Together with Réunion and Rodrigues, Mauritius is
part of the Mascarene Islands. This archipelago was formed in a
series of undersea volcanic eruptions 8-10 million years ago, as the
African plate drifted over the Réunion hotspot. They are no longer
volcanically active, and the hotspot now rests under Réunion. The
island of Mauritius itself is formed around a central plateau, with
its highest peak in the southwest, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire
at 828 metres (2,717 ft). Around the plateau, the original crater
can still be distinguished from several mountains.
The local climate is tropical, modified by southeast trade winds;
there is a warm, dry winter from May to November and a hot, wet, and
humid summer from November to May. Anti-cyclones affect the country
during May to September. Cyclones affect the country during
November-April. Hollanda (1994) and Dina (2002) were the worst two
last cyclones to have affected the island.
Beach scenery in Mauritius.
The island's capital and largest city is Port Louis, in the
northwest. Other important towns are Rose-Hill and Beau-Bassin,
Curepipe, Vacoas, Phoenix, Quatre Bornes.
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