Rodrigues

Rodrigues is an island in the Indian Ocean that forms part of the Republic of Mauritius. It lies about 560 kilometers east of Mauritius and is the easternmost of the Mascarene Islands. The island covers roughly 108 square kilometers and measures about 18 kilometers in length and 8 kilometers in width. It has a tropical climate with a dry season and a wet season, and features a raised limestone plateau, coastal cliffs, and sandy beaches.

The island is known for its distinctive biodiversity. Endemic species have evolved in isolation, including the Rodrigues flying fox (Pteropus rodricensis), which remains a conservation priority, and the now-extinct Rodrigues solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria), a flightless pigeon last known in the 17th–18th centuries. Protected areas and restoration projects aim to safeguard habitats and remaining native species.

Administratively, Rodrigues is an autonomous overseas district of Mauritius, governed by the Rodrigues Regional Assembly since 2002. Port Mathurin is the capital and main settlement. The island retains a degree of self-government, with local services and development planning conducted regionally while being part of the Mauritian state for defence and foreign relations.

Historically, the island was named after the Portuguese navigator Diogo Rodrigues, who is credited with sighting it in 1528. It later passed under French and then British control before joining Mauritius at independence in 1968. Since autonomy, Rodrigues has sought sustainable development through fisheries, agriculture (including vanilla and copra), and growing tourism.

The population is around 40,000. Rodriguan Creole is widely spoken, alongside French and English. The culture blends Mauritian, French, African, and Asian influences, with Catholicism as a major religious tradition. The island remains noted for its natural beauty and conservation efforts.