Le Morne Brabant

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Le Morne Brabant on the Le Morne Peninsula

Le Morne Brabant is a peninsula at the extreme south-western tip of Mauritius and the most windward side on this island. It is highlighted by an eponymous single standing basaltic rock with a summit of 556 metres above sea level which belongs to the most imposing sights on Mauritius. The summit covers an area of more than 12 hectares. There are many overhang caves at the steep slopes. It is surrounded by a lagoon and is a famous tourist attraction. Here is also one of the last three refuges of one of the rarest plants in the world, the Mandrinette. Another rare plant which grows only on the sides of the mountain is Trochetia boutoniana. Le Morne Brabant Mountain was submitted to the candidate list of the World Heritage sites in 2003.

This hill became well-known in the 19th century when runaway slaves used Le Morne Brabant as hideaway. After the abolishment of the slavery on Mauritius a police expedition travelled to the rock to tell the slaves that they are free people. But the slaves misunderstood the expedition and jumped into the death.

The peninsula of Le Morne benefits from a micro-climate.