Mauritius is a small, volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometres east of Madagascar. Surrounded by dazzling white sand beaches, a spectacular coral reef and sparkling turquoise water, the 2040 km2 island is a miniature paradise in Africa. Named originally after Prince Maurice of Nassau, the Stadtholder of the Netherlands, under the French the island became known as L’ile de France, later to be L’ile Maurice or, in English, Mauritius.
There are two famous things whose extinction was brought about on the island. The one is the dodo bird, aptly named for its stupidity, which was first sighted in about 1600. It took less than eighty years for this bird to become extinct, partly through hunting by humans, hunting by household pets and its own fatal idiocy. The second is the volcano which formed the island and whose crater can be seen at Trou aux Cerfs near to Vacoas.
There is a huge diversity of landscape densely packed into the tiny island. The middle of the island is dotted with the strange and densely forested forms of volcanic mountains over which run clear streams of sweet water. The coral reef encloses a turquoise lagoon ideal for snorkelling and other water sports, bordered by white sand beaches, palm and fir trees.
The main languages spoken in Mauritius are French, Creole Morisien, English and Hindi; a vibrant blend of languages which reflects the array of cultures and cuisines to be found existing harmoniously alongside one another. In the markets, most of the bartering will be done in Creole or French for a variety of goods from Europe, India, Mauritius and China, while the food stalls will be selling riz frites, dholl purris and ananas, to name but a few favourites from three different countries. The most typical Mauritian music is séga, local folklore music with African origins. These spirited melodies are usually played by men, accompanied by female singers and dancers.
Throughout the island are the ubiquitous sugar-cane fields, their silvery-purple plumed tops waving in the balmy tropical breeze.