Port Louis, city, northwestern Mauritius, capital of the country, located on the island of Mauritius. A port on the Indian Ocean, it is also the country's largest city and main commercial and administrative center. Major manufactures include processed food (especially sugar), wood products, and printed material. Port Louis is the site of the Mauritius Institute (1880), which operates a public library and the Port Louis Museum (featuring natural history collections), and the Citadel, a fortress built in 1838. Established by the French about 1735, the city grew as a deepwater port for ships traveling between Europe and Asia, but declined after the Suez Canal was opened in 1869. In 1968, when Mauritius became independent, Port Louis was chosen to be the nation's capital. Population (1997 estimate) 146,499.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Port Louis Information info
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