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Mauritius Geography
Mauritius Geography: A summary of information about Mauritius Geography, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.
Mauritius: Geography
Location
Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar
Geographic coordinates
20 17 S, 57 33 E
Map references
World
Area
total: 1,860 sq km land: 1,850 sq km water: 10 sq km note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues
Area - comparative
almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
177 km
Maritime claims
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate
tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)
Terrain
small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Piton 828 m
Natural resources
arable land, fish
Land use
arable land: 49% permanent crops: 3% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland: 22% other: 23% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land
170 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards
cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards
Environment - current issues
water pollution
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
