What is "mauritius"

Mauritius \Mauritius\ prop. n.

1. A country on the island of Mauritius.

2. An island in the Indian Ocean.

   Syn: Ile de France.

Mauritius (; ), officially the Republic of Mauritius , is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about off the southeast coast of the African continent. The country includes the island of Mauritius, Rodrigues [ east], and the outer islands ( Agaléga, St. Brandon and two disputed territories). The islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues ( southwest) form part of the Mascarene Islands, along with nearby Réunion, a French overseas department. The area of the country is 2,040 km. The capital and largest city is Port Louis.

The island of Mauritius was visited during the Middle Ages by the Arabs and then by the Portuguese, who named it Dina Arobi and Cirne, respectively. The island was uninhabited until the Dutch Republic established a colony in 1638, with the Dutch naming the island after Prince Maurice van Nassau. The Dutch colony was abandoned in 1710, and, five years later, the island became a French colony and was named Isle de France. Due to its strategic position, Mauritius was known as the "star and key" of the Indian Ocean.

Mauritius became an important base on the trade routes from Europe to the East before the opening of the Suez Canal and was involved in the long power struggle between the French and the British. The French won the Battle of Grand Port, their only naval victory over the British during these wars, but they could not prevent the British from landing at Cap Malheureux three months later. They formally surrendered on the fifth day of the invasion, 3 December 1810, on terms allowing settlers to keep their land and property, the use of the French language, and the law of France in criminal and civil matters. Under British rule, the island became the Empire's main sugar-producing colony. In the 20th century, movements to improve labour laws and introduce political reforms began to be organized, a process that accelerated after World War II. The country became an independent state on 12 March 1968, following the adoption of a new constitution. In 1992, Mauritius became a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations.

The sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago is disputed between Mauritius and the United Kingdom (UK). The UK excised the archipelago from Mauritian territory prior to Mauritian independence in 1965. It gradually depopulated the archipelago's indigenous population and leased its biggest island, Diego Garcia, to the United States. Mauritius also claims sovereignty over Tromelin Island from France.

The people of Mauritius are multiethnic, multi-religious, multicultural and multilingual. The island's government is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system, and Mauritius is highly ranked for democracy and for economic and political freedom. Along with the other Mascarene Islands, Mauritius is known for its varied flora and fauna, with many species endemic to the island. The island is widely known as the only known home of the dodo, which, along with several other avian species, was made extinct by human activities relatively shortly after the island's settlement.

Mauritius is a play which opened on Broadway at the Biltmore Theatre on October 4, 2007, and closed November 25, 2007. Written by Theresa Rebeck, previously a Pulitzer Prize for Drama-nominee, the play was her Broadway debut. It is about two sisters who inherit a stamp collection which might be worth a fortune. The title refers to the " Blue Mauritius", one of the world's rarest stamps. Many of the characters try to out con each other in the attempt to reap possible rewards. The premiere production was held in Boston by the Huntington Theatre Company at the Boston Center for the Arts' Calderwood Pavilion in October 2006. It was offered at Chicago's Northlight Theatre February 25 to April 5, 2009. The Broadway production earned Bobby Cannavale a Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play.

Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, but may also refer to:

• Mauritius (Commonwealth realm), the predecessor to the modern-day Mauritius
• Mauritius (1618 ship), a Dutch wooden-hulled sailing ship
• Mauritius (given name)
• Mauritius (play), a 2007 Broadway play
• Mauritius (typeface), a 1967 type produced by C.E. Weber
• Mauritius "Post Office", two of the rarest stamps in the world
• Saint Mauritius, more commonly known as Saint Maurice
• The Roman Emperor Mauritius Tiberius, also known as Maurice

The Commonwealth realm of Mauritius, officially known as "Mauritius", was a predecessor to the modern-day Republic of Mauritius and an independent state that existed between 1968 and 1992.

When British rule ended in 1968, the Mauritius Independence Act 1968 transformed the British Crown Colony of Mauritius into an independent sovereign Commonwealth realm. The British monarch, Elizabeth II, remained head of state. Mauritius shared the Sovereign with the other Commonwealth realms. The monarch's constitutional roles were mostly delegated to the Governor-General of Mauritius. The royal succession was governed by the English Act of Settlement of 1701. During the Commonwealth realm phase, the following governors-general held office:

• Sir John Shaw Rennie (12 March – 27 August 1968)
• Sir Michel Rivalland (27 August – 3 September 1968)
• Sir Leonard Williams (3 September 1968 – 27 December 1972)
• Sir Raman Osman (27 December 1972 – 31 October 1977)
• Sir Henry Garrioch (31 October 1977 – 26 April 1979)
• Sir Dayendranath Burrenchobay (26 April 1979 – 28 December 1983)
• Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (28 December 1983 – 15 December 1985)
• Sir Cassam Moollan (15 December 1985 – 17 January 1986) (acting)
• Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo (17 January 1986 – 12 March 1992)

Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and then Sir Anerood Jugnauth held office as Prime Minister of Mauritius.

Elizabeth II visited Mauritius 24–26 March 1972 in her capacity as Queen of Mauritius.

The Republic of Mauritius was proclaimed on 12 March 1992. It is the most recent former Commonwealth realm to become a republic within the Commonwealth. Following the abolition of the monarchy, the last Governor General of Mauritius, Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo became the first President of Mauritius.