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Forbes
23-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Retire In Mauritius: Spots For A Vibrant Lifestyle From $1,400 A Month
Black River beach, Tamarin, Mauritius, Mascarene Islands. (Photo by: Ken Welsh) Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images With its stunning beaches, clear, turquoise waters, high-quality health care, an English-speaking population, and tax benefits, it's little wonder that Mauritius is a growing retirement destination. This island country is located off the eastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, about 500 miles east of Madagascar, and it's volcanic in origin. It's almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs, making this an idyllic destination for those seeking nature. Mauritius has a maritime subtropical climate, with uniform temperatures throughout the year. At sea level, they stay within the mid-70s F. In mountainous areas it's 60s-plus F. Retirees looking for outdoor activities such as golf, sailing, diving, and beach relaxation will find Mauritius highly attractive. Private health care is of high-quality and at a lower cost than the United States. In terms of safety, it has a stable democracy and low crime rate, and is often regarded as one of the most peaceful African countries. Although the official language is English, most of the population speaks three or four languages, and French and Mauritian Creole are widely spoken as well. This is a multicultural country, and Americans find it easy to integrate. Mauritius boasts diverse cuisine, festivals and activities, and varied lifestyles. A couple can live comfortably here on $1,400 to $3,500 per month, depending on your lifestyle. If you live like a local, you'll pay the lower end of the scale. Imported goods and high-end items are expensive and can raise your monthly costs considerably. Retirees living in Mauritius that are only living off foreign pensions or savings (not working or running a business in Mauritius) are not taxed on that income unless you remit it to the country. If the money is transferred to Mauritius, it is subject to a flat 15% income tax. In Mauritius, there is no capital gains tax, and it applies to the sale of stocks, real estate, or other assets (foreign or local). Inheritance tax was abolished in 2005, but the U.S. estate tax rules still apply for American citizens, and U.S. filings could be necessary. The country also has no wealth tax or annual property tax. However, if you buy property, you may be subject to land transfer tax or registration duties, as well as municipal taxes for services. Mauritius has tax treaties with 46 countries, but the United States is not one of them, so American retirees are still liable for U.S. taxes on worldwide income. Visa And Residency Options In Mauritius For Retirees You have a couple of options if you're looking for a retirement visa in Mauritius. If you are more than 50 years old and can guarantee minimum income of $1,500 per month or can prove availability of funds of a minimum $18,000 per year from your country of origin, you are eligible for the 10-year Residence Permit. After three consecutive years of maintaining this permit, you can apply for the 20-year Permanent Residence Permit. With this visa, you can invest in any business as long as you're not employed in the business and do not enjoy any salary of employment benefits from this business. You can also acquire residency in Mauritius through several government-approved schemes, like the Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS), Property Development Scheme (PDS), and Real Estate Scheme (RES). You are eligible by investing in a property with a minimum value of $375,000. As long as you're the owner of the property, you and your dependents can keep residency in Mauritius with no mandatory stay requirement. Top Spots To Retire In Mauritius 1. Grand Baie Grand Baie is the most developed and cosmopolitan town on the island. It has a strong expat community mostly made up of French, British, South African, and more recently, North American retirees. It's ideal for retirees who enjoy a varied gastronomy scene, beach clubs, boating, golf, and a walkable town. Plus, there's a good choice of cafés, bars, shopping malls, and private clinics. The expats who live here tend to live in gated communities. In Grand Baie, power outages or water cuts are not uncommon, especially during heavy rains. Also, even though private medical facilities are available, traffic congestion in and out of the town is considerable, and it's something to keep in mind when considering health care access and errands to these facilities. If you're looking for a place that feels exotic and different from home, Grand Baie might not fit the bill. Several areas have a U.S.-style and feel, purposefully built as such. To experience a local lifestyle, you would need to get out of the expat bubble. Grand Baie is for retirees who mostly want conveniences, lots of activity, and live in a Western-style environment. A couple can live a comfortable lifestyle in Grand Baie with a monthly budget of $1,500 to $2,500. 2. Flic En Flac The coastal town of Flic en Flac is still lively, but for those looking for something quieter in comparison to Grand Baie. This town is known for its stunning sunsets and long, white-sand beaches. Retirees looking for a good balance of relaxation and access to social life will thrive in Flic en Flac. This area of the island has less humidity and more sunshine than the east or south of Mauritius. There's a good mix of cafés, restaurants, bars, a mall, an international school, private clinics, and gyms. If you're an outdoor enthusiast, you can enjoy plenty of areas to hike, snorkel, paddleboard, golf, or just stroll along the beach. Currently, there's a growing number of retiree meetups and fitness clubs, for activities like yoga by the beach or aqua-aerobics, that are often led by European expats. Public transportation here is easy and reliable, with frequent buses for numerous routes—you wouldn't need a car if you lived here. It's worth noting that the beach is popular with locals and tourists, so it can get fairly crowded on the weekends. It can be fun, but might not be for you if you're looking for a peaceful day. When finding a home here, consider a property that's not on the beachfront if you want quiet weekends. This town is slightly more affordable than Grand Baie. A couple can live a comfortable lifestyle with a monthly budget of $1,400 to $2,200 a month. 3. Tamarin This is the most upscale town from the list, and it's an area favored by retirees and expats who want privacy, ocean views, and be close to wildlife. Tamarin is popular with those interested in eco-living, golfing, and outdoor adventures. The town is known for its modern gated communities, upmarket villas, and smart city projects. Many of these can make you eligible for residency through property investment. Whenever you don't want to participate in outdoor activities, you still have your fair share of quality cafés, high-end restaurants, boutique shops, yoga centers, and organic markets to spend your time in. You can also find private medical clinics. If you decide to live close to Black River Gorges and Tamarin Valley, common visitors to your home may include wild monkeys, deer, and tropical birds. While this can be charming, it means that you might need to monkey-proof certain areas of your home if you have pets, gardens, or solar panels that you would like to keep intact. Plus, although Tamarin is an eco-lover haven, it lacks the walkability of Grand Baie or the bus access of Flic en Flac. You will need a car, but many retirees opt for compact hybrids or even electric scooters to get around. A couple can live a comfortable life here with a monthly budget of $2,000 to $3,500. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Escape The Crowds At These Portuguese Beaches Only The Locals Know By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes Retiring Abroad On A Military Pension—3 Expat Havens For U.S. Veterans By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes Beat The Summer Heat In These 6 Cool-Weather Havens By Kathleen Peddicord
AllAfrica
12-02-2025
- Politics
- AllAfrica
Map wars in the Middle East
Maps are ubiquitous – on phones, in-flight and car displays, and in textbooks the world over. While some maps delineate and name territories and boundaries, others show different voting blocs in elections, and GPS devices help drivers navigate to their destination. But no matter the purpose, all maps have something in common: They are political. Making maps is about making decisions about what to omit and what to include. They are subject to selection, classification, abstractions and simplifications. And studying the choices that go into maps, as I do, can reveal different stories about land and the people who claim it as theirs. Nowhere is this more true than in the contested regions that today include modern-day Israel and the Palestinian territories. Since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, different governmental and nongovernmental organizations and political interest groups have engaged in what can best be described as 'map wars.' Maps of the region use the naming of places, the position of borders and the inclusion or omission of certain territories to present contrasting geopolitical visions. To this day, Israel or the Palestinian territories may fall off some maps, depending on the politics of their makers. A lot has changed since the publication of this 1750 map of Palestine. Map: Ken Welsh / Design Pics / Universal Images Group via Getty Images / The Conversation This is not exclusive to the Middle East – 'map wars' are underway across the globe. Some of the more well-known examples include disputes between Ukraine and Russia, Taiwan and China, and India and China. All are engaged in controversies over the territorial integrity of nation-states. Traditionally, maps have been used to represent cosmologies, cultures and belief systems. By the 17th century, maps that represented spatial relations within a given territory beaome important to the making of nation-states. Such official maps helped annex territories and determine property rights. Indeed, to map a territory meant to know and control it. More recently, the tools for making maps have become more broadly accessible. Anyone with a computer and internet access can now make and share 'alternative maps' that present different visions of a territory and make varied geopolitical claims. And maps produced in a conflict region, such as Israel and the Palestinian territories, tell a rich story about the relationship between mapmaking and politics. Mapping the Middle East During the British Mandate of Palestine from 1917 to 1947, British surveyors mapped the territories to exercise their control over the land and its people. It was an attempt to supersede the more informal Ottoman land claims of the time. By the founding of Israel in 1948, only about 20% of the total area of what is known as historic Palestine had been mapped – a fact that has fueled land disputes to this day. The British mapping efforts and their omissions enabled the newly established state of Israel to declare most of the territories as state land, thereby delegitimizing Palestinian land claims. A map shows the shaded areas of the Arab state recommended by the U.N. Special Committee on Palestine in 1947. The unshaded areas are parts of the proposed Jewish also helped build the Israeli state. Surveyors and planners mapped the land to allocate land rights, and they helped build the state's infrastructure, including roads and railroads. But maps also helped create a sense of nationhood. Maps representing a nation's shape by delineating its national borders are known as 'logo' maps. They can enhance feelings of national unity and a sense of national belonging. Once established, the Israeli state remade the maps of the region. An Israeli Governmental Names Commission came up with Hebrew names to replace formerly Arab and Christian names for different towns and villages on the official map of Israel. At the same time, formerly Palestinian topographies and places were omitted from the map. Some Palestinian mapmakers, however, continue to make maps that include Palestinian named sites and depict pre-1948 historic Palestine – an area that stretches from River Jordan in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. Such maps are used to advocate for Palestinians' right to land and foster a sense of national belonging. A Palestinian woman holds up a map of the British Mandate of Palestine during a protest in Gaza City on Feb. 27, 2020. Picture: Mohammed Abed / AFP via Getty Images / The Conversation At the same time, Palestinian cartographers who work with the Palestinian Authority – the government body that administers partial civil control over Palestinian enclaves in the West Bank – make official maps of the West Bank and Gaza in the hope of establishing a future state of Palestine. They align their maps with United Nations efforts to map the territories according to international law by demarking the West Bank and Gaza as separate from and as occupied by Israel. After the 1967 war between Israel and its Arab neighbors, Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza. As a result, map wars intensified, especially between different fractions within Israel. The left-wing 'peace camp,' which was dedicated to territorial compromises with the Palestinians, was pitted against an Israeli right wing committed to reclaiming the 'Promised Land' for ensuring Israeli security. Such incompatible geopolitical visions continue to be reflected in the maps produced. 'Peace camp' maps adhere to the delineation of the territories according to international law. For example, they include the Green Line – the internationally recognized armistice line between the West Bank and Israel. Official maps produced by the Israeli government, by contrast, stopped delineating the Green Line after 1967. Broader and border disputes Not only have different interest groups and political actors used maps of the region to put forth competing geopolitical claims, but maps have also played a central role in sporadic efforts to establish peace in the region. The 1993 Oslo Accords, for example, relied on maps to provide the framework for Palestinian self-rule in return for security for Israel. The aim was that after a five-year interim period, a permanent peace settlement would be negotiated based on the borders laid out in these maps. A map of the West Bank with proposed Palestinian-controlled areas in yellow, as per the Oslo II Accords. Map:Wikimedia Commons Consequently, Palestinian planners and surveyors mapped the territory allocated to a future state of Palestine. With the Oslo Accords promising only a future state – but with its borders and level of sovereignty still uncertain – Palestinian experts nevertheless continue to prepare for governing the territories by mapping them. The Oslo maps are used to this day to delineate geopolitical visions of Israel and a future state of Palestine that are based on international law. But for many Israelis, the Oslo vision of a two-state solution has died – the attack by Hamas, the Palestinian nationalist political organization that governs Gaza, on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, was its last blow. The subsequent war between Israel and Hamas, currently subject to a cease-fire, has from the outset involved maps. In December 2023, the Israeli military posted an online 'evacuation map' that divided the Gaza Strip into 623 zones. Palestinians could go online – provided they have access to electricity and internet in a territory plagued by blackouts – to find out whether their neighborhood was called upon to evacuate. Israeli military commanders used this map to decide where to launch airstrikes and conduct ground maneuvers. But the map served a political aim, too: to convince a skeptical world that Israel was taking care to protect civilians. Regardless, its introduction caused confusion and fear among Palestinians. Charting a way forward Maps aren't just for making sense of the past and present – they help people imagine the future, too. And different maps can reveal conflicting geopolitical visions. In January 2024, for example, various Israeli right-wing and settler organizations organized the Conference for the Victory of Israel. The aim was to plan for resettling Gaza and increase Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Speakers advocated for transferring Palestinians from the Strip to the Sinai through 'voluntary emigration.' With Jewish settlers planning for the return to Gaza, and speakers citing both the Bible and Israeli security for justifications, an oversized map showed the location of proposed Jewish settlements. A man takes a photo with a map showing the Gaza Strip with Jewish settlements during a convention calling to resettle the Gaza Strip on January 28, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel. Photo: Amir Levy / Getty Images via The Conversation Similarly, the Israeli Movement for Settlement in Southern Lebanon has published maps of planned Jewish settlements in Southern Lebanon. Such maps reveal the desire by some in Israel for a 'Greater Israel' – an area described in 1904 by Theodor Herzl, considered the father of modern-day Zionism, as spanning from the brook of Egypt to the Euphrates. Unsurprisingly, Palestinians make different maps for envisioning the future. Palestine Emerging – a Palestinian and international initiative that brings together various experts, organizations, and funders – uses maps that connect Gaza to the West Bank and the wider region. A map shows the proposed Gaza-West Bank corridor transport link. Palestine Emerging Their aim is to transform Gaza into a commercial hub for trade, tourism and innovation and to integrate it into the global economy. Accordingly, maps of urban projects, airports and seaports overlay the cartographic contours of Gaza; and a Gaza-West Bank corridor, which would be sealed for Israeli security, could connect the two geographically separate Palestinian territories. Such maps reflect the efforts by Palestinian stakeholders to continue surveying the territories that, since the Oslo Accords, were to make up the future state of Palestine. A new era of expansionist geopolitics With the current US administration more aligned with right-wing Israeli policies, maps of Greater Israel may guide what Hagit Ofran from Peace Now calls the beginning of a new 'Greater Israel' policy period. Seemingly upending the US government's long-standing policy of supporting a two-state solution in which Gaza would be part of a Palestinian state, Donald Trump on February 4, 2025, floated a plan for the US to 'take over' Gaza, moving its current inhabitants out and turning the enclave into ''the Riviera of the Middle East.' Such a move would amount to another attempt to remake borders across the Middle East. It would not, however, end the 'map wars' in Israel/Palestine. Christine Leuenberger is senior lecturer, Cornell University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
