Mauritius is a volcanic island, measuring 58km (36mi) from north to south and 47km (29mi) from east to west. It lies in the Indian Ocean, roughly 800km (500mi) east of Madagascar, 3860km (2400mi) south-west of India and 220km (135mi) north-east of its nearest neighbour, Réunion. As a country, it includes the inhabited island of Rodrigues some 560km (350mi) to the north-east, and other scattered coral atolls such as Cargados Carajos and Agalega.
Callsign prefixes: Agalega 3B6, St Brandon 3B7, Mauritius 3B8, Rodrigues 3B9.
Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. The mountainous interior includes Black River Gorges National Park, with rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife like the flying fox. Capital Port Louis has sites such as the Champs de Mars horse track. Other sites are Eureka plantation house and 18th-century Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens.