Local name Mauritius
Timezone GMT +4 Area 1 865 km²/720 sq mi population total (2002e) 1 211 000 Status Republic within the Commonwealth Date of independence 1968 Capital Port Louis Languages English (creole-English) (official), French, Hindi, Urdu, Bojpoori, and Hakka also spoken Ethnic groups Indo-Mauritian (68%), Creole (27%), Sino-Mauritian (3%), Franco-Mauritian (2%) Religions Hindu (53%), Roman Catholic (26%), Muslim (13%), Protestant (4%) Physical features Comprises the main island, 20 adjacent islets and the dependencies of Rodrigues I, Agalega I, and Cargados Carajos Is (St Brandon Is); volcanic main island; highest peak, 826 m/2710 ft, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire; dry, lowland coast with wooded savannah, mangrove swamp, and (E) bamboo; surrounded by coral reefs enclosing lagoons and sandy beaches. Climate Humid tropical-maritime climate; average annual temperatures 23°C (Jan), 27°C (Jul) in Port Louis; average annual rainfall 1000 mm/39 in; lies within Indian cyclone belt. Currency 1 Mauritian Rupee (MUR) = 100 cents Economy Sugar-cane (employs over 25% of the workforce); clothing; diamond-cutting, watches, rum, fertilizer; tea, tobacco, vegetables; fishing; tourism. GDP (2002e) $12·15 bn, per capita $10 100 Human Development Index (2002) 0·772 History Visited by the Portuguese and Dutch, 16th-c; settled by the French, 1715; ceded to Britain, 1814; governed jointly with Seychelles as a single colony until 1903; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth, 1968; links with British monarchy broken, 1992, became a republic, remaining within the Commonwealth; President (ceremonial post) is elected by the National Assembly; Prime Minister appoints the Council of Ministers; a unicameral National Assembly.| Republic of Mauritius | |||||
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Motto: "Stella Clavisque Maris Indici" (Latin) "Star and Key of the Indian Ocean" |
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| Anthem: Motherland | |||||
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Capital (largest city) |
Port Louis 20°10′S 57°31′E |
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| Official language | English | ||||
| Government | Republic | ||||
| - President | Anerood Jugnauth | ||||
| - Prime Minister | Navinchandra Ramgoolam | ||||
| Independence | from the United Kingdom | ||||
| - Date | March 12, 1968 | ||||
| - Republic | March 12, 1992 | ||||
| Area | |||||
| - Total |
2,040 km² (179th) 787 sq mi |
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| - Water (%) | 0.05 | ||||
| Population | |||||
| - July 2005 estimate | 1,245,000 (153rd) | ||||
| - Density |
603/km² (17th) 1,564/sq mi |
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| GDP (PPP) | 2006 estimate | ||||
| - Total | $17.08 billion (115th) | ||||
| - Per capita | $13,703 (51st) | ||||
| HDI (2003) | 0.791 (medium) (65th) | ||||
| Currency | Mauritian rupee (MUR) | ||||
| Time zone | MUT (UTC+4) | ||||
| - Summer (DST) | not observed (UTC+4) | ||||
| Internet TLD | .mu | ||||
| Calling code | +230 | ||||
Mauritius (pronounced: IPA: [məˈɹɪʃəs]; In addition to the island of Mauritius, the republic includes the islands of St. Brandon, Rodrigues and the Agalega Islands. Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands, with the French island of Réunion 200 kilometers (125 mi) to the southwest.
History
Some historians believe that the Phoenicians visited Mauritius as early as 2000 BC.
In 1965, the United Kingdom split out the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius to create the British Indian Ocean Territory, in order to utilise the strategic islands for defence purposes in cooperation with the United States. Although the Government of Mauritius agreed to the move at the time, subsequent administrations have laid claim to the islands stating that the divestment was illegal under international law - a claim recognised by the United Nations.
Mauritius aims to become the business hub of the Indian Ocean.
Through the celebration of the Bicentenary of the Battle of Grand Port in 2010, Mauritius is aiming at rebuilding its maritime heritage and reclaiming its title of the Star &
Politics
The head of state of Mauritius is the President, who is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly, the unicameral Mauritian parliament.
Historically, elections have always adhered to a two-party system in Mauritius and this has also been the case this time, with the outgoing MSM/MMM/PMSD coalition against the PTr-led Alliance Sociale which includes PMXD, Les Verts, MR, MSD and MMSM.
In international affairs, Mauritius is part of the Indian Ocean Commission.
In 2006, Mauritius asked to be an observing member of Commonwealth of the Portuguese Speaking Countries in order to become closer to those countries.
Administrative divisions
The island of Mauritius itself is divided into nine districts:
Black River Flacq Grand Port Moka Pamplemousses Plaines Wilhems Port Louis Rivière du Rempart SavanneDependencies of Mauritius:
Rodrigues, a populated island which used to be Mauritius's 10th district is now autonomous Agalega (two small islands about 933 kilometers (580 mi) north of Mauritius) Cargados Carajos Shoals also known as the Saint Brandon islands (about 402 kilometers (250 mi) north of Mauritius)Note: Mauritius also claims the following islands:
In French possession:
Bassas da India Europa Island Glorioso Islands Juan de Nova Island Tromelin IslandIn British possession:
Chagos ArchipelagoOther Mauritian territories:
Soudan Banks (including East Soudan Bank) Nazareth Bank Saya de Malha BankGeography
Together with Réunion and Rodrigues, Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands. "You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius", as Mark Twain noted in Following the Equator.
Economy
Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors.
Estimated at $16.28 billion for 2005, Mauritius has the 2nd highest GDP per capita in the whole of Africa.
Financial services
Mauritius provides an environment for banks, insurance and reinsurance companies, captive insurance managers, trading companies, ship owners or managers, fund managers and professionals to conduct their international business. The following types of offshore activities can be conducted in Mauritius:
Offshore Banking Offshore Insurance Offshore Funds Management International Financial Services Operational Headquarters International Consultancy Services Shipping and Ship Management Aircraft Financing and Leasing International Licensing and Franchising International Data Processing and Information Technology Services Offshore Pension Funds International Trading International Assets Management International Assets Management International Employment ServicesOn 4 April 2005 during his budget speech , Hon. Pravind Jugnauth, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development announced that Mauritius will become a duty-free island and that will take about four years.
A plan by ADB Networks calls for Mauritius to become the first nation to have coast-to-coast wireless internet access.
Mauritius ranks first in respect of FDI inflows to India amongst all the countries with cumulative inflows amounting to US $ 10.98 billion.
Culture
The mixed colonial past of Mauritius is reflected in its culture.
In 1847, Mauritius became the fifth country in the world to issue postage stamps.
When discovered, the island of Mauritius was home to a previously unknown species of bird, which the Portuguese named the dodo (simpleton), as they appeared not too bright.
Mauritius has from time to time also been chosen as setting for films, most of which are Bollywood productions from India.
Images of Mauritius
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Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis |
Port Louis harbour |
Grand Bassin Temple |
Black River Gorges National Park |
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Varangue Sur Morne, a famous hilltop restaurant |
Mountain view from Champagne in the Southwest |
Seven coloured natural earth in Chamarel |
Chamarel Falls |
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Volcanic peak near Flic-en-Flac, South-west of Port Louis |
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