Why is Mauritius called ‘the star and key’ of the Indian Ocean?

Mauritius is a small island nation in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It is located to the east of Madagascar Island, near South Africa. Because of its spectacular beauty and strategic location, it is referred to as the ‘star and key’ of the Indian Ocean.

The nation is made up of the island of Mauritius, Rodrigues, and the outer islands. The island was formed as a result of volcanic activity in the Indian Ocean millions of years ago.

Mauritius was visited by the Arabs and then by the Portuguese. It was later ruled by the French and the British, until it became an independent nation. Caressed by a turquoise ocean, Mauritius is famed for its breathtaking landscapes.

Its dazzling white beaches, coral reefs, seven colours of sands and sand dunes attract tourists from every corner of the planet. There are also a number of unique plants and animals that are found only on this island. Amazingly, there are no wild animals here in this tropical paradise-even the snakes are not poisonous!