Country data

Location: South Africa

Time zone: CET + 3 (during summer time: CET + 2)

Total area: 2,040 km²

Land area: 2,030 km²

Water area: 10 km²

Length of the state border: 0 km

Coastline: 177 km

Capital: Port Louis

Districts: 12
Agalega Island, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues, Savanne

Electric current: 220 V, 50 Hz

Telephone code: 00 230 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Mont Piton 828 m

Population

Population: approx. 1.3 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 0.7% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 637

Life expectancy: 72 (male), 79 (female)

Official language: English, French

Religions:

• 48% Hindu
• 26% Roman Catholic
• 17% Muslim
• 9% other

Climate

The seasons in Mauritius are opposite to those in Europe. The tropical summer lasts from November to April and the subtropical winter from May to October.

In the period from January to April, cyclones combined with precipitation often occur.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Mauritius rupee (MUR)

Classification: 1 rupee = 100 cents

ATMs: are available in major cities.

International credit cards: These are accepted by many hotels and shops.

Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco
• 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
• small amounts of perfume

(Information applies to people aged 16 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

The export of rare species of mussels and corals is prohibited under the species protection agreement.

Possession and trafficking in drugs is strictly prohibited (death penalty)!

Note:
Due to the strict handling of suspected drug possession, you should carry a medical certificate with you when importing essential medicines. This must be written in English! Furthermore, it is helpful to be able to show a list of all medications and necessary aids (syringes, disinfectants,…) drawn up by the doctor in English.

Behavioral advice

Since tap water is drinkable, but not always of the best quality, you should use bottled water for cooking.

Economy

The traditional export is cane sugar.

The fastest growing industries are tourism and the manufacture of textiles.

Industries: chemical industry, food production (sugar), textiles, tourism

Natural resources: fish, farmland

Land use:

• Land: 49%
• Grain cultivation: 3%
• Pasture area: 3%
• Forests: 22%
• other: 23%

Plants

The forests, which were once widespread on the island, were mostly felled as construction timber. Today mainly eucalyptus trees, chestnuts, pines, conifers and mangroves still grow.

Nature conservation has only been practiced for a few years. The largest national park, the Black River Gorges National Park, was only inaugurated in 1994.

There are now many other projects that aim to reintroduce the original flora and fauna.

Animals

After many animal species were almost extinct, the population is slowly beginning to recover.

Today, the most common animals include monkeys, rabbits, deer, dogs, mongooses, snakes, pigs, goats and various species of birds.