The island nation of the Republic of Maldives is located in the Indian nation. Maldives comprises 1,192 islets. The archipelago of Maldives is situated in the south-west of Sri Lanka and south of the Lakshadweep islands of India. Malé is the capital of Maldives. Among the 1,192 islets, only 250 islands are inhabited. It is the smallest country in Asia capturing total 300 sq km area on the surface of the world. Maldives is also the smallest Muslim country in the world.
HISTORY:- Maldives was under the rule of Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka). The Buddhist seafaring people from India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) were the earliest inhabitants of Maldives in the 5th century BC. During the reign of Indian King Ashoka in 12th century, Buddhism became the dominant religion in Maldives. In Accordance with the myth, Islam was introduced in the land in 1153 and an independent Muslim sultanate started governing Maldives since then. The British established protectorate in Maldives in 1887 under the Ceylon dependency. In 1953, a brief republic was declared ending the reign of centuries-long Sultanate in Maldives. But in the year 1954, the Sultanate re-asserted the power. British occupation was ended in 1965. In 1968, the monarchy of Maldives was abolished with the declaration of republic. Ibrahim Nasir became the first president of independent state of Maldives.
GEOGRAPHY:- Maldives is located at 3 15 N, 73 00 E in Southern Asia. Maldives is composed of 1190 small coral atolls in the Indian Ocean. These atolls jointly possess total 300 sq km area. The coastline is 644 km long along the Indian Ocean. The lowest point is Indian Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is an unnamed location on Wilingili Island in the Addu Atoll (2.4 m). The terrain of Maldives is mostly flat with white sandy beaches.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Maldives is predominantly tropical, hot, humid and dry except for the two rainy seasons; the northeast monsoon (November to March) and southwest monsoon (June to August).
GOVERNMENT:- Maldives is a republic. The constitution was adopted on 1st January 1998. The legal system is based on a blend of the Islamic law and the English common law. The three major branches of the government and their higher officials are as follows:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state and head of government), and cabinet. The president in elected on a 5-year term on the nomination of the Majlis. The cabinet ministers are appointed by the president.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the High Court.
Adalath Party, Dhivehi Raiyyethunge Party, Islamic Democratic Party, Maldivian Democratic Party are the principal political parties of Maldives. Suffrage is universally imposed at the age of 18.
Adalath Party, Dhivehi Raiyyethunge Party, Islamic Democratic Party, Maldivian Democratic Party are the principal political parties of Maldives. Suffrage is universally imposed at the age of 18.
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Minister of Defense and National Security Ismail Shafeeu
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Jaleel
Minister of Finance and Treasury Qasim Ibrahim
Minister of Home Affairs Abdullah Kamal Deen
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Shahid
Minister of Defense and National Security Ismail Shafeeu
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Jaleel
Minister of Finance and Treasury Qasim Ibrahim
Minister of Home Affairs Abdullah Kamal Deen
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Shahid
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Administratively Maldives is divided into 19 atolls and a capital city (Malé).
The atolls are: Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, and Vaavu.
The atolls are: Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, and Vaavu.
CULTURE:- The influences of the Sri Lankan and south Indian cultures are prominent in the Maldivian culture. African elements are also noticed in the cultural activities of Maldives.
ECONOMY:- Tourism is the leading industry of Maldives, accounting for 28% of the total GDP and more than 60% of the total foreign currency earning. Fishing is the major source of employment in Maldives.
GDP/PPP (2002 est.): $1.25 billion; per capita $3,900.
Real growth rate: –5.5%.
Inflation: 5.6%.
Unemployment: negl. (2003 est.).
Arable land: 13%.
Agriculture: Coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish.
Labor force: 88,000 (2000); agriculture 22%, industry 18%, services 60% (1995).
Industries: Fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining.
Natural resource: fish.
Budget:
Revenues: $508 million (including foreign grants)
Expenditures: $671 million (2006 est.)
Revenues: $508 million (including foreign grants)
Expenditures: $671 million (2006 est.)
Economic aid – recipient: $66.83 million (2005)
Debt - external: $482 million (2006 est.)
Exports: $123 million f.o.b. (2004 est.); fish, clothing.
Exports - partners: Thailand 33.1%, UK 14.3%, Sri Lanka 11.9%, Japan 10.3%, France 6.9%, Algeria 6.1% (2006)
Imports: $567 million f.o.b. (2004 est.): petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, textiles, clothing, intermediate and capital goods.
Imports - partners: Singapore 23.2%, UAE 15.8%, India 11.1%, Malaysia 7.9%, Thailand 6.9%, Sri Lanka 5.7% (2006)
Major trading partners: U.S., Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, UK, Germany, Singapore, UAE, India, Malaysia, Bahrain (2004).
Monetary unit: Rufiya
LANGUAGE:- Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic) is the official language of Maldives. English is also widely spoken in official affairs by the government officials.
CITIES:- The capital Malé is the largest city of Maldives.
POPULATION:- The population of Maldives is estimated 369,031 with a growth rate of 2.7%.
Density per sq mi: 3,186
Literacy rate: 97% (2003 est.)
Density per sq mi: 3,186
Literacy rate: 97% (2003 est.)
RACE:- Mostly South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs reside in the islands of Maldives.
RELIGION:- The only religion is Islam (Sunni) in Maldives.
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 33.61 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.71 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 51.62 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.12 years
Total fertility rate: 4.66 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2004): 878
Birth rate: 33.61 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 6.71 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 51.62 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.12 years
Total fertility rate: 4.66 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2004): 878
UNICEF:- In 2004 disastrous tsunami, 9 atolls were completely flooded and 13 atolls were completely destroyed. Major to industries of Maldives- tourism and fisheries were badly affected by the whimsical waves of Indian Ocean. UNICEF helps in the recovery process in the tsunami-affected areas of Maldives.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: n.a.; paved: n.a.; unpaved: n.a.
Ports and harbors: Gan, Malé.
Airports: 5 (2002).
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: n.a.; paved: n.a.; unpaved: n.a.
Ports and harbors: Gan, Malé.
Airports: 5 (2002).
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