- Where is the state of Mauritius
- History of Mauritius
- Mauritius beaches
- Flora and fauna of Mauritius
- What to bring from Mauritius
When tourists hear the name "Mauritius", picturesque pictures with white beaches, azure water and endless coral reefs open before their imaginations. Indeed, the miniature island is striking in its beauty, and favorable climatic conditions throughout the year still attract the attention of tourists. In order to find out where Mauritius is, you need to remember the location of Africa on the world map.
Where is the state of Mauritius
East Africa is home to Mauritius, an island nation covering an area of 2,040 square kilometers. The republic includes such islands as Rodrigues, Mauritius, Agalega and the Kargados-Carajos archipelago. Some of them are strictly protected by the state, as they are protected areas with unique flora and fauna.
The southwestern part of the state is washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, which creates numerous lagoons on the coast of Mauritius, known for their white sand. To the east of the republic is the island of Madagascar, so some tourists prefer to combine a trip to these two amazing islands in one trip.
The landscape of Mauritius forms the Curepipe Plateau, thanks to which the island's surface has gradually leveled out over the centuries. On different sides the plateau is surrounded by flat terrain, where most of the agricultural land is concentrated, which plays a significant role in the economic life of the republic.
The capital of the island occupies the northwestern part of Mauritius and is considered a fairly popular destination among travelers due to the fact that key architectural attractions are concentrated in Port Louis.
History of Mauritius
Initially, the island was uninhabited, and the first people to set foot on its coast were the Portuguese, who discovered Mauritius in 1510 and gave it the name "Sishna". After 70 years, the Dutch landed on the island, using this area as a transshipment point of trade. The first settlements in Mauritius appeared only in 1638, after which the island began to develop rapidly in the economic, political and cultural spheres.
However, in 1710, during a mass invasion of rats, the Dutch were forced to leave the island, and in 1715 Mauritius became part of France and was renamed Ile-de-France. The domination of France entailed the construction of roads, forts, and the construction of a shipyard. The bulk of the local inhabitants were slaves brought from neighboring Madagascar and Africa.
Beginning in 1802, Mauritius became a military-strategic target for the French, since during this period British troops repeatedly tried to seize the island. As a result, in 1814 England won a victory and Mauritius passed into her possession, becoming a British colony. Over time, the population increased, and after the official abolition of slavery in 1835, Mauritius became the main residence of workers from India and China.
1968 became the starting point in the history of the new state, since this year the independence of Mauritius was officially recognized, while the island remained part of the British Commonwealth. After prolonged internal strife, Mauritius in 1992 received the status of a republic, which the state is to this day.
Mauritius beaches
The coastline of Mauritius, home to luxurious beaches, is created in natural surroundings. Among the most popular are the following:
- Pereybere, one of the best beaches in the Indian Ocean. A serene atmosphere, a gentle descent into the water, the absence of a large number of noisy restaurants and street vendors, the presence of fashionable hotels are the main characteristics of this place.
- Blue Bay, located 40 kilometers from the capital and featuring a well-developed infrastructure. The beach is ideal for families with children, since the depth here is shallow, and casuarine groves protect vacationers from the scorching midday sun. The beach has equipped recreation areas and food courts.
- Flic en Flac is considered the best option for those who want to relax not only comfortably, but also at an affordable cost. Not far from the beach, you can rent a guesthouse and enjoy the sea every day, as well as go diving. It should be noted separately that Flic en Flac is the longest beach in Mauritius.
- Grand Bay (Grand Baie), which occupies the northeast of Mauritius and is the center of a congestion of tourists due to the fact that the road to the beach does not take long. However, you should not swim on Grand Bay constantly, as boats left by fishermen in shallow water interfere with a comfortable rest.
- Tamarin (Tamarin) - one of the pearls of Mauritius, which spread on the southern coast of the island. Several five-star hotels have been built within the beach, offering their clients a full range of services, including beach activities. Of the minuses of Tamarin, only a fairly frequently changing current can be noted, because of which swimming is sometimes not recommended.
Flora and fauna of Mauritius
The natural and animal world of the republic is so unique and diverse that the local leadership has allocated vast territories for the preservation of the flora and fauna of Mauritius. Such national parks of the island as Casela, La Vanille, Chamarel are known far beyond its borders, and visits to these reserves are included in every excursion route.
At Kasela Nature Complex, you can ride an ATV, Segway or bus through the jungle and see deer, zebras and other animals. On request, tourists are offered to visit a local farm, as well as stroke and hold little lion cubs in their arms.
As for Chamarel, this place is distinguished by a stunning natural landscape and a waterfall, the streams of which rush from a height of about 100 meters. After the excursion, a trip to a wavy piece of land, shimmering in different colors, awaits you. This amazing natural phenomenon was created by soil erosion and volcanic eruptions in Mauritius many millennia ago.
If you want to get into the world of exoticism, then you should go to the La Vanille Nature Reserve, which is under state protection. The reserve, which is a dense rainforest, is famous for amazing butterflies, caimans, as well as giant turtles that can be fed with leaves.
What to bring from Mauritius
At the end of their trip to the island, tourists begin to worry about gifts for family and friends. If desired, you can find a present for every taste on the shelves of local shops and markets. The list of souvenirs includes:
- Food products, namely sugar and tea. On the one hand, such a present may seem mundane, but Mauritius has been a leading exporter and manufacturer of this type of product for centuries. Such a souvenir will be appreciated by culinary gourmets, as local tea and sugar are made with the preservation of the old recipe.
- Rum, which rightfully takes an honorable place among the national drinks of the republic. Today, more than 35 factories in Mauritius make rum based on vanilla and other natural ingredients, which give the drink a special aroma and pleasant aftertaste.
- Souvenir products represented by wooden models of various ships, key chains, miniature clay figurines and boxes with the image of the Mauritian dodo. This bird is considered a symbol of the republic and is associated primarily with Mauritius.
