'You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius'. These words by Mark Twain may perfectly describe this extraordinarily beautiful island nation.

Golden beaches of fine sand, turquoise lagoons and secluded coves adorn the coast, presenting idyllic bathing and basking amongst a colourful panorama of tropical delights. Exotic aromas float through the balmy air, nudged along by gentle breezes. Almost entirely surrounded by spectacular coral reefs, the waters of Mauritius harbour amazingly abundant and diverse marine life.

Inland, the Black River Gorges National Park, famous for its towering waterfalls, is home to some of the rarest species and forests on earth. Here in the cool highlands of the island, stunning vistas and spectacular hiking offer nature enthusiasts the experience of a lifetime.

Situated in the Indian Ocean 2,000 kilomteres off the southeastern coast of Africa and 900 kilometres east of Madagascar, the republic of Mauritius encompasses the main island of Mauritius, in addition to the islands of Saint Brandon, Rodrigues and the Agalega Islands.

On this little corner of the planet, Maritians forged themselves a common destiny centuries ago. Descendants of slaves, immigrants, and colonizers coexist peacefully today. Their culture is a rich and eclectic blend of ancestral traditions from Africa, India, Europe, and ancient China.

Mauritius operates as a stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record, attracting considerable foreign investment and earning one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Visitors can enjoy exploring the intriguing aspects of the island, be they historical, cultural or social. Yet most will fall in love with the immaculate beauties that nature has bestowed. Mauritius was Mark Twain’s idea of heaven and it very well may be heaven on earth.