Geography of Mauritius

The island nation of Mauritius, which is located in the Indian Ocean, has a beautiful scenery with a central plateau encircled by coral reefs and breath-taking white sand beaches. The island has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons and trade winds. Despite having little mineral resources, the nation's economy is based on manufacturing sectors including textile and food processing as well as agriculture, particularly sugarcane.

Although not particularly tall, Mauritius' mountains are significant and add to the island nation's natural beauty. Unique bird species and conservation efforts for endangered species are among the island's rich flora and fauna. Mauritius is attempting to maintain its natural heritage while growing its fishing industry and other businesses, with about one-fifth of its territory being covered in forests.

Physical Features

The island of Mauritius has a total land area of 1,865 square kilometres, is 61 kilometres long, and is 46 kilometres broad at its widest point. In the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is located around 800 kilometres (500 miles) east of Madagascar. Approximately 340 miles (550 km) east of the main island are Rodrigues Island, 250 miles (400 km) northeast are the Cargados Carajos Shoals, and 580 miles (930 km) north are the Agalega Islands.

Additionally, although this claim is disputed by Britain, Mauritius asserts sovereignty over the 1,250-mile (2,000-kilometer) north-eastern Chagos Archipelago, which includes Diego Garcia. About 350 miles of the island's coastline are protected nearly entirely by coral reefs and are built around a central plateau that is 600 meters above sea level. The original crater is still visible around the plateau among a number of other mountains. Nearly the entire coastline is surrounded by a ring of coral reefs, which provide several shallow lagoons, dunes, and beaches with white coral sand.

Many of the rivers and streams in Mauritius are generated in the voids left by old and new lava flows between the land. The island features one artificial reservoir in addition to two crater lakes that are found naturally. Port Louis, which is located in the northwest, is both the capital and largest city of Mauritius. Rose-Hill and Beau-Bassin, Curepipe, Vacoas, Phoenix, and Quatre Bornes are further significant towns. Port Louis and Mahebourg have the two largest harbours.

Climate

The majority of the country's land is arable and is used to grow sugarcane, the main export crop. Additionally, tea and vegetables are farmed for local use. A maritime subtropical climate characterizes the area, with relatively constant temperatures all year long. Mean temperatures range from the upper 60s F (upper 10s C) on the high plateau to the mid-70s F (low to mid-20s C) at sea level. Hot (December to April) and cool (June to September) are the two acknowledged seasons. On the west coast, annual rainfall ranges from around 35 inches (900 mm) to 60 inches (1,525 mm) and about 200 inches (5,080 mm) on the central plateau.

The southeast trade winds influence the tropical climate in the area, which has two seasons: a hot, wet, and humid summer from November to May, and a mild, dry winter from May to November. Anticyclones have an impact on the nation from May through September. From November through April, Mauritius is impacted by cyclones. The two most recent and severe cyclones to hit the island were Hollanda (1994) and Dina (2002).

River System

The volcanic island of Mauritius is almost completely encircled by coral reefs. A plain in the northern region climbs to a plateau in the centre, with elevations ranging from 900 to 2,400 feet (270 to 730 meters) above sea level. The Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire in the southwest is the highest peak on the plateau at 2,717 feet [828 meters], which may have been the rim of an ancient volcano. The two main rivers, the Black River and the Grand River South East, are the main generators of hydroelectric power. The main source of water is Lake Vacoas, one of the major reservoirs.

Fauna

The fauna includes the mongoose, tenrec (a spiny insectivore), samber (a long-tailed, dark brown deer), and many birds and insects. The dodo, a flightless bird that went extinct in 1681, once lived on the island. The late 20th century saw the start of efforts to conserve additional endangered unique bird species.

Resources

There aren't many useful mineral resources in Mauritius. Lime and basalt are mined. With just a small portion coming from hydropower, imported petroleum is primarily used to provide electricity. Bagasse, the fibre left over from sugarcane after the juice containing sugar is collected, is frequently used as fuel in sugar fields to generate electricity. Since the 1970s, manufacturing has steadily increased.

Foreign investment has been successfully drawn to the Mauritius Export Processing Zone, which focuses on labour-intensive processing of imported raw materials or semifinished goods for the export market. Manufacturing industries with a significant economic impact include textiles, food processing, metal and metal products, and chemical goods.

Mountains

Mauritius is a somewhat mountainous island; however, its mountains are not extremely tall. Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, which has an elevation of 828 meters (2,717 feet), is the island's highest peak. Pieter Both, at 823 meters, is second-highest, while Le Pouce, at 812 meters, is third-highest. Mauritius is actually made up of a central tableland that slopes from a height of 300 meters in the north to 600 meters in the southwest, surrounded by a broken ring of mountain ranges that are between 600 and 800 meters above sea level.

Vegetation and Forest

With efforts to diversify the economy, the importance of the agricultural sector has decreased, although it is still significant. Four fifths of all arable land is used for the production of sugar, which accounts for around one-sixth of export revenue. As cash crops, tea and tobacco are included. Bananas, tomatoes, and potatoes are examples of subsistence crops. The majority of the livestock population consists of chickens, sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle. Despite the limited remaining natural forest, there are 600 native species of plants.

About one-fifth of Mauritius' total land area is covered by forests. During the colonial era, there was rapid deforestation. To repopulate the forestland, non-native species were planted, including the dominating slash pine (Pinus elliottii), the Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica), and the Moreton Bay pine (Araucaria cunninghamii). There are also eucalyptus trees and Casuarina (beefwood) trees in the area. The main forest product is roundwood, of which around two-fifths is utilized as fuel. Sawn wood is also produced.

In contrast to other nations in the area, Mauritius imports the things it lacks because it uses more wood than it produces. The fishing sector is being revived with the help of technical aid from Japan and India, which has become more significant. Many species of fish with a high commercial value can be found in the waters around Mauritius, such as grouper, tuna, and snapper. With species like sea bream and channel bass, aquaculture is practised.

Conclusion

Mauritius, is characterized by its stunning physical features, diverse climate, and rich biodiversity. A distinctive environment is created by the island's centre plateau, which is flanked by coral reefs and white sand beaches. The tropical environment, which is influenced by trade winds and seasonal changes, makes it a popular travel destination. Despite having few mineral resources, Mauritius relies on agriculture, particularly sugarcane, and has witnessed expansion in the manufacturing sector.

Although the island's mountains are not particularly tall, they do add to the gorgeous landscape. The extraordinary flora and fauna of Mauritius include rare bird species and initiatives to protect threatened species. With assistance from other nations, the nation is also advancing in the fishing industry.

FAQs

1. Where is Mauritius located?

800 kilometres to the east of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean, is the island nation of Mauritius.

2. What is the climate like in Mauritius?

The climate in Mauritius is maritime subtropical, with relatively stable temperatures all year round. From November to May, it has a hot, rainy, and humid summer, and from May to November, it has a moderate, dry winter.

3. What are the main industries in Mauritius?

Agriculture (sugarcane, tea, and vegetables), industry (textiles, food processing, metal products, and chemicals), and fishing are the primary economic sectors in Mauritius.

4. What are the highest peaks in Mauritius?

Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (828 meters), Pieter Both (823 meters), and Le Pouce (812 meters) are the three tallest peaks in Mauritius.

5. What is the flora and fauna like in Mauritius?

Unique bird species, as well as a wide variety of other flora and animals, can be found in Mauritius. The fishing industry is being revived, and efforts are being made to protect endangered species.