Mauritius Information Guide & Facts

Area: 1,865 sq km
Population: 1.2 million
Capital City: Port Louis (Pop: 139,000 (2000))
People: Hindu Indo-Mauritian, 51%; Creoles, 27%; Muslim, Indo-Mauritian 17%; Others 5%
Languages: English, French, Creole
Religion(s): Hinduism (52%); Christianity (28%); Islam (17%)
Currency: Mauritian Rupee

GEOGRAPHY

Mauritius is a mountainous sub-tropical island in the Indian Ocean, with an area of 1,865 square km. The Republic of Mauritius also includes the island of Rodrigues, 560km east of the principal island, and several small island dependencies. Mauritius lies some 800km to the east of Madagascar. The capital, Port Louis, is in the north west of the island.

The temperature range is moderate, from a low of 16ºC in the winter, to 35ºC in summer. Mauritius has a number of micro-climates so weather conditions can vary considerably across the island. The islands are in the Indian Ocean cyclone belt (the season runs from November to April). Most cyclones miss the islands but can bring vital rains at the ideal time for the country's main crop, sugar. Occasionally, cyclones cause extensive damage.

The population of Mauritius is 1.2 million (of whom 41% live in urban areas), with a population growth rate of 1% per annum. With nearly 600 people per square kilometre, Mauritius has one of the highest population densities in the world. The largest racial group is Hindu Indo-Mauritian, descendants of those brought to Mauritius to work on the sugar plantations in the late 19th century, who make up 51% of the total population. Other groups are Creoles, the descendants of African slaves (27%); Muslim Indo-Mauritians (17%); a small number of Sino-Mauritians (3%); and Franco-Mauritians, descendants of the original French settlers (2%).

HISTORY

Arab sailors visited Mauritius during the Middle Ages and the Portuguese were probably the first Europeans to land in around 1511 but they did not settle the island. The first colonists were the Dutch who settled in 1638 and named the island Mauritius after Prince Maurice of Nassau. The Dutch, who eventually abandoned Mauritius in about 1710, are remembered for having introduced sugar cane to the island. The French occupied between 1715 and 1810, renaming the country Isle de France. In 1810 the British took possession with an invasion force from the North. They reverted to the name Mauritius. Mauritius gained independence on 12 March 1968 and became a member of the Commonwealth. The Queen was Head of State until 12 March 1992 when Mauritius became a Republic.

SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Mauritius' history is reflected in its languages. Although English remains the official language of government and education, French is much more widely used today, especially by the media. Creole (a French-based patois used extensively for cross community communication) is the lingua franca. Several Asian languages are also spoken. The rates of adult literacy (over 95% of under 30s) and life expectancy (71 years) are well above the sub-Saharan African average. Hinduism (52%), Christianity (28%) and Islam (17%) are the main religions.

Mauritius is a generally harmonious multicultural society despite occasional ethnic tension. The Government's five-year agenda is focused on economic growth, development of Mauritius as a Cyber Island, financial services, law and order, the fight against corruption and reform of the health, education and public service sectors. Respect for Human Rights is enshrined in the Mauritius Constitution and laws. These are generally well-respected by the authorities. A National Human Rights Commission under a High Court Judge submitted its first annual report in 2001: this dealt with a number of complaints of human rights violations brought against the police. The Government has recently opened up radio broadcasting to private operators and intends to do the same for the television industry.

ECONOMY

Basic economic facts

GDP: US$ 4.87 billion (2001/2002)
GDP per head: US$ 4,083 (2001/2002)
Annual Growth: 5.6% (01/02) 3.3% (2002) 4.04% (2003/2004 est)
Inflation: 5.4%(2001), 6.3% (2002), 4-5% (2003/2004 est)
Major Industries: EPZ (Export Processing Zone) enterprises (mainly textiles) 45%, tourism 20%, sugar 15%
Major trading partners: (Exports) UK, France, USA; (Imports) France, South Africa, India, Hong Kong, UK
Exchange rate: £1 = approx 46 Rupees (October 2003)