Mayotte is a department of France, which is located on two islands, the Maoris and Pamanzi. Few people know which Mayotte island belongs to which archipelago, or the fact that it is a whole collection of small patches of land in the Indian Ocean. Mayotte includes a number of small islands and coral reefs that are part of the Comoros archipelago.
The capital of the island of Mayotte is the city of Mamuzu. The name historically comes from the Arabic word "Mauti." So in the Middle Ages was called the Sultanate, located in the Comorian archipelago. In this article we will consider the island of Mayotte located in the Indian Ocean. Let's answer the question of what attractions attract tourists.
Climatic conditions
Mayotte has a tropical climate. Throughout the year, the temperature does not fall below +24 ... 25 ° C. A significant decrease can be observed only in the periods from November to April. At this time, monsoon rains fall on Mayotte Island, and the temperature drops to +18 o C.
Fauna of the island
On the island of Mayotte, there are quite rare representatives of the animal and plant world. This island is considered one of the few where the balance between wildlife and human activity is not upset. The territory is covered with lush vegetation. There are forests with very valuable tree species, rare exotic fruits and flowers with an unforgettable aroma. It is noteworthy that on the island of Mayotte there are absolutely no dangerous predators and poisonous reptiles.
The aquatic environment is no less rich than the terrestrial. Near the island you can see coral reefs, meet various tropical colorful fish and even gigantic whales.
Island Attractions
The main attraction of the island is its truly outlandish wildlife. It is strewn with a large number of laurel fields and cliffs randomly scattered throughout the territory.
Tourists say that an atypically large moon is visible from the island at night. In the Middle Ages, Arab travelers called the islands of the Comoros archipelago Lunar.
In addition, there are a huge number of picturesque beaches. They are small but unusually comfortable. It is noteworthy that the waters washing Mayotte are called the Jurassic Park in the scientific community. The island received such a name for a huge number of rare inhabitants of the ocean. Here you can even find coelacanth, cysterae fish, which has been living in these waters for more than 150 million years. These unique creatures are not found anywhere else on the planet.
The age of Mayotte is also interesting - this is one of the most ancient islands of the Comorian archipelago. The reefs surrounding it are at least forty million years old, so they have an atypical appearance for reefs. They represent entire underwater systems of caves and canyons, which makes them a favorite place for divers.
How Mayotte became French
Under the jurisdiction of France, this island came in an interesting way. In 1841, the command of the French frigate "Prevoyan" offered the sultanate five thousand francs for these lands. As a result, the deal was successfully completed, and a French military base was built on Mayotte, which was of key strategic importance during the colonial wars in Africa and Madagascar. French soldiers and sailors were stationed at the base.
Features of the national cuisine of the island
Mayotte's cuisine is a mixture of French and traditional local dishes, but local culinary traditions still prevail. Most dishes are cooked with rice and meat. Everywhere, without exception, there are spices traditional for the island: vanilla, cloves, coriander, nutmeg and cinnamon. Cardamom can be seen less often in dishes. In Mayotte, both Arabic couscous and curry are excellently cooked. The local cuisine has several cooking options for charcoal poultry and lamb. In addition, more than two dozen different dishes are prepared using local fruits, among which there are truly unique ones - they include a special kind of unsweetened bananas, which are fried and stewed mixed with nuts and meat.
As in most island countries, in Mayotte, the main source of protein is the ocean. It is from it that the locals harvest a huge amount of seafood, which occupy an honorable place in the culinary tradition of Mayotte. A distinctive feature is the widespread use of vanilla and citrus in the preparation of dishes from seafood. A tourist who sets off on this strange island must definitely try the octopus cooked in vanilla lobster sauce, and, of course, shrimp baked with lemon wedges. In addition, local restaurants can offer a wide selection of exotic fruits and vegetables. They are served both fresh and thermally processed.
The most popular in Mayotte are soft drinks made with fresh fruits. Juices with ice, cocktails and local flavored tea will not leave indifferent even the most experienced tourist. It is noteworthy that alcohol consumption in Mayotte is extremely small, due to the strong influence of Islamic traditions. However, a tourist can easily find the necessary drink in any hostel or store. The second counters abound with various foreign alcoholic drinks from all over the world.
Mayotte Transport System
The transport system on the island is developed quite modestly. There is only one functioning international airport. In addition, in Mayotte there is a seaport capable of accepting vessels of various categories, including cruise ships. Land transport is represented by a small number of taxis, shuttle buses and regular buses. It is noteworthy that all public transport in Mayotte does not have a specific schedule. If tourists need to rent a car, then you need to go to the capital, since it is impossible to do this in other towns. Moving around the island on your own is quite difficult. This is due to the fact that almost half of the roads have absolutely no coverage, and their quality leaves much to be desired.