Where is Mauritius located?

Mauritius is an island nation located about 1,200 miles Southeast of continental Africa, in the Indian Ocean. Mauritius is comprised of several small islands, the largest of which are Mauritius Island and Rodrigues Island.

In total, the nation is 787 square miles in size. Port Louis is its capital and largest city. As of 2015, Mauritius is home to about 1.3 million people. Its closest neighbors are Reunion, a French territory, and the island nation of Madagascar. Mauritius gained its independence in 1968. About 68 percent of the population is ethnically Indian. Other citizens of Mauritius are of Creole, Chinese and French descent.