Maldives Travel Guide
Total Area:300 sq km Land Borders: islands
Population: 359,008
Life Expectancy: 64 years HIV % Total Poulation:0.1%
Ethnic Groups:South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs
Languages:Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
President:President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM GDP - Per Capita: $3,900
The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Since 1978, President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM - currently in his sixth term in office - has dominated the islands' political scene. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government have pledged to embark upon democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.