Located 2,400 kilometres from the southeastern coast of Africa, Mauritius is an island nation and tourist paradise in the Indian Ocean. It is part of the Mascarenhas Archipelago along with Rodrigues Island and French Reunion, sharing with them a common geologic origin. The official language in Mauritius is English with French being in more common everyday usage. Dotting the Indian Ocean to the south of the Indian subcontinent, the Maldives is a group of over a thousand tiny islands and atolls. Offering its visitors luxurious pampering combined with beauty and seclusion, the Maldive islands are a popular romantic destination for newlyweds and other holidaymakers."