With a population of 1.3 million people, Mauritius is an island nation off the south eastern coast of Africa. Historically dependent on sugar exports, the island now has an economy made up of a strong outsourcing and financial services sector, as well as an important tourism industry. Mauritius also has one of Africa’s highest per capita incomes.
Home to some of the world’s rarest wildlife species, Mauritius was once the home of the now-extinct Dodo bird. Its climate is tropical in the coastal regions with forests in the mountainous areas. The population is multi-ethnic, with Indians, Africans, Chinese and Europeans (mostly French) included amongst its people. Almost 50% of the population followed Hinduism, followed by Christianity and Islam. Languages spoken include several Indian languages, as well as English and French.