Baudelaire's definition of Mauritius
Garden of Eden is not enough to describe the beauty, uniqueness and benefits of these lands. Mauritius is like a piece of another world - a mysterious, yet authentic- real.
Mauritius is known worldwide. And not just as a tourist resort. First, Mauritius is famous as home of the extinct birds - Dodo (so named by the Portuguese, which means with fewer colors - are not distinguished by color ). By 1681 all specimens were killed by natives or their pets. Today effigy is a symbol of Dodo of Mauritius.
The trip to Mauritius is long - almost 8,000 km. But when you step on the island, bring genuine tropical air and see the landscape of peacekeeping clear blue waters and bright green vegetation, you will find that every mile is worth. Local culture, a mixture of so many nationalities lived in Mauritius over the past 5 centuries (Danish, Portuguese, Englishmen, Frenchmen, even Indians and Chinese) will devour in a never-ending fiesta of exotic local folklore music (called Now) known and unknown holiday festivals, water sports and hiking, religious and domestic habits, and of course - culinary delights.
The world of nature in Mauritius will charm you. Besides the many waterfalls, nature reserves, mountain areas, parks and beaches, where you will learn more about the Nobel Prize in Literature 2008 Jean - Marie Gustave Le Klesio in whose veins runs the local blood and who spent part of the island each of his years of life. Mauritius is a veritable paradise - visit in January.
Mauritius (along with the islands of Reunion and Rodrigues) is part of archipelago located in the southwest Indian Ocean and occurred as a result of multiple underwater volcanic eruptions some 10 million years. Nearest continent is Africa, Mauritius and 900 km. It lands on the island of Madagascar.
Formed around the central African Plateau, the highest point is Mount Mauritius Piton de la Riviere Noire Petit (828 m). Possessions of the republic to fall and the islands Kargados Karahos, Rodriguez and Agalega. The capital and largest city is Port Louis and other important cities are Rose - Hill, Beau - Pool, Phoenix and Kyurpayp.
Mauritius was uninhabited until XVII century, when the finally established European researchers. However, even in the X century the island was known to Arab and Asian seafarers, and in 1507 the Portuguese explorers first set foot on this earth. In 1589 cyclone five Dutch ships depart the island. That the Dutch gave it the name - naming it Mauritius, in honor of Prince Maurice of Nassau, the Dutch commander. In 1638 they founded the first permanent settlement, but in 1710 abandoned the island due to adverse weather conditions (especially cyclones) and violation of domestic atmosphere.
In 1715 France, which has already put his hand on the neighboring island of Reunion, and seized power over Mauritius, developing its economy through sugar production (from cane fund they started to produce alcoholic beverages , and today the island is one of the largest manufacturer of rum). During the Napoleonic wars between 1803 - 1815, Britain captured the island. On March 12, 1968 Mauritius gained its independence within the Commonwealth and on the same date in 1992 was declared a republic.
Strange as it sounds, Mauritius does not offer incredibly beautiful beaches, palm trees and hotels. Due to the strong influence of Britain and France, as well as their predecessors - the Danes, the island you can see preserved remains of the first settlements and imposing mansions, built centuries ago. The most significant among them are the ruins of the mansion, located a few meters from Turtle Bay (so named by the Portuguese in the XVI, for the large number of turtles inhabiting this part of Mauritius) and Danish ruins near the port, which are founded the first settlement on the island (from the beginning of XVII century).
Will do well on his arrival at the airport or port of Port Louis, make a tour of the capital before you have taken a more thorough examination of Mauritius. Because the city also has something to offer. Here are the most important administrative buildings (including a baroque architecture stands out that of the Parliament), the fort Fort Adelaide (built by the British in 1835), Mauritius Institute (dedicated to the study of local flora and fauna ), the old Theatre, open market (a real magnet for tourists), Natural History Museum, the Museum of the brands and the oldest post office in Mauritius.
One of the cornerstones in the history of Mauritius, and accordingly one of the most valuable monuments of the island, the towers Martel. Of five built by the British in the period 1832 - 1835, in the vicinity of Port Louis are only three survivors. One of them was restored and turned into a museum. A few kilometers away from them is one of the main fishing villages on the island - Maeburg based in the magnificent Bay Grand Port in 1804
If you want to enjoy the loud and varied nightlife, delicious international cuisine (Chinese, Indian and European), beautiful hotels, restaurants and night clubs, walk to the north of Mauritius, where he awaits the neighborhood Grand Bay. In the vicinity are located the longest village on the island The Triolet Shivala (the largest Hindu temple The Maheswarnath, built in 1819 in honor of the gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha ), the amazing Garden of grapefruit (featuring a wide variety of tropical fruit trees and colorful exotic flowers and fragrant).
