LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Mauritius
built 235 days ago
The official language of Mauritius is English. All government administrative documents are therefore drawn up in English. Together with English, French is ... used in instruction in the educational system. French, however, predominates in the media, both broadcast and printed as well as with business and in corporate affairs. A majority of the population can speak French fluently. American and other English-language movies and TV programmes shown in Mauritius are conventionally dubbed in French.
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Mauritius is among the most over populated countries with nearly 600 people per Km2. The population of Mauritius consists of several ethnics, religions and cultures. While in some cases one could be tempted to talk about the Mauritian culture, it is a fact that this culture is still in evolution and is more of a composition of the different ancestral cultures. Today, businessmen from Chinese, Indian and French origins work together and may be partners, but in holiday times the one flies to Singapore for shopping, the second to Mumbai for a cultural tour and the latter to Courchevel for a getaway form the summer heat.
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Mauritius has one of the most successful and competitive economies in Africa; 2006 GDP at market prices was estimated at $6.5 billion and per capita income at $5,214, one of the highest in Africa. The economy is based on tourism, textiles, sugar, and financial services. In recent years, information and communication technology (ICT) and seafood have emerged as important sectors of the economy, growing by an average of 40% last year. Over the past two decades, real output growth averaged just below 6% per year, leading to a more than doubling of per capita income and a marked improvement in social indicators. However, since 2002, the economy started to face some serious challenges as a result of globalization, involving the erosion of trade preferences for both textiles and sugar, two pillars of the economy. Economic growth declined to 3-4% while unemployment, government budget deficit, and public debt increased steadily.
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Mauritius has had one of the world's fastest-growing economies since the early 1980s and is increasingly attracting foreign investors. Sugarcane is the chief crop, and it is grown on 90% of the country's arable land. Tea and food crops are ... grown, cattle and goats are raised, and there is a fishing industry. In recent years, the country has decreased its dependence on sugar, diversified its industrial base to include mining and manufacturing, and adopted free-trade economic policies. Financial services and data processing are growing, and tourism is increasingly important. Clothing and textiles, sugar, cut flowers, and molasses are the major exports.
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Mauritius is volcanic in origin and almost surrounded by coral reefs. The northern part is a plain and rises to a central plateau, varying in elevation from about 900 to 2,400 feet (270 to 730 m) above sea level. The plateau is bordered by small mountains that may have formed the rim of an ancient volcano; the highest point (2,711 feet [826 m]) is the Petite Rivière–Noire Peak in the southwest. The two major rivers, the Grand River South East (about 25 miles [40 km] long) and Grand River North West are ... the major sources of hydroelectric power. Lake Vacoas, one of the major reservoirs, is the chief source of water supply.
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Mauritius enjoys a great tropical climate with mild temperatures all year round. Winter lasts from May to October with a temperature range of 17 - 23 degrees Celsius (63 - 74 degrees Fahrenheit). The coldest months are June - August. During this time of year golfing and hiking the interior are pleasant activities. However, sunbathing on the beach in your new bikini might be a little chilly.
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