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Overview - The Island

Rodrigues was discovered by Diego Rodriguez between the 4th and the 9th February 1528. In these days Portuguez and English navigators were using the island of Rodrigues as a reference when sailing to India. Years later after a very long journey in May 1691, Francois Leguat and seven men landed in Rodrigues.

Rodrigues island is considered to be the 'cinderella of the mascarenes'. Situated about 650 hundred kms north-east of Mauritius at approximately Longitude 62 degrees 25 E and Lattitude 19 degrees 42 S. Its greatest length from Pointe Coton in the east to Pointe Mapou in the west is just over 18 kms, its greatest breadth, from Jeantac in the north to Pointe Portsuite in the south is 8 kms.

The landscape is very mountainous and gives beautiful scenery. Mont Limon the highest peak is about 393 mts above sea level. Valleys and hills give the impression that the island is bigger than it seems to be. In the north, the south and the east the mountains slope dangerously towards the sea separated by deep and narrow valleys while in the west the slopes are more smooth.

   
Climate - The Island
   

The climate, when compared to Mauritius, is much more dry and hot. It rarely rains in Rodrigues, the quite lengthy drought periods cause serious problems in supplying the whole population with water.

As the island is found in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. The days are hot and humid in summer, which lasts from November to April and the temperature oscillates between 28 and 35°C. During this period, the risks of cyclones increase significantly, particularly in January and February. In “winter”, from June to September, the temperature varies from 16 to 27°C. The prevailing wind of the South East is much more biting in winter.

The sea is warm in summer (25°C to 28°C) and cools down in winter (22°C to 24°C).

As usual, in the tropical regions, the sun sets relatively early: between 18h and 19h, depending on the season.
   
Population - The Island
   
 

The particular charm of the island comes mainly from the calm and harmonious lifestyle of its inhabitants. Discretion, kindness and simplicity are the principal traits of the Rodriguans. They live to the rhythm of the passing time, calmly and serenely even though life is rough and the future uncertain.

The population of Rodrigues is estimated to 38&Mac226;000 inhabitants, the vast majority being Creols. Inhabitants with jet-black skin, descendants of Malagasy and African slaves and a minority of half-castes, descendants of the first European settlers, form the greater part of the population in Rodrigues.

The Catholic religion is the most practiced one in the island, but there are also a small number of Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists. The influence of the Catholic religion in the daily and cultural life of the population must be emphasized. Religion, respect of traditions and family are the pillars of the Rodriguan lifestyle.

Places of Interest - The Island

- Port Mathurin, the pocket capital. Discreet and calm, it shelters the unique harbour of the island.

- Caverne Patate, with a length of 1057 metres (accessible area: about 600 metres), it goes down 26 metres under the earth. It is decorated with stalagmites and stalactites as well as other original shapes cut in the coral rock.

- Rivière Banane, small agricultural village lost in a valley. There, you can see numerous plantations and two large wild beaches separated by a peak formed in basaltic rock.

- Ile aux Cocos, a long strip of white sand covered with casuarina trees, is a nature reserve. It provides shelter to many sea birds.

- Hermitage Island, with its jagged and rocky relief as well as its tiny heavenly beach, is a sheer invitation to play at Robinson Crusoe.

- Catherine Island, rocky and wild, offers a magnificent view on the western coast from its peak. It acts as a shelter for the fishermen who come to the island at times to rest.

- Plaine Mapou proposes a rustic landscape, decorated with a bay reflecting magnificent shades (Topaze Bay). Completely isolated, the feeling of being at the end of the world is strongly emphasized there.

- There’s the whole coastline to explore on foot! Numerous paths that enable a complete tour cross the island. In particular, the uneven coast from Pointe Coton to Gravier, which reveals deserted beaches and creeks of an indescribable beauty: Saint-François, Anse Bouteille, Anse Philibert, Trou d’Argent.

  
 
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