The island country of Mauritius lies in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar. The volcanic main island of Mauritius is ringed by coral reefs; there are some 20 smaller islands. The islands were ruled in turn by the Dutch, French, and British, whose legacy includes a parliamentary form of government. Independence came in 1968. Diversifying sugarcane farming with manufacturing and tourism strengthens the nation, a blend of Africans, Indians, Europeans, and Chinese.
ECONOMYIndustry: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing, chemicals, metal products.
Agriculture: sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas; cattle; fish.
Exports: clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses.Text source:
National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition, 2004
