Mauritius is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 1,200 miles east of the African continent. The country is made up of several islands, with the largest being Mauritius, Rodrigues, and Agalega. The capital city is Port Louis, which is also the largest city in the country.

Mauritius is known for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and diverse culture. The island's history is a blend of European, African, and Asian cultures, which is reflected in its cuisine, music, and traditions. Visitors can explore the colonial-era architecture, the bustling markets, and the temples and mosques that dot the island.

The island's economy is driven by tourism, as well as the sugar industry, textiles, and services. The government has also invested heavily in the development of an offshore financial sector, which has helped to diversify the country's economy.

Mauritius has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures throughout the year. The best time to visit is between May and December, which is the island's dry season. The peak tourist season is from December to April, when the weather is warmer and there are more events and festivals taking place.

There are several popular tourist attractions in Mauritius, including:

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden - one of the oldest and largest botanical gardens in the world, home to a variety of plant species, including the giant Victoria water lilies.

Chamarel Waterfall - a stunning waterfall located in the southwestern part of the island.

Le Morne Brabant - a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular spot for hiking and rock climbing.

Trou aux Cerfs - a dormant volcano with a crater lake that provides stunning views of the island.

Black River Gorges National Park - a protected area of native forest and wildlife, including endangered bird species.

Overall, Mauritius is a beautiful and diverse island nation that offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and modern amenities.

Telephone Code
230

Local Emergency Phone
999

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)

Currency (Code)
Mauritian rupees (MUR)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, G

Major Languages
Creole, Bhojpuri, French

Major Religions
Hindu 48.5%, Roman Catholic 26.3%, Muslim 17.3%, other Christian 6.4%

Potable Water
Yes

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
Chamarel; Flic en Flac Beach; Port Louis; Black River Gorges National Park; Mauritius Botanical Garden

Major Sports
Soccer, athletics (track and field), badminton, basketball, boxing

Cultural Practices
It is common to be playfully slapped on the shoulder in normal conversation in Mauritius.

Tipping Guidelines
A gratuity is already included with the bill in most restaurants, but wait staff appreciate any small change, especially if you are satisfied with the service. Taxi fares are usually negotiated in advance. If the driver has been particularly informative or helpful, a tip of 100-200 rupees will suffice to show your appreciation.

Souvenirs
Pareo fabric, ship models, spices, woven items, tax free luxury goods

Traditional Cuisine
Dholl Puri — pan-fried, split pea flatbread stuffed with a variety of fillings including rougaille (a tomato-based sauce), green chutney, kheer rice pudding, or lima bean curry

Geography
Area
total: 2,040 sq km
land: 2,030 sq km
water: 10 sq km

Climate
tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)

Natural resources
arable land, fish

People and Society
Population
1,309,448 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Indo-Mauritian (compose approximately two thirds of the total population), Creole, Sino-Mauritian, Franco-Mauritian

Languages
Creole 86.5%, Bhojpuri 5.3%, French 4.1%, two languages 1.4%, other 2.6% (includes English, one of the two official languages of the National Assembly, which is spoken by less than 1% of the population), unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

Religions
Hindu 48.5%, Roman Catholic 26.3%, Muslim 17.3%, other Christian 6.4%, other 0.6%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

Population growth rate
0.09% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Port Louis

Economy
Economic overview
upper middle-income Indian Ocean island economy; diversified portfolio; investing in maritime security; strong tourism sector decimated by COVID-19; expanding in information and financial services; environmentally fragile

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$26.547 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$21,000 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
sugar cane, poultry, pumpkins, gourds, potatoes, eggs, tomatoes, pineapples, bananas, fruit

Industries
food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing, mining, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism

Exports
$3.198 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
France 10%, South Africa 10%, United States 10%, United Kingdom 8%, Zambia 7%, Madagascar 6% (2019)

Exports - commodities
fish products, raw sugar, clothing and apparel, diamonds, refined petroleum (2019)

Imports
$6.082 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
China 15%, India 13%, France 10%, South Africa 8%, United Arab Emirates 7% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, fish products, aircraft, packaged medicines (2019)