Mauritius, Island nation in Indian Ocean, East Africa
Description
Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa, with a volcanic main island surrounded by coral reefs and lagoons. Sugar cane fields cover much of the interior, while mountains rise in the center and white sand beaches line the coast.
History
Portuguese sailors reached the uninhabited island in the early 16th century, before the Dutch established a settlement from 1638 and the French later took over administration from 1715. The British controlled the island from 1810 and led it to independence in 1968, when the country gained its first prime minister.
Culture
People speak a mix of Mauritian Creole, French, English and several Asian languages in daily conversation, heard in shops, markets and street life across the country. Temples, churches and mosques often stand just a few blocks apart, while festivals like Diwali, Cavadee and the pilgrimage to Père Laval bring together people of different faiths.
Practical
The international airport in the southeast offers year-round direct connections to Europe, Asia and Africa, while the months from May to December outside the cyclone season bring the most comfortable travel weather. Multilingual signage helps with orientation, as road signs are often written in both English and French.
Did you know?
The extinct dodo, a flightless bird that lived only here until the mid-17th century, remains the national symbol and appears on the coat of arms, stamps and coins. Many local businesses and organizations use the bird as a mascot or logo, even though no one has seen a living specimen since then.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Dubreuil VCA, Part).
Mauritius offers natural places away from tourist centers. The island shows its geological diversity through beaches, waterfalls, and hiking paths. Black River Gorges National Park is home to rare animal and plant species. You can swim in clear water at beaches like La Cuvette and Pointe d'Esny. The...
Le Morne Brabant
32.7 km
Seven Coloured Earths
27.5 km
Black River Gorges National Park
22.4 km
Aapravasi Ghat
14.8 km
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden
18.7 km
Trou aux Cerfs
7.7 km
La Vallee des Couleurs Nature Park
22.1 km
Central Market
14.7 km
Pieter Both
9.5 km
Caudan Waterfront
14.8 km
Black River Peak
22.5 km
Mangal Mahadev
17.6 km
Le Pouce
9.7 km
Chamarel Falls
26.8 km
Jummah Mosque
14.6 km
Trou aux Biches Resort & Spa
27.3 km
La Vanille Nature Park
25 km
Blue Penny Museum
14.9 km
Bank of Mauritius Tower
14.5 km
Maheswarnath Mandir
26.1 km
Blue Bay Public Beach
24 km
Curepipe Botanic Gardens
7.6 km
State House
10.2 km
Rhumerie de Chamarel
24.8 km
Trou Aux Cerfs Volcano Park
7.8 kmClarisse House
7.3 km
Vallée de Ferney
17.2 km
Mont Choisy Public Beach
29.2 km
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes