Mauritius is an independent island republic in the western Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. The country includes the island of Mauritius, with an area of 1865 sq km (720 sq mi); the island of Rodrigues (104 sq km/40 sq mi) to the east; and the Agalega Islands to the north; and the Cargados Carajos Shoals to the northeast, which have a combined area of 71 sq km (27 sq mi). The country has a total area of 2040 sq km (788 sq mi).