Mauritius was formed by volcanic activity and is surrounded by coral reefs. Long, white-sand beaches stretch along the coast of much of the main island. The northern part of Mauritius is a plain that rises to a central plateau. The plateau is bordered by small mountains. A small mountain in the southwest, Petite Rivière-Noire Peak (Little Black River Peak), is the country's highest point at 2,711 feet (826 meters). The major rivers are the Grand River South East and the Grand River North West. Mauritius has a subtropical climate. Temperatures vary little throughout the year, remaining around 70° F (20° C).
Much of Mauritius was once covered by lush forests. Over the centuries, however, most of the original forest has been cut down to make room for sugar plantations. Nevertheless, the island still has more than 600 species of native vegetation. Among them are bamboo and tropical trees such as coconut palm and ebony.
The country's unique wildlife includes the samber (a long-tailed, dark brown deer), tenrec (a spiny mammal), and mongoose as well as a variety of birds and insects. Some species are endangered because the forests where they lived have been destroyed. Mauritius was the last habitat of the dodo bird, which became extinct in the 17th century.
Mauritius is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The population reflects the country's long history of colonial rule. The largest ethnic group is the Indo-Mauritians, who make up nearly 70 percent of the population. They are descended from Indian laborers brought to Mauritius by the British in the 19th century. Creoles, or people of mixed descent, make up about 27 percent of the population. Europeans and Chinese form smaller communities.
English is the official language of Mauritius, but many languages are spoken among the various ethnic groups. Creole is most widely used. About half of the people are Hindu, about one third are Christian, and most of the rest are Muslims.
Mauritius offers a rich mixture of the many cultures and traditions of its different peoples. The national cultural institutions are the Mauritius Institute and the Mauritius Archives. The theater is popular.
The economy of Mauritius grew significantly in the 1980s and 1990s. The main agricultural activity is sugar production, which accounts for more than 20 percent of the country's exports. Sugarcane plantations cover more than three quarters of the country's cultivated land. Tea, potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, cabbages, and onions are also important crops.
Manufacturing employs the largest portion of the workforce in Mauritius. Textiles and clothing make up more than half of the country's exports. Other manufactured goods include tobacco, food products, metals, chemical products, and electronic components. Mauritius also has successful financial and tourist industries.
Arab navigators probably knew of Mauritius in the 10th century or earlier. Portuguese traders reached the island in the early 16th century but did not settle there. In 1598 the Dutch occupied the island and named it Mauritius after Maurice of Nassau, the governor of The Netherlands. The Dutch made Mauritius a colony in 1638 but failed to establish permanent settlements there. They abandoned the island in 1710.
In 1715 France took control of the island. They renamed it Île de France and established their first settlement there in 1722. The French made Mauritius a sugar-producing colony, bringing in slaves to work on the plantations. In 1810, while Britain and France were at war, the British seized the island. The name Mauritius was reinstated, but the customs, laws, and language remained French. When Britain made slavery illegal in 1835, the slaves were replaced by workers from India.
Mauritius achieved independence from Britain in 1968. Seewoosagur Ramgoolam became the country's first prime minister. In 1982 he was replaced by Anerood Jugnauth. A downturn in world sugar prices in the early 1980s hurt the country's economy. In response, the government began efforts to make the economy less dependent on sugar production. Agricultural production was made more diverse and manufacturing was encouraged. As a result, Mauritius became more stable economically. Population (2001 estimate), 1,195,000.
