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The
mountains of Mauritius are what remain of the immense volcanoes whose
summits have exploded or have been swallowed by abysses millions of years ago.
They are of relatively modest height and they command rather than attract attention
because of their unusual shapes and often scraggy contours. The appearance and
location of some of the mountains have resulted in some quaint naming by
discoverers and travellers giving free rein to their imagination. Different
periods of history, illustrious personalities, animals, legends and even
anecdotes are all evoked in a strange assortment of names assigned to Mauritian
mountains.
Montagne
Blanche is sometimes cloaked in a
misty shroud, Montagne Ory was originally named Montagne du Riz
as rice was once cultivated there, Montagne Laselle is shaped like a
saddle, Montagne du Chat looks like a cat resting, Montagne du Lion
resembles the king of the jungles when viewed from not just one but from two
different angles and Pieter Both is named after a famous Dutch navigator. The Deux
Mamelles and Trois Mamelles mountains can only resemble human female
breasts in the most fertile of minds and the Morne Brabant, the sulking
monolith in the extreme south west of the island, will always be imbued with
the tragic fate of runaway slaves.
There
are over 30 mountain ranges and mountains as well as hills and hillocks in
Mauritius varying in height from the 101 metres Forbach Hill to the Piton de
la Petite Rivi?re Noire which at 828 metres stands taller than the more
famous 820 metres high Pieter Both.
Rs2 - Le Pouce
Clench
your fist with the thumb raised and its upper outline is exactly that of the Pouce Mountain as
seen from Port Louis. The thumb of this petrified giant's hand points to
the sky in the Moka Range. It is very popular with hikers and it can be climbed
to its highest point of 811 metres from Port Louis, Moka and St.
Pierre.
Rs7 - Corps de Garde
The
Corps de Garde Mountain resembles a figure with an impressive nose lying down
.... on sentry duty. It is solidly bulky and overlooks Quatre Bornes and Rose
Hill. On a clear dawn the rays of the rising sun reflects a rosy hue on the
basaltic rock-face hence the origin of the name of the town of Rose Hill. The
highest point is 720 metres.
Rs8 - Le Chat et La Souris
The
peak
of Le Chat et La Souris as the name conjures, bears a strange resemblance to a
cat subjugating a rat. It is found in the Grand Port Range in the east of the island.
Rs25 - Piton du Milieu
The
Piton du Milieu as the name implies simply squats, screwed down firmly, in the
centre of the island. It is a striking although not a particularly high
finger-like rock of 589 metres located about seven kilometers east of Curepipe.
MAIN MOUNTAINS OF MAURITIUS
Calebasses Mountain - 632 metres
Mountain La Terre - 504 metres
Mountain Blanche - 532 metres
Mountain du Rempart - 545 metres
Les Trois Mamelles - 666 metres
Tourelle du Tamarin - 548 metres
Curepipe Point - 686 metres
Mountain Lagrave - 638 metres
Lion Mountain - 480 metres
Le Morne Brabant - 555 metres
Piton Savanne - 704 metres
Piton du Fouge - 596 metres
Mountain Ranges
Moka Range
Black River Range
Grand Port Range
Savanne Range
First Day Cover
The First Day Cover is illustrated with a map of Mauritius showing the location
of the mountains.
Technical Details
Designer : Derek Miller
Printer : De La Rue Security Print
Stamp Size : 27.94 x 44.45mm
Perforation : 14
Gum : PVA
Paper : CA Watermarked
Sheet Format : 50 stamps set in two panes of 25
Release Date : 11 March 2004
Denominations : Rs2, Rs7, Rs8, Rs25
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