As stated, this country has been influenced by many settlers who came from different parts of the world. However, Arab sailors were the ones who first discovered these lands during the Middle Ages, long before the colonisation era.

1598 was the first time Dutch invaders entered these lands with the objective to colonise it. However, they had to abandon the region during 1710. The French colonised the country and named it ‘Île de France’.

1810, saw the Napoleonic wars and this was when the Britishers thwarted the French from Mauritius and claimed it for themselves. The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1814, officially named Mauritius as a British territory. Mauritius gained freedom from the British Empire in 1968. They were named a republic in their own right during 1992.

The official language of Mauritius like many other nations is English. All government information, media and education is carried out in the same language. This is also an easy way to unify all the various cultures that inhabit these lands.

French is the second most spoken language in Mauritius and you can even find some official documents using the language. There are also many educational institutes and business settings that use the language.

Mauritian Creole is mainly influenced by French and has significant touches of African languages including minor influences from many others. It is the mother tongue of most natives here.

Bhojpuri, Hindi and Tamil have come over from India and are widely spoken. The Indo-Mauritian community constitutes a major chunk of the population here. Mandarin and Chinese are used by the Sino-Mauritian community.

The shopping experience in Mauritius showcases its rich and multifaceted cultural lineage with unique locally made goods. You can find quaint shops as well as upscale shopping complexes that leave nothing to be desired.

Local markets are the place to be if you want to learn and experience more of the culture in these lands. The main market of Port Louis sees loads of tourists and locals converge. Some other popular local markets are Quatre Bornes and Mahebourg markets.

The model ship is a popular souvenir in Mauritius. It showcases the rich maritime history of this island nation. You can also find handicrafts that feature the native Dodo bird.

The Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis and Bagatelle malls are perfect for buying high-end products and designer merchandise.