The Republic of Mauritius is an island country situated off the southeast coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean. Islands within the country include Mauritius, Rodrigues, Agaléga, Saint Brandon, and some disputed territories.
The islands are part of the Mascarene Islands, as is nearby Réunion Island, a French territory about 140 miles west-southwest of Mauritius Island.
Previously known as the Isle of France, Mauritius Island is the largest of the islands that make up Mauritius. Located between Réunion and Rodrigues, the island is inhabited by a mixture of ethnicities, mostly of African origin mingled with Indian or Creole, as well as some of Arab-Indian or white European blood. The capital of Mauritius is Port Louis, in the northwest part of the island. Languages include Mauritian Creole, French, and English, and the main religion is Hindu, which accounts for about half the population, followed by Muslims, Christians, and Buddhists.
Rodrigues Island is an autonomous outer island within the Republic of Mauritius. Volcanic in origin, it is surrounded by a coral reef. Several uninhabited small islands are just off its coast.
Once a District of Mauritius, it became autonomous in 2002, and is governed by a Regional Assembly. Its capital is Port Mathurin. The inhabitants of Rodrigues Island are citizens of Mauritius, and the island forms part of the Republic of Mauritius.
Rodrigues was uninhabited when it was discovered by the Portuguese in 1528. Being off of the regular trade routes, it received very few visits. The Dutch attempted to colonize it in the 1600s, and the French made attempts to develop the island in the 1700s. After a short battle in 1809, British troops took control of the island, which was then being used by the French for the slave trade.
In 1968, Rodrigues joined Mauritius when it achieved independence. In 2002, it took steps to separate by becoming an autonomous region of Mauritius.
Agaléga is comprised of two outer islands of Mauritius, which together have a population of only a few hundred. Its North Island is home to an airstrip and its capital, Vingt Cinq.
The first inhabitants of the islands were two castaways, whose bodies were discovered in 1808. In 1827, French colonists organized the production of coconut oil and copra on the islands, using slave labor.
Today, the islands are inhabited by people who are known as Agaléens, who speak the Creole language, most of whom live in Vingt-Cinq and Les Fourchettes, villages on the North Island, or on the South Island village of Saint Rita. Catholicism is the main language.
Also known as Cargados Carajos Shoals, Saint Brandon Island is an archipelago northeast of Mauritius. It is made up of several sandbanks, shoals, and islets, with five island groups and from thirty to forty islands and islets, some of which are prone to flooding and submersion.
Politically, Saint Brandon is part of the Republic of Mauritius and administered from Port Louis. Suitable only for fishing, the islands have a small population, its largest settlement having a population of forty.
As for the Republic of Mauritius, it was once a colony of the Dutch, then the French, and then the British, before it achieved independence from Britain in 1968. The territory of Mauritius once included the Chagos Archipelago and Seychelles, but Seychelles was separated in 1903, and the Chagos Archipelago in 1965, although the sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago is in dispute between Mauritius and the United Kingdom. Also in dispute is Tromelin Island, with France.
Since gaining independence, there have been periods of unrest, and charges of corruption, but it has not experienced the level of violence seen by many other African countries.
Politically, Mauritius is a parliamentary representative democratic republic. The President serves as head of state, while the Prime Minister is head of government, along with a Council of Ministers.
The country's legal system is derived in part from French civil law and British common law. Suspects may be imprisoned for as long as two years before being charged, and this has been used against journalists who have published information that the government objected to.
More than half the population of Mauritius adhere to Hinduism, followed by Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, making it the only African country with a Hindu majority. Freedom of religion is a constitutional right in Mauritius, and this is also so in practice. Its constitution does not name an official language. In matters of Parliament, the official language is English but any member of the Assembly can address the chair in French. The country's constitution is written in English, while some of its laws are in French. Creole languages are also very much in use, as are some African ethnic languages.
Categories
Education & Instruction |
Recommended Resources
The flag carrier airline of Mauritius is headquartered at the Air Mauritius Centre in Port Louis, Mauritius, its central hub being at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. Available in several languages, its site offers flight schedules, guest accommodations, online bookings and check-ins, as well as a timetable, flight status, baggage status, and special offers. Upgrades may be made through the site.
https://www.airmauritius.com/
The central bank of the Republic of Mauritius was established in 1967 and modeled after the Bank of England. Among its responsibilities is the issuance of the Mauritian currency, the rupee. Its site contains many resources, including market notices, its latest publications, inflation rate charts, statistics, the rupee exchange rate, and an online shop selling gold coins, industrial gold, and gold bars.
https://www.bom.mu/
Board of Investment, Mauritius
The BOI is the national investment promotion agency for the Republic of Mauritius, charged with promoting and bringing about investment in the country. The agency and its site serves as a point of contact for investors considering investment in the country, and may also be able to assist investors in the growth, nurture, and diversification of their business. Board members are identified, along with its management team, and policy data.
http://www.investmauritius.com/
Emerging from a 2015 merger of the Mauritius Employers Federation and the Joint Economic Council, the independent business association represents more than a thousand businesses in Mauritius, having a focus on national business development, developing a strong capital, and promoting sustainability and growth. Its membership policies, member businesses, and contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.businessmauritius.org/
This guide to the Republic of Mauritius offers practical information and etiquette about the country, such as its history, geography, climate, government, economy, driving standards, visa and entry requirements, and flights from Europe, as well as an overview of its culture, languages used, and the availability of health services. A directory of attractions, activities, and online travel bookings are included.
http://www.mauritius.net/
Financial Services Commission, Mauritius
The FSC is the regulator for the non-bank financial services and global business sectors, mandated under the Financial Services Act of 2007, which tasks the Commission to license, regulate, monitor, and supervise the conduct of business in these sectors. Its organizational structure, policies, enforcement tasks, and legal framework are set forth, along with information about licensure, consumer protection, and statistics.
https://www.fscmauritius.org/
Maintained by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, the site offers a profile of Mauritius, available in several languages, including places to go within the various regions and cities of the country, suggestions of activities and events available on the islands, a calendar of regularly scheduled events, and a host of trip-planning resources, such as suggestions on guest accommodations, transport options, public holidays, and brochures.
https://www.tourism-mauritius.mu/
The tour company offers guided trips to Mauritius, led by guides who are familiar with the islands and the people. Its packaged trips all include seven nights accommodation and up to five unique experiences, including trips to the north, south, east, or west of the country, and is also able and willing to organize custom trips. Its package tours are highlighted, and introductions to available accommodations, guides, and type of travel are included.
http://www.mauritiusconscious.com/
The guide to Mauritius includes information about its topography, culture, climate, and cuisine, as well as its major cities, places of interest, and activities, local connections, tour operators, hotels and other guest accommodations. Photographs from the islands of Mauritius, traditional music, and annual festivals and other events are highlighted. A directory of businesses is included.
http://www.mauritius.io/
A brief description of the Republic of Mauritius is presented in this guide to the country, along with its geography, history, political system, climate, language and culture, religions, music and dance, painting and sculpting, architecture, arts and handicrafts, along with a directory of hotels and other accommodations, restaurants, car rentals, real estate, tour operators and travel agencies, health facilities, and an online discussion forum.
http://www.mauritius-info.com/
Offering business and tourist information about the island of Mauritius, the site offers a brief history of the island and an overview of its people, culture, geography and climate, cuisine, economic and development information, political structure, literature, wildlife, and its capital and major cities. Suggestions for hotels and guest bungalows, entertainment features, real estate, and businesses are set forth.
http://www.maurinet.com/
Mauritius Meteorological Services
The scientific agency provides government ministries, departments, local authorities, the media, and the public, as well as agricultural and industrial interests, the tourism industries, and maritime industries with research and investigation into weather and climate events, the organization of meteorological observations, and the collection, processing, and publication of meteorological observations.
http://metservice.intnet.mu/
Previously known as the Mauritius Marine Authority, the MPA is the national port authority established by an Act of Parliament in 1998 and charged with regulating and controlling the ports in Mauritius and Rodrigues. Its organizational chart, management team, policies, affiliations, and plans are posted to the site, along with an overview of its facilities and services, notices, and publications.
http://www.mauport.com/
The MRA is an agent of the government of the Republic of Mauritius, charged with collecting approximately ninety percent of all tax revenues, and for enforcing the tax laws of the country. Taxes, duties, and electronic services are defined, along with various publications, rulings, annual reports, guidelines, statistics, and downloadable forms. Career opportunities are published on the site.
http://www.mra.mu/
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
The Ministry is responsible for the promotion of economic development, good governance, and social progress for the people of Mauritius through sound macroeconomic and fiscal policies and the economic management of the affairs of government. Annual reports, procurement plans, and statistical data are set forth, with information about the national budget, and a financial management kit.
http://mof.govmu.org/
Operating under the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, the government agency was set up in 1988 and charged with bringing about the development of information and communications technology in Mauritius. Its programs, competitions, and services are put forth, including its online services to people, businesses, and the public sector, legislation, surveys, and contacts.
http://www.ncb.mu/
Headquartered in Mauritius, SBM has a strong franchise in Mauritius, as well as a presence in India, Kenya, and Madagascar. Its banking, non-banking, and non-financial holdings are featured, along with an overview of its banking and non-banking activities, strategies, goals, and annual reports. Its publications, products and services, and international banking are included.
https://www.sbmgroup.mu/
US Embassy in Mauritius & Seychelles
Situated in Port Louis, Republic of Mauritius, the American embassy serves both the nations of Mauritius and Seychelles, serving as the representative of the United States to these nations, offering various services to Americans abroad, such as visa and passport issues, emergency notifications, and advisories, as well as acting as an intermediary for those wishing to attend school or do business in the United States.
https://mu.usembassy.gov/
The location of the country and its most significant cities are shown on a map, photos are presented, and the country’s flag is represented, along with a profile of Mauritius, compiled by the United States Central Intelligence Agency. Other resources include an introduction to the country, its natural resources and geography, culture, languages, and economy, as well as its international relations, economy, and communications infrastructure.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mp.html
