Port Mathurin
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The village of Port Mathurin serves as the capital of the island of Rodrigues, a dependency of Mauritius. It lies on the north coast of the Indian-Ocean island and functions as the administrative, judicial and economic centre of Rodrigues. As the name suggests, it also operates the main harbour of the island. The two ships of the Mauritius Cargo Handling Corporation, namely MV Mauritius Pride and Mauritius Trochetia, anchor here five times every month.
François Leguat and the first French settlers on the island landed on 1 May 1691 at the site of the future village, which French colonists founded in 1735. The place takes its name from that of an early French settler: either Mathurin Bréhinier or Mathurin Morlaix.
In 1901 Port Mathurin became home to offices for the Britain-Australia undersea cable.
Port Mathurin currently has a population of around 6,000 people. Sights include its market, while the town also has the island's only bus station and a viewpoint on Mount Fanal, south of the town. There is a Roman Catholic Church, an Anglican Church, as well as a small mosque.
The village has a single secondary school: Rodrigues College. (Other colleges operate in other villages around the island, namely Le Chou, Marechal, Grand Montagne, Mont Lubin and Citron Donis.)
Port Mathurin proper occupies a very small area, and neighbouring settlements include Fond La Digue, Montagne Fanal, Pointe Monier, Camp du Roi and Baie Lascar.
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