Agaléga

Agaléga - A Coral Atoll North of Mauritius

Discovery and Early History

Agaléga was officially discovered by the Portuguese shortly after Vasco de Gama's journey in 1498, which allowed access to the Indian peninsula's wealth. The island was named "Ilha Gallega" by Juan de Nova, a navigator of Galician origin, in 1501 to honor his homeland.  The island had few attractions for its early visitor and overlooked for over two centuries.  In 1758, during an expedition by Governor Mahé de La Bourdonnais, Agaléga was annexed to the French possessions in the Indian Ocean. The island was administratively part of the Isle de France for half a century.  In 1814, alongside the Isle de France, Agaléga was transferred to the United Kingdom and subsequently ceded to Mauritius after the end of British colonization. Agaléga is managed by a company of the State of Mauritius, the Outer Island Development Company (OIDC). The company delegates a resident manager, a kind of steward, who is the supreme authority on the two islets. 

Despite its modest size and limited land for development, Agaléga is considered one of Mauritius's principal dependencies, mainly due to its fishing rights and potential underwater resources, which are significant to its economic value.  The economy of the archipelago is based primarily on the exportation of coconut oil.

Geographic Description

• Proximity: Located over 1050 km north of Port Louis, Mauritius at 10°24'54''S 56°38'06''E.
• Location and Orientation: Agaléga consists of two low-lying islands stretched along a northwest-southeast axis, enclosed by an atoll.
• Northern Section - North Island: Characterized by a narrow strip of land, 12.5 km long and 1 to 1.5 km wide, which widens at the southern end near 'La Passe'.
• Southern Section - Souht Island:  Pear-shaped island, approximately 7 kilometers long and 4.5 kilometers wide.
• Separation: The two islands are divided by a shallow strip of water about 1 km wide, passable on foot during low tide.
• Significant Sites: Grande Montagne represents the island's maximal expansion and houses the administrative headquarters and a significant human settlement at La Fourche due to its proximity to the only natural anchorage.
• Land area: Approximately 26 km²
• Lagoon area: Enclosed by the reef, ranging from 25 to 100 meters wide
• Total reef area: ~100 km²
• Access: For a long time, contact with the outside world was limited to a single discontinuity in the reef, the anchorage of Saint James (North Island).  It was not until the late 1980s that a landing strip was constructed (North Island), facilitating year-round air travel with Mauritius and enhancing the island's accessibility.

Geomorphological Features

• Geology: Agaléga is a coral atoll  with the two main islands encircled by a fringing coral reef.
• Terrain Stability: The northern part of the island showcases a stable terrain that is resistant to the disturbances caused by cyclones, characterized by the loosely fixed sand being reworked.
• Southern Features: The south displays more limited dune development with some areas descending below sea level, around the 'Grande Montagne', a consolidated dune complex that emerges as a significant relief feature despite its modest height.

Climate 

(Data sources: Government of Mauritius 2005, Mauritius Meteorological Services 2010)

Agaléga experiences a hot, torrid, and humid tropical climate.

Temperature: There is minimal seasonal variation in temperature.

• Average summer temperature: 27.4 degrees Celsius
• Average winter temperature: 25.6 degrees Celsius

Rainfall: Agaléga receives rainfall year-round despite its low elevation.

• Long-term annual average rainfall: 1,710 mm
• Summer (wetter): Receives 1,170 mm, accounting for 68% of total rainfall
• Winter (drier): Receives around 540 mm annually
• Wettest month: January
• Driest month: September 

Population and Economy

• Population: Agaléga has a small population of approximately 360 inhabitants.
• Largest settlement (Capital): Vingt-Cinq (North Island)
• Coconut plantation is the primary economic activity on the islands.
• Fishing: While not a regular activity, fishing provides seafood for local consumption.

Biodiversity

• Vegetation: Mangrove swamps cover both North and South Island. The terrain supports an artificially maintained forest comprising coconut trees, casuarinas, and other local flora. The herbaceous fauna is sparse.
• Wildlife: Terrestrial fauna is limited. However, the Ibis is a unique bird found on Agaléga and a specific variety of lizards named "Pelsuma agalegae".
• Marine life: The surrounding coral reef supports a rich marine ecosystem.