Background
:
Mauritius, independent island republic in the western
Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, a member of the Commonwealth
of Nations. The country includes the island of Mauritius,
with an area of 1,865 sq km (720 sq mi); the island of
Rodrigues (104 sq km/40 sq mi) to the east; the Agalega
Islands to the north; and the Cargados Carajos Shoals
to the northeast, which have a combined area of 71 sq
km (27 sq mi). The country has a total area of 2,040 sq
km (788 sq mi).
Economy :
The economy of Mauritius has traditionally been dominated
by a single cash crop, sugarcane. More than half the
cultivated land is planted with sugarcane; sugar and
molasses are major exports. Other crops include tea,
peanuts, tobacco, and vegetables. Manufactures include
refined sugar and sugar by-products, fertilizers, beverages,
electronic components, and leather goods. The clothing
and textile industry boomed during the 1980s, and tourism
is increasingly important. The currency of Mauritius
is the Mauritian rupee, which consists of 100 cents
(26.25 rupees equal U.S.$1; 2000 average).
Population :
The population of Mauritius (2002 estimate) is 1,200,206.
The overall population density of 588 persons per sq
km (1,524 per sq mi) is one of the highest in the world
for countries. Port Louis, the capital and largest city,
has a population (1998 estimate) of 147,131. More than
two-thirds of the people are Indian immigrants and their
descendants. People of mixed African and European descent,
known as Creoles, constitute about a quarter of the
total. Chinese and European minorities also exist. The
majority of the Indo-Mauritians are Hindus; the rest
are Muslims. Most Creoles are Roman Catholics. English
is the official language, but Creole, a French patois,
is commonly spoken. Other common languages are French,
Hindi, and Bhojpuri
Government :
From 1968 through 1991 Mauritius was a constitutional
monarchy; executive power was nominally vested in the
British monarch, as represented by a governor-general.
In March 1992 the country became a republic. Under the
1992 constitution, the head of state is a president,
elected to a five-year term by the legislature. The
president appoints a prime minister (traditionally the
leader of the majority party in the legislature), who
is the chief executive. The legislative body is the
National Assembly, which consists of 62 directly elected
representatives and 4 others appointed by the Supreme
Court to ensure representation of various ethnic groups.
National Assembly members serve five-year terms.
Language :
English is the official language. French is extensively
used and Creole is widely spoken. Asian languages also
form part of the linguistic mosaic.
History :
Although it has been settled for less than 400 years,
Mauritius was probably visited by the Arabs before the
10th century, the Malays in the 1400s, and the Portuguese
in the early 1500s. It was occupied in 1598 by the Dutch,
who named it for Maurice of Nassau, then stadtholder
of The Netherlands. The Dutch left in 1710, and in 1715
the French took possession, renaming it Île de
France. It was captured by the British in 1810 during
the Napoleonic Wars and was formally ceded to Britain
in 1814. To offset the labor problem arising from abolition
of slavery in the British Empire, the planters were
allowed to import indentured laborers from India, and
since 1861 the population has been mainly Indian.
Local Time :
G.M.T. + 4 (+ 2 hours for Europe during summer), (+
3 hours in winter) Sunset : 17 h 30 in winter, 18 h
30 in summer.
Health Requirements :
A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever must
be produced by all travelers from infected regions.
The risk of Malaria exist in a harmless form (P.Virax)
in certain regions of the island but not in Rodrigues.
Customs Formalities :
Exempted materials: Used clothes and personal stuff
and other articles already used that is required for
the stay; 250 cigarettes or 50 cigares or 250 grammes
of tobacco; 1 litre of spirits and 2 litres of wine
or beer, 25 cl of perfume. Guns and bullets must be
declared.
A permit from veterinary service of the ministry of
agriculture is required for import of living animals.
Dogs and cats must be quarantined for six months as
from the date of their arrival. For flowers plants or
fresh fruits, permit must be obtained from the ministry
of agriculture prior to the importation.
Import of sugar cane is strictly prohibited.
Permit for delivery/inspection of plants and animals:
Ministry of Agriculture, Reduit, Tel : (230) 454 1091
Taxis : Taxis are quite numerous and the drivers quite
sympathetic. Precious guides during your journeys for
business or visiting the island.
