Guide of mauritius

Mauritius is a sub-tropical island located in the Indian Ocean about 800km  east of Madagascar and 2,000 km off  the African coast. 

Though nestled up alongside Africa, it's actually more influenced by its British and French ties and massive Indian workforce.

Earlier the islands of the Indian Ocean were virtually unknown as a tourist destination. It was just the palm trees, trade winds, white sands and blue seas that formed the Pacific or the Caribbean. Today the scenario is different; Mauritius is making a name for itself as the most accessible island in the region, boasting as much tropical paradise as Maui or Martinique.

The bargains offered by Mauritius have made this tropical paradise the perfect destination for budget tourists also.  Mauritius' range of tourist facilities runs the gamut from breathtakingly beautiful beach resorts and organized excursions to people who rent their cars for daytrips. In Europe Mauritius is the picture perfect destination for a lazy beach vacation amidst luxury.

But Mauritius is not  just about the sun, sand and sea,

It's also about shopping, fashion, bright lights and a happening night life

There are several places of tourist attractions in Mauritius. Move around the tropical paradise and revel in the scenic surroundings. Port Louis is the capital and main port of Mauritius, it was founded by the French governor, Mahe de Labourdonnais in 1735. The harbour lies sheltered in a semi-circle of mountains. The town has plenty of character, and shows in certain quarters signs of its past elegance.

The best and the easiest way to reach Mauritius is by air. There are several airlines that link Mauritius with the other parts of the World. Mauritius may also be accessed through sea-routes, but usually the cargo only is transported across the Indian Ocean to Mauritius.

In order to make the travel tour to Mauritius even more joyful you need to choose just the right kind of accommodation for you and your family or friends in Mauritius. Staying in the five stars hotels is very expensive, that's why more and more tourists nowadays prefer to rent a self catering appartment, villa or bungalow

History

The island group was uninhabited until the 16th century, when it was occupied by a small Dutch force that named it after Prince Maurice of Nassau. It was abandoned in 1710 and then re-occupied five years later by the French who imported African slaves to work on the sugar plantations. Mauritius and its neighbouring islands were captured by the British in 1810 and formally ceded by the 1814 Treaty of Paris. After the abolition of slavery in the 1830s, Indian labourers were imported and their descendants now comprise more than two-thirds of the population. Incorporated into the British Empire, Mauritius remained a colony until 1957, when it was granted internal self-government with an electoral system based on the Westminster model.

Geography

Mauritius, a volcanic and mountainous island in the Indian Ocean, lies 2000km (1240 miles) off the southeastern coast of Africa, due east of Madagascar. The island state stands on what was once a land bridge between Asia and Africa called the Mascarene Archipelago. From the coast, the land rises to form a broad fertile plain on which sugar cane flourishes. Some 500km (310 miles) east is Rodrigues Island, while northeast are the Cargados Carajos Shoals and 900km (560 miles) to the north is Agalega

The Capital of the island of Mauritius is the biggest town Port Louis, situated in the north est. Other important towns are Curepipe situated in the centre of the island, Quatre-Bornes, Beau-Bassin/Rose-Hill all three in the direction of Port-Louis. Mahebourg in the south west is not considered as a town, yet it is the nearest to the international Airport of " Plaisance Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam".

Climate

In Mauritius, the climate is fairly acceptable to everyone and the heat is never unbearable. Citizens enjoy good year- round weather.

Mauritius has a tropical climate with more rain in summer than in winter. Generally hot (27 to 37 °C in summer) and very humid (above 80 %) with a high rainfall, Mauritius has microclimates; the high grounds are cooler (av. 22oC) and much wetter (5,000 mm / year) than the coastal regions (1,000 mm / year).
Tropical cyclones occur in the warmest months of December to March. These very months are where the climate is fine for holidaymakers staying near the sea but can be very uncomfortable when moving around the island. The sea temperature is very pleasant during these months, between 25 and 29°C.

Politics

Mauritius has the status of an independent republic with a democratic regime based on the Westminster model. The main political parties adopt a modern socialism ideology, that is with a pinch of capitalism

The Chief of State of Mauritius is the President, elected for five years by the National Assembly, the mauritian Parliament. The Parliament is led by the Prime Minister

Economy

Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. This remarkable achievement has been reflected in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much improved infrastructure.

Languages

English is the official language. The most widely spoken languages are French, Creole (36 per cent), Hindi and Bhojpuri (32 per cent). Urdu and Chinese are also among the languages spoken.

Night Life

In Grand Baie and some towns there are discos and nightclubs with music and dancing. Rivière Noire is a Creole fishermen's district where sega dancing is especially lively on Saturday nights. Sega troupes give performances at most hotels. Gamblers are lavishly catered for; casinos in the island's hotels are amongst the island's attractions.

Shopping

The island's reputation as a shopping paradise is strengthened by the diversity and quality of shopping opportunities that are present in Mauritius.

Textiles are a favourite, Mauritius is home to some of the finest textiles - Ralph Lauren Brand for one - Mauritius is a typical seaside resort and the island has a flourishing swimwear designing trade, with - Beachwear another popular brand name, will conquer you with its magnificent lines and shimmering colours, see the basketwear, embroidery, pottery, cut stones, glasswear, hand crafts particularly model ships, the list just goes on and so does the shopping.

The Central Market in Port Louis is full of beautifully displayed goods, including fruit, vegetables, spices, fish, meat and handicrafts. Island crafts include jewellery, Chinese and Indian jade, silks, basketry and pottery. Shopping centres are located at Quatre-Bornes and Rose-Hill. There is no duty payable on a number of products, including textiles. Shop signs may be in English, French or Chinese. Beside the Museum in Mahébourg, on the southeast coast of the island, is a handicraft village.

There are few places in the world where you are made to feel as welcome. In Mauritius no smile is broad enough, no embrace warm enough, and nothing is too much effort.

Health care

Public medical facilities are numerous and of a high standard and there are several private clinics. All treatment at state-run hospitals is free for Mauritians, but foreign visitors have to pay. There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK; health insurance is advised.

External Relations of Mauritius

Mauritius enjoys warm relations with the European community, India, USA, and most countries. Mauritius has strong Historical and commercial links with the European Community, specially  France and Great Britain

This make Mauritius a Safe Destination.

Security

Mauritius remains a safe place with a low criminality rate, thanks to the general level of education and high employment rates.

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