Our Island (from yesterday and today )
Mauritius
is a real place meant for well-being and relaxation in the heart of the Indian Ocean. It has white sandy beaches and crystalline lagoons … but also a unique and colorful fauna and dense vegetation. Go meet them for a memorable stay.
Want to explore? Going to Mauritius offers opportunities for various activities such as hiking or paragliding. The moderate relief in the west and south of the island makes it possible to make exceptional hikes from the Piton de la Rivière Noire to the Tamarin waterfalls. From December to April, also dare paragliding to observe the beautiful natural landscape that offers wild nature.
Mauritius is discovered in a thousand other ways through, for example, gastronomy, a blend of Indian spices and French know-how. This jewel of the Indian Ocean has finally a historical and architectural heritage, which testifies to a living past. Discover all its riches through our suggestions of itineraries and photos by consulting all our trips to Mauritius and some of the activities in Mauritius that we offer to share with family or friends.
Origins
Mentioned “Dina Arobi” on the maps of the time, the long unknown and uninhabited island was probably visited by Arab sailors in the Middle Ages. The Portuguese led by Don Pedro Mascarenhas were the first to set foot on the island around 1511 and named Mascareignes to the group of islands that are Mauritius, Rodrigue and Reunion. But the Portuguese’s had little interest in the island hence they did not stay long.
The Dutch Period (1598-1710)
In 1598, a Dutch troupe christened the island, “Maurice” in honor of Prince Maurice of Nassau of Holland. However, it will be necessary to wait for 1638 for a first attempt of colonization which lasted only twenty years. The Dutch are known to have introduced to the island sugar cane, domestic animals and Java deer to the island.
The French Period (1715-1810)
Abandoned by the Dutch, the island became a French colony in 1715 under the name Ile de France. Many buildings erected under French imperialism are still visible, including part of the Hôtel du Gouvernement and the Port-Louis Central Barracks or the Château de Mon plaisir in Pamplemousses. In 1810, a British armada came to pluck the island to the French and the Ile de France then became Mauritius. The act of capitulation signed by the French guaranteed the maintenance and respect of existing languages, customs, laws and traditions, which explains Mauritian bilingualism.
The British Period (1810)
The British abolished slavery, which led to important socio-economic and demographic repercussions. To replace the slaves, the planters recruited a large number of contract Indian laborers to work the sugar cane fields. They were joined later by a small number of Chinese traders. Sugarcane cultivation was then unprecedented and the island became prosperous with the export of sugar to England.
Independence (1968)
Independent country since March 12, 1968, Mauritius is a parliamentary republic with a President appointed as head of state, an elected Prime Minister who is the head of government assisted in his task by a council of ministers.
Economy (After 1992)
Started with the production of sugar, the economy has gradually diversified into the textile industry from the 1970s, and then in the second sector in services such as tourism and finance.
The Dream of Tourism – Dream Completed
Yesterday unmissable stop on the road of spices, now a must on the road of dreams, Mauritius continues to draw the contours of a day that enchants and reinvents.
If Mauritius as a tourist product has evolved, the island is always looking to progress. With its 1,140,000 visitors in 2018 Mauritius has developed a tourism industry that economically keeps its promises.
The first economic pillar of the island, the sector plays a key role in terms of growth and job creation. A business sector that generates billions of revenues and can withstand international shocks deserves special consideration and attention. The road of dreams is full of pitfalls and that is what makes the challenge even more attractive.
