Area
2,040 sq. km. (788 sq. miles)
Location
Off South-East Coast of Africa; due East of Madagascar; Indian Ocean
Population
1.25 million (as per estimates of 2006) and Population Density of 613 per sq. km
Capital City
Port Louis with a total population of 150,000 (as per estimates of 2006)
Language
English and French are the official and most popular languages of Mauritius. Other languages used in Mauritius include Creole (pidgin French with other languages added to the mix), Chinese, Urdu, Hindi, and Bhojpuri.
Electricity
AC 220 volts, 50Hz. UK-type three-pin plugs are commonly used
Currency
Mauritian Rupee (MUR; Symbol Rp). 1Rp = 100 Cents
Notes prevalent = Rp 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,000
Coins prevalent = Rp 1, 5, and 10; Cents 5, 10, 20, and 50
Currency Exchange
Currency Exchange facility is available at banks and Bureaux de Change. Travellers’ cheques attract better rates than cash. The Mauritius Commercial Bank offers the swiftest service for currency exchange.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs
Credit/Debit/ATM Cards of all major companies like Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, American Express, etc. are widely accepted. ATMs are also conveniently situated in most towns and cities.
Traveller's Cheques
Travellers Cheques are widely accepted and can be exchanged at most hotels, banks, and authorised dealers. In order to avoid exchange rate charges, the travellers would do well to carry traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Banking Hours
Banks in Mauritius normally function from Monday to Thursday from 0915-1515; Friday from 0915-1530; and Saturday from 0915-1115 (except State Bank of Mauritius). Banks in Mauritius are also open to coincide with the arrival and departure of international flights at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport.