Known for its sugar industry, the tropical island of Mauritius is a beautiful country with superb tropical beaches. This pear–shaped paradise in the Indian Ocean has great potential for tourism.
The land has many craters surrounded by lava flows. The stretch of the northern plain rises gradually to the central plateau-at one point 2700 feet high. It then drops sharply to the south and west coasts.
The climate, though varied, is mainly hot and humid, with an annual rainfall of 200 cm in the windward slopes. The fertile soil was once covered with luxuriant natural vegetation but much of it has now been removed for the sugar plantations.
The tourist industry is the third largest sources of foreign income after sugar and clothing exports. An ideal location for film shooting, several foreign products and directors have used the scenic beauty of the island as a backdrop for their films.
Rome
Standing on the river Tiber, 25 kilometers from the west coast, Rome, the `Eternal City,’ as it’s called, is the capital of Italy and the country’s largest city.
Tradition says that Rome was founded in 75BC by Romulus, the mythical son of Mars, the Roman god of war. Situated on seven hills and surrounded by the Aurelian Wall, the city’s architectural splendor is derived from two historical periods-the first three centuries of the Roman Empire (AD 27-300). Never in history have so many grand buildings been assembled in one place. Places of interest include the Vatican, the churches, the Spanish steps, the catacombs-an underground system of passages and tombs, the main Roman road, the Colosseum, the Forum, Palatino Hill, the Pantheon, the arches of Titus, and the Trevi fountain into which people throw a coin to ensure their return one day to the city.
The beautiful sculptures and paintings of Michelangelo can be seen in the Farnese palace. It is quite clear that Rome was not built in a day. The palaces, churches and ancient monuments reflect its ancient tradition.
Cairo
The capital of Egypt and Africa’s largest city, Cairo is situated at the head of the Nile delta about 160 km south of the Mediterranean Sea. A mixture of East and West, the city is full of noise and traffic.
It is a city of two hearts. Old Cairo is a walled area of storehouses, narrow, crooked streets, and packed bazaars and is filled with the sound of prayers chanted in its 400 mosques. Dividing the old and new city is the Citadel, a fortress built in AD 1177 by Sultan Saladin. It is situated on Mogattam Hill.
The new Cairo lies to the west and north. It consists of broad avenues and modern buildings. Originally a riverside military camp, Cairo gained importance when the rulers of Libya conquered Egypt.
Tourists flock to the city to see the great wonders of the world-the pyramids and the sphinx. The beautiful minarets of the city present a medieval scene.
Cairo’s Al Azhar university, founded in AD 972, is one of the oldest in the world.
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