Mauritius

I

Introduction

Mauritius, independent island republic in the western Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. The country includes the island of Mauritius, with an area of 1,865 sq km (720 sq mi); the island of Rodrigues (109 sq km/42 sq mi) to the east; the Agalega islands to the north; and the St Brandon Group (also known as the Cargados Carajos Shoals) to the north-east, which have a combined area of 71 sq km (27 sq mi). The country has a total area of 2,040 sq km (788 sq mi). The capital of Mauritius is Port Louis.

II

Land and Resources

The island of Mauritius is of volcanic origin. From a low-lying plain in the north, the terrain rises to a plateau that covers the central part of the island. The south is mostly mountainous, rising to a maximum elevation in Petite Rivière Noire Peak (828 m/2,717 ft). Several lakes are located in the plateau region, and numerous rivers rise in the highlands and flow to the coast. The island is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs, but Port Louis has a fine harbour that is accessible to ocean-going ships. The main natural resource is the island’s relatively fertile soil.

A

Climate

The climate is tropical and generally humid. The average annual temperature is 26.7° C (80° F) on the coast but is lower in the central plateau. Average annual rainfall ranges from about 1,016 mm (40 in) on the coast to about 5,080 mm (200 in) in the plateau region. Strong cyclonic storms occur often during the hot season (December to April).

B

Environmental Concerns

The islands of Mauritius rely almost entirely on sugar cane production. Intense farming has led to overuse of pesticides and a consequent build-up of resistant insects. The islands are almost entirely surrounded by coral, which is a valuable fishery and tourist resource, but some damage has occurred as a result of pollution and siltation. The Macchabee region was designated a Man and the Biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1977. The Rivulet Terre Rouge Estuary Bird Sanctuary is protected under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.