It is about 2000 kilometers off the southeast coast of East Africa and about 900 kilometers east of Madagascar. The country consists of several islands belonging to the Mascarene Archipelago. The archipelago includes the islands of Réunion (an overseas department of France), which accounts for 56% of the archipelago’s land area, Mauritius, Rodrigues, and the Cargados Carajos Shoal, consisting of dozens of islands and islets.
In addition to the island of Mauritius itself, the Republic of Mauritius also includes the island of Rodrigues, the Cargados Cerajos Shoal (also known as Saint Brandon-an archipelago of 21 islands and islets), and the Agaléga (two islands with a total area of 26 square kilometers).
