Mauritius

Mauritius has a population of 1,309,448 as of 2023.

1,937 sq km / 748 sq mi (smaller than Rhode Island)

Port Louis, the capital, is also home to a major port in the western Indian Ocean.

67% Indo-Pakistani | 27.4% Creole | 3% Chinese | 2.6% Other

48.5% Hindu | 26.3% Roman Catholic | 17.3% Muslim | 6.4% Christian | 1.5% Other / Non-religious

English (official) | Creole (common) | French | English is spoken by a small percentage of population, with 86.5% of the population speaking Creole. Bhojpuri, an Indo-Aryan language, is spoken by 5.8% of the population.

Of volcanic origin, Mauritius is almost entirely surrounded by coral reef and is located in the Indian Ocean, about 500 miles east of Madagascar. Mauritius also includes Rodrigues Island.

Mauritius has undergone a remarkable economic transformation from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a diversified, upper middle-income economy, advancing in industry, the finance, and tourism.

Mauritius was uninhabited until the early 1600’s. In 1767, the French took authority and brought slaves to establish a sugar industry on the island, and the colony prospered. In the 19th century the island was taken by the British. On March 12, 1968 Mauritius became an independent nation.

Mauritius was uninhabited until the early 1600’s. In 1767, the French took authority and brought slaves to establish a sugar industry on the island, and the colony prospered. In the 19th century the island was taken by the British. On March 12, 1968 Mauritius became an independent nation.