town, the second largest settlement on the island of Mauritius, in the western Indian Ocean. It lies on the western slope of the island, just south of Port Louis, the capital. The town was originally two separate communities, Beau Bassin and Rose Hill, but these have now merged into one, as a consequence of the rapidly increasing island population. The town is a busy market and shopping centre and a residential suburb. The British Council Library is located in Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, along with some secondary schools and law courts. Pop. (1983 est.) 87,520.