The Embassy of Mauritius in Germany

History of Mauritius

The island was known to the Arabs in the 10th century. Re-discovered in 1505 by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas, it was occupied successively by the Dutch (1598-1712), the French (1715-1810) and was ceded to Great Britain by the Treaty of Paris.

Mauritius acceded to independence on 12 March 1968 and became a Republic on 12 March 1992.

The constitution is based on the Westminster model, where power rests with the Prime Minister and his cabinet.