Mauritius : Geography
Mauritius is a mountainous sub-tropical island in the Indian Ocean, with an area of 1,865 square km. The Republic of Mauritius also includes the island of Rodrigues, 560km east of the principal island, and several small island dependencies. Mauritius lies some 800km to the east of Madagascar. The capital, Port Louis, is in the north west of the island.
The temperature range is moderate, from a low of 16C in the winter, to 35C in summer. Mauritius has a number of micro-climates so weather conditions can vary considerably across the island. The islands are in the Indian Ocean cyclone belt (the season runs from November to April). Most cyclones miss the islands but can bring vital rains at the ideal time for the country’s main crop, sugar. Occasionally, cyclones cause extensive damage.
The population of Mauritius is 1.2 million (of whom 41% live in urban areas), with a population growth rate of 1% per annum. With nearly 600 people per square kilometre, Mauritius has one of the highest population densities in the world. The largest racial group is Hindu Indo-Mauritian, descendants of those brought to Mauritius to work on the sugar plantations in the late 19th century, who make up 51% of the total population. Other groups are Creoles, the descendants of African slaves (27%); Muslim Indo-Mauritians (17%); Sino-Mauritians (3%); and Franco-Mauritians, descendants of the original French settlers (2%).
Related Travel Information
Getting around Mauritius
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is near Mahébourg in south-eastern Mauritius at the opposite end of the island from Port Louis. While there are no direct airport buses express buses travel between the capital and Mahébourg several times a day stopping at the airport. Allow yourself at least two hours from Port Louis. Air Mauritius flies to Rodrigues Island (about 90 minutes) daily; the company also offer 15-20 minute helicopter tours of Mauritius. For those with money to burn the helicopters can be hired by the hour. The MV Mauritius Pride plies between Mauritius and Rodrigues several times
Mauritius : Travel Tips
-Get the best travel insurance deal possible.
-Check the FCO Travel Advice for all destinations en route to Mauritius.
-Some prescription drugs are not allowed in Mauritius, check the FCO Travel Advice for more detail.
-Bring enough money for all contingencies.
-Keep valuable effects in a safe place.
-Enter next of kin details into the back of your passport.
-Beware of pickpockets and, on foot, stay away from dark quiet streets.
-Carry a photocopy of your passport with you, not the original.
Geography of Algeria
Inhabitants: 33 million (2003 estimate).
Population growth rate: 1.7%
Total area: 2,381,740 km²
Density: 14 per km²
Border: 6,643 km (Morocco 1,559 km, Western Sahara 42 km, Mauritania 463 km, Mali 1,376 km, Niger 956 km, Libya 982 km, Tunisia 965 km).
Coastline: 998 km
Highest point: Tahat 3,003 m
Arable land: 3.2%
Capital: Algiers
Zambia : Geography
The Republic of Zambia is a land-locked country occupying an elevated plateau in south central Africa. Eight other countries border Zambia: Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe. Zambia's shortest route to the sea is via Zimbabwe to Beira in Mozambique.
Madagascar Geography
Madagascar lies in the South West Indian Ocean, some 400 km off the African coast. It is the world's fourth largest island, about 2.5 times the size of the UK. Most of the population depend on subsistence farming, based mainly on rice and cattle, although manufacturing is growing. Madagascar is noted for its bio-diversity and high proportion of endemic species. But, because of slash and burn agriculture and poor management, only 26% of the land remains forested. Climatically sub-tropical, temperatures vary; in the highlands daytime temperatures are 31C in January and 15C in July. Most of the country has
