Welcome
to
Mauritius
Climate,
Population and Languages,
Background,
Government,
Legal System,
Currency,
Time Differences
Geography
Mauritius is situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,400 kilometres off the South East Coast of Africa. The island, which is of volcanic origin, covers an area of 1,865 square kilometres or 720 square miles. Coral reefs surround most of the coast except the south. The central plateau is bordered by three mountain ranges giving rise to a landscape of striking beauty.
Climate
Mauritius enjoys a perenially sunny climate, in general. Midwinter occurs in June
and July with midday temperatures of 25 degrees Celcius (77 degrees Fahrenheit)
on the coast and 19 degrees Celcius (66 degrees Fahrenheit) on the plateau. Midsummer
occurs in January and February with midday temperatures around 25 degrees Celcius
on the plateau and 31 degrees Celcius (88 degrees Fahrenheit)on the coast.
Background
Dutch sailors first visited the island in 1598 and named it Mauritius, after their ruler Prince Maurice de Nassau. The island was inhabited until the 17th century, although it has been visited by the Arabs and later by the Portuguese. The first settlement was attempted by the Dutch in 1638. Since then, Mauritius have witnessed the arrival of people from Europe, Africa, Madagascar, India and China, resulting in a unique blend of races. Mauritius acceded to Independence on 12 March, 1968 and became Republic on 12 March, 1992.
Population and Language
The population numbers some 1 100 000 inhabitants. English, French and Creole are widely spoken.
Government
The Republic of Mauritius has a presidential democracy. The President is the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief. Full executive powers rests with the Prime Minister, who is the Head of Government. Legislative power rests with a unicameral 62-seat National
Assembly which is elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term.
Legal System
Mauritius enjoys a hybrid legal system. The procedural law both in criminal and civil litigation is mainly English, whilst the substantive law is mainly based on the French Napoleonic Code.
Currency
The Mauritian currency unit is the Rupee, denoted by the symbol Rs. Rs 1 = 100 cents.
Exchange
rates(approx.)
| US
$ 1 |
Rs
27.50 |
EURO
1 |
Rs
33.35 |
| United
Kingdom Pound 1 |
Rs
47.42 |
Japan
Yen 100 |
Rs
25.67 |
| Singapore
$ 1 |
Rs
16.30 |
Swiss
Franc 1 |
Rs
21.48 |
| South
African Rand 1 |
Rs
4.48 |
Austrialian
$ 1 |
Rs
20.32 |
Time Differences
Throughout the year, Standard Time in Mauritius is four hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, three hours ahead of Central Europe Winter Time and nine hours in advance of Eastern Standard Winter Time, USA.
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This page last updated on 3 December, 2003