Official Name: Republic of Mauritius

Area: Africa

Size: 2,040 km²

Coastline: 177 km

Independence: from the UK March 12, 1968

Form of Govt.: Republic

Head of Govt.: Prime Minister

Capital: Port Louis

Largest City: Port Louis

Demographics (2005): 1,219,220.   616 /km² 

Indian/South Asian 68%, Creole 27%, Chinese 3%, French 2%

GDP per Capita (2005): $ 13,703 

Languages: English (Official), French, Mauritian Creole, Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bojpoori, Tamil

Geography: Mauritius is an island located in the southern Indian Ocean around 800 km (497 mi) off Madagascar. The territory also includes the islands of Agalega, Rodrigues and the St. Brandon group. The island is of volcanic origin and has a central broad plateau sloping to a coastal plain in the north. Mauritius has an indented coastline with many natural harbors and is nearly encircled by a coral reef. There are also three mountain ranges, Moka, Grande Port and Black River Mountains. Rodrigues is also composed of basalt and is mountainous with a central region that divides the island from southeast to northwest. The principal rivers are the Grand River South East and the Grand River North West, additionally, some lakes have formed in the volcanic craters.

Climate: Mauritius has a tropical maritime climate with the SE trade winds prevailing from April to November. Devastating tropical cyclones occur from November to March and rainfall is at its heaviest during this period. Humidity increases while temperature decreases with altitude. Average annual precipitation varies from 850 mm in the northwest to 5,000 mm on the central plateau. Average temperature ranges are from 17 to 24 degrees in August to 23 to 33 degrees in January.