Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Although known to Arab and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century, Mauritius was first explored by the Portuguese in the 16th century and subsequently settled by the Dutch - who named it in honor of Prince Maurits van NASSAU - in the 17th century. The French assumed control in 1715, developing the island into an important naval base overseeing Indian Ocean trade, and establishing a plantation economy of sugar cane. The British captured the island in 1810, during the Napoleonic Wars. Mauritius remained a strategically important British naval base, and later an air station, playing an important role during World War II for anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as the collection of signals intelligence. Independence from the UK was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20 17 S, 57 33 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,040 sq km
country comparison to the world: 181
land: 2,030 sq km
water: 10 sq km
note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
177 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Piton 828 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land, fish
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 38.24%
permanent crops: 1.96%
other: 59.8% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
212.2 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.75 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.73 cu km/yr (30%/3%/68%)
per capita: 568.2 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
water pollution, degradation of coral reefs
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs; former home of the dodo, a large flightless bird related to pigeons, driven to extinction by the end of the 17th century through a combination of hunting and the introduction of predatory species
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Mauritian(s)
adjective: Mauritian
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Indo-Mauritian 68%, Creole 27%, Sino-Mauritian 3%, Franco-Mauritian 2%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Creole 80.5%, Bhojpuri 12.1%, French 3.4%, English (official; spoken by less than 1% of the population), other 3.7%, unspecified 0.3% (2000 census)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Hindu 48%, Roman Catholic 23.6%, Muslim 16.6%, other Christian 8.6%, other 2.5%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.4% (2000 census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,322,238 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 21.3% (male 143,874/female 137,850)
15-24 years: 15.7% (male 104,861/female 102,671)
25-54 years: 44.3% (male 292,714/female 293,590)
55-64 years: 10.6% (male 66,460/female 73,964)
65 years and over: 8% (male 42,718/female 63,536) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 39.8 %
youth dependency ratio: 27.6 %
elderly dependency ratio: 12.2 %
potential support ratio: 8.2 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 33.5 years
male: 32.6 years
female: 34.4 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.68% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.62 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.79 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 41.8% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 0.57% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
PORT LOUIS (capital) 149,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
60 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 100
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 10.89 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 138
male: 12.95 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 74.94 years
country comparison to the world: 101
male: 71.48 years
female: 78.58 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.78 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
75.8% (2002)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.9% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 115
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.06 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.4 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8,800 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.5% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 105
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.7% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 122
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 88.8%
male: 91.1%
female: 86.7% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14 years
male: 13 years
female: 14 years (2008)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 23.7%
country comparison to the world: 44
male: 20.4%
female: 28.4% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius
conventional short form: Mauritius
local long form: Republic of Mauritius
local short form: Mauritius
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Port Louis
geographic coordinates: 20 09 S, 57 29 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12 March 1968 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 12 March (1968)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest adopted 12 March 1968; amended many times, last in 2012 (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil legal system based on French civil law with some elements of English common law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Rajkeswur Kailash PURRYAG (since 21 July 2012); note - former President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH resigned on 31 March 2012
head of government: Prime Minister Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM (since 5 July 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 21 July 2012 (next to be held in 2017); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly; note - former President Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH resigned on 31 March 2012
election results: Rajkeswur Kailash PURRYAG elected president by unanimous vote; percent of vote by the National Assembly - NA
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral National Assembly (70 seats; 62 members elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the election commission to give representation to various ethnic minorities; members to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 5 May 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AF 41, MMM 18, MR 2, FSM 1; appointed seats - to be assigned 8
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Mauritius (consists of the chief justice, a senior puisne judge, and 17 puisne judges)
judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister; senior puisne judge appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice; other puisne judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Judicial and Legal Commission, a 4-member body of judicial officials including the chief justice; all judges serve until retirement at age 62
subordinate courts: Court of Civil Appeal; Court of Criminal Appeal; Public Bodies Appeal Tribunal (formed by a 2008 constitutional amendment)
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Alliance of the Future or AF [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM] (governing coalition - includes MLP, MMSM, MR, MSD, PMSD)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
other: various labor unions
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, CPLP (associate), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SAARC (observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Somduth SOBORUN (since 28 January 2011)
chancery: 1709 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; administrative offices - 3201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491 through 1492
FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Shari VILLAROSA (since 10 September 2012; note - also accredited to Seychelles
embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis
mailing address: international mail: P. O. Box 544, Port Louis; US mail: American Embassy, Port Louis, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2450
telephone: [230] 202-4400
FAX: [230] 208-9534
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green; red represents self-determination and independence, blue the Indian Ocean surrounding the island, yellow has been interpreted as the new light of independence, golden sunshine, or the bright future, and green can symbolize either agriculture or the lush vegetation of the island
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Motherland"
lyrics/music: Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL
note: adopted 1968
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has developed from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a middle-income diversified economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of this period, annual growth has been on the order of 5% to 6%. This achievement has been reflected in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. The economy rests on sugar, tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services, and is expanding into fish processing, information and communications technology, and hospitality and property development. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 15% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on creating vertical and horizontal clusters of development in these sectors. Mauritius has attracted more than 32,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India, South Africa, and China. Investment in the banking sector alone has reached over $1 billion. Mauritius, with its strong textile sector, has been well poised to take advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Mauritius' sound economic policies and prudent banking practices helped to mitigate negative effects of the global financial crisis in 2008-09. GDP grew in the 3-4% per year range in 2010-12, and the country continues to expand its trade and investment outreach around the globe.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$19.98 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$11.31 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$15,400 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 74%
government consumption: 13.4%
investment in fixed capital: 23%
investment in inventories: 1.5%
exports of goods and services: 54.8%
imports of goods and services: -66.7%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 4.5%
industry: 22.7%
services: 72.8% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
sugarcane, tea, corn, potatoes, bananas, pulses; cattle, goats; fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing, mining, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
626,900 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture and fishing: 9%
construction and industry: 30%
transportation and communication: 7%
trade, restaurants, hotels: 22%
finance: 6%
other services: 25% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39 (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $2.456 billion
expenditures: $2.664 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
21.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
57.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 July - 30 June
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9% (31 December 2010 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.67% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.378 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$26.17 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12.87 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.54 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 80
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-1.175 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.673 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, molasses, fish
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
UK 19.3%, France 16.4%, US 9.9%, South Africa 9.8%, Spain 7.5%, Italy 6.9%, Madagascar 6.8% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.104 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
manufactured goods, capital equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
India 23.1%, China 16%, France 8.5%, South Africa 6.5% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.046 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.606 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Mauritian rupees (MUR) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.628 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.358 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
900,200 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
75.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 164
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24,710 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20,620 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 171
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.06 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
349,100 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 109
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.485 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 152
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: small system with good service
domestic: monopoly over fixed-line services terminated in 2005; fixed-line teledensity roughly 30 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular services launched in 1989 with current teledensity roughly 100 per 100 persons
international: country code - 230; landing point for the SAFE submarine cable that provides links to Asia and South Africa where it connects to the SAT-3/WASC submarine cable that provides further links to parts of East Africa, and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several countries (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the government maintains control over TV broadcasting through the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), which operates 3 analog and 10 digital TV stations; MBC is a shareholder in a local company that operates 2 pay-TV stations; the state retains the largest radio broadcast network with multiple stations; several private radio broadcasters have entered the market since 2001; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.mu
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
51,139 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 95
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
290,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 131
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 180
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m:
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,149 km
country comparison to the world: 173
paved: 2,149 km (includes 75 km of expressways) (2012)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4
country comparison to the world: 129
by type: passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1 (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Port Louis
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no regular military forces; Mauritius Police Force, Special Mobile Force, National Coast Guard (2011)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 343,628 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 280,596
females age 16-49: 283,317 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 10,193
female: 10,104 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.19% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 394
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands; claims French-administered Tromelin Island