Mauritius is a small volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometers east of Madagascar. Surrounded by dazzling white sand beaches, a spectacular coral reef and crystal clear turquoise waters, the 2040 km2 island is a miniature paradise in Africa. Originally named after Prince Maurice of Nassau, the Stadtholder of the Netherlands, under the French the island became known as L’ile de France, later L’ile Maurice or, in English, Mauritius.
There are two famous things that went extinct on the island. One is the dodo bird, aptly named for its stupidity, which was first sighted around 1600. It took less than eighty years for this bird to become extinct, partly due to hunting by humans, hunting by domestic pets, and its own fatal idiocy. The second is the volcano that formed the island and whose crater can be seen at Trou aux Cerfs near Vacoas.
There is a great diversity of landscapes densely packed on the small island. The center of the island is dotted with strangely shaped, densely forested volcanic mountains over which clear freshwater streams run. The coral reef encloses a turquoise lagoon ideal for snorkeling and other water sports, fringed by white sand beaches, palm and fir trees.
The main languages spoken in Mauritius are French, Morisien Creole, English and Hindi; a vibrant mix of languages that reflects the variety of cultures and cuisines that find themselves harmoniously coexisting with one another. At the markets, most of the barter will be in Creole or French for a variety of goods from Europe, India, Mauritius and China, while food stalls will sell fries rice, dholl purris and pineapple, to name just a few favorites from three different countries. The most typical Mauritian music is sega, local folk music with African origins. These lively melodies are usually performed by men, accompanied by singers and dancers.
Throughout the island are the ubiquitous fields of sugarcane, whose silvery-purple plum tops wave in the gentle tropical breeze.