Mauritius is often considered a honeymooner’s paradise, and in some instances it really is. However, this beautiful, tropical beach paradise has so much more to it. In case you didn’t already know, this was the only home to the dodo before they became extinct in 1690.
The island is also known for its sugar plantations, volcanoes, mountainous landscapes and even rum distilleries – in addition to the beautiful beaches of course.
The odds are, you probably didn’t know a few of the facts mentioned above, and that’s completely okay, not many people do. This is why we have created this article, to share the love of this vibrant nation.
10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Mauritius
- Contrary to what many may believe, Mauritius is not one big island, but rather a collection of islands with the main island being Mauritius.
- The island was formed by volcanoes, and is 40 miles long and 28 miles wide, making it easy to travel from one end to the next in less than a day.
- Before it was known as Mauritius, it was called Dina Arobi by the Arab sailors that found it in the Middle Ages. The name was then changed to Ilha do Cirne by Diogo Fernandes who was a Portuguese navigator.
- In 1598 the name changed yet again when the Dutch visited the island. They decided to call the island Mauritius in honour of Prince Maurice van Nassau. In 1938 the island became a Dutch colony, but they left the island in 1710.
- In 1915 the French found the abandoned island and named it Isle de France. Port Louis was established soon after and still exists to this day.
- Britain and France went to battle over the island in the Battle of Grand Port. The French won, but a few months later the British returned and the French surrendered. One of the conditions was that they were allowed to keep land and property, follow French Law and use French as the primary language. During this time, the Brits changed the name back to Mauritius.
- In 1968 on 12 March, Mauritius finally gained its independence and created its “Four Bands” flag. The democratic nation also holds elections every 5 years.
- The languages spoken in Mauritius include Mauritian Creole, English, French and Bhojpuri. English is the official language, however, only one percent of the population actually speaks it.
- Sugar can accounts for around 15% of the country’s exports and is the most cultivated crop on the island.
- Summer is between November and April, while winter is between June and September. Many choose to visit during the cool winter, as the summers tend to be humid and hot and you’ll want to spend more time inside reading information like https://megacasinobonuses.co.nz/review/bet365/ than out in the sun.
Bonus fact: This is the only place the dodo lived. This flightless, pigeon-like bird evolved due to a lack of predators and lost its ability to fly. This eventually lead to their demise as travellers brought predators to the island.
So, When Are You Travelling?
It’s easy to see why Mauritius is on most people’s travel bucket lists. If you haven’t already, isn’t it time you set out to see this magical place?