They eventually abandoned their settlements in 1710. The names of many places are reminders of this period. In 1810 with the British take-over, the name reverted to Mauritius. The abolition of slavery lead to the importation of Chinese and Indian indentured labourers, who were followed by traders of their own nationalities. The official language is English - but the most widely spread is French and the local dialect, Creole.
Teaching is in English but written and spoken press predominantly in French.
The currency of Mauritius is the rupee.