Uninhabited island claimed in the Middle Ages by Arab merchants who called it the "Dina Arabi." Variously held by Portuguese (1507-1638; calling it the "Ilha do Cirne"), Dutch (1638–1710; "Dutch Mauritius"), French (1715–1810; "Isle de France") and British (1810-1968; British Mauritius) administrators before independence on March 12, 1968.
Government modeled on Westminster parliamentary system when island declared itself a republic on March 12, 1992.
