Mauritius General Information

MAURITIUS INFORMATION

Area: 2040 sq km (788 sq miles).

Population: 1,159,729 (1998).

Population Density: 589.0 per sq km.

Capital: Port Louis. Population: 147,131 (1998).

Geography: Mauritius, a volcanic and mountainous island in the Indian Ocean, lies 2000km (1240 miles) off the southeastern coast of Africa, due east of Madagascar. The island-state stands on what was once a land bridge between Asia and Africa called the Mascarene Archipelago. From the coast, the land rises to form a broad fertile plain on which sugar cane flourishes. Some 500km (310 miles) east is Rodrigues Island, while northeast are the Cargados Carajos Shoals and 900km (560 miles) to the north is Agalega.

Government: Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1968. Head of State: President Cassam Uteem since 1992. Head of Government: Prime Minister Aneerood Jugnauth since 2000.

Language: English is the official language. The most widely spoken languages are French, Creole, Hindi and Bhojpuri. Urdu and Chinese are also among the languages spoken.

Religion: 51 per cent Hindu, 31 per cent Christian, 17 per cent Muslim.

Time: GMT + 4.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. UK-type 3-pin plugs are commonly used in hotels.

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 230. There are no area codes. Outgoing international code: 00. There are a limited number of public telephone booths, mainly at the airport and in major hotels.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 networks, with coverage extending over the whole island. Network operators include Cellplus Mobile Comms (website: www.gocellplus.com). Handsets and SIM cards can be hired from Mauritius Telecoms or Emtel.

Fax: Most hotels have facilities, as well as Mauritius Telecom offices in Port Louis and Cassis.

Internet/E-mail: There are a number of ISPs in Mauritius; they include Telecom Plus, Mauritius Network (MNS), MauriNet and Mauritius Telecom (http://mt.intnet.mu). There are cyber cafés in Phoenix, Vaoas and other main towns. Most hotels offer internet facilties.

Telegram: Messages can be sent from the Mauritius Telecommunications Service offices in Cassis and Port Louis. There are also facilities at Overseas Telecoms Services Ltd, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis.

Postal: Post office hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0815-1115 and 1200-1600; Sat 0800-1145.

Press: Of the nine daily newspapers, two are published in Chinese and the remainder in French and English. L'Express and Le Mauricien have the highest circulation.

TRAVEL

AIR: The national airline of Mauritius is Air Mauritius (MK). Air Austral, Air Europe, Air France, Air Madagascar, Air Seychelles, Air Tanzania, Air Zimbabwe, British Airways, Condor, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways and Swissair also fly to Mauritius.

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: Mauritius (MRU) (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam) is 48km (30 miles) southeast of Port Louis. Taxis are available to the city (travel time - 45 minutes to 2 hours). Airport facilities include duty-free shops, banks/bureaux de change, snack bar, post office, shops and car hire (Avis, Europcar and Hertz). A new terminal has recently been built.

DEPARTURE TAX: MRs500. Passengers transiting within 48 hours and children under two years of age are exempt.

SEA: Port Louis is the main port. It is primarily commercial but there is a limited passenger service to Réunion and Rodrigues Island.

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least 6 months from date of entry required by all. Passports issued by the government of Taiwan are not recognised. The holders of such documents can apply for an entry permit to the Passport and Immigration Officer (address below).

Note: All visitors must hold valid tickets and documents for their onward or return journey and adequate funds for their intended length of stay.

VISAS: Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for stays up to 3 months;
(b) nationals of Commonwealth countries for stays of up to 3 months (except nationals of Bangladesh, Cameroon, Fiji, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Swaziland who do require a visa);
(c) nationals of Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Norway, Oman, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vatican City for stays of up to 1 month, renewable for up to 3 months;
(d) transit passengers continuing their journey to a third country within 72 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Validity: Tourist visas: up to 6 months in any one year. Business visas: up to 3 months. Social visas: 2 months. Applications for extensions should be made to the relevant authority (see below).

Note: (a) Nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay can obtain a visa on arrival for stays of up to 3 months. (b) Nationals of Mozambique can obtain a visa on arrival for stays of up to 1 month. (c) Nationals of Albania, Bulgaria, CIS, Comoros, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Poland and Romania can obtain a visa on arrival for stays of up to 15 days. (d) Nationals of Algeria, Iraq, Iran, Libya and Sudan need special clearance.

Important Notice: Please Note that these regulations are changed on a regular basis by the different governments, Southtravels.com can not be liable for any information that could have been changed since we checked it. It is the responsibility of each passenger to check the different conditions of entry to the desired country.