Bathed by water tepid and blue turquoises of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is located in the middle of the archipelago of Mascarenes between Reunion in the west and Rodrigues Island in the east. The island, 61 km long and 47 km wide, covers a total surface of 1865 km ².
Mountainous peaks with strange forms overhang sparkling beaches of soft sands bordered by quiet water of the pale green to turquoise blue lagoon. It rains just enough so that island is green throughout the year. Sugar cane fields can be seen everywhere. The palm trees and the coconut trees have their place along the coasts together with the filao. Exotic plants such as the hibiscus, the frangipanier, the bougainvillea, the rack create a blazing explosion of colors everywhere.
Mauritius benefits from a very pleasant climate throughout the year. Swept by the trade winds, the temperature is not so unbearable:
In summer, from November to April, the weather is hot and dry on the coastal areas with average temperatures varying from 25 to33°C and on the Central Plateau from 20 to 28°C. Sea water temperature is about 27°C.
In winter, from May to October, the weather is cool and rainy with average temperatures of 19°C on the highlands and 24°C on the coasts sea water being on average to 23°C.
Mauritius, like the neighbouring islands, is prone to the cyclones. The season starts in December and normally finishes in March. They often pass very close to the island giving fair downpours.
The island was visited by Arab sailors in 975 then it was only in 1505 that Portuguese navigators set foot on the island. They were followed by the Dutchmen (first colonists who gave the name of Prince Mauritz Van Nassau), the French in 1715 and the British in 1810.
Today, the 1.2 million Mauritian, form an impressive religious, cultural and racial pattern:
68% Mauritian of Indian origin
27% Creole
3% Chinese
2% Franco-Mauritian
This unique population remains accessible, friendly, smiling and is always willing to give the best of what the country has.
Creole and French are the languages spoken in daily newspapers. Most of the population is bilingual, English remaining the official language. Other Eastern languages are used such as the Hindi, Bhojpuri, the Urdu, Tamil and Chinese.
This melting-pot is also seen in the Mauritian cuisine: “rougaille”, curry, rice, noodles, samoussas, pickles, roasted stag, fish blended with spices from time to time…
Pratical Information:
Official heading: Republic of Maurice (Republic off Mauritius)
Capital City: Port Louis
Currency: the Rupee Mauritian or Mauritius Rupee (Rs)
Population: 1,2 million inhabitants
Political institutions: parliamentary democracy
Standard time: G.M.T. + 4, (either + 2 summer-time and + 3 hours in European winter)
Sun: 6h00/17h30 in winter, 5h00/19h30 in summer.
International telecommunications code: + 230
Weights and measures: Mauritius chose the metric system.
