article_snippet: The island nation of Mauritius was first discovered by Arabic explorers and has since been colonised by the Portuguese, French, British and Dutch.
article_snippet: Mauritius, which lies off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, became independent in 1968 and a republic in 1992.
article_snippet: Tropical: the islandwas first discovered by Arabic explorers and has since been colonised by the Portuguese, French, British and Dutch .
article_snippet: Mauritius lies in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa Africa and near to Madagascar.
article_snippet: Mauritius declared independence in 1968 and became a republic in 1992 .