Total area: 2,040 sq km (788 sq mi)
Population (2009 est.): 1,284,264
Capital and largest city (2003 est.): Port Louis - 577,200 (metro. area)
Currency: Mauritian rupee
Languages: English less than 1% (official), Creole 81%, Bojpoori 12%, French 3%
Ethnicity: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%
Religions: Hindu 48%, Roman Catholic 24%, other Christian 8%, Islam 17%
Time zone: GMT+4, Daylight Saving Time is not observed
Electricity: AC 230V/50Hz, European 2-pin plugs and British 3-pin plugs are used
Beach at Grande Baie,
Riviere du Rempart
photo by air babble |
Mauritius (officially the Republic of Mauritius) is an island country situated in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 km (560 mi) east of
Madagascar, just above the Tropic of Capricorn. Mauritius occupies the island of Mauritius as well as the islands of Cargados Carajos, Rodrigues and the Agalega Islands.
The island of Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands, together with Réunion and Rodrigues.
The origin of the island is volcanic, but there are presently no active volcanoes on the island.
The terrain of the island is dominated by the Central Plateau which is about 400 metres above sea level. There are several mountains, scattered throughout the island. The highest peak, situated in the southwest, is Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire at 828 m (2,717 ft).
Mauritius is surrounded by coral reefs and has more than 140 km (90 mi) of white sandy beaches.
