Mauritius is situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2400 kilometres off the South East Coast of Africa. The island, which is of volcanic origin, covers an area of 1,865 square kilometres or 720 square miles. Coral reefs surround most of the coast except the south.

Situated somewhere in the South Western Indian Ocean, the island of Mauritius lies at approximately latitude 20^o south and longitude 57^o east of Greenwich. It is about 800 km to the east of Madagascar and is part of the Mascarene Archipelago.

The Mascarene Archipelago consists of three islands, Mauritius, Reunion (which is part of France) and Rodrigues. The Republic of Mauritius itself comprises the island of Mauritius, Rodrigues, Saint Brandon, Agalega and the Chagos Archipelago.

In short the Republic is made up of small and over crowded islands with few natural resources and a bewildering array of races, religions and cultures. Yet the Republic of Mauritius has managed to offer to the majority of its' citizens living standards thought to be unattainable only a generation ago. How all of this came about can still be said to be a mystery

The average temperature during day time is 25° C (75° F) and rarely under 13° C (62° F) at night. There are two seasons. Hot from November to April. Warm from May to October.