Mauritius

Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 kilometers off the southeast coast of the African continent. The country includes the main island of Mauritius, as well as Rodrigues, Agalega, and the Cargados Carajos Shoals. The capital and largest city is Port Louis. Historically, Mauritius was known to Arab and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century but was first explored by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The Dutch colonized it in the 17th century, followed by the French in the 18th century, and the British in the 19th century. Mauritius became independent from the United Kingdom in 1968. Mauritius has a diversified economy, which includes sectors like textiles, sugar, tourism, and financial services. Over the years, it has transitioned from a low-income, agriculture-based economy to a middle-income diversified economy. The country is known for its political and social stability and has one of the highest GDP per capita incomes in Africa. The population of Mauritius is ethnically diverse, with Indian, African, European, and Chinese ancestries. This diversity is reflected in the country's culture, cuisine, and languages. While English is the official language, French and Mauritian Creole are widely spoken. The country also has a large Hindu population, with Hinduism being the major religion, alongside Christianity and Islam. Culturally, Mauritius is known for its blend of diverse influences, which is evident in its food, music, and festivals. The island is famous for its vibrant Sega music and dance, which have African roots. Geographically, Mauritius is renowned for its stunning beaches, lagoons, and reefs. The island has a tropical climate, with a warm, dry winter from May to November and a hot, wet, and humid summer from November to May. The country's diverse flora and fauna include several endemic species, although environmental challenges such as deforestation and invasive species pose threats. Mauritius is often cited as a success story in terms of development in Africa, with significant advancements in education, healthcare, and economic growth. The country is also a popular tourist destination, known for its natural beauty and luxury resorts. Population of Mauritius from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 1.27 million inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 1.27 million inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 1.27 million inhabitants. Capital (Port Louis): Population in 2020: About 148,000 inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate) Port Louis: ~148,000 Beau Bassin-Rose Hill: ~104,000 Vacoas-Phoenix: ~106,000 Curepipe: ~79,000 Quatre Bornes: ~81,000 Triolet: ~23,000 Goodlands: ~20,000 Centre de Flacq: ~16,000 Bel Air Rivière Sèche: ~15,000 Mahébourg: ~15,000 Mauritius is divided into 9 districts and 1 dependency. The districts include: Black River, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Rivière du Rempart, Savanne. The dependency is Rodrigues. GDP in millions of dollars from 2018 to 2020: 2018: About $14.0 billion. 2019: About $14.2 billion. 2020: About $14.4 billion. Public deficit in millions of dollars from 2018 to 2020: 2018-2020: Not available. % GDP/government debt ratio from 2018 to 2020: 2018-2020: Not available. Unemployment rate % from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 6.9%. 2019: Approximately 6.7%. 2020: Approximately 7.2%. Inflation Rate from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Around 3.2%. 2019: Approximately 0.5%. 2020: Around 2.5%.