The stunning island in Africa is a favourite among tourists, and it's also the most overcrowded country on the continent.

Aerial view of Mauritius island

A country that's roughly 1,100 nautical miles off the coast of East Africa is the most overcrowded (Image: Getty)

Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean that is roughly 1,100 nautical miles off the southeastern coast of East Africa - east of Madagascar.

The tropical paradise nation has the highest population density level in Africa as of 2023.

With only 640 inhabitants per square kilometer, Mauritius also has one of the smallest territories on the continent, which contributes to its major density levels.

The main island of Mauritius hosts the capital and largest city, Port Louis.

Mauritius spans 790 square miles and has a remarkable 1.2million population.

Port Louis town

Mauritius's largest city which population is most concentrated at is in Port Louis (Image: Getty)

A number of factors are owed to Maritius’s major overcrowded status - including a population surge after the eradication of malaria.

Finally overcoming the devastating effects of the disease led to a population boom prior to any effective family planning initiatives being introduced in the country.

Other factors include the region having a relatively small landmass and a large population stemming from historical immigration waves.

Despite its overcrowded status, international visitors have not been deterred from visiting this paradise spot with over one million tourists visiting each year.

Underwater Scene With Tropical Fish. Snorkeling in the tropical sea

Mauritius's rich marine life and tropical waters makes it an ideal sunny getaway spot (Image: Getty)

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The list of the 10 African countries for population density are:

  1. Mauritius
  2. Rwanda
  3. Burundi
  4. Comoros
  5. Seychelles
  6. Nigeria
  7. São Tomé and Príncipe
  8. Gambia
  9. Uganda
  10. Malawi

Mauritius is widely considered as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, rising from the vast Indian Ocean and boasting an abundance of stunning beaches.

With its warm climate, crystal-clear turquoise waters, dramatic mountains, waterfalls and lush green interior, it's easy to see why so many flock here.

A sun-drenched getaway here is as close to paradise as you can get and is ideal for both beach relaxation and outdoor activities including water sports and hiking.

Mauritius is also home to a diverse marine life thanks to the region’s surrounding coral reefs and tropical climate making it the ideal spot for scuba diving or snorkelling.