Mauritius is a country that has been on my mind a lot lately. As the world slips into the most politically and racially charged climate of my lifetime, I felt it important to highlight this tiny island nation because visiting here opened my eyes to a vital concept; acceptance.

This mindset is so ingrained in Mauritian way of life that the country is often referred to as a model for religious tolerance.

I’ll be the first to admit that as a 19-year-old traveling to this small slice of paradise off the coast of Madagascar with Semester at Sea, I knew next to nothing about the place.

So, other than what I just told you about their peaceful way of life, what about you? How much do you know about Mauritius?

Here are 23 facts to help paint a picture of what this country is all about; a beautiful picture at that!

1. The entire island of Mauritius is just 2040 square-kilometres

This makes it the world’s 181st largest nation in the world. The country is 45km wide and 65km long (CIA World Fact Book).

2. Mauritius is home to the Seven Colors of Earth

A popular tourist destination in Chamarel, these dunes of dirt contain a mix of colors that can be traced back to several volcanic eruptions, each that cooled at their own rate.

3. Three countries had control of the island prior to independence

The Netherlands ruled the land from 1638-1710 followed by France from 1715-1810. Surprise, surprise, in came the British in 1810 to take over and they remained in control of Mauritius until 1968.

4. More than 1.2 million people call this tiny nation home

This leads to a high population density. So high in fact that Mauritius has the highest of such in all of Africa.

5. Mauritius is the only African nation with Hinduism as the dominant religion

The country is 26.3% Roman Catholic, 17.3% Muslim, and 48.5% Hindu.

6. English and French are the most popular languages

You won’t find an official language for the country, but plenty of local Mauritians speak a form of Creole.

7. Mauritius’ flag is made up of four “bands”

Red represents the bloodshed for abolishing slavery and obtaining independence, blue for the vast Indian Ocean, yellow for the bright and shining future that lay ahead, while green symbolizes the lush green vegetation found throughout the island.

8. Mauritius was one of four countries around the world that were NOT engaged in domestic or international conflicts in 2017

Peace, tolerance and acceptance. It’s a concoction that works.

9. Even Mark Twain was rendered speechless by the island’s beauty

“Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and heaven was copied after Mauritius.”

10. The Dodo Bird reigns supreme

Well… not really. The exotic flightless bird is now extinct, but Mauritius was the only known habitat. Due to the island’s lack of predators, the bird eventually lost it’s ability to fly.

11. Mauritius is a proud possessor of the UN Development Programs highest Human Development Index in all of Africa

Between 1990 and 2018, the country’s Human Development Index (HDI) increased from 0.620 to 0.796. The country is currently ranked 66th in the entire world and highest amongst the African continent.

12. More than 1.36 million visitors step foot onto the island each year

This figure significantly outnumbers the local Mauritian population.

13. Mauritius is a volcanic island that first rose 8 million years ago

14. The country does not maintain a standing army

Starting the see the peaceful mindset theme?

15. Port Louis is home to 40% of the population

This capital city was established back in 1736 by the French East Indian Company.

16. It’s widely believed that a stuffed Dodo Bird at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History inspired Lewis Carroll to write Alice in Wonderland

Thank you, Dodo bird.

17. Sugarcane is grown on around 90% of cultivated land in Mauritius

Other major land use includes tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, cattle and goats.

18. Black River Gorges National Park is home to one of the world’s rarest birds

Bird watchers worldwide flock here for a chance to spot the Mauritian Pink Pigeon.

19. The La Vanille Nature Park boasts an expansive collection of captive-bred giant Aldabra tortoises

The numbers stretch into the thousands and it’s a popular stopping point amongst visitors.

20. Local cuisine is a tasty blend of Creole, Indian, Chinese, and French

Let your imagination (and taste buds) run wild.

21. The Grand Bassin Lake, or Ganga Talao, is Mauritius’ most sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus

A statue of Shiva lives along the lake and Hindus travel here annually to pay their respects.

22. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden is the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere

23. Mauritius has received the World’s Leading Island Destination award not one, not two, but THREE times in the past decade

Between the exotic wildlife, lush mountains, and stunning beaches, it’s actually a mystery as to why they haven’t won it more.

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