The Republic of Mauritius is an island nation located east of Madagascar. Although the country lies in the Indian Ocean in the shadow of the African continent, the French and British influences on its culture are unmistakable. Since its discovery in 1505, Mauritius has been colonized by the Dutch, French, and British. It became an independent nation in 1968.
Location of Mauritius in relation to Africa
In addition to Mauritius (the main island), the country also includes the islands of Rodrigues, Saint Brandon, and the Agalega Islands. Along with the Cargados Carajos Shoals and the French island Réunion, Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands.
Geography and Environment
Mauritius lies about 500 miles (800 km) east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. Physiographically, it is part of the Mascarene Islands. Its outlying territories are Rodrigues Island, situated about 340 miles (550 km) eastward, the Cargados Carajos Shoals, 250 miles (400 km) northeastward, and the Agalega Islands, 580 miles (930 km) northward from the main island. Mauritius also claims sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago (including Diego Garcia), some 1,250 miles (2,000 km) to the northeast, although this claim was long disputed by Britain.
Although the Mascarene Islands are volcanic in origin, there are no active volcanoes on Mauritius in the twenty-first century. Historical evidence of volcanic activity may be found in the Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater in Curepipe, and lava rocks can be found everywhere throughout the islands.
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The southern end of Mauritius is dominated by mountains, which decline gently until they reach the northern coastline. The mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for the capital city of Port Louis, which lies in the north central region. Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, in the central plateau, is the highest point on the island, at 828 meters (2,717 feet) above sea level. Many lakes and streams flow through the highland region, some stretching from the mountains all the way to the coast.
Mauritius is nearly blockaded by coral reefs, however, there is a large enough break in the reef at Port Louis to provide an excellent harbor for ships. There are other smaller breaks in the reef, and another large break between Souillac and Le Bouchon to the south that is not as commercially exploited as the one at Port Louis.
With only a small percentage of its forests still standing, the country's most significant resource is its fertile soil, known for producing large amounts of sugarcane. The fish in the waters surrounding the islands are also considered a natural resource, and fishing is an important part of the country's economy.
Wildlife is scarce in Mauritius, due in large part to the fact that only about 1 percent of the island's original rainforests remain. The best chance to spot any wildlife is to try to visit one of the country's small nature preserves. Deep in the interior of the country, wild animals such as mongoose, Java deer and wild pigs may be found.
Weather in Mauritius can vary greatly depending on elevation and proximity to the coast. The plateau region, including the city of Curepipe, is often slightly cooler than coastal areas. The main island's central and western regions receive more rainfall during January and February than the rest of the island, due to the influence of the mountains and the easterly winds. Cyclones, usually occurring between November and May, bring heavy rains.
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According to the Mauritius Meteorological Services, the average temperature in summer is 24.7° Celsius (76.46° Fahrenheit), while the average winter temperature is 20.4° Celsius (68.72° Fahrenheit).
A Rich History
The island of Mauritius was uninhabited until the Dutch began a colony there in 1638. They were followed by the French and the British, all of whom added their own traders, plantation owners, and enslaved persons to the island's population. By the time the British seized the island from France during the Napoleonic Wars in 1810, slavery had been outlawed in Britain.
| Colonial Power | Period |
|---|---|
| Dutch | 1638 - ? |
| French | ? - 1810 |
| British | 1810 - 1968 |
Historical Colonial Powers of Mauritius
Large numbers of Indians were brought in to make up for the labor shortage on the sugar plantations. Since that time, the Indo-Mauritian population has been the country's main ethnic group. Mauritius gained its independence from Great Britain in 1968.
People and Culture
The population of Mauritius is comprised of many ethnic groups and cultures. Originally brought from India as indentured servants to work the sugar plantations, Indo-Mauritians comprise the majority (about two-thirds) of the population. The Creole population, whose ancestors were enslaved, claims a mixed African and European heritage. Minority groups include Sino-Mauritians and Franco-Mauritians, who control many of the sugar plantations in Mauritius.
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Although English is the country's official language, approximately 86.5 percent of the population speaks Mauritian Creole (or Morisyen). Bhojpuri is spoken by 5.3 percent of the population; most Bhojpuri speakers are of Indian heritage. Fewer than 4.1 percent of Mauritians speak French, and less than 3 percent speak English (2011 estimates).
An estimated 48.5 percent of Mauritians practice Hinduism, reflecting the country's large Indian population. Another estimated 26.3 percent of the population are Roman Catholic, 17.3 percent are Muslim, and 6.4 percent are other Christian denominations (2011 estimates).
The country has made strides in improving overall literacy in the twenty-first century. The average literacy rate was estimated at 92.2 percent (93.5 percent among men and 90.5 percent among women) in 2021. Improvements in the education system have led to shortages in the agricultural work force, as more young people leave rural areas for the cities.
Mauritius One Island, Many Cultures | All Mauritians Are United
Indian, Creole, European, and Chinese influences are all represented in Mauritian cuisine. Popular dishes include Indian biryani and curry, Creole roast beef, and French-style vegetable dishes. Nearly all Mauritians, regardless of ethnicity, incorporate seafood into their diet. Octopus stew is a popular dish, as is rougaille, a Creole dish made with vegetables and spices with meat or fish. Boiled rice is also widely eaten at most meals.
Most Mauritian literature is written in French, though there is a thriving community of authors writing in Mauritian Creole, or Morisyen. Some of the country's best known writers include humorist Yvan Lagesse, Malcolm de Chazal, and poet Edouard Maunick. Modern Creole writers include René Asgarally and Ramesh Ramdoyal.
One of the most popular art forms in Mauritius is the traditional Creole dance known as the sega. Inspired by European polka and quadrilles combined with African rhythms brought to the islands by enslaved people, the dance is performed to the accompaniment of drums and other percussion instruments. Over the years, popular Mauritian dance music has evolved to include Latin American and Caribbean elements. Reggae is another popular musical genre on the islands.
National holidays in Mauritius include Independence Day (March 12) and Labour Day (May 1). Father Laval Day (September 9) commemorates the work of Father Jacques Desire Laval, a French missionary who came to Mauritius in the nineteenth century. On the anniversary of his death, Mauritians of all faiths visit his shrine in Port Louis.Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi are celebrated by most of the population; Muslim and Christian holidays are also observed in Mauritius.
Tourism: A Tropical Paradise
A tropical paradise, Mauritius attracts visitors with its dramatic mountain views and beautiful beaches. A modern city, Port Louis is known for its casinos, cinemas, shops, bars and restaurants. The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. Founded in 1735, the gardens and are home to many plants and animals that cannot be seen anywhere else on the island.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens
Port Louis, capital of Mauritius - this city of 150,000 is the cultural and economic heart of the island and while it has the feel of a big, busy, modern city, traces of its colonial past abound. This mix of the old and the modern is typical of many islands in the Indian Ocean. The country's colorful past is reflected in the many cultures of its residents. In Port Louis, multiculturalism is the key. One of the reasons for this variety is the country's history. It was successively ruled by the Dutch, the French and finally the English. Each nation left behind its own traces. French is spoken on the street, English is the official language and drivers drive on the left.
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