Living in Mauritius

Mauritius lies in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar and includes smaller islands such as Rodrigues in addition to the main island; around 1.3 million people live there. Its volcanic landscapes range from densely populated coastal plains to the higher, cooler interior. The climate is tropical to subtropical, with hot, humid summers, drier winter months and occasional cyclones. Many people live in concrete houses in cities, suburbs or villages and travel to work by bus, car or motorcycle. In Port Louis and other centres, trade, administration and services shape everyday life, while agriculture, fishing and tourism vary in regional importance. Visiting family, markets and shared meals are part of life, as are leisure activities by the sea or in the mountains.