Mauritius is an island off the coast of South Africa with a rich history and a diverse population. With populations coming from Asia, Europe and Africa, there is a mix of cultural festivals as well as traditions that make Mauritius what it is today (Mauritius Views). Endless colonization and globalization make it an unrivaled cultural source. In order to fully understand the island's range of customs, one must first examine its history and how it became home to various ethnic groups. A premier travel destination, Mauritius is an island renowned for promoting a “let go” mindset. The famous author Mark Twain once said: “Maurice was created first, and then Heaven was copied from it.” » Many argue that it is not only the serene landscape of the island that attracts attention, but also the people who inhabit the landmass (Mauritius Views). Due to its central location in the Indian Ocean, the island has become popular on the trading circuit since 1505, after its discovery by the Portuguese. The island underwent a series of changes of power: from the Portuguese, then the Dutch, the French and finally the British until 1968, when the republic gained its independence (Nations Online). During this period, large immigration occurred with people arriving from the shores of India, its near neighbor Madagascar, and China. Under European colonization, the Chinese came to establish businesses while Africans and Indians were brought in to support the new island nation's workforce. The Creole population of Mauritius is quite large, with Indo-Mauritians forming 70% of the island's population, or 1.2 million inhabitants (Mauritius Views). Mauritius is a rather peaceful island, with no recorded racial or ethnic conflict for more than...... middle of paper....fairly relaxed mind. Other countries may be negatively affected by such mixing, but they have not been. Without immigration and globalization which mix cultures in Mauritius, the island population would not exist. Works Cited “Chicken Biryani”. Cuisine From Lile Maurice Cuisine From Lile Maurice RSS. NP, 2010. Web. December 3, 2013. “Culture”. Discover Mauritius. The official website of Mauritius, nd Web. December 3, 2013. “Languages ​​of Mauritius”. Attractions in Mauritius: Culture. Mauritius Attractions, 2008. Web. December 03, 2013. "Holidays in Mauritius - People and culture." Views of Mauritius. Views of Mauritius, 2013. Web. December 3, 2013. Smith, Roff. “Mixing cultures in Mauritius.” Journey. BBC, April 3, 2013. Web. December 3, 2013. "State-of-the-art auditorium. Accommodation of concerts and corporate events. Capacity of 2,600." CCI RSS. Palais des Congrès de Trianon, 2013. Web. December 3. 2013.