Mauritius

Geography

Main article: Geography of Mauritius

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Together with Réunion and Rodrigues, Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands. This archipelago was formed in a series of undersea volcanic eruptions, as the African plate drifted over the Réunion hotspot. Mauritius and Rodrigues were formed 8-10 million years ago. They are no longer volcanically active, and the hotspot now rests under Réunion. The island of Mauritius itself is formed around a central plateau, with its highest peak in the southwest, Piton de la Riviere Noire at 828 m. Around the plateau, the original crater can still be distinguished from several mountains.

Related Topics:
Réunion - Mascarene Islands - Archipelago - Volcanic - African plate - Réunion hotspot - Piton de la Riviere Noire

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The local climate is tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; there is a warm, dry winter from May to November and a hot, wet, and humid summer from November to May. Cyclones affect the country during November-April.

Related Topics:
Climate - Cyclones - November - April

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The island's capital and largest city is Port Louis, in the northwest. Other important towns are Curepipe, Vacoas, Phoenix, Quatre Bornes, Rose-Hill and Beau-Bassin.

Related Topics:
Port Louis - Curepipe - Vacoas - Phoenix - Quatre Bornes - Rose-Hill - Beau-Bassin

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The island is well known for its exceptional natural beauty; "First God made Mauritius, then he copied it and made Paradise" and "God modeled heaven on Mauritius" are quotes attributed variously to Rudyard Kipling and Mark Twain.

Related Topics:
Rudyard Kipling - Mark Twain

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