Mauritius
The island of Mauritius lies like a rich green emerald in the turquoise velvet of the Indian Ocean.
The Mauritian 'Garden of Eden' is as much marine and sub-marine as it is terrestrial. Caressed by a mild climate and light but regular rainfall throughout the year, virgin forests and fertile plains provide ecological niches for myriad species of wildlife, many of them unique.
White sandy beaches and clear calm waters off the coast make conditions ideal for all kinds of watersports. Diving on the Island's coral gardens is memorable for the warmth of the marine life. Snorkelling, sailing, water-skiing and board sailing allow visitors to enjoy the freedom of the ocean. Beyond the reef are some of the most prolific deep sea fishing areas. The species-rich rain forests of Mauritius are a natural wonderland for the visiting botanist while birdlife is prolific and varied.
The island produces a bountiful crop of tropical fruits, vegetables and seafood while cuisine reflects the mix of Indian, Chinese, French, Creole and English people who are the Mauritian nation. With so many nationalities, cultures and religions happily co-existing, it is difficult to find a day without some festival or celebration. Mauritius boasts accommodation ranging from some of the most sophisticated hotels in the world to simpler self catering facilities.
Population
This is presently estimated at around 1 million people, approximately 565 people per square kilometre
Language
People from China, Africa, India, France and Britain, and India make up the population
Capital City
Port Louis
Located in the Indian Ocean about 2 000km off the east coast of Africa and covers an area of just under 2 000 km².
Mauritius is a volcanic island located in the Indian Ocean about 2 000km off the east coast of Africa and covers an area of just under 2 000 km². Its coastline, which is surrounded by one of the largest unbroken coral reefs in the world, is 330km long. The island is thought to be about 10 million years old and the highest point is Piton de la Rivière Noire at 828m. It also includes the Island of Rodrigues about 550 km to the east of Mauritius as well as a number of atolls like Agalega and Carajos.
The island rises steeply in the south to a central plateau and slopes gently down to the northern coast beyond the mountains that back the capital, Port Louis. Unlike neighbouring Réunion, Mauritius has no active volcanoes, although remnants of volcanic activity, such as Trou aux Cerfs crater in Curepipe and millions of lava boulders, are found on the island.
The reef surrounding the island is broken in several places, with the largest break evident in the pounding surf along the black cliffs between Souillac and Le Bouchon on the southern coast. A smaller, less spectacular break occurs at Flic en Flac on the west coast.
Port Louis
At the north-western end of the island, against a backdrop of mountains, is Port Louis, the island's main city. With a population of 150 000 inhabitants, Port Louis is a flourishing capital complete with an established infrastructure, markets selling fruit, vegetables and spices and the island's only port. The commercial hub of the nation, Port Louis gives the visitor a scintillating introduction into this melting pot of cultures.
Anchored at Le Caudan Waterfront, you will see ships from all over the world. Not far away is La Bourdonnais Square there stands the statue of Mauritius' most eminent French governor, Mahé de la Bourdonnais, amid tall palms. A little way up the palm tree-lined road is Parliament House with a statue of Queen Victoria at the entrance. In summer, the eminent lady is surrounded by scarlet flame trees.
Don't miss a trip to Fort Adelaide overlooking Port Louis. It's well worth the climb involved to get there as the views from here are remarkable. The other three original forts are now sadly in a state of disrepair.
For a taste of Islamic architecture, visit Port Louis' Jummah Mosque, built in the 1850s in the middle of Chinatown. Just remember to remove your shoes before you enter, and dress appropriately.
Curepipe
Curepipe, the third largest urban area with 55 000 citizens, is renowned for its model ship builders, tea industry and the nearby dormant crater of Trou aux Cerfs, which offers breathtaking panoramas of the island.
Here you can view a statue of the fictitious lovers Paul and Virginie from Bernadin de St Pierre's 1788 novel of the same name. Also of interest are the local botanical gardens and the Tamarind Falls, which require transportation and hiking boots but are well worth the effort. At the bottom of this series of seven falls, you can take a plunge in the deep waters.
Geology
The Terres de Couleurs de Chamarel or Chamarel Coloured Earth is one of the most interesting geological features on the island, a remnant of the days when the local volcano was still active. Completely devoid of vegetation, this small area consists entirely of volcanic ash, iron ore and mineral oxides. It is special because the ash is made up of seven or eight coloured elements that do not mix. Close by is the Cascade Chamarel, the highest waterfall in Mauritius, which drops 100m into the Rivière du Cap. Here and on the road from the coast, is evidence of the lush forests that used to be so plentiful on Mauritius.
Grand Baie
Away from the coast and almost directly south of Grand Baie is the place where, in 1767, Pierre Poivre created the Pamplemousses Gardens, also known as the Royal Botanical Gardens. They began as a vegetable garden in 1735, to service the then governor's Mon Plaisir Chateau. Pamplemousses stretches for four hectares and features plants from all over the world, wild bananas, camphor trees, clove and nutmeg trees from Manila, huge water lilies, known locally as "flan tins", as well as a number of palms. There is also an art gallery and a cemetery.
Natural History
The extinct dodo bird was found in Mauritius. This large bird died out during the 1600s and only a skeleton and a stuffed replica remain in the Natural History Museum in Port Louis. There is another regular exhibition in the city at the Mauritius Postal Museum, which houses a collection of Mauritian stamps and assorted philatelic items.
Pere Laval Shrine
The Lourdes of the Indian Ocean, Père Laval's Shrine is just north-east of the town centre at St Croix. Père Laval, who is said to have converted more than 67 000 people during his 23 years on Mauritius, is remembered with a colourful plaster statue on top of his tomb. Pilgrims swear by the statue's healing powers and come in crowds to touch it.
Due to the diversity of cultures in Mauritius, a number of colourful festivals and ceremonies take place each year. The island's people come from an interesting mix of cultures: African, Chinese, Indian, English and French.
In January or February the Tamil penitents, while celebrating Cavadee, pierce themselves through their cheeks, tongues and backs with long skewers, and walk on nail shoes whilst carry images of their deities. In February or March the Hindus make a pilgrimage to Lake Grand Bassin in honour of Lord Shiva as they take part in the Maha Shivaratree festival.
The Muslim, Christian and Chinese celebrations include Eid-Ul-Fitr (Muslim), Christmas (Christians) and the Spring Festival (Chinese).
Teemeedee, a Hindu and Tamil fire-walking ceremony held in honour of various gods, takes place throughout the year but mostly in December and January. It's also possible to see traditional Sega dancing, the national dance that originated in the days of slavery. This is the most uniquely local cultural expression, frequently displayed for visitors to enjoy.
Religion
Christian, Muslim and Hindu faiths are all represented on the island, as well as old Chinese customs.
Mauritius officially acquired its independence from Britain in 1968 and became a republic in 1992. It is an independent republic with a democratically elected government headed by Dr. the Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam as Prime Minister.
Although the British were the last colonial rulers before Mauritius achieved independence as a republic, the influence of their French predecessors is more prominent.
The people come from an interesting diversity of cultures: African, Chinese, Indian, English and French.
Formerly a French colony, Mauritius and its neighbouring islands were captured by the British in 1810.
An electoral system based on the Westminster model was introduced in the late 1950s, and Dr (later Sir) Seewoosagur Ramgoolam's Labour Party came to power.
In 1968 independence was achieved, but the British kept a number of smaller islands, including Diego Garcia with its important naval base which is today leased to and occupied by the Americans.
Post-independence politics have been dominated by Ramgoolam, and by the two principal figures of the Mauritian left, Paul Bérenger and (later Sir) Aneerood Jugnauth. The charismatic Bérenger is a dramatic contrast to the cautious, pragmatic Jugnauth, and the focus of the Mauritian political scene has often been the personal and political clash between the two.
Both rose to prominence in the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM) which emerged as the principal opposition to Ramgoolam's coalition governments of the late 1960s and 1970s. These administrations were dominated by Ramgoolam's own Mauritian Labour Party (MLP) and the Parti Mauricien Social Démocratique (PMSD) led by Ga`tan Duval.
Growing disillusionment with Ramgoolam brought the MMM to power, in alliance with the Parti Socialiste Mauricien, with a landslide victory at the 1982 general election.
Political disagreement and personality clashes characterised the administration and the Government was fortunate to struggle through most of its term. Jugnauth had by now left the MMM to form the Mouvement Socialiste Mauricien (MSM) and fought the 1987 election campaign in alliance with the Labour Party and the Social Democrats.
The 3-party alliance won the poll.
The coalition dissolved in 1990 and a new alliance between the MMM and Jugnauth's ruling MSM was formed to fight the 1991 election: the strategy proved a success and a MSM/MMM government was elected. The alliance suffered an acrimonious split in 1993 but Jugnauth had by then succeeded in his main objectives of transforming Mauritius into a republic within the Commonwealth and, more importantly, establishing conditions for steady economic growth which was maintained throughout his term.
It was a considerable surprise, therefore, when at the next election in December 1995, Jugnauth was defeated by an alliance of Bérenger's MMM and the MLP, now led by Navin Ramgoolam (son of Sir Seewoosagur),which made a clean sweep of the parliamentary seats.
Mauritian foreign policy had been notable for its promotion of links with SOUTH AFRICA -- at a time when that country was still an international pariah -- particularly in trade and investment, although this is no longer a controversial issue.
The other important overseas issue has concerned the status of Diego Garcia (see above). The current position is that the British government has agreed to abandon its claim to the atoll when the present lease to the USA expires in 2016. Mauritius may then negotiate directly with the Americans over its future. The outcome depends on the requirements of US strategy at the time: while there is a broad global retrenchment after the Cold War and budgetary cuts at home, the Americans are aware of the atoll's valuable location within striking distance of the ever-unpredictable Middle East.
In August 1995 Mauritius became the 12th member of SADC (Southern African Development Community). A significant developing business and financial player in the region, its industry is regulated by the Minister of Trade and Shipping which is situated in the Government Centre in Port Louis.
Manufacturing, tourism and sugar cane processing are the principal business sectors. Sugarcane is grown on some 80 percent of the cultivated land and contributes to about 45 percent of the foreign exchange earnings. The private sector is the dominant player in the business community in Mauritius. The estimated GDP of Mauritius in 1994 was $9,3 billion. The Mauritius oil industry is an important element in the economy of the country and all its oil and petroleum is imported. Electricity is generated by the parastatal Central Electricity Board and Mauritius is becoming recognised as a venue for offshore banking.
With few mineral resources and no known gas or oil reserves Mauritius does have a substantial amount of energy resources in the form of hydro-electricity, bagasse from the sugar cane industry, and solar energy.
Exports of mainly sugar, tea and textiles to the rest of the world amounted to for $1,200 billion and imports for over $1,6 billion in 1998.
The Mauritius Stock Exchange is one of the fastest growing in Africa.
Until recently, the Mauritian economy was based upon the production and export of sugar. It still is an important cash crop, along with tobacco and tea. From the late 1970s, the Mauritian government sought to build up its industrial capability in order to reduce dependence on these crops. An Export Processing Zone -- producing goods exclusively for export from raw materials imported on favourable terms -- has done much to assist what has been a successful strategy: GDP growth has averaged 5% during the 1990s. Clothing and textiles are the main products, but other ventures producing consumer and industrial electronics have also been established.
The third major component of the economy is tourism, which has grown steadily since the beginning of the 1980s and is now part of a service sector that accounts for 55% of GDP. However, tourism has almost reached saturation point.
The Government's latest economic initiative has aimed at establishing Mauritius as an 'offshore' facility offering discreet banking and financial services. As there is hardly a small island nation which is not trying to do this, the Mauritian experiment is far from assured of success.
The island's largest trading partners at present are FRANCE, the USA, Hong Kong, the UK and SOUTH AFRICA. Mauritius is a member of the Indian Ocean Commission which promotes regional economic co-operation.
http://www.amadeus.net/home/dest/en/AFRICA/mus/23.htm