World > Asia > Maldives

Introduction:

The Maldives were long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. They became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.

Official name: Republic of Maldives Capital: Male Government type: republic Population: 329,684 (July 2003 est.) Languages: Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials Official Currency: rufiyaa (MVR) Currency code: MVR Area: total: 300 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 300 sq km Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)

Map of Maldives