Le Morne Brabant
Le Morne Brabant [lə mɔʁn bʁa.bɑ̃] is a peninsula at the extreme southwestern tip of the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. It is highlighted by an eponymous basaltic monolith with a summit 556 metres (1,824 ft) above sea level. The summit covers an area of over 12 hectares (30 acres). There are many caves and overhangs on the steep slopes. It is largely surrounded by a lagoon and is a well known tourist attraction. It is also a refuge for two rare plants, the Mandrinette and the Boucle d'Oreille. The peninsula of Le Morne benefits from a micro-climate. The mountain is named after the VOC-ship (Dutch East India Company) Brabant that ran aground here on 29 December 1783.
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
Le Morne Peninsula | |
| Location | Mauritius |
| Criteria | Cultural: (iii), (vi) |
| Reference | 1259bis |
| Inscription | 2008 (32nd Session) |
| Extensions | 2011 |
| Area | 3.496 km2 (863.9 acres) |
| Buffer zone | 24.05 km2 (5,942.9 acres) |
| Coordinates | 20°27′7″S 57°19′42″E |
Location of Le Morne Brabant in Mauritius | |
Le Morne Brabant Mountain was submitted to the candidate list of the World Heritage Sites in 2003. In 2008, the nomination process concluded when UNESCO added the site to the World Heritage List.