Mauritius is an independent island state in the Indian Ocean, 805 km (500 mi) east of Madagascar.
Since gaining independence in 1968, the country has claimed the British Indian Ocean Territory (administered by Mauritius until 1965).
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was explored by the Portuguese (1510) and Dutch (1598), Mauritius--previously
uninhabited--was not permanently settled until 1721, when the French occupied the island,
established sugar plantations, and brought East African slaves to work on them. In 1810
the British captured the island and brought Indian servants to work on the plantations. Mauritius is an independent island state in the Indian Ocean, 805 km (500 mi) east of Madagascar. |
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Since gaining independence in 1968, the country has claimed the British Indian Ocean Territory (administered by Mauritius until 1965). |
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