Mauritius is an island located in the Indian Ocean about 800km (550 miles) east of Madagascar and 2,000 km (1,250 mi) off the nearest point of the African coast. The island of Rodrigues, an integral part of Mauritius, is located about 560 km (350 miles) off its north eastern coast.
Mauritius is mostly of volcanic formation and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs. A coastal plain, widest in the north, rises sharply to a 1,500 ft high plateau bordered by three mountain ranges - the Black River Range, the Grand Port Range, and the Moka Range. The longest river is the Grand River South East, about 25 miles in length.
It is easy to run out of adjectives when attempting to describe the natural beauty of the small tropical Indian Ocean island paradise of Mauritius. The volcanic island Republic, is covered with lush forest, streams and waterfalls, and fringed with palms, dazzling white sands and teeming coral reefs.
Along with its natural beauty Mauritius has a valuable tourist resource in the warmth and friendliness of its multi-cultural population.
Most of the tourist resorts are situated along the 205-mile (330km) coastline, with the capital
Port Louis, on the west coast, being the center of operations for most visitors. The bulk of the population, however, reside on the central plateaux around Curepipe, the island's other major town.
Although everyone who visits Mauritius comes for the sandy beaches and blue lagoons, most are delighted to discover that the island has plenty of other attractions too, from some of the world's rarest stamps to the first ever race course to open in the southern hemisphere. Of course no holiday would be complete, either, without good food and entertainment. Mauritius offers both, with some delicious local cuisine that makes use of tropical fruits and vegetables, and the chance to learn the island's indigenous wild dance, the Sega, which originated among the African slaves of yore.
There is an abundance of
hotels in Mauritius, most of them hugging the coast. Mauritius standards and service are known to be the best in the Indian Ocean. The top end of the market has seen an expansion in the villa living concept as well as smaller hotels, with the first boutique hotel opening in 2005.
