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. 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. 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.