Maldives

The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an archipelagic country in the Indian Ocean, near the southeastern boundary of the Arabian Sea. It lies southwest of India and Sri Lanka.

The Maldives is made up of 26 atolls. It is the smallest country in Asia, with a land area of only 298 square kilometres.

With a population of around 515,132 people, the Maldives is one of the least populous and most densely populated countries in the world. Its ground level is very low, averaging just 1.5 metres above sea level. This makes the Maldives vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels.

The capital, Malé, has been an important center since ancient times. The islands have been inhabited for over 2,500 years. The Maldives became independent from the United Kingdom in 1965 and established a presidential republic in 1968. Today, the country is known for its growing tourism industry. The Maldives is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Etymology

See also: Names of the Maldives

The Maldives have had many names. The early people were called Dheyvis, and the first kingdom was the Kingdom of Dheeva Maari.

The name "Maldives" probably comes from old words that mean "garland of islands". People from the Maldives are called Dhivehin. Different cultures said the name in their own ways, showing many visitors and traders came to the islands.

History

Main article: History of the Maldives

Ancient history and settlement

Main article: History of the Maldives § Early Age

The Maldives has a long history, with people living there over 2,500 years ago. Ancient texts and artefacts show that people from nearby areas, like Sri Lanka and the Indian subcontinent, settled in the Maldives long ago. These early communities built homes from wood and palm fronds, which didn’t last long in the salty, windy climate.

The country’s history is known from old writings, traditions, and languages. Some early stories talk about people called the Dheyvis, who came from places in India. Over time, many different groups settled in the Maldives, influencing its culture and language.

Buddhist period

Main articles: History of the Maldives § Buddhist period, and Buddhism in the Maldives

For about 1,400 years, Buddhism was the main religion in the Maldives. This period was very important for the country’s culture, language, and way of life. Many traditions, writings, and buildings began during this time. Buddhist temples and monasteries were common, and many old structures still show signs of this history.

Islamic period

See also: History of the Maldives § Islamic Period, Islam in Maldives, List of Maldivian monarchs, and Sultanate of the Maldive Islands

In the 12th century, the Maldives began to change to Islam. The last Buddhist king became a Muslim and took the title of Sultan. This brought new traditions and languages, like Arabic, to the country. Trade grew, especially with places like the Bengal Sultanate, and goods like cowrie shells and coir fibre became important.

Protectorate period

In 1558, Portuguese traders tried to control the Maldives but were driven out by local leaders. Later, the Dutch and then the British became influential. The British made the Maldives a protectorate, helping protect the country but letting local leaders govern daily life. This lasted until the mid-20th century.

Independence and republic

Main article: Independence of the Maldives

The Maldives became fully independent in 1965. In 1968, the country changed from a monarchy to a republic. Since then, the Maldives has seen changes in leadership, natural disasters like the 2004 tsunami, and efforts to build a modern nation with new laws and services for its people.

21st century

Main article: History of the Maldives § 21st century

The Maldives faced big challenges after the 2004 tsunami, which damaged many islands and homes. In the years that followed, the country worked on rebuilding and improving its government and economy. New leaders brought changes, and the Maldives continues to grow and develop today.

Geography

Main article: Geography of the Maldives

The Maldives is a country made of 1,192 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls. These islands stretch over 871 kilometres (541 miles) from north to south and 130 kilometres (81 miles) from east to west. Only 298 square kilometres (115 square miles) of the country's total area of about 90,000 square kilometres (35,000 square miles) is dry land, making it one of the world's most spread-out countries. The islands sit between latitudes 1°S and 8°N, and longitudes 72° and 74°E.

The Maldives is the lowest country in the world, with natural ground levels averaging just 1.5 metres (about 5 feet) above sea level. In some places, construction has raised the land higher. Because of this, the Maldives faces a serious risk from rising sea levels.

Climate

The Maldives has a tropical monsoon climate, which means it is always hot and often humid. The country experiences two main seasons: a dry season and a rainy season. The shift between these seasons happens in April and May. The rainy season, brought by strong winds and storms, lasts from June to November. The average high temperature in the Maldives is 31.5°C, and the average low is 26.4°C.

Sea level rise

Main article: Climate change in the Maldives

See also: Effects of climate change on island nations and The Island President

In 1988, leaders of the Maldives said that rising sea levels could cover the entire country within 30 years. More recent studies suggest that, by 2100, rising seas might make many of the Maldives' islands hard to live on. Because of these concerns, former president Mohamed Nasheed spoke about the possibility of buying land in other countries to ensure a safe place to live if the Maldives becomes flooded. He also spoke about reducing the use of fuels that contribute to climate change and promoted efforts to protect the environment.

Environment

Environmental issues in the Maldives include poor waste disposal and damage to natural areas. While the islands themselves stay quite clean, waste from cities and resorts is often sent to places that are not well prepared to handle it. The country has 31 protected areas managed by government groups to help protect its natural resources.

Marine ecosystem

The waters around the Maldives are full of marine life. There are many types of coral, over 2,000 kinds of fish, and other sea creatures like sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and many species of shellfish. The coral reefs are important homes for many sea animals, but they have faced damage from changes in water temperature. Scientists have tried different ways to help the coral grow again, with some success.

Wildlife

Main article: Wildlife of the Maldives

The Maldives' wildlife includes plants and animals that live on the islands and in the surrounding waters. Land animals are few because the islands are small, but the seas around them are home to many kinds of sea turtles, fish, birds, and other sea creatures. Some birds that visit the Maldives are migratory, meaning they travel from other places. The islands also have some types of lizards and small snakes.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of the Maldives

Mohamed Muizzu is the President, and he has been in office since 2023. Hussain Mohamed Latheef is the Vice President.

The Maldives is a presidential constitutional republic. The president is the head of government and head of state. The president leads the executive branch and chooses the cabinet, which needs approval from the People's Majlis (Parliament). The president also leads the armed forces. Both the president and members of the unicameral Majlis serve for five years.

The constitution of the Maldives was first made in 1968 and has been changed many times. The current one was approved in 2008. It helps keep the government fair and strong.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Administrative divisions of the Maldives

The Maldives has twenty-six natural atolls and some island groups. These are divided into twenty-one areas to help with government. Each area has leaders chosen by the people.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of the Maldives

The Maldives works with many countries. It joined groups like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Commonwealth in 1982. The Maldives left the Commonwealth for a time but joined again in 2020. It has good ties with Seychelles and Mauritius.

Military

The Maldives National Defence Force keeps the country safe. It includes the Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Special Forces, and other units. Protecting the seas is very important because the country is mostly water.

Law

See also: Judiciary of the Maldives and Law enforcement in the Maldives

The Constitution of the Maldives says judges are independent and must follow Islamic Shari'ah when needed. Islam is the official religion, and only Muslims can be citizens. A new penal code started in 2015.

Human rights

Main article: Human rights in the Maldives

Human rights in the Maldives sometimes face challenges. There have been reports about issues like corruption and limits on religious freedom.

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Maldives

Long ago, the Maldives were known for their cowry shells. These shells were used as money in many places. The islands were called the "Money Isles" by traders from Arab lands. These shells were sent to Africa on ships from far away.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the Maldives was a very poor country with only about 100,000 people. The government made changes to help the country grow. They allowed more private businesses and welcomed tourism. Fishing was always very important for many years.

Tourism

Main articles: Tourism in the Maldives, Diving in the Maldives, and List of mosques in the Maldives

Tourism started to grow in the 1970s and is now very important to the Maldives. Today, many people visit the islands to relax on the beautiful beaches. Tourism helps the country make money and provides jobs for many people. The first resorts opened in 1972, and now there are many more.

Since 1972, tourism has become the biggest source of money for the Maldives.

The country has six heritage Maldivian coral mosques listed as UNESCO tentative sites.

Visitors

See also: § Transportation, and Visa policy of Maldives

People visiting the Maldives do not need a visa before arriving, but they must have a passport valid for at least one month. They also need to show their travel plans and proof they can pay for their stay. Most visitors fly into Velana International Airport, near the capital city of Malé. Flights come from many places, including India, Sri Lanka, and the Middle East.

Fishing industry

Main article: Fishing industry in the Maldives

Fishing has always been very important to the Maldives. Many people work on fishing boats, and the government supports this industry. In the 1970s, new boats and tools were added to help fishermen catch more fish. Fishing still helps the country make money and provides jobs for many people.

Transportation

Main articles: Transport in the Maldives and List of airports in the Maldives

Velana International Airport is the main place for people to arrive in the Maldives. From there, people can take flights, seaplanes, or boats to travel between the islands. There are several companies that help with these trips, using different kinds of planes and boats. Some resorts also arrange special trips for their guests.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the Maldives

The most people in the Maldives are Maldivians (Dhivehin). They live on the islands and speak the Dhivehi language. They come from many places, including India and the Middle East.

In the past, there were also some people called the Giraavaru people, but now they are part of the larger Maldivian community.

The number of people in the Maldives grew fast in the late 1970s and 1980s. By 2022, the population was over 515,000, with many people from countries like Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka living and working there.

Languages

See also: Maldivian language

The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi. It is related to the Sinhala language of Sri Lanka. It uses a special script called Thaana, which is written from right to left. English is also spoken, especially in tourism and schools. Arabic is taught in schools because Islam is the main religion.

Religion

Main article: Religion in the Maldives

In the past, many people followed Buddhism. Later, Muslim traders brought Islam to the Maldives, and most people converted by the mid-12th century. Today, Islam is the official religion.

Education

Main article: Education in the Maldives

The Maldives has schools and a national university. Training centers for health, skills, teaching, hotel services, management, and law were set up in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The Maldives National University was named in 2011.

Health

Main article: Health in the Maldives

The Maldives does well in meeting health needs, especially for children and adults. However, there are challenges on smaller islands and problems with expensive food. In May 2021, the Maldives saw a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, which put pressure on health services.

Culture

Main article: Culture of the Maldives

See also: Maldivian cuisine and Folklore of the Maldives

The culture of the Maldives is shaped by the many people who have lived on the islands over time. Since the 12th century, influences from Arabia have also been important, especially because the Maldives turned to Islam and is located in a key spot in the central Indian Ocean where traders from far away places often passed by.

Sports are very important in the Maldives. Because the country is made up of many islands surrounded by the ocean, water sports are very popular. Surfing is especially well-known, and places such as the atolls of North and South Malé, Thulusdhoo, and Himmafushi are great for it. Football in the Maldives is also widely played and followed. The country even has its own football league called the Dhivehi Premier League.

Main articles: Television Maldives, Voice of Maldives, and List of newspapers in the Maldives