Mauritius Facts

Interesting Facts for Kids

Here are some interesting Mauritius Facts which were chosen and researched by kids especially for kids.

• Name: Republic of Mauritius; also Republique de Maurice (French) or Republic Moris (Creole)
• Population: almost 1.4 million people (2022)
• Capital: Port Louis with 150,000 inhabitants
• Motto: ‘Star and Key of the Indian Ocean’
• Government: Democracy

• Language: English (official), French, Creole
• Religion: mainly Hindus (49%)
• Currency: 1 Mauritian rupee = 100 cents 
• National Anthem: “Motherland”
• National Day: 12 March (Independence Day)
• National Symbols: The extinct ‘dodo’ (national animal), Trochetia Boutoniana (Boucle d’orville – national flower), red, blue, yellow and green (national colours)
• History: The first settlements were established by the Dutch in 1638. The island is named after the Prince Maurice van Nassau, who governed Mauritius in 1598. Later the French and British arrived on the island. Mauritius became independent from Britain only in 1968.