Area: 2040 sq km (788 sq miles).

Population: 1,159,729 (1998).

Population Density: 589.0 per sq km.

Capital: Port Louis. Population: 147,131 (1998).

Geography: Mauritius, a volcanic and mountainous island in the Indian Ocean, lies 2000km (1240 miles) off the southeastern coast of Africa, due east of Madagascar. The island-state stands on what was once a land bridge between Asia and Africa called the Mascarene Archipelago. From the coast, the land rises to form a broad fertile plain on which sugar cane flourishes. Some 500km (310 miles) east is Rodrigues Island, while northeast are the Cargados Carajos Shoals and 900km (560 miles) to the north is Agalega.

Government: Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1968. Head of State: President Cassam Uteem since 1992. Head of Government: Prime Minister Aneerood Jugnauth since 2000.

Language: English is the official language. The most widely spoken languages are French, Creole, Hindi and Bhojpuri. Urdu and Chinese are also among the languages spoken.

Religion: 51 per cent Hindu, 31 per cent Christian, 17 per cent Muslim.

Time: GMT + 4.

Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. UK-type 3-pin plugs are commonly used in hotels.

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 230. There are no area codes. Outgoing international code: 00. There are a limited number of public telephone booths, mainly at the airport and in major hotels.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 networks, with coverage extending over the whole island. Network operators include Cellplus Mobile Comms (website: www.gocellplus.com). Handsets and SIM cards can be hired from Mauritius Telecoms or Emtel.

Fax: Most hotels have facilities, as well as Mauritius Telecom offices in Port Louis and Cassis.

Internet/E-mail: There are a number of ISPs in Mauritius; they include Telecom Plus (website: http://servihooservices.intnet.mu/telecomplus.htm), Mauritius Network (MNS), MauriNet and Mauritius Telecom (website: http://mt.intnet.mu). There are cyber cafés in Phoenix, Vaoas and other main towns. Most hotels offer internet facilties.

Telegram: Messages can be sent from the Mauritius Telecommunications Service offices in Cassis and Port Louis. There are also facilities at Overseas Telecoms Services Ltd, Rogers House, John Kennedy Street, Port Louis.

Post: Airmail to Western Europe usually takes five days; by sea, mail takes four to six weeks. Post office hours: Generally Mon-Fri 0815-1115 and 1200-1600; Sat 0800-1145.

Press: Of the nine daily newspapers, two are published in Chinese and the remainder in French and English. L'Express and Le Mauricien have the highest circulation.