Flic en Flac
Encyclopedia
Flic en Flac has become the second tourist area of Mauritius
after Grand Baie. From a small fishing village, over the past 200 years, it has rapidly developed into an important tourist area.
phrase "Fried Landt Flaak" that literally means "Free and Flat Land."
During the 1960s the village was known only for its cemetery where people from nearby villages came to bury their dead relatives. There was also some artisanal hunting of wild ducks and birds in the marches of the region.
Unlike Grand Bay who knew a “wild” development in the north, the development in Flic en Flac was monitored by the authorities. Strict rules were applied to constructions and commercial outlets. For example, to avoid Flic en flac becoming a slum, only 40% of a given plot of land should be used for construction.
During the '70s and '80s the economy of the country was oriented towards sugar and textile exportation. At this time the authorities were reluctant to develop the tourist sector. Licenses were not granted easily to International Hotels who wanted to open 5 star hotels in Mauritius. The authorities then were talking about “containing” the amount of tourist visiting the country. Charters were not allowed to land in Mauritius.
Facilities were given to foreign investors to develop manufacturing industries and give jobs to workers in Mauritius but wages rose rapidly and the investors moved to other cheap labour countries like Madagascar
and Pakistan
. The price of sugar on the world market also fell drastically. Hence the government review its policy and encouraged the expansion of the tourism sector. In this perspective, several five stars hotel were allowed to be built in the region of Flic en Flac. They have exclusive use of the beaches in front of the hotels. When Flic en Flac became popular, wealthy Mauritians settled abroad bought land in the area to build bungalows where they intended to stay during their holidays. During their absence they rented it to other tourists and rapidly Flic en Flac became known for its self catering accommodations.
Progressively all facilities became available in Flic en Flac. It has now its bank, pharmacy, supermarket etc.
on the western coast of the island of Mauritius. The area has the nicest beaches of the island protected by the surrounding coral reef
s. The region is protected from the South east trade winds
by a chain of mountains.
It is significant to note that some wet marshes of the region have been covered with land fills and buildings allowed to be constructed on them. This is a concern for some ecological organisations who warn of the risk of floods during rainy seasons.
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...
after Grand Baie. From a small fishing village, over the past 200 years, it has rapidly developed into an important tourist area.
History
Flic en Flac derived its name from an Old DutchDutch language
Dutch is a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Most speakers live in the European Union, where it is a first language for about 23 million and a second...
phrase "Fried Landt Flaak" that literally means "Free and Flat Land."
During the 1960s the village was known only for its cemetery where people from nearby villages came to bury their dead relatives. There was also some artisanal hunting of wild ducks and birds in the marches of the region.
Unlike Grand Bay who knew a “wild” development in the north, the development in Flic en Flac was monitored by the authorities. Strict rules were applied to constructions and commercial outlets. For example, to avoid Flic en flac becoming a slum, only 40% of a given plot of land should be used for construction.
During the '70s and '80s the economy of the country was oriented towards sugar and textile exportation. At this time the authorities were reluctant to develop the tourist sector. Licenses were not granted easily to International Hotels who wanted to open 5 star hotels in Mauritius. The authorities then were talking about “containing” the amount of tourist visiting the country. Charters were not allowed to land in Mauritius.
Facilities were given to foreign investors to develop manufacturing industries and give jobs to workers in Mauritius but wages rose rapidly and the investors moved to other cheap labour countries like Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. The price of sugar on the world market also fell drastically. Hence the government review its policy and encouraged the expansion of the tourism sector. In this perspective, several five stars hotel were allowed to be built in the region of Flic en Flac. They have exclusive use of the beaches in front of the hotels. When Flic en Flac became popular, wealthy Mauritians settled abroad bought land in the area to build bungalows where they intended to stay during their holidays. During their absence they rented it to other tourists and rapidly Flic en Flac became known for its self catering accommodations.
Progressively all facilities became available in Flic en Flac. It has now its bank, pharmacy, supermarket etc.
Geography
Flic en Flac is found in the district of Black RiverBlack River (district)
Black River is a district of Mauritius on the western side of the island. Famous areas include Tamarin Falls and the Chamarel coloured earth. The district capital is Bambous. Previously it was Tamarin. It is the third largest District of Mauritius in area, but the smallest in terms of population...
on the western coast of the island of Mauritius. The area has the nicest beaches of the island protected by the surrounding coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
s. The region is protected from the South east trade winds
Trade wind
The trade winds are the prevailing pattern of easterly surface winds found in the tropics, within the lower portion of the Earth's atmosphere, in the lower section of the troposphere near the Earth's equator...
by a chain of mountains.
It is significant to note that some wet marshes of the region have been covered with land fills and buildings allowed to be constructed on them. This is a concern for some ecological organisations who warn of the risk of floods during rainy seasons.