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Mauritius, officially the Mauritius, officially the Republic of MauritiusRepublic of Mauritius, is an island nation off the , is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 870 kilometres (540 mi) east of Madagascar. In addition to the island of 870 kilometres (540 mi) east of Madagascar. In addition to the island of Mauritius, the Republic includes the islands of Mauritius, the Republic includes the islands of Cargados Carajos, Rodrigues, Cargados Carajos, Rodrigues, Tromelin Tromelin and the and the Agalega Agalega Islands. Mauritius Island is part of the Mascarene Islands. Mauritius Island is part of the Mascarene Islands, with the French island of Islands, with the French island of RéunionRéunion 170 km (110 mi) to the southwest 170 km (110 mi) to the southwest and the island of and the island of RodriguesRodrigues 570 km (350 mi) to the east. The area of Mauritius 570 km (350 mi) to the east. The area of Mauritius is 2040 kmis 2040 km22; its capital city is Port Louis. ; its capital city is Port Louis.

The United Kingdom took control of the islands in 1810, from France during The United Kingdom took control of the islands in 1810, from France during the Napoleonic Wars, and Mauritius became independent from the UK in 1968. the Napoleonic Wars, and Mauritius became independent from the UK in 1968. It is a parliamentary republic and is a member of the United Nations, Southern It is a parliamentary republic and is a member of the United Nations, Southern African Development Community, the Common Market for Eastern and African Development Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the African Union, LaSouthern Africa, the African Union, La Francophonie Francophonie and the Commonwealth and the Commonwealth of Nations. of Nations.

The main languages spoken in Mauritius are Mauritian Creole, French and The main languages spoken in Mauritius are Mauritian Creole, French and English. English is the only official language but the lingua franca is Mauritian English. English is the only official language but the lingua franca is Mauritian Creole and the newspapers and television programmes are usually in French.Creole and the newspapers and television programmes are usually in French.

(Source: Wikipedia)