Mauritius

10th century CE – Arab traders first mention the island, though it was uninhabited

1511 (September 1, Sunday) – Portuguese discovery of Mauritius

1598 (September 24, Saturday) – Dutch colonization begins, although short-lived due to poor conditions

1638 (May 19, Thursday) – French colonization begins, and the island is named Île de France

1810 (December 3, Monday) – British take control of Mauritius during the Napoleonic Wars

1835 (January 1, Thursday) – Abolition of slavery in Mauritius

1968 (March 12, Tuesday) – Mauritius gains independence from the United Kingdom

1988 (November 3, Thursday) – Cyclone Claudette hits, causing widespread damage

1999 (February 25, Thursday) – Cyclone Judy impacts the island with severe flooding and winds

2005 (February 6, Sunday) – Cyclone Gafilo strikes, causing fatalities and significant property damage

2015 (December 1, Tuesday) – Severe floods impact the capital, Port Louis, following heavy rains

2020 (March 17, Tuesday) – COVID-19 pandemic leads to widespread economic shutdowns and tourism losses

2021 (January 30, Saturday) – Tropical Cyclone Eloise strikes, resulting in heavy rain, flooding, and damage

2022 (April 15, Friday) – Cyclone Batsirai brings strong winds and storm surges, affecting infrastructure and crops

Continent: Africa
Location: Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Capital: Port Louis
Language: English (official), French, Mauritian Creole (widely spoken)
Currency: Mauritian Rupee (MUR)
Population: ~1.3 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Mauritius Standard Time (MST, UTC+4)

Borders: None (island nation)
Landscape: Coastal plains, volcanic mountains, lagoons, coral reefs
Major Rivers: Black River, Grand River South East, and several smaller rivers
Major Mountains: Pieter Both (828 m / 2,717 ft), Le Morne Brabant (556 m / 1,824 ft)
Deserts: None
Lakes: Grand Bassin (Sacred Lake)
Volcanoes: None (although the island was formed by volcanic activity)
Highest Point: Pieter Both (828 m / 2,717 ft)
Lowest Point: Indian Ocean (0 m)
Climate: Tropical climate – warm, humid, with a wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October
Geological Features: Volcanic islands, coral reefs, coastal plains, salt pans

Ethnic Groups: Indo-Mauritian (Indian descent), Creole (African descent), Sino-Mauritian (Chinese descent), Franco-Mauritian (French descent)
Religion: Hinduism (approximately 48%), Christianity (approximately 32%), Islam (approximately 17%), others
Urban Population: ~40% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~9% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Sugar industry, diverse cultural heritage, beaches, port city, traditional music (such as Sega), and cuisine
Cuisine: Dholl puri, rougaille, biryani, fish curry, samosas, and Mauritian sweets
Arts: Sega music and dance, Mauritian literature, traditional crafts
Sports: Football (soccer), cricket, rugby, and basketball

Economy Type: Upper-middle-income, diverse economy based on agriculture, textiles, and services
GDP: Approx. $14.5 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Sugar, textiles and clothing, tourism, financial services, agriculture (tea, fruits, and vegetables)
Key Exports: Sugar, textiles, clothing, fish, and cut flowers
Unemployment Rate: ~7% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Sugar plantations in the central plateau, tourism concentrated along the coastline

Government Type: Parliamentary republic
Head of State: President Monique Ohsan Bellepeau (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (National Assembly & President’s Council)
Constitution: In effect since 1968, with amendments

Port Louis: Capital city, waterfront area, markets, and the Blue Penny Museum
Le Morne Brabant: UNESCO World Heritage Site, mountain and historical significance
Grand Baie: Popular beach resort area, lagoon activities
Île aux Cerfs: Tropical island, beaches, and water sports
Chamarel: Colored Earth and Waterfalls, nature reserves, and scenic views