Mauritius civics quiz: questions and answers
All 15 general civics quiz questions about Mauritius with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Government and law 5 questions
The capital, currency, National Assembly, motto and republic status of Mauritius.
Practise only: Government and law →
What is the capital of Mauritius?
Port Louis
Port Louis, on the north-west coast, is the capital and main port.
What is the name of the Mauritian parliament?
National Assembly
The legislature is the National Assembly, called the Legislative Assembly until 1992.
What is the currency of Mauritius?
Mauritian rupee
Mauritius uses its own currency, the Mauritian rupee (MUR).
In which year did Mauritius become a republic?
1992
Mauritius became a republic on 12 March 1992, exactly 24 years after independence.
What does the national motto, “Stella Clavisque Maris Indici”, mean?
Star and Key of the Indian Ocean
The Latin motto means Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.
History 5 questions
Dutch, French and British rule, independence in 1968 and the first prime minister.
On what date did Mauritius become independent?
12 March 1968
Mauritius became independent from the United Kingdom on 12 March 1968. The republic followed on the same date in 1992.
After whom did the Dutch name the island in 1598?
Prince Maurice of Nassau
Dutch sailors named the island after Prince Maurice of Nassau in 1598.
What did the French call the island during their rule?
Isle de France
Under French rule from 1715 the island was called Isle de France. Île Bourbon was the old name of Réunion.
In which year did Britain take control of Mauritius from France?
1810
British forces captured the island in 1810 and the French surrendered on 3 December 1810.
Who became the first prime minister of independent Mauritius?
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam led Mauritius to independence and became its first prime minister.
Geography, culture and symbols 5 questions
The dodo, Aapravasi Ghat, the highest peak, Rodrigues and the four-colour flag.
Practise only: Geography, culture and symbols →
Which extinct flightless bird lived only on Mauritius?
Dodo
The dodo lived only on Mauritius and became extinct soon after human settlement. It appears on the coat of arms.
What is the highest point in Mauritius?
Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire
Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire is the highest point at about 828 metres.
Aapravasi Ghat in Port Louis, a UNESCO site, is linked to whom?
Indentured labourers arriving on the island
Aapravasi Ghat was the depot where indentured labourers, mostly from India, arrived on Mauritius.
In which order are the colours of the flag, from top to bottom?
Red, blue, yellow, green
The flag has four equal horizontal stripes: red, blue, yellow and green.
Which island of the Republic of Mauritius has its own autonomous regional government?
Rodrigues
Rodrigues, about 300 nautical miles east of the main island, is an autonomous island within the republic.
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