Country Guide • Mauritius
Mauritius is an island located in the southern Indian Ocean about 500 miles off Madagascar. The country also includes the islands of Agalega, Rodrigues and the St. Brandon group. The island is of volcanic origin. Mauritius has an indented coastline with many natural harbours and is nearly encircled by a coral reef.
| Official Name | Republic of Mauritius |
|---|---|
| Area | 1,974km² (762mile²) |
| Population | 1,210,447 |
| Continent | Africa |
| Population per mile² | 1537 |
| Capital City | Port Louis |
| Religions | 53% Hindus, 26% Roman Catholic, 13% Muslims, 5% Protestant. Other religious minorities include Buddhists, Confucianists, Baha'is and Ahmadiyyahs |
| Language | English is the official language. Other languages spoken languages are French, Creole, Hindi and Bhojpuri., Urdu and Chinese |
| Government | Parliamentary Democracy |
| Currency | Mauritian Rupee |
| GDP | $13.2 billion |
| GDP per Head | $11,000 |
| Natural Resources | Arable land, fish |
| Land Use | Arable Land 49% |
| Agriculture | Corn, sugarcane, tea, potatoes, bananas, pulses, cattle, goats and fish |
| Industry | Agriculture, Clothing, Diamond Cutting, Electronic Equipment, Fertilizers, Fisheries, Molasses, Rum Distilling, Sugar Processing, Textiles and Tourism |
| Tourism | Mauritius is another one of those tropical island paradises. Palm trees and glorious white sandy beaches. There are numerous organised excursions which is a great way to view the interior or you could opt for the locals who'll put you up in their homes and rent you their cars for daytrips |
| Natural Hazards | Cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards |
| Health Risks | Slight risk of malaria |
| Climate | Mauritius has a tropical maritime climate with the SE trade winds prevailing from April to November. Devastating tropical cyclones occur from November to March and rainfall is at its heaviest during this time. Average annual rainfall varies from 33 inches in the north west to 196 inches on the central plateau. Average temperature ranges are from 17 to 24°C in August to 23 to 33°C in January |
| Time | GMT/UTC+4 hours |
| National Days | March 12 |
| Visas | All visitors are required to have a passport and onward ticket in order to get a visa. A visa normally valid for 3 months will be issued on arrival, although it may be better to contact a Mauritian embassy prior to your visit. Entry to Mauritius may be refused to, and airlines may not carry, passengers whose passports are due to expire in less than six months. Employment in Mauritius is not allowed without a work permit arranged in advance. A yellow fever certificate for passengers arriving from an area where yellow fever exists is required |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
