What is the capital of Mauritius?

The capital of Mauritius is Port Louis. Built around the island’s principal harbour on the northwest coast, it is both the national seat of government and Mauritius’s most populous city.

Dutch settlers used the harbour in the early 17th century, calling the area the Harbour of Tortoises. Under French rule, Port Louis became the administrative centre in 1736 and a major resupply stop for ships sailing between Europe and Asia around the Cape of Good Hope. The city was named in honour of King Louis XV.

Its sheltered harbour and protection from strong winds by the Moka mountain range helped Port Louis develop as a strategic port. British control during the Napoleonic era reinforced its importance in the Indian Ocean. Today, the city remains the country’s financial and commercial heart, with the stock exchange, banks, government offices, and the modern Caudan Waterfront.

Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, Quatre Bornes, and Curepipe are major urban centres in Mauritius, but they are not the national capital. Port Louis is also the name most closely associated with the island’s historic harbour and administrative institutions.