Mauritius adopted a new Constitution and Independence was proclaimed on the 12th March 1968. 24 years later, on the 12th March 1992, the island became a Republic.

These days, Mauritius is known as a democratic state based on the Westminster model that guarantees the separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers. The island enjoys political stability and 62 members of the National Assembly are elected every five years by universal adult suffrage. While the President is the Head of State, the Prime Minister has full executive powers and is the Head of Government.

Population
The capital of Mauritius is Port-Louis. The Mauritian population forms a mosaic of different races, cultures and religions. Hindus and Muslims, Creoles, Chinese or Tamils live side by side and the cultural diversity and racial harmony on the island is one of the main attractions in Mauritius. This rich cultural heritage, represented by colourful temples, churches, pagodas and mosques, seems to exude at every corner.

Mauritians are generally bilingual, being fluent in both French and English. English is the official language but Creole and French remain the most commonly spoken languages and various oriental languages are also spoken.

Climate
Situated in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius has a pleasantly tropical climate. The Northern and Western regions are known to be warmer and less rainy. With a culminating point of 600 metres above sea level, the climate on the Central Plateau is generally cooler.

November to April: Summer. Temperature varies between 25º and 31ºC. Cyclones may occur between November and May.

May to October: Winter. Temperature varies between 15º and 25ºC. Sea temperature varies from +/- 27ºC in summer and +/- 22ºC in winter.