Globerovers Magazine, July 2019

Mauritius island: Part 1
Gardens, tea, sugar, dolphins,shipwrecks
Indian ocean
Words by Janet-Lynn Vorster,
Cape Town, South Africa.
Photos by Janet-Lynn and others.
In our series, Island LIFE, our Southern Africa correspondent, Janet-Lynn Vorster, takes us
2,000 kilometres (1,243 mi) east of the South African coast to the tropical Indian Ocean island
of Mauritius. In this 1st part of her article she introduces us to life on the island and takes us
around the Pamplemousses botanical gardens, the tea route, swimming with dolphins and she
tells us about some of the many shipwrecks scattered around the island. In the 2nd part (December
2019) she will take us to all 9 districts around the island, its islets, markets, and more.
Think turquoise crystal sea, black
volcanic rock, palm trees, sugar
cane fields and craggy mountain
peaks. Add waves crashing
relentlessly against high cliffs, strong currents,
lush green vegetation and waterfalls.
Surround this with coral reefs and you
know you are on the beautiful island of
Mauritius, also known by its Mauritian
Creole name, Île Maurice.
Officially known as the Republic of
Mauritius, named after Dutch Prince
Maurice of Nassau, Mauritius is an African
island located in the Indian Ocean about
2,300 kilometres (1,430 mi) off the southeast
coast of Africa.
“Mauritius was made first
and then heaven.”
Mark Twain
Mauritius includes many tiny islets
scattered around the coast, as well as
Rodrigues and the outer islands of Agaléga
and St. Brandon. Mauritius and Rodrigues
form part of the Mascarene Islands, along
with nearby Réunion, a fellow member of
the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).
The island of Mauritius consists of
Indian Ocean
Mauritius
Island
Fast Facts: Mauritius
Size:
2,040 sq. km (790 sq. mi)
Ethnicity:
Multi-ethnic, descended from India, Africa, Chinese and Europe (mostly France)
Official language; English
Most spoken language: 84% Creole, 5.3% Bhojpuri-Hindustani, 3.6% French and 14.4% others (including English)
Religion: Hinduism is the major religion (48.54%), followed by Roman Catholic (26.26%), Islam (17.30%),
other Christian (5.54%) and Buddhism (0.18%)
Population: 1.265 million (2017)
Life expectancy: 74.40 years (2016)
Fertility rate: 1.40 births per woman (2016)
Population growth: 0.1% annual change (2017); among the lowest population growth rates in the developing world
Malaria status: Mosquitoes, but no malaria
Electrical Standards: Electrical current is 220/50 (volts/hz). UK Style Adaptor Plug and European Style Adaptor Plug.
Grounding Adaptor Plugs C, D
Per capita income: Mauritius is seen as a model of stability and economic prosperity
Coastline:
177 km
Agricultural land: 43.8%
Forest: 17.3%
Highest point: Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire: 828 m
Natural resources: Arable land, fish
National bird: Dodo. This flightless bird is now extinct
National Flower: Trochetia Boutoniana (Boucle d’Oreille or Earring tree)
68 Globerovers · July 2019