Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, located off the eastern coast of Africa. It’s capital is Port Louis. The island was first discovered in the 9th century. At that time the island was uninhabited and covered in a dense forest. Today little original forest is left, and Mauritius is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. The country was colonized by the Netherlands, France and Great Britain, and gained its independence in 1968.