Capital: Port Louis
Government: Parliamentary democracy
Public Holiday: Independence Day, March 12
Currency: Mauritian rupee

Geography
Climate
Population
Language
Religion
Currency
Banking hours
Visa & entry Requirements
Customs
Driving
Communication
Shopping
Auritius shopping
Hotels
Emergency

Geography
Mauritius is an island in the southwest Indian Ocean, to the east of Madagascar, with an area of 1,865 sq km and has a coastline of 330 km. The island is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs. The resulting lagoons are full of marine life and are ideal for diving. Its beaches with fine sands are renowned throughout the world. Inside the ring of mountain ranges, there is the Central Plateau which was formed by lava flows from several small volcanoes. The Central Plateau is higher in the south west and it slopes gradually towards the north and east into an undulating landscape.

Climate
The local climate is tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; there is a warm, dry winter from May to November and a hot, wet, and humid summer from November to May. Anti-cyclones affect the country during May to September. Cyclones affect the country during November-April. The temperature range is moderate, from a low of 16ºC in the winter, to 35ºC in summer. The sea temperature varies between 22°C and 27°C

Population
The republic's residents are the descendants of people from India, continental Africa, Madagascar, France, Great Britain, and China, among other places.

Language
Most people in Mauritius are bilingual and are equally fluent in English
and French. Creole and French are the main languages in the everyday environment and several oriental languages are also spoken.

Religion
Hindus, including Tamils make up 48%, Roman Catholic 23.6%, Muslim 16.6%, other Christian 8.6%, other 2.5%.

Currency
The monetary unit is the Mauritian Rupee which is divided into 100 cents. Credit cards are normally accepted by banks and most hotels, restaurants and tourist shops. Widely accepted is American Express, Visa, Diner, Master Card and travel checks.

Banking hours
Monday to Thursday: 9.15 am -3.15 pm, Friday: 9.15 am -3.30 pm, Saturday: 9.15 am -11.15 am (Some banks only). Banks are also open to coincide with the arrival and departure of international flights at the Airport.

Visa & entry Requirements
A visitor must be in possession of a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. Ukrainian citizens do not need visa to enter the country. You will get a visa at the airport upon arrival within 15 days. In case of need you can extend it.

Customs
Passengers over 18 years of age may import the following duty-free items: 250 grams of tobacco (including cigars and cigarettes), 1 liter of spirits, 2 liters of wine, ale or beer, one quarter litre of Eau de Toilette and perfume not exceeding 100 ml.
It is prohibited to introduce sugarcane and parts thereof, soil micro-organisms and invertebrate animals.
All imported animals including animal products need an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and a health certificate from the country of origin.
Drug trafficking is illegal and carries very heavy penalties. Firearms and ammunition need import permits and must be declared on arrival.

Driving
People in Mauritius drive on the left-hand side of the road and give way to the right.
Foreigners with a driving license issued by a Competent Authority in their respective countries are allowed to drive during their stay in Mauritius.

Electricity:
220 volts.

Communication
International: country code – 230. There are no area codes. There are a limited number of public telephone booths, mainly at the airport and in major hotels.

Shopping
Shopping hours in our main cities range from 9.30 am to 17.00 pm (Monday-Friday) from 9.30 am to 12 pm (Saturday). Some shops are open till noon on Sundays and public holidays. Many duty free shops and modern shopping centers offer a wide choice of products where passports and air tickets must be shown is on the increase

Auritius shopping
Models of old ships Note: Airline companies charge for freight on ship models according to size and weight.
Mauritius has an enviable reputation for textiles production, namely for pullovers and knitwear. Leading brands of shirts, trousers, suits, dresses, suits for women, shorts or swimwear are sold at unbeatable prices.
Basketwork, embroidery, pottery, cut stones and recycled glass are very much in demand. Those who love cooking will be able to take back fruit jellies, chilies, and other types of spices and pickles - delicious bits of raw vegetables soaked in oil, spices and chilly.
Do not forget to buy some vanilla tea or rum. Only accredited shops are allowed to sell duty-free goods to tourists. Coffret des Iles, on the other hand, offers a wide range of gift-parcels ready to offer, home delivered in France, England and Germany within 72 hours. Your Coffret des Iles can also be purchased in most of the hotel’s shops or with your Tout Operator’s local representative.

Hotels
Hotels in Mauritius have lists of all types of accommodation such as exclusive guest houses, bed & breakfast, boarding inn, beach bungalows, self-catering beach bungalows in Mauritius and apartments to the smallest of studios. There is high level of service. Standard room built on the basis of 50 sq m per person.

Emergency
Police (ambulance):999, Police: 208-7018/20
Fire: 995, Samu: 114

[Tags: Tours to Mauritius]
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