Population
The population, estimated at 1,5 million, comprises different races, cultures and religions. Mauritians are mainly descendants of immigrants from France, England, Africa, India and China. The cultural diversity and racial harmony makes Mauritius a unique place. Most Mauritians are multilingual.

Religions, Festivals and Places of Culture
Mauritius has a cosmopolitan culture. Co-existence among Mauritians of Indian, African, European and Chinese ancestry has led to a sharing of cultures and values. The main festivals and religious events celebrated in Mauritius are Cavadee, Chinese Spring Festival, Christmas, Divali, Easter, Eid-ul-Fitr, Ganesh Chathurti, Holi, Maha Shivaratree, Père Laval Pilgrimage and Ugadi.

Typical Cuisine Of Mauritius
Gastronomes will find a variety of flavours and aromas from the culinary traditions of France, India, China and Africa. Eating in Port Louis is a gastronomical adventure. Stir-fried Chinese delights, piquant Indian curries and briyanis, seafood and other exotic dishes are all available.

Pamplemousses Gardens
Pamplemousses Gardens further to the South just off the main motorway is the place where, in 1767, Pierre Poivre created the Pamplemousses Gardens also known as the Royal Botanical Gardens. They started as a vegetable garden in 1735, to service the Governor's Mon Plaisir Château.

Chamarel
Chamarel is the site of the coloured earths. The different shades of browns, rusts and yellow are the result of the erosion of the volcanic ash. The neighbouring waterfalls of Chamarel rise from the moors and the native plant life. Case Noyale village is close by.

Casela
Casela, situated in the Riviere Noire district is a bird park set in 25 hectares of beautiful scenery. More than 140 bird species from five continents, fish ponds, tigers, tortoises, monkeys, deer, orchids can be visited. Walks with lions and cheetahs can also be arranged.

Black River Gorges National Park
Black River Gorges National Park is a 6,974 hectare, (16,788 acre) forest, with indigenous plants, birds and wildlife. Black River Peak trail goes to the highest mountain in Mauritius, whilst the Maccabee Trail starts nearby and plunges into the gorge to Black River.

Ile aux Cerfs
Ile aux Cerfs is a paradise for watersports and has one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritus. Unfortunately it has become extremely crowded so you are advised to take one of the catamaran trips which anchors near the island for snorkeling, etc.

Roches Noires and its lagoon
In the lagoon of Roches Noires one can take a kayak trip to the island of Ile D’Ambre. The lagoon is large and due to the undeveloped coast, the water is clear. It is very tranquil and the perfect spot if you want to experience peace and tranquility. The lagoon is ideal for boardsailing, kite surfing, boating and snorkeling.

Ile aux Aigrettes
Some of the rarest birds can be seen here including the Mauritian kestrel, extremely rare Pink Pigeon, the Green Gecko Phelsuma and the Aldabra giant tortoise. ‘Ile aux Aigrettes’ is a 25 hectares islet 900m off the south east coast of Mauritius near to Mahebourg.

Mahebourg
Mahebourg is one of the main fishing villages on the island. Built on the magnificent Grand Port Bay it was founded in 1804 by the French Governor Charles Decaen. The Monday markets are one of the biggest and best on the island and can be found next to the main bus station

L’Aventure du Sucre
Visit an interactive and ultra modern exhibition situated at the heart of an ancient sugarmill and discover the fascinating history of Mauritius and its sugarcane adventure exposed over 5000 sq meters. There is a shop with gifts, souvenirs and the tasting of special unrefined sugars as well as local rum. Enjoy the Mauritian cuisine at the restaurant "Le Fangourin".

Ganga Talao - Grand Bassin
Beyond La Marie and Mare-aux-Vacoas is one of the two natural lakes of Mauritius. It rests within the crater of an extinct volcano. Ganga Talao is an important pilgrimage site and many Mauritians of the Hindu faith walk there during the Maha Shivaratri festival or the night fasting dedicated to Shiva.

Port Louis
At the north-western end of the island, against a backdrop of mountains, is Port Louis, the island's main city. With a population of just 138,211 inhabitants, Port Louis is a flourishing capital complete with an established infrastructure, markets selling fruit, vegetables and spices, and is the island's only port.

Curepipe
Curepipe, the third largest urban area with 80 554 citizens, is renowned for its model ship builders, tea industry and the nearby dormant crater of Trou aux Cerfs, which offers breathtaking panoramas of the island's landscape.