Mauritius

The Island Nation of Harmony, Innovation, and Natural Beauty

Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, is a small yet economically vibrant island nation known for its political stability, multicultural society, and high-income economy. Famous for its beaches, coral reefs, and volcanic landscapes, it is also a leader in financial services, ICT, and tourism within Africa.

Formation and Historical Background

  • Initially uninhabited, discovered by Arabs and later colonized by the Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British.

  • Gained independence from Britain on March 12, 1968; became a republic in 1992.

  • The island of Rodrigues and outer dependencies like Agaléga and Cargados Carajos (Saint Brandon) are part of the republic.

Administrative Information

Attribute Details
Country Name Republic of Mauritius
Capital Port Louis
Continent Africa (Indian Ocean Island)
Official Language English (French widely used)
National Languages Creole, Bhojpuri, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Chinese (spoken)
Currency Mauritian Rupee (MUR)
Area Approx. 2,040 sq. km
Population Approx. 1.3 million (2024 est.)
Time Zone Mauritius Time (UTC+4)
ISO Code MU
Internet TLD .mu
Calling Code +230

Religious Affiliation (Estimated)

Religion Population Share
Hinduism ~48%
Christianity (mostly RC) ~32%
Islam ~17%
Other / None ~3%

Government and Leadership

Position Current Officeholder (as of 2024)
President Prithvirajsing Roopun
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth
Government Type Parliamentary Republic
Legislature National Assembly (unicameral)
Judiciary Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeal, Court of Criminal Appeal

Administrative Divisions (Districts & Dependencies)

Mauritius is divided into 9 districts and 3 dependencies (Rodrigues, Agaléga, Cargados Carajos).

Mainland Districts:

  1. Black River

  2. Flacq

  3. Grand Port

  4. Moka

  5. Pamplemousses

  6. Plaines Wilhems

  7. Port Louis

  8. Riviere du Rempart

  9. Savanne

Dependencies:

  • Rodrigues (Autonomous Island) – Capital: Port Mathurin

  • Agaléga (North and South islands – limited civilian population)

  • Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon) – coral atolls, mainly fishing and scientific interest

Local Government Structure

  • District Councils and Village Councils for rural areas

  • Municipal Councils in urban areas (e.g., Port Louis, Beau Bassin–Rose Hill)

  • Rodrigues Regional Assembly governs Rodrigues with autonomy in local affairs

Leadership & Governance

  • Multi-party democratic system with regular elections

  • Key governance priorities:

    • Good governance and digital government

    • Clean energy and climate adaptation

    • Public service efficiency and infrastructure

Law Enforcement & Safety

  • Maintained by:

    • Mauritius Police Force

    • Special Mobile Force, National Coast Guard

  • Low crime rates, strong public safety

  • Emergency Numbers:

    • 999 – Police

    • 114 – Fire

    • 114 / 999 – Ambulance (SAMU)

Economy & Industry

  • Major sectors:

    • Tourism

    • Financial Services

    • ICT / BPO

    • Sugarcane, textiles, and seafood exports

  • GDP (2023): Approx. USD 15 billion

  • Vision 2030: High-income, innovation-driven, sustainable economy

Education & Institutions

  • Free education up to tertiary level

  • Multilingual curriculum (English and French primary mediums)

  • Leading institutions:

    • University of Mauritius

    • Open University

    • Middlesex University (Mauritius campus)

  • High literacy rate: ~91%

Healthcare

  • Free public healthcare system with private alternatives

  • Leading hospitals:

    • Victoria Hospital (Candos)

    • SSR National Hospital (Pamplemousses)

    • Flacq and Jawaharlal Nehru Hospitals

  • Good immunization coverage and health indicators

Transport & Connectivity

  • International Airport:

    • Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport

  • Metro Express light rail (Port Louis to Curepipe)

  • Developed road network; no railway beyond light rail

  • Modern internet, fiber broadband, and mobile coverage

Tourism & Attractions

  • Natural:

    • Le Morne Brabant – UNESCO heritage site

    • Black River Gorges National Park

    • Chamarel Colored Earth

  • Beaches: Flic-en-Flac, Belle Mare, Trou aux Biches

  • Culture: Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin), historic sugar estates, Hindu temples, Chinese pagodas

Culture & Lifestyle

  • Diverse heritage: Indian, African, Chinese, European

  • Public holidays represent all major religions

  • Cuisine: fusion of Indian, Creole, Chinese, and French – includes dholl puri, seafood curries, briani

  • Music: Sega, Indian classical, Creole rhythms

  • Festivals: Cavadee, Diwali, Eid, Chinese Spring Festival

Summary

Mauritius is a peaceful, vibrant island nation known for its multicultural harmony, strong institutions, and economic dynamism. As a regional leader in sustainability, technology, and inclusive governance, Mauritius continues to rise as one of Africa’s most forward-looking countries with global aspirations.