Multiethnic, multi-religious, multicultural and multilingual (although the administration uses English as the main language, no official language is defined, since part of the population adopts French and Mauritian Creole), thus, with these plural features, we can define the Mauritius Islands, multifaceted due to their African, French, Dutch, Creole, Indian and Chinese heritage, from settlers to merchants passing through the sea route. With the highest HDI in Africa, the main island, Mauritius Island, is divided into nine districts: Black River, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Rivière du Rempart, and Savaune, added to three other islands: Agalega, Cargados Carajos or Saint Brandon, and Rodrigues.
This paradise, renowned for its varied flora and fauna, with several species endemic to the islands, such as the dodo, presents a tropical climate, predominantly warm, with a dry winter and a rainy summer. The climate is influenced by winds from the southeast. Part of the archipelago that includes the islands of Reunion and Rodrigues, the Mauritius Islands are part of the Mascarene Islands, and are the result of a series of volcanic eruptions that occurred 8 or 10 million years ago. Although nowadays there are no active volcanoes, the volcanic features are visible: there is a high central plateau surrounded by a crater that can be seen from several mountains, while its highest peak is situated to the northeast (the 828m of the Piton de la Rivière Noire).
In the northwest of the island, Port Louis is the capital and largest city. However, there are other important cities, such as Curepipe, Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes, and Vacoas-Phoenix, all marked by the example of public safety, thanks to the 10 thousand active officials divided among military, police and security functions, under the command of the Commissioner of Police (National Police Force, Special Mobile Force and National Coast Guard). The plurality of the Mauritius Islands can be seen clearly and savored in every meal. A product of French and Dutch settlers, as well as of Indian and Chinese immigrants, the cookery is the greatest proof that the mixture of nationalities only brings benefits to society.
With cultural mixtures in several items of a same dish, the Mauritius Islands captivate tourists with dishes such as daube, civet de lièvre, or coq au vin, all served with a good wine. The dishes, originated in the French cuisine, gained typical island ingredients and the influence of other immigrant nationalities in their preparation, which gives them a unique flavor. To drink, there’s nothing like the good rum produced on the Mauritius Islands. The drink began to be commercialized on the island in 1638, with the Dutch colonization and the arrival of sugar cane. All of this can be consumed in the Port Louis market, together with fruits such as longan and graviola, besides the dhal puri, a street sandwich that can be eaten while you buy beautiful handicrafts, such as the typical raffia baskets.
