Republic of Mauritius

Political Status: Constitutional monarchy under multiparty parliamentary system established upon independence within the Commonwealth on March 12, 1968; became a republic on March 12, 1992.

Area: 790 sq. mi. (2,045 sq. km).

Population: 1,267,000 (2020E—World Bank); 1,379,365 (2020E—U.S. Census).

Major Urban Centers (2016E—UN): PORT LOUIS (155,226, Beau Bassin/Rose Hill (111,355), Vacoas-Phoenix (110,000).

Official Language: English (French is also used, while Creole is the lingua franca and Hindi the most widely spoken).

Monetary Unit: Mauritian rupee (official rate September 30, 2020: 39.70 rupees = $1US).

President: Prithvirajsing “Pradeep” ROOPUN (Mauritian Socialist Movement); elected by parliament on December 2, 2019, and sworn in that day; succeeding Paramasivum Pillay “Barlen” VYAPOORY (Mauritian Socialist Movement), who had been elevated from the vice presidency to acting president on March 23, 2018, in succession to ...