Przemiany gospodarcze i społeczne wyspy Rodrigues (Ocean Indyjski) od zasiedlenia do współczesności

The article periodizes the economic and social development of the island of Rodrigues since its settlement. Important conditions of development and ongoing changes in the context of the concept of sustainable development were presented. The fate of the island is a good example of the sensitivity of island environments and the irreversibility of destruction carried out in isolation from the principles of sustainable development and attempts to restore the state of equilibrium. Almost the entire land area was completely transformed and exploited during two centuries of settlement, despite the small population. A lagoon with a large area, strongly biodiverse remained rich. The depletion of resources has led the population and local authorities to change their development strategy, also thanks to Rodrigues’ autonomous status. Attempts have been made to implement sustainability. The small area of the island and its remoteness further stimulates the rate of this balancing. Rodrigues has become a base for sustainable tourism. Tourist traffic and accommodation base are growing slowly.