A journey through its history and geography

History and geography of Mauritius

 

Mauritian geography: a volcanic jewel in the Indian Ocean

 

Mauritius is majestically rising in the Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometers east of Madagascar. This volcanic land is part of the Mascareignes archipelago alongside Reunion and Rodrigues. With a modest area of ​​1,865 km², this island territory nevertheless offers a remarkable diversity of landscapes, testifying to its hectic geological history.

Born from the depths of the ocean about 8 million years ago, Mauritius owes its existence to intense volcanic activity. This origin is still reflected today in its characteristic relief. The island has a central plateau -shaped morphology, crowned with mountainous peaks with recognizable silhouettes which amount to more than 800 meters above sea level. The piton of the small black river culminates at 828 meters, while the Pieter Both, with its singular human shape, reached 820 meters. Further southwest, the majestic Morne Brabant paints his mountainous peninsula 556 meters above the ocean, a site today listed as a UNESCO World Heritage in memory of the slaves who took refuge there.

The Mauritian coast, about 330 kilometers long, is almost entirely surrounded by a coral reef which forms a lagoon with crystal clear waters. This natural barrier played a decisive role in the history of the island, offering protection to ships while making certain points of the coast that are difficult to access the invaders. The coast alternates between white sandy beaches bordered by filaos and coconut palms, particularly on the north and east coasts, and more steep cliffs to the west and southwest.

The interior lands also reveal natural wonders such as Les Gorges de la Rivière Noire, valley collected in the heart of the national park of the same name, or the amazing land of the seven colors of Chamarel, where volcanic floors offer a unique chromatic spectacle in the world. The numerous rivers that descend from the central plateau have shaped green valleys and spectacular waterfalls, such as the seven waterfalls in the Tamarind Falls region.

The Mauritian climate, of maritime tropical type, is characterized by its gentleness and its generous sunshine. Two main seasons punctuate the year: the southern summer, from November to April, warm and humid with temperatures oscillating between 25 and 30 ° C, and the southern winter, from May to October, cooler and dry with temperatures between 17 and 23 ° C. The east coast, exposed to the trade winds, receives more precipitation than the west coast, thus creating various microclimates on this small territory. Between January and March, the island can be affected by tropical cyclones whose intensity varies, sometimes violently recalling the vulnerability of this island paradise in the face of the elements.

 

Mauritian history: a crossroads of civilizations and influences

 

The history of Mauritius is that of a long uninhabited land which gradually became a crucible of cultures and civilizations. Unlike other islands of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius has never known an indigenous population. Its human history begins late, according to the discoveries and lusts of the European maritime powers.

The first navigators to have seen the island were probably Arab sailors in the ninth century, but they did not establish themselves. It was not until the beginning of the 16th century that the Portuguese, led by Pedro Mascarenhas, officially discover the archipelago which will bear its name. They call the "Cirné" island but, concentrated on their counters in India and East Africa, do not seek to colonize it.

The history of the human occupation of Mauritius really begins with the arrival of the Dutch in 1598. Admiral Wybrand Van Warwijck took possession of the island and baptizes it "Mauritius" in honor of Prince Maurice de Nassau. The first attempt at Dutch colonization began in 1638, but it remains modest and precarious. The colonists exploit the precious ebony wood, introduce sugar cane and java deer, but have to face difficult conditions and natural disasters. In 1710, after a second unsuccessful attempt, the Dutch definitively abandoned the island, leaving behind some constructions, cultures and unfortunately, the beginning of the deforestation and the disappearance of the dodo, this endemic bird which has become a symbol of extinction.

In 1715, Guillaume Dufresne d'Arsel took possession of the island in the name of France and renamed it "Isle de France". The real development of the territory begins under the leadership of the French Eastern India Company. It was especially under the governorate of Mahé de la Bourdonnais, from 1735 to 1746, that the island experienced a remarkable development. This visionary administrator built Port-Louis, develops infrastructure, organizes agriculture and makes the island a strategic naval base in the Indian Ocean. The colonial society which is then formed is based on the planting economy and slavery, with slaves mainly brought from Madagascar and East Africa.

The French period deeply marks the Mauritian identity, both in toponymy and in culture and language. Despite subsequent political changes, this French influence will persist until today. At the end of the 18th century, the Isle of France became a strategic issue in Franco-British rivalry for the domination of commercial roads to India.

In 1810, after the Naval Battle of Grand Port - the only naval victory registered on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris - the British finally seized the island. The Paris Treaty of 1814 formalizes this possession and the island regains its Dutch name of "Mauritius". The new masters maintain the economic and social structures in place, allowing French settlers to keep their land and their customs.

A major turning point in Mauritian history intervened in 1835 with the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire. Faced with the need for labor for sugar plantations, the colonial authorities organize the massive arrival of committed workers (Indentured Laborers) who came mainly from India. Between 1834 and 1910, nearly 450,000 Indians landed in Mauritius, radically transforming the demographic and cultural composition of the island. This migration is one of the most important Indian diasporas of the time and forges the multicultural face of contemporary Mauritius.

The second half of the 19th century saw the sugar economy reaching its peak, making Mauritius the "country of sugar". At the same time, a middle class begins to emerge and the first political demands appear. At the beginning of the 20th century, social and political movements were organized, carried in particular by figures like Dr Maurice Curé and Emmanuel Anquetil.

After the Second World War, the movement for autonomy and then independence accelerated. Under the direction of leaders such as Seewoosagur Ramgolam, progressive constitutional reforms are obtained. On March 12, 1968, Maurice finally reached independence while remaining a member of the Commonwealth. This transition is done peacefully, even if it reveals community tensions that will last in Mauritian politics. In 1992, Mauritius became a Republic, while retaining his membership of the British Commonwealth.

The history of Mauritius illustrates how a small island territory, first coveted for its strategic position in the Indian Ocean, has become over the centuries a fascinating laboratory of multicultural coexistence. From Dutch to French then to English, African, European, Indian and Chinese influences, Mauritius knew how to forge a clean identity, rich in its diversities and turned to the future.

 

Discovery and first occupations

• 1507 : Discovery by Portuguese navigators who call it "Cirné"
• 1598 : The Dutch take possession of the island and baptize it "Mauritius"
• 1638-1710 : First Dutch colonization, marked by the exploitation of ebony wood and the introduction of sugar cane

French period (1715-1810)

• 1715 : The French take possession of the island and the renowned "Isle de France"
• 1735-1746 : Governorate of Mahé de la Bourdonnais, period of considerable development
• 1810 : Naval Battle of Grand Port, followed by the British takeover

British period (1810-1968)

• 1814 : The island resumes its Dutch name "Mauritius" by the Treaty of Paris
• 1835 : Abolition of slavery, followed by the arrival of workers committed from India
• 1860-1900 : Development of the sugar industry and diversification of the population

Independence

• March 12, 1968 : Proclamation of independence, Maurice becomes a member state of the Commonwealth
• 1992 : Maurice becomes a republic while staying in the Commonwealth

Mauritius: a mosaic of breathtaking landscapes

Mauritius, a jewel of the Indian Ocean, is revealed as a real mosaic of spectacular landscapes, where green mountains, coastal plains and turquoise lagoons rub shoulders in perfect harmony.

A volcanic relief with a thousand and one facets:

Of volcanic origin, the island offers a contrasting relief, culminating in the piton of the Black River at 828 meters above sea level.
The central trays, dotted with lush forests and tea plantations, spread out as far as the eye can see.
The rivers and waterfalls, such as the Chamarel waterfall with the seven colors, crisscross the green valleys.
Heavenly ribs:

Over 150 kilometers of sandy beaches line the island, offering turquoise lagoons with crystal clear waters.
Protected by the third largest coral barrier in the world, the island is home to a rich and diversified marine fauna, ideal for diving and snorkeling.
Dream spots for water sports enthusiasts, such as kitesurfing and windsurfing, mark out the coast.
Islands and islets: a hidden treasure archipelago

The Mauritian archipelago extends beyond the main island, encompassing Rodrigues, a smaller island to the east, known for its virgin beaches and its authentic Creole culture.
The Cargados Carajos and Saint Brandon islets complete this rosary of paradise islands, preserved natural sanctuaries.
A lush and preserved nature:

The island houses unique flora and fauna, with endemic species such as the dodo, unfortunately disappeared, and the deer of Mauritius.
Tropical forests, such as the Black River Gorges National Park, are full of hiking trails inviting exploration.
Strict environmental protection measures aim to preserve the fragile beauty of the island.
Mauritius, a true natural sanctuary and haven of peace, offers a geography of striking beauty. Its varied landscapes, its paradise coasts and its preserved nature make this island a unique and unforgettable destination.