Mauritius is 45km in width and 65km in length.The Republic of Mauritius also includes the Agalega Islands, St Brandon and Rodrigues; these islands, along with the French island of Réunion, form the Mascarenhas Archipelago (or Mascarene Islands

The highest peak being Piton de la Rivière Noire (828 metres), followed by Pieter Both (823 metres) and Le Pouce (812 metres).

Language & Population

English is the official language but the most widely spoken languages are French, Creole, Hindi and Bhojpuri. Urdu and Chinese are also spoken.
At different times in the history of Mauritius, people of different origin settled on the island bringing their culture, language, values and traditions.

The country today is a cultural melting pot and is often quoted as a perfect example of peaceful co-existence of the main religions in the world. All year long the rich diversity is celebrated in peace and harmony.

History

Known to the Arabs as early as the 10th century, but officially «discovered» in 1505 by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas, the island was occupied successively by the Dutch (1598-1712) and the French (1715-1810), and was ceded to Great Britain in 1814 through the Treaty of Paris.

On 12 March 1968, Mauritius became Independent. Republic Day was proclaimed on 12 March 1992.

Mauritius has an interesting history of ethnic immigration (the island was originally uninhabited) that offers the traveler a microcosm of world cultures.

Mauritius is a blend of diverse cultures and religions which the immigrant population brought from their ancestral countries.

Their festivities are celebrated in a spirit of peace and harmony throughout the year.

Climate

Situated near the Tropic of Capricorn, Mauritius has the advantage of a subtropical climate. The climate is pleasant and the heat is never unbearable.

Mauritius experiences a hot, humid summer from December to April and a cooler, drier period from May to November which is considered the Mauritian winter. Temperatures drop from sticky to balmy, with less rain and humidity.

However, there is considerable variation from one part of the island to another. Coastal temperatures range between 25°C and 33°C (77-91°F) in summer and between 18°C and 24°C(64-75°F) in winter.


On the central plateau it will be some 5°C (41°F) cooler. The highlands are also the wettest part of the island - it can rain here at any time of year and even when it's not raining, the area can be cloaked in low cloud. Under the influence of the prevailing southeasterly winds, the east coast is slightly cooler and wetter than the west.

The winds are generally at their strongest in July and August, and it can be blustery on the east coast, though the breeze brings welcome relief in summer.

The cyclone season lasts from December to March. Although a direct hit happens rarely, cyclones way out at sea can bring days of heavy rain.

Customs

Passengers of 16 years of age and over are allowed the following duty free items: 250g of tobacco (cigars and cigarettes), 2 litres of wine, ale or beer, 1 litre of spirits and about 25cl of Eau de Toilette and a quantity of perfume not exceeding 10 cl. 

Plants and seeds, fresh fruits and flowers must be declared to Customs upon arrival and are subject to examination. An import permit must be obtained from the Minister of Agriculture prior to their introduction. The same procedures apply for animals which must also undergo a quarantine period. Firearms must be declared on arrival.

Entry Requirements

A visitor must be in possession of a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. A visitor's visa is normally granted for one month, but can be renewed for a further period upon request. Visas may be obtained from Mauritian Embassies and High Commissions.

There is no risk of malaria in Mauritius.

Currency
The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee (Rs) which is divided into 100 cents (cs).

Coins : 5cs, 20cs, 50cs, Rs1, Rs5, Rs10
Notes : Rs 25, Rs 50, Rs100, Rs 200, Rs 500, Rs 1000, Rs 2000

Electricity
Power supply throughout the island is 220 volts

Driving
Mauritius is a left-hand drive country, with priority to the right. Parking zones exist in the main towns

What to wear
Take your best beach and casual wear. In the winter months (June -September), carry some light woollen clothing for the cool evenings.
Please show due respect when visiting religious places. Wear appropriate clothing (and remove leather shoes and belts) when entering the premises.