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___ Maldives |
![]() Diamonds Thudufushi Beach and Water Villas, a luxury resort on Thudufushi, Ari Atoll, Maldives. Image: Martin Falbisoner |
Destination Maldives, officially the Republic of the Maldives, a southern Asian chain of coral islands and atolls in the Indian Ocean. The atolls formed atop submarine mountain ridges [1]. The island nation shares maritime borders with India, Sri Lanka and the British Indian Ocean Territory (UK). One of the world's most dispersed countries is made up of about 1200 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls spread over an area of 90,000 km², that's about the size of Portugal, or an area slightly larger than that of the U.S. state of Minnesota. But the smallest Asian country covers a land area of just 298 km², making it about the size of Malta or less than twice the size of Washington DC. The Maldives has a population of about 347,000 inhabitants (in 2015). Capital and largest city is Male. Spoken language is Maldivian (Dhivehi), an Indo-Aryan language, spoken almost exclusively on the Maldives. Main religion is Islam (Sunni Muslim 98.4%) ![]() |
Republic of Maldives | Dhivehi Raajje |
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Official Name: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa short form: Dhivehi Raajje int'l long form: Republic of Maldives int'l short form: Maldives ISO Country Code: mv, MDV Time: Local Time = UTC +5h Actual Time: Fri-Dec-1 07:41 Country Calling Code: +960 Capital City: Male' Government: Type: Republic. Independence: 26 July 1965 (formerly a British protectorate). Constitution: 11 November 1968. Geography: Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India. Area: 298 km² (115 sq. mi.). Terrain: Flat coral islands. Climate: Hot and humid. People: Nationality: Maldivian(s). Population: 347,000 (2015). Ethnic groups: South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs. Religion: Sunni Islam. Languages: Dhivehi (official); many government officials speak English. Literacy: 98%. Natural resources: Fish, corals. Agriculture products: Coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish Industries: Tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining. Exports - commodities: fish Exports - partners: Thailand 18%, France 12.1%, Germany 10.7%, USA 9.6%, Italy 6.8%, UK 6.4%, Sri Lanka 5.9%, Japan 4.6% (2015) Imports - commodities: petroleum products, clothing, intermediate and capital goods Imports - partners: UAE 18.4%, Singapore 13.8%, China 10.6%, India 10.4%, Malaysia 7%, Sri Lanka 5.6%, Thailand 5% (2015) Currency: Rufiyaa (MVR) |
Political system The Maldives are a presidential representative democratic republic. Chief of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the Maldives National Defense Force is the president. The supreme legislative authority in the country is the People's Majlis, the parliament. Maldives' legal system is based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters. In 2008 a new constitution paved the way for first multi-party presidential elections. In October 2016 the Maldives announced to leave the Commonwealth. The constitution and other laws and policies restrict religious freedom and, in practice, the government enforced these restrictions. Restrictions were not enforced for foreign tourists on “uninhabited” resort islands. [4] Official Sites of MaldivesNote: External links will open in a new browser window.President's Office President of the Republic of Maldives. Republic of Maldives - the official website Website maintained by the Ministry of Information, Arts & Culture. People's Majlis The Parliament of the Republic of Maldives. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maldives Official website of the ministry. Diplomatic Missions: Permanent Mission of Maldives to the United Nations Office at Geneva Maldives' representation to the UN. Maldives Embassies List of Embassies of the Republic of Maldives. Weather Department of Meteorology Beside other meteorological information the site offers a weather forecast for the Maldives. Maps![]() Political and administrative map of Maldives. ![]() Searchable map and satellite view of Maldives. ![]() Searchable map and satellite view of the Maldives' capital. ![]() Map of the Southeast Asia region. ![]() Reference Map of Asia. |
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Maldives NewsIn August 2016 the Maldives parliament passed a law criminalizing defamation and allowing the authorities to close media outlets for “defamatory” content. According to RSF, the government of the Maldives continues to persecute the independent media. Maldivian journalists have been the targets of death threats [2]. Dhivehi Observer A news website that promotes freedom, democracy and rule of law in the Maldives. Maldives news, Maldives' oldest newspaper closed in 2016 after a controversial court into an ownership dispute. Miadhu daily National news posts. Maldives Independent English-language news website. Sun Maldives news (in Divehi). |
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![]() Mosque in Hulhumalé, an artificial island in the south of North Male Atoll. Image: Ibrahim Iujaz Arts & CultureThe National Museum of the Maldives Information about the Museum. National Centre for the Arts The National Centre for the Arts provides information about upcoming cultural events in the Maldives. National Art Gallery The website of the National Art Gallery with information about exhibitions, collections, artists, and events. National Library Official website of the library. (in Divehi and partly English) Maldives Culture The Australian based site is an independent internet magazine of Maldivian cultural issues. |
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Business & EconomyTourism is the largest industry in the Maldives, accounting for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts.Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) Maldives Central Bank. Bank of Maldives PLC The leading bank in the Maldives. Foreign Investment Services Bureau Invest Maldives is a government agency promoting, regulating and licensing foreign investments in the country. State Trading Organization PLC State Trading Organization website. Transportation Trans Maldivian Airways Originally called Hummingbird Island Helicopters, TMA is the oldest Air transfer operator in the Maldives. Maldives Airports Company Government owned company. |
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![]() The white sandy beaches of Maldives are threatened by marine litter, lots of plastic bottles and packets floating amidst the clear turquoise waters. Most of the inhabited islands stand in sad contrast to Maldives’ world-famous resorts. Along their white sandy shores, and around their little lanes, were heaps of garbage; piles of plastic bottles, nappies, tin cans, food packaging… you name it. [3] Image: Élite Diving Agency Travel and Tour Consumer Information
Destination Maldives - Travel and Tour GuidesDiscover Maldives 1190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls spread over 90,000 sq km. Each atoll in the Maldives is made of a coral reef encircling a lagoon, with deep channels dividing the reef ring. A string of islands take their places among this atoll ring; each island has its own reef encircling the island lagoon. Until recently, tourism was restricted to the Maldives resorts, built on uninhabited islands where all services are offered within the island, with no contact with the local people. Guests rarely move away from the resorts, managed mostly by foreign multinationals, whose revenues only minimally go to the local economy. ![]() Maldives travel information by the official site of the Ministry of Tourism. Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture The official website of the ministry offers also information about Maldives tourism. The Maldives.com A Maldives portal covering travel information, local business and social information. Maldives Tourism An information source for the Maldives travel and tourism. The Maldive Isles A Maldives visitor guide. Travel Letsgo Maldives Offers Maldives information and travel packages. |
![]() Maldives Resorts © Visit Maldives |
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EducationMinistry of Education, Maldives Official website of the ministry. Maldives National University The first university established in the Maldives in 2011 was previously known as the Maldives College of Higher Education. |
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Environment & NatureMaldives Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed when Environmental Research Center and Maldives Water & Sanitation Authority was merged, the site provides also information about the fragile marine and terrestrial environment of the Maledives. |
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HistoryMaldives History from Maldives Culture magazine. Maldives History2 from Maldives.com The Maldives Story Four Eras of Maldivian History. History of the Maldives Wikipedia article about Maldives' history. The National Museum of the Maldives Site about Maldives' National Museum with a gallery and information on its collection. National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research Maldives Center for Linguistic and Historical Research. (in Divehi and partly English) |
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