Concordia et Progresso (Latin) ("Harmony and Progress") | |||||
| Country | France | ||||
| Gouvernement d'outremer | Mauritius | ||||
| Language | French, Mauritian Creole | ||||
| Religion main |
Hinduism | ||||
| others | Catholicism, Islam | ||||
| Founded | AD 1735 | ||||
Port Louis (French: Port-Louis, Mauritian Creole: Porlwi) is the capital and largest city of Mauritius, a colony of France. Built in the 18th century as a trading port, it prospered over the decades thanks to Mauritius's favorable position for trade and passage of ships in the Indian Ocean: today, it is the colony's main industrial, cultural and commercial hub.
The city reflects Mauritius's history of cultural contamination: most of the population is of mixed descent, and both French and Mauritian Creole are widely spoken. The majority religion is Hinduism, but there is a large Catholic minority and a smaller Muslim one. Today, the city thrives thanks to its port, as well as a touristic and cultural attraction.