Dialing code +230
ISO 2 code MU
ISO 3 code MUS
Capital Port Louis
Main Language English
Currency Rupee (MUR)
GDP $15.4 billion 132nd
Population 1,294,104 153rd

Geography

Continent Africa
Location Southern Africa island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar
Land 2,040 km2 182nd
Terrain Small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau
Climate Tropical modified by southeast trade winds; warm dry winter (May to November); hot wet humid summer (November to May)
Natural Hazards Small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau
Note: The main island from which the country derives its name is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs; home of the dodo a large flightless bird related to pigeons driven to extinction by the end of the 17th century through a combination of hunting and the introduction of predatory species

Neighbouring Countries

History

Although known to Arab and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century Mauritius was first explored by the Portuguese in the 16th century and subsequently settled by the Dutch - who named it in honor of Prince Maurits van NASSAU - in the 17th century. The French assumed control in 1715 developing the island into an important naval base overseeing Indian Ocean trade and establishing a plantation economy of sugar cane. The British captured the island in 1810 during the Napoleonic Wars. Mauritius remained a strategically important British naval base and later an air station playing an important role during World War II for anti-submarine and convoy operations as well as the collection of signals intelligence. Independence from the UK was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Recent poor weather declining sugar prices and declining textile and apparel production have slowed economic growth leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community.
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Demographics

Life Expectancy 74.0 years 83rd
Median Age 31.9 years 71st
Birth Rate 14.41 births/1,000 population 137th
Death Rate 6.59 births/1,000 population 135th
Sex Ratio 0.67 male(s)/female 168th
Literacy 84.4% 137th
Population

1.3 million

Transportation

Roadways 2028 km 172nd
Railways None km
Airports 5 173rd
Waterways None km
Heliports None
Airports paved 1 170th

Economy

Currency Rupee (MUR)
GDP $15.4 billion 132nd
GDP per capita (PPP) $12100 82nd