Mauritius (Commonwealth realm)
Coordinates: 20°12′S 57°30′E / 20.2°S 57.5°E
Mauritius | ||||||||||
Commonwealth realm | ||||||||||
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Motto "Stella Clavisque Maris Indici" (Latin) "Star and Key of the Indian Ocean" | ||||||||||
Anthem Motherland Royal anthem God Save the Queen | ||||||||||
Capital | Port Louis | |||||||||
Languages | Mauritian Creole French English Rodriguan Creole | |||||||||
Government | Constitutional monarchy | |||||||||
Queen | ||||||||||
• | 1968–1992 | Elizabeth II | ||||||||
Governor-General | ||||||||||
• | 1968 (first) | John Shaw Rennie | ||||||||
• | 1986–1992 (last) | Veerasamy Ringadoo | ||||||||
Prime Minister | ||||||||||
• | 1968–1982 | Seewoosagur Ramgoolam | ||||||||
• | 1982–1992 | Anerood Jugnauth | ||||||||
History | ||||||||||
• | Independence | 12 March 1968 | ||||||||
• | Republic proclaimed | 12 March 1992 | ||||||||
Area | ||||||||||
• | 1972 | 2,040 km² (788 sq mi) | ||||||||
Population | ||||||||||
• | 1972 est. | 851,334 | ||||||||
Density | 417.3 /km² (1,080.9 /sq mi) | |||||||||
Currency | Mauritian rupee | |||||||||
Calling code | +230 | |||||||||
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Today part of | Mauritius | |||||||||
The Commonwealth realm of Mauritius, officially known as "Mauritius", was a predecessor to the modern-day Republic of Mauritius and an independent state that existed between 1968 and 1992.
When British rule ended in 1968, the Mauritius Independence Act 1968 transformed the British Crown Colony of Mauritius into an independent sovereign Commonwealth realm. The British monarch, Elizabeth II, remained head of state. Mauritius shared the Sovereign with the other Commonwealth realms. The monarch's constitutional roles were mostly delegated to the Governor-General of Mauritius. The royal succession was governed by the English Act of Settlement of 1701. During the Commonwealth realm phase, the following governors-general held office:
- Sir John Shaw Rennie (12 March – 27 August 1968)
- Sir Michel Rivalland (27 August – 3 September 1968)
- Sir Leonard Williams (3 September 1968 – 27 December 1972)
- Sir Raman Osman (27 December 1972 – 31 October 1977)
- Sir Henry Garrioch (31 October 1977 – 26 April 1979)
- Sir Dayendranath Burrenchobay (26 April 1979 – 28 December 1983)
- Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (28 December 1983 – 15 December 1985)
- Sir Cassam Moollan (15 December 1985 – 17 January 1986) (acting)
- Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo (17 January 1986 – 12 March 1992)
Seewoosagur Ramgoolam and then Sir Anerood Jugnauth held office as Prime Minister of Mauritius.
Elizabeth II visited Mauritius 24–26 March 1972 in her capacity as Queen of Mauritius.
The Republic of Mauritius was proclaimed on 12 March 1992. It is the most recent former Commonwealth realm to become a republic within the Commonwealth. Following the abolition of the monarchy, the last Governor General of Mauritius, Sir Veerasamy Ringadoo became the first President of Mauritius.
References
- http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1992/may/19/mauritius-republic-bill-hl
- http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1992/jun/04/mauritius-republic-bill-lords
- http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1992/45/section/1
- http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Mauritius.htm
- http://www.archontology.org/nations/mauritius/01_polity.php
- http://www.archontology.org/nations/mauritius/00_1968_1992_s.php
- http://www.archontology.org/nations/mauritius/00_1968_1992_gg.php
- http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/Mauritius.htm
- http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:1973:288:0002:0012:EN:PDF
- http://www.gov.mu/portal/goc/webattorney/file/16aug2010.pdf
- http://www.acpsec.org/en/conventions/lome4_e.htm