Island Nation in the Indian Ocean – Mauritius is a stunning island located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, known for its turquoise waters, coral reefs, and white-sand beaches.

No Indigenous People – Before being discovered by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Mauritius was uninhabited, making it one of the few places in the world with no native human population.

Home of the Dodo – Mauritius was the only known home of the dodo bird, a flightless bird that became extinct in the 1600s and remains a symbol of human-caused extinction.

Multiethnic Society – Mauritius is a cultural melting pot with influences from Africa, India, China, and Europe, reflected in its languages, religions, festivals, and cuisine.

Official Language and Creole Culture – While English is the official language, Mauritian Creole (based on French) is widely spoken in daily life, along with French and several Asian languages.

Port Louis – The Capital City – Port Louis is the bustling capital of Mauritius, known for its vibrant markets, colonial architecture, and scenic harbor surrounded by mountains.

The Seven Colored Earths – One of Mauritius’s most unique natural attractions is the Seven Colored Earths in Chamarel, a small area of sand dunes naturally colored in different shades of red, brown, violet, blue, green, and yellow.

World-Class Diving and Marine Life – Mauritius is surrounded by coral reefs and offers excellent opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and whale watching.

Political Stability and Strong Economy – Mauritius is one of Africa’s most stable and prosperous nations, with a growing economy based on tourism, textiles, agriculture, and financial services.

UNESCO Heritage Sites – The island is home to the Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where indentured laborers from India first arrived in the 19th century.