Maldive

The Maldive, singular form historically used to refer to the archipelago and country commonly known as the Maldives, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. It lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India and comprises about 1,200 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls; around 200 islands are inhabited. The capital and largest city is Malé.

The official language is Dhivehi, though English is widely used in government, business, and tourism. The population is about half a million. The currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR). The country is a presidential constitutional republic; the president serves as head of state and government.

The Maldives’ economy is heavily dependent on tourism and fishing, with tourism accounting for a large share of GDP and employment. The nation is known for its resort islands, reefs, and biodiversity. The archipelago is extremely low-lying, making it highly vulnerable to sea-level rise and climate change; adaptation and resilience efforts are ongoing.

Historically, the Maldives was settled by Malayo-Polynesian peoples by the 5th century and converted to Islam in the 12th century. It was a sultanate for centuries, a British protectorate from the 19th century until 1965, when independence was granted. The republic was established in 1968, and a new constitution in 2008 strengthened democratic institutions. The Maldives is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, SAARC, the Commonwealth, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association.