[97] Its North Island is 12.5 km (7 3⁄4 mi) long and 1.5 km (7⁄8 mi) wide, while its South Island is 7 by 4.5 km (4 1⁄4 by 2 3⁄4 mi). The political party or party alliance that wins the majority of seats in Parliament forms the government. [98] Mauritius has the second highest population density in Africa. He also made Port Louis become a municipality so that the citizens could administer the town through their own elected representatives. Slavery was abolished in 1835, and the planters ultimately received two million pounds sterling in compensation for the loss of their slaves, who had been imported from Africa and Madagascar during the French occupation. Updated Communique with regards to the spread of the “new coronavirus” (Covid-2019) Following the continuous and rapid spread of the Covid-19 virus, the following precautionary measures have been adopted by the Mauritian Authorities: Information and communications technology. The island plays host to the Le Prince Maurice Prize. QUARANTINE PERIOD EXTENDED TO 31 MAY 2021. Overland, Indra; Bazilian, Morgan; Ilimbek Uulu, Talgat; Vakulchuk, Roman; Westphal, Kirsten (2019). The island also has a coral reef and extensive limestone deposits. In October 1996 the triple murder of political activists at Gorah-Issac Street in Port Louis led to several arrests and a long investigation. [153] Bhojpuri, once widely spoken as a mother tongue, has become less commonly spoken over the years. Mauritius was never really threatened but several British ships were sunk outside Port Louis by German submarines in 1943. Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius. These four public universities and several other technical institutes and higher education colleges are tuition-free for students as of 2019. [89] Its location on the edge of protected fragile marine ecosystems and a wetland of international importance made the MV Wakashio oil spill one of the worst environmental disasters ever to hit the western Indian Ocean. The island is hilly with a central spine culminating in the highest peak, Mountain Limon at 398 m (1,306 ft). The resulting report delved into the cause of poverty and qualified many tenacious beliefs as perceptions. Mauretanien grenzt an Algerien, Mali un Senegal, dorto noch an de Westsahara, de vun Marokko innahmen wurrn is. "The slave trade on Mauritius", "From Terra Australis to Australia Matthew Flinders' journeys", "Matthew Flinders, an illustrious prisoner", "Mauritius: Sugar, indentured labour and their consequences (1835–1910)", "Nominated members pioneered by Pope Hennessy", "Gujadhur and Lallah: Shock waves (1926)", "The birth of the Mauritian Labour Party", "Mauritius 1937: The Origins of a Milestone in Colonial Trade Union Legislation", "Tribute to the Martyrs of Belle Vue Harel", "The historical significance of Anjalay Coopen", "Labour Day : Remembering the Martyrdom of Anjalay", Engendering Mauritian History: The HiddenControversies over Female Suffrage, "Histoire: Mauritius Independence 1961–1968", "Sécurité: des gros bras indispensables à certains politiciens", "Belle Rose-Quatre Bornes, Ville des Fleurs", "Port Louis – Rioting against Independence at the General Elections of 1967 – Vintage Mauritius", "Why independence was irresistible (by Anand Moheeputh)", "An eye witness account of the 1968 riots", "EISA Mauritius: The road to independence (1945–1968)", "Déjeuner à Rose Hill: Fareed Muttur est mort à ma place", "Historie : Un des hommes derrière le 20 mai 75 raconte – Le Mauricien", "When India drew Top Secret 'red line' in Mauritius", "India's Ocean: the Story of India's Bid for Regional Leadership", "Port Louis Journal; Land of Apartheid Befriends an Indian Ocean Isle", "Mauritius: General election of August 1983", "Mauritius' Political Quarrel Saves the Queen", "Shooting death of 3 Hizbullah activists at Gorah-Issac Rd", "Mauritius: PM Anerood Jugnauth to hand over to son", "New Mauritius PM takes over from father, opponents cry foul", "Mauritius takes stock of oil spill two months later", https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/08/28/mauritius-oil-spill-compensation-limited-maritime-law-technicality/, "Mauritius: Promoting the Development of an Ocean Economy", "Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) Outer limits of the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines:Submissions to the Commission: Joint submission by the Republic of Mauritius and the Republic of Seychelles", "Meteorological Services − Monthly Bulletin of Climatological Summaries", "Population and Vital Statistics Republic of Mauritius, January – June 2019", "Time for UK to Leave Chagos Archipelago", "Who Owns Diego Garcia? Diogo Fernandes Pereira, a Portuguese navigator, was the first European known to land in Mauritius. [177], Mauritius currently has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely, Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne Cultural Landscape. [21] In 2019, Mauritius was ranked the most peaceful African country by the Global Peace Index.[22]. The MSM-PMSD-ML coalition was victorious at the 2014 elections under Anerood Jugnauth's leadership. St. Brandon, also known as Cargados Carajos Shoals, is located 402 kilometres (250 mi) northeast of Mauritius Island. [180] Another airport is the Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport in Rodrigues. Mauritius is also commonly known as Maurice (pronounced [mɔˈʁis]) and Île Maurice in French, Moris (pronounced [moʁis]) in Mauritian Creole.[25]. Tribunal Judges Rüdiger Wolfrum and James Kateka held that the Tribunal did have jurisdiction to decide this question, and concluded that UK does not have sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago. The movement rapidly collapsed because none of the candidates who wanted Mauritius to be given back to France were elected in the 1921 elections. Under British rule, the island's name reverted to Mauritius /məˈrɪʃəs/ (listen). It is the only country in Africa where Hinduism is the main religion with the most adherents. Places to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences. [43], 1936 saw the birth of the Labour Party, launched by Dr. Maurice Curé. [87] The incumbent president is Prithvirajsing Roopun[88] who has served since December 2019. The estimated population of the Republic of Mauritius was at 1,265,985, of whom 626,341 were males and 639,644 females as at 1 July 2019. Back in India, he sent over a young lawyer, Manilal Doctor, to improve the plight of the Indo-Mauritians. The Supreme Court is composed of various divisions exercising jurisdiction such as the Master's Court, the Family Division, the Commercial Division (Bankruptcy), the Criminal Division, the Mediation Division, the Court of First Instance in civil and criminal proceedings, the Appellate jurisdiction: the Court of Civil Appeal and the Court of Criminal Appeal. [179] There is currently a railway project under construction in Mauritius, former privately owned industrial railways having been abandoned. Local online news media provide a range of views and reportage, some of it virulently critical of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who completes his second term in 2019 amid speculation that he may seek a constitutional amendment or other arrangement that will enable him to retain power. MAURITIUS LAUNCHES ITS COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAMME. The islands were formally established as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom on 8 November 1965. Members of the MMM including Paul Bérenger were imprisoned on 23 December 1971. Geographical and historical treatment of Mauritius, including maps and a survey of its people, economy, and government. In keeping with the island's literary culture the prize alternates on a yearly basis between English-speaking and French-speaking writers. Start Planning. The island was under the administration of the French East India Company, which maintained its presence until 1767. Mauretanien blev självständigt 1960. Prominent Mauritian writers include Marie-Thérèse Humbert, Malcolm de Chazal, Ananda Devi, Shenaz Patel, Khal Torabully, J. M. G. Le Clézio, Aqiil Gopee and Dev Virahsawmy. In 2018, Mauritian president Ameenah Gurib-Fakim (the only former female head of state in the African Union) resigned over a financial scandal. The most recent National Assembly Election was held on 10 December 2014 in all the 20 mainland constituencies, and in the constituency covering the island of Rodrigues. This allowed the evolution of a number of flightless birds and large reptile species. [54], After the proclamation of the new 1947 Constitution the general elections were held on 9 August 1948 and for the first time the colonial government expanded the franchise to all adults who could write their name in one of the island's 19 languages. [90], The total land area of the country is 2,040 km2 (790 sq mi). Along with the other Mascarene Islands, Mauritius is known for its varied flora and fauna. The Mauritius Marine Conservation Society and other local groups warned that the cleanup could take much longer than expected. [29] The 1735 arrival of French governor Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais coincided with development of a prosperous economy based on sugar production. Large retail chains began opening stores in 1985 and offered credit facilities to low-income earners, thus allowing them to afford basic household appliances. The island nation enjoys a tropical climate with clear warm sea waters, beaches, tropical fauna and flora complemented by a multi-ethnic and cultural population. In the President's Report of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation dated March 2016, St Brandon is declared an official MWF project in order to promote the conservation of the atoll. In addition, the British authorities in Mauritius have been taking administrative measures with respect to Tromelin over the years, for instance, British officials granted four guano operating concessions on Tromelin island between 1901 and 1951. The general election was again won by the Labour Party, led this time by Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.[59]. Mahé de La Bourdonnais established Port Louis as a naval base and a shipbuilding centre. Mauritius has long sought sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, located 1,287 km (800 mi) to the north-east. [19] Mauritius is also ranked as the most competitive, and one of the most developed, economy in the African region. The country hosted the second (1985), fifth (2003) and tenth editions (2019) of the Indian Ocean Island Games. [195], Decades of political, social, and economic change have resulted in the routine destruction of Mauritian architectural heritage. The capital and largest city, Port Louis, is located on Mauritius, where most of the population is concentrated. On 1 October 1971 his supporter Fareed Muttur died in suspicious circumstances at Le Réduit whilst driving Paul Bérenger's car. [41], In December 1995 Navin Ramgoolam was elected as PM of the Labour-MMM alliance. [10][13] Sovereignty over Tromelin is disputed between Mauritius and France, as it was not specifically mentioned in the Treaty of Paris. [82] A commission of enquiry was set up to investigate the root causes of the social disturbance. The sovereignty of Mauritius was explicitly recognized by two of the arbitrators and denied by none of the other three. [67] The coalition government of the Labour Party and the PMSD (Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate) reacted by curtailing civil liberties and curbing freedom of the press. The combination of human exploitation and introduced species significantly reduced the dodo population. The harbour of Port Louis handles international trade as well as a cruise terminal. World War I broke out in August 1914. Destinations. The temperature difference between the seasons is only 4.3 °C (7.7 °F). [163][164][165] The Gross Domestic Product (PPP) was estimated at US$29.187 billion in 2018, and GDP (PPP) per capita was over US$22,909, the second highest in Africa. However, it denied responsibility for the Mauritius oil spill. There are 2 seasons: a warm humid summer from November to April, with a mean temperature of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) and a relatively cool dry winter from June to September with a mean temperature of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F). Learn more about Mauritius here. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. A Constitutional Review Conference was held in London in 1961, and a programme of further constitutional advance was established. This system of nominating members is commonly called the best loser system. Other festivals such as Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Durga Puja,[198] Père Laval Pilgrimage also enrich the cultural landscape of Mauritius. Spices are also a major component of Mauritian cuisine. Read More. In 1598, Dutch squadron under Admiral Wybrand van Warwyck landed at Grand Port and named the island Mauritius, in honour of Prince Maurice van Nassau, stadtholder of the Dutch Republic. [58] Guy Rozemont's party bettered its position in 1953, and, on the strength of the election results, demanded universal suffrage. Rats, pigs, and monkeys ate dodo eggs in the ground nests. The warmest months are January and February with average day maximum temperature reaching 29.2 °C (84.6 °F) and the coolest months are July and August with average overnight minimum temperatures of 16.4 °C (61.5 °F). With the gradual desiccation of the Sahara, they headed south Many of the Berber tribes claimed Yemeni (and sometimes other Arab) origins. In 2011, the Ministry of Environment & Sustainable Development issued the "Mauritius Environment Outlook Report," which recommended that St Brandon be declared a Marine Protected Area. The planters brought a large number of indentured labourers from India to work in the sugar cane fields. In fact, the 1914–1918 war was a period of great prosperity due to a boom in sugar prices. Mauritius is an island country, part of the Mascarene Islands, off the eastern coast of Africa. In February 2019, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion ordering the UK to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as rapidly as possible to complete the decolonisation of Mauritius. The Mauritian currency features the Latin, Tamil and Devanagari scripts. They found that:[111], The Tribunal's decision determined that the UK's undertaking to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius gives Mauritius an interest in significant decisions that bear upon possible future uses of the Archipelago. However, article 36 of the International Court of Justice Statute provides that it is the option of the state whether it wishes to subject itself to the court's jurisdiction. Mauritius is a member of the World Trade Organization, the Commonwealth of Nations, La Francophonie, the African Union, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), the Indian Ocean Commission, COMESA, and formed the Indian Ocean Rim Association. One&Only Le Saint Géran Resorts gives viewers a brand new view of the beautiful island of Mauritius with EarthCam… [45][46] Labour Day was celebrated for the first time in 1938. [57][55] In 1948 Emilienne Rochecouste became the first woman to be elected to the Legislative Council, serving until 1953. [26][28], France, which already controlled neighbouring Île Bourbon (now Réunion), took control of Mauritius in 1715 and renamed it Isle de France. [156], The adult literacy rate was estimated at 92.7% in 2015. Raoul Rivet, the editor of Le Mauricien newspaper, campaigned for a revision of the constitution that would give the emerging middle class a greater role in the running of the country. [192] It is the largest event for developers in Mauritius organised in conjunction with local usergroups. [80] Political power remained with the prime minister. 6, Adolphe de Plevitz Street - Port Louis. [185][186] The community has been going strong since sometimes with the organisation of the DevCon, a free tech-inclusive 3-day conference with sponsors such as JetBrains,[187] the Mauritius Commercial Bank,[188] Astek,[189] SUPINFO,[190] Ceridian[191] and SDWorkx. In 1965, three years before Mauritius became independent, the UK split off the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritian territory, and also split off the islands of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches from the Seychelles, to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The first Dutch settlement lasted 20 years. Many Mauritians volunteered to fight in Europe against the Germans and in Mesopotamia against the Turks. Work contracts for these craftsmen were signed in 1734 at the time when they acquired their freedom.[31]. The Constitution only mentions that the official language of the National Assembly is English; however, any member can also address the chair in French. Search Lonely Planet. The total area of both islands is 26 km2 (10 sq mi). The archipelago consists of 16 Islands and Islets. Relations with India is very strong for both historical and commercial reasons. This caused a public outcry and the government had to review its policy. The president of the court, Abdulqawi Ahmed Yusuf, said the detachment of the Chagos Archipelago in 1965 from Mauritius had not been based on a "free and genuine expression of the people concerned." [41] In 1912, a wider telephone network came into service, used by the government, business firms, and a few private households. skøn 1995). Day 1-2: Most travelers arrive in Mauritius via the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Plaine Magnien, a village in the southeast. Mauritius has a single-structured judicial system consisting of two tiers, the Supreme Court and subordinate courts. Mauritius is a leading beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act and a U.S. partner in combating maritime piracy in the Indian Ocean. During World War II, conditions were hard in the country; the prices of commodities doubled but workers’ salaries increased only by 10 to 20 percent. As early as 1984, there was discontent. Intl Airport (MRU), Motels near S. Seewoosagur Ram. It is 65 km (40 mi) long and 45 km (30 mi) wide. Financial products and services, includes private banking, global business, insurance and reinsurance, limited companies, protected cell companies, trust and foundation, investment banking, global headquarter administration. Shangri-Laâs Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Mauritius, Sofitel Mauritius L'Imperial Resort & Spa, Full-Day Mauritius Volcanic Wonders Tour Including Swimming with Wild Dolphins, Dolphins encounter and BBQ on Benitiers Island, Swimming with Wild Dolphins and Whale Watching (Breakfast & Lunch Included), Whale and Dolphin Watching Private Boat Tour from Mauritius, Day - Dolphin trip and Benitier Island with Lunch, Mauritius Wild Dolphin Swim Including Transportation, Nature Discovery Guided Tour: Dolphins, Tortoises, Crocodiles and the Wild South, The Leading Hotels Of The World in Mauritius, Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels in Mauritius, InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in Mauritius, Constance Hotels and Resorts in Mauritius, Mauritius Adults Only and Adult Friendly Hotels, Hotels near Black River Gorges National Park, Hotels near Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, Hotels near S. Seewoosagur Ram. A general election took place on 7 August 1967, and the Independence Party obtained the majority of seats. The island of Rodrigues is a single district that returns two members. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. internal United Kingdom documents suggested an ulterior motive behind the MPA, noting disturbing similarities and a common pattern between the establishment of the so-called "BIOT" in 1965 and the proclamation of the MPA in 2010; the excision of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius in 1965 shows a complete disregard for the territorial integrity of Mauritius by the UK; This page was last edited on 3 March 2021, at 12:20. [14] Mauritius remained a primarily plantation-based colony of the United Kingdom until independence in 1968. [60][61] On 10 May 1965 racial riots broke out in the village of Trois Boutiques near Souillac and progressed to the historic village of Mahebourg. France officially ceded Mauritius including all its dependencies to Britain through the Treaty of Paris, signed on 30 May 1814 and in which Réunion was returned to France. The UN Human Rights Committee (UNHRC), which monitors member states' compliance with the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights (ICPCR), has criticised the country's Best Loser System following a complaint by a local youth and trade union movement. British naval cartographer and explorer Matthew Flinders was arrested and detained by General Decaen on the island from 1803 to 1810,[35][36] in contravention of an order from Napoléon. QUARANTINE PERIOD EXTENDED TO 31 March 2021. During the Napoleonic Wars, Mauritius became a base from which French corsairs organised successful raids on British commercial ships. Visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Mauritius. Mauritius claims sovereignty over Tromelin island, as does France. Mauritius is also the source of the Mauritius "Post Office" stamps, among the rarest postage stamps in the world, last sold for $4 million, and considered "the greatest item in all philately" by some. Before the Portuguese arrival in 1507, there were no terrestrial mammals on the island. Local usergroups include the Front-end coders, GophersMU, the Mauritius Makers Community, the Python Mauritius User Group(PyMUG) and the Linux User Group of Mauritius (LUGM). There are Hindu festivals, Chinese festivals, Muslim festivals, as well as Christian festivals. The Mauritius Island (Mauritian Creole: Isle Moris; French: Île Maurice, pronounced [il mɔʁis]) is relatively young geologically, having been created by volcanic activity some 8 million years ago. The country spans 2,040 square kilometres (790 sq mi) and has an Exclusive Economic Zone covering 2.3 million square kilometres.[12]. In addition, the islands of Rodrigues, Agalega, St Brandon and the Chagos Archipelago were also not specifically mentioned in the Treaty of Paris but became part of the British Colony of Mauritius as they were dependencies of Isle de France at that time.