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Magic Sails
Sun, Sep 5 2010
Temp : 23.9 C
Facts on Mauritius
Origin Volcanic - about 10 million years old.
Geography Southwestern Indian Ocean - just below the Tropic of Capricorn. Latitude 20° south - Longitude 57° east.
Area 1,865 km2.
Coastline 177 km surrounded by coral reefs.
Highest Peaks 828 m : Black River Peak
823 m : Pieter Both
812 m : Le Pouce
Climate Tropical, modified by the southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May).
Population 1.256.000 (2006 estimate).
Ethnic Groups 
Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%.
Religions Hindu 52%, Christian 28%, Muslim 16.5%.
Languages English (official), Creole and French more widely used.
Government  
Parliamentary democracy - elections every 5 years.
Economy Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low income, agriculturally-based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourism sectors. For most of this period, annual growth has been of the order of 5% to 6%.

A stock exchange was established in 1989 with the aim to finance the increasing investment needs of the future. The Freeport aims to become a major gateway between Asia and Africa.

The island is expected to continue its development into a regional centre for tourism and finance.
Exports UK 34%, France 20%, USA 13%, Germany 6%.
Imports South Africa 12%, France 11%, India 9%, UK 6.5%, Germany 4.7%