Metric System

Luckily, Mauritius uses the metric system – that is, basic units such as litre, meter, or gram, and then systematic derivations thereof, denoted by modifiers like kilo, milli, Mega – and not the imperial system with gallons, yards, and all the related craziness. Not crazy being another system, but no system.

One gallon = four quarts = eight pints = 16 cups = 128 ounces. OK, there’s a system that I can relate to, also considering the historical context regarding the nomenclature.

But one mile = 1,760 yards. One yard = three feet. One Foot = twelve inches. Don’t get it.

Only half serious of course! But I am happy that the French heritage has won here. Mauritius was a French colony before the English took over in 1810. Actually, keeping the French language and law was France’s condition to surrender to Britain. During the Napoleonic Wars, Mauritius had became a base from which French corsairs organised successful raids on British commercial ships. Finally, the Brits got fed up and invaded the island.