MAURITIUS TRAVEL GUIDE

MAURITIUS

The island of Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean lying 900 km off the eastern coast of Madagascar, the island of Reunion is only 200 km to the south-west. Form part of the state of Mauritius also the island of Rodrigues (109 sq km), the two islands of Agalega and the coral shoals of Cargados Carajos (St. Brandon Rocks). The state capital is the city of Port Louis located along the north-west coast.

The island, of volcanic origin, is rather flat, formed by a central plateau and to the south-west by a chain of mountains that rise over 800 meters with three peaks, the Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (828 meters, the highest mountain on the island), the Pieter Both (820 meters) and Le Pouce (811 m). Mauritius is intensively cultivated with sugar cane, which along with tourism is a major source of income.

Area: 2 040 sqkm (Arable 57%, Pastures 4%, Forests and Woodlands 22%, Uncultivated and Unproductive 17%)

Population: 1 265 000 (2007 data) Indians (68%), Creols (27%), Chinese (3%), French (2%).

State Capital: Port Louis.

Languages: Official language is English. Widely spoken are French and French Creole.

Religion: Hinduist 52%, Christian 28% (Catholic (26%), Protestant (2%)), Muslim 17%, Buddhist 2%.

Currency: Mauritian Rupee (MUR)

Time: UTC +4 hours (DST: UTC +5 hours).

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MAURITIUS