Mauritius on the world map (photos are located below) can be seen in the group of the Mascarene Islands. They, in turn, lie in the western region of the Indian Ocean, at a distance of about 800 kilometers east of Madagascar. The state itself, in addition to the island of the same name (about 91% of the country's total area), occupies three more - Agalega, Rodriguez and Cargados-Carajos. The capital and center of business life in the region is Port Louis.
History of the state
Speaking about where Mauritius is located, it is impossible not to recall a few historical facts that are associated with it. The island was first discovered in the sixteenth century by the Portuguese. From 1638, until 1710, it was owned by Holland. With its ruler, Mauritius de Nasso, the name of the country is connected. In 1715, he became the property of France, which equipped its naval base here. The period of active development and prosperity here began in 1735, when François Mahe de la Bourdonne was appointed local governor. At this time, many roads, hospitals, bridges and other facilities were built on the island. In addition, for the purpose of further export to Europe, sugar cane, as well as cotton and rice were grown in large quantities here.
In 1810, the island was captured by the English flotilla, which was significantly superior in numbers to the French. It was in British ownership until March 12, 1968, when its independence and sovereignty were proclaimed.
Government, population and currency
In Mauritius, the president is the head of state, and the unicameral Assembly is the legislative body. The population of the country is almost 1.3 million inhabitants. The official language is English. At the same time, most of the population is fluent in French and Creole. The local currency is the Mauritian rupee. It should be noted that it is possible to pay only in markets and in stores with it exclusively. Currency exchange is not limited. As for religion, about half of the locals are Hindus, 30 percent are Christians, and all the rest are Buddhists and Muslims.
Geography
Mauritius on the world map is a small, almost imperceptible point. This is not surprising, since its total area is only 1865 square kilometers. Most of the territory is flat. Along with this, in the central part there is a plateau and a number of low mountains. The Riviere Noire peak is the largest and rises above sea level by 828 meters. On all sides, the island is surrounded by coral reefs that protect it from severe storms. They also contribute to the presence of a large number of species of tropical fish. Along the coast there are many beautiful sandy beaches, which are cut with small bays in size. In the eastern and northern parts of the island, nature created favorable conditions for the cultivation of various crops.
Climate
Not every person is able, without hesitation, to indicate where Mauritius is located on the world map. Despite this, tours here are very popular. First of all, this is due to the favorable climate, which allows tourists to relax here throughout the year.
For the period from November to April, summer falls here. The air temperature at this time can reach a mark of 33 degrees. Despite this, due to the pleasant wind and not very high (compared with other tropical islands) humidity, the heat is easily tolerated. There are no prolonged downpours on the island - most often the rain ends a few minutes after the start, after which the same heat sets in again. From May to October, the winter season lasts. During it, in the area where Mauritius is located, the air temperature is in the range from 17 to 23 degrees. It should be noted that in the ocean the water remains warm throughout the year.
As for the amount of precipitation, about 1,500 millimeters a year falls in the western and northern parts, and about 5,000 millimeters in the eastern part. Most of them are characteristic for the period from December to March. In the summer period, many cyclones are often formed, but the destructive force is not characteristic of them.
Tourist attraction
From a tourist point of view, the island of Mauritius, where there are a large number of hotels, looks very attractive due to the high level of local service. That is why many wealthy people of the world prefer to relax here, among them members of royal families, leaders of European states, actors, businessmen and others. Absolutely all employees of local hotels are required to undergo specialized training. Each hotel on the island is a kind of town, where there are beaches, shops, restaurants, bars, golf courses, tennis courts and other types of entertainment. An interesting feature is that the usual five-star classification system is not used here. Along with this, the living conditions even in inexpensive bungalows are very comfortable. Public beaches are cleaned daily, not only from rubbish, but also from algae and coral debris. Photos of Mauritius are a vivid confirmation of this.
Transport
In the country, almost all transportation is carried out by road. Moreover, all cities have their own stations. Quite common is also a form of transport such as taxis. Using its services, it is recommended to stipulate the cost of the trip in advance, since there are no meters in most cars.
On the islands where Mauritius is located, there is left-hand traffic, so to make independent trips you need to get used to it a bit. Due to the small territory, you can go round it in one day. The only important nuance to keep in mind is that credit cards are not accepted at gas stations - only cash. A map of Mauritius is all you need on the way. The maximum permissible speed on the territory of settlements is 50 km / h, and on other highways - 80 km / h. There are no problems with renting a car on the island. The main thing is the achievement of 23 years of age and the presence of a driver’s license.
Bans
Underwater fishing is strictly prohibited in the country. In addition, it is not permitted to lift any objects from the bottom of the sea without obtaining appropriate permission from local authorities. According to local law, there is a strict administrative responsibility for breaking and collecting coral. It also applies to the acquisition of them from local sellers. As for fishing, in the open sea it is allowed for large fish (most often marlin) exclusively using specialized boats.
The dangers
Given the location of Mauritius, it can be assumed that the bites of representatives of the local fauna are potentially dangerous. Actually this is not true. The worst option in most cases are only allergic reactions. Particular care should be taken in water, where spines and spikes of marine life can cause painful wounds. It is extremely undesirable to dive outside the lagoons, since strong currents are characteristic of these places. As for piped water, it is thoroughly cleaned on the island, so it can be used from a tap. Food products sold in local markets are also quite safe.