Area
236,800 sq kilometres (91,400 sq miles).
Population
270,101 (2000).
Population Density
906.4 per sq kilometre.
Capital
Male.
Population
74,069 (2000).
Geography
The Maldives Republic is situated 500 kilometres or 300 miles
southwest of the southern edge of India and is made up of approximately 1,190
low-lying coral islands, of which only 200 are
dwelt
in. Many of
the inhabited islands are sheltered by palm trees and
lush tropical plantation, and the many uninhabited islands, some only sand spits
or coral tips, are covered with small trees. A reef encircling a shallow
lagoon surrounds each island. Large numbers of these islands combined
with other coral growth form an atoll, encompassing a lagoon. All
the low-lying islands are not more than 2 metres or 7 feet above sea level.
For the most part, the aboriginal population does not combine with the
foreign travellers, with the exception of those involved with tourism
in the resorts and Male.
Government
A republic since 1965. Achieved independence
from the UK in 1965.
Head of State and Government:
President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom since 1978
Language
Dhivehi is the official national language while English is widely
spoken in business, government offices and the commercial areas.
Other languages are also widely spoken within tourist vicinity.
Religion
The aboriginal
population is almost all Sunni Muslim.
Time
GMT + 5.
Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round-pin plugs are normally used;
however, square-pin plugs are becoming more common. |
