Situated in Eastern Africa, Mauritius 🇲🇺 (officially Republic of Mauritius) is one of the most interesting places you can land on when you spin the globe. With a population of about 1.2 million and a total area of 2,040 km², it offers far more than its statistics suggest.
Whether you discovered Mauritius through our random country spinner or searched for it directly, this guide covers everything you need to know: the flag, the capital city of Port Louis, population figures, languages, currency, geography and a collection of memorable facts.
Where is Mauritius located?
Geographically, Mauritius belongs to Eastern Africa within Africa. Its territory spans approximately 2,040 km², which makes it the 182nd largest country or territory on Earth.
Mauritius has no land borders at all — it is surrounded entirely by water, and this island setting has given it a distinct identity, ecosystem and way of life.
The capital city is Port Louis, the political and cultural heart of the country and usually the first stop for visitors who want to understand how mauritian life really works.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Who lives in Mauritius?
Around 1.2 million people live in Mauritius, making it the 159th most populous country or territory in the world. A person from Mauritius is called a Mauritian.
Mauritius is multilingual: the languages spoken include English, French and Mauritian Creole. This linguistic variety reflects the country's layered history and the many communities that shaped it.
Beyond the numbers, everyday culture in Mauritius — from markets and music to family traditions — is what makes discovering it through a random spin so rewarding.
Good to know before you go
The official currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR, symbol ₨). Exchange rates fluctuate, so check current rates before travelling.
The international dialling code for Mauritius is +230. Websites from the country typically use the .mu internet domain.
Quiz tip: the three facts most worth memorising about Mauritius are its flag, its capital Port Louis, and its approximate population of 1.2 million.
Fun facts about Mauritius
- Mauritius's flag emoji is 🇲🇺 — its two-letter country code is MU and its three-letter code is MUS.
- Mauritius covers 2,040 km², ranking 182nd in the world by area.
- With about 1.2 million people, Mauritius holds the 159th spot in the world population ranking.
- Mauritius is a member state of the United Nations.
- Mauritius is completely surrounded by water, with zero land borders.
Mauritius — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of Mauritius?
- The capital of Mauritius is Port Louis.
- What is the population of Mauritius?
- Mauritius has a population of approximately 1,245,779 people, ranking 159th in the world.
- Where is Mauritius located?
- Mauritius is located in Eastern Africa, part of the Africa region.
- What language is spoken in Mauritius?
- The languages spoken in Mauritius include English, French and Mauritian Creole.
- What currency is used in Mauritius?
- Mauritius uses the Mauritian rupee (MUR).
