Mauritius geography, history and economy at a glance

Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, around 900 km east of Madagascar, Mauritius forms part of the Mascarene Islands alongside Réunion and Rodrigues. Geographically, the country belongs to Southern Africa. The Republic of Mauritius also includes Rodrigues, as well as the outer islands of Agaléga and Saint Brandon.

Despite measuring just 61 km from north to south and 47 km across, Mauritius offers an astonishing diversity of landscapes. Beyond the white sandy beaches and turquoise lagoons that have earned the island worldwide recognition, its landscape also reveals volcanic mountains, vast sugar cane fields, endemic forests, waterfalls and dramatic coastal cliffs. The tropical climate ensures warm temperatures throughout the year, with a hot, humid season from November to April and a cooler, drier season from May to October.

From a coveted colony to an independent multicultural republic

For centuries, Mauritius remained uninhabited before being successively colonised by the Dutch,
the French and later the British. The arrival of enslaved Africans, followed by indentured labourers brought mainly from India, profoundly shaped the island's population. Chinese communities later settled in Mauritius, adding further to its rich cultural diversity.

This unique history gave rise to one of the world's most multicultural societies, where European, African, Indian and Chinese heritage coexist harmoniously. Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and Buddhism are the country's main religions, and their many festivals are celebrated throughout the year, playing an important role in Mauritian life and culture.

A stable country open to the world

Independent since 1968, the Republic of Mauritius is a parliamentary democracy renowned for its political and economic stability. A member of the Commonwealth, it operates under a system largely inspired by the British model while retaining a legal framework that combines English Common Law with the French Civil Code. This dual heritage continues to shape both the country's institutions and everyday life.

English is the official language of government, Parliament and public administration, while French is widely used in the media, business and everyday conversations. Mauritian Creole is the mother tongue of almost the entire population and forms an integral part of the island's identity. Other languages, including Bhojpuri, Hindi, Tamil, Mandarin and Urdu, continue to be spoken within their respective communities. In practice, most Mauritians are comfortable speaking both English and French.

Thanks to its political stability, diversified economy and strategic location between Africa and Asia, Mauritius has established itself as one of the continent's most attractive destinations for investors, entrepreneurs and expatriates alike.