The University of Mauritius at Port Louis is one of two institutions of higher learning. Mauritius has no railways, but there are many miles of all-weather roads. There is one airport. About 60 percent of the total area is farmed, of which 90 percent is sugarcane plantations. Other crops are tea, potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, cabbages, and onions.
Major industries are sugar refining, tea processing, and soft-drink and fertilizer manufacturing.
In 1988 Mauritius launched Africa's first offshore banking facility. Mauritius was probably known to Arab navigators in the 10th century or earlier. The Portuguese arrived in about 1505. In 1992 it became a republic within the Commonwealth. Veerasamy Ringadoo became the country's first president.