Mauritius - The Island Of Destiny
The island of Mauritius a perilous island destined for greatness.
Whatever the early explorers in the 10th century thought when they first visited the island, they would not have guessed what this island would become.
The island of Mauritius was originally named Dina Harobi by the Arabs in the 10th century.
The Portuguese first visited the island in 1507 briefly, but then later abandoned the island.
Five ships of the Dutch Second Fleet were blown off course during a storm in 1598 and landed on the island.
They named it Mauritius in honor of Prince Maurice of Nassau.
The Dutch established the first permanent settlement in 1638, but tough climate conditions, including storms and cyclones, deteriorated the condition of the settlement.
The Dutch resisted the hazardous conditions until 1710 when they abandoned the island to pirates.
The French took control of the island in 1721, which they then renamed Île de France (Isle of France).
The island prospered under French rule, through the development of sugar production.
The British captured the island in 1810, and then rename the island Mauritius and slavery was later abolished.
Due to competition from beet sugar as well as the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the 19th century posed many challenges to the prosperity of the island.
Because of this Mauritius took political and economic reforms after World War II.
In 1968 it became an independent state within the Commonwealth, and then in 1992 the island became a republic.
Since then, the economy has grown substantially.
Although the economy had started out strongly dependent on sugar production, the economy has now expanded into tourism, clothing manufacturing, information technology, and business and financial services.
From a troubled settlement and economic turmoil, Mauritius has risen to be one of the most attractive destinations for tourism and financial investment.
Whatever the early explorers in the 10th century thought when they first visited the island, they would not have guessed what this island would become.
The island of Mauritius was originally named Dina Harobi by the Arabs in the 10th century.
The Portuguese first visited the island in 1507 briefly, but then later abandoned the island.
Five ships of the Dutch Second Fleet were blown off course during a storm in 1598 and landed on the island.
They named it Mauritius in honor of Prince Maurice of Nassau.
The Dutch established the first permanent settlement in 1638, but tough climate conditions, including storms and cyclones, deteriorated the condition of the settlement.
The Dutch resisted the hazardous conditions until 1710 when they abandoned the island to pirates.
The French took control of the island in 1721, which they then renamed Île de France (Isle of France).
The island prospered under French rule, through the development of sugar production.
The British captured the island in 1810, and then rename the island Mauritius and slavery was later abolished.
Due to competition from beet sugar as well as the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, the 19th century posed many challenges to the prosperity of the island.
Because of this Mauritius took political and economic reforms after World War II.
In 1968 it became an independent state within the Commonwealth, and then in 1992 the island became a republic.
Since then, the economy has grown substantially.
Although the economy had started out strongly dependent on sugar production, the economy has now expanded into tourism, clothing manufacturing, information technology, and business and financial services.
From a troubled settlement and economic turmoil, Mauritius has risen to be one of the most attractive destinations for tourism and financial investment.
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