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The Maldives, Sri Lanka, Seychelles and Mauritius are popular holiday destinations for wealthy tourists.
In this four part series, Robin White visits these four island nations, to find out what is life is really like for people who live there.
Part Three - Seychelles, Bankrolling Paradise
The Seychelles is as close to paradise as you can get but there are dark clouds appearing on the horizon.
It is one of the most debt ridden countries in the world, where people have been enjoying amazingly generous social service benefits.
From free education and health care to subsidised housing.
However, with sudden increases in fuel and food prices, the socialist policies of this nation may have to be rethought.
Political history
A year after independence in 1976, the Seychelles appeared to be heading down the path of instability which has plagued many African states.
The prime minister, France Albert Rene, overthrew the president, James Mancham, and embarked on a programme aimed at giving poorer people a greater share of the country's wealth.
Mr Rene restored multi-party democracy in 1991, after pressure from foreign creditors and aid donors.
James Michel succeeded France Albert Rene, who led the country for almost three decades before stepping down in April 2004
In July 2006 Mr Michel won a five-year term in presidential elections.
Culture
There are on 87,000 people living in the country, the majority of whom are descendents of slaves, sea-farers and colonialists.
They economy of the Seychelles is simple, they export tuna and import tourists.
In the current economic climate tourism is being hit hard with Air Seychelles facing hard times as the cost of fuel increases.
It is a matriarchal society where marriage and commitment is very rare.
The huge number of unmarried mothers is causing a burden on the state as they have to financially support these children.
Heroin is also a growing problem and on a social level, theft is increasing as people struggle to fund their drug habit.
Join Robin on his journey as he travels around this paradise nation looking at the politics, the struggling economy and the boom in unmarried mothers.
