MONGABAY.COM
Mongabay.com seeks to raise interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife, while examining the impact of emerging trends in climate, technology, economics, and finance on conservation and development (more)
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
|
|
Mauritius
Index
Population: In mid-1993 estimated at 1,106,516
with
population growth rate of 0.95 percent. Density more than
537
inhabitants per square kilometer.
Ethnic Groups: Constitution recognizes four
population
categories: Hindus (about 49 percent in 1989), general
population
(about 29 percent in 1989), Muslims (about 16 percent in
1989),
and Sino-Mauritians (about 3 percent in 1989). Ancestors
of
Hindus and Muslims came from Indian subcontinent; most
SinoMauritians from Hunan; general category represents all
others,
including Europeans, Creoles.
Languages: English (official), Creole, French,
Hindi,
Bhojpuri, and Tamil.
Religion: Hindu (49 percent), Christian (27
percent
Roman Catholic, 0.5 percent Protestant), Muslim (16
percent, of
which 95 percent Sunni), and other (7.5 percent).
Education: Follows British system, free through
postsecondary level. University of Mauritius and other
postsecondary institutions exist. Overall literacy in
1990: 80
percent; 85 percent for males and 75 percent for females.
Health: Government health services accessible to
most
of population. In 1994 life expectancy at birth estimated
at:
overall 70.5 years, 74.6 for females, 66.6 years for
males. In
1994 infant mortality 18.4 per 1,000 live births.
Data as of August 1994
|
|