Mauritius (Home of the now Extinct Dodo) is a small Island off the East coast of the African continent. The name was derived from Prince Maurice of Nassau, when three Dutch ships were blown off course en route to the Spice Islands, and landed on the island in 1598. It is located in the south west Indian ocean, approximately 900 km east of Madagascar. Mauritius gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1968 and became a Republic in 1992. The total land area of the island is 2,040km2, and has an estimated population of over 1,3 million people.

The island was first mentioned as early as in the 10th Century, by the Tamil people. While the Dutch first settled there in 1638, they abandoned their settlement there due to adverse weather conditions and the French seized the island in 1715. Subsequently the French harbored the corsairs there, who often attacked and took British ships that traveled between India and England.

Although English is the official language of Mauritius, French dominates in the media and business world, it is also a language of instruction in the educational system. The native tongue of the Island is known to be Mauritian Creole, close to French but with marked differences. The culture of Mauritius has been influenced by the European, Indian and Chinese presence on the island.

Being one of the most beautiful islands in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius has so much to offer the visitor, from deep sea fishing to lazing on the beach to playing golf.

The Deep Sea fishing adventure offers a chance to catch a blue or black marlin, barracuda and all types of sharks, the marlin which is a price catch roams the waters of Mauritius from November to May. The island offers 3 eighteen hole golf courses and five 9 hole courses, situated across the island, mostly at the international class resorts. Whilst a bicycle tour of the Balaclava ruins and the amazing Labourdonnais Orchards are a delight to the senses, with a huge variety of trees sporting exotic colorful and perfumed blossoms.

Famous Why? Home of the Extinct Dodo Bird
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Tags: island, africa, 1992, europe

Date Added: 21 October '08

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