A Mauritius holiday is worth remembering forever. It is a small island nation located around 800km east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean region. It is famous for its stunning beaches, coral reefs, and diverse marine life, making it a popular tourist destination. The picturesque coastline with white sandy beaches and warm turquoise waters is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and travellers alike. Here are the top 10 facts that every traveller must know before visiting Mauritius:

Origins:

Mauritius was discovered by Arab sailors back in 975 AD. It was initially called Dina Arobi and renamed Mauritius by the Dutch colonisers after they landed at Grand Port in 1598. It was named Mauritius in honour of Prince Maurice Van Nassau, stadtholder of the Dutch Republic.

Historical Significance:

Mauritius has been colonised by three nations including the Netherlands (1638-1710), France (1715-1810) and Great Britain (1810-1968). While under the rule of the French, sugarcane plantations worked on mostly by slaves, thrived making it one of the largest factors that contributed to its economy.

Mauritius was also a crucial layover destination for European traders prior to the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. Moreover, after the abolition of slavery in 1835, over 500 thousand labourers from India were commissioned to work on these sugarcane plantations. The descendants of these labourers form the largest community in Mauritius today.

Demography:

Mauritius gained independence in 1968 marking a paradigm shift from their erstwhile colonial era. Today, more than 1.2 million people inhabit the small islands, making it one of the most densely populated countries in Africa. The island nation also boasts a healthy gender ratio with the number of women inhabitants outnumbering the number of male inhabitants in Mauritius. Around 90% of the Mauritian populace is literate with a relatively high life expectancy of 75 years. Currently, Mauritius has the highest Human Development Index score in all of Africa.

Languages:

English and French are two of the most spoken languages in Mauritius. However, the locals usually prefer to converse in Mauritian Creole, a language endemic to Mauritius derived from French with prominent African influences. The Indian descendants of the islands converse in Hindi and Bhojpuri as well.

The Flag:

The national flag of Mauritius, also known as the “Four Bands” is seemingly symbolic of the island’s rich ecology, cultural heritage and history. There are four coloured strips each with its own symbolism. The red stripe symbolises independence from the bloodshed before the abolition of slavery. The blue stripe is symbolic of the Indian Ocean encapsulating Mauritius. Similarly, yellow symbolises the shining future ahead while green symbolises the vegetation indigenous to the region.

Flora & Fauna:

Mauritius is a nature-lovers paradise. It is notably rich in terms of its ecological diversity and natural heritage. Firstly, this island nation is said to be the only habitat of the now-extinct Dodo. This flightless bird was once present in massive numbers owing to the lack of predators on the island. However, the arrival of humans and the formation of human settlements resulted in a steady decline in the Dodo population due to excessive poaching.

Currently, Mauritius is home to the Pink Pigeon, one of the rarest birds in the world. It is also home to the Seven-coloured Earth in Chamarel, a colourful landscape formed of multi-coloured volcanic dunes. Moreover, Mauritius also borders the world’s third-largest coral reef network. And it is home to the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere named Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens. Similarly, the La Vanille Nature Park comprises the world’s largest collection of captive-bred Giant Aldabra tortoises.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Two breathtaking attractions in the islands of Mauritius have received the title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These include the Appravasi Ghat and the Mont Le Morne Brabant. The name “Appravasi Ghat” directly translates to “Immigration Depot”. This was the spot where the British colonial masters brought half a million Indians to work on the island’s vast sugarcane plantations.

Mont Le Morne Brabant is a famous mountain that was once a sanctuary for the slaves who managed to escape from the oppressive tortures of their masters during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is a famous trekking spot offering a spectacular view of the ocean waters and the verdant foliage around the hills for travellers.

Cuisines:

All types of international cuisines are available in exquisite restaurants across Mauritius. Yet, the local cuisine remains a lip-smacking delicacy for all travellers. Offering a fantastic blend of Indian, French, Chinese and Creole cuisines, spices and seafood plays a major role in the Mauritian local diet. Other must-try food options for your Mauritius holiday include Gateaux Pimenta, Dhal Puri, Mauritian Cari, Bol Renversé and Vanilla Tea, among others.

Best Time to Visit:

Mauritius has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. OnGoEazy recommends that the best time for a Mauritius Holiday is during the dry and cooler months from May to December. You should also avoid the cyclone season from January to April while planning your next Mauritian adventure.

Major Attractions:

While you can spend endless hours enjoying the beaches and street-side cuisines in Mauritius, there are a few major must-visit attractions as well. A few of these include:

• Trou aux Biches
• Flic en Flac
• Belle Mare
• Casela World of Adventures
• Casela Nature Park
• Port Louis Central Market
• Grand Baie Bazaar

To Conclude

Over 1.35 million tourists visit Mauritius every year. This means that the tourists remarkably outnumber the native inhabitants of the islands. Besides, Mauritius is one of the most awarded tourist destinations in the recent past. It has received the prestigious award for the World’s Leading Island Destination Award thrice in the last ten years. So, if you’re planning your next getaway on an island, Mauritius must be at the top of your list.

Explore the natural diversity indigenous to Mauritius, and book your next holiday with OnGoEazy today!