151-534: Mapou is a village in northern Mauritius , located in Rivière du Rempart District . The village is administered by the Mapou Village Council under the aegis of the Rivière du Rempart District Council. According to the census by Statistics Mauritius in 2011, the population was 1,275. The village is mostly known for being home to The Château de Labourdonnais, a colonial house dating from 1859 and which sits on
302-597: A Royal Navy expedition led by Commodore Josias Rowley , R.N. , an Anglo-Irish aristocrat , was sent to capture the island. Despite winning the Battle of Grand Port against the British, the French could not prevent the British from landing at Cap Malheureux three months later. They formally surrendered the island on the fifth day of the invasion, 3 December 1810, on terms allowing settlers to keep their land and property and to use
453-527: A coral reef and extensive limestone deposits. According to Statistics Mauritius, at 1 July 2019, the population of the island was estimated at 43,371. British Indian Ocean Territory The British Indian Ocean Territory ( BIOT ) is an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom situated in the Indian Ocean , halfway between Tanzania and Indonesia . The territory comprises the seven atolls of
604-675: A leper colony for patients from Mauritius, who were treated with turtle oil. In 1810, Mauritius was captured by the United Kingdom, and France subsequently ceded the territory in the Treaty of Paris in 1814. The United Kingdom abolished slavery in 1833 , although those on what would become the BIOT continued work as indentured labour . In 1883 the plantations were bought by the Société Huilière de Diego et Peros. As of 1900 there were 426 families on
755-542: A Portuguese navigator, was the first European known to land in Mauritius. He named the island "Ilha do Cisne" ("Island of the Swan"). The Portuguese did not stay long as they were not interested in these islands. The Mascarene Islands were named after Pedro Mascarenhas , Viceroy of Portuguese India , after his visit to the islands in 1512. Rodrigues Island was named after Portuguese explorer Diogo Rodrigues , who first came upon
906-517: A claim to sovereignty for the territory, citing the 1965 separation as illegal under international law, despite their apparent agreement at the time. The UK did not agree with the legal argument, but agreed to cede the territory to Mauritius when it was no longer required for defence purposes. According to the CIA World Factbook, the Seychelles also had a sovereignty claim on the islands. In 1982,
1057-524: A day's wage and came from all over the island to attend a giant meeting at the Champ de Mars. Following the dockers' strikes, trade unionist Emmanuel Anquetil was deported to Rodrigues, Maurice Curé and Pandit Sahadeo were placed under house arrest, whilst numerous strikers were jailed. Governor Sir Bede Clifford assisted Mr Jules Leclezio of the Mauritius Sugar Syndicate to counter the effects of
1208-711: A few private households. World War I broke out in August 1914. Many Mauritians volunteered to fight in Europe against the Germans and in Mesopotamia against the Turks. But the war affected Mauritius much less than the wars of the eighteenth century. In fact, the 1914–1918 war was a period of great prosperity, due to a boom in sugar prices. In 1919, the Mauritius Sugar Syndicate came into being, which included 70% of all sugar producers. The 1920s saw
1359-712: A naval base and a shipbuilding centre. Under his governorship, numerous buildings were erected, a number of which are still standing. These include part of Government House, the Château de Mon Plaisir, and the Line Barracks, the headquarters of the police force . The island was under the administration of the French East India Company , which maintained its presence until 1767. During the French rule, slaves were brought from parts of Africa such as Mozambique and Zanzibar . As
1510-500: A new five-year term. On 25 July 2020, Japanese-owned bulk carrier MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef off the coast of Mauritius, leaking up to 1,000 tonnes of heavy oil into a pristine lagoon. Its location on the edge of protected fragile marine ecosystems and a wetland of international importance made the MV Wakashio oil spill one of the worst environmental disasters ever to hit the western Indian Ocean. On 10 November 2024,
1661-566: A palm tree rising above the British crown. During the Gulf War , 20 nuclear-armed Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers were stationed at the base as a nuclear deterrent . The base was also strategically positioned to support the 2001 War in Afganistan and the 2003 Iraq War . On 1 October 1991, the UK created the "BIOT Fisheries Conservation and Management Zone (FCMZ)" covering the territorial seas of
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#17328847692631812-698: A period of low flight demand during the COVID-19 pandemic led to 800 Overseas Filipino Workers being unable to leave Diego Garcia. Comparisons between the BIOT and occupied areas of Ukraine hindered British diplomatic efforts to obtain Ukrainian support following the Russian invasion of Ukraine . Further pressure grew regarding Africa's "last colony", and in September 2022 British prime minister Liz Truss met with Mauritian prime minister Pravind Jugnauth On 3 November 2022,
1963-458: A petition that was sent to Governor Gordon . A commission was appointed and recommended several measures that would affect the lives of Indian labourers during the next fifty years. In 1885, a new constitution was introduced. It was referred to as Cens Démocratique and it incorporated some of the principles advocated by one of the Creole leaders, Onésipho Beaugeard. It created elected positions in
2114-447: A political prisoner. He managed to escape from prison and plotted a rebellion that would free the island's slaves. He was betrayed by his associate Laizaf and was caught by a group of militiamen and summarily executed . In 1832, d'Épinay launched the first Mauritian newspaper ( Le Cernéen ), which was not controlled by the government. In the same year, there was a move by the procureur-general to abolish slavery without compensation to
2265-476: A property dating from 1777. The house has been converted to a museum about colonial life in the island of Mauritius and a restaurant. Other facilities on the domain include the gardens and orchards and the "Rhumerie des Mascareignes" Rum distillery which produces the "La Bourdonnais" and "Rhumeur" brands of rum. Fruits from the orchard are used to produce the "Labourdonnais" range of products such as jellies, jams and fruit juice. This Mauritius location article
2416-492: A report of the island's social problems caused by overpopulation and the monoculture of sugar cane. This led to an intense campaign to halt the population explosion, and the decade registered a sharp decline in population growth. In early 1965, a political assassination took place in the suburb of Belle-Rose, in the town of Quatre Bornes, where Labour activist Rampersad Surath was beaten to death by thugs of rival party Parti Mauricien . On 10 May 1965, racial riots broke out in
2567-494: A result, the island's population rose dramatically from 15,000 to 49,000 within thirty years. Slave traders from Madagascar - Sakalava or Arabs - bought slaves from slavers in the Arab Swahili coast or Portuguese Mozambique and stopped at Seychelles for supplies before shipping the slaves to the slave markets of Mauritius, Réunion and India. Of the 80,000 slaves imported to Réunion and Mauritius between 1769 and 1793, 45%
2718-513: A rival of Napoléon I . He ruled as Governor of Isle de France and Réunion from 1803 to 1810. British naval cartographer and explorer Matthew Flinders was arrested and detained by General Decaen on the island from 1803 to 1810, in contravention of an order from Napoléon. During the Napoleonic Wars , Mauritius became a base from which French corsairs organised successful raids on British commercial ships. The raids continued until 1810, when
2869-623: A territory with no local population, and the islands were lightly inhabited compared to other potential locations. The initial option of Aldabra was dropped due to international interest in its ecosystem. In 1965, the United Kingdom split the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius and the islands of Aldabra , Farquhar and Desroches (Des Roches) from the Seychelles to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The purpose
3020-575: A two-seat majority, after striking an alliance with the PMSD of Gaetan Duval . In 1982 an MMM - PSM government (led by PM Anerood Jugnauth , Deputy PM Harish Boodhoo and Finance Minister Paul Bérenger ) was elected. However, ideological and personality differences emerged within the MMM and PSM leadership. The power struggle between Bérenger and Jugnauth peaked in March 1983. Jugnauth travelled to New Delhi to attend
3171-441: Is Diego Garcia , which at 32.5 square kilometres (12.5 sq mi) accounts for about half of the territory's total land area. The rest of the island's are much smaller, with the second largest being just over 3.1 square kilometres (1.2 sq mi). The terrain is flat and low, with an average elevation of 1.33 metres (4.4 ft) above sea level. In 2010, 545,000 square kilometres (210,000 square miles) of ocean around
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#17328847692633322-588: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Mauritius Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius , is an island country in the Indian Ocean , about 2,000 kilometres (1,100 nautical miles) off the southeastern coast of East Africa , east of Madagascar . It includes the main island (also called Mauritius), as well as Rodrigues , Agaléga , and St. Brandon (Cargados Carajos shoals). The islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues, along with nearby Réunion (a French overseas department ), are part of
3473-598: Is common, the territory lies outside of cyclone paths that cross the Indian Ocean further south. The Diego Garcia military base is the United States military's overseas base most at risk from climate change . In terms of transportation on Diego Garcia, the island has short stretches of paved road between the port and airfield , and on its streets; transport is mostly by bicycle and on foot. The island had many wagonways , which were donkey-hauled narrow gauge railways for
3624-461: Is consistently ranked as the most peaceful country in Africa. Along with the other Mascarene Islands, Mauritius is known for its biodiverse flora and fauna with many unique species endemic to the country. The main island was the only known home of the dodo , which, along with several other avian species, became extinct soon after human settlement. Other endemic animals, such as the echo parakeet ,
3775-531: Is generally accepted that Arab sailors first discovered the uninhabited island around 975, naming it Dina Arobi . In 1507, Portuguese sailors visited the uninhabited island, which bore the Portuguese names Cirne or Do-Cerne on early Portuguese maps . A Dutch fleet, under the command of Admiral Van Warwyck, landed at what is now the Grand Port District and took possession of the island in 1598, renaming
3926-487: Is often regarded as being on Diego Garcia. The only inhabitants are British and United States military personnel, and associated contractors , who collectively number around 3,000 (2018 figures). The forced removal of Chagossians from the Chagos Archipelago occurred between 1968 and 1973. The Chagossians , then numbering about 2,000 people, were expelled by the British government to Mauritius and Seychelles , even from
4077-498: Is partly due to strategic shifts in US and UK foreign policies on Asia in response to China's growing power and influence, as disputes with former colonies encourage their deepening relationship with China. On 3 November 2022, Patrick Wintour of the Guardian reported that the UK and Mauritius had begun negotiations on sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, taking into account
4228-488: Is relatively young geologically, having been created by volcanic activity some 8 million years ago. Together with Saint Brandon, Réunion, and Rodrigues, the island is part of the Mascarene Islands . These islands emerged as a result of gigantic underwater volcanic eruptions that happened thousands of kilometres to the east of the continental block made up of Africa and Madagascar. They are no longer volcanically active and
4379-511: Is reportedly required to ask permission of the United Kingdom to use the base for offensive military action. As the BIOT forms a separate legal jurisdiction to the United Kingdom under British law, many international conventions signed by the United Kingdom were not extended to the BIOT. These include humanitarian treaties, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights , which makes
4530-515: Is surrounded by more than 150 km (100 mi) of white sandy beaches, and the lagoons are protected from the open sea by the world's third-largest coral reef, which surrounds the island. Just off the Mauritian coast lie some 49 uninhabited islands and islets , several of which have been declared natural reserves for endangered species. Mauritius Island ( Mauritian Creole : Lil Moris ; French: Île Maurice , pronounced [il moʁis] )
4681-583: Is the most practised religion. Indo-Mauritians make up the bulk of the population with significant Creole , Sino-Mauritian and Franco-Mauritian minorities. The island's government is closely modelled on the Westminster parliamentary system with Mauritius highly ranked for economic and political freedom being listed by The Economist Democracy Index as the only country in Africa with full democracy . The V-Dem Democracy Indices rated Mauritius as an "electoral autocracy". Mauritius ranks 72nd (high) in
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4832-492: The Code Noir was established to regulate slavery; it categorised one group of human beings as "goods", allowing the owner of these "goods" to be able to obtain insurance money and compensation in case of loss of his "goods". The 1735 arrival of French governor Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais coincided with the development of a prosperous economy based on sugar production. Mahé de La Bourdonnais established Port Louis as
4983-650: The 2010 elections the Labour–MSM–PMSD alliance secured power and Navin Ramgoolam remained PM until 2014. The MSM–PMSD–ML coalition was victorious at the 2014 elections under Anerood Jugnauth's leadership. Despite disagreements within the ruling alliance that led to the departure of PMSD, the MSM–ML stayed in power for their full 5-year term. On 21 January 2017, Sir Anerood Jugnauth announced his resignation and that his son and Finance Minister Pravind Jugnauth would assume
5134-576: The 7th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement summit; on his return, Bérenger proposed constitutional changes that would strip power from the Prime Minister. At Jugnauth's request, PM Indira Gandhi of India planned an armed intervention involving the Indian Navy and Indian Army to prevent a coup under the code name Operation Lal Dora . The MMM - PSM government split up nine months after
5285-690: The British Antarctic Territory ). The territory is one of eight dependencies in the Indian Ocean, alongside the Ashmore and Cartier Islands , Christmas Island , the Cocos (Keeling) Islands , and Heard Island and McDonald Islands , all Australian possessions; the French Southern and Antarctic Lands , with the French Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean and its dependencies of Tromelin and
5436-530: The Chagos Archipelago with over 1,000 individual islands, many very small, amounting to a total land area of 60 square kilometres (23 square miles). The largest and most southerly island is Diego Garcia , 27 square kilometres (10 square miles), the site of a Joint Military Facility of the United Kingdom and the United States . Official administration is remote from London , though the local capital
5587-652: The Glorioso Islands ; along with French Mayotte and Réunion . The head of government is the Commissioner , most recently Paul Candler until August 2024; the Deputy Commissioner is Nishi Dholakia, and the Administrator is Emily Ager, and all senior officials reside in the United Kingdom. The Commissioner's Representative in the territory is the officer commanding the detachment of British forces. The laws of
5738-578: The Human Development Index , and the World Bank classifies it as a high-income economy . It is amongst the most competitive and most developed economies in the African region. The country is a welfare state . The government provides free universal health care , free education up through the tertiary level , and free public transportation for students, senior citizens, and the disabled. Mauritius
5889-589: The Maldivian crown to be settled permanently by them. Thus, for many centuries the Chagos were ignored by their northern neighbours. The islands of Chagos Archipelago were charted by Vasco da Gama in the early 16th century, and then claimed in the 18th century by France as a possession of Mauritius. They were first settled in the 18th century by African slaves and Indian contractors brought by Franco-Mauritians to found coconut plantations. At some point Diego Garcia hosted
6040-475: The Mascarene Islands . The main island of Mauritius, where the population is concentrated, hosts the capital and largest city, Port Louis . The country spans 2,040 square kilometres (790 sq mi) and has an exclusive economic zone covering 2,300,000 square kilometres (670,000 square nautical miles). Based on the only surviving map of the Portuguese discoveries dated 1502 called the Cantino planisphere , it
6191-577: The Mauritius kestrel and the pink pigeon , have survived and are subject to intensive and successful ongoing conservation efforts. The first historical evidence of the existence of the island now known as Mauritius is on a 1502 map called the Cantino planisphere which was smuggled out of Portugal, for the Duke of Ferrara, by the Italian 'spy' Alberto Cantino. On this purloined copy of a Portuguese map, Mauritius bore
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6342-512: The Newspapers and Periodicals Amendment Act , the government tried to make every newspaper provide a bank guarantee of half a million rupees. Forty-three journalists protested by participating in a public demonstration in Port Louis, in front of Parliament. They were arrested and freed on bail. This caused a public outcry and the government had to review its policy. There was also dissatisfaction in
6493-433: The hotspot now rests under Réunion Island. Mauritius is encircled by a broken ring of mountain ranges, varying in height from 300 to 800 metres (1,000 to 2,600 ft) above sea level. The land rises from coastal plains to a central plateau where it reaches a height of 670 m (2,200 ft); the highest peak is in the south-west, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire at 828 metres (2,717 ft). Streams and rivers speckle
6644-425: The military base commenced in 1971, with a large airbase with several long range runways constructed, as well as a harbour suitable for large naval vessels. Although classed as a joint UK/US base, in practice it is primarily staffed by the US military, although the UK maintains a garrison at all times, and Royal Air Force (RAF) long-range patrol aircraft are deployed there. During the 1980s, Mauritius asserted
6795-422: The 1MR mutinying. During World War II, conditions were hard in the country; the prices of commodities doubled but workers' salaries increased only by 10 to 20 percent. There was civil unrest, and the colonial government censored all trade union activities. However, the labourers of Belle Vue Harel Sugar Estate went on strike on 27 September 1943. Police officers eventually fired directly at the crowd, resulting in
6946-450: The 1MR proved to be politically unpopular on the basis of some troops resenting conscription and the battalion overseas comprising solely non-white troops, exacerbating racial tensions in the country. The 1MR troops were further aggrieved at the segregation they were subject to, unequal pay, physically demanding training, and were fearful of the Japanese soldiers, all these factors culminated in
7097-643: The BIOT. On 4 December 1995, the UK signed the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement on behalf of the BIOT, which was protested by Mauritius when it signed in 1997. Both Mauritius and the United Kingdom agreed to the inclusion of the BIOT within the area covered by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission , which was formed in 1996. In 1996 the Mauritius Marine Conservation Society unsuccessfully sought to have
7248-501: The British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced that the UK and Mauritius had decided to begin negotiations on sovereignty over the British Indian Ocean Territory, taking into account international legal proceedings. Both states had agreed to ensure the continued operation of the joint UK/US military base on Diego Garcia. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace has argued this change of approach
7399-491: The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office claimed that it was an environmental move as well as a necessary move to improve the coral populations off east Africa, and therefore sub-Saharan marine supplies, some Chagossians claimed that the reserve would prevent any resettlement due to the inability to fish in protected areas. The Chagossian UK-based Diego Garcian Society stated that it welcomed the marine reserve, noting that it
7550-430: The British brought 8,740 Indian soldiers to the island. Aapravasi Ghat , in the bay at Port Louis and now a UNESCO site, was the first British colony to serve as a major reception centre for indentured servants . The labourers brought from India were not always fairly treated, and a Frenchman of German origin, Adolphe de Plevitz, made himself the unofficial protector of these immigrants. In 1871 he helped them to write
7701-719: The Chagos Archipelago, which was separated from the then Crown Colony of Mauritius by the UK in 1965 to form the British Indian Ocean Territory. A February 2019 advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice called for the islands to be given to Mauritius. Afterward, both the United Nations General Assembly and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea reached similar decisions. Negotiations between
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#17328847692637852-473: The Chagos Archipelago. The Permanent Representative of Mauritius to the United Nations, Jagdish Koonjul , raised the Mauritian flag on Peros Banhos . The main purpose of the 15-day Mauritian expedition is to survey the unclaimed Blenheim Reef , to discover for a forthcoming International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea hearing if it is exposed at high tide so is claimable. The chartered Bleu De Nîmes
8003-480: The Chagos archipelago was probably around 48 in every 1000. The birth rate for the former Seychellois islands was nominally lower, likely due to inhabitants more easily able to travel to the Seychelles for medical needs. Mortality before the age of 1 was around 98 per 1,000 live births. The overall death rate probably averaged under 12 per 1,000 people. Housing was simple, mostly using local wood and coconut leaves, with some imported concrete and corrugated iron. Most water
8154-873: The Chagossians from their homeland. In March 2007 Mauritian president Anerood Jugnauth declared a willingness to take the dispute to the ICJ, and for Mauritius to leave the Commonwealth. In November 2007 a line of communication was established between the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Mauritian High Commission for BIOT-related matters. The British government established the BIOT Marine Protected Area in April 2010, to mixed reactions from Chagossians. While
8305-573: The Dutch to abandon Mauritius in 1710. A 1755 article in the English Leeds Intelligencer claims that the island was abandoned due to the large number of long tailed macaque monkeys "which destroyed everything in it," and that it was also known at the time as the Island of Monkeys . Portuguese sailors had brought these monkeys to the island from their native habitat in Southeast Asia, prior to Dutch rule. France, which already controlled neighbouring Île Bourbon (now Réunion ), took control of Mauritius in 1715 and renamed it Isle de France . In 1723,
8456-407: The EPZ (Export Processing Zone) sector. Industrialisation began to spread to villages as well, and attracted young workers from all ethnic communities. As a result, the sugar industry began to lose its hold on the economy. Large retail chains began opening stores in 1985 and offered credit facilities to low-income earners, thus allowing them to afford basic household appliances. There was also a boom in
8607-427: The East Indies) rather than through the perceived safer route through the Mozambique channel, following the East African shore line. In 1598, a Dutch squadron under Admiral Wybrand van Warwyck landed at Grand Port and named the island Mauritius , in honour of Prince Maurice van Nassau , stadtholder of the Dutch Republic . Later the island became a French colony and was renamed Isle de France . On 3 December 1810,
8758-403: The French government. Jacques-Henri Bernardin de Saint-Pierre lived on the island from 1768 to 1771, then went back to France, where he wrote Paul et Virginie , a love story that made the Isle de France famous wherever the French language was spoken. In 1796 the settlers broke away from French control when the government in Paris attempted to abolish slavery. Two famous French governors were
8909-401: The French language and law of France in criminal and civil matters. Under British rule, the island's name reverted to Mauritius. The British administration, which began with Sir Robert Farquhar as its first governor , oversaw rapid social and economic changes. However, it was tainted by the Ratsitatane episode. Ratsitatane, nephew of King Radama of Madagascar , was brought to Mauritius as
9060-400: The French surrendered the island to the United Kingdom during the Napoleonic Wars . Under British rule, the island's name reverted to Mauritius / m ə ˈ r ɪ ʃ ə s / . Mauritius is also commonly known as Maurice ( pronounced [mɔʁis] ) and Île Maurice in French, Moris ( pronounced [moʁis] ) in Mauritian Creole . The island of Mauritius
9211-486: The Grand River North West bridge, and clashed with police. An act of Parliament was passed on 16 December 1975 to extend the right to vote to 18-year-olds. This was seen as an attempt to appease the frustration of the younger generation. The next general elections took place on 20 December 1976 . The Labour-CAM coalition won only 28 seats out of 62. The MMM secured 34 seats in Parliament but outgoing Prime Minister Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam managed to remain in office, with
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#17328847692639362-423: The Great Southern Land, mapping parts of Tasmania , New Zealand and New Guinea . The first Dutch settlement lasted 20 years. In 1639, the Dutch East India Company brought enslaved Malagasy to cut down ebony trees and to work in the new tobacco and sugar cane plantations. Several attempts to establish a colony permanently were subsequently made, but the settlements never developed enough to produce dividends, causing
9513-532: The High Court and Court of Appeal in 2003 and 2004, the islanders' application for further compensation on top of the £14.5 million value package of compensation they had already received was dismissed by the court. Following the 2000 ruling the British government announced that Chagossians would be permitted to return to the archipelago, aside from Diego Garcia. This position was reversed in 2004, before any had moved. The United Kingdom offered citizenship to some Chagossians starting in 2002. On 17 September 2003,
9664-422: The House of Commons first. Some Chagossians have also criticised the deal for not having included the Chagossian community in the decision-making process. As a territory of the United Kingdom, the head of state is King Charles III . There is no Governor appointed to represent the King in the territory, as there are no permanent inhabitants (as is also the case in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and
9815-412: The ICJ advisory opinion, affirming that "the Chagos Archipelago forms an integral part of the territory of Mauritius". The motion was approved by a majority vote with 116 member states voting for and 6 against. Votes against included the neighbouring Maldives, possibly concerned about the loss of maritime security benefits that emerge from the military base. The Seychelles benefits similarly, but voted for
9966-443: The ICJ decision, this decision had no legal compulsion, although both contributed to international pressure on the UK. The Universal Postal Union (UPU), which has jurisdiction over international mail among treaty signatory states, voted in 2021 to ban the use of BIOT postage stamps on mail from BIOT, instead requiring Mauritian stamps to be used. In February 2022, exiled islanders made their first unsupervised visit to an island in
10117-416: The ICJ issued an advisory opinion by 13 votes to 1. In its advisory opinion, the Court concluded that "the process of decolonisation of Mauritius was not lawfully completed when that country acceded to independence", and that "the United Kingdom is under an obligation to bring to an end its administration of the Chagos Archipelago as rapidly as possible". On 22 May 2019, the UNGA adopted a resolution citing
10268-437: The Indian Ocean, including approximately 400,000 km (150,000 sq mi) jointly managed with the Seychelles . Mauritius is 2,000 km (1,200 mi) off the southeast coast of Africa, between latitudes 19°58.8'S and 20°31.7'S and longitudes 57°18.0'E and 57°46.5'E . It is 65 km (40 mi) long and 45 km (30 mi) wide. Its land area is 1,864.8 km (720.0 sq mi). The island
10419-407: The Indian Ocean, such as the Seychelles. According to Southern Maldivian oral tradition, traders and fishermen were occasionally lost at sea and got stranded on one of the islands of the Chagos. Eventually they were rescued and brought back home. The coconut crabs of the islands may have inspired Maldivian folklore about giant hermit crabs. These islands were judged to be too far away from the seat of
10570-472: The June 1982 election. According to an Information Ministry official the nine months was a "socialist experiment". Harish Boodhoo dissolved his party PSM to enable all PSM parliamentarians to join Jugnauth's new party MSM, thus remaining in power whilst distancing themselves from MMM . The MSM-Labour-PMSD coalition was victorious at the August 1983 elections, resulting in Anerood Jugnauth as PM and Gaëtan Duval as Deputy PM . That period saw growth in
10721-454: The Legislative Council – although the franchise was restricted mainly to the white French and fair-skinned Indian elite who owned real estate. In 1886, Governor John Pope Hennessy nominated Gnanadicarayen Arlanda as the first ever Indo-Mauritian member of the ruling council – despite the sugar oligarchy's preference for rival Indo-Mauritian Emile Sandapa. Arlanda served until 1891. In 1903, motorcars were introduced in Mauritius, and in 1910,
10872-577: The MMM, including Paul Bérenger, were imprisoned on 23 December 1971. The MMM leader was released a year later. In 1973, Mauritius became the first country in Africa to be free from diagnoses of malaria . In May 1975, a student revolt that started at the University of Mauritius swept across the country. The students were unsatisfied with an education system that did not meet their aspirations, and that gave limited prospects for future employment. On 20 May, thousands of students tried to enter Port-Louis over
11023-464: The Maldives to jointly settle the borders of EEZs in the area. These were unsuccessful, and in 2010 the Maldives submitted a claim that overlapped with both British and Mauritian claims. The Maldives contended that as much of the northern Chagos archipelago was uninhabited, they should not be included in the determination of EEZ baselines. Arbitration between the UK and Mauritius relating to the creation of
11174-510: The Seychelles. Another few hundred Chagossians already lived outside of the islands. The UK informed the United Nations that BIOT had no indigenous population, meaning the UK would not have to send reports on the territory to the UN. In 1971, the United Kingdom and the United States signed a treaty, leasing the island of Diego Garcia to the US military for the purposes of building a large air and naval base on
11325-446: The Swan') on early Portuguese maps, almost certainly from the name of a ship called Cisne which was captained by Diogo Fernandes Pereira in the 1507 expedition which discovered Mauritius and Rodrigues which he called ilha de Diogo Fernandes but poorly transcribed by non-Portuguese speakers as Domigo Friz or Domingo Frias . Diogo Fernandes Pereira may have been the first European to sail east of Madagascar island ('outer route' to
11476-538: The UK and Mauritius began in November 2022, and culminated in an October 2024 agreement that the UK would eventually cede the territory to Mauritius while retaining the joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia. Maldivian mariners knew of the Chagos Islands, which were known as Fōlhavahi in the northern Maldives, and Hollhavai in the southern Maldives. Hollhavai also referred to other islands scattered throughout
11627-487: The UK and US agreed waste would be shipped away from the territory. On 27 December 1984, Mauritius established an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) which included the waters around the BIOT, an action protested by the UK. In 1990, the first BIOT flag was unfurled. This flag, which also contains the Union Jack , has depictions of the Indian Ocean, where the islands are located, in the form of white and blue wavy lines and also
11778-523: The UK created the "BIOT Environmental Protection and Conservation Zone (EPCZ)" covering the BIOT's EEZ. This was opposed by Mauritius, which on 5 August 2005 reasserted their declared EEZ surrounding the territory. On 11 May 2006, the High Court ruled that a 2004 Order in Council preventing the Chagossians' resettlement of the islands was unlawful, and consequently that the Chagossians were entitled to return to
11929-562: The UK had set up to run the plantations. In 1968, when more workers were needed, non-Chagossian temporary workers were allowed in from the Seychelles. The remaining population was removed from Diego Garcia in January 1971, to meet a July 1971 deadline requested by the US. The populations of Peros Banhos and the Salomon Islands were removed starting from June 1972. The population as of 1965 was around 1,360 Chagossians, plus temporary workers from
12080-481: The UK would cede sovereignty over the territory. Under the deal, Diego Garcia will be excluded from any resettlement, and the UK will continue to administer the island for at least 99 years. Chagos Islanders would be allowed to return to the other islands and a fund will be established to support resettlement. No debate on the deal had taken place in the Parliament of the United Kingdom due to it being in recess, and
12231-433: The United States govern the use of the military base. The first exchange of notes, signed on 30 December 1966, constituted an agreement concerning the availability for defence purposes of the British Indian Ocean Territory. This was followed by agreements on the construction of a communications facility (1972), naval support facility (1976), construction contracts (1987), and a monitoring facility (1999). The United States
12382-625: The Vicomte de Souillac (who constructed the Chaussée in Port Louis and encouraged farmers to settle in the district of Savanne) and Antoine Bruni d'Entrecasteaux (who saw to it that the French in the Indian Ocean should have their headquarters in Mauritius instead of Pondicherry in India). Charles Mathieu Isidore Decaen was a successful general in the French Revolutionary Wars and, in some ways,
12533-555: The archipelago declared a World Heritage Site . Mauritius explicitly extended its ratification of the Nairobi Convention to the Chagos archipelago in 2000, although this had limited practical impact. The islanders, who now mainly reside in Mauritius and Seychelles, have continually asserted their right to return to Diego Garcia, winning important legal victories in the High Court of England and Wales in 2000, 2006, and 2007. In
12684-601: The archipelago. The Royal Navy also maintains two offshore patrol vessels in the Indo-Pacific region, HMS Tamar and HMS Spey . Either may be periodically employed for sovereignty protection and other duties in BIOT waters. HMS Tamar paid a rare visit to the islands in February/March 2023 conducting fisheries protection and other missions. The territory is an archipelago of 58 islands covering 56 square kilometres (22 sq mi). The largest island
12835-597: The best option for Britain was to give complete independence to its colonies. Thus, since the late fifties, the way was paved for independence. Later in 1965, after the Lancaster Conference, the Chagos Archipelago was excised from the territory of Mauritius to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). A general election took place on 7 August 1967, and the Independence Party obtained
12986-467: The birth of the Labour Party , launched by Maurice Curé . Emmanuel Anquetil rallied the urban workers while Pandit Sahadeo concentrated on the rural working class. The Uba riots of 1937 resulted in reforms by the local British government that improved labour conditions and led to the un-banning of labour unions. Labour Day was celebrated for the first time in 1938. More than 30,000 workers sacrificed
13137-499: The coastal historic village of Mahébourg to assault the Indo-Mauritian spectators who were watching a Hindustani movie at Cinéma Odéon. Mahébourg police recorded nearly 100 complaints of assaults on Indo-Mauritians. At the Lancaster Conference of 1965, it became clear that Britain wanted to relieve itself of the colony of Mauritius. In 1959, Harold Macmillan had made his famous " Wind of Change Speech " in which he acknowledged that
13288-634: The country in case the British imperial troops had to leave. On 24 March 1943, the Mauritius Regiment , was created as an imperial unit and a new subsidiary of the East Africa Command (EAC). In late 1943, the 1st Battalion of the Mauritius Regiment (1MR) was sent to Madagascar for training, and in their place a battalion of the King's African Rifles (KAR) was stationed in Mauritius. The dispatch of
13439-517: The deal attracted criticism from opposition politicians such as James Cleverly , who, as foreign secretary, had initiated the negotiations that took place from November 2022 until December 2023. The announcement was also criticised by the Speaker of the House of Commons , Sir Lindsay Hoyle , who criticised the government for ignoring the constitutional convention that important matters should be announced in
13590-456: The deaths of four labourers. This became known as the 1943 Belle Vue Harel Massacre . Social worker and leader of the Jan Andolan movement Basdeo Bissoondoyal organised the funeral ceremonies of the four dead labourers. Three months later, on 12 December 1943, Bissoondoyal organised a mass gathering at "Marie Reine de la Paix" in Port Louis, and the significant crowd of workers from all over
13741-536: The economy but also the political life of the country. From the end of nominated Arlanda's term in 1891, until 1926, there had been no Indo-Mauritian representation in the Legislative Council. However, at the 1926 elections, Dunputh Lallah and Rajcoomar Gujadhur became the first Indo-Mauritians to be elected to the Legislative Council. At Grand Port, Lallah won over rivals Fernand Louis Morel and Gaston Gebert; at Flacq, Gujadhur defeated Pierre Montocchio. 1936 saw
13892-467: The education sector. There were not enough high-quality secondary colleges to answer the growing demand of primary school leavers who had got through their CPE (Certificate of Primary Education). In 1991, a master plan for education failed to get national support and contributed to the government's downfall. In December 1995, Navin Ramgoolam was elected as PM of the Labour–MMM alliance. In October 1996,
14043-402: The first President . This was under a transitional arrangement, in which he was replaced by Cassam Uteem later that year. Political power remained with the prime minister. Despite an improvement in the economy, which coincided with a fall in the price of petrol and a favourable dollar exchange rate, the government did not enjoy full popularity. As early as 1984, there was discontent. Through
14194-538: The first taxis came into service. The electrification of Port Louis took place in 1909, and in the same decade the Mauritius Hydro Electric Company of the Atchia Brothers was authorised to provide power to the towns of upper Plaines Wilhems . The 1910s were a period of political agitation. The rising middle class (made up of doctors, lawyers, and teachers) began to challenge the political power of
14345-661: The international legal proceedings. In December 2023, Tony Diver of the Daily Telegraph reported that the British government was planning to discontinue the talks. These negotiations ceased in late 2023 after the UK Defence Secretary blocked the agreement that had been negotiated by the Foreign Office. On 3 October 2024, British prime minister Keir Starmer and Mauritian prime minister Pravind Jugnauth jointly announced that an agreement had been reached under which
14496-430: The island confirmed the popularity of the Jan Andolan movement. After the proclamation of the 1947 Constitution of Mauritius , the general elections were held on 9 August 1948 – and, for the first time, the colonial government expanded the franchise to all adults who could write their name in one of the island's 19 languages, abolishing the previous gender and property qualifications. Guy Rozemont 's Labour Party won
14647-487: The island in 1528. In 1598, a Dutch squadron under Admiral Wybrand Van Warwyck landed at Grand Port and named the island "Mauritius" after Prince Maurice of Nassau ( Dutch : Maurits van Nassau ) of the Dutch Republic . The Dutch inhabited the island in 1638, from which they exploited ebony trees and introduced sugar cane , domestic animals and deer. It was from here that Dutch navigator Abel Tasman set out to seek
14798-470: The island of Tromelin . The treaty failed to mention it specifically. Mauritius became the British Empire 's main sugar-producing colony and remained a primarily sugar-dominated plantation-based colony until independence, in 1968. In 1965, the UK split the Chagos Archipelago from British Mauritius to create the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The local population was forcibly expelled and
14949-554: The island, many formed in the cracks created by lava flows. The autonomous island of Rodrigues is located 560 km (350 mi) to the east of Mauritius, with an area 108 km (42 sq mi). Rodrigues is a volcanic island rising from a ridge along the edge of the Mascarene Plateau . The island is hilly with a central spine culminating in the highest peak, Mountain Limon at 398 m (1,306 ft). The island also has
15100-479: The island. In early 1729, Indians from Pondicherry, India , arrived in Mauritius aboard the vessel La Sirène . Work contracts for these craftsmen were signed in 1734 at the time when they acquired their freedom. From 1767 to 1810, except for a brief period during the French Revolution when the inhabitants set up a government virtually independent of France, the island was controlled by officials appointed by
15251-404: The island. The deal was important to the British government, as the United States granted it a substantial discount on the purchase of Polaris nuclear missiles in return for the use of the islands as a base. The island was strategically located near oil shipping routes, and Iran. It would counter any Soviet threat in the region. As of 1971, the population of Aldabra, Farquhar, and Desroches
15402-401: The islands was declared a marine reserve. The British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004 defines the territory as comprising the following islands or groups of islands: These islands and associated coral reefs lie between 4°44 and 7°41 south and 70°47 and 72°47 east. As indicated above, the territory also included Aldabra , Farquhar and Desroches between 1965 and 1976;
15553-512: The islands, 60 percent descended from the original African-Malagasy slaves, and 40% descended from South Asians brought over as indentured labour. Chagossian creole developed as a common language. The lives of the population remained effectively controlled by the company, a system which persisted until the 1960s. An airstrip was built on Diego Garcia during the Second World War along with other military facilities. Military forces left once
15704-430: The largest island, Diego Garcia , was leased to the United States. Ruling on the sovereignty dispute between Mauritius and the UK , the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea has ordered the return of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Given its geographic location and colonial past, the people of Mauritius are diverse in ethnicity, culture , language and faith. It is the only country in Africa where Hinduism
15855-406: The latter group of islands is located north of Madagascar and were annexed from and returned to the Seychelles . The climate is tropical marine ; hot, humid, and moderated by trade winds . These winds originate from the southeast from May to November, reversing for the rest of the year. The average temperature is 27 °C (81 °F), and does not vary greatly throughout the year. While rain
16006-538: The legal situation difficult. While the UK has joint jurisdiction over the military base, the British government contends that US warships around the base are responsible solely to the US, and thus do not need to meet British treaty obligations. Naval Party 1002 (NP 1002) is directly present in the territory, and is composed of both Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel. NP 1002 is responsible for civil administration and enforcement. Its members are tasked with policing and carrying out customs duties. Royal Marines in
16157-501: The loss of their slaves, who had been imported from Africa and Madagascar during the French occupation. The abolition of slavery had important effects on Mauritius's society, economy and population. The planters brought a large number of indentured labourers from India to work in the sugar cane fields. Between 1834 and 1921, around half a million indentured labourers were present on the island. They worked on sugar estates, factories, in transport and on construction sites. Additionally,
16308-440: The majority of seats. In January 1968, six weeks before the declaration of independence the 1968 Mauritian riots occurred in Port Louis leading to the deaths of 25 people. Mauritius adopted a new constitution, and independence was proclaimed on 12 March 1968. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam became the first prime minister of an independent Mauritius – with Queen Elizabeth II remaining head of state as Queen of Mauritius. In 1969,
16459-512: The majority of the votes with 11 of the 19 elected seats won by Hindus . However, the Governor-General Donald Mackenzie-Kennedy appointed 12 Conservatives to the Legislative Council on 23 August 1948 to perpetuate the predominance of white Franco-Mauritians . In 1948, Emilienne Rochecouste became the first woman to be elected to the Legislative Council. Guy Rozemont 's party bettered its position in 1953, and, on
16610-399: The marine protected area began in 2010. This arbitration was cited by Mauritius to halt an attempt by a coalition of NGOs to have the archipelago declared a World Heritage site in 2012. In 2015 an UNCLOS tribunal ruled that the creation of a marine protected area violated British obligations. The idea to create a formal protected area was dropped. The US-UK arrangement which established
16761-571: The name Dina Arobi (likely Arabic : دنية عروبي Daniyah ‘Arūbi or corruption of دبية عروبي Dībah ‘Arūbi ). In 1507, Portuguese sailors visited the uninhabited island after being blown off course from their route to India via the Mozambique channel. The island appears with the Portuguese names Cirne (a typographical error where the 's' of the Portuguese 'Cisne' (Swan) became an 'r') or Do-Cerne (typo of 'do Cisne' meaning 'of' or 'belonging to
16912-470: The next five years, the British authorities removed the entire population of about 2,000 people, known as Chagossians (or Ilois), from Diego Garcia and two other Chagos atolls, Peros Banhos and Salomon Islands , to Mauritius and the Seychelles. The expulsion was carried out by preventing Chogossians who had left from returning from 1967, assisted by the Moulinie and Company (Seychelles), Limited company which
17063-471: The office of prime minister. The transition took place as planned on 23 January 2017. In 2018, Mauritian president Ameenah Gurib-Fakim resigned over a financial scandal. The incumbent president is Prithvirajsing Roopun who has served since December 2019. In the November 2019 Mauritius general elections , the ruling Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) won more than half of the seats in parliament, securing incumbent Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth
17214-513: The oligarchs in Curepipe. This became known as the 1911 Curepipe riots . Shops and offices were damaged in the capital, and one person was killed. In the same year, 1911, the first public cinema shows took place in Curepipe, and, in the same town, a stone building was erected to house the Royal College. In 1912, a wider telephone network came into service, used by the government, business firms, and
17365-517: The opposition coalition, Alliance du Changement , won 60 of the 64 seats in the Mauritian general election . Its leader, former prime minister Navin Ramgoolam , became new prime minister. The total land area of the country is 2,040 km (790 sq mi). It is the 170th largest nation in the world by size. The Republic of Mauritius comprises Mauritius Island and several outlying islands . The nation's exclusive economic zone covers about 2.3 million km (890,000 sq mi) of
17516-711: The opposition party, Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), was founded, led by Paul Bérenger . Later, in 1971, the MMM – backed by unions – called a series of strikes in the port, which caused a state of emergency in the country. The coalition government of the Labour Party and the PMSD (Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate) reacted by curtailing civil liberties and curbing freedom of the press . Two unsuccessful apparent assassination attempts were made against Paul Bérenger in 1971, killing his supporter Fareed Muttur and dock worker and activist Azor Adélaïde . General elections were postponed and public meetings were prohibited. Members of
17667-496: The outer islands of the Chagos Archipelago. On 23 May 2007, this was confirmed by the Court of Appeal. In a visit sponsored by the British government, the islanders visited Diego Garcia and other islands on 3 April 2006 for humanitarian purposes, including the tending of the graves of their ancestors. On 22 October 2008, the British government won an appeal to the House of Lords regarding the royal prerogative used to continue excluding
17818-468: The outlying islands far away from the military base on Diego Garcia. Today, the Chagossians are still trying to return, but the British government has repeatedly denied them the right of return despite calls from numerous human rights organisations to let them. The islands are off-limits to Chagossians, tourists , and the media. Since the 1980s, the Government of Mauritius sought to gain control over
17969-570: The partial or total disruption of the national unity and the territorial integrity of a country is incompatible with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations". Mauritius became an independent Commonwealth realm in March 1968, and subsequently became a republic, also within the Commonwealth , in March 1992. In April 1967, the British government purchased the privately owned copra plantations for £600,000 and closed them. Over
18120-399: The patrol and research role. The vessel reportedly operates in conjunction with personnel from NP 1002 on both fisheries and military enforcement tasks / exercises , and also carries scientists / researchers involved in a range of research work, particularly conservation. In 2022, Grampian Frontier tracked a Mauritian-charted vessel temporarily bringing Chagossian exiles to Blenheim Reef in
18271-419: The republic and was thus able to elect its own representatives to administer the island. In 2003, the prime ministership was transferred to Paul Bérenger of the MMM, and Sir Anerood Jugnauth became president. Bérenger was the first Franco-Mauritian Prime Minister in the country's post-Independence history. In the 2005 elections , Navin Ramgoolam became PM under the new coalition of Labour–PMXD–VF–MR–MMSM. In
18422-531: The resolution in solidarity with the African Union. On 28 January 2021, the United Nation's International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea ruled, in a dispute between Mauritius and Maldives on their maritime boundary, that the United Kingdom has no sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, and that Mauritius is sovereign there. The United Kingdom disputes and does not recognise the tribunal's decision. As with
18573-419: The rise of a "retrocessionism" movement, which favoured the retrocession of Mauritius to France. The movement rapidly collapsed because none of the candidates who wanted Mauritius to be given back to France were elected in the 1921 elections. In the post-war recession, there was a sharp drop in sugar prices. Many sugar estates closed down, marking the end of an era for the sugar magnates who had not only controlled
18724-487: The root causes of the social disturbance. The resulting report delved into the cause of poverty and qualified many tenacious beliefs as perceptions. In January 2000, political activist Rajen Sabapathee was shot dead after he escaped from La Bastille jail. Sir Anerood Jugnauth of the MSM returned to power in September 2000 after securing an alliance with the MMM. In 2002, the island of Rodrigues became an autonomous entity within
18875-502: The slave owners. This gave rise to discontent, and, to check an eventual rebellion, the government ordered all the inhabitants to surrender their arms. Furthermore, a stone fortress, Fort Adelaide, was built on a hill (now known as the Citadel hill) in the centre of Port Louis to quell any uprising. Slavery was gradually abolished over several years after 1833, and the planters ultimately received two million pounds sterling in compensation for
19026-460: The strength of the election results, demanded universal suffrage . Constitutional conferences were held in London in 1955 and 1957, and the ministerial system was introduced. Voting took place for the first time on the basis of universal adult suffrage on 9 March 1959. The general election was again won by the Labour Party, led this time by Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam . A Constitutional Review Conference
19177-572: The strike by using alternative workers known as 'black legs'. At the outbreak of World War II in 1939, many Mauritians volunteered to serve under the British flag in Africa and the Near East, fighting against the German and Italian armies. Mauritius was never really threatened, but in 1943, several British ships were sunk outside Port Louis by German submarines. In the initial stages of the war, locally recruited military formations were raised in order to defend
19328-464: The sugar cane landowners. Eugène Laurent , mayor of Port Louis, was the leader of this new group; his party, Action Libérale , demanded that more people should be allowed to vote in the elections. Action Libérale was opposed by the Parti de l'Ordre, led by Henri Leclézio, the most influential of the sugar magnates. In 1911, there were riots in Port Louis due to a false rumour that Laurent had been murdered by
19479-544: The support of other African countries. Brexit deprived the United Kingdom of support from European allies. In May 2017, Mauritius challenged the presence of the UK at a meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission. On 22 June 2017 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted to refer the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by 94 to 15. There were 65 abstentions, including British allies such as Canada, France, and Germany. In February 2019,
19630-468: The terms of the Courts Ordinance 1983. There is no legislature (and no elections) as there are no permanent inhabitants, although a small legal system has been established for the jurisdiction. As almost all residents of the BIOT are members of the United States military, in practice, crimes are more commonly charged under United States military law . Applicable treaties between the United Kingdom and
19781-534: The territory also reportedly form a security detachment. Prior to 2017, the BIOT patrol vessel, MV Pacific Marlin , was based in Diego Garcia . It was operated by the Swire Pacific Offshore Group. The Pacific Marlin patrolled the marine reserve all year, and since the marine reserve was designated in April 2010, the number of apprehensions of illegal vessels within the area has increased. The ship
19932-531: The territory are based on the constitution, currently set out in the British Indian Ocean Territory (Constitution) Order 2004, which gives the Commissioner power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the territory. If the Commissioner has not made a law on a particular topic then, in most circumstances, the laws that apply in the territory are the same as those that apply in England and Wales under
20083-427: The territory for defence purposes initially was in place from 1966 to 2016, and has subsequently been renewed to continue until 2036. The announcement was accompanied by a pledge of £40 million in compensation to former residents. The base was seen as important for managing growing Chinese influence in the region. The formerly obscure sovereignty dispute gained more international recognition as Mauritius obtained
20234-613: The tourism industry, and new hotels sprang up throughout the island. In 1989 the stock exchange opened its doors, and in 1992, the freeport began operation. In 1990, the Prime Minister lost the vote on changing the Constitution to make the country a republic with Bérenger as president. On 12 March 1992, Mauritius was proclaimed a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations and the monarch removed as head of state. The last Governor-General of Mauritius , Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo , became
20385-516: The transport of coconut wagons. These are no longer in use and have deteriorated. Diego Garcia's military base is home to the territory's only airport . At 3,000 metres (9,800 feet) long, the runway is capable of supporting heavy US Air Force bombers such as the B-52 , and would have been able to support the Space Shuttle in the event of a mission abort. It also has a major naval seaport, and there
20536-553: The triple murder of political activists at Gorah-Issac Street in Port Louis led to several arrests and a long investigation. The year 1999 was marked by civil unrest and riots in February and then in May . Following the Kaya riots, President Cassam Uteem and Cardinal Jean Margéot toured the country and calm was restored after four days of turmoil. A commission of enquiry was set up to investigate
20687-425: The uninhabited island in 1715, renaming the island " Isle de France ". In 1810, the United Kingdom seized the island , and four years later, under the Treaty of Paris , France ceded Mauritius and its dependencies to the United Kingdom. The British colony of Mauritius now included Rodrigues, Agaléga, St. Brandon, the Chagos Archipelago , and, until 1906, the Seychelles . Mauritius and France dispute sovereignty over
20838-406: The uninhabited islands after Maurice, Prince of Orange . A succession of short-lived Dutch attempts at permanent settlement took place over a century with the aim of exploiting the local ebony forests, establishing a consistent sugar and arrack production using cane plant cuttings imported from Java together with over three hundred Malagasy slaves, before abandoning their efforts. France took
20989-460: The village of Trois Boutiques near Souillac and progressed to the historic village of Mahébourg . A nationwide state of emergency was declared on the whole British colony. The riot was initiated by the murder of Police Constable Beesoo in his vehicle by a Creole gang. This was followed by the murder of a civilian named Mr. Robert Brousse in Trois Boutiques. The Creole gang then proceeded to
21140-742: The war ended. In 1962 the plantations were bought by Chagos-Agalega Company, based in the Seychelles. At this time they covered 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres). The descendants of those brought to the islands to farm coconuts had developed into the Chagossian people. There are no official population figures, but an estimate from 1968 found 866 inhabitants: 336 in Diego Garcia, 162 in the Salomon islands, and 168 in Peros Banhos. The vital statistics were likely similar to other Indian Ocean islands. The birth rate on
21291-480: Was 246. This dropped to 155 in 1975, likely reflecting uncertainty about these islands' future status. On 23 June 1976, these islands were returned to the Seychelles, which became independent as a republic on 29 June 1976; the islands now form part of the Outer Islands district of the Seychelles. Subsequently, the territory has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago . Work on
21442-486: Was built in 1978 as an ocean-going tug . It is 57.7 metres (189 feet 4 inches) long, with a draught of 3.8 metres (12 feet 6 inches), and gross tonnage of 1,200 tons. It has a maximum speed of 12.5 knots (23.2 kilometres per hour ; 14.4 miles per hour ) with an economic speed of 11 knots (20 kilometres per hour; 13 miles per hour), permitting a range of about 18,000 nautical miles (33,000 kilometres; 21,000 miles) and fuel endurance of 68 days. It
21593-495: Was captured from rain, although there were groundwater wells. The islands at this time produced not only copra from the plantations, but fish, and fruit in the case of the Chagos archipelago. Alcohol was produced for local consumption, from coconut, sugar cane, and other materials. It is likely there was some malnutrition. Beginning in February 1964, the UK and US began secret talks about a military base in Diego Garcia. The US wanted
21744-599: Was given in 1972, for relocation costs.) A few weeks after the decision to detach the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 2066 on 16 December 1965, which stated that this detachment of part of the colonial territory of Mauritius was against customary international law as recorded earlier in the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples of 14 December 1960. This stated that "Any attempt aimed at
21895-484: Was held in London in 1961, and a programme of further constitutional advance was established. The 1963 election was won by the Labour Party and its allies. The Colonial Office noted that politics of a communal nature was gaining ground in Mauritius and that the choice of candidates (by parties) and the voting behaviour (of electors) were governed by ethnic and caste considerations. Around that time, two eminent British academics, Richard Titmuss and James Meade , published
22046-587: Was in the interest of Chagossians to have the area protected while they were exiled and that it could be renegotiated upon resettlement. The Foreign Office claimed the reserve was made "without prejudice to the outcome of proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights ". (That court's 2012 decision was not in favour of the Islanders anyway.) The protected area covered the territory's EEZ, but not its territorial waters. In 2009 Mauritius began negotiating with
22197-616: Was provided by slave traders of the Sakalava people in North West Madagascar, who raided East Africa and the Comoros for slaves, and the rest was provided by Arab slave traders who bought slaves from Portuguese Mozambique and transported them to Réunion via Madagascar. During the late eighteenth century, African slaves accounted for around 80 percent of the island's population, and by the early nineteenth century there were 60,000 slaves on
22348-501: Was shadowed by a British fisheries protection vessel. In October 2021 Sri Lankan Tamil asylum seekers landed on Diego Garcia, and submitted asylum claims. The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees does not apply to the BIOT. Around 173 arrived in 2021 and 2022. Some were moved to Rwanda , with around 60 left as of January 2024. In 2022, a dispute arising from American defence contractor KBR allegedly prohibiting holidays during
22499-539: Was the oldest vessel in the Swire fleet. Pacific Marlin reportedly spent about 54% of her taskings on fishery patrol duties, and a further 19% on military patrol duties. In 2016, a new contract was signed with Scottish -based North Star Shipping for the use of the vessel MV Grampian Frontier (also known as the Grampian Endurance ). She is a 70 metres (230 feet) vessel carrying up to 24 personnel, and fulfils both
22650-476: Was to allow the construction of military facilities for the mutual benefit of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The islands were formally established as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom on 8 November 1965. While it initially sought for the base to be given on a lease, Mauritius was eventually paid £3 million to compensate for the territory's separation, under pressure due to then-ongoing independence negotiations. (An additional £650,000
22801-474: Was uninhabited before its first recorded visit by Arab sailors in the end of the 10th century. Its name Dina Arobi has been associated with Arab sailors who first discovered the island. The Treaty of Tordesillas purported to give the Kingdom of Portugal the right to colonise this part of the world. In 1507, Portuguese sailors came to the uninhabited island and established a visiting base. Diogo Fernandes Pereira ,
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