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