Fun facts about paradise

Mark Twain once said, "Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and heaven was copied after Mauritius." 

Mauritius is a well-known island known for it's exquisite beauty, pristine beaches and idyllic climate - but here are some facts that you might not have known: 

- Location

A beautiful, tropical island located in the Indian Ocean near Reunion Island, to the East of Madagascar.  This small island is considered a part of Africa despite its geographical location!

- Number of islands

Mauritius comprises a total number of 16 islands and islets, each known for their exquisite beauty.

- Geological Background

The island was formed thousands of years ago by underwater volcanic eruptions.

- Languages

Mauritius doesn't have any "official" language. Most Mauritians are multi-lingual, with a Mauritian French-based Creole also spoken by the majority of the population.

English is only official in Parliament, though it's also spoken in business environments and the courts. French is more widely spoken generally, and more often used in newspapers and literature.

- Currency

Mauritian Rupee is accepted across the island. You can get the currency exchanged either at the airport or from the currency exchange centres. Mauritian currency is available as coins of 5, 20 and 50 cents. Currency notes are available in denominations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000.

- National Flower

The national flower of Mauritius is the Trochetia boutoniana, also known by its Creole name Boucle d'Oreille. The only place where the flower naturally occurs is on the slopes of Le Morne Brabant mountain in the far south west of the country.

- National Bird

The dodo bird is the symbol of Mauritius and it features on the coat of arms of this country. This flightless bird has been extinct since the year 1681

- Guinness World Record

The country holds a Guinness-certified world record for organising the world's largest shower. 200 people took part in a 5-minute long giant shower on the beach at Flic en Flac.

- Religion

It's the only nation in Africa with Hindu as the major religion. 49% of the people are Hindus, 26% Roman Catholic, 6% other Christians, 17% Muslim, 1.5% Other. There are many Hindu temples you can visit in Mauritius.