Mauritius
From Encyclopædia
{mohr-ish'-uhs} Mauritius is an independent island state in the Indian Ocean, 805 km (500 mi) east of Madagascar. Its outlying territories include the island of Rodrigues, situated 554 km (344 mi) eastward and covering 104 sq km (40 sq mi), and two clusters of islets. Because of its location on important ocean trade routes, Mauritius has had a history of successive colonization and immigration by French, East Africans, British, Indians, and Chinese.The island of Mauritius is volcanic and is surrounded by
coral reefs. The heavily populated, narrow coastal plains give way to a high
plateau (
average elevation 500 m/1,650 ft) in the interior. Petite Riviere Noire Peak (826 m/2,710 ft) is the highest point in the country. The climate is tropical, with little seasonal variation in temperature. Rainfall is heaviest (5,080 mm/200 in) on the
plateau.The two largest ethnic groups are Indo-Mauritians (68%) and
creoles (mixed French and African descent, 27%). Chinese and Europeans constitute small minorities. Although English is the official
language,
creole--a French patois--is most common. Following the eradication of
malaria in the late 1940s, the
growth rate increased dramatically. Primary and secondary
education are free but not compulsory.
sugar accounts for nearly 90% of agricultural land use and 40% of exports. To lessen dependence on
sugar, the government successfully encouraged the cultivation of tea and food crops and the expansion of
light industries (particularly knitwear),
tourism, and offshore banking, leading to rapid economic
growth in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Although it was explored by the Portuguese (1510) and Dutch (1598), Mauritius--previously uninhabited--was not permanently settled until 1721, when the French occupied the island, established
sugar plantations, and brought East African slaves to work on them. In 1810 the British captured the island and brought Indian servants to work on the plantations.Since gaining
Independence in 1968, the country has claimed the
British Indian Ocean Territory (administered by Mauritius until 1965). Members of the unicameral legislature are both elected and appointed to ensure
representation of all ethnic groups. A
governor-general represented the British crown as head of state until Mar. 12, 1992, when Mauritius became a republic. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam served as
prime minister from 1968 until his electoral defeat in 1982. His successor, Aneerood Jugnauth, remained
prime minister following legislative elections in 1987 and 1991.G. N. UzoigwedBibliography:
American University, Indian Ocean: Five Island Countries, 2d ed. (1983); Bouman, L. W., and Virahsawmy, D., Mauritius (1991); Simmons, Adele S., Modern Mauritius (1982); Singh, Ranbir, Mauritius, Key to the Indian Ocean (1980).Facts About MauritiusLANDArea: 2,040 sq km (788 sq mi).Capital and largest
city:
Port Louis (1990 est. pop., 141,870).Elevations: highest--Petite Riviere Noire Peak, 826 m (2,710 ft); lowest--sea level.PEOPLEPopulation (1992 est.): 1,092,130;
density: 535 persons per sq km (1,386 per sq mi).Distribution (1990): 41% urban, 59% rural.Annual
growth (1992): 0.8%.Official
language: English.Major religions: Hinduism, Roman Catholicism, Islam.
education AND HEALTHLiteracy (1985): 83% of adult population.Universities (1991): 1.
hospital beds (1987): 2,857.Physicians (1988): 847.Life expectancy (1992): women--73; men--66.Infant mortality (1992): 22 per 1,000 live births.ECONOMYGDP (1991 est.): $2.5 billion; $2,300 per capita.Labor distribution (1988): agriculture--17%; manufacturing--40%; construction--4%; public utilities--1%; transport and
communications--4%; trade--5%; public administration, defense, and services--24%.Foreign trade (1990): imports--$1.6 billion; exports--$1.2 billion; principal trade partners--European Community,
United States.Currency: 1 Mauritian rupee = 100 cents.GOVERNMENTType? republic.Government leaders (1993): Cassam Uteem--
president; Aneerood Jugnauth--
prime minister.Legislature: Legislative
assembly.Political subdivisions: 9 districts, 3 dependencies.COMMUNICATIONSRailroads (1991): none.Roads (1986): 1,783 km (1,108 mi) total.Major ports: 1.Major airfields: 1.Picture Caption[s]A: Liberia B: Libya C: Madagascar D: Malawai E: Mali F: Mauritania G: Mauritius H: Morocco I: Mozambique J:
Namibia K: NigerMap Location[s]Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Congo, Gabon,
Zaire,
Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania,
Seychelles, Comoros, Malawi, Zambia, Angola,
Namibia, Botswana, South
Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Reunion, Mauritius.Serpent Island, Flat Island, Round Island, Gabriel Island, Gunners Quoin, Ile d'Ambre, Goodlands, Triolet, Roche Noire,
Port Louis, Trou d'Eau Douce, Beau Bassin, Rose Hill, Phoenix, Curepipe, Quartre Bornes, Vacoas, Rose Belle, Mahebourg, Riviere des Anguilles, La Nicoliere Res., La Ferme Res., Chemin Grenier, Poste, Grand R. S.E., Grand N.W., Rempart, Indian Ocean.
