Mauritius is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 kilometers off the southeast coast of Africa. Known for its stunning beaches, lagoons, and coral reefs, the island has a tropical climate with warm, humid summers and cooler, dry winters.

Uninhabited until the 16th century, Mauritius was discovered by the Portuguese and later colonized by the Dutch, French, and British. It gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1968 and became a republic in 1992. Once heavily reliant on sugarcane plantations, Mauritius has diversified its economy to include tourism, textiles, and financial services, making it one of Africa’s most prosperous economies.

The multicultural society reflects influences from Indian, African, Chinese, and European communities, with English as the official language, alongside French and Mauritian Creole. Major religions include Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam.

As a popular tourist destination, Mauritius offers luxury resorts, clear blue waters, and attractions like Black River Gorges National Park and the Seven Coloured Earths in Chamarel. The island is home to unique endemic species, including the now-extinct dodo bird, and ongoing conservation efforts aim to protect its biodiversity. Politically, Mauritius is a stable parliamentary republic with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. Despite its successes, the nation faces environmental challenges such as coastal erosion, deforestation, and coral reef degradation, and it continues to focus on economic diversification and sustainable development.

The capital city is Port Louis, and the country has a population of approximately 1.3 million people, with the Mauritian Rupee (MUR) as its currency.