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"In Mauritius we cultivate sugar cane and prejudices", Malcolm de Chazal (1902-1981).

This sentence from the 60's is the best short description of Mauritius and remains valid four decades later although to a lesser extent. It may take a visitor a few months to find out about the prejudices, but it takes a two-minutes drive from the airport to find about the sugar cane.

Sugar cane is not only physically all over the place, but is present in every aspect of the history, economy, society, culture and mentalities of Mauritius.

First introduced by the Dutch in 1639, the importance of sugar cane has grown wider and wider until the last two decades where other industries mainly clothing manufacturing, tourism as well as a fast development of the domestic activity, has opened new horizons to Mauritius and its population. The visitor may keep this in mind during his or her stay in Mauritius as it may help to better understand the country and its people.

Sugar cane is greatly responsible for the cutting down of hundreds of thousands of trees and for the fact that the sugar cane hedges on each side of the roads restrict the views. It is responsible for creating enough interest to the former French and British colonialists to maintain the island and even fight for it. For the cultivation of sugar cane, slaves from Madagascar and Africa and later, field workers from India had to be brought to the island creating today's multi ethnic society.

Sugar cane is responsible for having created enough wealth, at least to the landlords, allowing the Mauritius of the 21st century to be partly and relatively independent to foreign capital. On the other hand, it has for long, caused an imbalanced wealth distribution, typical of colonial times. To day wealth and power has spread among all the different ethnics of Mauritius but the gap remains.

Just like the entrepreneurs of the Textiles industry, the "Sugar barons" have, till now enjoyed preferential exports regimes, first for being part of the "Commonwealth", then due to the ACP trade agreement. It is only in 2006 that all protections are being waived, placing high challenges to the Mauritian economy in the coming years, making tourism and the I.C.T. the sectors in which all hopes are placed. This comfortable protection has helped the development of a highly conservative society in many ways. Visitors might get surprised by some unpredictable and unexplained conservative reactions when dealing with Mauritians, namely with many of the operators of the tourism industry who tend to keep looking back on the golden days of tourism instead of facing the challenges of the present and future. The fact that Internet connection is charged in many hotels is just one practical illustration...

It is with this fact of history in mind that you will better understand the actual social structure of Mauritius and realise that it is a proper developing country with several challenges coming forward.

Mauritius is a volcanic island situated in the Indian Ocean far off the west coasts of Madagascar, by 20.30 degrees South and 57 degrees East. Mauritius is part of the "Macarena" islands. Its area is of 2,040 Km2 and is surrounded by coral reefs and lagoons.

Mauritius has the status of an independent republic with a democratic regime based on the Westminster model. The main political parties adopt a modern socialism ideology, that is with a pinch of capitalism.

With a population of 1,200,000, Mauritius is an over-populated island with inhabitants from several origins. (See "Population" below.)

The economy, now relying on more pillars other than sugar, namely on the tourism industry, is healthy as compared to the majority of African countries but with a low growth rate. The infrastructures are fairly developed although poorly maintained over the past few years as per the appalling state of secondary roads, the Internet connections speed and especially the unreliable electricity and water supplies.

Mauritius is a reliable and safe destination, well organised to receive the average 800,000 visitors yearly.

Mauritius has a tropical climate with more rain in summer than in winter. Generally hot (27 to 37 °C in summer) and very humid (above 80 %) with a high rainfall, Mauritius has microclimates; the high grounds are cooler (av. 22 °C) and much wetter (5,000 mm / year) than the coastal regions (1,000 mm / year).

From a pure statistical perspective, tropical cyclones occur in the warmest months of December to March. Since approximately 2005, the cyclone routes seem to have changed enough to avoid Mauritius; let's enjoy one of the few positive outcomes of climate change. These very months are where the climate is fine for holidaymakers staying near the sea but can be very uncomfortable when moving around the island. The sea temperature is very pleasant during these months, between 25 and 29°C.

Most Mauritians prefer the winter period, as it is fresher and dryer, especially at night. The sun is also more bearable allowing long expositions, which is not recommended during summer. The sea in winter remains pleasant (around 22°C.)

Mauritius has never been a colony in real terms, as it was originally inhabited.

10th century: The Arab navigators call in Mauritius several times while exploring the regions off their costs.

1500. Portuguese "discover" the island and calls it "Ilha do Cirne" (Swan Island) and abandon it later.

1512. In turn, the British sailors discovered the island.

1598. The Dutch take over the island and call it "Mauritius" in honour of Maurits van Nassau, governor of the Orange state in Southern Africa.

1638. After having used the island on and off for repairing ships and as temporary shelter for their fleets the first Dutch settlers arrive in Mauritius to create a colony.

1639. Introduction of the sugar cane.

1658. The Dutch abandon the island.

1664. The Dutch come back for another try.

1710. The Dutch abandon the island definitely, after having destroyed
a vast amount of ebony trees and the Dodo and leaving behind sugar cane plants, coconut trees, dears from Java, cows, pigs, hens, and... the stray dogs, one of the peculiarities of Mauritius.

1715. The French take over the island and name it "Isle de France".

1719. The king Louis XV concedes the island to the almighty "Compagnie des Indes."

1721. Arrival of the first French settlers.

1735. Arrival of "Mahé de Labourdonnais," as Governor of the island for the account of the "Compagnie des Indes."


1735. Mahé de Labourdonnais decides to develop Port Louis as main port and administrative centre.

1745. The first export orientated sugar mills are created. Although the sugar cane was introduced since 1639, it was mostly used for the making of spirits greatly appreciated by the sailors. The sugar production was mainly for the local consumption and for the crews.

1764. The "Compagnie des Indes" going bankrupt, Louis XV buys back the island.

1767. Arrival of the first royal officers acting as governors.

1790. The settlers learn with great pleasure about the French revolution.

1792. The revolutionary French authority orders the abolition of slavery. The Settlers refuse to abide leading to a breach of relationships with the French government.

1800. Witnessing a great English activity in the whole Indian Ocean, the settlers ask the Napoleon administration for protection against the invaders.

1803. Arrival of Decaen and the creation of a Military authority. Decaen came up with an anti-revolutionary plan where the practice of slavery was no more an offence and re-established the former racial segregation between whites and others. On the other hand, Decaen allowed the runaway slaves to live freely and supported the observance of religions other than Christianity, such as the Tamil, Hindu and Muslim religions.

1810. The great "Vieux Grand Port" naval battle took place. This battle is famous as it was the only naval battle won by the French over the English.

1810. Despite the outcome of the "Vieux Grand Port" battle, the English strike again, this time landing in Cap-Malheureux and take over the defenceless Island. The capitulation occurred overnight as both the French and English had the means to open a fight. The French agreed to surrender conditionally that the French settlers could keep their land, belongings, status and culture. It is for this reason that to day, French is more widely spoken in Mauritius while the official language is English since 1832.

1810. The Island takes its definite name of Mauritius.

1835. Abolition of slavery.

1864 - 1929. Mauritius follows the Industrial revolution and sets its first railway receives its first car and discovers the telephone and electricity.

1929. Economic crisis due to the development of sweet beetroot sugar in Europe.

1934. Creation of the Mauritian Rupee.

1936. The creation of the first political (labour) party.

1937. The first strike takes place where field workers fight the landlords and the state makes the use of troops to re-establish law and order.

1941. Building of the Plaisance airport for the use of the RAF.

1947. First passenger flight from France lands in Mauritius after a three-day trip.

1948. The Labour party wins the first election.

1959. Sir. Seewoosagar Ramgoolam with the labour party wins the first open election.

1963. Sir. Seewoosagar Ramgoolam wins again this time as leader of the labour party, marking the definitive take-over of the political scene by the Hindus.

1967. The Mauritians opt for Independence proposed by the Labour party.

1968. While the past year saw many fights and resistance from the anti-independent Franco Mauritians, more ethnic fights occur namely between the Creoles and the Muslims.

1968. The independence nonetheless takes effect.

1992. Mauritius achieves the status of Republic. The governor, representative of the Queen of England, is named President of the Republic.

There is a polemical issue on the so-called private beaches. Most of the beaches of Mauritius are found in front of private residences or hotels, leaving very little room to the declared public beaches.

The law is clear for one thing: all beaches are open to those walking by. However, beaches found in front of hotels and villas cannot be used by anyone wanting to spend the day and it is of course prohibited to use the garden or beach furniture. For the rest, it's just a question of how to interpret the law and of mutual respect.

We therefore advise to make sure that your hotel or residence has a beach, or if you cannot afford one, you may casually and quietly use the beaches in front of residences on weekdays when the owners are not using them and please keep it as tidy as you found it.