MAURITIUS
MAURITIUS Mauritius is loved for its 125 km of sandy beaches, warm climate with fresh sea breezes, luxury resorts, prosperity and security. The warm months and cyclone season run from December to February and the cooler months run from June to August. People speak English, French and Creole. Mauritius is a small island (65 x 40 km) in the Indian Ocean, 885 km east of Madagascar. It is of volcanic origin with hills up to 800 metres and a rugged plateau, there are coral reefs along the coast, small islands and a huge maritime economic zone.When the island was visited by Arabs in the 9th century, it was uninhabited and forested. Later came the Portuguese, French, English and Dutch, who named the island after Prince Maurice of Nassau and brought macaques and java deer. The native dodo and ebony were rapidly exterminated. In 1713, the French founded the capital Port Louis. When the English took over in 1810, there were 60,000 slaves. In 1835, slavery was abolished, free Africans left the plantations and until 1921, half a million contract workers were brought in from India to work in factories and sugar cane plantations. That is why Hindu temples, Bollywood films and Indian food are evident on Mauritius.
The island became independent in 1968 and a Republic in 1992. It is a prosperous democratic country, thanks to tourism, the garment industry, services and sugar production.
Nature
Asian macaques have become feral and threaten biodiversity because they displace native animals and eat agricultural produce. They steal cameras, sunglasses, hats, etc. in crowded places, which they return only after paying a ‘ransom’ in the form of sweets.
The North
Grand Bay is a busy tourist area, with hotels, restaurants and nightlife. Beaches are publicly accessible, but often occupied by hotels. Pereybere was named the most beautiful beach in the world in 2010.
Capital Port Louis (150,000 inhabitants) is notorious for traffic jams. The historic centre has been demolished. Caudan Waterfront is a boulevard with shopping and nightlife. Chateau Labourdonnais is a sugar plantation that produces rum. Pomplemousses Garden (1770) has ponds with Victoria Regia water lilies, ancient palm trees, java deer and turtles.
East and Southeast Coast
From Point Jerome, catamarans depart for the paradise beaches of Ile aux Cerfs. Ile aux Aigrettes is a nature park with protected animals, including Aldabra giant turtles and special birds. The beaches at Blue Bay are crowded at the weekend. The seaside resort of Souillac is located on the south coast, near Rochester Falls.
West Coast
Tamarin Beach is a surfer’s paradise. The fishing village of Flic and Flac, with its 13 km of beaches, is popular for scuba diving. At Chamarel, the dunes have 7 different colours of sand, probably due to the erosion of volcanic ash. Casela Nature Park offers a zipline, suspension bridges, wildlife and a petting zoo.
Inland
In Black River Gorges National Park, hiking trails through forest and hills lead to the spectacular Alexandra Falls. Ganga Talao – Grand Bassin, a volcanic crater lake, is a Hindu pilgrimage site. Giant eels live in the water.
The cuisine of Mauritius is as multicultural as its people, and encompasses French, Indian, Chinese and African influences. Street food is affordable, restaurants have international prices.
Mauritius: the world in a nutshell, beautiful beaches, exotic nature and culture!
$1365,-
| Capitap | Port Louis |
|---|---|
| Population | 1.266 million |
| Language | Engels, Frans, Creools |
| Currency | Mauritiaanse roepi |
| Visa required | www.visum.nl |
| Vaccination(s) | Yes |
| Voltage | 230 V |
| Traffic | Left-hand traffic |
