Mauritius - Rodrigues

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Rodrigues is remote, a part of Mauritius but 560km further northeast.

There’s something stark about the island and things are decidedly low key. It is not a tropical paradise but those in search of something offbeat will find it a fascinating, peaceful place to explore, with a people whose shy friendliness is genuine. Life here is slow and uncomplicated. Being such a small community, it has a delightful intimacy and sense of security. After just a few days on the island, I began to bump into people whom I had already met and no-one was ever too busy to stop for a chat.

As they are administratively linked, much of the information about Mauritius in Chapters 1–3 is relevant to Rodrigues.

Country An integral part of Mauritius, with its own regional assembly

Location 560km northeast of Mauritius

Size Rodrigues has an area of 108km²; it is 18km long (west–east) and 8km at its widest point (north–south). It is roughly equivalent in size to the British Channel Island of Jersey and is surrounded by 14 satellite islets.

History Discovered by Arabs, then Portuguese explorer Diego Rodriguez, in 1528. Some believe Diego Fernandez de Pereira got there first in 1507. The first settlers were French Huguenots fleeing France, who arrived in 1691. The French colonised the island in 1725; the British took it in 1809. A dependency of Mauritius until 1968, when Mauritius gained independence, Rodrigues has remained part of Mauritius. In 2002, Rodrigues took steps towards autonomous administration with the creation of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly.

Nature Valleys and forest with rare wildlife, rugged coastline, beaches and coral reefs

Climate Generally warmer and drier than Mauritius. In summer (November to April), temperatures range from 29°C to 34°C, and in winter (May to October) from 15°C to 29°C. Subject to drought, winds from the southeast and prone to cyclones.

Capital Port Mathurin

Population Approximately 38,000 (July 2011); 98% of Creole origin

Economy Based on subsistence agriculture and fishing. Tourism and handicraft production are growing.

Language Creole is the everyday language; French is widely spoken and English much less so

Religion 97.5% of the population is Roman Catholic. Anglicans, Adventists, Hindus, Muslims and Rastafarians form a minority.

International telephone code +230

Time GMT+4

Electricity 220 volts

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