His Geo Ultimate Notes

His & Geo Ultimate Notes FREE COPY from Nasser Academy www.nasser.
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Unit 1 Topic 1 Land Use 03
Unit 1 Topic 2 Agricultural land use 09
Unit 1 Topic 3 Land Use for tourism purposes 14
Unit 1 Topic 4 Land use and environmental concerns, 17
Unit 2 People on the island in the past 24
Unit 3 Natural Hazards 38
Unit 4 Celebrating Independence 47
Unit 5 Our Heritage 54
His & Geo Ultimate Notes FREE COPY from Nasser Academy www.nasser.academy
WHAT IS LAND USE ?
In Mauritius and Rodrigues, the land is used for different purposes.
In other words, the land use can tell us sometimes about the functions of a place
WASTELAND
Sometimes plots of land which were being used for a purpose are abandoned like in
Picture 1 at B.
The plot of land at B was used for residential purposes.
Its owner has abandoned it.
The land is being neglected. It is known as a wasteland.
What is a wasteland?
A plot of land that has been abandoned and no longer used.
Describe one other example of a wasteland.
A sugar cane field that has been abandoned.
Some wastelands have become eyesores in the environment.
An abandoned old house in a residential area.
Dumping in an abandoned land.
What you can do to help clean eyesores in your locality
Demolish the building and clean the area and use the space for other useful purposes
Which part of Mauritius is shown in the picture? A small part of the Phoenix Area
CHANGES IN LAND USE
The ways government and people use the land, change over time.
Some time ago, the land at Ebene was used for agriculture only.
Why does the use of the land change over time?
Think of government and people needing land for other purposes.
With time, the needs change.
Population increase: more and more people living on the island.
For what purpose will more land be needed due to population increase?
Economic development: more and more activities are carried out on the island.
For what purposes will more land be needed due to economic development?
Increase in vehicles and traffic congestion: more and more roads are built on the island.
For what purpose will more land be needed due to increase in vehicles causing traffic congestion
Land use in Mauritius
The pie chart below shows how land is used over the whole island of Mauritius
Study the pie chart carefully and answer the following questions.
1. For which purpose is the land mostly used?
Agriculture
2. Name the two types of land uses occupying 25% of the land area.
build up areas, forests
3. Which of the item above are wastelands
Abandoned land
STUDY THE GRID MAP CAREFULLY AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BELOW.
Identify the types of land use in the following sections:
i) A1: agricultural land use
ii) B3: commercial land use
iii) C4: agricultural
iv) D3: residential
In which sections is the nature reserve found? C1 & D1
Give 2 reasons why it is important to preserve the area around the nature park.
Because it beautifies the environment
Because it maintains the composition of air
What is the type of land use in the area marked X?
Industrial land use
About 43% of the land in Mauritius is used for agricultural purposes.
Agriculture or farming is the growing of crops and the rearing of animals
There are four main types of agriculture in Mauritius, Rodrigues and the Outer Islands:
1. Plantation agriculture - growing of one crop on large area
2. Mixed Farming - Growing of crops and rearing of animals
3. Pastoral Farming - Rearing of animals only
4. Market Gardening - Cultivation of flowers and vegetables and fruits for sale
In Mauritius the sugar estates plant sugar cane on large areas.
What type of farming is it? Plantation Agriculture
In Agalega, coconuts are planted on most of the land in both islands.

What type of farming is it? Plantation Agriculture
In Rodrigues, at Saint Francois, people plant vegetables for sale.
What type of farming are they practising? market gardening
Name two areas in Mauritius where market gardening is practised.
. (i) Quatre Bornes. (ii) Nouvelle Decouverte
Name one area where fruits (e.g pineapples) are planted. Les Mariannes, Long Mountain
At Camp Pintade in Rodrigues, farmers rear goats and cattle.
What type of farming are they practising? Pastoral farming.
Factors influencing farming – Physical factors - ( relief, climate, soil)
- Human factors (Transport, location and labour)
HISTORY OF SUGAR INDUSTRY
Sugar cane was first introduced by the Dutch in the 17th Century.
In 1694, sugar was produced for the first time in Mauritius.
Mahe de Labourdonnais established the first sugar estates at Villebague and Ferney
The sugar industry expanded in the 19th Century under the governorship of Sir Robert Farquhar
Sugar was exported to Britain. More and more sugar cane was cultivated.
More mills were built and sugar production increased
Energy, transport and indentured labourers to work in the sugar cane cultivations. contributed to
the expansion of the sugar industry.
The number of mills reached its peak in the year 1858, with 333 sugar mills over the island.
With an increase in sugar production, more land was used for sugar cane cultivation.
This led to a significant change in the land use of the island.
Sugar cane fields replaced most of the native forests
With new technologies (better machines) and the idea of reducing the cost of production, big sugar
mills gradually took over the activities of smaller mills. The smaller mills were closed down
This process known as centralisation has been happening all throughout the 20th century.
How did the cultivation of sugar cane change the environment of Mauritius?
Change in land use. Native forests replaced by sugar cane fields and housing estates for workers.
Explain the process of centralisation.

The taking over of small mills by big mills and its mechanisation is called centralisation.
Today, the centralisation process has been completed.There are only four sugar mills left:
(i) Terra (Belle Vue), (2) Alteo (F.U.E.L), (3) Omnicane (Savannah) and (4) Medine.
They have become big agro-industrial companies which carry out different activities.
Nowadays less land is used for sugar cane cultivation while more land is used for other purposes.
Hence, the way land is being used over the island has changed.
In Mauritius, we plant sugar cane on the flat and undulating land of our plains and on the Central
Plateau.
Our climate is rainy and hot in summer and cool and drier in winter.
Where do we plant sugarcane in Mauritius?
On the flat and undulating land of our plains and on the Central Plateau.
Why is our climate good to cultivate sugar cane?
Our climate is rainy and hot in summer and cool and drier in winter.
In recent years the areas under sugarcane, the sugar produced and the number of people
employed in the sugar cane sector have decreased.
By how many hectares have the areas under sugarcane decreased from 1998 to 2015? 22629 tonnes
By how many tonnes have our sugar cane production decreased from 1998 to 2015? 227680 tonnes
The price at which we were selling our raw sugar has fallen.
With the fall in the selling price of raw sugar, the agro-industrial companies have developed
several activities.
They produce refined sugar and special sugars for export and local market.
Apart from manufacturing raw sugar, name the other products produced from sugar cane today.
rum, alcohol, vinegar
For which purpose is bagasse used? To produce electricity
Find out about the uses of special sugars such as Muscovado and Demerara.
1. As a natural sweetener for tea, coffee, fresh fruit or cereals.
2. As a natural ingredient in the manufacture of a broadening product range (muesli
production, jam, health food bars, toffees, chutneys, sauces, topping on ice cream
convenience food etc.)
3. In the baking industry (for making fruit cake, ginger bread, Christmas cakes,
puddings or biscuit making etc)
4. In the retail mainstream distribution (Tesco, Sainsbury, Auchan, Safeway etc) and in
the catering industry (coffee shops, restaurants and hotel chains)
5. In haute cuisine as the special sugars were endorsed by a growing list of prominent
chefs and cook book writers in the preparation of savoury dishes and desserts
In some areas, these agro-industrial companies now use their lands for:
1. the production of fruits and vegetables on a large scale
2. commercial, residential and recreational development
Before Today Examples which have been developed
Sugar cane plantation Commercial Bagatelle Shopping Mall, Cascavelle Shoping Mall
Sugar cane plantation Residential Anahita
Sugar cane plantation Recreational Belle Mare
In Mauritius land is also used for the cultivation of crops such as potatoes, vegetables,
salads, flowers and fruits. This is known as market gardening.
The crops are sold in the local markets, the supermarkets and in the tourist hotels.
Today, more and more farmers are engaged in sustainable agriculture.

This involves agricultural practices using techniques that protect the environment and public health.
For example, to protect the environment and our health, organic farming is encouraged.
This method involves choosing not to use pesticides and fertilisers.
In some cases, modern technology is also used in farming. For example greenhouses are built.
In these greenhouses, temperatures are controlled; sprinklers, sprays and drip irrigation
are used for watering and for pest control. High value vegetables like tomatoes and
cucumbers are planted.

Sustainable agriculture protects the environment and public health.
Alluvial deposits are fertile soils deposited along the river banks and near the mouth
of rivers.
Market gardening is carried out on the alluvial deposits of Rivière Mourouk,
Rivière Malgache, Rivière Banane and at Saint François.
On the Central Ridge at La Ferme, Saint Gabriel and Grande Montagne, farmers plant crops
such as vegetables and red beans for sale.
On the sloping land in places such as Citron Donis and Vainqueur, farmers plant vegetables,
onions and chillies near their houses.
On terraces they grow maize, manioc and sweet potatoes.
Farmers also rear chicken and one or two pigs.
These farmers produce for their own needs and also for sale.
In Mauritius and Rodrigues, the government is helping farmers to increase the cultivation of
food crops and promotes sustainable agriculture.
For example, the Government provides:
1. seeds for asparagus bean, bean, cucumber, lettuce, squash and tomato
2. regular fruit fly control on crops
3. veterinary advices and services such as vaccines
4. scheme to promote bio-farming (organic agriculture)
(a) In Rodrigues, most farmers practise mixed farming.
(b) On the alluvial deposits of most rivers market gardening is carried out.
(c) In some areas, people plant food crops for their own needs.
(d) On the sloping land, farmers grow crops on terraces.
(e) On the Central Ridge, farmers grow vegetables and food and crops for sale.
Give one reason why we should produce more food crops.
To feed the growing population. / To reduce our imports. /
To eat more fresh vegetables to improve health.
Name one problem faced by small planters. Discuss in your class
High cost of production / Shortage of labour. / High cost of pesticides / fertilizers.
LAND USE FOR TOURISM PURPOSES
In Mauritius and Rodrigues, land is also used for recreational purposes.
Some areas in Mauritius and Rodrigues have been developed for tourism activities.
In coastal areas, many large hotels have been built which provide services such as rooms, food
and leisure to the tourists.
Areas such as Grand Baie and Flic en Flac, have become busy tourist resorts.
Many high standard hotels have been built along the coasts.
The tourists have access to several leisure activities such as
boat cruises and sea sports, shopping, eating in restaurants, spending time in night clubs
Beach hawkers, fishermen and fruit sellers also have the opportunity to sell their products and
earn a living.
Most of the tourist hotels are found in or near Port Mathurin and also at Anse aux Anglais,
Pointe Cotton, Anse Ally and Mourouk.
There are also some guest houses in localities such as Saint François, Anse aux Anglais,
Caverne Provert and Jeantac.
The tourists contribute in the development of small local craft industries such as the making of
hats and baskets.
They also like the local food products such as honey and pickled chillies and lemons.
Other activities have also been developed inland to attract tourists to visit our islands.
Today, ecotourism encourages tourists to visit our most attractive natural sites such as the
national park at the Black River Gorges and L'Ile aux Aigrettes in Mauritius and Roche Bon Dieu
and Anse Quitor in Rodrigues.
Heritage tourism helps in making particular features of our history better known.
Ecotourism and Heritage tourism contribute to the preservation and embellishment of our
islands.
Where are most of our hotels found? Most of our hotels are found along the coasts.
Give two reasons to explain why. (I) because of the sandy beaches
(II) because of the calm lagoons
Give two reasons why Grand Baie in Mauritius has become a major tourist resort area.
(i) because of the high standards of the hotels and sea sport facilities
(ii) because of shopping facilities.
Give two reasons why many hotels and guest houses are found in or near Port Mathurin?
Because it is the main administrative and commercial centre
Because of the local craft market
Explain why tourism is important for the local craft industry in Rodrigues?
It allows the people from Rodrigues to earn their living
With the help of your teacher, could you explain what is:
I. Ecotourism? The discovering of the fauna and the flora of our natural forests without
causing harm to the environment.
II. Heritage tourism?

Visiting places of interest that remind us of our forefathers their culture and history
Tourists come to Mauritius and Rodrigues mainly for the sun, sea and sand.
They also enjoy the quality of services offered in our hotels, hospitality of our people
and also appreciate the diversity of our cultures.
Tourism is a very important economic activity for both Mauritius and Rodrigues.
Today more and more tourists are visiting our islands.
Nowadays, there are many people working in the tourist sector.
They look after the needs of the tourists and provide facilities to visit places of interest.
Give two reasons why tourists come to Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Because of our high standard hotels.
Because of our calm beaches and longer hours of sunshine.
What are the services provided to tourists in the hotels?
Nice food is prepared according to their tastes. Entertainment facilities by local artists
Name two facilities that are provided to the tourists by the people working in the tourist sector.
Waiters attending to them. Tour operators organising excursions
In recent years, there have been many changes in land use for tourism purposes.
(i) How was the land used in Bel Ombre long ago? For agricultural purposes.
(ii) How has the land use changed in part of Bel Ombre today? For tourism purposes.
(iii) Give one reason for the change in land use at Bel Ombre.
Because of the fall in the price of sugar
(iv) What was the function of Beau Plan Sugar Mill long ago? to produce sugar.
(v) How is Beau Plan Sugar Mill used today? It has been converted into a museum.
(vi) The function of Beau Plan Sugar Mill has changed from agricultural to recreational.
(vii) Give one reason to explain the change in land use at Beau Plan Sugar Mill.
The fall in the price of sugar and the increase in the number of tourists visiting the island.
In Mauritius and Rodrigues land is also used for international transportation purposes.
This contributes in making our islands accessible and tourists have facilities to travel.
Name the two means of transport used by tourists to travel to Mauritius and Rodrigues.
(i) Airplane (ii) Ship
In Mauritius and Rodrigues, land has been used for international transport purposes.
Name the two features which allow arrivals to and departures from the islands.
(i) Airport (ii) Harbour
(ii) From which country did most tourists come from in 2015? France
For which reason were the airports in Mauritius and Rodrigues built at their current location?
The land is flat there
Which ship links Mauritius to Rodrigues? Mauritius Trochetia
LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS POLLUTION, LOSS OF NATURAL HABITAT.
People and their activities modify the environment around them.
Today land is used for different purposes and many changes have occurred.
For example, agricultural land has been cleared for commercial and residential purposes.
With the development of our islands, more roads have been built and more industries set up.
Although those changes are considered necessary, they do affect our natural environment.
Where are these Explain what can be the
What do you observe? activities consequences of these
taking place activities
17 traffic jam at peak hours On the road
18 smoke from factories, fumes In the air Cause air pollution
from exhaust pipes of vehicles
19 dumping of industrial wastes In the sea Cause water pollution
20 . excessive uses of pesticides In the fields Cause air and water pollution
What do you deduce?
Pollution is mainly caused by people's activities.
AIR AND WATER POLLUTION
Pollution is the most serious problem which affects our environment.
It is produced by people's activities.
The table below shows causes of air and water pollution in Mauritius and Rodrigues
Water from rain or irrigation dissolves the pesticides and fertilisers and seeps into the ground.
It may contaminate groundwater.
In some places, factories and industrial estates have been located near residential areas.
In other places, houses have been built near factories.
Bad smell, dirt and noise may then affect people.
Government has passed many laws to protect the environment against different forms of pollution,
e.g: the Environmental Protection Act.
Study Picture 17. Write one sentence to say how this form of pollution may affect people's health.
People may suffer from respiratory problems

__________________________________________________________________________
Study Picture 19. Write one sentence to say how this form of pollution may affect
the natural environment.
The water is polluted and the marine animals die

__________________________________________________________________________
What can the owner of a factory do to solve the pollution problems shown in Picture 18
Air filters should be placed to prevent dust from being dispersed into the air.
Relocate the factory in non-residential areas.
HOUSEHOLD WASTE AND OUR ENVIRONMENT
AN OPEN DUMP
What does it show?
It shows an open dump which is an illegal waste disposal site
What do you dislike in it?
It is an eyesore and may affect our health.
Why should we not throw waste onto the open ground, in a river or in the sea?
It would cause bad smell and may affect our health.
What is household waste?
Household waste is made up of food wastes, garden waste, plastic, paper, textile, metal and glass.
What happens to household waste?
Household waste should be kept in a safe place for collection.
The waste is collected and transported to special places in order to keep our environment clean.
If solid waste is dumped in the local environment, it will cause bad smell, attracts flies and stray
animals.
It may contaminate the environment and affect our health.
Waste dumping is illegal.
On the 1st of January 2016, the use of plastic bags has been banned in Mauritius.
Our island followed the example of Rodrigues where it was banned since 2014
The main objective is not only to contribute to the safeguarding of the environment but also to
encourage sustainable development.
The regulations prohibit import, manufacture, sale, or supply of non-biodegradable plastic bags
which were mostly used to carry goods purchased at points of sale such as wholesale and retail
outlets, markets, fairs and hawkers.
Why these non-biodegradable plastic bags are harmful to the environment?
They contain toxic substances which may contaminate the environment.
Sustainability is about maintaining and preserving our environment for future generations
The real challenge nowadays is therefore to reduce pollution and the impact of human activities
on the environment.
What you can do: Help to reduce the bad effects of garbage on the environment.
Have you ever heard of the three R's? The 3R's are Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Give two ways to reduce waste at home.
Use less plastic read magazines / newspapers online
Name two objects and the materials they are made of which you can reuse at home or in the
school.
Mask – paper table / chairs – plastic
Have you seen this symbol before?
Garbage such as food waste and garden waste is biodegradable.
Garbage from residential areas can be put to good use.
It can be used to make compost. Special care should be taken when compost is made.
One advantage of composting. To reduce the cost of fertiliser or improve the quality of soil.
Other wastes can be recycled. Figure 3 shows waste materials which can be recycled
Match the drawings with the appropriate recycling process.
Settlers on the island
The countries from where they came to settle in the island.
The Dutch Holland The French France The British Great Britain
A few people from Ile Bourbon (Reunion Island) also came in the island.
All these people who came to settle on the island were known as settlers.
A settler is a person who goes to live in a new place with the aim of staying there.
At first, the governors, the officials and their families, and the soldiers settled in the island.
Later, more people came from Europe to settle and work on the island.
What was the role of the governors, the officials and the soldiers on the island?
Write one sentence about the role of each of them.
(i) The governors: to administer the island as per the King's order
(ii) The officials: The officials helped the governors in the administration
(iii) The soldiers: The soldiers protected the island against attacks
What work did the other settlers who came from Europe do? Farming and building works
Give the approximate number of people living in the island during
(a) the Dutch period: 400
(b) the French period: (i) under Labourdonnais 1000
(ii) under Pierre Poivre 20 000
The number of people living in the island gradually increased.
Can you think why the population increased?
Who were the other people who came to the island?
Slaves and skilled workers were brought to develop the island
Besides the settlers, there were other people working on the island?
Make a list of the activities shown in the above pictures.
People shaving the slaves. Slaves pulling carts
Slaves erecting buildings and taking care of their masters.
Do you think that it was easy for the settlers to do all the work on the island by themselves?
Why? No because the settlers are not used to do works like clearing the forests
What did the settlers do to make their life easy? To make their life easy brought slaves.
Governor Labourdonnais brought people from other countries to develop the harbour and town of
Port Louis.
These people were sailors, artisans and skilled workers.
They were brought from Pondicherry and Bengal in India.
The French also encouraged more people to come to the island.
They were farmers, traders, shopkeepers, ship builders and carpenters.
These workers were free people.
Why did the French bring workers from Bengal and Pondicherry in India?
The skilled workers and carpenters were brought to build the town of Port Louis.
How did these people contribute in the development of the island?
As the, harbour was developed hospital and Government house was built.
Port Louis became an important trading centre
A slave is a person who is not free and is forced to obey and work for his master.
Besides these free workers, there were also slaves on the island.
The Dutch settler, Van der Stel, was the first governor to bring slaves on the island.
He brought slaves from Madagascar.
Write two reasons why you think the Dutch brought slaves on the island?
To cut down ebony trees.
To load the ships with ebony logs
The Dutch settlers left the island in 1710.
Their departure was followed by the arrival and settlement of the French.
During their stay, the French governors brought more slaves to work on the island.
The French needed people to:
• clear the forest and to plant sugar cane and other crops;
• build the port;
• build the town of Port Louis; and
• build roads.
The French brought slaves from Mozambique, Madagascar and other East African countries.
A few slaves were also brought from India and the East Indies.
(i) How many French settlers were there in the island in 1767? 3000
(ii) Were there only French people in Ile de France? No
(iii) Which group was more in number? Why?
Slaves, because they were needed to clear the forest and plant sugar cane.
The work of the slaves
The slaves are loading and unloading goods.
The slaves are working in sugar cane fields.
The slaves are working in the sugar cane fields
The slaves are carrying goods in ox carts.
Many slaves worked on the island.
They cleared the forests, tilled the soil and cultivated sugar cane and food crops.
They also reared animals and worked in sugar mills.
They carried the products by ox cart or boats to the market in Port Louis.
Some of them worked as domestic servants. Others built roads and bridges.
How have the slaves contributed in the development of the island?
By clearing the forests and planting sugar cane ; by building roads; by building the port.
How were th slaves treated?
The slaves lived in small huts in slave compound called Camp des Noirs which were near the
homes of their masters.
The life of the slaves was very hard.
They were not free.
They could not buy land and build houses of their own.
They could neither leave their masters nor go to other countries.
They were not allowed to wear shoes.
They were punished even for small mistakes.
Their main food was maize and manioc.
Their life was very hard.
They had to work for their masters from morning till night.
Some women slaves worked in their master's house as maids.
They were punished even for a small mistake.
Many slaves ran away from their masters and hid in the deep forests, caves and gorges.
These runaway slaves were known as maroon slaves.
The maroon slaves used Le Morne Brabant as a hiding place.
It was difficult to capture them.
They often attacked and robbed farmers to get food.
Sometimes, they set fire to farms.
The settlers were afraid of them.
The maroon slaves who were caught were severely punished.
Macchabee, Mangalkan and Diamamouve were some well-known slaves.
Some places in Mauritius still bear their names
1. Make a list of the work done by the slaves.
(i) The slaves cleared the forests. The slaves reared animals.
(ii) They worked in sugar mills. Some slaves worked as domestic servants
2. Why did the slaves run away from the plantations?
To avoid punishments and tortures inflicted upon them by their masters.
3. What happened to them when they were caught? They were punished severely.
4. Why is Le Morne Brabant an important place in Mauritius today?
it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
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THE QUARTIERS (DISTRICTS) IN ILE DE TRANCE
Under the governorship of Mahe de Labourdonnais, the island prospered.
Several towns were founded, including Port Louis.
The people lived in the different quartiers (districts) of the island.
(a) Four quartiers Quartier des Pamplemousses Quartier de Moka Quartier de Flac
Quartier de Plaines Wilhems
(b) Name two districts that exist today Savanne and Grand Port or Black River
(c) Name three important villages and small towns. Triolet Curepipe
St Pierre Quatre Bornes Goodlands Rose Hill
Do these villages and towns appear on the map? Why?
No, because there were only Quartiers in those days.

The table below shows places and the origin of their names.
Complete the table.
ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
In the 19th century when Mauritius became a British Colony, the life of the people, especially
those of the slaves, changed.
Many people in Britain were against slavery.
They believed that it was wrong to keep other human beings as slaves.
So, the British decided to abolish the trade of slaves and slavery in the British Empire.
In 1835, slavery was abolished in Mauritius and its dependencies.
The slaves were freed.
A date is indicated on the monument. When was it built? 1985
Why was the above monument built? To commemorate the abolition of slavery
What does the breaking of the chain on the monument show? Liberty /the slaves were free
The commemorative plaque is divided into three parts. What does each part represent?
A in memory of those who are on the 1st of February 1835 who were freed from slavery
B paying a proud tribute to those who endured the hardship of slavery
C this monument was unveiled by the Governor General Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam on
the first of February 1985
THE LIFE OF THE SLAVES AFTER 1835
When the slaves were freed, they did not want to stay on the estate to work for their masters.
Some went to live in the suburbs of Port Louis and worked as carpenters and masons.
Some women earned their living by sewing dresses.
Some bought land and settled as small cultivators.
Some went to live in places that were not occupied, in the interior of the island.
They cultivated different crops which they sold.
Some of them went to live on the coasts and became fishermen.
Others left the island to go to the dependencies.
Why did the slaves not want to stay and work on the estates after the abolition of slavery?
because on the estates were memories of their hardships.
because the had to work from sunrise to sunset
Name two dependencies to which the slaves moved after 1835.Agalega and Seychelles
Write two sentences to describe the living conditions of the slaves after the abolition of slavery.
Some slaves bought land and cultivated them
Some slaves went to live along the coasts and became fishermen
After the abolition of slavery about 200 freed slaves moved inland and built their homes.
They created a new village. This place is now known as Phoenix.
Slaves were brought from Africa.
Name another continent from where slaves were brought. Asia
Read the sentences given below and write True or False in the space provided.
(i) Before the abolition of slavery, the slaves had wages
for the work they did for their masters. False
(ii) The slaves could own houses after the abolition of slavery. True
(iii) In1835, slavery was abolished in Mauritius and in all the dependencies. True
(iv) In 1835, slaves were free and could go to live on other islands. True
What jobs the slaves did after abolition of slavery.
They became farmers, fishermen, masons
st
On what date is the Abolition of Slavery celebrated in Mauritius? 1 of February
Write two sentences to describe how abolition of slavery is celebrated in Mauritius.
Wreaths are being laid at the foot of the monument.
Cultural shows and exhibitions are organised.
THE ARRIVAL OF THE INDIANS AND CHINESE ON THE ISLAND
Along with the people of European and African origins, people of Asian origin, mostly the Indians
and the Chinese, live on our island.
An immigrant is a person who comes to one country from another country with the hope of
having a better life.
Indian Immigrants on the island
Labourdonnais brought skilled workers from India, especially from Pondicherry and Bengal to work
in the island?
Later, in the 19th century, the British also needed more workers and they encouraged the Indians
to come to the island.
Can you think why the British needed more Indian workers on the island?
When the slaves were set free, settlers needed people to work in the sugar cane fields.
They went to India to look for labourers to work in the sugar cane fields.
These Indian immigrants came to the island to work as labourers on contract for five years.
They were known as indentured labourers.
The indentured labourers were brought from different parts of India.
Their voyage by ship was long and difficult.
Very often, many of them fell sick and died at sea.
At first, only male labourers came.
Afterwards other labourers came with their wives and children.
They landed at Port Louis.
There were other Indian immigrants also on the island.
They were not indentured labourers but traders and hawkers.
Name the three main ports from where the Indian indentured labourers came to Mauritius.
Bombay Madras Calcutta
Write the new names of these ports.
Mumbai Chennai Kolkatta
Describe the journey of the indentured labourers to Mauritius.
They had to work for long hours to clear the land
They had to work for long hours to plant and harvest the sugarcane
They had to work for long hours in the sugar mills
When the indentured labourers landed at Port Louis, they stayed for two days at the Immigration
Depot, now known as the Aapravasi Ghat.
Then they were sent to work on the sugar estates in different parts of the island.
On the sugar estates, the Indian labourers worked hardfor long hours.
They had to; clear the land remove the rocks Plant and harvest sugar cane
work in the sugar mills
With the arrival of Indian indentured labourers, the area under sugar cane cultivation
continued to increase
1. Where did the Indian immigrants stay when they arrived at Port Louis? At immigration depot
2. Where is the place found? In Port Louis
3. Where were they sent later? To different sugar estates across the island
4. Write three types of work that the indentured labourers did in the field.
To clear the land To plant and harvest the land To remove the rocks
LIFE OF THE INDIAN IMMIGRANTS
The Indian labourers lived in camps.
Their huts were made of wood and dry cane leaves.
The rooms were small and uncomfortable.
The huts were easily destroyed by cyclones or fire.
Each month, the labourers received five rupees for their work.
They also received rice, dholl, salted fish and oil as food ration from the planters.
On the sugar estates, Indian hawkers came to sell other things which the labourers wanted.
Later, the Chinese set up shops on the sugar estates.
The Indians bought foodstuff and other articles they needed from the Chinese shops.
1. What did the planters give to the Indian labourers for each of the following?
(i) Wages Rs 5 per month for their work
(ii) Lodging: a hut made of wood and dry cane leaves
(iii) Ration: rice, dholl, salted fish and oil
From whom did the Indian immigrants buy other articles they wanted?
From Indian hawkers and Chinese shops
Name the country from where they came. Guangzhou (Canton)
The indentured labourers had the choice to stay in Mauritius or return to India after they completed
their contract of 5 years.
Can you think why many of the indentured labourers chose to stay in Mauritius?
because they were leading a better life here.
Today on our island, there are many workers from Bangladesh, Sri lanka, China, India and other
countries who come on contract to work in the textile industry or the construction sector.
THE CHINESE IN MAURITIUS
On the sugar estates the Chinese set up their shops.
The early Chinese immigrants on the island
The early Chinese immigrants came to Port Louis from Canton in China towards the
end of the 18th century.
In Port Louis, they worked as blacksmiths, carpenters, cobblers, and tailors.
These Chinese immigrants were free workers.
They settled in a part of Port Louis which is now known as China Town.
It was in the 19th century, during the British period, that the number of Chinese in the island
increased.
The Chinese settled near the sugar estates and opened small shops in the villages across the
islands.
They sold a variety of items to the Indian indentured labourers.
These included items such as food, hats, bicycle repair items and even jewellery.
They also provided credit facilities to the indentured labourers living on the sugar estates.
During the British period, Chinese labourers were brought from Penang and Singapore to work in
the sugar cane fields as indentured labourers.
However, these labourers were sent back to China as they were not satisfied with the working
conditions in Mauritius.
The similarities and differences between the Chinese and the Indian immigrants on the island.
Some Indian and Chinese immigrants came to the island as free workers.
Most Indian and Chinese immigrants hoped to lead a better life on the island.
Most Indian immigrants worked in the sugar cane fields whereas the chinese
immigrants were engaged in trade by setting up shops on the sugar estates
The Chinese immigrants provided credit facilities to the Indian immigrants.
Most of the Indian immigrants worked on the sugar estates but some came as traders.
LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE ISLAND
European, African and Asian origins inhabited the island.
All these people worked to develop our island.
SOCIAL LIFE OF THE SETTLERS
Before the arrival of Labourdonnais on the island in 1735, the settlers spent their time in
drinking houses.
However, Labourdonnais tried to make the life of the settlers pleasant.
He organised concerts, dances and social gatherings for the settlers to meet.
Each month at the Champ de Mars, there was a show put up by trained soldiers.
By the end of the French rule, the life of the settlers had changed.
Most of them lived in well-furnished houses.
The houses were made of wood and stone.
The settlers went to church on Sundays for prayers.
They organized dance parties.
On these occasions they dressed fashionably and met one another..
THE SOCIAL LIFE Of THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND
Temples, mosques and pagodas were built in the island in the 19th century.
The Indians and the Chinese practised their religion.
In the evening the Indian immigrants would gather and read their religious books.
How has the social life of the people changed from the past?
Write two sentences about what you found out.
People go to the places of worship at any time of the day.
People pray in their respective homes.
HEALTH
Life for the people on the island was not always easy.
In the 19th century, many people lived in Port Louis which was the only town.
They lived in overcrowded houses.
As there were no drainage and canals, there was a lot of pollution and mosquitoes.
People suffered from various diseases.
Cholera and Malaria were serious diseases which killed many people in the town and in the
villages on the sugar estates.
There were very few hospitals and doctors to take care of the sick.
When railways were built, many people left Port Louis and went to live in the healthier places of
the Plaines Wilhems district.
Everyday many people travelled to and from Port Louis by train.
The government then took measures to provide health facilities to the people.
Reservoirs and fountains were constructed to provide clean drinking water to the people.
Hospitals and dispensaries were also built.
Name one disease that killed many people in the 19th century.
Malaria or cholera
Name two ways in which the government helped to improve the health of the people.
Reservoirs and fountains were constructed to drinking water to people.
Hospitals and dispensaries were constructed.
Why did many people decide to live in Plaines Wilhems instead of Port Louis?
Because the climate was healthier in Plaines Wilhems.
EDUCATION
Today, education is free and compulsory up to the age of sixteen in Mauritius, Rodrigues and the
outer islands.
There are schools in all villages and towns.
The government provides free textbooks to all children of primary schools.
Write three sentences about the difficulties the parents and grand parents had to face at that time.
- The schools were very far.
- They had no money to buy stationery materials
- Poor children had to help their parents in the fields and girls were not supposed to attend
schools.
During the French period, there were only a few schools in Port Louis.
Not all children were able to go to school.
When the British came, more schools were built by the government and the missionaries.
Reverend Jean Lebrun was a missionary.
He built schools in Port Louis and in villages.
He wanted children from poor families also to be educated.
Later, religious societies and the government built schools in the main villages.
Where were the first schools found? Port Louis
Who helped the poor to be educated? Reverend Jean Lebrun
Why could many children in the villages not go to school in the past?
Because the schools were very far from their home.
WHAT IS A NATURAL HAZARD?
A natural hazard is an event that can cause harm to people and the environment.
Indeed natural hazards not only cause damage to buildings, infrastructure and human
activities but often cause loss of lives too.
In Mauritius and Rodrigues tropical cyclones are the most common natural hazard causing harm
to our environment.
Tropical cyclones form over the ocean in summer when the temperature of the sea is quite high.
The weather conditions associated with tropical cyclones are violent gusts and winds, dense
clouds and very heavy rains.
The seas become very rough.
THE BROCHURE BELOW SHOWS THE GUIDELINES PREPARED BY THE
MAURITIUS METEOROLOGICAL STATION IN THE EVENT OF A CYCLONE
BEFORE THECYCLONE
Ensure that your house is in good condition and can withstand cyclone gusts.
Trim tree branches likely to cause damages to your house, telephone and electricity lines.
Clear your property of loose material that can cause injury and damage during extreme winds.
Identify secure places for your boat.
Be acquainted with the nearest cyclone refugee centres.
Prepare an emergency kit consisting of:
Portable AM/FM radio and fresh batteries.
Torch, lamps, candles, matches, etc.
Water containers.
Canned food, can opener, stove with sufficient gas.
Rice, flour, biscuits, cheese, etc.
First aid kit and essential medicines.
Clothes secured in plastic bags.
Tool kit for emergency repairs (hammer, nail, rope, etc..)
Continue to monitor cyclone bulletins on Radio/TV
DURING A CYCLONE WARNING CLASS I
• Make sure your emergency kit is ready.
• Monitor cyclone bulletins on Radio/TV.
• Prepare to secure windows and doors with shutters or shields.
DURING A CYCLONE WARNING CLASS II
• Verify that your emergency kit contains all essential items
• Store sufficient amount of drinking water
DURING A CYCLONE WARNING CLASS III
• Complete all preparatory measures.
• Fix shutters.
• Secure doors and windows.

• Store loose articles.
• Avoid areas prone to storm surges and flooding.
• Shelter domestic animals.
• Secure vehicles.
• Those in insecure dwellings, move as early as possible, to cyclone refugee centre with your
emergency kit.
• Avoid going outside.
• Monitor closely cyclone bulletins on Radio/TV.
DURING A CYCLONE WARNING CLASS IV
• Gusts of 120 km/h or more are occurring
• Stay inside. Seek shelter in the safest part of the house.
• Disconnect all electrical appliances.
• Listen attentively to cyclone bulletins and advice on the Radio / TV.
• If the house starts to suffer important damages, protect yourself with mattress, rugs or
blankets.
PASSAGE OF THE EYE OF THE CYCLONE
• Beware of the passage of the 'EYE'.
• Do not assume that cyclonic conditions are over.
The calm period is always followed by violent winds from the opposite direction
AFTER THE CYCLONE
Do not leave your shelter until the all-clear signals have been given by relevant Authorities.
Beware of fallen power lines, damaged buildings and trees and flooded water courses.
Do not consume fallen fruits.
Boil water for drinking purposes.
Clean yard and drain out stagnant water to prevent proliferation of mosquitoes/diseases
When a class IV warning is issued.
Also find out when the other warnings are issued: Class I, class II & class III.
Class I Issued 36 to 48 hours before Mauritius or Rodrigues is likely to be affected
by gusts reaching 120 km/h
Class II Issued so as to allow, as far as practicable, 12 hours of daylight before the
occurrence of gusts of 120 km/h
Class III Issued so as to allow, as far as practicable, 06 hours of daylight before the
occurrence of gusts of 120 km/h
Class IV Gusts of 120 km/h or more are occurring
Can you list and describe some other ways a tropical cyclone affects Mauritius and Rodrigues?
Agriculture is affected communication is affected telephone. transport electricity supply is
interrupted
1. Give some precautions that should be taken
(i) before the coming of a cyclone and consolidate the house
buy foodstuffs, candles and matches
(ii) during a cyclone stay indoors
wear warm clothes
5. Why are people advised to boil water for drinking after the passage of a cyclone?
Because water has not been purified
Most of the times, cyclones are formed in the North East of our islands in a belt around 10-
15 degrees south.
They then usually move in a South or South Westerly direction and they may affect our islands.
They finally end their path by moving towards the south or south east and weaken in the cooler
seas around 25 - 30 degrees south.
The Cyclonic Season in Mauritius covers the period between 1st of November to 15th of May.
school is closed when there is a cyclone class 2
Why was a cyclone warning class 4 in forced on Friday?
Because the cyclone was over Mauritius
Give 2 reasons why people had to be careful even though there was no more cyclone warning on
Sunday 18th February
Because of fallen electrical wires Because of flooded rivers
Study the table below showing information about major tropical cyclones which have
affected Mauritius.
In which month have most tropical cyclones affected Mauritius? February
From the list above which one has been classified as the strongest cyclone? Gervaise
Which tropical cyclone has brought the highest gusts? Gervaise
Give one reason why the highest gusts recorded from intense tropical cyclone Gamede was only
158 km/h in Mauritius
Because the cyclone was 230 km to the north of the island.
TORRENTIAL RAINS
The Mauritius Meteorological Station says that torrential rains conditions exist in Mauritius &
Rodrigues when 100 millimetres of widespread rains occur in less than 12 hours and that this
heavy rain is likely to continue for several hours.
These conditions occur mostly during the passage of tropical cyclones.
But at times they do occur even when there are no cyclones.
This happens during the summer months.
Then the Meteorological Station issues special torrential rains warnings
When do we say that there are torrential rains?
When 100 millimetres of widespread rains occurring less than 12 hours
Torrential rains may cause floods or water accumulations.
It may also cause overflow of rivers.
PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN DURING TORRENTIAL RAINS AND FLOODING:
- avoid venturing near flooded rivers and overflowing bridges.
- do not cross submerged areas either by foot or by vehicles.
- if in flood prone areas and the water level continues to rise, move to safe place or evacuate
the area.
- avoid going near hill or mountain slopes prone to landslide.
- avoid parking on drains and in underground parkings.
Read the text below which was written following a period of torrential rainfall
and answer the following questions.
1. Why did the Meteorological Station issue a torrential rain warning on Wednesday at 1.30 p.m.?
because more than100 mm of rainfall has been registered in different regions of the island
2. Why are torrential rains considered to be a natural hazard?
because it can cause damage to the environment
3. Why do you think that refugee centres were opened?
because people can't stay in their homes as they were flooded
4. What are the precautions that should be taken during torrential rains?
stay indoors
don't go near rivers
FLASH FLOODS
In the recent years, with the changing climate and development of urban areas and infrastructure,
Mauritius has known events of flash floods.
Flash floods are natural hazards which can cause much damage to the people and the
environment and have the same effects as torrential rains but in a more sudden and unpredictable
way.
We need to be prepared and take precautions during such events.
How are flash floods different from torrential rains?
Flash floods are sudden heavy rainfalls whereas torrential rainfall occur over a period of 12 hours
Give 2 reasons why Mauritius has experienced flash floods in the recent years.
i) because of climatic change ii) development of urban areas and infrastructure

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
VOLCANOES
Are volcanoes a natural hazard? Yes
Give reasons for your answer. Because it can damage the environment
Write about one damage caused to the people. People may die.
Write about one damage caused to the environment. Crops are destroyed.
Volcanoes can sometimes also be an advantage to people and their activities
Volcanic landscapes are spectacular and attract tourists
Volcanic soil is rich and very fertile for growing of crops
Read the headlines which appeared onTV in May 2010 after the eruption of a volcano in Iceland.
ASH FROM ICELANDIC VOLCANO SHUTS EUROPEAN AIRPORTS THOUSANDS OF
FLIGHTS CANCELLED. SEVERAL MILLION PASSENGERS UNABLE TO TRAVEL
Give reasons why the airports had to be closed.
The ash eruption can cause plane accidents
No visibility for airplane to land and take off
Earthquakes
Earthquakes and tsunamis are two other natural hazards.
These are not related to weather but to movements that take place within the earth.
Major earthquakes are caused when two different parts of the earth collide.
This results in the violent shaking of the earth.
Imagine that you are in a place where an earthquake is occurring.
Describe how you feel and what you observe around you.
I feel very scared as there cracks on the Earth's surface and buildings are collapsing
There is also landslide and above all it causes the death of many people.
TSUNAMI
Sometimes when a big and powerful earthquake occurs below or near the ocean floor,
it can cause giant waves to form.
These waves travel very fast across the ocean and can crash with devastating force on coastal
areas. This is known as a tsunami.
In Mauritius and Rodrigues, the risk of having a powerful and devastating tsunami is very low.
However, the Mauritius Meteorological Services have recently developed a tsunami warning
system for our islands.
How is an earthquake caused?
When two different parts of the Earth collide it causes the Earth to shake violently
What happens when a major earthquake occurs? Giant waves are formed
What is a tsunami?
When a powerful earthquake occurs below or near the ocean floor it creates giant waves
that travel fast and crash with a huge force on the coast
Which parts of a country are most likely to be affected by a tsunami? The coastal areas
In what ways do we come to the help of people affected by natural disasters?
By inviting people to make donations in terms of money clothes food and which are sent to
them along with our messages of our support in this great tragedy
MAURITIUS - THE STAR AND KEY Of THE INDIAN OCEAN
Mauritius was ideally located in the Indian Ocean.
It was a good stop-over for European sailors and traders travelling long distances from
their countries on their way to the East and back.
Mauritius also had two good harbours: Grand Port in the south-east and Port Louis in the
north-west.
It was for these reasons that the Dutch, the French and the British settled in the island and
developed it.
During the French period, many ships from Europe came to Ile de France for trade.
From here they went to India and other countries in the East.
Sometimes ships came to trade from countries as far as America.
They sold and exchanged goods with the traders on the island.
The French also used Ile de France as a naval base to fight the British at the end of the 18th
century.
In 1810, the French and British fought a naval battle.
1. How is this battle known as? The Battle of Grand Port
2. Who won the naval battle? The French won the battle.
3. What did the British do after the naval battle?
The British went to Rodrigues from where they planned to attack the French.
4. What was the name given to the island after the British captured it in November 1810?
Mauritius
The naval battle was the only major naval battle won by the French against the British during that
period
MAURITIUS: AN IMPORTANT BRITISH COLONY IN THE 19TH CENTURY
The British finally took possession of Mauritius in 1810.
Our island became a British Colony.
The Indian indentured labourers were brought in the island to work in the sugar cane fields.
With their arrival, the production of sugar increased and Mauritius became one of the biggest
producers of sugar in the British Empire.
Sugar was exported to England and other countries and its sale brought much revenue to
Mauritius.
During this period, that is, the 19th century, trade increased and Port Louis was an important port
in the Indian Ocean.
Mauritius became known as the 'Star and Key of the Indian Ocean'
Name three ports from where the indentured labourers were brought.
Bombay (Mumbai) Calcutta (Kolkatta) Madras (Chennai)
Write one sentence to explain why Mauritius was known as the 'Star and Key of the Indian Ocean.'
Because of the increasing number of European Sailors and traders sailing at Port Louis
MAURITIUS - AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY
THE END OF THE BRITISH RULE IN MAURITIUS
Britain ruled over many colonies in different parts of the world.
However, in the 20th century, the British were involved in many wars.
After the wars, Britain found that it was very costly to rule over its colonies.
People in these colonies also wanted their independence.
As a result, many colonies got their independence in the 20th century.
INDEPENDENT MAURITIUS
In Mauritius also, many people believed that they could govern the country.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam was one of these people.
He was a leader who wanted Mauritius to have its independence from Britain.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam worked for the people to have a better life.
He wanted to provide them with education and health facilities.
At that time, there were also people who believed that Mauritius should remain a British Colony.
Their leader was Sir Gaetan Duval, a lawyer.
An election was held and more people voted for independence.
On March 12, 1968, Mauritius became an independent country with Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
as the first Prime Minister.
The independence ceremony was held at the Champ de Mars, in Port Louis
The Union Jack was replaced by the Mauritian flag in the presence of the British Governor, Sir
John Shaw Rennie, and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam.
Since then, Mauritius is an independent country with its own elected representatives forming the
government.
Union Jack was replaced by the Mauritian flag on the 12th March 1968
However, from 1968 to 1992, the Queen of Britain remained Head of the State.
Mauritius had a Governor General who represented the Queen of Britain.
The first Governor General was Sir John Shaw Rennie.
The first Mauritian who became Governor General was Sir Abdool Raman Osman.
In 1992, Mauritius became a Republic.
The Queen was no longer the Head of the State.
The country had a President
The first President was Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo.
Both Independence Day and Republic Day are celebrated on 12 March. It is known as our
National Day.
Find the names of two other Governor Generals of Mauritius.
1. Sir Leonard Williiams
2. Sir Dayendranath Burrenchowbay
Name the present President of Maurtius. His Excellency Parasivum Pillay Vyapoory (acting)
Name the present Prime Minister of Mauritius. Hon Pravind Kumar JUGNAUTH
NATIONAL SYMBOLS OF MAURITIUS
The national symbols are those symbols which represent a country.
They are used during important events to represent the country.
It is important to know about the national symbols of one's country as they inspire and instill
a sense of pride and honour in the people of the country.
National symbols of a country are its flag, anthem and coat of arms.
Some other significant features such as birds, animals, plants and flowers can also be the
national symbol of a country.
When did Mauritius have its own National Flag? In 1968
Name the colours of the flag. Red Blue, Yellow and Green
Name 2 places where you can see the National Flag
At schools, at police stations
What does each colour of the flag represent? Discuss and write in the space provided below.
Red : The struggle for freedom and independence
Blue The Indian Ocean in which Mauritius is found
Yellow The golden sunshine and the bright future of the nation
Green Abundant vegetation on the island
B. Write one sentence to describe the importance of the National Flag.
The national flag develops a sense of belonging and citizenship to one’s country
National Anthem
Who wrote the National Anthem of Mauritius? Jean Georges Prosper
Who composed the music for the National Anthem? Philippe Gentil
COAT OF ARMS
The picture shows the Coat of Arms of Mauritius.
The Coat of Arms of Mauritius distinguishes itself
from that of other countries.
You can observe that the Coat of Arms of Mauritius
consists of a Dodo (Bird) and Sambur (Deer) supporting sugar cane and a shield divided into four
sections. These sections are known as quarters.
You can also see the motto which is 'Stella Clavisque Maris Indici', which means 'the Star and Key
of the Indian Ocean'.
The first quarter shows a sailing ship. Can you think why a ship is shown?
It refers to European sailors travelling in the Indian Ocean.
The feature in the second quarter of the Coat of Arms shows that Mauritius is a tropical island.
Name the feature: Palm Trees
Name the features on the Coat of Arms which show that the Dutch came to our islan d
Dodo and the Deer
Why are sugar canes shown on both sides of the Coat of Arms?
The importance of sugar cane to the local economy
The third and fourth quarter of the Coat of Arms show a 'Key' and a 'Star'.
What do they represent? Key : indicates the importance of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean
Star Shows Mauritius as a star in the Indian Ocean
Which other feature of the Coat of Arms confirms the above idea? The ship
The National Flower
It is the National Flower of our country.
Do you know the name of this flower?
It is known as the Trochetia Boutoniana (Boucle d'oreille).
It was declared the National Flower on 12th March 1992, when Mauritius became a Republic.
The person after whom the flower is named. French Botanist Louis Bouton
Is this flower found only in Mauritius? Yes, it is an endemic flower to Mauritius.
What is the colour of the flower? Orange Red Flower
In which season does it flower? In the winter season (From June to October)
Rodrigues Island
Rodrigues forms part of the Republic of Mauritius.
In 2002, the Rodrigues Regional Assembly was set up to give more autonomy to the people
of Rodrigues.
Why was more autonomy given to Rodrigues through the setting up of the Rodrigues Regional
Assembly?
Because the Assembly had the authority to make laws specific to Rodrigues and take
certain administrative decisions.
COAT OF ARMS: RODRIGUES
To mark the 2nd anniversary of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly, the postal authorities of
Mauritius issued a set of stamps about Rodrigues.
One of these stamps features the new coat of arms of Rodrigues.
Two birds are shown on the Coat of Arms. Name them.
A Solitaire b. Fauvette e Rodrigues
Can you think why these two birds were chosen?
Because it symbolises the extinct and the present wildlife.
Write one sentence about each bird.
The extinct Solitaire reminds us of the importance of the protection of the natural
environment.
La Fauvette de Rodrigues is an endemic bird on the verge of extinction.
(i) Name the three features on the Coat of Arms that represent the products of Rodrigues.
A maize b fish c basketry
(ii) Write one sentence to explain why these products are illustrated on the Coat of Arms.
These products show the vision of prosperity, abundance and creativity
Name the flower shown on the Coat of Arms of Rodrigues Island. Hibiscus flower
The scroll on the Coat of Arms reads:
Travail, solidarité , fièreté (Work, Solidarity and Pride)
Write one sentence to explain the importance of the words written on the scroll of the Coat of Arms
A testimony of the pride of the Rodriguan people to live in an autonomous island and their
determination to construct the country’s destiny in harmony and solidarity for the welfare of
everyone within the Republic of Mauritius
PLACES Of HISTORICAL INTEREST IN MAURITIUS
There are old buildings in the locality.
There are also many buildings, monuments and statues in our country that remind us of important
events and people
Old buildings that were built long ago and preserved since many years are called historical buildings.
Monuments and statues are built to commemorate important people and events in the past.
Places of historical interest These buildings, monuments and statues are our heritage.
Name of monument : Arrival of the Dutch
Where it is found? Ferney, Grand Port
Why is it important? To mark the place where the Dutch

landed in Mauritius
Name of monument Abolition of Slavery
Where it is found? Pointe Canon, Mahebourg
Why is it important? To mark the abolition of slavery in Mauritius
Name of monument Francois Leguat Monument
Where it is found? Port Mathurin, Rodrigues
Why is it important? It reminds us of the first settlement in Rodrigues
Name of monument Residence Building
Where it is found? Port Mathurin, Rodrigues
Why is it important? The wooden building used to
accommodate eminent personalities
They remind us of
Phillibert Marragon who

was one of the early first
French settlers in
A\bolition of slavery Philibert Marragon’s Tomb Rodrigues the
Lieu De Mémoire, Union, Rodrigues 18th century and slavery
What do you understand by the term historical heritage?
Museums, Monuments ans Historical sites make up our historical heritage
OUR HISTORICAL HERITAGE
The various monuments, statues and the historical sites represent the rich heritage of our country.
Name the personality. Mahe de Labourdonnais
Where is the statue found? Places d’Armes in Port Louis
Write two sentences about the personality.
He developed the town and harbour of Port Louis.
He developed agriculture in the island.
…………………………………………………………………………………
Name the personality. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
Where is the statue found? Places d’Armes in Port Louis
Write two sentences about the personality.
He made Mauritius an independent country..
He provided people with free education, health facilities and social benefits
HISTORICAL SITES & MONUMENTS
The Slave Route Monument
The Slave Route monument is built to remember the different countries from where the slaves
were brought to Mauritius.
The monument is found at the foot of Le Morne mountain.

The mountain is a symbol of the slaves' fight for freedom and their sacrifices.
The Slave Route Monument in Mauritius promotes peace in the island.
It is a reminder of the importance of freedom in our lives
THE AAPRAVASI GHAT

The indentured labourers came by ships from India and landed at the port in Port Louis.
They passed through the Aapravasi Ghat also known as the immigration depot
before they were sent to the sugar estates where they worked.
The Aapravasi Ghat is the place through which the indentured labourers passed on their arrival to
Mauritius
MONUMENT COMMEMORATING THE SHIPWRECK OF ST GERAN
A monument is found in the village of Poudre d'Or in the north-east of Mauritius.
It commemorates the shipwreck of the Saint-Geran
The monument known as the 'Paul et Virginie' monument is built to remember those who died in
the shipwreck.
TWO OTHER MONUMENTS
Two other historical sites / monuments that remind us of our rich heritage are
1. Monument Silambu Plaza Rose Hill (Arrival of the Tamils in Mauritius)
Write two sentences to describe what you found about the historical site
The monument is found at the Municipality of Beau Bassin Rose Hill.
It reminds us of the contributions of the Tamils to the development of Mauritius.
2. Chinese immigrants in Mauritius
Write two sentences to describe what you found about the historical site
The monument is located at the Caudan round-about in Port Louis
It reminds us of the contributions of the Chinese to the development of Mauritius.
MUSEUMS
A museum is a building in which interesting and valuable things such as paintings and historical
objects are collected, kept and shown to the people.
1. L’Aventure du Sucre located at Beau Plan, Pamplemouses tells us the story of the
sugar industry in Mauritius.
2. National History Museum at Mahebourg, tells us French settlements in Ile de France
3. Fort Frederik Hendrik Museum, Grand Port tells us about Dutch settlement in Mauritius
A few other museums in our country
1. Mauritius Photography Museum located in Port Louis, We can find an enormous
display of the first ever photographs taken with the ancestor of the cameras.
2. Mauritius Postal Museum It is found in Port Louis
It shows the major events in the history of the postal services in Mauritius from its
origin in 1772
3. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Memorial Centre for Culture located in Port Louis.
It is dedicated to the memory of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the architect of the
independence of Mauritius and Father of the Nation.
Rodrigues Island
Places of Historical importance : Marragon’s Tomb
Transit de Venus Old Salt Pans
Saint Gabriel Church
Francois Leguat Museum
Our Cultural heritage
Our ancestors came from different parts of the world.
They came from Europe, Africa, India and China.
When our ancestors came to live on our islands, they brought along with them the traditions
and customs of their place of origin.
These traditions and customs are known as culture.
The culture brought by our ancestors has been passed on to us by our great grand-parents,
grand-parents and parents.
The language, food, music and way of dressing passed on by our ancestors represent our
heritage.
It is known as our cultural heritage
Today, Mauritius and Rodrigues have a multi-cultural heritage.
People of different cultures live in peace and harmony.
A multi-cultural society means many cultures in one place.
What do these various pictures tell us about our heritage?

Our food, dress, festival, language, customs and traditions form part of our cultural
heritage.
PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE
The protection and preservation of our heritage is important because it tells us about the events
that happened long ago.
PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE
1. It is important to protect old buildings as they tell us about how buildings were
built and used long ago.
2. Monuments and statues help us to remember about people and events in the past.
3. Historical sites tell us about important places in our history. These historical sites
make our island unique.
4. Valuable objects such as paintings, clothing and furniture are collected and
preserved in museums. They help us to know about people and events long ago.
What is done in the country to protect and preserve our historical and cultural heritage?
Restoring the heritage and make it accessible to the public.
Two important days
(i) Name them Independence Day and Republic Day
(i) On which date are these events celebrated? 12 March
(iii) How is this day known today? Mauritian National Day
Read the information from the poster and complete the blanks below about Mauritius
(i) The total area: 2040 km2
(ii) The population: 1 275 986
(iii) The currency: Mauritian Rupee (MUR) Rs
(iv) The capital: Port Louis
Which island in the territory has its autonomy? Rodrigues

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Unit 1 Topic 2 Agricultural land use 09

Unit 1 Topic 3 Land Use for tourism purposes 14

Unit 1 Topic 4 Land use and environmental concerns, 17

Unit 2 People on the island in the past 24

Unit 3 Natural Hazards 38

Unit 4 Celebrating Independence 47

Unit 5 Our Heritage 54

In Mauritius and Rodrigues, the land is used for different purposes.

The plot of land at B was used for residential purposes.

Its owner has abandoned it.

The land is being neglected. It is known as a wasteland.

A plot of land that has been abandoned and no longer used.

Describe one other example of a wasteland.

A sugar cane field that has been abandoned.

Some wastelands have become eyesores in the environment.

An abandoned old house in a residential area.

Dumping in an abandoned land.

What you can do to help clean eyesores in your locality

Why does the use of the land change over time?

Think of government and people needing land for other purposes.

With time, the needs change.

Population increase: more and more people living on the island.

1. For which purpose is the land mostly used?

build up areas, forests

3. Which of the item above are wastelands

Identify the types of land use in the following sections:

i) A1: agricultural land use

ii) B3: commercial land use

iii) C4: agricultural

iv) D3: residential

In which sections is the nature reserve found? C1 & D1

Because it beautifies the environment

Because it maintains the composition of air

What is the type of land use in the area marked X?

Industrial land use

Agriculture or farming is the growing of crops and the rearing of animals

1. Plantation agriculture - growing of one crop on large area

2. Mixed Farming - Growing of crops and rearing of animals

3. Pastoral Farming - Rearing of animals only

In Mauritius the sugar estates plant sugar cane on large areas.

What type of farming is it? Plantation Agriculture

In Agalega, coconuts are planted on most of the land in both islands.

In Rodrigues, at Saint Francois, people plant vegetables for sale.

What type of farming are they practising? market gardening

Name two areas in Mauritius where market gardening is practised.

. (i) Quatre Bornes. (ii) Nouvelle Decouverte

At Camp Pintade in Rodrigues, farmers rear goats and cattle.

What type of farming are they practising? Pastoral farming.

Factors influencing farming – Physical factors - ( relief, climate, soil)

- Human factors (Transport, location and labour)

In 1694, sugar was produced for the first time in Mauritius.

More mills were built and sugar production increased

the expansion of the sugar industry.

This led to a significant change in the land use of the island.

Sugar cane fields replaced most of the native forests

Explain the process of centralisation.

Why is our climate good to cultivate sugar cane?

employed in the sugar cane sector have decreased.