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| / / Mauritius |
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| AREA |
2040
sq km (788 sq miles). |
| POPULATION |
1,147,756 (1997). |
| POPULATION DENSITY |
582.9 per sq km. |
| CAPITAL |
Port Louis. |
| CAPITAL
POPULATION |
146,499 (1997). |
| GEOGRAPHY |
Mauritius is in the
Indian Ocean, 2000km (1240 miles) off the
southeastern coast of Africa, due east of
Madagascar. The island-state stands on what
was once a land bridge between Asia and
Africa called the Mascarene Archipelago.
From the coast, the land rises to form a
broad fertile plain on which sugar cane
flourishes. Some 500km (310 miles) east
is Rodrigues Island, while northeast are
the Cargados Carajos Shoals and 900km (560
miles) to the north is Agalega. |
| GOVERNMENT |
Republic. Gained independence
from the UK in 1968. Head of State: President
Cassam Uteem since 1992. Head of Government:
Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam since
1995. |
| LANGUAGE |
English is the official
language. The most widely spoken languages
are French, Creole, Hindi and Bhojpuri.
Urdu and Chinese are also among the languages
spoken. |
| RELIGION |
51% Hindu, 31% Christian,
17% Muslim. |
| STANDARD
TIME |
GMT + 4. |
| ELECTRICITY |
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
UK-type 3-pin plugs are commonly used in
hotels. |
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