DISCOVER
Mauritius is a volcanic island born from undersea eruptions about 8 to 10 million years ago. It is renowned for its pristine beaches, lush mountains, vibrant coral reefs, rare animals, and an ecosystems found nowhere else in the world.
ABOUT MAURITIUS
TOURISM: Plan your trip with must-visit places, travel tips, packages, and visa info.
GEOGRAPHY
An island nation at the crossroads of Africa and Asia, Mauritius is a strategic gem in the Indian Ocean.
Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 kilometers off the southeastern coast of Africa. It includes the main island as well as Rodrigues, Agaléga, and St. Brandon. The islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues, along with nearby Réunion are part of the Mascarene Islands. Mauritius also administers the Agaléga Islands and claims sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, which includes Diego Garcia, one of the world’s most geopolitically significant islands.
Despite its modest landmass of about 2,040 square kilometers, Mauritius oversees a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) spanning over 2.3 million square kilometers—rich in marine biodiversity and untapped ocean resources.
Strategically positioned between Africa and Asia, Mauritius serves as a vital hub for maritime routes, trade corridors, and undersea cable infrastructure. The island’s location has long made it attractive to traders, colonizers, and investors alike.
The terrain includes mountain ranges, ancient lava plains, lush forests, dramatic cliffs, and fertile valleys. The surrounding coral reef—one of the largest in the world—creates calm turquoise lagoons ideal for marine life and water activities. Inland, rivers and waterfalls weave through rich green valleys, sustaining both agriculture and biodiversity.
Mauritius on the world map
HISTORY
Journey through Mauritius’ colonial past and its rise to independence.
Mauritius has a fascinating and layered history marked by exploration, colonization, and resilience. Although uninhabited until the 10th century, the island was likely visited by Arab and Malay sailors. The first recorded landing was by the Portuguese in the early 1500s, but it was the Dutch who first colonized Mauritius in 1638. They named it after Prince Maurice of Nassau and introduced sugar cane—and also hunted the now-extinct Dodo into oblivion.
After the Dutch abandoned the island, it was taken over by the French in 1715, who developed sugar estates and brought enslaved Africans to work the land. In 1810, the British seized Mauritius, retaining French customs and language but integrating it into the British Empire until independence in 1968.
Today, Mauritius is a stable democracy known for its peaceful transition from colony to a thriving, multicultural nation.
Independence Day, 1968
GOVERNMENT
A stable democracy with strong institutions and a global voice.
Mauritius is a parliamentary democracy with a President as Head of State and a Prime Minister as Head of Government. The political system is modeled after the Westminster system, and the country has consistently upheld democratic principles since gaining independence. The National Assembly consists of elected members who represent various constituencies, and the country holds regular multi-party elections. Mauritius is also a member of the Commonwealth, the African Union, and several international trade organizations. One of the island’s greatest strengths is its political stability, which has contributed significantly to its development and international partnerships.
Government House, Port-Louis
CULTURE
A vibrant mosaic of people and traditions.
Mauritius is home to a diverse population of approximately 1.3 million people, with ancestral roots tracing back to India, Africa, China, and Europe. This multicultural blend has shaped a rich and vibrant cultural identity, reflected in everything from daily life to national celebrations. The country’s diversity is seen in its flavorful cuisine, colorful festivals, spiritual traditions, and blended languages. English is the official language, but French and Mauritian Creole are widely spoken, along with Bhojpuri, Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, and Chinese dialects. Mauritius embraces multiple faiths—primarily Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism—and remains a beacon of peaceful coexistence.
Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis
FOOD
A delicious blend of Indian, Creole, Chinese, and French influences, Mauritian cuisine features dishes like bol renversé, dholl puri, fried noodles, boulettes, and crab soup. Street food, home cooking, and festive meals all tell stories of shared heritage.
FESTIVALS
From Diwali and Chinese New Year to Eid and Cavadee, festivals in Mauritius are filled with color, lights, and joy. Each celebration reflects the island’s spiritual depth and inclusive spirit.
MUSIC
The heartbeat of Mauritian music is séga—a lively, rhythmic genre rooted in the island's African heritage. Traditionally performed with instruments like the ravanne, maravanne, and triangle, séga has evolved to include modern fusions such as seggae (séga + reggae). Bhojpuri music—brought by Indian laborers—remains deeply loved and is often heard during cultural and religious events.
CLOTHING
While Western-style clothing is common in daily life, traditional outfits like sarees, hijabs, Qipao dresses, and colorful sega skirts are worn at cultural and religious events.
ARCHITECTURE
Mauritian architecture is a blend of colonial elegance, Creole charm, and Eastern influence. In recent years, modern styles have become increasingly popular, with sleek villas, eco-friendly homes, and contemporary commercial spaces reshaping the island’s urban landscape.
ECONOMY / INFRASTRUCTURE
One of Africa’s most dynamic economies—built on innovation and diversity.
Once heavily reliant on sugarcane exports, Mauritius has evolved into one of Africa’s most diversified and competitive economies. Today, the economy is driven by four key sectors: tourism, financial services, textiles, and information technology. The government has also invested in developing green energy and ocean economy initiatives.
Mauritius enjoys a favorable business environment, ranked among the best in Africa for ease of doing business. It has established several Freeport zones and investment incentives to attract foreign investors. With a strong legal and banking system, the island serves as a regional hub for finance and trade.
Major infrastructure upgrades—including highways, flyovers, and a growing Metro Express light rail system—have further improved urban mobility and regional connectivity, supporting both local development and foreign investment.
Metro Express
Port Louis
Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, plays a vital role in the country’s economic landscape. Home to the island’s main port and financial institutions, it acts as a gateway for import/export trade and maritime commerce. The city also features a modern cruise terminal, designed to accommodate the growing number of international visitors arriving by sea, further boosting the tourism sector. Port Louis also hosts the Stock Exchange of Mauritius (SEM), corporate headquarters, museums, markets, and historical landmarks—balancing economic activity with cultural heritage.
Ebène Cybercity
Mauritius has positioned itself as a forward-looking digital hub through the development of Ebène Cybercity—a modern business and technology park often called the "Silicon Valley of the Indian Ocean." Designed to support innovation, tech startups, and fintech development, Ebene is home to global IT firms, BPOs, incubators, and data centers. The island continues to embrace digital transformation through investments in fiber-optic infrastructure, cybersecurity, and blockchain exploration, reinforcing its reputation as a safe and agile destination for financial and tech-based industries.
EDUCATION
Free, accessible, and multilingual
Education in Mauritius is highly valued and widely accessible. The system is modeled after the British system, and schooling is free and compulsory from primary to secondary level. Mauritius boasts a high literacy rate and strong educational outcomes relative to its size. The country is home to several public and private universities, as well as international institutions offering courses in English and French. The government actively supports vocational training, digital literacy, and STEM education, aiming to align learning outcomes with national development goals. Education also plays a role in cultural preservation, with programs to teach Mauritian Creole, French, Hindi, and other languages that reflect the nation’s diverse heritage.
RCC Secondary School