World Atlas: Maldives. On this page you can see the map, country flag and many detailed information about the people, history and economy of Maldives.
Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of Maldives. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of Maldives. But let's start with the flag of Maldives here:
Maldives - Overview:
What you should know about Maldives? Let's start with this: A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following political demonstrations in the capital Male in August 2003, Gayoom and his government pledged to embark upon a process of liberalization and democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution ratified by Gayoom in August 2008. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. Gayoom was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed Nasheed, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the Gayoom regime. Nasheed faced a number of challenges including strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse. In early February 2012, after several weeks of street protests in response to his ordering the arrest of a top judge, Nasheed resigned the presidency and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan Maniku. In mid-2012, a Commission of National Inquiry was established by the government to probe events leading up to Nasheed's resignation. Though the commission found no evidence of a coup, the report recommended strengthening the country's democratic institutions to avert similar events in the future, and to investigate alleged police misconduct during the crisis. Nasheed, Waheed, and Abdulla Yameen ran in the 2013 elections with Yameen ultimately winning the presidency after three rounds of voting. As president, Yameen has sought to weaken democratic institutions, jail his political opponents, restrict the press, and exert control over the judiciary to strengthen his hold on power and limit dissent. Maldivian officials have played a prominent role in international climate change discussions (due to the islands' vulnerability to rising sea-level).
Geography of Maldives
Where on the globe is Maldives? The location of this country is Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India. Total area of Maldives is 298 sq km, of which 298 sq km is land. So this is quite a small country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: flat, with white sandy beaches. The lowest point of Maldives is Indian Ocean 0 m, the highest point 8th tee, golf course, Villingi Island 5 m. And the climate is tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August).
Inhabitants of Maldives
Let's take a look how many people live in Maldives. The number is: 392,709 (July 2017 est.). So not so many people live here. Who lives here? South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs. What are the languages in Maldives? Dhivehi (official, dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials). And the religions: Sunni Muslim (official). How old are the people in average? 28.2 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 75.8 years. Where the people live in Maldives? Here: about a third of the population lives in the centrally located capital city of Male and almost a tenth in southern Addu City; the remainder of the populace is spread over the 200 or so populated islands of the archipelago. The major urban areas of Maldives are: MALE (capital) 156,000 (2014).
Government and Economy of Maldives
The capital of Maldives is Male and the government type presidential republic. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 21 administrative atolls (atholhuthah, singular - atholhu); Addu, Ariatholhu Dhekunuburi, Ariatholhu Uthuruburi, Faadhippolhu, Felidhuatholhu, Fuvammulah, Hahdhunmathi, Huvadhuatholhu Dhekunuburi, Huvadhuatholhu Uthuruburi, Kolhumadulu, Maale, Maaleatholhu, Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi, Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi, Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi, Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi, Mulakatholhu, Nilandheatholhu Dhekunuburi, Nilandheatholhu Uthuruburi, Thiladhunmathee Dhekunuburi, Thiladhunmathee Uthuruburi. Regarding the economy of Maldives, important industrial products are tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining. Important agricultural products are coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish. The most important export commodities are fish and the most important export partners are Thailand 33.8%, Sri Lanka 10%, US 8.7%, France 8.6%, Germany 8.6%, Ireland 4.9%, Italy 4.8%, UK 4.1% (2016). The most important import commodities are petroleum products, clothing, intermediate and capital goods and the most important import partners are UAE 15.6%, Singapore 14.3%, China 13.4%, India 12.9%, Sri Lanka 6.3%, Malaysia 5.7%, Thailand 4.7% (2016). How rich is Maldives and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $19,200 (2017 est.). This is quite good. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: 16% (2008 est.).