Is Mauritius In Asia Or Africa?

Mauritius is part of the African continent geographically and is located in the Indian Ocean. The island nation is located in the intersection of the African continent and the Asian continent and has a fusion of different languages, religions, and cultures. Although Mauritius is part of Africa, it has very little similarity to other African countries in relation to economy, geography, and demography. The Republic of Mauritius is about 1,200 miles from the southeastern coast of Africa. The country is part of Eastern African sub region which constitutes 20 territories. Mauritius makes up Africa’s small island nations together with Comoros and Seychelles. The state is a member of the African Union and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Geography Of Mauritius

Mauritius has a total land area of 790 square miles, making it the 27th smallest country in the world. The republic consists of several islands including the main island of Mauritius. Located 350 miles east of the main Mauritius Island is the nation’s second-largest island of Rodrigues, which is 42 square miles in area. Other islands that make up the republic include the Agalega islands with a land area of 10 square miles and about 620 miles to the north of Mauritius, with 270 miles on the northeastern side being Saint Brandon, an archipelago that serves as a fishing base. The island of Mauritius has a land area of 720 square miles and measures 40 miles in length and about 30 miles wide. 100 miles of sandy beaches surround the main island, which has 49 islands and islets that are uninhabited.

Demographics Of Mauritius

As of December 2016, the Republic of Mauritius had a population of about 1.2 million people. The population is ethnically diverse, and consists of people of Indians, Chinese, African, and European ancestry, among others. The 2011 census placed Hinduism as the most widespread religion with 51.9% of the population conforming. Christianity comes in second at 31.4%. About 15.3% of the population is Muslim, while Buddhist and non-religious citizens accounted for 0.4% and 0.7% respectively. Education in Mauritius is free which resulted in an adult literacy of 89.8% by 2011. In 2014, life expectancy in Mauritius stood at 75.17 years.

Mauritius’s Culture

Several cultures blend in Mauritius. The country’s musical genres include Bhojpuri and Seggae with the major one being Sega. Favorite sports in Mauritius include football, horse racing, cycling, karate, judo, taekwondo, and athletics. Mauritian men follow the Premier League in England with popular clubs being Manchester United and Liverpool FC. Most dishes on the island are unique, with spices making up a large part of the cuisine, which has Chinese, Indian, Creole, and European influences. The nation has 15 annual public holidays including Christmas, Labour Day, Independence Day, and Abolition of Slavery on fixed dates. Mauritians celebrate festivals like the Chinese Spring, Thaipoosam Cavadee, and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on varying dates.