Highlights: Beaches, coral reefs, scenic beauty, interesting mix of cultures.

Best time to go: Year round with cyclone season in mid summer (Feb, Mar).

Landscapes: Small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling a central plateau. The main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs.

Cultures: Mauritius is a plural society where all the ethnic groups present: Hindus, Muslims, Creoles, Chinese and Europeans live in peace and where all the ancestral cultures have been preserved. These features make the island a unique place in the world.

Most Mauritians are bilingual being equally fluent in French and English. English is the official language, but French and Creole are widely spoken. Oriental languages also form part of the linguistic mosaic.

Weather: Summer: hot, wet, humid summer from November to May . Winter: tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter from May to November