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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.
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