{{Short description|Island country in the Indian Ocean}}
{{About|the independent island nation in the Indian Ocean|||other uses}}
{{Distinguish|Mauritania}}
{{Pp-move|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Mauritius
| native_name = {{ubl|{{native name|fr|République de Maurice}}|{{native name|mfe|Repiblik Moris}}}}
| common_name = Mauritius
| image_flag = Flag of Mauritius.svg
| image_coat = Coat of arms of Mauritius (Original version).svg
| coa_size = 90
| image_map = Mauritius (orthographic projection with inset).svg
| map_caption = Islands of the Republic of Mauritius
| image_map2 = Mauritius (+claim islands).svg
| map_caption2 = Islands of Mauritius labelled in black.
* ''[[Tromelin Island]]'' (part of the [[French Southern and Antarctic Lands]], claimed by Mauritius).
* ''The [[Chagos Archipelago]]'' (part of the [[British Indian Ocean Territory]], claimed by Mauritius).[{{cite web |date=30 May 2025 |title=2025 treaty on the British Indian Ocean Territory/Chagos Archipelago |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10273/ |website=Parliament of the United Kingdom}}]
| national_motto = {{native phrase|la|Stella Clavisque Maris Indici|italics=off}}[{{Cite web|title=Government Information Service – Coat of Arms|url=http://gis.govmu.org/English/About%20Mauritius/Pages/Coats-of-Arms.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612094501/http://gis.govmu.org/English/About%20Mauritius/Pages/Coats-of-Arms.aspx|archive-date=12 June 2020|access-date=29 July 2019|publisher=govmu.org}}]
"Star and Key of the Indian Ocean"
| national_anthem = "[[Motherland (anthem)|Motherland]]"[[File:Motherland_(instrumental).ogg]]
| capital = [[Port Louis]]
| languages2_type = Language spoken at home {{nobold|(2022)[{{cite web |url=https://statsmauritius.govmu.org/Documents/Statistics/ESI/2022/EI1687/2022%20Population%20Census_Main%20Results_18112022.pdf |title=Economic and Social Indicators |date=18 November 2022 |publisher=Statistics Mauritius |access-date=22 April 2025}}]}}
| languages2 = {{unbulleted list
| 90.0% [[Mauritian Creole]]
| 5.1% [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]]
| 4.4% [[French language|French]]
| 0.6% [[English language|English]]
}}
| official_languages = None (''de jure'')
{{nowrap|{{hlist|[[English language|English]]|[[French language|French]]}} (''de facto'')[The [[Constitution of Mauritius|Mauritian constitution]] makes no mention of an [[official language]]. The Constitution only mentions that the official language of the National Assembly is English; however, any member can also address the chair in French.]}}
| ethnic_groups = {{unbulleted list
| 67% [[Mauritians of Indian origin|Indian]]
| 28% [[Mauritian Creoles|Creole]]
| 3% [[Mauritians of Chinese origin|Chinese]]
| 2% [[Franco-Mauritians|French]][{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Mauritius|access-date=19 November 2023}}]}}
| ethnic_groups_year =
| religion = {{ublist|item_style=white-space:nowrap;
| 47.9% [[Hinduism in Mauritius|Hinduism]]
| 32.3% [[Christianity in Mauritius|Christianity]]
| 18.2% [[Islam in Mauritius|Islam]]
| 1.6% [[Religion in Mauritius|others]] / [[Irreligion|none]]
}}
| religion_year = 2022
| religion_ref = [{{cite web|url=https://statsmauritius.govmu.org/Documents/Census_and_Surveys/Census2022/HPC_TR_Vol2_Demography_Yr22.pdf |title=2022 Housing and Population Census |publisher=Republic of Mauritius |date=May 2024 |access-date=5 June 2024}}{{rp|136–138}}]
| coordinates = {{coord|-20.2|57.5|display=inline,title|type:country}}
| demonym = [[Mauritian]]
| largest_city = [[Port Louis]]
| government_type = [[Parliamentary republic]]
| leader_title1 = [[President of Mauritius|President]]
| leader_name1 = [[Dharam Gokhool]]
| leader_name2 = [[Robert Hungley]]
| leader_title2 = [[Vice-President of Mauritius|Vice-President]]
| leader_title3 = [[Prime Minister of Mauritius|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name3 = [[Navin Ramgoolam]]
| leader_title4 = [[Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius|Deputy Prime Minister]]
| leader_name4 = [[Arianne Navarre-Marie]]
| leader_title5 = [[Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritius|Speaker of the National Assembly]]
| leader_name5 = [[Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra]]
| legislature = [[National Assembly (Mauritius)|National Assembly]]
| sovereignty_type = [[Independence]]
| sovereignty_note = from the [[United Kingdom]]
| established_event1 = [[Constitution of Mauritius]]
| established_date1 = 12 March 1968
| established_event2 = Republic
| established_date2 = 12 March 1992
| area_rank = 169th
| area_km2 = 2040
| percent_water = 0.07
| population_census = 1,235,260[{{cite web |url=https://statsmauritius.govmu.org/Pages/Censuses%20and%20Surveys/Census/census_2022.aspx |title=2022 Census |publisher=Statistics Mauritius |access-date=22 April 2025}}][{{cite web |url=https://statsmauritius.govmu.org/Pages/Censuses%20and%20Surveys/Census/2022_Population_census_Main_results.aspx |title=2022 Population Census – Main Results |publisher=Statistics Mauritius |access-date=22 April 2025}}][{{cite web|url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/October/weo-report?c=684,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2022&ey=2029&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1|title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2024 Edition. (Mauritius)|website=IMF.org|publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]]|date=10 October 2024|access-date=24 February 2025}}]
| GDP_PPP_rank = 141st
| GDP_PPP_year = 2026
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $34,830[{{Cite web|title=GINI index (World Bank estimate) – Mauritius|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=MU|access-date=1 July 2020|publisher=World Bank}}]
| Gini_rank =
| HDI = 0.806
| HDI_year = 2023
| HDI_change = increase
| HDI_ref = [{{Cite web |date=6 May 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2025 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506051232/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |language=en}}]
| HDI_rank = 73rd
| currency = [[Mauritian rupee]]
| currency_code = MUR
| time_zone = [[Mauritius Time|MUT]]
| utc_offset = +4
| calling_code = [[+230]]
| cctld = [[.mu]]
}}
'''Mauritius''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Mauritius.ogg|m|ə|ˈ|r|ɪ|ʃ|(|i|)|ə|s|,_|m|ɔː|-}} {{respell|mər|ISH|(ee-)|əs|,_|mor|-}}; {{langx|fr|Maurice|link=no}} {{IPA|fr|mɔʁis, moʁis||LL-Q150 (fra)-Jules78120-Maurice.wav}}; {{langx|mfe|label=[[Mauritian Creole]]|Moris}} {{IPA|mfe|moʁis|}}}} officially the '''Republic of Mauritius''',{{efn|{{langx|fr|République de Maurice}}; {{langx|mfe|label=[[Mauritian Creole]]|Repiblik Moris}}}} is an [[island country]] in the [[Indian Ocean]], located about {{convert|1100|nmi}} off the southeastern coast of [[Africa]], east of [[Madagascar]].[{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Mauritius|title=Mauritius | Currency, People, Language, Population, Maps, Religions, Chagos Archipelago, History, & Facts |website=Britannica.com|access-date=9 June 2026}}] It includes the main island (also called Mauritius), as well as [[Rodrigues]], [[Agaléga]], and [[St. Brandon]] (Cargados Carajos shoals).[{{Cite web|date=1 March 2018|title=Written Statement of the Republic of Mauritius|url=https://www.icj-cij.org/files/case-related/169/169-20180301-WRI-05-00-EN.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031708/https://www.icj-cij.org/files/case-related/169/169-20180301-WRI-05-00-EN.pdf|archive-date=16 December 2018|access-date=15 December 2018|website=[[International Court of Justice]]|pages=23–24|volume=1}}][{{Cite book |url=https://files.pca-cpa.org//pcadocs/mu-uk/Annexes%20to%20Memorial/MM%20Charts.pdf |title=Memorial of the Republic of Mauritius |publisher=[[Permanent Court of Arbitration]] |year=2012 |volume=IV |chapter=Figure 7: Mauritius' EEZ: 1977 |access-date=12 October 2019}}][{{cite conference |url=https://www.gebco.net/sites/default/files/documents/poster_internship_ldeo_portrait.pdf |title=Managing Geophysical Data in the South West Indian Ocean using GeoMapApp |last1=Runghen |first1=H. |last2=Goodwille |first2=A. |last3=Ferrini |first3=V. |last4=Wigley |first4=R. |date=2014 |conference=Challenger 2014 Conference |access-date=22 April 2025}}]
The 1502 Portuguese [[Cantino planisphere]] has led some historians to speculate that Arab sailors were the first to discover the uninhabited island around 975, naming it ''Dina Arobi''.[{{Cite web|title=History|url=https://mauritianarchaeology.sites.stanford.edu/history|access-date=1 August 2021|archive-date=28 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628000251/https://mauritianarchaeology.sites.stanford.edu/history}}][{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F_FnBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA344|title=International Education: An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Issues and Systems|date=17 March 2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-46751-9}}] Called ''Ilha do Cirne'' or ''Ilha do Cerne'' on early Portuguese maps, the island was visited by Portuguese sailors in 1507.[{{Cite web|title=Republic of Mauritius- History|url=http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/Pages/History.aspx#dutch|access-date=12 March 2023|website=govmu.org|archive-date=16 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016015207/http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/Pages/History.aspx#dutch}}] A Dutch fleet landed at what is now the [[Grand Port District]] and took possession of the island in 1598, renaming it after [[Maurice, Prince of Orange]]. Short-lived Dutch attempts at permanent settlement took place over a century aimed at exploiting the local [[ebony]] forests, establishing sugar and [[arrack]] production.[{{cite journal |last1=Allen |first1=Richard B. |title=The Mascarene Slave-Trade and Labour Migration in the Indian Ocean during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries |journal=Slavery & Abolition |date=August 2003 |volume=24 |issue=2 |pages=33–50 |doi=10.1080/01440390308559154 }}] When French colonisation began in 1715, the island was renamed "[[Isle de France (Mauritius)|Isle de France]]". In 1810, the United Kingdom [[Invasion of Isle de France|seized the island]] and under the [[Treaty of Paris (1814)|Treaty of Paris]], France ceded Mauritius and its dependencies to the United Kingdom. The British colony of Mauritius now included Rodrigues, Agaléga, St. Brandon, the [[Chagos Archipelago]], and, until 1906, the [[Seychelles]].[{{Cite report |url=http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/14/rapports/r0830.asp#P65_3881 |title=A. Un Différend Ancien Avec Maurice Quant À La Souveraineté Sur Tromelin |last=Gaymard |first=Hervé |date=20 March 2013 |language=fr |website=[[National Assembly (France)|National Assembly]]}}] Mauritius became the [[British Empire]]'s main sugar-producing colony and remained a primarily sugar-dominated plantation-based colony until independence, in 1968. The country became a [[republic]] in 1992 but retained the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council of the United Kingdom]] as highest court of appeal.[{{cite web|url=https://countrystudies.us/mauritius/3.htm|title=Rise of the Sugar Economy|website=countrystudies.us|access-date=14 July 2023}}]
In 1965, three years before the independence of Mauritius, the United Kingdom split the Chagos Archipelago away from Mauritius, and the islands of [[Aldabra]], [[Farquhar Group|Farquhar]], and [[Desroches]] from the Seychelles, to form the [[British Indian Ocean Territory]] (BIOT).[{{Cite web |title=Colonial Office Telegram No. 199 to Mauritius, No. 222 to Seychelles, 21 July 1965, FO 371/184524 |url=https://files.pca-cpa.org//pcadocs/mu-uk/Annexes%20to%20Memorial/MM%20Annexes%201-80.pdf |publisher=[[Permanent Court of Arbitration]]}}] The [[Expulsion of the Chagossians|local population was forcibly expelled]] and the largest island, [[Diego Garcia]], was leased to the United States, restricting access to the archipelago.[{{Cite web |url=https://biot.gov.io/visiting/ |title=Visiting British Indian Ocean Territory |access-date=2018-12-16}}] Ruling on the [[Chagos Archipelago sovereignty dispute|sovereignty dispute]], the [[International Court of Justice]] has ordered the return of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, leading to a 2025 bilateral agreement on the recognition of its sovereignty on the islands, signed in May 2025.[{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-between-uk-and-mauritius-3-october-2024 |title=UK and Mauritius joint statement, 3 October 2024|publisher=[[Government of the United Kingdom]]|date=3 October 2024|access-date=6 February 2025}}][{{cite web |url=https://govmu.org/EN/Communique1/Year%202024/Final%20Joint%20Statement%20on%20Mauritius-UK%20negotiations.pdf|title=UK and Mauritius joint statement, 3 October 2024|publisher=[[Government of Mauritius]]|date=3 October 2024|access-date=26 February 2025}}][{{Cite news |last1=Crerar |first1=Pippa |last2=Walker |first2=Peter |date=2025-01-15 |title=UK stalls Chagos Islands deal until Trump administration can 'consider detail' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/15/uk-chagos-islands-handover-mauritius-donald-trump-diego-garcia |access-date=2025-01-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}][{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/22/high-court-judge-blocks-uk-from-concluding-chagos-islands-deal|title=UK signs £3.4bn deal to cede sovereignty over Chagos Islands to Mauritius|first1=Eleni|last1=Courea|first2=Jessica|last2=Elgot|work=The Guardian |date=22 May 2025}}]
Given its geographic location and colonial past, the [[Mauritians|people of Mauritius]] are diverse in ethnicity, culture, language and faith. It is the only country in Africa where [[Hinduism]] is the most practised religion.[{{Cite web |title=Religions in Africa {{!}} African Religions {{!}} PEW-GRF |url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/regions/sub-saharan-africa#/?region_map_religion=Hindus |access-date=28 April 2020 |website=Globalreligiousfutures.org |archive-date=12 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912111431/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/regions/sub-saharan-africa#/?region_map_religion=Hindus }}][{{Cite web |title=The Global Religious Landscape |url=https://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-exec/ |access-date=28 April 2020 |website=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project |date=18 December 2012 |language=en-US}}] [[Mauritians of Indian origin|Indo-Mauritians]] make up the bulk of the population with significant [[Mauritian Creoles|Creole]], [[Mauritians of Chinese origin|Sino-Mauritian]] and [[Franco-Mauritian]] minorities. The island's government is closely modelled on the [[Westminster parliamentary system]] with Mauritius highly ranked for [[List of countries by economic freedom|economic]] and [[Freedom in the world|political freedom]]. [[The Economist Democracy Index]] ranks Mauritius as the only country in Africa with full [[democracy]] while the [[V-Dem Democracy Indices]] classified it as an [[electoral democracy]].[{{Cite web|url=https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2021/|title=Democracy Index 2021: the China challenge|website=Economist Intelligence Unit}}][{{cite web|url=https://v-dem.net/documents/75/V-Dem_Institute_Democracy_Report_2026_lowres.pdf |format=PDF|title=Mauritius : V-Dem Institute Democracy Report 2026|website=V-dem.net|access-date=9 June 2026}}]
Mauritius ranks 73rd (very high) in the [[Human Development Index]] and the [[World Bank]] classifies it as a [[World Bank high-income economy|high-income economy]].[{{Cite report |url=https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index |title=Human Development Index |author=United Nations |publisher=United Nations |language=en}}][{{Cite web |title=The Global Competitiveness Report 2017–2018 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2017-2018/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2017%E2%80%932018.pdf |access-date=24 December 2018}}] The country is a [[welfare state]]. The government provides free [[universal health care]], [[free education]] up through the [[Tertiary education|tertiary level]], and free public transportation for students, senior citizens, and disabled people.[{{Cite news |last=Stiglitz |first=Joseph |date=7 March 2011 |title=The Mauritius miracle, or how to make a big success of a small economy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/mar/07/mauritius-healthcare-education |work=The Guardian}}] Mauritius is consistently ranked as the [[Global Peace Index|most peaceful]] country in Africa.[{{Cite web |year=2019 |title=Global Peace Index measuring peace in a complex world Global Peace Index 2019 |url=http://visionofhumanity.org/app/uploads/2019/06/GPI-2019-web003.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827155045/http://visionofhumanity.org/app/uploads/2019/06/GPI-2019-web003.pdf |archive-date=27 August 2019 |access-date=13 October 2019 |publisher=[[Institute for Economics and Peace]]}}]
Along with the other Mascarene Islands, Mauritius is known for its [[Wildlife of Mauritius|biodiverse flora and fauna]] with many unique species endemic to the country. The main island was the only known home of the [[dodo]], which became extinct soon after human settlement. Other [[Endemism|endemic]] animals, such as the [[echo parakeet]], the [[Mauritius kestrel]] and the [[pink pigeon]], have survived and are subject to intensive and successful ongoing conservation efforts.[{{cite web|url=https://www.usafricabizsummit.com/USAfricaBizSummit2024/session/2155018/saving-africa's-rarest-species/|title=Saving Africa's Rarest Species |website=usafricabizsummit.com|access-date=19 May 2024}}]
== Etymology ==
The first historical evidence of the existence of the island now known as Mauritius is on a 1502 map called the [[Cantino planisphere]] which was smuggled out of Portugal, for the Duke of Ferrara, by the Italian 'spy' Alberto Cantino. On this purloined copy of a Portuguese map, Mauritius bore the name ''Dina Arobi'' or ''Dina Arobin'' (likely {{langx|ar|دنية عروبي}} ''Daniyah 'Arūbi'' or corruption of {{lang|ar|دبية عروبي}} ''Dībah 'Arūbi'').[Toorawa, S. (2007). ''The medieval Waqwaq islands and the Mascarenes''. Hassam Toorawa Trust, Port Louis, Mauritius][{{Cite web|year=1502|title=Cantino Planisphere by anonymous Portuguese (1502) – Biblioteca Estense Universitaria, Modena, Italy, Public Domain|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26117950}}]{{dubious|date=September 2024}}
In 1507, Portuguese sailors visited the uninhabited island after being blown off course from their route to India via the Mozambique channel. The island appears with the [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] names ''Cirne'' (a typographical error where the 's' of the Portuguese 'Cisne' (Swan) became an 'r') or ''Do-Cerne'' (typo of 'do Cisne' meaning 'of' or 'belonging to the Swan') on early Portuguese maps, almost certainly from the name of a ship called ''Cisne'' which was captained by [[Diogo Fernandes Pereira]] in the 1507 expedition which discovered Mauritius and Rodrigues, which he called ''ilha de Diogo Fernandes'', but poorly transcribed by non-Portuguese speakers as ''Domigo Friz'' or ''Domingo Frias''.[Clara Pinto Correia (2003) ''Return of the crazy bird: the sad, strange tale of the Dodo''. New York: Springer.] Diogo Fernandes Pereira may have been the first European to sail east of Madagascar island ('outer route' to the East Indies) rather than through the perceived safer route through the Mozambique channel, following the East African shore line.
In 1598, a Dutch squadron under Admiral Wybrand van Warwyck landed at [[Grand Port]] and named the island ''Mauritius'', in honour of [[Maurice, Prince of Orange|Prince Maurice van Nassau]], [[stadtholder]] of the [[Dutch Republic]]. Later the island became a French colony and was renamed [[Isle de France (Mauritius)|Isle de France]]. On 3 December 1810, the French surrendered the island to the United Kingdom during the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. Under British rule, the island's name reverted to ''Mauritius'' {{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Mauritius.ogg|m|ə|ˈ|r|ɪ|ʃ|ə|s}}. Mauritius is also commonly known as ''Maurice'' ({{IPA|fr|mɔʁis|pron}}) and ''Île Maurice'' in French, as well as ''Moris'' ({{IPA|mfe|moʁis|pron}}) in [[Mauritian Creole]].[{{Cite web|title=Prime Minister's Office – Cabinet Decisions taken on 24 MAY 2019|url=http://pmo.govmu.org/English/News/Pages/Cabinet-Decisions-taken-on-24-MAY-2019.aspx|access-date=25 June 2019|website=pmo.govmu.org}}]
== History ==
{{Main|History of Mauritius}}
=== Early history ===
{{Main|Dutch Mauritius}}
The island of Mauritius was uninhabited before its first recorded visit by Arab sailors in the end of the 10th century. Its name Dina Arobi has been associated with Arab sailors who first discovered the island.[{{cite web|title= A prayer for Mauritius|url= https://www.thedailystar.net/books-literature/news/prayer-mauritius-4024361|website=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|date=1 November 2025|last=Hasan|first=Israr|access-date=3 December 2025}}]
[[File:D._Pedro_Mascarenhas.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Pedro Mascarenhas]], [[List of governors of Portuguese India|Viceroy of Portuguese India]] and namesake of the [[Mascarene Islands]]]]
The [[Treaty of Tordesillas]], designed to prevent conflict between Portugal and Spain, gave the [[Kingdom of Portugal]] the right to colonise this part of the world. In 1507, Portuguese sailors came to the uninhabited island and established a visiting base. [[Diogo Fernandes Pereira]], a Portuguese navigator, was the first European known to land in Mauritius. He named the island "Ilha do Cisne" ("Island of the Swan"). The Portuguese did not stay long as they were not interested in these islands.[{{Cite web|title=History|url=http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/Pages/History.aspx#dutch|access-date=22 January 2015|website=Government of Mauritius|archive-date=16 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016015207/http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/Pages/History.aspx#dutch}}] The [[Mascarene Islands]] were named after [[Pedro Mascarenhas]], [[Viceroy of Portuguese India]], after his visit to the islands in 1512. [[Rodrigues (island)|Rodrigues Island]] was named after [[Portuguese discoveries|Portuguese explorer]] [[Diogo Rodrigues]], who first came upon the island in 1528.
[[File:Het Tweede Boeck.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|left|Dutch activities on Mauritius, and the first published depiction of a [[dodo]] bird (2), 1601]]
[[File:First African slaves to Mauritius.jpg|thumb|The first African slaves sent to Mauritius]]
In 1598, a Dutch squadron under Admiral Wybrand Van Warwyck landed at [[Grand Port]] and named the island "Mauritius" after [[Maurice, Prince of Orange|Prince Maurice of Nassau]] ([[Dutch language|Dutch]]: ''Maurits van Nassau'') of the [[Dutch Republic]]. The Dutch inhabited the island in 1638, from which they exploited [[ebony]] trees and introduced [[sugar cane]], domestic animals and deer. It was from here that Dutch navigator [[Abel Tasman]] set out to seek the Great Southern Land, mapping parts of [[Tasmania]], New Zealand and [[New Guinea]].[{{Cite web|title=The slave trade on Mauritius|url=https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/africa/mauritius/west-coast/le-morne-peninsula/slave-trade-mauritius|access-date=13 September 2020|website=Rough Guides|archive-date=1 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001233138/https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/africa/mauritius/west-coast/le-morne-peninsula/slave-trade-mauritius/}}] Several attempts to establish a colony permanently were subsequently made, but the settlements never developed enough to produce dividends, causing the Dutch to abandon Mauritius in 1710.[{{Cite web|title=History of Mauritius|url=http://culture.govmu.org/English//DOCUMENTS/PAMPHLET%20STRIPPED.PDF|access-date=22 January 2015|website=Government of Mauritius}}]
A 1755 article in the English ''[[Leeds Intelligencer]]'' claims that the island was abandoned due to the large number of [[long tailed macaque]] monkeys "which destroyed everything in it," and that it was also known at the time as the '''Island of Monkeys'''.[{{Cite news|date=22 July 1755|title=Sunday's Post|work=[[Leeds Intelligencer]]|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000236/17550722/006/0002|access-date=4 July 2021|quote=The Island of Mauritius, which is also named the Island of Monkeys, on account of the Multitude of those Animals which destroyed everything in it, was discovered in 1698 by the Dutch, who named it Mauritius, of Maurice, of Orange, and quitted it by reason of the great Number of Monkeys on it.}}] Portuguese sailors had brought these monkeys to the island from their native habitat in Southeast Asia, prior to Dutch rule.[{{Cite web|title=Macaque monkeys on Mauritius, a sad monkey's tale|url=https://earthtimes.org/conservation/macaque-monkeys-mauritius-sad-monkey-tale/1501/|access-date=12 March 2023|website=earthtimes.org|date=11 October 2011}}]
===French Mauritius (1715–1810)===
{{Main|Isle de France (Mauritius)}}
France, which already controlled neighbouring Île Bourbon (now [[Réunion]]), took control of Mauritius in 1715 and renamed it [[Isle de France (Mauritius)|Isle de France]]. In 1723, the ''[[Code Noir]]'' was established to regulate slavery; it categorised one group of human beings as "goods", allowing the owner of these "goods" to be able to obtain insurance money and compensation in case of loss of his "goods".[{{Cite web|url=http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/ROL/TJC_Vol1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615081832/http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/ROL/TJC_Vol1.pdf|archive-date=15 June 2016|title=USIP}}] The 1735 arrival of French governor [[Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais]] coincided with the development of a prosperous economy based on sugar production. Mahé de La Bourdonnais established [[Port Louis]] as a naval base and a shipbuilding centre.[{{Cite book|title=Creating the Creole Island: Slavery in Eighteenth-Century Mauritius|date=2005|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0-8223-3402-6|pages=277–304|chapter=Notes|doi=10.1215/9780822386919-011 }}] As a result, the island's population rose dramatically from 15,000 to 49,000 within thirty years.
Slave traders from [[Madagascar]]—[[Sakalava people|Sakalava]] or Arabs—bought slaves from slavers in the Arab [[Swahili coast]] or [[Portuguese Mozambique]] and stopped at [[Seychelles]] for supplies before shipping the slaves to the slave markets of Mauritius, Réunion and India.[The African Diaspora in the Indian Ocean. (2003). Storbritannien: Africa World Press. p. 65–68]
Of the 80,000 slaves imported to Réunion and Mauritius between 1769 and 1793, 45% was provided by slave traders of the Sakalava people in North West Madagascar, who raided East Africa and [[the Comoros]] for slaves, and the rest was provided by Arab slave traders who bought slaves from Portuguese Mozambique and transported them to Réunion via Madagascar.[Asian and African Systems of Slavery. (1980). Storbritannien: University of California Press. p. 75–76]
During the late eighteenth century, African slaves accounted for around 80 percent of the island's population, and by the early nineteenth century there were 60,000 slaves on the island.[{{Cite web|date=5 February 2004|title=Tamouls, les racines de l'histoire|url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/tamouls-les-racines-de-lhistoire|access-date=5 February 2004|website=L'Express}}]
[[File:Grand Port mg6971.jpg|thumb|The [[Battle of Grand Port]] between French and British naval forces, 20–27 August 1810]]
From 1767 to 1810, except for a brief period during the [[French Revolution]] when the inhabitants set up a government virtually independent of France, the island was controlled by officials appointed by the French government. [[Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre]] lived on the island from 1768 to 1771, then went back to France, where he wrote ''[[Paul et Virginie]]'', a love story that made the [[Isle de France (Mauritius)|Isle de France]] famous wherever the French language was spoken. In 1796 the settlers broke away from French control when the government in Paris attempted to abolish slavery.[{{Cite news|date=25 February 2019|title=Mauritius profile – Timeline|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13882731|access-date=25 February 2019}}]
Two famous French governors were the Vicomte de Souillac, who constructed the Chaussée in Port Louis[Port Louis, A tropical City, Auguste Toussaint. {{ISBN|0 04 969001 9}}] and encouraged farmers to settle in the district of Savanne, and [[Antoine Bruni d'Entrecasteaux]], who saw to it that the French in the Indian Ocean should have their headquarters in Mauritius instead of [[Puducherry (city)|Pondicherry]] in India.[''A short History of Mauritius'', P.J. Barnwell & A. Toussaint] [[Charles Mathieu Isidore Decaen]] was a successful general in the [[French Revolutionary Wars]] and, in some ways, a rival of [[Napoléon I]]. He ruled as [[Governor of Isle de France (Mauritius)|Governor of Isle de France]] and Réunion from 1803 to 1810.
British naval [[cartographer]] and explorer [[Matthew Flinders]] was arrested and detained by General Decaen on the island from 1803 to 1810,[{{Cite web|date=18 December 2015|title=From Terra Australis to Australia Matthew Flinders' journeys|url=https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/stories/terra-australis-australia/matthew-flinders-journeys|access-date=14 September 2020|publisher=State Library of NSW}}][{{Cite web|last=Moheeputh|first=Anand|date=24 October 2003|title=Matthew Flinders, an illustrious prisoner|url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/matthew-flinders-illustrious-prisoner|access-date=24 October 2003|website=L'Express}}] in contravention of an order from Napoléon. During the [[Napoleonic Wars]], Mauritius became a base from which [[French corsairs]] organised successful raids on British commercial ships. The raids continued until 1810, when a [[Royal Navy]] expedition led by [[Commodore (Royal Navy)|Commodore]] [[Josias Rowley]], R.N., an [[Anglo-Irish]] [[aristocracy (class)|aristocrat]], was sent to capture the island. Despite winning the [[Battle of Grand Port]] against the British, the [[Invasion of Île de France|French could not prevent the British from landing]] at [[Cap Malheureux]] three months later. They formally surrendered the island on the fifth day of the invasion, 3 December 1810,[{{Cite journal|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1031461X.2016.1203962|title=Transnational Histories of Penal Transportation: Punishment, Labour and Governance in the British Imperial World, 1788–1939|first=Clare|last=Anderson|date=4 September 2016|journal=Australian Historical Studies|volume=47|issue=3|pages=381–397|via=CrossRef|doi=10.1080/1031461X.2016.1203962}}]
The British administration, which began with [[Robert Townsend Farquhar|Sir Robert Farquhar]] as [[Governor of British Mauritius|its first governor]], oversaw rapid social and economic changes. However, it was tainted by the [[Ratsitatanina|Ratsitatane]] episode. Ratsitatane, nephew of King Radama of [[Madagascar]], was brought to Mauritius as a political prisoner. He managed to escape from prison and plotted a rebellion that would free the island's slaves. He was betrayed by his associate Laizaf and was caught by a group of militiamen and [[Summary execution|summarily executed]].[{{Cite book|last=Carter|first=Marina|title=Murder and Mayhem in Mauritius: Historical Crime Stories|date=19 January 2015|publisher=Pink Pigeon Press}}][''A New Comprehensive History of Mauritius'', Sydney Selvon, 2012. {{ISBN|978-99949-34-91-1}}]
In 1832, d'Épinay launched the first Mauritian newspaper (''Le Cernéen''), which was not controlled by the government. In the same year, there was a move by the ''procureur-general'' to abolish slavery without compensation to the slave owners. This gave rise to discontent, and, to check an eventual rebellion, the government ordered all the inhabitants to surrender their arms. A stone fortress, Fort Adelaide, was built on a hill, now known as the Citadel hill, in the centre of Port Louis to quell any uprising.[{{Cite web|title=Mauritius: Sugar, indentured labour and their consequences (1835–1910)|url=https://www.eisa.org/wep/mauoverview5.htm|access-date=20 September 2020|publisher=EISA}}][{{Cite web|title=Legacies of British Slave-ownership project|url=https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/search/|access-date=7 July 2021|publisher=University College London}}]
The [[Abolitionism in the United Kingdom|abolition of slavery]] had important effects on Mauritius's society, economy and population. The planters brought a large number of [[Indentured servant|indentured labourers]] from India to work in the sugar cane fields. Between 1834 and 1921, around half a million indentured labourers were present on the island. They worked on sugar estates, factories, in transport and on construction sites. Additionally, the British brought 8,740 Indian soldiers to the island.[{{Cite web|date=30 September 2012|title=Nominated members pioneered by Pope Hennessy|url=https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/politique/deputes-correctifs-nomines-gouverneur-john-pope-hennessy-en-fut-pionnier-avec-choix-conteste/114085/|access-date=30 September 2012|publisher=Le Mauricien}}] In 1903, motorcars were introduced in Mauritius, and in 1910, the first taxis came into service. The electrification of Port Louis took place in 1909, and in the same decade the Mauritius Hydro Electric Company of the [[Amode Ibrahim Atchia|Atchia Brothers]] was authorised to provide power to the towns of upper [[Plaines Wilhems]].
[[File:Numa Desjardins Champ de Mars Port Louis 1880.jpg|thumb|[[Champ de Mars Racecourse]], Port Louis, 1880]]
[[File:The web of empire - a diary of the imperial tour of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in 1901 (1902) (14763807672).jpg|thumb|The visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, later [[George V|King George V]] and [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]], to Mauritius, 1901]]
The 1910s were a period of political agitation. The rising middle class (made up of doctors, lawyers, and teachers) began to challenge the political power of the sugar cane landowners. [[Eugène Laurent]], mayor of Port Louis, was the leader of this new group; his party, [[Action Libérale]], demanded that more people should be allowed to vote in the elections. Action Libérale was opposed by the Parti de l'Ordre, led by Henri Leclézio, the most influential of the sugar magnates.[''Mauritius in the making across the censuses 1846–2000'', Monique Dinan. {{ISBN|99903-904-6-0}}] In the same year, 1911, the first public cinema shows took place in Curepipe, and, in the same town, a stone building was erected to house the Royal College.[{{Cite web|title=Republic of Mauritius- History|url=http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/Pages/History.aspx|access-date=29 May 2020|website=govmu.org|archive-date=16 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016015207/http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/Pages/History.aspx}}]
The 1920s saw the rise of a "retrocessionism" movement, which favoured the retrocession of Mauritius to France. The movement rapidly collapsed because none of the candidates who wanted Mauritius to be given back to France were elected in the 1921 elections. In the post-war recession, there was a sharp drop in sugar prices. Many sugar estates closed down, marking the end of an era for the sugar magnates, who had controlled the economy and the political life of Mauritius.[{{Cite web|date=2 July 2005|title=Gujadhur and Lallah: Shock waves (1926)|url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/gujadhur-and-lallah-shock-waves-1926|access-date=2 July 2005|website=L'Express}}]
From the end of Arlanda's term in 1891, until 1926, there had been no Indo-Mauritian representation in the Legislative Council. At the 1926 elections, Dunputh Lallah and Rajcoomar Gujadhur became the first [[Indo-Mauritians]] to be elected to the Legislative Council. At Grand Port, Lallah won over rivals Fernand Louis Morel and Gaston Gebert; at Flacq, Gujadhur defeated Pierre Montocchio.[{{Cite web|date=2 July 2005|title=Gujadhur and Lallah: Shock waves (1926)|url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/gujadhur-and-lallah-shock-waves-1926|access-date=2 July 2005|website=L'Express}}] 1936 saw the birth of the [[Labour Party (Mauritius)|Labour Party]], launched by [[Maurice Curé]]. [[Emmanuel Anquetil]] rallied the urban workers while Pandit Sahadeo concentrated on the rural working class.[{{Cite web|last=Peerthum|first=Satyendra|date=18 February 2004|title=The birth of the Mauritian Labour Party|url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/birth-mauritian-labour-party|access-date=18 February 2004|website=L'Express}}]
The [[Uba riots of 1937]] resulted in reforms by the local British government that improved labour conditions and led to the un-banning of labour unions.[{{Cite journal|last=Storey|first=William Kelleher|year=1995|title=Small-Scale Sugar Cane Farmers and Biotechnology in Mauritius: The "Uba" Riots of 1937|journal=Agricultural History|volume=69|issue=2|pages=163–176|jstor=3744263}}][{{cite journal |last1=Croucher |first1=Richard |last2=McIlroy |first2=John |title=Mauritius 1938: the origins of a milestone in colonial trade union legislation |journal=Labor History |date=July 2013 |volume=54 |issue=3 |pages=223–239 |doi=10.1080/0023656X.2013.804268 }}] Labour Day was celebrated for the first time in 1938. More than 30,000 workers sacrificed a day's wage and came from all over the island to attend a giant meeting at the Champ de Mars.[''L'ile Maurice: Vingt-Cinq leçons d'Histoire (1598–1998)'', Benjamin Moutou. {{ISBN|99903-929-1-9}}] Following the dockers' strikes, trade unionist [[Emmanuel Anquetil]] was deported to Rodrigues, [[Maurice Curé]] and Pandit Sahadeo were placed under house arrest, whilst numerous strikers were jailed. Governor Sir [[Bede Clifford]] assisted Mr Jules Leclezio of the Mauritius Sugar Syndicate to counter the effects of the strike by using alternative workers known as 'black legs'.[{{Cite web|title=Report of Truth and Justice Commission|url=https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/ROL/TJC_Vol1.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615081832/http://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/ROL/TJC_Vol1.pdf|archive-date=15 June 2016|access-date=25 October 2011|publisher=Government of Mauritius|ref=ISBN 978-99903-1-025-2}}]
At the outbreak of [[World War II]] in 1939, many Mauritians volunteered to serve under the British flag in Africa and the Near East, fighting against the German and Italian armies. Mauritius served as a settlement destination for Jews deported from the Holy Land.[{{Cite web |title=More Deportations of Interned Jews to Mauritius Are Expected |url=https://www.jta.org/archive/more-deportations-of-interned-jews-to-mauritius-are-expected |access-date=2026-05-20 |website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |language=en-US}}]
Mauritius was never really threatened, but in 1943, several British ships were sunk outside Port Louis by German submarines. In the initial stages of the war, locally recruited military formations were raised in order to defend the country in case the British imperial troops had to leave. On 24 March 1943, the [[Mauritius Regiment]], was created as an imperial unit and a new subsidiary of the East Africa Command (EAC). In late 1943, the 1st Battalion of the Mauritius Regiment (1MR) was sent to Madagascar for training, and in their place a battalion of the [[King's African Rifles]] (KAR) was stationed in Mauritius. The dispatch of the 1MR proved to be politically unpopular on the basis of some troops resenting conscription and the battalion overseas comprising solely non-white troops, exacerbating racial tensions in the country. The 1MR troops were further aggrieved at the segregation they were subject to, unequal pay, physically demanding training, and were fearful of the Japanese soldiers, all these factors culminated in the 1MR mutinying.[{{Cite journal|last=Jackson|first=Ashley|title=The Madagascar Mutiny of the First Battalion the Mauritius Regiment, December 1943|year=2002|journal=Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research|volume=80|issue=323|pages=232–250|jstor=44230830|issn=0037-9700}}]
During World War II, conditions were hard in the country; the prices of commodities doubled but workers' salaries increased only by 10 to 20 percent. There was civil unrest, and the colonial government censored all trade union activities. However, the labourers of Belle Vue Harel Sugar Estate went on strike on 27 September 1943.[{{Cite news|last=Karghoo|first=Christophe|title=Mémoire vivante|publisher=5plus.mu|agency=5Plus Dimanche|url=https://www.5plus.mu/node/14263|access-date=27 September 2003|archive-date=6 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606205902/https://www.5plus.mu/node/14263}}] Police officers eventually fired directly at the crowd, resulting in the deaths of four labourers.[{{Cite news|last=Peerthum|first=Satteeanund|title=Tribute to the Martyrs of Belle Vue Harel|work=L'Express|publisher=lexpress.mu|url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/tribute-martyrs-belle-vue-harel|access-date=3 September 2003}}] This became known as the [[1943 Belle Vue Harel Massacre]].[''Our Struggle, 20th Century Mauritius'', Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Anand Mulloo][{{Cite web|date=October 2007|title=The historical significance of Anjalay Coopen|url=http://www.lexpress.mu/node/203804/|access-date=22 January 2015|website=[[L'Express (Mauritius)|L'Express]]}}] Social worker and leader of the Jan Andolan movement [[Basdeo Bissoondoyal]] organised the funeral ceremonies of the four dead labourers.[{{Cite news|last1=Peerthum|first1=Satteeanund|last2=Peerthum|first2=Satyendra|title=Labour Day: Remembering the Martyrdom of Anjalay|work=L'Express|publisher=lexpress.mu|url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/labour-day-remembering-martyrdom-anjalay|access-date=28 April 2005}}] Three months later, on 12 December 1943, Bissoondoyal organised a mass gathering at "Marie Reine de la Paix" in Port Louis, and the significant crowd of workers from all over the island confirmed the popularity of the Jan Andolan movement.[{{Cite web|last=Soobarah|first=Paramanund|date=29 April 2019|title=MBC defeats a government initiative|url=http://www.mauritiustimes.com/mt/the-mbc-defeats-a-government-initiative/|access-date=29 April 2019|website=Mauritius Times}}]
After the proclamation of the 1947 [[Constitution of Mauritius]], the general elections were held on 9 August 1948 – and, for the first time, the colonial government expanded the franchise to all adults who could write their name in one of the island's 19 languages, abolishing the previous gender and property qualifications.[{{Cite web|title=Mauritius – Toward Independence|url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-8615.html|access-date=12 March 2023|website=country-data.com}}][{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Mauritius: The road to independence (1945–1968)|encyclopedia=African Democracy Encyclopaedia Project|publisher=[[Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa]]|url=https://www.eisa.org/wep/mauoverview7.htm|access-date=1 July 2021|date=September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508100629/https://www.eisa.org/wep/mauoverview7.htm|archive-date=8 May 2021|url-status=live}}] [[Guy Rozemont]]'s [[Labour Party (Mauritius)|Labour Party]] won the majority of the votes with 11 of the 19 elected seats won by [[Hinduism|Hindus]]. The [[Governor of British Mauritius|Governor-General]] [[Donald Mackenzie-Kennedy]] appointed 12 Conservatives to the Legislative Council on 23 August 1948 to perpetuate the predominance of white [[Franco-Mauritians]].[{{London Gazette|issue=38395|page=4816 |title=Colonial Office, The Church House |date=3 September 1948}}][
In 1948, [[Emilienne Rochecouste]] became the first woman to be elected to the Legislative Council.][Ramola Ramtohul (2009) [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283122722_Engendering_Mauritian_History_The_Hidden_Controversies_over_Female_Suffrage Engendering Mauritian History: The HiddenControversies over Female Suffrage] ''Afrika Zamani'', No. 17, pp63–80] Guy Rozemont's party bettered its position in 1953, and, on the strength of the election results, demanded [[universal suffrage]]. Constitutional conferences were held in London in 1955 and 1957, and the ministerial system was introduced. Voting took place for the first time on the basis of universal adult suffrage on 9 March 1959. The general election was again won by the Labour Party, led this time by Sir [[Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]].[{{Cite news|title=Histoire: Mauritius Independence 1961–1968|work=Le Mauricien=9 March 2014|url=http://www.lemauricien.com/article/histoire-mauritius-independence-1961-1968|access-date=9 September 2014}}]
A Constitutional Review Conference was held in London in 1961, and a programme of further constitutional advance was established. The 1963 election was won by the Labour Party and its allies. The [[Colonial Office]] noted that politics of a communal nature was gaining ground in Mauritius and that the choice of candidates (by parties) and the voting behaviour (of electors) were governed by ethnic and caste considerations.[ Around that time, two eminent British academics, [[Richard Titmuss]] and [[James Meade]], published a report of the island's social problems caused by overpopulation and the monoculture of sugar cane. This led to an intense campaign to halt the population explosion, and the decade registered a sharp decline in population growth.][{{cite book|first=Adele|last=Simmons|title=Modern Mauritius: The Politics of Decolonization|publisher=Indiana University Press|location=Bloomington|year=1982|isbn=978-0-25338-658-8|page=145}}]
In early 1965, a political assassination took place in the suburb of Belle-Rose, in the town of Quatre Bornes, where Labour activist Rampersad Surath was beaten to death by thugs of rival party [[Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate|Parti Mauricien]].[{{Cite news|title=Sécurité: des gros bras indispensables à certains politiciens|work=L'Express|publisher=lexpress.mu|url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/350433/securite-gros-bras-indispensables-certains-politiciens|access-date=2 April 2019}}][{{Cite news|last=Li Ching Hum|first=Philip|title=Belle Rose-Quatre Bornes, Ville des Fleurs|work=Mauritius Times|url=http://www.mauritiustimes.com/mt/belle-rose-quatre-bornes-ville-des-fleurs/|access-date=22 December 2017}}] On 10 May 1965, [[1965 Mauritius race riots|racial riots broke out in the village of ''Trois Boutiques'']] near [[Souillac, Mauritius|Souillac]] and progressed to the historic village of [[Mahébourg]]. A nationwide [[state of emergency]] was declared on the whole British colony. The riot was initiated by the murder of Police Constable Beesoo in his vehicle by a Creole gang. This was followed by the murder of a civilian named Mr. Robert Brousse in Trois Boutiques.[{{Cite news|last=Li Ching Hum|first=Philip|date=9 March 2018|title=The downside of freedom|publisher=Defimedia|agency=Le Defi|url=https://defimedia.info/downside-freedom|access-date=9 March 2018}}] The Creole gang then proceeded to the coastal historic village of Mahébourg to assault the Indo-Mauritian spectators who were watching a Hindustani movie at Cinéma Odéon. Mahébourg police recorded nearly 100 complaints of assaults on Indo-Mauritians.[{{Cite web|date=18 July 2014|title=Port Louis – Rioting against Independence at the General Elections of 1967 – Vintage Mauritius|url=http://vintagemauritius.org/port-louis/port-louis-rioting-independence-general-elections-1967/|access-date=15 August 2018|website=Vintage Mauritius|language=en-US}}]
=== Independence and constitutional monarchy (1968–1992) ===
{{Main|Independence of Mauritius}}
{{See also|Mauritius (1968–1992)}}
[[File:Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, 1970.jpg|thumb|upright|Sir [[Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]], the first [[Prime Minister of Mauritius]]]]
At the Lancaster Conference of 1965, it became clear that Britain wanted to relieve itself of the colony of Mauritius. In 1959, [[Harold Macmillan]] had made his famous "[[Wind of Change (speech)|Wind of Change Speech]]" in which he acknowledged that the best option for Britain was to give complete independence to its colonies. Thus, since the late fifties, the way was paved for independence.[{{Cite news|date=12 March 2014|title=Why independence was irresistible (by Anand Moheeputh)|work=L'Express|url=http://www.lexpress.mu/node/243359/}}]
Later in 1965, after the Lancaster Conference, the [[Chagos Archipelago]] was excised from the territory of Mauritius to form the [[British Indian Ocean Territory]] (BIOT). A general election took place on 7 August 1967, and the [[Independence Party (Mauritius)|Independence Party]] obtained the majority of seats. In January 1968, six weeks before the declaration of independence the [[1968 Mauritian riots]] occurred in Port Louis, leading to the deaths of 25 people.[{{Cite web|date=6 October 2011|title=An eye witness account of the 1968 riots|url=http://www.mauritiusmag.com/?p=598|access-date=15 August 2018|website=mauritiusmag.com|language=en-US|archive-date=16 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816030958/http://www.mauritiusmag.com/?p=598}}][{{Cite web|title=EISA Mauritius: The road to independence (1945–1968)|url=https://www.eisa.org.za/wep/mauoverview7.htm|access-date=15 August 2018|website=eisa.org.za}}]
[[File:Stamp Mauritius 1954 5c.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Elizabeth II]] was the [[Queen of Mauritius]] from 1968 to 1992.]]
Mauritius adopted a new constitution, and independence was proclaimed on 12 March 1968. Sir [[Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]] became the first prime minister of an independent Mauritius – with [[Queen Elizabeth II]] remaining head of state as Queen of Mauritius.
In 1969, the opposition party, [[Mauritian Militant Movement]] (MMM), was founded, led by [[Paul Bérenger]]. Later, in 1971, the MMM – backed by unions – called a series of strikes in the port, which caused a state of emergency in the country.[{{Cite news|title=Mauritius profile|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13882731|access-date=27 November 2012}}]
The coalition government of the Labour Party and the PMSD (Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate) reacted by curtailing civil liberties and curbing [[freedom of the press]].[{{Cite web|title=Déjeuner à Rose Hill: Fareed Muttur est mort à ma place|date=18 July 2017|url=https://www.lemauricien.com/le-mauricien/dejeuner-rose-hill-fareed-muttur-mort-ma-place-declare-paul-berenger/151890/|access-date=18 July 2017|publisher=Le Mauricien}}] and dock worker and activist [[Azor Adelaide|Azor Adélaïde]].[{{Cite news|date=25 June 2015|title=Affaire Azor Adélaïde|work=Le Mauricien|url=http://www.lemauricien.com/article/affaire-azor-adelaide-reedition-du-livre-d-eric-bahloo-fils-l-des-condamnes/}}] General elections were postponed and public meetings were prohibited. Members of the MMM, including Paul Bérenger, were imprisoned on 23 December 1971. The MMM leader was released a year later.[{{Cite news|last=K.A. Cassimally|date=17–23 March 2016|title=Why are we not taught our own history?|work=Weekly Magazine}}]
In 1973, Mauritius became the first country in Africa to be declared [[malaria]]-free. Malaria had once forced a significant portion of the population to move from the coastal regions to the Central Plateau in the late 19th century.[{{Cite web|url=https://intelpoint.co/insights/north-africa-accounts-for-five-of-africas-nine-malaria-free-countries/|title=North Africa accounts for five of Africa's nine malaria-free countries|website=Intelpoint.co|access-date=9 June 2026}}]
In May 1975, a protest of high school and university students swept across the country.[{{Cite web|title=HISTOIRE: Un des hommes derrière le 20 mai 75 raconte|url=http://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/magazine/histoire-des-hommes-derriere-20-mai-75-raconte/31853/|website=Le Mauricien|date=8 June 2015}}] The students were unsatisfied with an education system that did not meet their aspirations, and that gave limited prospects for future employment. On 20 May, thousands of students tried to enter Port-Louis over the Grand River North West bridge, and clashed with police. An act of Parliament was passed on 16 December 1975 to extend the right to vote to 18-year-olds.
The next general elections took place on [[1976 Mauritian general election|20 December 1976]]. The Labour-CAM coalition won only 28 seats out of 62.[''Untold Stories, A Collection of Socio-Political Essays, 1950–1995'', Sir Satcam Boolell, EOI. {{ISBN|99903-0-234-0}}] The MMM secured 34 seats in Parliament but outgoing Prime Minister Sir [[Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]] managed to remain in office, with a two-seat majority, after striking an alliance with the PMSD of [[Gaetan Duval]].
In 1981, [[United States]] newspapers reported that the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) was planning a covert operation to support the government of Mauritius as part of CIA strategy in the larger [[Cold War]]. According to the Washington Post, citing U.S. government sources, the planned operation was "mainly a quiet CIA effort to slip money" to the Mauritian government.[{{Cite news |last=Getler |first=Michael |date=15 August 1981 |title=Target Was Mauritius, Not Mauritania... |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1981/08/15/target-was-mauritius-not-mauritania/1eac44a7-bc39-4a99-9474-4ec43a9bdbcf/ |access-date=7 March 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}] This claim was repeated in a 1987 book by journalist [[Bob Woodward]], who further wrote that the U.S. government feared that Mauritius could become a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] naval base if a "pro-Western" government did not remain in power.[{{Cite book |last=Woodward |first=Bob |title=Veil: The Secret Wars of the CIA |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=1987 |isbn=0-671-60117-2 |location=New York, NY |pages=158–159}}]
In 1982 an [[Mauritian Militant Movement|MMM]]-[[Parti Socialiste Mauricien|PSM]] government (led by [[List of prime ministers of Mauritius|PM]] [[Anerood Jugnauth]], [[Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius|Deputy PM]] [[Harish Boodhoo]] and Finance Minister [[Paul Bérenger]]) was elected. However, ideological and personality differences emerged within the MMM and PSM leadership. The power struggle between Bérenger and Jugnauth peaked in March 1983. Jugnauth travelled to New Delhi to attend the [[7th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement|7th Summit]] of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] summit; on his return, Bérenger proposed constitutional changes that would strip power from the Prime Minister. At Jugnauth's request, PM [[Indira Gandhi]] of India planned an armed intervention involving the [[Indian Navy]] and [[Indian Army]] to prevent a coup under the code name [[Operation Lal Dora]].[{{Cite news|date=10 March 2013|title=When India drew Top Secret 'red line' in Mauritius|work=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/when-india-drew-top-secret-red-line-in-mauritius/article4493495.ece|access-date=22 March 2013}}][{{Cite news|last=Medcalf|first=Rory|date=19 March 2013|title=When India (Almost) Invaded Mauritius|work=The Diplomat|url=https://thediplomat.com/flashpoints-blog/2013/03/19/when-india-almost-invaded-mauritius/|access-date=22 March 2013}}][{{Cite book|first=David|last=Brewster|url=https://www.academia.edu/7992843|title=India's Ocean: the Story of India's Bid for Regional Leadership}}. Retrieved 13 August 2014]
The [[Mauritian Militant Movement|MMM]]-[[Parti Socialiste Mauricien|PSM]] government split up nine months after the June 1982 election. According to an Information Ministry official the nine months was a "socialist experiment".[{{Cite news|first=John D.|last=Battersby|date=28 December 1987|title=Port Louis Journal; Land of Apartheid Befriends an Indian Ocean Isle|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/28/world/port-louis-journal-land-of-apartheid-befriends-an-indian-ocean-isle.html|access-date=29 December 2016}}] [[Harish Boodhoo]] dissolved his [[Parti Socialiste Mauricien]] to enable all PSM parliamentarians to join Jugnauth's new party, the [[Mouvement Socialiste Mauricien]] (MSM), thus remaining in power whilst distancing themselves from [[Mauritian Militant Movement|MMM]].[{{Cite web|last1=Lodge|first1=Tom|last2=Kadima|first2=Denis|last3=Pottie|first3=David|title=Mauritius: General election of August 1983|url=https://www.eisa.org/wep/mau1983background.htm|access-date=28 November 2020|publisher=EISA}}] The MSM-Labour-PMSD coalition was victorious at the [[1983 Mauritian general election|August 1983]] elections, resulting in [[Anerood Jugnauth]] as PM and [[Gaëtan Duval]] as [[Deputy Prime Minister of Mauritius|Deputy PM]].
That period saw growth in the EPZ (Export Processing Zone) sector. Industrialisation began to spread to villages as well, and attracted young workers from all ethnic communities. As a result, the sugar industry began to lose its hold on the economy. Large retail chains began opening stores in 1985 and offered credit facilities to low-income earners, thus allowing them to afford basic household appliances. There was also a boom in the tourism industry, and new hotels sprang up throughout the island. In 1989 the [[Stock Exchange of Mauritius|stock exchange]] opened its doors, and in 1992, the freeport began operation.[{{Cite news|first=Jane|last=Perlez|date=27 August 1990|title=Mauritius' Political Quarrel Saves the Queen|work=The New York Times|location=Great Britain; Mauritius|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/08/27/world/mauritius-political-quarrel-saves-the-queen.html|access-date=6 September 2016}}]
=== Republic (since 1992) ===
On 12 March 1992, Mauritius was proclaimed a republic within the [[Commonwealth of Nations]] and the monarch removed as head of state.[{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bh7zAAAAMAAJ&q=The+last+Governor+General,+Sir+Veerasamy+Ringadoo+became+the+first+President|title=AAPS Newsletter|volume=1|issue= 5–19|page=20|date=1992|publisher=African Association of Political Science|language=en}}] This was under a transitional arrangement, in which he was replaced by [[Cassam Uteem]] later that year.[{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aM0bAQAAMAAJ&q=Cassam+Uteem|title=Country Profile: Mauritius, Seychelles|page=8|date=2001|publisher=The Unit|language=en}}] Executive authority remained under the prime ministership.
Despite an improvement in the economy, which coincided with a fall in the price of petrol and a favourable dollar exchange rate, the government did not enjoy full popularity. As early as 1984, there was discontent. Through the ''Newspapers and Periodicals Amendment Act'', the government tried to make every newspaper provide a bank guarantee of half a million rupees. Forty-three journalists protested by participating in a public demonstration in Port Louis, in front of Parliament. They were arrested and freed on bail. This caused a public outcry and the government had to review its policy.[{{Cite web|title=Shooting death of 3 Hizbullah activists at Gorah-Issac Rd|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be75c.html|access-date=28 November 2020|publisher=United Nations High Commission for Refugees}}]
The year 1999 was marked by civil unrest and riots in [[1999 Mauritian riots|February]] and then in [[1999 L'Amicale riots|May]]. Following the Kaya riots, President [[Cassam Uteem]] and Cardinal [[Jean Margéot]] toured the country and calm was restored after four days of turmoil.[L'Express, Vendredi 26 février 1999] A commission of enquiry was set up to investigate the root causes of the social disturbance. The resulting report delved into the cause of poverty and qualified many tenacious beliefs as perceptions.[Rapport du Juge Matadeen sur les émeutes de 1999, Imprimerie du Gouvernement, 2000] In January 2000, political activist Rajen Sabapathee was shot dead after he escaped from La Bastille jail.[{{Cite web|title=La vérité sur la mort de mon père|url=https://www.5plus.mu/node/13712|access-date=28 November 2020|publisher=5 Plus|archive-date=5 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205034231/https://www.5plus.mu/node/13712|url-status=dead}}]
[[File:Mauriceybbrfrinwodas.jpg|thumbnail|Perceived failure of [[Government of Mauritius|the government]] to respond promptly and effectively to the [[MV Wakashio oil spill|MV ''Wakashio'' oil spill]] resulted in anti-government protests.]]
Sir [[Anerood Jugnauth]] of the MSM returned to power in September 2000 after securing an alliance with the MMM. In 2002, the island of [[Rodrigues]] became an autonomous entity within the republic and was thus able to elect its own representatives to administer the island. In 2003, the [[List of prime ministers of Mauritius|prime ministership]] was transferred to [[Paul Bérenger]] of the MMM, and Sir Anerood Jugnauth became president. Bérenger was the first Franco-Mauritian Prime Minister in the country's post-Independence history.
In the [[2005 Mauritian general election|2005 elections]], Navin Ramgoolam became PM under the new coalition of Labour–PMXD–VF–MR–MMSM. In the [[2010 Mauritian general election|2010 elections]] the Labour–MSM–PMSD alliance secured power and Navin Ramgoolam remained PM until 2014.[{{Cite web|title=afrol News – Mauritius PM starts third term|url=http://www.afrol.com/articles/36129|access-date=24 July 2021|website=afrol.com}}]
The MSM–PMSD–ML coalition was victorious at the [[2014 Mauritian general election|2014 elections]] under Anerood Jugnauth's leadership. Despite disagreements within the ruling alliance that led to the departure of PMSD, the MSM–ML stayed in power for their full 5-year term.[{{Cite web|title=Mauritius opposition wins surprise landslide victory|date=12 December 2014|url=https://www.dw.com/en/mauritius-opposition-wins-surprise-landslide-victory/a-18125376|access-date=24 July 2021|publisher=Deutsche Welle|language=en-GB}}]
On 21 January 2017, Sir Anerood Jugnauth announced his resignation and that his son and Finance Minister [[Pravind Jugnauth]] would assume the office of prime minister.[{{Cite web|first=Bob|last=Minzesheimer|date=22 January 2017|title=Mauritius: PM Anerood Jugnauth to hand over to son|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38709203|access-date=22 January 2017|website=BBC News}}] The transition took place as planned on 23 January 2017.[{{Cite web|first=Jean Paul|last=Arouff|date=23 January 2017|title=New Mauritius PM takes over from father, opponents cry foul|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mauritius-politics-idUSKBN15715K|access-date=23 January 2017|work=Reuters}}]
In 2018, Mauritian president [[Ameenah Gurib-Fakim]] resigned over a financial scandal.[{{Cite news|date=13 March 2018|title=Africa's only female president to quit|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-43343550}}]
In the November 2019 [[2019 Mauritius General Elections|Mauritius general elections]], the ruling [[Militant Socialist Movement]] (MSM) won more than half of the seats in parliament, securing incumbent Prime Minister [[Pravind Jugnauth|Pravind Kumar Jugnauth]] a new five-year term.[{{Cite news|date=8 November 2019|title=Mauritius elects incumbent PM for five-year term|work=Reuters.com|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mauritius-election-idUSKBN1XI177}}] [[Prithvirajsing Roopun]][{{Cite web|title=Office of the President – Home|url=http://president.govmu.org/English/Pages/default.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508045133/http://president.govmu.org/English/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date=8 May 2015|access-date=22 February 2019|website=Government of Mauritius}}] became president in December 2019.
On 25 July 2020, Japanese-owned bulk carrier MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef off the coast of Mauritius, leaking up to 1,000 tonnes of heavy oil into a pristine lagoon.[{{Cite news|date=24 September 2020|title=Mauritius takes stock of oil spill two months later|publisher=France 24|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200924-mauritius-takes-stock-of-oil-spill-two-months-later}}] Its location on the edge of protected fragile marine ecosystems and a wetland of international importance made the [[MV Wakashio oil spill|''MV Wakashio'' oil spill]] one of the worst [[environmental disaster]]s ever to hit the western Indian Ocean.[{{Cite web|date=28 August 2020|title=Mauritius oil spill compensation could be limited by maritime law technicality|url=https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/08/28/mauritius-oil-spill-compensation-limited-maritime-law-technicality/|access-date=24 July 2021|website=Climate Home News}}]
On 10 November 2024, the opposition coalition, [[Alliance du Changement]], won 60 of the 64 seats in the Mauritian [[2024 Mauritian general election|general election]]. Its leader, former prime minister [[Navin Ramgoolam]], became new prime minister.[{{cite news |title=Mauritius election: Government suffers electoral wipeout |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y3pg0ey99o |website=Bbc.com}}]
== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Mauritius}}
The total land area of the country is {{convert|2040|km2|abbr=on}}. It is the [[List of countries and outlying territories by total area|170th largest nation]] in the world by size. The Republic of Mauritius comprises Mauritius Island and [[Outer Islands of Mauritius|several outlying islands]]. The nation's [[exclusive economic zone]] covers about {{convert|2.3|e6km2|sqnmi sqmi}} of the Indian Ocean, including approximately {{convert|400000|km2|abbr=on}} jointly managed with the [[Seychelles]].[{{Cite magazine|title=Mauritius: Promoting the Development of an Ocean Economy|url=https://intercontinentaltrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/ITL-Newsletter-Vol-6-Issue-11-Mauritius-Exclusive-Economic-Zone.pdf|url-status=live|magazine=Intercontinental Trust Newsletter|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109075149/http://www.intercontinentaltrust.com/admin/documents/all/ITL%20Newsletter%20Vol%206%20Issue%2011%20-%20Mauritius%20Exclusive%20Economic%20Zone.pdf|archive-date=9 November 2013|access-date=25 November 2022}}{{cbignore}}][{{Cite web|title=National Coast Guard|url=http://police.govmu.org/English/Publication/Documents/NCG2013.pdf|access-date=22 January 2015|website=Government of Mauritius}}][{{Cite web|title=Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) Outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines:Submissions to the Commission: Joint submission by the Republic of Mauritius and the Republic of Seychelles|url=https://www.un.org/Depts/los/clcs_new/submissions_files/submission_musc.htm|access-date=22 January 2015|publisher=United Nations}}]
=== Mauritius Island ===
Mauritius is {{convert|1100|nmi}} off the southeast coast of Africa, between latitudes [[19th parallel south|19°58.8'S]] and [[20th parallel south|20°31.7'S]] and longitudes [[57th meridian east|57°18.0'E]] and 57°46.5'E. It is {{convert|65|km|abbr=on|round=5}} long and {{convert|45|km|abbr=on|round=5}} wide. Its land area is {{convert|1864.8|km2|abbr=on}}.[{{Cite web|date=May 2008|title=Meteorological Services − Monthly Bulletin of Climatological Summaries|url=http://metservice.intnet.mu/pdfs/monthly-climatological-summaries.pdf|access-date=22 January 2015|publisher=Mauritius Meteorological Services|page=3}}][{{Cite web|title=General Info – Geography|url=http://www.mauritius.net/general_info/index.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212061824/http://www.mauritius.net/general_info/index.php|archive-date=12 February 2012|access-date=22 January 2015|publisher=Mauritius.net}}] The island is surrounded by more than {{convert|150|km|4=-2|abbr=on}} of white sandy beaches, and the lagoons are protected from the open sea by the world's third-largest coral reef, which surrounds the island.[{{Cite web|title=Tourism − Overview of Mauritius|url=http://tourism.govmu.org/English/Tourism%20sector/Pages/Overview-of-Mauritius.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403131312/http://tourism.govmu.org/English/Tourism%20sector/Pages/Overview-of-Mauritius.aspx|archive-date=3 April 2015|access-date=4 January 2012|website=Government of Mauritius}}] Just off the Mauritian coast lie some 49 uninhabited islands and [[Islets of Mauritius|islets]], several of which have been declared natural reserves for endangered species.
Mauritius Island ([[Mauritian Creole]]: ''Lil Moris''; {{langx|fr|link=no|Île Maurice}}, {{IPA|fr|il moʁis|pron}}) is relatively young geologically, having been created by volcanic activity some 8 million years ago. Together with Saint Brandon, Réunion, and Rodrigues, the island is part of the [[Mascarene Islands]]. These islands emerged as a result of gigantic underwater volcanic eruptions that happened thousands of kilometres to the east of the continental block made up of Africa and Madagascar.[{{Cite web|title=The territory of Mauritius|url=http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/Geography-People/Pages/GeographyPeople/Location.aspx|access-date=22 January 2015|website=Government of Mauritius|archive-date=27 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327103512/http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/Geography-People/Pages/GeographyPeople/Location.aspx}}] Rodrigues is a [[volcanic island]] rising from a ridge along the edge of the [[Mascarene Plateau]]. The island is hilly with a central spine culminating in the highest peak, [[Mont Limon]] at {{convert|398|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The island also has a [[coral reef]] and extensive [[limestone]] deposits. According to Statistics Mauritius, at 1 July 2019, the population of the island was estimated at 43,371.[{{Cite web|title=Population and Vital Statistics Republic of Mauritius, January – June 2019|url=http://statsmauritius.govmu.org/English/Publications/Documents/2019/EI1471/Pop_Vital_Jan-Jun19.pdf|access-date=12 October 2019|publisher=[[Statistics Mauritius]]}}]
=== Chagos Archipelago ===
{{Main|Chagos Archipelago}}
The Chagos Archipelago is composed of atolls and islands, and is located approximately {{convert|1,200|nmi}} north-east of the main island of Mauritius. The islands are set to be transferred to Mauritius in 2026,{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}} having previously formed the [[British Indian Ocean Territory]], with the exception of [[Diego Garcia]], which remains under British administration on a 99-year lease.
To the north of the Chagos Archipelago are [[Peros Banhos]], the [[Salomon Islands]] and [[Nelsons Island]]; to the south-west are [[Three Brothers, Chagos|The Three Brothers]], [[Eagle Islands]], [[Egmont Islands]] and [[Danger Island, Great Chagos Bank|Danger Island]]. [[Diego Garcia]] is in the south-east of the archipelago.[{{Cite book|url=https://pcacases.com/web/sendAttach/1796|title=Memorial of the Republic of Mauritius|date=1 August 2012|publisher=[[Permanent Court of Arbitration]]|volume=I|page=9}}] In 2016, the Chagossian population was estimated at 8,700 in Mauritius, including 483 natives; 350 Chagossians live in the Seychelles, including 75 natives, while 3,000, including 127 natives, live in the UK (the population having grown from the 1200 Chagossians who moved there).[{{Cite news|date=5 July 2016|title=La population chagossienne en chiffres|url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/287013/population-chagossienne-en-chiffres|newspaper=[[L'Express (Mauritius)]]}}]
=== St. Brandon ===
{{Main|St. Brandon}}
[[St. Brandon]], also known as the Cargados Carajos shoals, is located {{convert|217|nmi}} northeast of Mauritius Island. Saint Brandon is an archipelago composed of the remnants of the lost micro continent of [[Mauritia (microcontinent)|Mauritia]].[{{Cite news|last=Dujmovic|first=Jurica|title=What we know about Mauritia, the lost — and now found — continent|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-we-know-about-mauritia-the-lost-and-now-found-continent-2017-02-22|access-date=23 January 2023|website=MarketWatch|language=EN-US}}] It consists of five island groups, with between 28 and 40 islands in total, depending on seasonal storms, cyclones, and related sand movements. In 2008, the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)]] judgment confirmed [[Raphaël Fishing Company]] as "the holder of a [[Permanent Grant]] of the thirteen islands mentioned in the 1901 Deed (transcribed in Vol TB25 No 342) subject to the conditions therein referred to''"''.[{{Cite web|title=The Raphael Fishing Company Ltd v. The State of Mauritius & Anor (Mauritius) [2008] UKPC 43 (30 July 2008)|url=http://www.saflii.org/mu/cases/UKPC/2008/43.html|access-date=24 November 2017|website=saflii.org}}] In 2002, St. Brandon was classified in 10th place globally by UNESCO for inclusion as a World Heritage Site well ahead of any other Mauritian candidates at the time.[{{Cite web |title=Proceedings of the World Heritage Marine Biodiversity Workshop, Page 25.|url=https://whc.unesco.org/document/102856|access-date=29 February 2024 |website=sahistory.org.za |page=38 |quote=''B List: 8. Kiunga-Lamu Archipelago (Kenya), opportunity for mixed nomination 9. Pemba Island (Tanzania) 10. Cargados Carajos (Mauritius) 11. Comore Archipelago (Comoros), opportunity for serial nomination with Madagascar 12. Toliara – Nosy Ve (Madagascar), opportunity for serial nomination 13. Zambezi Delta (Mozambique)'' }}]
In May 2024, the [[Saint Brandon Conservation Trust]] was launched internationally at the Corporate Council on Africa in Dallas, Texas.[{{cite web|url=https://www.usafricabizsummit.com/USAfricaBizSummit2024/session/2155018/saving-africa's-rarest-species|title=Saving Africa's Rarest Species at the Corporate Council on Africa|website=usafricabizsummit.com|access-date=1 June 2024}}] The trust's mission is to protect, restore and conserve St. Brandon.
=== Agaléga Islands ===
{{Main|Agaléga}}
The twin islands of [[Agaléga]] are located some {{convert|500|nmi}} to the north of Mauritius.[{{Cite book|last1=Rumley|first1=Dennis|title=Fisheries Exploitation in the Indian Ocean: Threats and Opportunities|last2=Chaturvedi|first2=Sanjay|last3=Sakhuja|first3=Vijay|year=2010|isbn=978-981-230-986-0|page=123|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies }}] A co-management treaty was reached by France and Mauritius in 2010 but has not been ratified.[{{Cite web|date=1 April 2020|title=Political relations|url=https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/mauritius/|access-date=25 April 2020|publisher=France Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs}}]
== Chagos Archipelago territorial dispute ==
{{Main|Chagos Archipelago sovereignty dispute|Expulsion of the Chagossians}}
[[File:Chagos map.PNG|thumb|A map of the [[Chagos Archipelago]]]]
Mauritius has long sought [[sovereignty]] over the [[Chagos Archipelago]], located {{convert|695|nmi}} to the north-east. Chagos was administratively part of Mauritius from the 18th century when the French first settled the islands. All of the islands forming part of the French colonial territory of [[Isle de France (Mauritius)|Isle de France]] (as Mauritius was then known) were ceded to the British in 1810 under the Act of Capitulation signed between the two powers.[{{Cite web|date=6 April 2012|title=Time for UK to Leave Chagos Archipelago|url=http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2012/04/06/mauritius_chagos_archipelago_diego_garcia_99999.html|access-date=22 January 2015|publisher=Real clear world}}]
In 1965, three years before the independence of Mauritius, the United Kingdom split the Chagos Archipelago away from Mauritius, and the islands of [[Aldabra]], [[Farquhar Group|Farquhar]], and [[Desroches]] from the [[Seychelles]], to form the British Indian Ocean Territory. The islands were formally established as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom on 8 November 1965.[{{Cite web|title=ANNEX 29 - Colonial Office Telegram No. 298 to Mauritius, 8 November 1965, FO 371/184529|url=https://files.pca-cpa.org//pcadocs/mu-uk/Annexes%20to%20Memorial/MM%20Annexes%201-80.pdf|publisher=[[Permanent Court of Arbitration]]|date=8 November 1965|access-date=26 February 2025}}]
In November 1975, during UK-US discussions on the Indian Ocean, the United Kingdom expressed its intention to return the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches to Seychelles to facilitate its peaceful transition to independence by June 1976.[{{Cite web|title=ANNEX 76 - Parahraph 48 - British Embassy, Washington, November 1975, Minutes of Anglo-US Talks on the Indian Ocean held on 7 November 1975 (Extract)|url=https://files.pca-cpa.org//pcadocs/mu-uk/Annexes%20to%20Memorial/MM%20Annexes%201-80.pdf|publisher=[[Permanent Court of Arbitration]]|date=7 November 1975|access-date=26 February 2025}}] Both the UK and the United States acknowledged that these islands could not be used for defense purposes, as they were populated, and forcibly removing inhabitants, as had occurred in the Chagos Archipelago, would be politically unfeasible.[{{Cite web|title=ANNEX 75 - Anglo/US Consultations on the Indian Ocean: November 1975, Agenda Item III, Brief No. 4: Future of Aldabra, Farquhar and Desroches, November 1975|url=https://files.pca-cpa.org//pcadocs/mu-uk/Annexes%20to%20Memorial/MM%20Annexes%201-80.pdf|publisher=[[Permanent Court of Arbitration]]|date=November 1975|access-date=26 February 2025}}] On 18 March 1976, the UK and Seychelles signed an agreement to transfer the islands, which officially returned to Seychelles on its Independence Day, 29 June 1976.[{{Cite web|title=ANNEX 79 - Heads of Agreement between the Government of UK, the Administration of the "British Indian Ocean Territory" and the Government of Seychelles Concerning the Return of Aldabra, Desroches and Farquhar to Seychelles to be Executed on Independence Day, FCO 40/732|url=https://files.pca-cpa.org//pcadocs/mu-uk/Annexes%20to%20Memorial/MM%20Annexes%201-80.pdf|publisher=[[Permanent Court of Arbitration]]|date=18 March 1976|access-date=26 February 2025}}] The BIOT now comprises the Chagos Archipelago only. The UK leased the main island of the archipelago, [[Diego Garcia]], to the United States under a 50-year lease to establish a military base.[{{Cite web|title=Who Owns Diego Garcia? Decolonisation and Indigenous Rights in the Indian Ocean|url=http://www.geoffreyrobertson.com/documents/DiegoGarciaTheWesternAustraliaLawReviewPubilshedJune2012.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502070735/http://www.geoffreyrobertson.com/documents/DiegoGarciaTheWesternAustraliaLawReviewPubilshedJune2012.pdf|archive-date=2 May 2014|access-date=22 January 2015|publisher=[[Geoffrey Robertson]]}}]
In 2016, Britain extended the lease to the US till 2036.[{{Cite web|date=27 February 2019|title=Decolonising Chagos|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/decolonising-chagos/article26379247.ece|access-date=5 April 2019|website=[[The Hindu]]}}] Mauritius has repeatedly asserted that the separation of its territories is a violation of United Nations resolutions banning the dismemberment of colonial territories before independence and claims that the [[Chagos Archipelago]], including Diego Garcia, forms an integral part of the territory of Mauritius under both Mauritian law and international law.[{{Cite web|first=Indradev|last=Curpen|date=15 June 2012|title=Chagos remains a matter for discussion|url=http://www.defimedia.info/news-sunday/nos-parliament/item/13899-chagos-remains-a-matter-for-discussion.html?tmpl=component&print=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427032857/http://www.defimedia.info/news-sunday/nos-parliament/item/13899-chagos-remains-a-matter-for-discussion.html?tmpl=component&print=1|archive-date=27 April 2015|access-date=22 January 2015|publisher=[[Le Défi Media Group]]}}] Between 1968 and 1973, British officials forcibly expelled over 1,000 [[Chagossians]] to Mauritius and the Seychelles. As part of the deportation, British officials have been accused of ordering the island's dog population of 1,000 to be gassed.[{{Cite book|last1=Evers|first1=Sandra|url=https://archive.org/details/evictionfromchag00ever|title=Eviction from the Chagos Islands: Displacement and Struggle for Identity Against Two World Powers|last2=Kooy|first2=Marry|date=2011|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]]|isbn=978-90-04-20260-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/evictionfromchag00ever/page/n21 3]|url-access=limited}}][{{Cite news|last=Cork|first=Tristan|title=The shocking reason there are dogs hanging from a tree in Bristol|work=Bristol Post|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/shocking-reason-dogs-hanging-tree-2140149}}] At the United Nations and in statements to its Parliament, the UK stated that there was no "permanent population" in the Chagos Archipelago and described the population as "contract labourers" who were relocated.[{{Cite news|date=22 July 2011|title=Mauritius profile|work=BBC World|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13882233|access-date=22 January 2015}}][{{Cite web|title=History|url=http://archive.chagossupport.org.uk/index.php/background/history/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401213846/http://archive.chagossupport.org.uk/index.php/background/history/|archive-date=1 April 2016|access-date=22 January 2015|publisher=The UK Chagos Support Association}}]
Mauritius considers the territorial sea of the Chagos Archipelago and Tromelin island as part of its [[exclusive economic zone]].[{{Cite web|date=20 March 2015|title=Sixth National Assembly Parliamentary Debates(Hansard)|url=http://mauritiusassembly.govmu.org/English/hansard/Documents/2015/hansard1215.pdf|access-date=21 January 2016|publisher=[[National Assembly (Mauritius)]]}}]
In February 2019, the judges of the [[International Court of Justice]] by thirteen votes to one stated that the United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible. Only the American judge, [[Joan Donoghue]], voted in favor of the UK. The president of the court, [[Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf]], said the detachment of the Chagos Archipelago in 1965 from Mauritius had not been based on a "free and genuine expression of the people concerned". "This continued administration constitutes a wrongful act", he said, adding "The UK has an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible and that all member states must co-operate with the United Nations to complete the decolonization of Mauritius."[{{Cite news|last=Bowcott|first=Owen|date=25 February 2019|title=UN court rejects UK's claim of sovereignty over Chagos Islands|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/25/un-court-rejects-uk-claim-to-sovereignty-over-chagos-islands|access-date=26 February 2019}}]
In May 2019, the United Nations General Assembly debated and adopted a resolution that affirmed that the Chagos Archipelago, which has been occupied by the UK for more than 50 years, "forms an integral part of the territory of Mauritius". The resolution gives effect to an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), demanded that the UK "withdraw its colonial administration ... unconditionally within a period of no more than six months". 116 states voted in favour of the resolution, 55 abstained and only Australia, Hungary, Israel and Maldives supported the UK and US. During the debate, the Mauritian Prime Minister described the expulsion of Chagossians as "a [[Crimes against humanity|crime against humanity]]".[{{Cite news|last=Sands|first=Philippe|date=24 May 2019|title=At last, the Chagossians have a real chance of going back home|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/may/24/chagossians-britain-colony-shameful-un-resolution?|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|quote=Britain's behaviour towards its former colony has been shameful. The UN resolution changes everything}}]
While the resolution is not legally binding, it carries significant political weight since the ruling came from the UN's highest court and the assembly vote reflects world opinion.[{{Cite news|last=Osborne|first=Samuel|date=22 May 2019|title=Chagos Islands: UN officially demands Britain and US withdraw from Indian Ocean archipelago|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/chagos-islands-uk-un-resolution-general-assembly-vote-indian-ocean-a8924656.html%3famp|url-status=live|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/chagos-islands-uk-un-resolution-general-assembly-vote-indian-ocean-a8924656.html%3famp|archive-date=12 May 2022}}] The resolution also has immediate practical consequences: the UN, its specialised agencies, and all other international organisations are now bound, as a matter of UN law, to support the decolonisation of Mauritius even if the UK claim that it has no doubt about its sovereignty.[{{Cite news|last=Harding|first=Andrew|date=3 October 2024|title=UK will give sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius|work=[[BBC]]|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98ynejg4l5o|access-date=3 October 2024}}] The transfer agreement was signed in May 2025, with the provision that the island of Diego Garcia would be leased back to the UK for at least 99 years.[{{cite web|title=UK signs deal to hand Chagos Islands to Mauritius |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/22/uk-court-temporarily-blocks-deal-to-hand-chagos-islands-to-mauritius |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=22 May 2025}}] The UK government {{update after |2025 |text=expects the treaty to be ratified near the end of 2025.}}[{{Cite web|date=26 September 2011|title=Mauritius's air quality 2nd best in world|url=http://www.lematinal.com/mobile/sante/13945-Mauritiuss-air-quality-2nd-best-in-world.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010163739/http://www.lematinal.com/mobile/sante/13945-Mauritiuss-air-quality-2nd-best-in-world.html|archive-date=10 October 2013|access-date=22 January 2015|publisher=Le Matinal}}] It had a 2019 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 5.46/10, ranking it 100th globally out of 172 countries.[{{cite journal |last1=Grantham |first1=H. S. |last2=Duncan |first2=A. |last3=Evans |first3=T. D. |last4=Jones |first4=K. R. |last5=Beyer |first5=H. L. |last6=Schuster |first6=R. |last7=Walston |first7=J. |last8=Ray |first8=J. C. |last9=Robinson |first9=J. G. |last10=Callow |first10=M. |last11=Clements |first11=T. |last12=Costa |first12=H. M. |last13=DeGemmis |first13=A. |last14=Elsen |first14=P. R. |last15=Ervin |first15=J. |last16=Franco |first16=P. |last17=Goldman |first17=E. |last18=Goetz |first18=S. |last19=Hansen |first19=A. |last20=Hofsvang |first20=E. |last21=Jantz |first21=P. |last22=Jupiter |first22=S. |last23=Kang |first23=A. |last24=Langhammer |first24=P. |last25=Laurance |first25=W. F. |last26=Lieberman |first26=S. |last27=Linkie |first27=M. |last28=Malhi |first28=Y. |last29=Maxwell |first29=S. |last30=Mendez |first30=M. |last31=Mittermeier |first31=R. |last32=Murray |first32=N. J. |last33=Possingham |first33=H. |last34=Radachowsky |first34=J. |last35=Saatchi |first35=S. |last36=Samper |first36=C. |last37=Silverman |first37=J. |last38=Shapiro |first38=A. |last39=Strassburg |first39=B. |last40=Stevens |first40=T. |last41=Stokes |first41=E. |last42=Taylor |first42=R. |last43=Tear |first43=T. |last44=Tizard |first44=R. |last45=Venter |first45=O. |last46=Visconti |first46=P. |last47=Wang |first47=S. |last48=Watson |first48=J. E. M. |title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity |journal=Nature Communications |date=8 December 2020 |volume=11 |issue=1 |article-number=5978 |doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3 |doi-access=free|pmid=33293507 |pmc=7723057 |bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G }}]
Situated near the [[Tropic of Capricorn]], Mauritius has a [[tropical climate]]. There are 2 seasons: a warm humid summer from November to April, with a mean temperature of {{convert|24.7|C}} and a relatively cool dry winter from June to September, with a mean temperature of {{convert|20.4|C}}. The temperature difference between the seasons is only 4.3{{nbsp}}°C (7.7{{nbsp}}°F). The warmest months are January and February with average day maximum temperature of {{convert|29.2|C}}. The coolest months are July and August with average overnight minimum temperatures of {{convert|16.4|C}}.[{{Cite web|title=Climate of Mauritius|url=http://metservice.intnet.mu/climate-services/climate-of-mauritius.php|access-date=22 January 2015|publisher=Mauritius Meteorological Services}}]
Annual rainfall ranges from {{convert|900|mm|abbr=on}} on the coast to {{convert|1500|mm|abbr=on}} on the central plateau. Although there is no marked rainy season, most of the rainfall occurs in the summer months. Sea temperature in the lagoon varies from {{convert|22|-|27|C}}. The central plateau is much cooler than the surrounding [[coastal]] areas and can experience as much as twice the rainfall. The prevailing trade winds keep the east side of the island cooler and bring more rain. Occasional [[tropical cyclones]] generally occur between January and March and tend to disrupt the weather for about three days, bringing heavy rain.[{{Cite web|title=Climate of Mauritius|url=http://metservice.intnet.mu/climate-services/climate-of-mauritius.php|access-date=22 January 2015|publisher=Mauritius Meteorological Services}}]
Prime Minister [[Pravind Jugnauth]] declared an environmental state of emergency after the 25 July [[2020 in East Africa|2020]] [[MV Wakashio oil spill|''MV Wakashio'' oil spill]].[{{Cite news|last=Navin Singh|first=Khadka|date=12 August 2020|title=Why the Mauritius oil spill is so serious|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53754751|access-date=28 November 2020}}] France sent aircraft and specialists from [[Réunion]] and [[Greenpeace]] said that the leak threatened the survival of thousands of species, who are at "risk of drowning in a sea of pollution".[{{Cite news|title=Oil spill threatens ecological disaster as Mauritius declares emergency|publisher=Yahoo! News|agency=Reuters|url=https://news.yahoo.com/france-offers-aid-mauritius-declares-122144531.html|access-date=8 August 2020}}]
Mauritius is increasingly vulnerable to [[climate change]], facing rising temperatures, [[Sea level rise|sea levels]], and more frequent [[extreme weather]] events. The island faces stronger tropical cyclones, prolonged droughts, flash floods, landslides, and [[marine heatwave]]s which leading to [[coral bleaching]].[{{cite journal |last1=Doorga |first1=Jay Rovisham Singh |title=Climate change and the fate of small islands: The case of Mauritius |journal=Environmental Science & Policy |date=October 2022 |volume=136 |pages=282–290 |doi=10.1016/j.envsci.2022.06.012 |bibcode=2022ESPol.136..282D }}][{{Cite web |last=Fiertz |first=Natalie |date=1 October 2024 |title=CORVI: Assessing Priority Climate Risks in Mauritius |url=https://www.stimson.org/2024/corvi-assessing-priority-climate-risks-in-mauritius/# |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Stimson Center |language=en-US}}][{{Cite web |last=UNEP |date=2023-01-24 |title=Mauritius sets goals to curb the triple planetary crisis |url=https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/mauritius-sets-goals-curb-triple-planetary-crisis |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Unep.org |language=en}}]
Coastal erosion, driven by rising sea levels, threatens infrastructure and freshwater supplies.[{{Cite web |last=World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal |title=Mauritius |url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/mauritius |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org |language=en}}] Climate change is also impacting key sectors such as tourism and fisheries, with significant economic consequences.[{{Cite book |author=Department of Climate Change, Republic of Mauritius |url=https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/BTR1_Mauritius_Final%202.pdf |title=Mauritius' First Biennial Transparency Report |date=December 2024 |publisher=Republic of Mauritius}}][{{Cite web |last=UNDP |title=Climate Change Adaptation in Mauritius' Coastal Zone {{!}} UNDP Climate Change Adaptation |url=https://www.adaptation-undp.org/projects/climate-change-adaptation-mauritius-coastal-zone |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Adaptation-undp.org}}][{{Cite web |last=Mauritian Government |date=2020-02-21 |title=Mauritius: Climate Change Act |url=https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/mauritius-climate-change-act |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Preventionweb.net |language=en}}]
=== Biodiversity ===
{{Main|Wildlife of Mauritius}}
[[File:Dronte dodo Raphus cucullatus.jpg|thumb|upright=.8|Mauritius was the only known habitat of the extinct [[dodo]], a flightless bird.]] [[File:Phelsuma ornata - journal.pbio.1001382.png|thumb|[[Mauritius ornate day gecko]]]]
Mauritius is home to some of the world's rarest plants and animals, but human habitation and the introduction of [[non-native species]] have threatened its indigenous flora and fauna.[{{cite journal |last1=Shapiro |first1=Beth |last2=Sibthorpe |first2=Dean |last3=Rambaut |first3=Andrew |last4=Austin |first4=Jeremy |last5=Wragg |first5=Graham M. |last6=Bininda-Emonds |first6=Olaf R. P. |last7=Lee |first7=Patricia L. M. |last8=Cooper |first8=Alan |title=Flight of the Dodo |journal=Science |date=March 2002 |volume=295 |issue=5560 |pages=1683 |doi=10.1126/science.295.5560.1683 |pmid=11872833 |bibcode=2002Sci...295.1683S }}][{{Cite book|last=Smaill|first=Belinda|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3y8eDQAAQBAJ&dq=dodo+extinction+emblematic&pg=PA76|title=Regarding Life: Animals and the Documentary Moving Image| page= 76 |date= 2016|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-1-4384-6249-3}}][{{Cite book|last=Hollars|first=B. J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K94nDwAAQBAJ&dq=dodo+%22poster+child%22&pg=PA3|title=Flock Together: A Love Affair with Extinct Birds|date=1 February 2017|publisher=U of Nebraska Press|isbn=978-0-8032-9642-8}}] The dodo is prominently featured as a heraldic [[supporter]] of the national [[coat of arms of Mauritius]].[{{Cite web|title=Republic of Mauritius- Coat of Arms|url=http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/NationalSymbols/Pages/Coat-of-Arms.aspx|access-date=27 March 2019|website=govmu.org|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327180439/http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/NationalSymbols/Pages/Coat-of-Arms.aspx}}]
Less than 2% of the [[Forest|native forest]] now remains, concentrated in the [[Black River Gorges National Park]] in the south-west, the Bambous Mountain Range in the south-east, and the Moka-Port Louis Ranges in the north-west. There are some isolated mountains, [[Corps de Garde]], [[Le Morne Brabant]], and several [[Islets of Mauritius|offshore islands]], with remnants of coastal and mainland diversity. Over 100 species of plants and animals have become extinct and many more are threatened. Conservation activities began in the 1980s with the implementation of programmes for the reproduction of threatened bird and plant species as well as habitat restoration in the national parks and nature reserves.[{{Cite book|publisher=National Parks and Conservation Services, Government of Mauritius|title=Chapter 1. Introduction to the Republic of Mauritius|access-date=22 January 2015|url=http://npcs.govmu.org/English//DOCUMENTS/CHAP1.PDF|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403104113/http://npcs.govmu.org/English//DOCUMENTS/CHAP1.PDF}}]
In 2011, the Ministry of Environment & Sustainable Development issued the "Mauritius Environment Outlook Report", which recommended that St. Brandon be declared a [[Marine protected area]]. In the President's Report of the [[Mauritian Wildlife Foundation]] (MWF) dated March 2016, St Brandon is declared an official MWF project to promote the conservation of the atoll.[{{Cite web|title=President's Report of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation dated March 2016|url=http://www.mauritian-wildlife.org/application/includes/common/download.php?type=11&record=4E911EA9-BE8F-FB3C-1025-8CFF6C9D3136|access-date=29 August 2017}}]
The [[Mauritian flying fox]] is the only remaining mammal endemic to the island, and has been severely threatened in recent years due to the government sanctioned culling introduced in November 2015 due to the belief that they were a threat to fruit plantations. Prior to 2015 the lack of severe cyclone had seen the fruit bat population increase and the status of the species was then changed by the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]] from Endangered to Vulnerable in 2014. October 2018, saw the authorisation of the cull of 20% of the fruit bat population, amounting to 13,000 of the estimated 65,000 fruit bats remaining, although their status had already reverted to Endangered due to the previous years' culls.[{{Cite web|title=Welcome to the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) – In The Field – Mauritius – Mauritius Fruit Bat|url=http://www.mauritian-wildlife.org/application/index.php?tpid=30&tcid=81|access-date=22 February 2019|website=mauritian-wildlife.org|archive-date=16 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316190712/http://www.mauritian-wildlife.org/application/index.php?tpid=30&tcid=81}}]
== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Mauritius|Elections in Mauritius}}
[[File:Government House Port Louis.JPG|thumb|Government House, Port Louis]]
The politics of Mauritius take place in a framework of a [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] republic in which the [[President of Mauritius|President]] is the [[head of state]] and the [[Prime Minister of Mauritius|Prime Minister]] is the [[head of government]], assisted by a [[Cabinet of Ministers of Mauritius|Council of Ministers]]. Mauritius has a [[multi-party system]]. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the Government. [[Legislative power]] is vested in both the Government and the [[National Assembly of Mauritius|National Assembly]].[{{Cite web |date=2021-08-31 |title=Toward a Global Framework For Coastal Public Access |url=https://www.planetreimagined.com/coastal-public-access-paper |publisher=Planet Reimagined |website=planetreimagined.com |author1=Kira Clingen |author2=Rai Saad Khan |author3=Keoni Rodriguez |quote=When Mauritius was decolonized in 1968, the nation adopted a Westminster parliamentary system, modeled on the British system of governance, as well as significant legal frameworks from the countries that colonized the island. }}]
The National Assembly is Mauritius's [[unicameral]] legislature, which was called the Legislative Assembly until 1992, when the country became a republic. It consists of 70 members, 62 elected for four-year terms in multi-member [[constituency|constituencies]] and eight additional members, known as "best losers", appointed by the Electoral Service Commission to ensure that ethnic and religious minorities are equitably represented. The UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC), which monitors member states' compliance with the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights (ICPCR), has criticised the country's Best Loser System following a complaint by a local youth and trade union movement.[{{Cite web|title=UN Human Rights Committee criticises Best Loser System|url=http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=59556590&Country=Mauritius&topic=Politics&subtopic=Forecast&subsubtopic=Election+watch&u=1&pid=1764509560&oid=1764509560&uid=1|access-date=6 September 2016|publisher=Country.eiu.com}}] The president is elected for a five-year term by the Parliament.
The island of Mauritius is divided into [[Constituencies of Mauritius|20 constituencies]] that return three members each. The island of Rodrigues is a single district that returns two members.
After a general election, the Electoral Supervisory Commission may nominate up to eight additional members with a view to correct any imbalance in the representation of ethnic minorities in Parliament. This system of nominating members is commonly called the [[best loser system]].
The political party or party alliance that wins the majority of seats in Parliament forms the government. Its leader becomes the prime minister, who selects the Cabinet from elected members of the Assembly, except for the [[Ministry of Justice (Mauritius)|attorney general of Mauritius]], who may not be an elected member of the Assembly. The political party or alliance which has the second largest group of representatives forms the Official Opposition and its leader is normally nominated by the president of the republic as the leader of the opposition. The Assembly elects a speaker, a deputy speaker and a deputy chairman of committees as some of its first tasks.
Mauritius is a democracy with a government elected every five years. The most recent National Assembly Election was held on 10 November 2024 in all the 20 mainland constituencies, and in the constituency covering the island of Rodrigues. Elections have tended to be a contest between two major coalitions of parties.
The 2018 [[Ibrahim Index of African Governance]] ranked Mauritius first in good governance.[{{Cite web|title=IBRAHIM INDEX OF AFRICAN GOVERNANCE 2018|url=http://s.mo.ibrahim.foundation/u/2018/11/27173840/2018-Index-Report.pdf|access-date=13 October 2019|publisher=Mo Ibrahim Foundation}}] In the 2024 [[Democracy Index]] compiled by the [[Economist Intelligence Unit]] that measures the state of democracy in 167 countries, Mauritius ranked 20th worldwide and is the only African country with "full democracy".[{{Cite news|date=31 March 2012|title=African democracy − A glass half-full|newspaper=The Economist|url=https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2012/03/31/a-glass-half-full|access-date=7 April 2012}}] The 2026 [[V-Dem Institute#Democracy Report|V-Dem Democracy Report]] ranked Mauritius 3rd in Africa and classified it as an [[electoral democracy]], an improvement from the previous report.[{{Cite web|date=14 October 2014|title=National lists of precedence of Mauritius|url=http://foreign.govmu.org/English/Documents/List%20of%20Precedence118.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211032755/http://foreign.govmu.org/English/Documents/List%20of%20Precedence118.pdf|archive-date=11 February 2015|access-date=16 February 2015}}]
|-
|[[President of Mauritius|President]]||[[Dharam Gokhool]]||6 December 2024[{{Cite web|title=The President of the Republic – Home|url=http://president.govmu.org/English/Pages/default.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209062453/http://president.govmu.org/English/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date=9 February 2015}}]
|-
|[[Prime Minister of Mauritius|Prime Minister]]||[[Navin Ramgoolam]]|| 12 November 2024
|-
|[[Vice President of Mauritius|Vice President]]|| Jean Robert Yvan Hungley||| 6 December 2024[{{Cite web |date=2026-04-14 |title=Figure politique à Maurice, Paul Bérenger quitte son parti sur fond de désaccords stratégiques |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20260414-figure-politique-%C3%A0-maurice-paul-b%C3%A9renger-quitte-son-parti-sur-fond-de-d%C3%A9saccords-strat%C3%A9giques |access-date=2026-05-20 |website=RFI |language=fr}}]
|-
|[[Supreme Court of Mauritius|Chief Justice]]||[[Rehana Mungly-Gulbul]]|| 18 November 2021
|-
|[[List of Speakers of the National Assembly of Mauritius|Speaker of the National Assembly]]||[[Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra]]|| 29 November 2024
|-
|[[Leader of the Opposition (Mauritius)|Leader of the Opposition]]||[[Joe Lesjongard]]|| 15 November 2024
|-
|[[Mauritius Police Force|Commissioner of Police]]||Ramparsad Sooroojbally|| 15 November 2024[{{Cite web |date=2024-11-15 |title=Ramparsad Sooroojbally nouveau Commissaire de police |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/societe/ramparsad-sooroojbally-nouveau-commissaire-de-police/656740/ |access-date=2026-05-20 |website=Le Mauricien |language=fr-FR}}]
|}
=== Administrative subdivisions ===
{{Main|Outer Islands of Mauritius|Districts of Mauritius}}
{{Mauritius Districts Labelled Map|float=right}}
Mauritius has a single first-order administrative division, the [[Outer Islands of Mauritius]] ({{Langx|fr|link=no|Îles éparses de Maurice}}), which consists of several outlying islands.[{{Cite web|title=Location – The territory of Mauritius|url=http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/Geography-People/Pages/GeographyPeople/Location.aspx|website=Government of Mauritius|access-date=22 January 2015|archive-date=27 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327103512/http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/Geography-People/Pages/GeographyPeople/Location.aspx}}]
The following are the island-groups in Mauritius:
*Island of Mauritius
*[[Rodrigues]]
*[[St. Brandon|Saint Brandon]]
*[[Agaléga]]
The island of Mauritius is subdivided into [[Districts of Mauritius|nine districts]], which are the country's second-order administrative divisions.
===Military===
{{main|Mauritius Police Force}}
All military, police, and security functions in Mauritius are carried out by 10,000 active-duty servicemembers under the Commissioner of Police. The 8,000-member National Police Force is responsible for domestic law enforcement. The 1,400-strong [[Special Mobile Force]] (SMF) and the 688-strong coast guard are the only two paramilitary units in Mauritius. Both units are composed of police officers on lengthy rotations to those services. Mauritius also has a special operations military known as [[GIPM]] that will intervene in any terrorist attack or high risk operations.[{{Cite web|title=Background Note: Mauritius – Scoop News|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00160.htm|access-date=18 January 2017|website=scoop.co.nz}}]
=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Mauritius}}
[[File:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi meeting the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr. Pravind Jugnauth, on the sidelines of CHOGM 2018, in London on April 19, 2018 (2).JPG|thumb|Prime Minister [[Pravind Jugnauth]] with Indian Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]], 19 April 2018]]
Mauritius has strong and friendly relations with various African, American, Asian, European and Oceanic countries. Mauritius has friendly relations with African states in the region, particularly [[South Africa]], by far its largest continental trading partner. Mauritian investors are gradually entering African markets, notably Madagascar, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The country's political heritage and dependence on Western markets have led to close ties with the [[European Union]] and its member states, particularly France.
Relations with India are very strong for both historical and commercial reasons. Mauritius established diplomatic relations with China in April 1972 and was forced to defend this decision, along with naval contracts with the USSR in the same year. It has also been extending its Middle East outreach with the setting up of an embassy in Saudi Arabia[{{Cite web|title=Embassy of the Republic of Mauritius – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia|url=https://foreign.govmu.org/Pages/Embassies%20and%20Consulates/Mauritius%20Diplomatic%20Missions%20Overseas/EMBASSY-OF-THE-REPUBLIC-OF-MAURITIUS---RIYADH,-KINGDOM-OF-SAUDI-ARABIA.aspx|access-date=19 October 2020|website=foreign.govmu.org}}] whose Ambassador also doubles as the country's ambassador to Bahrain.[{{Cite web|title=Presentation of Credentials of Ambassador Showkutally Soodhun, GCSK to the Kingdom of Bahrain|url=https://foreign.govmu.org/Pages/readmorenews.aspx?n=Presentation-of-Credentials-of-Ambassador-Showkutally-Soodhun,-GCSK-to-the-Kingdom-of-Bahrain.aspx|access-date=19 October 2020|website=foreign.govmu.org|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade}}]
Mauritius is a member of the United Nations, the [[World Trade Organization]], the [[African Union]], the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], [[La Francophonie]], the [[Southern Africa Development Community]], the [[Indian Ocean Commission]], the [[Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa]], and the [[Indian Ocean Rim Association]].
=== Legal system ===
Mauritius has a hybrid legal system derived from [[British common law|English common law]] and the [[French civil law]]. The [[Constitution of Mauritius]] establishes the [[separation of powers]] between the legislature, the executive and the [[judiciary]] and guarantees the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual.[{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-67015474 |title=Mauritius' Supreme Court decriminalises same-sex relations |work=BBC News |date=5 October 2023 |access-date=29 July 2024}}][{{cite news |url=https://www.lemauricien.com/le-mauricien/le-judiciaire-mauricien-plebiscite-a-linternational/605784/ |title=Le Judiciaire mauricien plébiscité à l'international |language=FR |date=7 October 2023 |first=Jean Marc |last=Poché |access-date=29 July 2024}}][{{cite news |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2023/10/06/l-ile-maurice-depenalise-les-relations-sexuelles-entre-homosexuels_6192786_3212.html |title=L'île Maurice dépénalise les relations sexuelles entre homosexuels |language=FR |date=6 October 2023 |work=Le Monde |access-date=29 July 2023}}]
Mauritius has a single-structured judicial system consisting of two tiers, the [[Supreme Court of Mauritius|Supreme Court]] and subordinate courts. The Supreme Court is composed of various divisions exercising jurisdiction such as the Master's Court, the Family Division, the Commercial Division (Bankruptcy), the Criminal Division, the Mediation Division, the Court of First Instance in civil and criminal proceedings, the Appellate jurisdiction: the Court of Civil Appeal and the Court of Criminal Appeal. Subordinate courts consist of the Intermediate Court, the Industrial Court, the District Courts, the Bail and Remand Court and the Court of Rodrigues.
The [[Judicial Committee of the Privy Council]] is the final court of appeal of Mauritius. After the independence of Mauritius in 1968, Mauritius maintained the Privy Council as its highest court of appeal. Appeals to the Judicial Committee from decisions of the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court may be as of right or with the leave of the Court, as set out in section 81 of the Constitution and section 70A of the Courts Act. The Judicial Committee may also grant special leave to appeal from the decision of any court in any civil or criminal matter as per section 81(5) of the Constitution.[{{Cite web|date=13 October 2019|title=Constitution of Mauritius|url=http://mauritiusassembly.govmu.org/English/constitution/Pages/constitution2016.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826223209/http://mauritiusassembly.govmu.org/English/constitution/Pages/constitution2016.pdf|archive-date=26 August 2018|access-date=13 October 2019|publisher=[[National Assembly (Mauritius)]]}}]
==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of Mauritius}}
{{Largest cities
| country = Mauritius
| stat_ref = Source:[{{Cite web|url=https://www.geonames.org/MU/largest-cities-in-mauritius.html|title=Biggest Cities Mauritius|website=geonames.org}}]
| list_by_pop =
| div_name =
| div_link = Districts of Mauritius{{!}}District
| city_1 = Port Louis| div_1 =Port Louis District{{!}}Port Louis| pop_1 = 155,226
| city_2 = Vacoas-Phoenix| div_2 = Plaines Wilhems| pop_2 = 115,289
| city_3 =Beau Bassin-Rose Hill| div_3 =Plaines Wilhems| pop_3 = 111,355
| city_4 = Curepipe| div_4 = Plaines Wilhems| pop_4 = 78,618
| city_5 = Quatre Bornes| div_5 = Plaines Wilhems| pop_5 = 77,308
| city_6 = Triolet, Mauritius{{!}}Triolet| div_6 = Pamplemousses District{{!}}Pamplemousses | pop_6 = 23,269
| city_7 = Goodlands, Mauritius{{!}}Goodlands| div_7 = Rivière du Rempart District{{!}}Rivière du Rempart| pop_7 = 20,910
| city_8 =Centre de Flacq| div_8 = Flacq| pop_8 = 17,710
| city_9 = Bel Air Rivière Sèche| div_9 =Flacq| pop_9 = 17,671
| city_10 = Mahébourg| div_10 = Grand Port| pop_10 = 17,042
}}
[[File:Mauritius_single_age_population_pyramid_2020.png|thumb|[[Population pyramid]] (2020)]]
In the 2022 census, Mauritius had a population of 1,235,260 (608,090 males, 627,170 females). The population on the island of Mauritius was 1,191,280 (586,590 males and 604,690 females), and that of [[Rodrigues]] island was 43,650 (21,330 males and 22,320 females). Agalega island's population was 330 (170 males and 160 females).[{{Cite news|date=5 June 2008|title=A critical appraisal of the Best Loser System|work=[[L'Express (Mauritius)]]|url=https://www.lexpress.mu/article/critical-appraisal-best-loser-system|access-date=11 November 2017}}][{{Cite web|first=M. Rafic|last=Soormally|date=10 September 2012|title=Debate on Best Loser System|url=http://www.defimedia.info/blog/item/18524-debate-on-best-loser-system.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121084740/http://www.defimedia.info/blog/item/18524-debate-on-best-loser-system.html|archive-date=21 January 2015|access-date=21 January 2015|publisher=Le Défi Media Group}}] Mauritius is a [[Multiracial|multiethnic]] society, drawn from [[Mauritians of Indian origin|Indian]], [[Mauritian Creoles|African]], [[Mauritians of Chinese origin|Chinese]] and European (mostly [[Mauritians of French origin|French]]) origin. [[Mauritian Creoles]] carry the [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]] [[haplotype]] and their [[Mitochondrial DNA|mitochondrial genetics]] show significant ancestry with enslaved populations from [[East Africa]] and [[Malagasy peoples|Madagascar]] while [[Indo-Mauritians]] carry genes associated with the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] in [[Ranchi District]], [[Jharkhand]].[{{cite journal |last1=Fregel |first1=Rosa |last2=Seetah |first2=Krish |last3=Betancor |first3=Eva |last4=Suárez |first4=Nicolás M. |last5=Calaon |first5=Diego |last6=Čaval |first6=Saša |last7=Janoo |first7=Anwar |last8=Pestano |first8=Jose |title=Multiple Ethnic Origins of Mitochondrial DNA Lineages for the Population of Mauritius |journal=PLOS ONE |date=March 2014 |volume=9 |issue=3 |article-number=e93294 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0093294 |doi-access=free |pmid=24676463 |pmc=3968120 |bibcode=2014PLoSO...993294F |hdl=10553/46959 |hdl-access=free }}]
In 2022, the number of [[Bangladesh|Bangladeshi nationals]] and [[India|Indian nationals]] had respectively risen to 1.21% and 1.19% of the total resident population. [[Bengali language|Bengali]] is spoken at home by 1.18% of the population. Non-Mauritians make up 3.39% of the total resident population.[{{Cite web|last=Mathur|first=Raj|title=Party cooperation and the electoral system in Mauritius|url=http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p215941/pdf/ch052.pdf|access-date=26 September 2020|publisher=Australian National University}}] Thus each ethnic group in Mauritius falls within one of the four main communities known as [[Mauritians of Indian origin|Hindus]], [[General Population (Mauritius)|General Population]], [[Islam in Mauritius|Muslims]] and [[Mauritian of Chinese origin|Sino-Mauritians]].[{{cite book |last1=Lau Thi Keng |first1=Jean Claude |last2=Fraisse |first2=Geneviève |title=Inter-ethnicité et politique à l'île Maurice |date=1991 |publisher=L'Harmattan |isbn=978-2-7384-1046-7 }}{{page needed|date=January 2026}}][{{Cite web|last=Virahsawmy|first=Dev|title=Testament of A Hindocreole or Who Are We Really?|url=https://defimedia.info/testament-hindocreole-or-who-are-we-really|access-date=16 November 2018|publisher=Defimedia}}]
As per the above constitutional provision, the 1972 ethnic statistics are used to implement the [[Best Loser System]], the method used in Mauritius since the 1950s to guarantee ethnic representation across the entire electorate in the [[National Assembly (Mauritius)|National Assembly]] without organising the representation wholly by ethnicity.[{{Cite web|last=Dobson|first=Reena Jane|title='The Most Cosmopolitan Island under the Sun'? Negotiating Ethnicity and Nationhood in Everyday Mauritius|url=https://researchdirect.westernsydney.edu.au/islandora/object/uws%3A8256/datastream/PDF/download/citation.pdf|access-date=15 December 2009|publisher=Centre for Cultural Research University of Western Sydney}}]
=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Mauritius}}
{{Pie chart
|radius = 82
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Mauritius, 2022.[{{cite web|url=https://statsmauritius.govmu.org/Documents/Census_and_Surveys/HPC/2011/HPC_TR_Vol2_Demography_Yr11.pdf|website=Statistics Mauritius|page=68|title=Resident population by religion and sex|access-date=19 November 2023| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221006195313/https://statsmauritius.govmu.org/Documents/Census_and_Surveys/HPC/2011/HPC_TR_Vol2_Demography_Yr11.pdf| archive-date = 6 October 2022}}]
|label1 = [[Hinduism]]
|value1 = 47.87
|color1 = DarkOrange
|label2 = [[Christianity]]
|value2 = 32.29
|color2 = DodgerBlue
|label3 = [[Islam]]
|value3 = 18.24
|color3 = Green
|label4 = [[Atheism|No Religion]]
|value4 = 0.63
|color4 = Gold
|label5 = Other/Not stated
|value5 = 0.97
|color5 = DarkRed
}}
[[File:Maurice religions 2011.png|thumb|upright=.745|A map of Mauritius's religious distribution, 2011]]
According to the 2022 census conducted by [[Statistics Mauritius]], 47.87% of the Mauritian population follows [[Hinduism]], followed by Christianity (32.29%), out of which 24.94% are [[Catholic Church in Mauritius|Catholic]], [[Islam]] (18.24%)[{{Cite web|title=International Religious Freedom Report for 2015|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm?year=2015&dlid=256049|access-date=25 November 2016|website=United States State Department}}]
Public holidays of religious origins are the Hindu festivals of [[Maha Shivaratri]], [[Ugadi|Ougadi]], [[Thaipusam|Thaipoosam Cavadee]], [[Ganesh Chaturthi]], and [[Diwali]]; the Christian festivals of [[All Saints Day]] and [[Christmas]]; and the Muslim festival of [[Eid al-Fitr]].[{{Cite news|date=4 February 2016|title=Public Holidays|language=en-ind|work=Mauritius|url=http://www.tourism-mauritius.mu/en-ind/plan/public-holidays|access-date=25 November 2016|archive-date=25 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125174843/http://www.tourism-mauritius.mu/en-ind/plan/public-holidays}}] The state actively participates in their organisation with special committees presiding over the pilgrimage to [[Ganga Talao]] for [[Maha Shivaratri]] and the annual Catholic procession to [[Jacques-Désiré Laval]]'s resting place at [[Sainte-Croix, Mauritius|Sainte-Croix]].[{{Cite press release|title=Mauritius: Maha Shivratree 2022 – the Prime Minister Chairs the National Task Force|date=25 November 2021|publisher=[[Government of Mauritius]]|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202111260112.html|via=AllAfrica.com|place=Port Louis}}]
=== Languages ===
{{Main|Languages of Mauritius}}
The [[Constitution of Mauritius|Mauritian constitution]] makes no mention of an [[official language]].[{{cite web |last1=Hein |first1=Marc |title=Is English our official language? |date=30 November 2014 |url=https://lexpress.mu/idee/255742/english-our-official-language}}] It only mentions that the official language of the National Assembly is [[English language|English]]; however, any member can also address the chair in [[French language|French]].[{{Cite web|title=Constitution of Mauritius – 49. Official language|url=http://mauritiusassembly.govmu.org/English/constitution/Pages/Constitution-Contd1.aspx#assembly|access-date=11 November 2017|website=[[National Assembly (Mauritius)|National Assembly]]}}] English and French are generally considered to be de facto national and common languages of Mauritius, as they are the languages of government administration, courts, and business.[{{Cite web|title=Language|url=http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/Geography-People/Pages/Language.aspx|access-date=11 November 2017|website=Government of Mauritius|archive-date=21 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521095341/http://www.govmu.org/English/ExploreMauritius/Geography-People/Pages/Language.aspx}}] The constitution of Mauritius is written in English, while some laws, such as the [[Civil code|Civil]] and [[Criminal code]]s, are in French. The Mauritian currency features the [[Latin script|Latin]], [[Tamil script|Tamil]] and [[Devanagari]] scripts.
The Mauritian population is [[multilingual]]. [[Mauritian Creole]] is the [[mother tongue]] of most Mauritians. Most people are also fluent in English and French, and tend to switch languages according to the situation.[{{Cite web|url=https://peoplemauritius.blogspot.com/|title=People and languages on Mauritius|access-date=21 November 2025}}] French and English are favoured in educational and professional settings, while Asian languages are used mainly in music, religious and cultural activities. The media and literature are primarily in French.
The [[Mauritian Creole language]], which is [[French-based creole languages|French-based]] with some additional influences, is spoken by the majority of the population as a native language, and attempts have been made to standardise it.[{{Cite web|title=Demographics|url=http://mauritiusgovernment.com/demographics.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425080648/http://mauritiusgovernment.com/demographics.htm|archive-date=25 April 2012|access-date=7 November 2013|publisher=mauritiusgovernment.com}}][{{Cite book |last=Carpooran |first=Arnaud |url=https://books.google.mu/books/about/Lortograf_Kreol_Morisien.html?id=GOV1MwEACAAJ&redir_esc=y |title=Lortograf Kreol Morisien |date=2011 |publisher=Akademi Kreol Morisien |isbn=978-99903-1-018-4}}] The Creole languages spoken in different islands of the country are more or less similar: [[Mauritian Creole|Mauritian]], [[Rodriguan creole|Rodriguan]], [[Agalega creole|Agalega]] and [[Chagossian Creole]]s are spoken by people from the islands of Mauritius, [[Rodrigues]], [[Agaléga]] and [[Chagos]], respectively. The following ancestral languages, also spoken in Mauritius, have received official recognition by acts of parliament:[{{cite web|url=https://adsdatabase.ohchr.org/IssueLibrary/MAURITIUS_Contribution%20to%20A_HRC_46_27.pdf|title=Inputs on Human Rights Council Resolution 46/27 on Combatting intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade (Human Rights Division)|access-date=14 July 2023}}] [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]],[{{Cite web|title=Bhojpuri-Speaking Union Act – 2011|url=http://culture.govmu.org/English/Documents/legislations/Bhojpuri%20Speaking%20Union%20Act%202011.pdf|access-date=20 January 2019|publisher=Ministry of Arts and Culture}}] [[Chinese language|Chinese]],[{{Cite web|title=Chinese-Speaking Union Act – 2011|url=http://culture.govmu.org/English/Documents/legislations/Chinese%20Speaking%20Union%20Act%202011.pdf|access-date=20 January 2019|publisher=Ministry of Arts and Culture}}] [[Hindi]],[{{Cite web|title=The Hindi-Speaking Union Act – 1994|url=http://culture.govmu.org/English/Documents/legislations/The%20Hindi%20Speaking%20Union%20%20Act%201994.pdf|access-date=20 January 2019|publisher=Ministry of Arts and Culture}}] [[Marathi language|Marathi]],[{{Cite web|title=Marathi-Speaking Union Act – 2008|url=http://culture.govmu.org/English/Documents/legislations/Marathi%20Speaking%20Union%20Act%202008.pdf|access-date=20 January 2019|publisher=Ministry of Arts and Culture}}] [[Sanskrit]],[{{Cite web|title=Sanskrit-Speaking Union Act – 2011|url=https://culture.govmu.org/Pages/Legislations/Sanskrit%20Speaking%20Union%20Act%202011.pdf|access-date=20 January 2019|publisher=Ministry of Arts and Culture}}] [[Tamil language|Tamil]],[{{Cite web|title=Tamil-Speaking Union Act – 2008|url=http://culture.govmu.org/English/Documents/legislations/Tamil%20Speaking%20Union%20Act%202008.pdf|access-date=20 January 2019|publisher=Ministry of Arts and Culture}}] [[Telugu language|Telugu]][{{Cite web|title=Telugu-Speaking Union Act – 2008|url=http://culture.govmu.org/English/Documents/legislations/Telugu%20Speaking%20Union%20Act%202008.pdf|access-date=20 January 2019|publisher=Ministry of Arts and Culture}}] and [[Urdu]].[{{Cite web|title=The Urdu-Speaking Union Act – 2002|url=http://culture.govmu.org/English/Documents/legislations/The%20Urdu%20Speaking%20Union%20Act%202002.pdf|access-date=20 January 2019|publisher=Ministry of Arts and Culture}}] [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]], once widely spoken as a mother tongue, has become less commonly spoken over the years. According to the 2022 census, Bhojpuri was spoken by 5.1% of the population compared to 12.1% in 2000.[{{Cite web|author-link=Statistics Mauritius|title=2011 Population Census – Main Results|url=http://statsmauritius.govmu.org/English/CensusandSurveys/Documents/ESI/pop2011.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111152858/http://statsmauritius.govmu.org/English/CensusandSurveys/Documents/ESI/pop2011.pdf|archive-date=11 November 2017|access-date=11 November 2017|website=Statistics Mauritius}}]
School students must learn English and French. They may also opt for an Asian language or Mauritian Creole.[{{Cite journal |title=A Review of the Recognition of Kreol as a National Language in Mauritius |url=https://ajbsr.net/data/uploads/106.pdf |journal=AJBSR Journal}}] The medium of instruction varies from school to school but is usually English for public and government subsidised private schools and mainly French for paid private ones. [[GCE Ordinary Level|O-Level]] and [[A-Level]] exams are organised in public and government subsidised private schools in English by [[Cambridge Assessment International Education|Cambridge International Examinations]] while paid private schools mostly follow the [[Baccalauréat|French Baccalaureate]] model.
== Education ==
{{Main|Education in Mauritius}}
The [[education]] system in Mauritius consists of pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary sectors. The education structure consists of two to three years of pre-primary school, six years of primary schooling leading to the Primary School Achievement Certificate, five years of secondary education leading to the School Certificate, and two years of higher secondary ending with the Higher School Certificate.
Secondary schools have "[[college]]" as part of their title.
The [[O-Level]] and [[A-Level]] examinations are carried out by the [[University of Cambridge]] through [[University of Cambridge International Examinations]] in collaboration with the [[Mauritius Examinations Syndicate|MES]].
The tertiary education sector includes universities and other technical institutions in Mauritius. The two main public universities are the [[University of Mauritius]] and the [[University of Technology, Mauritius|University of Technology]], in addition to the [[Higher education in Mauritius#Université des Mascareignes|Université des Mascareignes]], founded in 2012, and the [[Open University of Mauritius]]. These four public universities and several other technical institutes and higher education colleges are tuition-free for students as of 2019.[{{Cite web|title=Communiqué- Free Education in Tertiary Education Institutions|url=http://ministry-education.govmu.org/English/educationsector/Documents/2019/Communique%20250119.pdf |year=2019 | work= Ministry of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214140421/http://ministry-education.govmu.org/English/educationsector/Documents/2019/Communique%20250119.pdf | archive-date= 14 February 2019 | url-status=deviated}}]
The government of Mauritius provides [[free education]] to its citizens from pre-primary to tertiary level. In 2013 government expenditure on education was estimated at ₨ 13,584 million, representing 13% of total expenditure.[{{Cite web|year=2013|title=Education statistics|url=http://statsmauritius.govmu.org/English/StatsbySubj/Documents/ei1063/edu.pdf|access-date=22 January 2015|website=Statistics Mauritius}}] As of January 2017, the government has introduced changes to the education system with the Nine-Year Continuous Basic Education programme, which abolished the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE).[{{Cite web|date=18 December 2016|title=Nine-Year Continuous Basic Education: What are the major changes brought to the system?|url=https://defimedia.info/nine-year-continuous-basic-education-what-are-major-changes-brought-system|publisher=Défi Media}}]
The adult [[literacy rate]] was at 91.9% in 2022 with 8.8% of the total population holding a [[higher education|tertiary level qualification]].[{{Cite web |title=GII Innovation Ecosystems & Data Explorer 2025 |url=https://www.wipo.int/gii-ranking/en/mauritius |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=WIPO}}][{{Cite book |last1=Dutta |first1=Soumitra |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2025/en/index.html |title=Global Innovation Index 2025: Innovation at a Crossroads |last2=Lanvin |first2=Bruno |publisher=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]] |year=2025 |isbn=978-92-805-3797-0 |page=19 |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.58864 |access-date=2025-10-17}}]
== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Mauritius|International rankings of Mauritius}}
Mauritius is often described as the most developed country in Africa.[{{Cite web|date=8 September 2022|title=Human Development Report 2021/2022|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf|access-date=8 September 2022|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|language=en}}][{{cite web|last1=Abara Benson|first1=Emmanuel|title=These are the 10 most developed countries in Africa based on UN's Human Development Index|url=https://africa.businessinsider.com/local/markets/10-most-developed-countries-in-africa-according-to-latest-stats/dt5fx7v|website=Business Insider Africa|date=24 July 2022 |access-date=10 October 2023}}] Since independence from Britain in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculture-based economy to a [[World Bank high-income economy|high-income]] diversified economy, based on [[Tourism in Mauritius|tourism]], textiles, sugar, and financial services. The economic history of Mauritius since independence has been called "the Mauritian Miracle" and the "success of Africa".[{{Cite web|title=Mauritius: The Drivers of Growth – Can the Past be Extended?|url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2014/wp14134.pdf|type=IMF Working paper 2014}}]
In recent years, information and communication technology, seafood, hospitality and property development, healthcare, renewable energy, and [[Education in Mauritius|education]] and training have emerged as important sectors, attracting substantial investment from both local and foreign investors.[{{Cite web |title=Moving the Nation Forward |url=http://www.movingthenationforward.com/pdf/Govt-Address-2012.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413151110/http://www.movingthenationforward.com/pdf/Govt-Address-2012.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2019 |access-date=21 April 2012 |website=Government of Mauritius}}]
Mauritius has no exploitable fossil fuel reserves and so relies on petroleum products to meet most of its energy requirements. Local and renewable energy sources are biomass, hydro, solar and wind energy.[{{Cite web|first=Joseph E.|last=Stiglitz|author-link=Joseph E. Stiglitz|date=7 March 2011|title=The Mauritius Miracle|url=http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/the-mauritius-miracle|access-date=21 April 2012|website=[[Project Syndicate]]}}] In 2024, Mauritius contributed approximately 0.01% of global [[greenhouse gas emissions]].[{{Citation |last1=Jones |first1=Matthew W. |title=National contributions to climate change due to historical emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide |date=2024-11-13 |url=https://zenodo.org/records/14054503 |access-date=2025-03-17 |doi=10.5281/zenodo.14054503 |last2=Peters |first2=Glen P. |last3=Gasser |first3=Thomas |last4=Andrew |first4=Robbie M. |last5=Schwingshackl |first5=Clemens |last6=Gütschow |first6=Johannes |last7=Houghton |first7=Richard A. |last8=Friedlingstein |first8=Pierre |last9=Pongratz |first9=Julia }}] The country has pledged to cut emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to projected levels without intervention, with a goal of reaching [[Net-zero emissions|net zero]] by 2070.[{{Cite web |last=Climate Watch Data |title=Mauritius Climate Change Data {{!}} Emissions and Policies |url=https://www.climatewatchdata.org/countries/MUS?end_year=2021&start_year=1990 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=Climatewatchdata.org}}] As part of its climate change strategy, Mauritius plans to eliminate coal from electricity generation by 2030, reduce [[landfill]] waste by diverting 70% of it through a [[circular economy]] approach, and increase the share of [[electric vehicle]]s to 15% by the same year.[{{Cite book |author=Department of Climate Change, Republic of Mauritius |url=https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/BTR1_Mauritius_Final%202.pdf |title=Mauritius' First Biennial Transparency Report |date=December 2024 |publisher=Republic of Mauritius }}]
In 2012, Mauritius was ranked high in terms of economic competitiveness, a friendly investment climate, good governance and a free economy.[{{Cite news|title=Mauritius|publisher=[[The Heritage Foundation]]|url=http://www.heritage.org/index/country/mauritius|access-date=16 April 2012|archive-date=10 April 2012|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410125621/http://www.heritage.org/index/country/mauritius}}][{{Cite web|date=June 2012|title=2012 Investment Climate Statement – Mauritius|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/e/eb/rls/othr/ics/2012/191196.htm|access-date=8 August 2012|website=U.S. Department of State}}][{{Cite web|title=Economy Rankings|url=http://www.doingbusiness.org/rankings|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025055932/http://www.doingbusiness.org/rankings|archive-date=25 October 2012|access-date=24 October 2012|website=Doing Business}}] The Gross Domestic Product (PPP) was estimated at US$29.187 billion in 2018, and [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|GDP (PPP) per capita]] was over US$22,909, the second highest in Africa.[{{Cite web|title=World Bank Country and Lending Groups|url=https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups|access-date=1 July 2020|publisher=World Bank}}] The World Bank's 2019 [[Ease of Doing Business Index]] ranks Mauritius 13th worldwide out of 190 economies in terms of ease of doing business. According to the Mauritian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country's challenges are heavy reliance on a few industry sectors, high brain drain, scarcity of skilled labour, ageing population and inefficient public companies and para-statal bodies.[{{Cite web|url=https://unctad.org/meetings/en/Presentation/ditc_tncd_2015_d12_Bhuglah.pdf|title=UNCTAD TRADE POLICY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MEETING|date=2015|format=PDF|website=Unctad.org|access-date=21 November 2025}}]
According to the 2019 [[Economic Freedom of the World]] report, Mauritius is ranked as having the 9th most free economy in the world.[{{Cite web|title=Economic Freedom of the World: 2019 Annual Report|url=https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/economic-freedom-of-the-world-2019.pdf|access-date=26 October 2019}}]
Mauritius has historically relied on external financial inflows like tourism revenue, offshore finance and foreign aid.[{{cite web |url=https://theconversation.com/chagos-islands-how-mauritius-can-turn-a-diplomatic-triumph-into-real-economic-growth-257774 |title=Chagos islands: how Mauritius can turn a diplomatic triumph into real economic growth |work=The Conversation |date=2 June 2025 |access-date=8 June 2025}}]
=== Financial services ===
[[File:Mauritius port louis.jpg|thumb|[[Port-Louis]], the capital of Mauritius]]
In 2018, financial and insurance activities contributed to 11.1% of the Mauritius's GDP.[{{Cite web|title=Contribution to GDP|url=https://www.fscmauritius.org/en/statistics/contribution-to-gdp|access-date=31 March 2019|website=[[Financial Services Commission (Mauritius)]]|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131533/https://www.fscmauritius.org/en/statistics/contribution-to-gdp}}] Over the years, Mauritius has been positioning itself as the preferred hub for investment into Africa due its strategic location between Asia and Africa, hybrid regulatory framework, ease of doing business, investment protection treaties, non-double taxation treaties, highly qualified and multilingual workforce, political stability, low crime rate coupled with modern infrastructure and connectivity. It is home to a number of international banks, legal firms, corporate services, investment funds and private equity funds. Financial products and services include private banking, global business, insurance and reinsurance, limited companies, protected cell companies, trust and foundation, investment banking, global headquarter administration.[{{Cite web|title=Overview of the Financial Services Sector|url=http://www.edbmauritius.org/opportunities/financial-services/fs-overview/#tabname-3901-2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331181342/http://www.edbmauritius.org/opportunities/financial-services/fs-overview/#tabname-3901-2|archive-date=31 March 2019|access-date=31 March 2019|website=Economic Development Board}}][{{Cite web|title=Africa Strategy|url=http://www.edbmauritius.org/africa-strategy/africa-strategy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131530/http://www.edbmauritius.org/africa-strategy/africa-strategy/|archive-date=31 March 2019|access-date=31 March 2019|website=Economic Development Board}}]
Corporate tax rate ranges from 15% to 17% and individual tax rate ranges from 10% to 25%.[{{Cite web|date=31 August 2020|title=Mauritius Personal Tax: Solidarity Levy|url=https://www.dtos-mu.com/mauritius-personal-tax-solidarity-levy/|access-date=9 August 2021|website=DTOS}}][{{Cite web|title=Corporate – Taxes on corporate income|url=https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/mauritius/corporate/taxes-on-corporate-income|access-date=9 August 2021|website=PWC}}] While Mauritius also offers incentives such as tax holidays and exemptions in some specific sectors to boost its competitiveness, Mauritius is often tagged as a [[tax haven]] by the press due to individuals and companies who engaged in abusive practices in its financial sector.[{{Cite web|date=23 July 2019|title=Treasure Island: Leak Reveals How Mauritius Siphons Tax From Poor Nations to Benefit Elites|url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/mauritius-leaks/treasure-island-leak-reveals-how-mauritius-siphons-tax-from-poor-nations-to-benefit-elites/|access-date=9 August 2021|website=ICIJ}}] Mauritius has built up a solid reputation by making use of best practices and adopting a strong legal and regulatory framework to demonstrate its compliance with international demands for greater transparency.[{{Cite web|date=August 2019|title=Mauritius: Not a tax haven but a competitive and attractive cross-border investment platform|url=https://www.lexpress.mu/node/358225|access-date=9 August 2021|website=[[L'Express (Mauritius)]]}}]
In June 2015, Mauritius adhered to the multilateral [[Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters]], and has an exchange information mechanism with 127 jurisdictions. Mauritius is a founding member of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti Money Laundering Group and has been at the forefront in the fight against money laundering and other forms of financial crime. Mauritius has adopted exchange of information on an automatic basis under the [[Common Reporting Standard]] and the [[Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act]].[{{Cite web|title=Prime Minister denies Mauritius being a tax haven|url=http://www.govmu.org/English/News/Pages/-Prime-Minister-denies-Mauritius-being-a-tax-haven.aspx|access-date=31 March 2019|website=[[Government of Mauritius]]|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331131526/http://www.govmu.org/English/News/Pages/-Prime-Minister-denies-Mauritius-being-a-tax-haven.aspx}}]
=== Tourism ===
{{Main|Tourism in Mauritius}}
[[File:Fine sand at Le Morne Beach in Mauritius (53697781831).jpg|thumb|A tropical beach in [[Le Morne Brabant|Le Morne]]]]
Mauritius is a major tourist destination, and the tourism sector is one of the main pillars of the Mauritian economy. Mauritius enjoys a tropical climate with clear warm sea waters, beaches, tropical fauna and flora, complemented by a multi-ethnic and cultural population.[{{Cite web|title=Code of ethics of tourism for Mauritius|url=http://www.tourism-mauritius.mu/documents/ethic_code.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121054348/http://www.tourism-mauritius.mu/documents/ethic_code.pdf|archive-date=21 January 2012|access-date=28 January 2012|publisher=MTPA}}] In 2025, the number of tourist arrivals recorded was 1.44 million, an increase from the 1.38 million in 2024.[{{Cite web|url=https://atta.travel/resource/mauritius-records-3-9-rise-in-2025-tourist-arrivals.html|title=Mauritius records 3.9% rise in 2025 tourist arrivals|website=atta.travel}}]
Mauritius has two [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Sites]], namely, [[Aapravasi Ghat]] and [[Le Morne Brabant|Le Morne Cultural Landscape]]. [[Black River Gorges National Park]] is currently in the UNESCO tentative list.[{{Cite web|title=Mauritius|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/mu/|access-date=20 May 2019|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre}}]
===Transport===
{{Main|Transport in Mauritius}}
[[File:Metro Express Mauritius.jpg|thumb|An [[CAF Urbos|Urbos 100–3]] at Rose Hill Central Station]]
Public transit in Mauritius has been free of charge for students, people with disabilities, and senior citizens since 2005 for buses, and later for trains.[{{Cite web|title=Rs 32 M de plus pour le transport gratuit|url=http://www.lematinal.com/economie/3558-rs-32-m-de-plus-pour-le-transport-gratuit.html|access-date=22 August 2014|publisher=Le Matinal|language=fr}}] The [[Metro Express (Mauritius)|Metro Express]] railway links all five cities and the [[University of Mauritius]] at [[Réduit, Moka|Réduit]], with planned expansion to the east and south. Former privately owned industrial railways have been abandoned since the 1960s.
The harbour of [[Port Louis]] handles international trade and a cruise terminal. The [[Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport]], the largest one in the Indian Ocean, is the main international airport and serves as the home operating base for the national airline [[Air Mauritius]].[{{Cite web|title=Mauritius airport inaugurates US$305m terminal|url=http://www.passengerterminaltoday.com/viewnews.php?NewsID=51796|access-date=22 August 2014|publisher=Passenger Terminal Today}}] The [[Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport|Plaine Corail Airport]] operates from [[Rodrigues]] ensuring air link with the main island of Mauritius and international flights with [[Réunion]].
=== Information and communications technology (ICT) ===
The information and communications technology (ICT) sector has contributed to 5.7% of its GDP in 2016.[{{Cite web|title=Statistics Mauritius – ICT Statistics Year 2016|url=http://statsmauritius.govmu.org/English/Publications/Pages/ICT_Stats_Yr2016.aspx|access-date=13 November 2018|website=statsmauritius.govmu.org|language=en-US}}]
Additionally, the African Network Information Centre ([[AFRINIC]]) – the [[regional Internet registry]] for Africa – is based in [[Ebene, Mauritius|Ebene]].
Mauritius is also connected to global Internet infrastructure via multiple optical fibre [[submarine communications cable]]s, including the Lower Indian Ocean Network ([[LION (cable system)|LION]]) cable, the [[Mauritius–Rodrigues Submarine Cable]], and the South Africa Far East ([[SAFE (cable system)|SAFE]]) cable.
=== Biomedical exports ===
Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, Mauritius has become the world's leading exporter of [[macaque]]s for biomedical testing. During the pandemic, China, formerly the world's top macaque exporter, restricted its exports in order to bolster its domestic supply. Western nations have increasingly looked to Mauritius to supply their laboratories. Farmers and trappers on the islands sell the monkeys to exporters and breeders. Proponents of the industry say that it regulates the invasive macaque population, to the benefit of agriculture and the islands' biodiversity. Some Hindu Mauritians have raised ethical and religious objections to industry practices.[{{Cite web |last=Poisson |first=Guillaume |date=2026-01-01 |title=Mauritians speak out for their macaques |url=https://mondediplo.com/2026/01/10mauritius |access-date=2026-01-28 |website=Le Monde diplomatique |language=en}}]
== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Mauritius}}
=== Art ===
Prominent Mauritian painters include [[Henri Le Sidaner]], [[Malcolm de Chazal]], Raouf Oderuth and [[Vaco Baissac]] while [[Gabrielle Wiehe]] is a prominent illustrator and graphic designer.[{{Cite magazine|title=Experience Mauritius Through Vaco Baissac|magazine=Kreol International Magazine|url=https://kreolmagazine.com/culture/art/experience-mauritius-through-vaco-baissac/}}]
[[File:Place D’Armes, Port Louis, Mauritius 1930s.jpg|thumb| alt= Vintage Mauritius|
Mauritius in the 1930s.]]
[[File:Chinatown, Port Louis, Mauritius 1860s.jpg|thumb|alt= Vintage years|Chinatown in the 1860s]]
[[File: View_of_Ebene.jpg|thumb|alt= Ebene City|Ebene City]]
The [[Mauritius "Post Office" stamps]], the first stamps produced outside Great Britain, among the rarest postage stamps in the world, are widely considered "the greatest item in all philately".[David Feldman SA, ''Mauritius: Classic Postage Stamps and Postal History'', Switzerland (1993), ''Prices Realized supplement''.]
===Architecture===
The distinctive architecture of Mauritius reflects the island nation's history as a colonial trade base connecting Europe with the East. Styles and forms introduced by Dutch, French, and British settlers from the seventeenth century onward, mixed with influences from India and East Africa, resulted in a unique hybrid architecture of international historic, social, and artistic significance. Mauritian structures present a variety of designs, materials, and decorative elements that are unique to the country and inform the historical context of the Indian Ocean and European colonialism.[{{Cite web|title=Traditional Architecture of Mauritius|url=https://www.wmf.org/project/traditional-architecture-mauritius|website=World Monuments Fund}}]
Decades of political, social, and economic change have resulted in the routine destruction of Mauritian architectural heritage. Between 1960 and 1980, the historic homes of the island's high grounds, known locally as campagnes, disappeared at alarming rates. More recent years have witnessed the demolition of plantations, residences, and civic buildings as they have been cleared or drastically renovated for new developments to serve an expanding tourism industry. The capital city of Port Louis remained relatively unchanged until the mid-1990s, yet now reflects the irreversible damage that has been inflicted on its built heritage. Rising land values are pitted against the cultural value of historical structures in Mauritius, while the prohibitive costs of maintenance and the steady decline in traditional building skills make it harder to invest in preservation.[{{Cite web|date=6 June 2014|title=Old Colonial and Creole-Style Houses in Mauritius – Part 1 – Vintage Mauritius|url=http://vintagemauritius.org/vintage-houses/old-colonial-creole-style-houses-mauritius-part-1/}}]
=== Literature ===
{{Main|Mauritian literature}}
Mauritius is remembered in literature mostly for the novel [[Paul et Virginie]], a classic of [[French literature]], by [[Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre|Bernardin de Saint-Pierre]] and for [[Dodo (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)|Alice's Adventures in Wonderland's Dodo]]
[[J. M. G. Le Clézio|Jean-Marie Le Clézio]], [[Ananda Devi]], [[Nathacha Appanah]], [[Malcolm de Chazal]], [[Eugénie Poujade]], [[Marie-Thérèse Humbert]], [[Shenaz Patel]], [[Khal Torabully]], [[Aqiil Gopee]], [[South Africa|South-African]] born [[Lindsey Collen|Lindsey Collen-Seegobin]] writing in [[English Language|English]] and [[French language|French]], [[Dev Virahsawmy]] writing mostly in [[Mauritian Creole]] and [[Abhimanyu Unnuth]] writing in [[Hindi]] are some of the most prominent Mauritian writers. Le Clézio, who won the [[Nobel Prize for Literature]] in 2008, is of Mauritian heritage and holds dual French-Mauritian citizenship. The island plays host to the Le Prince Maurice Prize. In keeping with the island's literary culture the prize alternates on a yearly basis between English-speaking and French-speaking writers.
=== Media ===
{{Main|Mass media in Mauritius}}
=== Music ===
{{Main|Music of Mauritius|Sega (genre)}}
The major musical genres of Mauritius are [[Sega (genre)|sega]] and its [[fusion genre]], [[seggae]], [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]] [[Indian folk music|folk songs]] and [[Filmi|Indian film music]] especially [[Bollywood]]. [[Western classical music]] and [[Indian classical music]] are taught, respectively, at the François Mitterrand Conservatory and the [[Mahatma Gandhi Institute (Mauritius)|Mahatma Gandhi Institute]].
=== Cuisine ===
{{Further|Mauritian cuisine}}
[[File:Bol-renverse.jpg|thumb|Bol renversé]]
[[Mauritian cuisine]] is a combination of Indian, Creole, French and Chinese cuisines, with many dishes unique to the island. Local variants of Asian and European cuisines include vegetarian and non vegetarian [[curries]], [[paratha]]s locally known as ''farata'' or ''roti'', the potato rich [[biryani|briani]], wok prepared [[fried noodles|mines frires]] and [[fried rice|diriz frires]], a [[chop suey]] dish known as ''bol renversé'' (upside-down bowl), sausage and tomato based ''[[rougaille]]'' and [[Mughlai cuisine|Mughlai]]-origin [[falooda|alouda]], a cold beverage, amongst others. Locally made French pastry and bread are sold in most localities with locally unique desserts like ''napolitaine'', a local version of [[sablé (biscuit)|sablé]] coated with a pink icing, coconut based ''gâteau coco'' and ''macacha coco'' and iced [[kulfi]].[{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qvSjmNljMfQC | title=Le cari partagé: Anthropologie de l'alimentation à l'ile de la Réunion | isbn=978-2-84586-017-9 | last1=Cohen | first1=Patrice | date=January 2000 | publisher=KARTHALA Editions }}][{{Cite web|url=https://www.academiedugout.fr/recettes/comme-un-bol-renverse_11761_4|title=Comme un bol renversé par Académie du Goût|website=L'Académie du Goût}}][{{Cite web|url=https://www.reunionsaveurs.com/cuisine-et-gastronomie-reunion/accompagnements/le-rougail-de-la-reunion-pilon-ou-marmite.php|title=rougail de la réunion: recette 974 des rougails pilon et marmite|date=1 December 2011|website=Réunion saveurs : Recette cuisine réunionnaise 974}}][{{Cite web|url=https://www.infoilemaurice.com/alouda/|title=Alouda, la boisson de l'Ile Maurice par excellence |date=23 March 2019|website=République de Ile Maurice |language=fr}}][{{Cite web|url=https://www.tasteatlas.com/alouda|title=Alouda |website=TasteAtlas}}]
[[Spice mix|Masala]] spices, [[dal]]s, ''zassar'' from Indian-origin [[South Asian pickle|achar]] and leaf vegetables known as [[Leaf vegetable|brèdes]] are commonly consumed in all households. [[Street food]] sold by hawkers include popular wraps [[Dal puri|''dholl puri'']] and [[roti]], local versions of Indian [[pakoras]] like ''gâteau piment'' and [[chole bhature|chana puris]].[{{Cite web|last=Roberts|first=Darlene|date=20 October 2016|title=Mauritius Dholl Puri (Yellow Split Pea Wrap)|url=https://www.internationalcuisine.com/mauritius-dholl-puri/|access-date=20 October 2016|publisher=International Cuisine}}][{{Cite web|url=https://www.supertoinette.com/glossaire-cuisine/519/culinaire/achards.html|title=Achards - définition de "Achards"" - dictionnaire de cuisine|website=Supertoinette}}][{{Cite web|url=https://www.jardinsdefrance.org/les-bredes-legumes-feuilles-des-pays-tropicaux/|title=Les brèdes : légumes feuilles des pays tropicaux|access-date=21 November 2025}}][{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KDBuDwAAQBAJ&dq=Chapati+eastern+africa&pg=PA239 | title=Knowledge and the Indian Ocean: Intangible Networks of Western India and Beyond | isbn=978-3-319-96839-1 | last1=Keller | first1=Sara | date=11 September 2018 | publisher=Springer }}][{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9XCjAQAAQBAJ&dq=Chapati+eastern+africa&pg=PA124 | title=Street Food around the World: An Encyclopedia of Food and Culture: An Encyclopedia of Food and Culture | isbn=978-1-59884-955-4 | last1=Kraig | first1=Bruce | last2=Colleen Taylor Sen Ph | first2=D. | date=9 September 2013 | publisher=Abc-Clio }}]
=== Holidays and festivals ===
The public holidays of Mauritius involve the blending of several cultures from Mauritius's history. There are [[Hindu festivals]], [[Christian festivals]], [[Chinese festivals]], and [[Muslim festivals]].[{{Cite web|title=Public Holidays - 2020.pdf|url=http://pmo.govmu.org/English/Documents/Communiqu%C3%A9%20and%20Reports/Public%20holidays%20-%202020.pdf|access-date=4 November 2019}}] There are 14 annual public holidays in Mauritius with New Year celebrated over two days if it falls on a weekend. All the public holidays related to religious festivals have dates that vary from year to year except for Christmas. Other festivals such as [[Holi]], [[Raksha Bandhan]], [[Durga Puja]],[{{Cite web|date=20 September 2017|title=Mauritius: Celebration of Durga Puja over nine days for Hindu devotees of the island|url=https://mauritiushindinews.com/mauritius-hindu-festival/mauritius-celebration-durga-puja-nine-days-hindu-devotees-island/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125034911/https://mauritiushindinews.com/mauritius-hindu-festival/mauritius-celebration-durga-puja-nine-days-hindu-devotees-island/|archive-date=25 November 2022|access-date=25 November 2022|website=Hindi Pracharak|language=en-US}}{{cbignore}}] [[Makar Sankranti]] and [[Jacques-Désiré Laval|Père Laval Pilgrimage]] also enrich the cultural landscape of Mauritius.
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="text-align:left;"
|- style="text-align:left"
!Public holidays in Mauritius in 2026[{{cite web|url=https://pmo.govmu.org/Communique/GN_No._1195-Public_Holidays_2026.pdf|title=General Notice No 1218 of 2022 – Public Holidays – 2023|publisher=Republic of Mauritius|access-date=14 July 2023}}]!! Date
|-
| [[New Year]]|| Thursday 1 January – Friday 2 January
|-
| [[Abolition of slavery in the British Empire|Abolition of Slavery]]|| Sunday 1 February
|-
| [[Thaipusam|Thaipoosam Cavadee]]|| Saturday 1 February
|-
| [[Mahashivratri|Maha Shivaratri]]|| Sunday 15 February
|-
| [[Chinese Spring Festival]]|| Tuesday 17 February
|-
| [[History of Mauritius|Independence and Republic Day]]|| Thursday 12 March
|-
| [[Ugadi|Ougadi]]|| Thursday 19 March
|-
| [[Eid al-Fitr|Eid-Ul-Fitr]] (''Depending on the visibility of the moon'')|| Saturday 21 March
|-
| [[Labour Day]]|| Friday 1 May
|-
|[[All Saints Day]]|| Saturday 15 August
|-
| [[Ganesh Chaturthi]]|| Wednesday 16 September
|-
| [[Indian indentured emigration|Arrival of Indian Indentured Labourers]]|| Monday 2 November
|-
| [[Diwali|Divali]]|| Sunday 8 November
|-
| [[Christmas]]|| Friday 25 December
|}
=== Sports ===
{{see also|Football in Mauritius}}[[File:Maiden Cup 2006, Champ de Mars Racecourse, Port Louis, Mauritius - 20060910.jpg|thumb|The Maiden Cup in 2006]]
The most popular sport in Mauritius is [[association football|football]][Richards, Alexandra.''Mauritius: Rodrigues, Réunion''. Bradt Travel Guides, 2009, p. 90] and the [[Mauritius women's national football team|national team]] is known as The Dodos or [[Mauritius national football team|Club M]]. Other popular sports in Mauritius include cycling, table tennis, horse racing, badminton, volleyball, basketball, handball, boxing, judo, karate, taekwondo, weightlifting, bodybuilding and athletics. Water sports include swimming, sailing, scuba diving, windsurfing and [[kitesurfing]].
[[Kimberley Le Court|Kim le Court]] is a successful professional [[Cycling|cyclist]]. With multiple podium places in the [[African Road Championships]], she is the 2024 national road race and time trial champion. She won stage 8 of the [[2024 Giro d'Italia Women]]. In 2025, she won [[Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes|Liege-Bastogne-Liege Femmes]], came 3rd overall in the [[UAE Tour|UAE Tour Women]] and 5th in the [[Tour of Flanders for Women]].
[[Thoroughbred horse racing|Horseracing]], which dates from 1812 when the [[Champ de Mars Racecourse]] was inaugurated, remains popular. The Mauritius Turf Club is the oldest horse-racing club in the [[Southern Hemisphere]] and the second oldest in the world.[{{cite web|url=http://www.mauritiusturfclub.com/index.php/presentation/historique|publisher=The Mauritius Turf Club|title=The Mauritius Turf Club|access-date=12 September 2016}}] Mauritius hosted the second (1985), fifth (2003) and tenth editions (2019) of the [[Indian Ocean Island Games]]. Mauritius won its first Olympic medal at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in Beijing when boxer [[Bruno Julie]] won the bronze medal.
In golf, the former [[Mauritius Open]] and the current [[AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open]] have been part of the [[European Tour]].
== See also ==
{{Portal|left=yes|Countries|Africa|Islands}}
* [[Outline of Mauritius]]
== Notes ==
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist|group=Note}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book|last=Macdonald|first=Fiona|title=Peoples of Africa|pages=340–341|chapter=Mauritius|display-authors=etal}}
* ''This article incorporates public domain text from the websites of the [http://www.govmu.org/ Government of Mauritius] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022022534/http://www1.govmu.org/ |date=22 October 2018 }}, the [[United States Department of State]], the U.S. [[Library of Congress]], and the [[The World Factbook|CIA World Factbook]].''
{{refend}}
== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book|last=Bahadur|first=Gaiutra|title=Coolie Woman: The Odyssey of Indenture|publisher=The University of Chicago|year=2014|isbn=978-0-226-21138-1}}
* {{Cite book|last=Moree|first=Perry J.|title=A Concise History of Dutch Mauritius, 1598–1710: A Fruitful and Healthy Land|publisher=Routledge|year=1998}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Vink |first1=Markus |title='The World's Oldest Trade': Dutch Slavery and Slave Trade in the Indian Ocean in the Seventeenth Century |journal=Journal of World History |date=June 2003 |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=131–177 |doi=10.1353/jwh.2003.0026 }}
===Novels===
* [[Geneviève Dormann]], ''Le bal du dodo'', Albin Michel, 2000, {{ISBN|978-2-226-03656-8}}.
* [[J. M. G. Le Clézio]], ''La quarantaine'', Gallimard, 1997, {{ISBN|978-2-07-040210-6}}.
* [[Nathacha Appanah]], ''Les rochers de poudre d'or'', Gallimard, 2006.
* [[Shenaz Patel]], ''Le silence des Chagos'', [[éditions de l'Olivier]], 2005, {{ISBN|978-2-87929-454-4}}.
== External links ==
{{Sister project links|Mauritius|voy=Mauritius}}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13882233 Country Profile] from [[BBC News]]
* [http://www.ifs.du.edu/ifs/frm_CountryProfile.aspx?Country=MU Key Development Forecasts for Mauritius] from [[International Futures]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080607053434/http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/mauritius.htm Mauritius] at ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''
* [https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/370153/Mauritius Mauritius] entry at ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''
* {{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Mauritius}}
===Government===
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120101020658/http://www.boimauritius.com/ Board of Investment]
* [http://www.govmu.org/ Mauritius Government portal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022022534/http://www1.govmu.org/ |date=22 October 2018 }}
* [http://statsmauritius.govmu.org/ Statistics Mauritius]
===Geography===
* {{OSM relation|1=535828#map=10/-20.2963/57.6727}}
* {{Wikiatlas|Mauritius}}
* [http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=-20.2544671&lon=57.5614929&z=10&l=0&m=b&search=mauritius WikiSatellite view of Mauritius at WikiMapia]
{{Mauritius topics}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Articles relating to Mauritius
| list =
{{Countries of Africa}}
{{Countries and territories bordering the Indian Ocean}}
{{Southern African Development Community}}
{{African Union}}
{{Commonwealth of Nations}}
{{La Francophonie|collapsed}}
{{Community of Portuguese Language Countries|collapsed}}
{{English dialects by continent}}
{{Somali Plate}}
{{Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1638 establishments in the Dutch Empire]]
[[Category:1968 establishments in Africa]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where English is an official language]]
[[Category:Countries in Africa]]
[[Category:Countries in East Africa]]
[[Category:Countries and territories where French is an official language]]
[[Category:Island countries of the Indian Ocean]]
[[Category:Island countries]]
[[Category:Mascarene Islands]]
[[Category:Mauritius| ]]
[[Category:Member states of the African Union]]
[[Category:Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:Member states of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie]]
[[Category:Member states of the United Nations]]
[[Category:Miocene Africa]]
[[Category:Populated places established by the Dutch East India Company]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1638]]
[[Category:Republics in the Commonwealth of Nations]]
[[Category:Small Island Developing States]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1968]]