Mahébourg
Encyclopedia
Mahébourg is a small city (population 15,753 as of 2000) on the southeastern coast of the island of Mauritius
. It is the capital of the Grand Port
District
.
, one of the most successful governors of the French colonial period
. It was originally built by the Netherlands
during their brief period of colonisation of the island. It was close to their landing port, had ample water supply from many rivers and streams and had a scenic view of the large bay area. Mahébourg knew major development around 1806 during the French colonisation era.
The well-planned wide streets in the old section of Mahébourg still bear testimony to this Dutch and French colonial
past. After the French chose Port Louis
as the main port Mahébourg declined into a sleepy coastal city. The past is still preserved today in the Historical Naval Museum which also recounts the epic naval battles of the past between the French Navy
and the Royal Navy
. The Dutch historical museum in Grand Port
recounts the early Dutch settlement of the island.
Nowadays, Mahébourg is a bustling centre of local trade. The new waterfront complex promises some memorable walks along the sea-side. It even has a casino
, mark of a developing tourism industry. There is a growing number of small inns in the city itself and the surrounding districts which cater for local and foreign visitors.
In spite of being well-known for its lagoon (the biggest of Mauritius) and for its fishing industry, Mahébourg also has three primary schools namely, Willoughby Government School, Dupérré Government School and Notre Dame des Anges Roman Catholic Aided (RCA) and four secondary schools, namely Emmanuel Anquetil State Secondary School, Hamilton College Boys, Hamilton College Girls and Loretto Convent of Mahébourg.
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...
. It is the capital of the Grand Port
Grand Port
Grand Port is a district encompassing much of the south-eastern part of the island of Mauritius. Its capital is Rose-Belle but the most important town of the district is Mahebourg...
District
Districts and dependencies of Mauritius
||The island of Mauritius is divided into 9 districts :# Black River # Flacq # Grand Port # Moka # Pamplemousses # Plaines Wilhems...
.
Overview
It is named after Bertrand-François Mahé de La BourdonnaisBertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais
Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourdonnais was a French naval officer and administrator, in the service of the French East India Company.-Biography:...
, one of the most successful governors of the French colonial period
French colonial empires
The French colonial empire was the set of territories outside Europe that were under French rule primarily from the 17th century to the late 1960s. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the colonial empire of France was the second-largest in the world behind the British Empire. The French colonial empire...
. It was originally built by the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
during their brief period of colonisation of the island. It was close to their landing port, had ample water supply from many rivers and streams and had a scenic view of the large bay area. Mahébourg knew major development around 1806 during the French colonisation era.
The well-planned wide streets in the old section of Mahébourg still bear testimony to this Dutch and French colonial
Colonialism
Colonialism is the establishment, maintenance, acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people from another territory. It is a process whereby the metropole claims sovereignty over the colony and the social structure, government, and economics of the colony are changed by...
past. After the French chose 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...
as the main port Mahébourg declined into a sleepy coastal city. The past is still preserved today in the Historical Naval Museum which also recounts the epic naval battles of the past between the French Navy
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
and the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. The Dutch historical museum in Grand Port
Grand Port
Grand Port is a district encompassing much of the south-eastern part of the island of Mauritius. Its capital is Rose-Belle but the most important town of the district is Mahebourg...
recounts the early Dutch settlement of the island.
Nowadays, Mahébourg is a bustling centre of local trade. The new waterfront complex promises some memorable walks along the sea-side. It even has a casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
, mark of a developing tourism industry. There is a growing number of small inns in the city itself and the surrounding districts which cater for local and foreign visitors.
In spite of being well-known for its lagoon (the biggest of Mauritius) and for its fishing industry, Mahébourg also has three primary schools namely, Willoughby Government School, Dupérré Government School and Notre Dame des Anges Roman Catholic Aided (RCA) and four secondary schools, namely Emmanuel Anquetil State Secondary School, Hamilton College Boys, Hamilton College Girls and Loretto Convent of Mahébourg.