Mau·ri·tius (mô-r sh  s, - -s) An island country in the southwest Indian Ocean comprising the island of Mauritius and several small dependencies in the Mascarene Islands. Originally uninhabited, the islands were probably known to Arab and Malay traders in the Middle Ages. Mauritius was controlled by the Dutch (1598-1710), the French (1715-1810), and the British (after 1814) before independence was achieved in 1968. It became a republic in 1992. Port Louis is the capital and the largest city. Population: 1,250,000. Mau·ri tian adj. & n. |   |
Mauritius [məˈrɪʃəs]
n
(Placename) an island and state in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar: originally uninhabited, it was settled by the Dutch (1638-1710) then abandoned; taken by the French in 1715 and the British in 1810; became an independent member of the Commonwealth in 1968. It is economically dependent on sugar. Official language: English; a French creole is widely spoken. Religion: Hindu majority, large Christian minority. Currency: rupee. Capital: Port Louis. Pop.: 1 195 000 (2001 est.). Area: 1865 sq. km (720 sq. miles) Former name (1715-1810) Île-de-France
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  Mauritius - a parliamentary state on the island of MauritiusMauritius - an island in the southwestern Indian Ocean Port Louis - capital and chief port of Mauritius; located on the northwestern coast of the island Mauritian - a native or inhabitant of Mauritius |
| 2. | Mauritius - an island in the southwestern Indian Ocean Mauritius, Republic of Mauritius - a parliamentary state on the island of Mauritius Indian Ocean - the 3rd largest ocean; bounded by Africa on the west, Asia on the north, Australia on the east and merging with the Antarctic Ocean to the south |
Translations
Mauritius
n → Mauritius nt
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