Europe, which is considered to be the poorest, has a small island country, with a per capita GDP three times that of India, and a national welfare package similar to that of developed countries.
This country is Mauritius, which has only been established for 32 years and is known as the "paradise of the world" by the Americans, with beautiful islands and beautiful scenery, making it the richest country in Africa.
The only "rich country" in poor Africa
Africa, the second largest continent in terms of area with 54 countries, is lagging behind in economic development. According to World Bank statistics, the world economy will total US$96 trillion in 2021, with US$GDP12347 per capita in the world and US$1,995 per capita in Africa, making it the poorest continent.
Mauritius is one of the special cases, and it is the first choice for people from all over the world to travel, with visa-free access for Chinese tourists, and even countless celebrity couples going on their honeymoons.
Perhaps when you think of Africa, you can't help but think of a black man with a water tank on his head or a black child beating barefoot and wearing tattered scenes. Poverty here is very concrete, and many people are still struggling to make ends meet.
When eating, there is no dining table, so I sit on the ground and grab food with my bare hands, I wear old clothes donated by various countries, I live in an adobe house with leaky wind, and I have no developed means of transportation, so I walk on foot most of the time.
Many tribes still live like primitive people, who survive by hunting and even have no civilization.
This is the image that most people have of Africa, but not all African countries are like this. There is also a richer country, Mauritius, in Africa, where their lives are very different.
It is a country in eastern Africa, and eastern Africa, from Lake Tanganyika in the west, to Eritrea in the north, and the Indian Ocean in the east, has a total area of 3.7 million square kilometers, accounting for 12% of the entire African continent. There are several island nations floating in the eastern Indian Ocean, including Mauritius.
It is a volcanic island, surrounded by coral reefs, consisting of the main island and some small islands, the main island occupies 91.4% of the area, 61 kilometers long and 47 kilometers wide, and the whole shape is like a pineapple.
On the island, you can see the boundless blue, and the blue sky and the sea are connected to each other, as if you are in a picture scroll, and the beauty is unreal. The landform is varied, there are plains and plateaus and mountains, and the scenery is beautiful.
The houses on the island are like small villas, each house with a pool and a yard, and when you walk in, it is like entering the home of a rich man. The transportation is convenient, education is free, medical care is free, there are countless holidays throughout the year, and people live happily.
Alien to other poor African countries, the domestic GDP here in 2022 is as high as 11.53 billion US dollars, with a per capita GDP9106.2 US dollars, and the poverty index is zero.
Even more incredibly, it took only 32 years for Mauritius to flourish to where it is today, with a per capita GDP of only $220 32 years ago.
In fact, their rise from poverty to Africa's richest country has a lot to do with its history.
32 years ago: Officially independent
This island in East Africa has existed in the world for many years, and was first discovered by the Arabs in the 10th century, who knew about its existence. As people's desire to explore the world grew, various countries sailed to try to discover the "new world".
After the Dutch discovered it in 1598, they landed on the island and tried to claim it for themselves, and the Dutch monarch specially named his name Maurits, transliterated it as Mauritius, and colonized it for 20 years. During this time, they brought a lot of life to the island, bringing sugar cane, domestic animals and deer to the island.
It may be that the scenery on the island is too beautiful, or it is rich in resources, and it has become a place of contention for countless countries since its discovery. In 1715, the French occupied it again, and the French immigrated to the island, calling it the "Île de France", and developing sugar cane cultivation on a large scale.
During the French rule, quite a few houses were built in the area. Many of the buildings that exist today were originally built by the French.
In 1810, the British also came to the island, used war to take their own hands, and restored the old name Maurits. At the time of the treaty with France, it was stipulated that the French language and its customs would be retained and that it would be recolonized.
In the hands of the British, slavery was abolished and the plantation, construction and other industries began to flourish, bringing in more than 500,000 Indian laborers during this period. They made a profit by transporting the sugar cane they grew and the products they made to England.
After many years of brutal colonization, it was not until 1968 that it officially declared independence, but after independence, it was still owned by the British Commonwealth, and it was not a country, and it was really independent in 1992.
After independence, it became a rich country
After a period of dark history, they finally ushered in the light, perhaps a blessing in disguise, laying the foundation for their later development.
During the colonization of various countries, local architecture, manufacturing, and agriculture gradually developed and formed a certain scale. After independence, they continued their industry and soon developed.
Sugarcane cultivation is their traditional economic source, accounting for 90% of the local planting area, with a per capita sugar production of 1,000 catties, making it one of the countries with the largest sugar production in the world.
They transport the sugarcane they grow to the factory, which produces 80,000 tons a year with fewer than 400 workers. The sugar is exported all over the world and has become a major source of income and one of the industries they are proud of.
In the early days of independence, Zhu Meilin, a Chinese from Guangdong, found that they were too dependent on sugar exports and that their industry was too homogeneous, so he suggested that the local government develop the industry.
Gradually, the local industry began to reduce the sugar industry and increase investment in the textile industry, making industrial manufacturing an important pillar. It is the growth of industrial development that has allowed them to develop rapidly, and it has today's prosperity.
In order to thank Zhu Meilin for his contribution to their country, the local people printed his portrait on the coin.
In addition to sugarcane cultivation, agriculture has also expanded into forestry, fishing, animal husbandry, etc., and since they are islands, they have abundant fishery resources, and marine fish is the second largest export in the region.
In addition, the financial services industry and tourism have also developed. With its unique natural resources and scenery, it has attracted countless foreign tourists.
Here you can see the tall king palm, the beautiful beach and the bright sunshine make people lie on the beach and enjoy it. The sea water can also be used for diving, surfing, and various recreational activities.
The local extinct volcanic crater is also a famous photo spot, with a diameter of 200 meters and a depth of 80 meters, which is a feast for the eyes when viewed from the edge.
You can also see deep canyons, abrupt peaks, and lush forests.
The most peculiar animals belong to the island, and you can no longer see cute dodos, but you can also see the unique pink pigeon and tea falcon, and you can also see the endemic plants of the area.
With the beautiful scenery of the island, there are countless people who come to visit every year, including 60.4% of European tourists, and many people from Asia, Africa and neighboring countries also come to the island for tourism, and many celebrity couples in China come here for their honeymoon.
Since he was colonized by many countries, the countries he colonized after independence also became his help. France signed an economic, trade, and education agreement with him, and provided 200 million euros in aid over six years; Britain, their largest exporter, provided some assistance in education and armed forces.
At the same time, they also maintained friendly relations with China, India, South Africa and other countries, which also provided great help for their rapid development after the founding of the country.
The welfare package is comparable to that of developed countries
There are multiple economic pillars, plus friendly diplomatic relations with a number of countries, and assistance has been received. In just 32 years, Mauritius has grown rapidly, leaping out of Africa's poor countries to become a "rich country".
With good economic development, people's living standards have been greatly improved, and the welfare benefits given by the state can even be comparable to those of developed countries.
There are many golf courses in the area, and the horse season is from May to November every year, and there are all kinds of recreational activities such as sea fishing, diving, and paragliding.
Free medical care, free education, rice and flour price subsidies, as well as unemployment relief, the state has even spent a huge amount of money to build a computer city, integrating education and training, and providing free Internet services for everyone.
The state implements a two-day holiday system, and some public employees work half-day shifts on Saturdays. Since they are a multi-ethnic country, all holidays are enjoyed by Indians, Chinese, and Muslims. China's Spring Festival, Labor Day, Christmas abroad, etc., they will have a unified holiday, which is really enviable.
If you have time, do you want to go to Mauritius to experience a different atmosphere?
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