The island of Mauritius is a volcanic island 58 km long and 47 km wide. The island is almost 2,000 km east African coasts and 800 km beyond Madagascar and is about 220 km from the equally famous Reunion and is on the same latitude of Rio de Janeiro. It covers an area of nearly 2000 square kilometers with more than 300 km of coastline.

Its morphology includes a vast central plateau, forests tropical rivers and waterfalls. The highest peaks exceed 800 m in height.

The nation of Mauritius including the island of Rodrigues, placed more than 500 km to the north and along with other scattered coral atolls (Cargados, Carajos and Agalega) is part of the Mascarene Islands (The collective title is derived from the Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas, who first visited them in 1512).

It is believed that Mauritius is the highest end of a huge immersed volcanic chain that extends from the Seychelles islands until Rèunion. However, unlike Rèunion, in Mauritius there are no active volcanoes although numerous remains of volcanic activity are present. Examples of this geological origin include crater off Trou aux Cerfs to Curepipe and the volcanic lake called Grand Bassin (sacred to Hindus). The island is also covered by millions of lava pebbles that can be observed throughout the island especially in sugar cane plantations in the midst of which emerge hundreds of these black stones, stored in this manner from Creole to get room for cultivable areas.

Mauritius is surrounded by a coral reef which determines long stretches of white and pinkish sandy beaches. Towards the south the island rises quickly to a central plateau, over the mountains behind Port Louis, sloping gently to the north coast: the highest peak, the Pitou de la Petite Rivière Noire, reaches the 800 m.

Mauritius is also a wonderful example of cultural integration: People from Mauritius are the result of a mix of different ethnicities and cultures. Crossing the island one can meet indigenous people of all kinds ranging from whites, Africans, Indians and Muslims. Each ethnic group tends not mix with others, but each community respects the traditions, customs and traditions of all.