Mauritius

Mauritius is unlike any other place in the world. Mauritian culture is an easygoing blend of Indian, Chinese, French, Creole, and English people. It is located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, with Africa being the nearest continent.
The weather on Mauritius is fairly mild, although quite humid. Because it is below the equator, the winter and summer seasons are opposite those in North America. Temperatures range from 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit.

The island of Mauritius is known for its tropical beauty. Mark Twain wrote, "You gather that Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius."
Many of the hotels and tourist activities are in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. There are many luxurious hotels and fine restaurants, which are as varied in their cuisine as Mauritius is in its culture. The concierge at your hotel will assist you in choosing an activity, from a night time jungle walk to snorkeling and diving or fishing.

Fact File:

	Area: 1,860 sq km.
	Capital City: Port Louis
	Independence: 12 March 1968 (from UK).
	National Holiday: Independence Day, 12 March (1968).
	Population: 1,189,825 (July 2001 est.).
	Languages: English (official), Creole, French, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori.
	Religions: Hindu 52%, Christian 28.3% (Roman Catholic 26%, Protestant 2.3%), Muslim 16.6%, other 3.1%.
	Ethnic Groups: Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%.
	Money: Mauritian rupee (MUR).
	Natural resources: arable land, fish.
	Agriculture and products: sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish.
	Exports: clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses.

	Imports: manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals (1996).
	Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau.
	Climate: tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May).
	Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m, highest point: Mont Piton 828 m.

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