Mauritius

Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 kilometers southeast of the African continent and east of Madagascar. It comprises the main island of Mauritius and several offshore islands, including Rodrigues. The territory covers roughly 2,000 square kilometers. The climate is tropical, with warm winters and hot summers, moderated by trade winds. The country has a rich biodiversity, with coral reefs and protected areas; the dodo, once endemic, is extinct, symbolizing its unique natural history.

Mauritius was uninhabited until the Dutch settled in the 17th century, followed by French rule from 1715 and British control after 1810. Sugarcane became the cornerstone of the economy, supported by slave labor and later Indian indentured workers. The country gained independence on 12 March 1968 and became a republic within the Commonwealth in 1992. Port Louis is the capital and largest city.

Mauritius has a parliamentary republic with a President as ceremonial head of state and a Prime Minister as head of government. The unicameral National Assembly enacts legislation. The economy is diversified, with sugar export, tourism, financial services, and information technology forming major sectors. The Mauritian rupee is the currency; English is the official language, while Mauritian Creole is widely spoken and French is used in education and business.

The population is a multicultural mix of Indian, African, European, and Chinese ancestry, with Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism represented. Mauritius hosts UNESCO-listed sites such as Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne Cultural Landscape, reflecting its migratory and slave history. It remains vulnerable to environmental pressures, including coastal erosion and coral reef degradation, but maintains a reputation for political stability and development.