Mauritius, a volcanic island of lagoons and
palm-fringed beaches in the Indian Ocean, has a reputation for stability
and racial harmony among its mixed population of Asians, Europeans and
Africans.
The island has maintained one of the developing world's most
successful democracies and has enjoyed years of constitutional order.
It has preserved its image as one of Africa's few social and economic success stories.
Once reliant on sugar as its main crop export, Mauritius was
hit by the removal of European trade preferences but has successfully
diversified into textiles, upmarket tourism, banking and business
outsourcing.
The strategy helped the island's economy weather the world financial crisis of 2008-9 better than expected.
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At a glance
- Politics: Navin Ramgoolam became premier in July 2005, having already held the post from 1995 to 2000. Changing coalitions are a feature of politics
- Economy: Political stability and efforts to diversify have helped Mauritius become one of Africa's most prosperous economies.
- International: Mauritius claims the Chagos Islands, administered by Britain and home to a US military base on Diego Garcia
Various cultures and traditions
flourish in peace, though Mauritian Creoles, descendants of African
slaves who make up a third of the population, live in poverty and
complain of discrimination.
Mauritius was uninhabited when the Dutch took possession in
1598. Abandoned in 1710, it was taken over by the French in 1715 and
seized by the British in 1810.
It gained independence in 1968 as a constitutional monarchy,
with executive power nominally vested in the British monarch. It became a
republic in 1992.
The island of Rodrigues and other smaller islets also form part of the country.
Mauritius claims sovereignty over the Chagos islands, which
lie around 1,000 km to the north-east. The British territory, which was
separated from Mauritius in 1965, is home to the US military base on
Diego Garcia. The British government oversaw the forced removal of the
Chagos islanders to Mauritius to make way for the base.
The country is home to some of the world's rarest plants and
animals. But human habitation and the introduction of non-native species
have threatened its indigenous flora and fauna.
The dodo - a flightless bird and a national symbol - was hunted into extinction in the 17th century.
Mauritius is home to some rare plants and animals 
