Mauritius: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Mauritius

Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of Africa. It has volcanic mountains, coral reefs and white beaches. It was once the only home of the dodo.

About Port Louis

Port Louis is on the northwest coast of the main island of Mauritius. It is the country's largest city and main harbour, known for its busy central market and the Aapravasi Ghat UNESCO site.

Fun facts about Mauritius

1. The dodo, a famous flightless bird, once lived only on Mauritius and appears on the country's coat of arms.
2. At Chamarel, sand dunes in several different colours, called the Seven Coloured Earths, form a rainbow-like landscape.
3. The flag of Mauritius has four horizontal stripes: red, blue, yellow and green.
4. Le Morne Brabant, a rocky mountain on the southwest coast, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. Mauritius issued some of the world's earliest postage stamps in 1847, and they are now among the rarest.
6. Seen from above, the sea off Le Morne looks like an 'underwater waterfall', an illusion made by moving sand.