Maldives
The Republic of Maldives is a country consisting territorially of a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India.
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| National motto: Xxxxx | |||||
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| Official language | Dhivehi | ||||
| Capital | Malé | ||||
| Capital's coordinates | 3° 15' N, 73° 00' E | ||||
| Largest City | Malé | ||||
| President | Maumoon Abdul Gayoom | ||||
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked 185th 300 km² Negligible | ||||
| Population - Total (Year) - Density |
Ranked 167th 301,475 1,005/km² | ||||
| GDP (PPP) - Total (Year) - GDP/head |
Ranked 183rd $1,250 million $3,900 | ||||
| Currency | Rufiyah (Rf) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC +5 | ||||
| Independence | 26 July 1965 | ||||
| National anthem | Gavmii mi ekuverikan matii tibegen kuriime salaam (In National Unity Do We Salute Our Nation) | ||||
| Internet TLD | .MV | ||||
| Calling Code | 960 | ||||
| Contents |
History
Main article: History of the Maldives
The early history of the Maldives is obscure. According to Maldivian legend, a Sinhalese prince named Koimale was stranded with his bride--daughter of the king of Sri Lanka--in a Maldivian lagoon and stayed on to rule as the first sultan.
Over the centuries, the islands have been visited and their development influenced by sailors from countries on the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean littorals. Mopla pirates from the Malabar Coast--present-day Kerala state in India--harassed the islands. In the 16th century, the Portuguese subjugated and ruled the islands for 15 years (1558-1573) before being driven away by the warrior-patriot and later Sultan, Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Azam.
Although governed as an independent Islamic sultanate for most of its history from 1153 to 1968, Maldives was a British protectorate from 1887 until July 25, 1965. In 1953, there was a brief, abortive attempt at a republican form of government, after which the sultanate was reimposed.
Following independence from Britain in 1965, the sultanate continued to operate for another 3 years. On November 11, 1968, it was abolished and replaced by a republic, and the country assumed its present name. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.
Politics
Main article: Politics of the Maldives
Atolls
Main article: Atolls of the Maldives
Geography
Main article: Geography of the Maldives
Economy
Main article: Economy of the Maldives
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of the Maldives
Culture
Main article: Culture of the Maldives
Miscellaneous topics
- Communications in the Maldives
- Transportation in the Maldives
- Military of the Maldives
- Foreign relations of the Maldives
- List of birds of the Maldives
| Countries in South Asia |
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Bangladesh | Bhutan | India | Maldives | Nepal | Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
ca:Maldives
de:Malediven
es:Maldivas
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nl:Maldiven
ja:モルディブ
no:Maldivene
pl:Malediwy
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ru:Мальдивы
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th:ประเทศมัลดีฟส์
zh:马尔代夫
Categories: Indian Ocean atolls | Maldives | South Asian countries