Maritius has a tropical climate, although it has a cyclone season which lasts from December to April.

Although you will find a variety of different languages on this small island nation, English is considered to be the official language. However, the majority of the people, over 80%, speak Creole.

If you’re planning on going to Maritius, you’ll probably want to know what there is to do there. For starters, there is the Grand Bay. You can find all kinds of attractions there. The shopping is perfect for vacationers, the discotheques are waiting for those who are looking for the night life, and let’s not forget about the restaurants with delicious food.

If you’re into nature, you have to check out the Black River Gorges. It’s a 6,574 hectares national park. It’s a true “must see” for those wanting to visit a scenic place that they won’t be able to find anywhere else.

For those who like animals, Casela is the place to visit. Although it is a bird sanctuary, you’ll be able to find exotic fish, deer, tortoises, and tigers. This is absolutely an animal lovers paradise.

Do you prefer beaches? If so, then Ile Aux Cerfs is the place for you! With all of the water sports that it offers, you’ll never run out of things to do.

If you’re more of a history buff, then make your way over to the Dutch ruins at Vieux Grand Port.

Although Maritius offers some of the most scenic beaches you’ll ever see, it also has a central plain, mountain ranges, and rain forests.

Depending on when plan your visit, you can experience one of the many holidays that are celebrated there. One of them is Holi which is a Hindu festival. It is a special occasion when people throw colored water on each other. While doing this, the wish each other well.

Another important holiday is the Chinese New Year. It’s never celebrated on the same date. Houses are cleaned until they are spotless, Nothing sharp is used on the day of the festivities. The color of red is used a lot since it represents happiness.

If you go there during October or November, you may witness or participate in Divali or the Festival of Lights. The houses are cleaned so well that the shine. The kids get new clothes, and candies are either made or are store bought. Yards, balconies, and walls are lined with lamps. When the sun sets, people light them to escort the Goddess of Wealth and Luck into their homes. This also shows that truth conquers ignorance (light over darkness). This is truly a festival of cheer, as well as a time for sharing.

Air Mauritius has approximately 30 flights a week to and from all of the major hubs in Europe, particularly from Paris and London.

Tourism in Mauritius is an up and coming industry with many amenities and getaways that make it perfect for that unique tourist destination. Venues for tourists run the gamut from sightseeing, exotic beaches, fun-filled nightlife, and general relaxation amid some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet.

The beaches are certainly among the best in the world with the all white sand providing a dazzling contrast to the clear blue water of the Indian Ocean. An engaging swim in the ocean or catching up on the suntan while spending a leisure time on the beach is an adventure in itself while gazing upon the most beautiful of beachscapes.

Tourism in Mauritius offers everything from cosmopolitan living to leading the good life in some of most luxurious resorts found anywhere. The capital of Port Louis will reveal a modern city with all the amenities found in any major cities. Port Louis is a busy port town with a waterfront that is revitalized and has a well-known, bustling market. Hotels of all the major chains are available as well as venues and nightlife appropriate to any major city.

Most tourists will gravitate to the unending rural resort areas where the real fun begins.
The areas of Mont Choisy, the serene Trou-aux-Biches, and the exciting Flic en Flac, which is a scuba diver’s dream come true, are sought after destinations.

Deep-sea fishing is a popular activity, as nearly every type of marine life known to sport fishing seems to roam in this area of the Indian Ocean. The area holds several world records such as the Mako Shark caught that weighed in at 1115 pounds, a blue shark weighing 400 pounds and the white tuna weighing 224 pounds.

The enterprising tourist has many choices of places to see and things to do. Grand Bay is a shopper’s paradise. This also where the natives go for shopping, restaurants and a fun night out with its discos and bars.

The island has everything available for a fast paced whirlwind tour, or a leisurely time spent of doing absolutely nothing while enjoying the year round spectacularly beautiful climate.

What a perfect setting for a honeymoon, or even a second honeymoon for that matter. Whether the tourist desires a visit to one of island’s luxurious spas, or wants a challenging golf venue, or if they would rather attack the many shopping venues, or try their hand at scuba diving or deep sea fishing, or a visit to the island many historical sites, or just do nothing, the choices and numbers of venues make for some tough decisions.

Tourism in Mauritius is just a phrase, but the reality of the phrase will come alive with a visit to this spectacular island paradise.

In 1598 the Dutch landed and the island and give it its current name, Mauritius. It was named after a Dutch prince. There was a Dutch settlement on the island for 20 years, until they also abandoned the island in 1710.

In 1735 the French landed on the island and established a vigorous economy that was based on the produce of sugar. Some of the buildings constructed by the French are still in evidence today. From 1767 until 1810 the island was governed by the French until the British took over the island in 1810.

When the British took over the island there were rapid economic and social changes. In 1835 slavery was outlawed on the island. Slaves had been imported from Madagascar and Africa during the French reign. The farmers then imported many indentured workers from India. The estimated total of laborers imported was about 500,000, and this occurred from 1834 – 1921.

When World War II started in 1938, there were a lot of Mauritians who served in the British armed forces, mainly in North Africa and in the Near East, engaging in combat against the German army. Mauritius itself avoided any armed conflict during the war.

The first elections in Mauritius took place on August, 9, 1948. The victorious Labour Party instituted universal suffrage in 1953. A ministerial system of government was established in 1957. The first vote that fully incorporated universal suffrage took place in March of 1959. The election was again won by the Labour Party.

The Chagos Archipelago split from Mauritius and formed a new territory called the British Indian Ocean Territory. Mauritius drew up a new constitution in March of 1968 and proclaimed itself an independent nation and it became part of the British commonwealth. Mauritius was declared a republic in the Commonwealth 24 years subsequent to its independence in 1992.

A Word On Modern Mauritius …

Mauritius is a luxury destination for tourists. It has a very wide scope of man made and natural attractions. There is a beautiful sub-tropical climate and it is surrounded by gorgeous beaches. It has a very friendly, diverse population. It has very well designed and well managed hotels and a modern infrastructure. Mauritius has been acclaimed as the best island travel destination in the world several times. Mauritius has an extremely high rate of return for its tourists.