Introduction

This page is dedicated to my native country. Mauritius is popular for its natural greeneries, white sandy beaches, clear sea water and tropical climate. The local population is composed of a multi-cultural community who live in perfect harmony. They are known for their warm hospitality.

The present economic state of the country is undergoing significant transformation with the introduction of new sectors like the ICT, seafood hub, education hub, financial services, etc.

History

Mauritius was known to the early Arabs traders as it can be found marked on their maps, but the first visitors from Europe were the Portuguese who landed in 1510.
They used the island as a victualling stop on the way to Goa and Malacca but did not settle. The first attempt at colonisation was made by the Dutch who arrived in 1598 and named the island Mauritius after Prince Maurice of Nassau. They introduced sugar, Malagasy slaves and a herd of Javanese deer. But they were also heedlessly destructive and are said to be responsible for the disappearance of the magnificent ebony forests and the extinction of the famous dodo. They eventually abandoned their settlements in 1710.
The French occupied the island which they renamed Isle de France between 1715 and 1810 and many place names are reminders of this period. In 1810 with the British take-over, the name reverted to Mauritius. The abolition of slavery lead to the importation of Chinese and Indian indentured labourers, who were followed by traders of their own nationalities. Mauritius gained independence from Britain on 12 March 1968 and since then has been an independent sovereign nation within the British Commonwealth.
On 12 March 1992, Mauritius became a Republic.

Places of interest

Black River Gorge National Park - The 6,574 hevtare park, proclaimed in 1994, protects much of the remaining native forests of Mauritius and provides opportunites for the visitor to enjoy spectacular natural scenery and some of the unique endemic planta and bird life.

Casela Bird Park - This park, set in the distinct of Black River, streches over 20 acres and carries more than 140 varieties of birds from five continents. But the main attraction is the Mauritian Pink Pigeon, one of the rarest birds in the world. Other attractions includes tigers, fish, tortoises,monkeys, orchids (seasonal), and the overall green scenery and peaceful atmosphere created by trees, streams and small cascades.

Domaine du Chasseur - Hidden in the hills at Anse Jonchee near Mahebourg on the South-Eastern side of the island is a magnificent park covering 2,000 acres. On forest-clad slopes at an altitude of 300 to 500 meters live stags and deer, monkeys and wild boars in a luxious vegetation of ebony, eucalyptus, revenala, palm trees and wild orcihds. Rare species of birds such as the kestrel can be seen in the woods.

Ile Aux Cerfs - Ile Aux Cerfs is a large island found on the East Coast of Mauritius close to the coastal village of Trou D'Eau Douce in the district of Flacq. It is nearly 100 hectares in area. There are a number of sandy beaches. For years the hotel group Sun Resort Ltd has operated two restaurants, a bar, and a boathouse and provided other beach amenities on the island. The hotel also operates a paying ferry service from the mainland to the island that is used by tourists and the public alike. The island is part of the public domain and is made available to Sun Resort on lease from Government. It is a very popular recreational spot for both Mauritians and tourists alike for there are close to 800 visitors to the island per day.

Mauritius Postal Museum - This little Museum, next door to the main post office, houses a collection of Mauritian stamps and assorted philately. Items on display include a range of old stamps, telegraph machines, printing plates and other interesting postal paraphernalia.

Pristine White Beaches -

Blue Safari - A unique Submarine in the Indian Ocean, can make your dreams of a nice trip under the sea come true. The Safari will last one hour.

The submarine can accommodate 5 passengers and the pilot. The submarine is air-conditioned with fully transparent-glassed cabin at atmospheric pressure. You will thus enjoy exceptionally clear panoramic views of the extraordinary underwater world. At 25 or 30 meters undersea, you may notice some rare species, just like on any other traditional safari.

Around a coral massif, at the foot of a ridge, or even at a wreck spot, you will discover a vivid fresque made up of fish and coral. The amazing maneuverability of the submarine and the pilot's dexterity, will allow you to move around or follow a fish or even watch, remaining standstill, a morray eel, coming in and out of its hole.

Diving in the night is also possible. Under powerful spotlight beams, you can well witness the most fascinating show on earth, a silent symphony, fish performing a memorable ballet, a colourful choreography.

Ganga Talao, Grand Bassin - Further up La Marie and Mare aux Vacaos is one of the island's two natural lakes, Ganga Taola or Grand Bassin rests in the crater of an extinct volcano ans is place of pilgrimage for a large number of Mauritians of Hindu faith, especially on the occasion of Maha Shivratree.

La Vanille Crocodiles Park - The road into Le Val is at Union Park Village, about halfway on the Mahebourg Curepipe road, Cluny village, the gateway to Le Val Nature Park in the valley of the Riviere des Creole, is about 7km down the road.

Many of the amazing anthurium flowers are grown at Le Val in shade houses. There are also water fields full watercress, which, complements many Creole meals, and attemps at prawn farming. Other facilities include a small aquarium and a deer park. Le Val is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.There is a bus service from Curepipe to Rose Belle, via Cluny.

Pamplemousses Gardens - Away from the coast and almost directly south of Grand Baie is the Pamplemousses Gardens, also known as the Royal Botanical Gardens. Pamplemousses stretches for four hectares and features plants from all over the world - wild bananas, camphor trees, clover and nutmeg trees from Manila and huge water lilies, known locally as 'flan tins' as well as a number of palms. There is also an art gallery and a cemetery.

Botanical Gardens - From the centre of a huge pond, the Lily flower opens white one day and closes red the next. Other attractions include Golden Bamboo, Chewing Gum Trees, Fish Poison Trees, a 200-year-old Buddha Tree and for Christians - a Cross Tree with leaves shaped like crucifixes. There's also an art gallery and a cemetery, whichever way your tastes run. Pamplemousses is 11km (7m) north-east of Port Louis, and there are regular buses plying between the two.

Curepipe & Environs - West of the town centre, Couepipe's Botanical Gardens are not as spectacular as those of Pamplemousses but they are well kept and informal, with nature trails branching off of the main paths. Just north of the gardens, "Trou aux Cerfs" Volcano crater is the town's biggest natural attraction. It's been extinct for ages, and the crater floor is now heavily wooded, but a tarred road leads up to and around the rim with rest-stops with beautiful views.

Grand Baie - This is the main holiday centre for Mauritians and tourists alike. Grand Baie used to be a tiny fishing village. The northern coastline beyond Tombeau Bay has many delightful beaches. The coastline curves into Grand Baie itself, the main centre for yachting, water skiing, windsurfing, and many other water sports.

Mahebourg - Mahebourg named after the famous French Governor Mahe La Bourdonnais but pronounced May Burg, was once a busy port. Now it is a run down commercial centre with a small fishing fleet. Mahebourg is a lot friedlier, has home character and is more relaxed than the tourist spiels would have you believe.

It is also a nearest centre to the airport and visitors may find themselves spending the first or last few days there. The bay is a picturesque backdrop for the town, with the sea changing from one intense colour to another at greet speed.

Port Louis - The capital and main port of Mauritius, Port Louis, was founded by the French Governor Mahé de Labourdonnais in 1735.

The Harbour lies sheltered in a semi-circle of mountains. The town has plenty of character, and shows in certain quarters signs of its past elegance. Off the main square, palm-lined Place D'Armes, there are some particularly fine French colonial buildings, especially the Government House and the Municipal Theatre, both built in the 18th Century. The city has two Cathedrals, Anglican and Catholic, a Mosque, a Chinese Casino, the Caudan Waterfront, a fine Supreme Court, some 18th Century Barracks and a Natural History Museum.

The lively covered market offers an insight into the fascinating cross-section of Mauritian life. Champ de Mars, originally laid out by the French for military parades is now a racecourse. The best views of the racecourse, town and harbour, are from Fort Adélaïde, a citadel fortified in the time of William IV, and the monument of Marie Reine de La Paix at the foot of Montagne des Signaux.
Daytime Port Louis is crowded with people and traffic. Busy hawkers sell their wares at the sides of the road in Chinatown and in doorways near the covered Port Louis Market. A wide range of restaurants cater for all tastes.

The port is active, with many cargo and fishing vessels stopping over or based there.