Map of the Month: Rodriques, Cargados Carajos, and Agalega
Map boundaries: 10 to 20 degrees South; 56 to 64 degrees East
Country: Mauritius
Overview
The southern part of the Mascarene Plateau, the largest submerged bank in the world, is covered with seagrass and interspersed with coral reefs. The plateau extends from north to south roughly along the 60th meridian, and is mostly underwater. Mauritius, home of the dodo, and associated islets are on the southern part of this plateau. North from Mauritius are the shallow banks of the Mascarene Plateau, extending for 1000 miles to the north. From south to north, the shallower parts of the plateau are known as Soudan Banks, Cargados Carajos Shoals, Nazareth Banks, and Saya de Malha. Saya de Malha was an island until the last ice age. Its shallowest point is 8 meters deep.
The islands near Mauritius include Round Island, Flat Island, Gabriel Island, Gunner’s Quoin, Pigeon Rock, and Serpent Island. These islands are notable for bird life such as tropicbirds, puffins, and petrels; as well as rare reptiles. Round Island contains the sole relict of the palm savanna vegetation of Mauritius, as well as large numbers of seabirds. Continue reading