8
1. Match the features in column A with the advantages in column B.
Rivers and springs
to build houses
Animals
to keep their ships safe
Flat land
to get water for domestic use
Forests
to get fresh meat
The bay
to get seafood
The sea
to get building materials
Features
A
Advantages
B
2. The place where the Dutch settled had some natural disadvantages also.
With the help of your teacher, nd out and discuss about the natural disadvantages.
Source: P.J Moree
Pic. 2 Fort Frederik Hendrik
The Dutch built a fort at Vieux Grand Port to protect themselves.
They named it Fort Frederik Hendrik. They placed cannons near the fort.
Can you think why they placed cannons?
During their stay on the island, the Dutch made roads to link the port to a few places.
They built huts made of wood and palm leaves and cultivated the land.
ACTIVITY 1.2
1.3 the Dutch Activities in Mauritius: building a Fort
Do you remember that when the Dutch discovered Mauritius there were no people living
on the island? Let’s find out how and why settlement began in Mauritius.
After the Dutch discovered our island, they came here regularly for food and water and to
rest on their way to and from the East Indies. In 1638, forty years after their rst visit, the
Dutch decided to settle in Mauritius. Can you think why?
The Dutch were not the only people sailing in the Indian Ocean for trade. There were also
the British and the French. They too, stopped in Mauritius after travelling long distances
from their countries on their way to the East and back.
Mauritius was a good ‘stop-over’ for food and fresh water and to rest after long months at sea.
The Dutch were afraid that people from other countries could occupy the island. So, they
decided to settle on the island.
They settled at a place known today as Vieux Grand Port.
Observe Map 1. It shows the natural advantages offered by the place for settlement.
1.1 The Dutch Settle in Mauritius
1.2 Vieux Grand Port: THE First settlement on the island
A.
A good bay
and several
coves
B.
Plenty of
fresh water
from the
rivers
C.
Plenty of
animal life in
the forest
D.
Flat land
E.
Forests
A
E
Cove
(Anse Colas)
Forest
Forest
Forest
Forest
Flat land
Mt Lion
Sloping
land
Sloping
land
Grand Port
Bay
D
C
B
Fort
Frederik
Hendrik
N
map 1 Map OF GRAND PORT SHOWING NATURAL ADVANTAGES