Mauritius Information:
Area
2040 sq km (788 sq miles).
Population
1.3 million (UN, 2006).
Population Density
588.24 per sq km.
Capital
Port Louis.
Population: 146,319.
Government
Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1968.
Head of State: President Sir Anerood Jugnauth since 2003.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam since 2005.
Recent history: Post-independence Mauritian politics have been dominated by Ramgoolam, and then by the two principal figures of the Mauritian Left, Paul Bérenger
and (later Sir) Anerood Jugnauth. The charismatic Bérenger made a dramatic contrast to the cautious, pragmatic Jugnauth, and the focus of the Mauritian political scene has often been the personal and political clash between the two. Jugnauth withdrew from politics in 2003. After over a decade of dominating Mauritian politics, Jugnauth handed the Premiership over to Bérenger (who thus became the first non-Hindu to hold the post), and the leadership of the Socialists to his son, Pravind. In the most recent election in 2005, Navin Ramgoolam won his second non-consecutive term.
Under constitutional amendments that came into effect in March 1992, Mauritius is now a Republic. Legislative power rests with the unicameral 62-seat National Assembly, which is elected by universal suffrage for a five-year term. Four additional members are appointed by the Supreme Court. The National Assembly elects the President of the Republic who is Head of State. The President appoints the Prime Minister from the Assembly and other ministers on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Language
The official languages are English and French (with French being the more popular), the most commonly used are Creole (a mixture of French and African languages), Hindi and Bhojpuri. Urdu and Chinese are also spoken.
Religion
52 per cent Hindu, 28 per cent Christian, 17 per cent Muslim.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. UK-type three-pin plugs are commonly used in hotels.
Telephone
IDD is available. There are no area codes. There are a limited number of public telephone booths, mainly at the airport and in major hotels.
Mobile telephone
Roaming agreements with international mobile phone companies are available and coverage extends over the entire island.
Internet
There are Internet cafes in Phoenix, Vaoas and other main towns. Most hotels offer Internet facilities.
Post
Airmail to Western Europe usually takes five days; by sea, mail takes four to six weeks. Post office hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0815-1115 and 1200-1600, Sat 0800-1145.
MEDIA
Press: Of the 10 daily newspapers, two are published in Chinese and the remainder in French and English. L’Express (website: www.lexpress.mu), Le Mauricien (website: www.lemauricien.com) and Le Matinal (website: www.lematinal.com) have the highest circulation.
TV: MBC is state-run and operates three channels.
Radio: MBC is a state-run network; stations include Radio Maurice 1 and 2, Kool FM, Taal FM and One World FM. Other stations include Top FM, Radio One and Radio Plus.
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2006-June 2007 period.
Jan 1-2:
2006: New Year.
Jan 29: Chinese New Year.
Feb 1: Abolition of Slavery Day.
Feb 11: Thaipoosam Cavadee.
Feb 26: Maha Shivaratri.
Mar 12: National Day.
Mar 30: Ougadi.
May 1: Labor Day.
Aug 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Aug 29: Ganesh Chaturthi.
Nov 2: Arrival of Indentured Laborers.
Oct 21: Diwali.
Oct 22-24: Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
Dec 25: Christmas Day.
Jan 1-2 2007: New Year.
Jan: or
Feb: Thaipoosam Cavadee.
Feb 1: Abolition of Slavery Day.
Feb 16: Maha Shivaratri.
Feb 18: Chinese New Year.
Mar 12: National Day.
Mar: or
Apr: Ougadi.
May 1: Labor Day.
Note
(a) Hindu festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon. The dates given above are approximations. (b) There is a diversity of cultures in Mauritius, each with its own set of holidays. (c) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr may last from two to 10 days, depending on the town or region. (d) Chinese festivals are declared according to local astronomical observations and it is often only possible to forecast the approximate time of their occurrence.
