Mauritius, independent island republic in the western Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Mauritius is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The nation includes the island of Mauritius, with an area of 1,865 sq km (720 sq mi); the island of Rodrigues (109 sq km/42 sq mi) to the east; the Agalega islands to the north; and the St Brandon Group (also known as the Cargados Carajos Shoals) to the north-east, which have a combined area of 71 sq km (27 sq mi). The nation has a total area of 2,045 sq km (790 sq mi). The capital of Mauritius is Port Louis.