!!!Mauritius %%image_right [{GoogleMap location='Mauritius' type='embedded' zoom='bounds' width='450' height='350'}] %% [{Image src='mp-lgflag.gif' class='image_left' height='150' width='226'}] [{Image src='mauritius.jpg' class='image_left' }] Although known to Arab and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century, Mauritius was first explored by the Portuguese in the 16th century and subsequently settled by the Dutch - who named it in honor of Prince Maurits van NASSAU - in the 17th century. The French assumed control in 1715, developing the island into an important naval base overseeing Indian Ocean trade, and establishing a plantation economy of sugar cane. The British captured the island in 1810, during the Napoleonic Wars. Mauritius remained a strategically important British naval base, and later an air station, playing an important role during World War II for anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as the collection of signals intelligence. Independence from the UK was attained in 1968. A stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. %%menu-geo %%cols-r * %%icon-geo,geo %% [Geography|Geography/Africa/Mauritius/Geography] * %%icon-geo,maps %% [Maps|Geography/Africa/Mauritius/Maps] * %%icon-geo,culture %% [Culture|Geography/Africa/Mauritius/Culture] ---- * %%icon-geo,special %% [Special Information|Geography/Africa/Mauritius/Special_Information] * %%icon-geo,picture %% [Pictures|Geography/Africa/Mauritius/Pictures] * %%icon-geo,community %% [Community Contributions|Geography/Africa/Mauritius/Community_Contributions] %% %%