Set in its turquoise sea, Mauritius is an oasis of peace and tranquility. The island, a melting pot where the past and the present are smoothly blended together, offers a rare beauty that will compel you to return to its shores time and time again. Mauritius is surrounded by coral reefs, a vast central plateau and impressive mountains. It is located in the south east of the Indian Ocean (20° S/ 57,5°E) at approximately 230 km from Réunion, 860 km from Madagascar and 4 700 km from Mumbai. The central plateau, at an altitude of about 600 m, is studded with extinct volcanic craters where rivers and waterfalls cross each other. Mauritius is a melting pot of cultures. The Asian community draws its origins from several corners across India and China. While Indians came primarily as indentured labourers, Chinese and Muslims were mainly traders. Slaves were imported from Africa to work in the sugar cane fields whose owners were of European descent. Today, the Mauritian population has a rich cultural heritage which is reflected by numerous sites across the island. Mauritius is surely the only country in the world where Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Chinese and Creoles co-exist in peace and celebrate several religious festivals together.