Mauritius

[maw-rish-uhs, -rish-ee-uhs]

noun

1. an island in the Indian Ocean, E of Madagascar. 720 sq. mi. (1,865 sq. km).

2. a republic consisting of this island and dependencies: formerly a British colony. 809 sq. mi. (2,095 sq. km). Port Louis.

Mauritius

/ məˈrɪʃəs /

noun

1. Former name (1715–1810): Île-de-France. an island and state in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar: originally uninhabited, it was settled by the Dutch (1638–1710) then abandoned; taken by the French in 1715 and the British in 1810; became an independent member of the Commonwealth in 1968. It is economically dependent on sugar. Official language: English; a French creole is widely spoken. Religion: Hindu majority, large Christian minority. Currency: rupee. Capital: Port Louis. Pop: 1 322 238 (2013 est). Area: 1865 sq km (720 sq miles)

Other Word Forms

• Mauritian adjective

Example Sentences

Pope Leo XIV has said he is "delighted" the UK has agreed to hand the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

From BBC

An outbreak of the virus is under way in the Indian Ocean region, and almost all of the infections were linked to travel in India, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.

From BBC

The court's opinion is advisory, but previous ICJ decisions have been implemented by governments, including when the UK agreed to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius last year.

From BBC

This tiny, tropical Indian Ocean island base, jointly operated by the UK and US and now leased from nearby Mauritius, has a strategic significance out of all proportion to its size.

From BBC

But he said "most in Mauritius and Seychelles have made very clear...that they wish this deal to go ahead" - and they had been "deeply involved in consulting with successive prime ministers of Mauritius".

From BBC