Geography

Together with Réunion and Rodrigues, Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands. This archipelago was formed in a series of undersea volcanic eruptions, as the African plate drifted over the Réunion hotspot. Mauritius and Rodrigues were formed 8-10 million years ago. 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 island's capital and largest city is Port Louis, in the northwest. Other important towns are Curepipe, Vacoas, Phoenix, Quatre Bornes, Rose-Hill and Beau-Bassin.

Three islands or island groups also belonging to Mauritius are dependencies:

• Agalega Islands (Capital: Vingt Cinq)
  Two small islands about 933 kilometers (580 mi) north of Mauritius.
• Cargados Carajos Shoals (Capital: Raphael)
  Also known as the Saint Brandon islands, and about 402 kilometers (250 mi) north of Mauritius.
• Rodrigues (Capital: Port Mathurin)
  A populated island that used to be Mauritius's 10th district and is now autonomous.

The following territories also belong to Mauritius:

• Saya de Malha Bank
• Nazareth Bank
• Soudan Banks (including East Soudan Bank)

Other territories claimed by Mauritius:

• Chagos Archipelago (in British possession)
• Tromelin (in French possession)