Mauritius: Difference between revisions
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'''Mauritius''' is an island nation of 2040 square km, considered part of [[Africa]], in the [[Indian Ocean]] east of [[Madagascar]]. It is a parliamentary democracy that became independent of the [[United Kingdom]] in 1968, with a good record in free elections and [[human rights]]. While its own Creole is the traditional language, English is widely spoken, as is French; both are taught as part of public education. | '''Mauritius''' is an island nation of 2040 square km, considered part of [[Africa]], in the [[Indian Ocean]] east of [[Madagascar]].<ref name=FB-Mau>{{citation | ||
| url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mp.html | |||
| contribution = Mauritius | |||
| title = The World Factbook | |||
| publisher = [[Central Intelligence Agency]]}}</ref> | |||
It is a parliamentary democracy that became independent of the [[United Kingdom]] in 1968, with a good record in free elections and [[human rights]]. While its own Creole is the traditional language, English is widely spoken, as is French; both are taught as part of public education. | |||
==History== | |||
Known to Arab and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century, it was first explored by [[Portugal]] the 16th century and subsequently settled by the [[Netherlands]], who named it in honor of Prince [[Maurice of Nassau| Maurice of Nassau (<u>Maurits</u> van Nassau)]] in the 17th century. The French assumed control in 1715, but lost it to the British, during the [[Napoleonic Wars]], in 1810. | |||
==Government== | ==Government== | ||
The legal system is a combination of French civil law with some English common law. | The legal system is a combination of French civil law with some English common law. | ||
| Line 13: | Line 20: | ||
Mauritius is involved in international organizations and nongovernmental organizations. [[Dheerujlall Seetulsingh]] is a member of the expert advisory committee to the [[UN Human Rights Council]]. [[Cassam Uteem]] who was President from 1992 to 2002, is in the NGO, [[Global Leadership Foundation]]. | Mauritius is involved in international organizations and nongovernmental organizations. [[Dheerujlall Seetulsingh]] is a member of the expert advisory committee to the [[UN Human Rights Council]]. [[Cassam Uteem]] who was President from 1992 to 2002, is in the NGO, [[Global Leadership Foundation]]. | ||
==Economy== | ==Economy== | ||
Its economic development has been unusually effective for a relatively new country, with a 5-6% annual growth rate that has taken it into the middle-income range. The economy is diverse, with growth in industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. | Its economic development has been unusually effective for a relatively new country, with a 5-6% annual growth rate that has taken it into the middle-income range. The economy is diverse, with growth in industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. It went from a per capita income, at independence, of about USD $260<ref name=WB-Partner>{{citation | ||
| url = http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/MAURITIUSEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20821068~menuPK:2231818~pagePK:141137~piPK:141127~theSitePK:381974,00.html | |||
| title = Mauritius > Overview > Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) | |||
| publisher = [[World Bank]]}}</ref> to a World Bank figure US$5,250, the second highest in sub-Saharan Africa, with good social indicators. The CIA 2008 estimate is $12,000. | |||
However, Mauritius faces significant economic and social challenges as it transitions from dependence on trade preferences to open competition in the global economy. The country’s challenge is to boost economic growth through higher productivity; develop human capital through education reform to raise skill levels; and promote new emerging sectors and move Mauritius to a more knowledge-based economy while preserving its longstanding commitment to social welfare. | |||
The economy rests on sugar, tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services, and is expanding into fish processing, information and communications technology, and hospitality and property development. [[Sugarcane]] is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 15% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on creating vertical and horizontal clusters of development in these sectors. | The economy rests on sugar, tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services, and is expanding into fish processing, information and communications technology, and hospitality and property development. [[Sugarcane]] is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 15% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on creating vertical and horizontal clusters of development in these sectors. | ||
Its location has attracted foreign business, with the financial sector having had investment in excess of USD $1 billion. Over 32,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India, South Africa, and China, are present. | Its location has attracted foreign business, with the financial sector having had investment in excess of USD $1 billion. Over 32,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India, South Africa, and China, are present. The World Bank has rated it one of the top 20 economies for ease of doing business, and the best in subsaharan Africa. <ref name=WB-Ease>{{citation | ||
| title = Doing Business 2010: Mauritius moves into Top 20 Economies on Overall Ease of Doing Business: Madagascar Improves Ranking | |||
| url = http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/MAURITIUSEXTN/0,,contentMDK:22324380~menuPK:381980~pagePK:2865066~piPK:2865079~theSitePK:381974,00.html | |||
| publisher = [[World Bank]]}}</ref> | |||
It is in a partnership agreement with the [[World Bank]]. | |||
===Information technology=== | ===Information technology=== | ||
It is a meeting point for optical submarine cables, at present [[SAFE submarine cable]] to Asia and South Africa , and the [[SAT-3-WASC]] submarine cable to parts of East Africa. Other links are under consideration. | It is a meeting point for optical submarine cables, at present [[SAFE submarine cable]] to Asia and South Africa , and the [[SAT-3-WASC]] submarine cable to parts of East Africa. Other links are under consideration. | ||
The African Network Information Center (AfriNIC), the [[address registry | regional Internet address registry]] is headquartered in Mauritius, linked to specialized centers in [[South Africa]], [[Egypt]], and [[Ghana]]. | The African Network Information Center (AfriNIC), the [[address registry | regional Internet address registry]] is headquartered in Mauritius, linked to specialized centers in [[South Africa]], [[Egypt]], and [[Ghana]].<ref name=AfriNIC>{{citation | ||
| url = http://www.afrinic.net/about.htm | |||
| title = About AfriNIC | |||
| publisher = AfriNIC}}</ref> | |||
==Military== | ==Military== | ||
Mauritius has no military, only [[police]] and [[coast guard]]. | Mauritius has no military, only [[police]] and [[coast guard]]. | ||
==References== | |||
{{reflist|2}} | |||
Revision as of 17:30, 17 October 2009
Mauritius is an island nation of 2040 square km, considered part of Africa, in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar.[1] It is a parliamentary democracy that became independent of the United Kingdom in 1968, with a good record in free elections and human rights. While its own Creole is the traditional language, English is widely spoken, as is French; both are taught as part of public education.
History
Known to Arab and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century, it was first explored by Portugal the 16th century and subsequently settled by the Netherlands, who named it in honor of Prince Maurice of Nassau (Maurits van Nassau) in the 17th century. The French assumed control in 1715, but lost it to the British, during the Napoleonic Wars, in 1810.
Government
The legal system is a combination of French civil law with some English common law.
Its chief of state, the President of Mauritius, is elected by the unicameral National Assembly. The National Assembly has 70 seats, with 62 members elected by popular vote and 8 appointed by the election commission to give representation to various ethnic minorities. Elections were last held in 2005, and due again in 2010.
The President is Sir Anerood Jugnauth, who was reelected unanimously after assuming office in 2003.
Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam has been head of government since 2005.
Mauritius is involved in international organizations and nongovernmental organizations. Dheerujlall Seetulsingh is a member of the expert advisory committee to the UN Human Rights Council. Cassam Uteem who was President from 1992 to 2002, is in the NGO, Global Leadership Foundation.
Economy
Its economic development has been unusually effective for a relatively new country, with a 5-6% annual growth rate that has taken it into the middle-income range. The economy is diverse, with growth in industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. For most of the period, annual growth has been in the order of 5% to 6%. It went from a per capita income, at independence, of about USD $260[2] to a World Bank figure US$5,250, the second highest in sub-Saharan Africa, with good social indicators. The CIA 2008 estimate is $12,000.
However, Mauritius faces significant economic and social challenges as it transitions from dependence on trade preferences to open competition in the global economy. The country’s challenge is to boost economic growth through higher productivity; develop human capital through education reform to raise skill levels; and promote new emerging sectors and move Mauritius to a more knowledge-based economy while preserving its longstanding commitment to social welfare.
The economy rests on sugar, tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services, and is expanding into fish processing, information and communications technology, and hospitality and property development. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area and accounts for 15% of export earnings. The government's development strategy centers on creating vertical and horizontal clusters of development in these sectors.
Its location has attracted foreign business, with the financial sector having had investment in excess of USD $1 billion. Over 32,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India, South Africa, and China, are present. The World Bank has rated it one of the top 20 economies for ease of doing business, and the best in subsaharan Africa. [3]
It is in a partnership agreement with the World Bank.
Information technology
It is a meeting point for optical submarine cables, at present SAFE submarine cable to Asia and South Africa , and the SAT-3-WASC submarine cable to parts of East Africa. Other links are under consideration.
The African Network Information Center (AfriNIC), the regional Internet address registry is headquartered in Mauritius, linked to specialized centers in South Africa, Egypt, and Ghana.[4]
Military
Mauritius has no military, only police and coast guard.