Curepipe
Encyclopedia
Curepipe is a town centrally situated in Mauritius
, an island country in the southwest Indian Ocean
. It is second in size and importance to Port Louis
, the capital.
Compared to the rest of the island, Curepipe lies at a higher elevation, often referred to as the "Central Plateau".
) which translates to 'cleaning the pipe" (English
). There are several theories by historians as to the naming of the city. Some historians believe that the name was given as travelers and soldiers from the 19th century, traveled from Port Louis
and Grand Port (Mahébourg
) to refill their pipes in Curepipe. Other historians do not share the same view and believe that the name was given after a late landowner during the 18th century.
Curepipe is also referred to as "La Ville Lumière" (in English "The Town of Light") since it was the first town in the island to run on electricity.
stadium, which was located opposite to the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation
as in 2011, the MBC was transferred to Moka.
established by the Carnegie Foundation
in 1917 which is well known for its manuscript-collection and its collection on Indian Ocean Islands books.
, host the rarest palm tree
of the world (unique specimen of Hyophorbe amaricaulis
).
The French founded the settlement at the very beginning of the French colonisation of the island, with the cool climate likely reminding them of their native France. A neighboring town is in fact named Nouvelle France
, which translantes to New France in English.
The Royal College Curepipe
is one of the oldest and famous schools in Mauritius, located in the centre of Curepipe as the institution is the only one in Curepipe to produce highly ranked pupils.
with:
Castel Gandolfo
, Italy
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
, an island country in the southwest Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
. It is second in size and importance to Port Louis
Port Louis
-Economy:The economy is dominated by its port, which handles Mauritius' international trade. The port was founded by the French who preferred Port Louis as the City is shielded by the Port Louis/Moka mountain range. It is the largest container handling facility in the Indian Ocean and can...
, the capital.
Compared to the rest of the island, Curepipe lies at a higher elevation, often referred to as the "Central Plateau".
History
The town's name, Curepipe, is said to be originated from the word "curer sa pipe" (FrenchFrench language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
) which translates to 'cleaning the pipe" (English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
). There are several theories by historians as to the naming of the city. Some historians believe that the name was given as travelers and soldiers from the 19th century, traveled from Port Louis
Port Louis
-Economy:The economy is dominated by its port, which handles Mauritius' international trade. The port was founded by the French who preferred Port Louis as the City is shielded by the Port Louis/Moka mountain range. It is the largest container handling facility in the Indian Ocean and can...
and Grand Port (Mahébourg
Mahébourg
Mahébourg is a small city on the southeastern coast of the island of Mauritius. It is the capital of the Grand Port District.- Overview :...
) to refill their pipes in Curepipe. Other historians do not share the same view and believe that the name was given after a late landowner during the 18th century.
Curepipe is also referred to as "La Ville Lumière" (in English "The Town of Light") since it was the first town in the island to run on electricity.
New George V Stadium
The New George VGeorge V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
stadium, which was located opposite to the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation
Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation
The Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation is the public broadcaster of the Republic of Mauritius, formed on June 8, 1964. Its funding comes from the levying of a television licence fee and commercials . However, the amount of funding received from commercials has come under pressure since the...
as in 2011, the MBC was transferred to Moka.
Carnegie Library
There is a Carnegie libraryCarnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
established by the Carnegie Foundation
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1905 and chartered in 1906 by an act of the United States Congress, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is an independent policy and research center, whose primary activities of research and writing have resulted in published reports on every level...
in 1917 which is well known for its manuscript-collection and its collection on Indian Ocean Islands books.
Curepipe Botanical Gardens
The Curepipe Botanic GardensCurepipe Botanic Gardens
Curepipe Botanic Gardens in Curepipe, is the second largest botanical garden in Mauritius created in 1870, in which the initial goal was to receive several varieties of plants that could not get acclimatized in the less temperate regions of the island....
, host the rarest palm tree
Arecaceae
Arecaceae or Palmae , are a family of flowering plants, the only family in the monocot order Arecales. There are roughly 202 currently known genera with around 2600 species, most of which are restricted to tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climates...
of the world (unique specimen of Hyophorbe amaricaulis
Hyophorbe amaricaulis
Hyophorbe amaricaulis is a hurricane palm of the order Arecales, Family Arecaceae, Subfamily Arecoideae, Tribe Hyophorbeae...
).
Climate & Environment
Lying on the central plateau, Curepipe has a temperate climate with cool winters and rainy, humid summers. The soil is lush and rich, as testified by the conifer woods surrounding the town.The French founded the settlement at the very beginning of the French colonisation of the island, with the cool climate likely reminding them of their native France. A neighboring town is in fact named Nouvelle France
New France
New France was the area colonized by France in North America during a period beginning with the exploration of the Saint Lawrence River by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Spain and Great Britain in 1763...
, which translantes to New France in English.
Schools and tertiary institutions
Curepipe is home to many schools and tertiary institutions.The Royal College Curepipe
Royal College Curepipe
The Royal College, Curepipe is a state boys-only secondary school located in the centre of Curepipe, Mauritius. It has played a significant role in education in the country.-History:...
is one of the oldest and famous schools in Mauritius, located in the centre of Curepipe as the institution is the only one in Curepipe to produce highly ranked pupils.
Events
- The town of Curepipe hosted the 2008 Castel Beer Trophy2008 Castel Beer TrophyThe 2008 CAR Development Trophy, also known as the 2008 Africa Junior Trophy, was the fifth edition of second level rugby union tournament in Africa. The competition involved thirteen teams that are divided into two zones . Each zone is then divided into two pools. In the north there were two pools...
, which featured the hosts MauritiusMauritius national rugby union teamThe Mauritius national rugby union team represents Mauritius in international rugby union. The team is composed almost entirely of white Mauritians, specifically members of the Franco-Mauritian ethnic minority group, as rugby is a much less popular sport amongst the Indo-Mauritian majority and also...
and international teams TanzaniaTanzania national rugby union teamThe Tanzania national rugby union team represents Tanzania in international rugby union. They are known as the Twigas . Tanzania are a member of the International Rugby Board , and have yet to play in a Rugby World Cup tournament. In the 1970s expatriates and Tanzanians regularly played in the...
, MayotteMayotte national rugby union teamThe Mayotte national rugby union team represents Mayotte in the sport of rugby union. Mayotte have thus far not played in a Rugby World Cup, but they compete in the south section of the CAR Castel Beer Trophy along with African nations....
and RéunionRéunion national rugby union teamThe Réunion national rugby union team represents Réunion in the sport of rugby union. Réunion have thus far not played in a Rugby World Cup, but they compete in the south section of the CAR Castel Beer Trophy along with African nations.-References:...
.
- The 6th Games of the Indian Ocean Islands (Jeux des Iles de L'Ocean Indien, JIOI.
Twin towns - Sister cities
Curepipe is twinnedTown twinning
Twin towns and sister cities are two of many terms used to describe the cooperative agreements between towns, cities, and even counties in geographically and politically distinct areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.- Terminology :...
with:
Castel Gandolfo
Castel Gandolfo
Castel Gandolfo is a small Italian town or comune in Lazio that occupies a height overlooking Lake Albano about 15 miles south-east of Rome, on the Alban Hills. It is best known as the summer residence of the Pope. It is an Italian town with the population of 8834...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
See also
- List of cities, towns and villages in Mauritius
- Railway stations in Mauritius