A Closer Look at Mauritius
Mauritius Flag
Mauritius Formation Date
Mauritius gained independence from the United Kingdom on March 12, 1968.
Mauritius Capital Name
Port Louis
Mauritius Neighbours
SeychellesExploring Mauritius
Origin of Mauritius
Mauritius is an island nation located approximately 900 kilometers (560 miles) off the southeastern coast of the African continent in the Indian Ocean. The island of Mauritius, which covers an area of 2,040 square kilometers (1,865 square miles) is the country’s main land mass. The country also includes several smaller island groups, such as the Agaléga islands and the Cargados Carajos Shoals, which are both located to the north of Mauritius. Mauritius is believed to have been first inhabited by nomadic people known as the Dodos and other Malayo-Indonesian peoples from the second century AD onwards. During the 800s, the Arabs were said to have discovered the islands and named them ‘Dina Arobi’. In the early 1500s, Mauritius was found by Portuguese seafarers who named the island ‘Ilha do Cerne’. The Dutch colonized Mauritius in 1598 and named the island Mauritius, after Prince Maurits van Nassau. They then introduced sugarcane, deer, boars, and monkeys to the island, and they also built the capital city, Port Louis. In 1710 the Dutch abandoned the island and the French then took control of Mauritius in 1715, and introduced the first coconut and breadfruit trees to the island. The British then colonized Mauritius from 1810 to 1968 in which year, Mauritius gained independence.Culture of Mauritius
Mauritius culture is a mix of African, French, Indian, Chinese, Creole, and Islamic influences. Mauritian culture has been shaped throughout the years by the immigration of different peoples to the island. Although the official language is English, the Mauritian people are multilingual, and often speak French Creole or Mauritian Creole, as well as Chinese, Hindi, and Tamil. The main food of the local cuisine is curry, often prepared with vegetables, herbs, and spices. Rice and fresh fish are also popular views, as well as seafood. Fruits such as coconut, banana, lychee, and guava are widely consumed, while cassava roti and dhal puri are both popular flatbreads. Mauritius’s official drink is a rum-based cocktail called the Ti'Punch or "little punch".Sport in Mauritius
Mauritius is a multi-sport orientated nation and its people are passionate about sports. The most popular sports in the country include football, cricket, and volleyball, with regional variations including basketball, table tennis, netball, badminton, and water sports such as swimming, sailing, and windsurfing. The Mauritian Football Association formed in 1942, while the Mauritius Cricket Association was created in 1965. The national teams of both sports are composed of talented local players and world class players of Mauritian origin. The Mauritian National Football team is one of the most successful teams in the region, consistently competing in the Africa Cup of Nations and the Indian Ocean Island Games. The team also competed in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in 2021.Religion in Mauritius
Mauritius is a secular State and the main religions are Hinduism, Roman Catholicism, and Islam. Hindu temples and holy places, churches, and mosques are found throughout the island, representing the many different faiths of the country’s people. Hinduism is the major religion in Mauritius, with just over half of the population professing the faith. Roman Catholicism is practiced by nearly a third of the population and Islam is the third major religion. There are also a small number of other religions practiced, including Buddhism, Bahá’í, Sikhism, and Judaism.Languages in Mauritius
Mauritius has three official languages: English, French, and Mauritian Creole. English is the official and legal language of the country. It is also widely used in business, education, and many other aspects of life. French is the language of the large French-speaking minority, and it is widely spoken in the business and tourism sectors. Mauritian Creole is the language of the people, and it is spoken at home and in informal contexts. It is derived mainly from French and African languages, with some influences from English, Malay, and Portuguese.Education in Mauritius
Mauritius has a dynamic and vibrant education system, and all forms of primary and secondary education are free and open to all. As of 2020, the literacy rate is estimated to be 92%, the highest in Africa. By law, children aged 6 to 12 years must attend school, with most children completing 12 years of schooling. Higher education is provided by four major universities and several smaller specialist institutions, which offer both undergraduate and postgraduate courses.Demographics of Mauritius
Mauritius has a population of 1.3 million people, and a growing population. The average life expectancy is 75.3 years, with a gender ratio of 101 males to 100 females. The majority of the population is between the ages of 25 and 64. Mauritius’ population is ethnically diverse, with people of Indian, African, French, Chinese, and Arab-Indian descent.Commerce in Mauritius
Mauritius is well known for its international banking and financial services, the second largest part of its economy. The country is also a major tourist destination and is home to many luxury hotels and resorts. The main industries in Mauritius include sugar, tourism, IT sectors, and manufacturing. Agriculture is still important to the island’s economy, with crops such as sugar, tea, and tobacco.Weather in Mauritius
Mauritius has a warm, tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to the mid-30s Celsius in summer, and from the mid-20s to the low-30s Celsius in winter. Most rainy days occur in winter and spring, with October and November being the wettest months. The island is located in the tropical cyclone belt and can be affected by cyclones from December to March, so tropical storms are common during this time.Borders of Mauritius
Mauritius is an island nation, bordered by the open Indian Ocean. It is located approximately 900 kilometers (560 miles) off the southeastern coast of the African continent. It is about 260 kilometers (160 miles) east of Madagascar, and 55 kilometers (34 miles) east of Réunion to its south. Mauritius is geographically isolated and has no land or sea borders with any other country.Mauritius Highest Point Name
The highest point in Mauritius is Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire, located in the southwestern part of the island. Its peak stands 828 metres (2,717 ft) above sea level.
Mauritius Capital Longitude
Port Louis, on the island of Mauritius, is the capital of Mauritius, and it has a longitude of 57.4977° E.
Mauritius Capital Latitude
and longitude The capital city of Mauritius is Port Louis. Its latitude is 20.1619° S and its longitude is 57.4989° E.
Mauritius Official Languages
The official languages of Mauritius are English, French, and Mauritian Creole.
Mauritius Ethnic Groups
Mauritius is an ethnically diverse and multicultural nation. The population is composed of a mosaic of Mauritian cultural identities, including Tamil, Chinese, African, Malay, European, and Indian. The majority of the population, at 68%, is Indo-Mauritian, made up of Hindus, Muslims, and Christians from India. 27% of the population is of Chinese and Creole descent, with African, Tamil, Malay, and other ethnic minorities constituting the rest of the population. Overall, there is a deep sense of cultural pluralism and a unified pride in the nation’s diverse cultural heritage often referred to as “The Mauritian Miracle”.
Mauritius Religions
The religions represented in Mauritius are Hinduism, which is the largest faith representing nearly 48.54% of the population, Islam as the second largest faith with roughly 32.71%, Roman Catholicism is followed by around 17.3% of the population, and Buddhism and other faiths make up the remaining 1.45%. In addition, the Chinese population, which has lived on the island for centuries, has a large following of Confucianism, Taoism and ancestor worship. Mauritius is a multi-cultural and multi-religious country, which is reflected in its many different religious places of worship. There is a great deal of religious toleration among the diverse population, and Christians, Hindus and Muslims are able to practice their faith freely and peacefully.
Mauritius Total Area
2,040 square kilometers (788 square miles).
Mauritius Land Area
The land area of Mauritius is 1,864 square miles (4,828 square kilometers).
Mauritius Water Area
The Republic of Mauritius has a total water area of 443 km², which represents a mere 0.3% of the total land area of the country. This water area includes both coastal and inshore waters surrounding Mauritius. There are two main bodies of water situated around the country, the Indian Ocean, and the Agalega Islands. The coastal waters of Mauritius vary widely in depth, with depths ranging from 10 to 90 m in places. The majority of Mauritius' coastal waters are relatively shallow, and there are dozens of fringing reefs and sandbanks, as well as many small offshore islands. The Agalega Islands are situated to the north of Mauritius and are characterised by their shallow waters and coral reefs. The islands are a significant ecological site, and are also home to many species of birds, marine life and plant life. The waters around Mauritius are home to a wide variety of marine life, including several hundred species of coral and 1,000 species of fish. The reefs provide a vital habitat for a number of threatened marine species, such as the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, and are also an important source of food for local communities.
Mauritius Total Population
As of July 2020, the population of Mauritius is estimated to be 1,269,607.
Mauritius Currency Name
The official currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian rupee (MUR).
Mauritius Currency Code
The currency code for Mauritius is MUR.
Mauritius Currency Symbol
The country currency symbol of Mauritius is MUR.
Mauritius Calling Code
+230
Mauritius Internet TLD
www.aveholidays.mu
How to Say "Mauritius" In Different Languages?
- Indonesian
- Mauritius (id-ID)
- Spanish
- Mauricio (es-CO)
- French
- Maurice (fr-FR)
- German
- Mauritius (de-DE)
- Greek
- Μαυρίκιος (el-GR)
- Hindi
- मॉरिशस (hi-IN)
- Hebrew
- מאוריציוס (he-IL)
- Italian
- Mauritius (it-IT)
- Japanese
- モーリシャス (ja-JP)
- Spanish
- Mauricio (es-MX)
- Dutch
- Mauritius (nl-NL)
- Spanish
- Mauricio (es-PE)
- Filipino / Tagalog
- Maurisyo (tl-PH)
- Polish
- Mauritius (pl-PL)
- Romanian
- Mauritius (ro-RO)
- Russian
- Маврикий (ru-RU)
- Thai
- มอริเชียส (th-TH)
- English
- Mauritius (en-GB)
- Vietnamese
- Mô-ri-xơ (vi-VN)
Mauritius Popular Holidays
- Lunar New Year
- 25th January (26th January)
- Thaipoosam Cavadee
- 11th February (13th February)
- Holi Festival
- 10th March (11th March)
- Independence Day
- 12th March
- Maha Shivaratri
- 21st March
- Baisakhi
- 14th April
- Labour Day
- 1st May
- Ascension of Lord Buddha
- 7th May
- Mother's Day
- 10th May
- Ramadan
- 12th May (11th June)
- Eid ul-Fitr
- 12th June (13th June)
- Saint Helena Day
- 21st June
- Father's Day
- 21st June
- Eid al-Adha
- 20th July (22nd July)
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- 22nd August (23rd August)
- Heritage Day
- 1st September
- Navaratri
- 17th September (25th September)
- Dussehra
- 25th October
- Deepavali
- 14th November (15th November)
- Mawlid-an-Nabi
- 18th November
- Christmas Day
- 25th December