Mauritius Location & Geography

Location of Mauritius

Mauritius are amazing volcanic islands situated approximately 2,000km to the south eastern coast of Africa and lying about 900km east of Madagascar on 20°5, 57.5E. The Islands which cover a land surface area of 1,865km (330km of coastline) boast a diverse landscape includes miles of untampered coastline, tropical forests and impressive mountains.

Island is 45km wide and 65km long with the capital and largest city, Port Louis lying in the northwest. Rose-Hill, Beau-Bassin, Curepipe, Vacoas, Phoenix, Quatre Bornes are the other important towns.

Together with Cargados Carajos and Agalega, Mauritius is also part of the Mascarene Islands, with the French island of Réunion 200 km to the southwest and the island of Rodrigues 570 km to the northeast.

Tectonic processes formed the Mauritius Island around a central plateau, with its highest peak in the southwest, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (828m). Around the plateau, the original crater can still be distinguished from several mountains. In other words, Mauritius is located in typically tropical coastal regions with forests in the mountainous areas.