About Mauritius

: Image via Wikipedia

Mauritius is perched in southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometers east of Madagascar. Officially known as the “Republic of Mauritius”, it is an island of volcanic origin. Surrounded by the fascinating coral reefs and varied species of marine life, the place stretches over an area of 1865 square kilometers. As you penetrate deeper into the island, you discover the tropical forests and plants that mark its true natural beauty.

: Image by KhayaL via Flickr

Mauritius holds a substantial population migrating from countries like Madagascar, continental Africa, Great Britain, France, China and other places from round the world. However, majority are descendants from the Indian sub-continent. English is its official language, while French dominates the realm of media, both in electronic and print. However, Mauritian Creole is its native tongue, which sounds almost similar to the French language but only with slight differences. Coming to religion, Hinduism mostly dominates the majority of the 48% population with other religions including Christianity with 32% and Islam 20% of the population.

Mauritius is an archipelago formed by a chain of volcanic eruptions that erupted undersea. Though these volcanoes are no longer active, they render a stunning look to the overall view of the island. Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire is the country’s highest peak that looks down on the extensive island.

Mauritius experiences tropical climate throughout the year, which makes it a favorite for tourists all year round. The months between July and September experience a very fine climate, driving away the torments of heat and humidity. Since rain is nearly absent during this time, it makes a good time to explore the island. Though there is no best season to visit Mauritius, winter sees the most number of tourists pouring in.

The plant and animal kingdom of Mauritius would surprise you with an array of rare and fascinating species. The entire stretch of land is covered with impenetrable rain forests making it one of the richest in flora and fauna. Varied species of plant life include different species of Casearia mauritiana, Barbel Palm, Pilea trilobata, Macaranga Mauritiana, Cheval tree, Xylopia amplexicaulis and much more. On the other hand, the animal kingdom is also in bounty with Kestrel, Black Rat, deer, Olive White-eye, Pink Pigeon, Fody, Echo Parakeet, Black Bulbul and much more.

mauritius About Mauritius