Mauritius, an Indian Ocean archipelago that holds its general election on Wednesday, is seen as a regional beacon of stability and economic prosperity.
Here are some basic facts.
- GEOGRAPHY: Mauritius is comprised of four volcanic islands and lies roughly 1,800 kilometres (1,100 miles) off the eastern coast of Africa. The main island, Mauritius, covers 1,865 square kilometres (720 square miles).
Mauritius also claims the Chagos archipelago, a British overseas territory that hosts a key US military base on Diego Garcia.
- CAPITAL: Port-Louis
- POPULATION: 1.3 million (World Bank - 2013).
Hindus comprise the predominant religion, followed by Christians and Muslims.
Languages spoken include Arabic, Creole, English, French, Hindi, Marathi and Tamil.
- HISTORY: Known to the Arabs as early as the 10th century, the islands were "discovered" by Portuguese sailors in the early 16th century.
The name Mauritius derives from of Prince Maurice van Nassau, after the Dutch settled there in 1598. They left in 1712.
French settlers arrived three years later, before Britain took possession of the islands in 1810 and held them until their independence in 1968.
- POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS: Parliamentary democracy.
Mauritius was briefly a monarchy from 1968 to 1972, with the Queen of England as head of state. It became a republic in 1992 and Cassam Uteem was designated as the first president.
In the 2000 general election, an alliance of the Mouvement Militant Socialiste (MSM) and the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM) won a clear victory.
In May 2010, a coalition of the Labour Party led by current Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam and the Parti Mauricien Social Democrate (PMSD) won the legislative elections.
Another key coalition is the Alliance Lepep, led by former president Anerood Jugnauth.
The parliament was dissolved in October 2014 under an agreement between the Labour Party and MMM to amend the constitution and provide for the direct election of the president.
President Kailash Purryag, was elected by parliament members in July 2012, and while his post is mostly ceremonial, constitutional modifications would also reinforce the position.
- ECONOMY: The economy is based mainly on textiles, sugar, tourism and financial services. In the early 1990s, the island emerged as a regional economic success story. Subsequent drops in sugar prices and increased competition in the textile sector have weighed on business activity however.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $11.94 billion (World Bank - 2013).
Per capita Gross National Income (GNI): $9,300 (World Bank 2013), one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.
Unemployment: 8.3 percent (CIA World Factbook - 2013).