Mauritius

Full name of country: Republic of Mauritius

Region: Africa

Official language: English

Population: 1,310,504 (2024 est.)

Nationality: Mauritian(s) (noun), Mauritian (adjective)

Land area: 2,030 sq km (784 sq miles)

Water area: 10 sq km (4 sq miles)

Capital: Port Louis

National anthem: "Motherland", by Jean Georges Prosper/Philippe Gentil

National holiday: Independence Day, March 12 (1968)

Population growth: 0.07% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC + 4

Flag: The national flag of Mauritius consists of four equal, horizontal bands of red, blue, yellow, and green—in that order from top to bottom. The colored stripes are said to represent independence (red), the Indian Ocean (blue), hope for a better future (yellow), and the island nation’s abundant flora (green).

Motto: “Stella Clavisque Maris Indici” (Star and Key of the Indian Ocean)

Independence: March 12, 1968 (from the UK)

Government type: parliamentary republic

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal system: civil legal system based on French civil law with some elements of English common law

The Republic of Mauritius is an island nation located east of Madagascar. Although the country lies in the Indian Ocean in the shadow of the African continent, the French and British influences on its culture are unmistakable. Since its discovery in 1505, Mauritius has been colonized by the Dutch, French, and British. It became an independent nation in 1968.

In addition to Mauritius (the main island), the country also includes the islands of Rodrigues, Saint Brandon, and the Agalega Islands. Along with the Cargados Carajos Shoals and the French island Réunion, Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography.

People and Culture

Population: The population of Mauritius is comprised of many ethnic groups and cultures. Originally brought from India as indentured servants to work the sugar plantations, Indo-Mauritians comprise the majority (about two-thirds) of the population. The Creole population, whose ancestors were enslaved, claims a mixed African and European heritage.

Minority groups include Sino-Mauritians and Franco-Mauritians, who control many of the sugar plantations in Mauritius.

Although English is the country's official language, approximately 86.5 percent of the population speaks Mauritian Creole (or Morisyen). Bhojpuri is spoken by 5.3 percent of the population; most Bhojpuri speakers are of Indian heritage. Fewer than 4.1 percent of Mauritians speak French, and less than 3 percent speak English (2011 estimates).

Few countries are more densely populated than Mauritius, which, per the World Bank, packed 634 people into each square kilometer in 2021. The population is fairly evenly divided between rural and urban areas.

Port Louis, with approximately 149,000 people (2018), is the country's capital and largest city. Other large urban centers include Beau Bassin and Vacoas. Smaller cities include Curepipe and Quatre Bornes. All of these municipalities are on the main island of Mauritius.

An estimated 48.5 percent of Mauritians practice Hinduism, reflecting the country's large Indian population. Another estimated 26.3 percent of the population are Roman Catholic, 17.3 percent are Muslim, and 6.4 percent are other Christian denominations (2011 estimates).

Indigenous People: The island of Mauritius was uninhabited until the Dutch began a colony there in 1638. They were followed by the French and the British, all of whom added their own traders, plantation owners, and enslaved persons to the island's population.

By the time the British seized the island from France during the Napoleonic Wars in 1810, slavery had been outlawed in Britain. Large numbers of Indians were brought in to make up for the labor shortage on the sugar plantations. Since that time, the Indo-Mauritian population has been the country's main ethnic group.

Education: Education in Mauritius, largely patterned after the British system, is compulsory through age sixteen.

The University of Mauritius, established in 1965, is the country's main institute for higher education. Other higher education options include the Mauritius Institute of Education for teacher training and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute. Mauritius also offers several vocational training centers as well as technical institutions.

The country has made strides in improving overall literacy in the twenty-first century. The average literacy rate was estimated at 92.2 percent (93.5 percent among men and 90.5 percent among women) in 2021. Improvements in the education system have led to shortages in the agricultural work force, as more young people leave rural areas for the cities.

Health Care: The government of Mauritius funds a variety of health care services throughout the country, although the majority of the treatment facilities are located in urban areas.

Government centers provide training for maternal and child care, as well as nutrition education programs. Food and lodging for the sick and elderly are also provided at government expense.

Life expectancy at birth is 78.4 years for women and 72.6 years for men (2024 estimates). In 2024, the infant mortality rate was an estimated 11.6 deaths per 1,000 live births. The country ranked 72 out of 193 countries and territories on the 2021/2022 United Nations Human Development Index, which measures quality of life indicators.

Food: Indian, Creole, European, and Chinese influences are all represented in Mauritian cuisine. Popular dishes include Indian biryani and curry, Creole roast beef, and French-style vegetable dishes.

Nearly all Mauritians, regardless of ethnicity, incorporate seafood into their diet. Octopus stew is a popular dish, as is rougaille, a Creole dish made with vegetables and spices with meat or fish. Boiled rice is also widely eaten at most meals.

Drinks popular with Mauritians include lassi, a traditional Indian drink that combines yogurt and ice water; and alouda, which is a thick blend of agar, milk and a variety of flavorings. Domestically produced beer and rum are usually very strong and inexpensive; Mauritius imports wine from France and South Africa.

Arts & Entertainment: Most Mauritian literature is written in French, though there is a thriving community of authors writing in Mauritian Creole, or Morisyen. Some of the country's best known writers include humorist Yvan Lagesse, Malcolm de Chazal, and poet Edouard Maunick. Modern Creole writers include René Asgarally and Ramesh Ramdoyal.

One of the most popular art forms in Mauritius is the traditional Creole dance known as the sega. Inspired by European polka and quadrilles combined with African rhythms brought to the islands by enslaved people, the dance is performed to the accompaniment of drums and other percussion instruments.

Over the years, popular Mauritian dance music has evolved to include Latin American and Caribbean elements. Reggae is another popular musical genre on the islands.

As one of the first countries in the world to adopt the usage of postage stamps, Mauritius is well known among international stamp collectors. The country's Red Penny and Blue Penny stamps, issued in 1847, are among the rarest and most sought-after stamps among collectors.

Holidays: National holidays in Mauritius include Independence Day (March 12) and Labour Day (May 1). Father Laval Day (September 9) commemorates the work of Father Jacques Desire Laval, a French missionary who came to Mauritius in the nineteenth century. On the anniversary of his death, Mauritians of all faiths visit his shrine in Port Louis.

Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Holi are celebrated by most of the population; Muslim and Christian holidays are also observed in Mauritius.

Environment and Geography

Topography: Although the Mascarene Islands are volcanic in origin, there are no active volcanoes on Mauritius in the twenty-first century. Historical evidence of volcanic activity may be found in the Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater in Curepipe, and lava rocks can be found everywhere throughout the islands.

The southern end of Mauritius is dominated by mountains, which decline gently until they reach the northern coastline. The mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for the capital city of Port Louis, which lies in the north central region.

Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, in the central plateau, is the highest point on the island, at 828 meters (2,717 feet) above sea level. Many lakes and streams flow through the highland region, some stretching from the mountains all the way to the coast.

Mauritius is nearly blockaded by coral reefs, however, there is a large enough break in the reef at Port Louis to provide an excellent harbor for ships. There are other smaller breaks in the reef, and another large break between Souillac and Le Bouchon to the south that is not as commercially exploited as the one at Port Louis.

Natural Resources: Mauritius has few natural resources. With only a small percentage of its forests still standing, the country's most significant resource is its fertile soil, known for producing large amounts of sugarcane.

The fish in the waters surrounding the islands are also considered a natural resource, and fishing is an important part of the country's economy.

Plants & Animals: Wildlife is scarce in Mauritius, due in large part to the fact that only about 1 percent of the island's original rainforests remain. The best chance to spot any wildlife is to try to visit one of the country's small nature preserves. Deep in the interior of the country, wild animals such as mongoose, Java deer and wild pigs may be found.

Many species of birds fill the trees and skies of Mauritius. The famous flightless dodo bird once inhabited the islands, but has since become extinct, along with other native species. Endangered or vulnerable bird species found in Mauritius include the echo parakeet and the pink pigeon. Introduced species of songbirds, including Madagascar fody and the Indian mynah, are common.

While coconut palms and casuarina trees grow along the coast, nearly three-quarters of Mauritius' area is covered with volcanic rock. Acacia, pine, and aloe trees, along with lush grasses, grow at the base of the mountains.

Climate: Weather in Mauritius can vary greatly depending on elevation and proximity to the coast. The plateau region, including the city of Curepipe, is often slightly cooler than coastal areas. The main island's central and western regions receive more rainfall during January and February than the rest of the island, due to the influence of the mountains and the easterly winds. Cyclones, usually occurring between November and May, bring heavy rains.

According to the Mauritius Meteorological Services, the average temperature in summer is 24.7° Celsius (76.46° Fahrenheit), while the average winter temperature is 20.4° Celsius (68.72° Fahrenheit).

Economy

Mauritius lacks extensive natural resources, and has developed a diversified industrial economy, while moving away from its dependence on sugarcane crops. The majority of the work force is employed in services and industry. The unemployment rate was estimated at 7.41 percent in 2021.

In 2023, the gross domestic product (GDP, purchasing power parity) was $33.532 billion, or $26,600 per capita. Roughly 10.3 percent of the population lives below the poverty line (2017 estimate).

Industry:Sugarcane, once the sole export of Mauritius, has been joined by a strong textile industry. The clothing industry has flourished in the manufacturing sector. However, major industry still revolves around food processing, with a heavy emphasis on sugar mills. The country also produces chemicals as well as equipment and machinery.

The government has also been successful in its attempts to diversify the economy by expanding in the areas of finance and telecommunications.

Agriculture: The majority of cultivated land in Mauritius is used for growing sugarcane. Molasses also features heavily in crop production, and cut flowers are an important export. Other important crops include tea, bananas, potatoes, and corn. Agriculture contributed to 3.9 percent of the country's GDP in 2023.

Fish and goats are significant parts of Mauritius agriculture. About 8 percent of the labor force in Mauritius works in agriculture (2014 estimate).

Tourism: The majority of Mauritius's labor force (64.9 percent in 2023) works in service industries, many of which involve the island's tourist trade.

A tropical paradise, Mauritius attracts visitors with its dramatic mountain views and beautiful beaches. A modern city, Port Louis is known for its casinos, cinemas, shops, bars and restaurants.

The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. Founded in 1735, the gardens and are home to many plants and animals that cannot be seen anywhere else on the island.

Government

Mauritius gained its independence from Great Britain in 1968. The country's current constitution was adopted on March 12, 1968. The republic is a parliamentary democracy, with a legal system based on French and British law.

The executive branch consists of the president, who is chief of state, and the prime minister, who acts as the head of government. The executive branch also includes a vice president and a Council of Ministers. The president and vice president are elected by the legislature to five-year terms. The prime minister and deputy prime minister are appointed by the president.

The legislative branch consists of the unicameral National Assembly. Of the body's seventy seats, sixty-two are elected by popular vote, while the remaining eight are appointed by the election commission to ensure that all communities are represented. National Assembly seats are held for five-year terms.

For administrative purposes, Mauritius is divided into nine districts and three dependencies.

Interesting Facts

Portuguese explorers named the large, flightless bird they encountered on Mauritius "dodo," meaning "simpleton." Less than 200 years later, the bird was extinct; it is still featured on Mauritius's coat of arms.

Mauritius does not have a standing army.

In 2011 a rare "Post Office Mauritius" two-penny blue stamp featuring Queen Victoria sold for over 1 million pounds at auction, becoming the most valuable stamp ever sold in the United Kingdom.

In his 1898 travelogue, Following the Equator, Mark Twain wrote that Mauritius was "the only country in the world where . . . the citizen does the talking about the country himself; the stranger is not asked to help. You get all sorts of information. From one citizen you gather the idea that Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius. Another one tells you that this is an exaggeration."

Between 2018 and 2019, an exhibition of Pablo Picasso's work was held on Mauritius for the first time.

Bibliography

“Climate of Mauritius.” Mauritius Meteorological Services, 2022, metservice.intnet.mu/climate-services/climate-of-mauritius.php. Accessed 26 May 2022.

"Human Development Insights." Human Development Reports 2022, United Nations Development Programme 13 Mar, 2024, hdr.undp.org/data-center/country-insights#/ranks. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

“Mauritius.” The World Bank 2024, data.worldbank.org/country/mauritius. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

"Mauritius." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 16 Jan. 2025, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mauritius/. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

"Mauritius Country Profile." BBC News, 9 Oct 2024, www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13882233. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

"Population and Vital Statistics—Year 2021." Statistics Mauritius, Mar. 2019, statsmauritius.govmu.org/Pages/Statistics/ESI/Population/Pop‗Vital‗Yr21.aspx. Accessed 26 May 2022.