Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean. It lies about 500 miles (800 km) east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. 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 was “officially” discovered in 1505 (or 1512) by Portuguese navigator Dom Pedro Mascarenhas, who later in his life became Viceroy of Portuguese-India. The island was subsequently settled by the Dutch, the French, and eventually conquered by the British in the early 19th century.
Mauritius became an independent state within the Commonwealth on March 12, 1968, with a governor-general on the island representing the British monarch as the head of state.In 1991 the legislature voted to transition to a republican form of government, and on March 12, 1992, Mauritius became a republic, with a president as head of state.
Today, the island is rapidly growing in terms of economy and population. Port Louis, the cosmopolitan capital city of Mauritius which was founded in 1735 by the French governor and pioneer Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais, is the capital and the administrative and business capital of the island.
Buzzing with activity during the day, the city is full of cultural and historical treasures that should not be missed. Beyond the central market, which is a focal point for those who want to feel close to the soul of Mauritius, are many historic sites including the Champ de Mars – the oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere.
Approximately two-thirds of the population is of Indo-Pakistani origin, most of whom are descendants of indentured labourers brought to work in the sugar industry during the 19th and early 20th centuries. About one-fourth of the population is Creole (of mixed French and African descent), and there are small numbers of people of Chinese and Franco-Mauritian descent.
Although English is the official language, it is spoken by a very small percentage of the population. Creole, a French-based patois, is spoken by about four-fifths of the population and is the lingua franca of the country.
Sights and Sounds in Mauritius
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is the main international airport in Mauritius. It is located 26 nautical miles southeast of the capital city of Port Louis.
Once you get cleared by airport officials there’s plenty to see and do in Mauritius.
The tourism hub is in the north around Grand Baie, which has the greatest concentration of hotels, beaches and entertainment. The east coast is most renowned, with some of the most celebrated hotels and stretches of arguably the most beautiful white sand beaches, while the flat, calm beaches of the west coast are favoured by families.
The culture of Mauritius has been shaped by its history. People from Africa, China, India, and Europe have made the island their home; their way of life, customs, and traditions influenced the island’s daily life. These influences ultimately merged into the cosmopolitan fabric of the unique culture of Mauritius. It is reflected in its music, dance, festivals, local crafts, literature, religion, and language.
Mauritius, is known for the séga, a popular folk dance consisting of suggestive movements of the hips and arms to a rhythmic beat. The dance can be traced back to the 18th century, when it was performed by slaves.
The major national cultural institutions are the Palace Theatre in Rose Hill, the Port Louis Theatre, the Mauritius Institute, which includes a natural history museum and a historical museum, and the Mauritius Archives. There are both public and institutional libraries.
Where to stay in Mauritius
Mauritius is a luxury destination. The good news is that the luxury resorts in Mauritius are surprisingly affordable, at least when compared to the sometimes insane room rates charged in the Maldives and the Seychelles.
Mauritius’ five star hotels have indeed some of the best value deals to be found in the Indian Ocean basin. The island also features a diverse range of accommodations appealing to all travelers and budgets, raging from modest establishments to high-end glamorous hotels.
Mauritius is considered a luxury travel destination. The island is known for its crystal clear water with different shades of blue and green, white palm-fringed signature beaches with powder-fine, golden sands, and its fantastic submarine world of coral reefs. Mauritius features a year-round tropical climate, and one will find flowers and sugar cane and forested areas with ebony and eucalyptus trees.
