Tourist Places in Mauritius

Mark Twain was so impressed by this natural paradise, that he remarked later, that Mauritius was made before heaven and heaven was a copy of the place. The small island is located in South West Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa. It is one of the most captivating island destinations of the world. Tourism in Mauritius is today a major contributor towards the country’s revenues.

History:
The Republic of Mauritius was being visited by the early sea-farers, and the earliest records appear from the 10th century AD. The Europeans arrived much later, including the Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas, credited for the discovery of the islands (1505), the Dutch who established a permanent settlement here (1638), and the French who took over the islands in 1715, renaming it as Isle de France. The British gained control of the island in 1810, after the French surrendered to them during the ongoing conflict between the two countries. Mauritius gained its independence in 1968, and became a part of the commonwealth in 1992. The island was proclaimed a republic on 12th March 1992.

Geography and Climate:
The island is located about 900 kilometers from Madagascar, off the South East Coast of Africa. The island is 65 kms long and 45 kms wide. The climate is tropical and temperature varies between 19 degrees, to 34 degrees centigrade. Summer months are wet and humid, lasting between November and May, while the dry winter starts from June and lasts till September. The region is prone to cyclonic activity and Mauritius has seen some major cyclones in the last century.


Tourism :
Tourism in Mauritius has taken off towards the end of the 20th century, the government having realized the immense potential. The Mauritius tours offer a fantastic tourism experience of the island and its surroundings. The beautiful scenery and the large number of exciting activities offered to tourists make Mauritius one of the most sought after tourist places in this part of the world. The tourist attractions in Mauritius include beautiful sandy beaches, quaint fishing villages, ruins of old European settlements, and wildlife parks. The island and the region surrounding it support a large number of wildlife species. The marine life is one of the major attractions of Mauritius. Some of the well known tourist attractions in Mauritius are – Chamarel waterfalls, Casela Wildlife Park, Yemen Reserve, Grand bay, Triolet Shivala, and the Balaclava ruins. The beaches of Mauritius include Grand Bay, Pereybere, Belle Mare, and Blue Bay.