About Mauritius Mauritius, a small island country in the western Indian Ocean, was virtually unknown till 1598. This was when the Dutch landed and tried unsuccessfully to establish their settlements here. However, one change that they did make was to give this island a name - Wolmar. The Dutch abandoned Mauritius 1710 and the French took over. They changed the name to Isle de France and established Port Louis as their naval base. Most of the major construction they did at that time still remains in the city. In 1910, British captured the Island and by the Treaty of Paris in 1814, the name of the place was changed back to Mauritius. In 1968, Mauritius adopted a new constitution and independence was achieved with Port Louis being the capital. Port Louis, Mauritius’ largest city is also its largest port and commercial hub. It provides a wide range of activities for tourists, and like the rest of Mauritius offers a diverse choice of cuisines that are a delightful fusion of Indian, Chinese, European and Creole cuisines. Location & Attractions Place d’Armes Despite the rule of three different European powers one by one, it is the French influence that has found favour in Port Louis. Place d'Armes, off the main square, is dotted with French colonial buildings, and also the Government House and Municipal theatre. Museums Natural History Museum, near the Port Louis Market, has a fine collection of stuffed replicas of many extinct bird species, including the dodo. Mauritius Postal Museum, features a rich collection of Mauritian stamps and assorted philately. Armed Forces Museum, run by the royal army of Oman, showcases the history of Oman in detail. Inside The museum has many rooms dedicated to the history of the Omani army and the great battles it fought. The museum is only open on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. Festivals Festivals celebrated with fervour include Diwali, Holi, Chinese New Year, Christmas, and Easter.