Mauritius

Mau·ri·tius (mô ris̸h′ē əs, -ris̸h′əs)

1. island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar: 720 sq mi (1,865 sq km)

2. country consisting of this island & several nearby islands: discovered by the Portuguese in the 16th cent., it was in turn occupied by the Dutch, the French, & the British; became independent & a member of the Commonwealth in 1968: 788 sq mi (2,040 sq km); pop. 1,059,000; cap. Port Louis