Culture and history info

Culture - What makes Mauritius so special is not so much its tropical ambience but its multicultural identity, and a culture that combines the best of French style, Creole exuberance, Indian elegance and Chinese cuisine can only be fascinating. But these diverse cultures have not just co-existed – each has gained a little from the other over the years to offer a truly Mauritian experience. In fact, it is the unique nature of the island’s colourful history and its multi-ethnic people that combine to make this one of the world’s great holiday destinations. History - Of volcanic origin and generally sheltered by barriers of coral reefs forming natural, safe, crystal clear lagoons, Mauritius has long been a dream destination. Known to the Arabs as early as the 10th century, but officially discovered in 1505 by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas, the island was occupied successively by the Dutch (1598-1712) and the French (1715-1810), and was ceded to Great Britain in 1814 through the Treaty of Paris. On 12 March 1968, Mauritius became Independent. Republic Day was proclaimed on 12 March 1992.