Mauricius

Mauricius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 kilometers southeast of Africa, east of Madagascar. The country comprises the main island of Mauritius and several smaller islands. The capital and largest city is Port Louis. The population is approximately 1.3 million, with a diverse, multicultural society.

Mauricius was uninhabited before being settled by the Dutch in the 17th century, who named it after Prince Maurice of Nassau. It was later controlled by the French, who called it Isle de France, and then ceded to the British in 1810. The modern state gained independence in 1968 and became a republic in 1992.

The island is of volcanic origin with a central plateau, surrounded by coral reefs. It features national parks such as Black River Gorges and iconic landscapes like the Seven Coloured Earths in Chamarel and Le Morne Brabant. The climate is tropical and maritime, with a warm, humid season and a cooler, dry season.

Mauricius has a unitary parliamentary republic with a president as ceremonial head of state and a prime minister as head of government. The National Assembly is elected. The economy is diversified, with services, tourism, and financial services forming the core, alongside agriculture and manufacturing. The Mauritian rupee is the currency.

The country is multilingual and multiethnic. English is the official language; French is widely used, and Mauritian Creole is spoken by most residents. Major communities include Indo-Mauritians, Creoles, Sino-Mauritians, and Franco-Mauritians. Mauritian cuisine blends Indian, Creole, Chinese, and French influences, and sega music remains a distinct cultural tradition.