| The 1,865 square kilometer island is of | | | | with republic status getting in 1992. |
| volcanic origin, with coral reefs circling | | | | |
| most of the seacoast exclude the southland | | | | Grand Bay |
| The Dutch settled on the island in 1598, and | | | | |
| named it Mauritius, in honor of their ruler, | | | | Grand Bay was the 1st country of the island |
| Prince Maurice de Nassau although the island | | | | to fully experience the tourer boom. A |
| was probably visited by Arab bargainers | | | | shopping and leisure heaven, Grand Bay |
| before the 10th century. The Dutch colonists | | | | likewise happens to be the region where |
| abandoned the island in 1710, and were | | | | Mauritians head for when they want a |
| substituted by the French who renamed it Ile | | | | fun-filled night out (restaurants, bars & |
| de France. | | | | discos). Lately freshened up, La Cuvette |
| | | | beach is well deserving a visit. |
| When the British took control during the | | | | |
| Napoleonic wars, the name returned to | | | | Pereybere |
| Mauritius and Indian contract labourers were | | | | |
| presented to make-up for the demise of | | | | The fantastic Pereybere public beach is |
| slavery in the British Empire. Mauritius won | | | | popular for of its shopping facilities, |
| independence from Britain on 12 March, 1968; | | | | eating places & pubs. |