In a ranking system where market size carries weight, it may come as some surprise that such a tiny island could outperform every other economy on the continent. But Mauritius boasts one of Africa’s most stable political systems and one of its most transparent business environments. It also stands out for its comparatively good infrastructure, low trade barriers and high levels of public education.

Many know Mauritius as a vacation spot; it boasts white sands, clear waters, palm trees and hundreds of hotels. This nation of 788 square miles, or 2,040 square kilometers, was uninhabited until the Dutch took it over in 1598. The slow influx of people eventually wiped out the famous dodo bird, which was native to the island, though plenty of rare plants and animals still exist there today. Mauritius — which is located in the Indian Ocean some 1,200 miles from the southeastern coast of Africa — is now home to 1.3 million people and a variety of ethnic groups, which coexist peacefully, although discrimination — particularly against descendants of African slaves, many of whom live in poverty — remains a problem.

Climate change is another concern. Some areas of the country are at risk of literally going under water as sea levels rise and extreme weather events like cyclones and floods become more frequent. Read more at International Business Times.