Port Louis

views updated May 14 2018

Port Louis Capital of Mauritius, a seaport in the nw of the island. It was founded by the French in 1735. Taken by the British during the Napoleonic Wars, it grew in importance as a trading port after the opening of the Suez Canal. The main export is sugar; other industries include electrical equipment and textiles. Pop. (1998) 147,100.