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  Maldives  
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This page was last updated on 17 January, 2008


Map of Maldives
Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Maldives Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
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 pledged to embark upon democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Progress has been slow, however, and many promised reforms have been slow to come to fruition. Nonetheless, political parties were legalized in 2005. A constituent assembly - termed the "special majlis" - has pledged to complete the drafting of a new constitution by the end of 2007 and first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system are slated for November 2008. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.
   Geography    Maldives Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
3 15 N, 73 00 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Asia
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 300 sq km
land: 300 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
0 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
644 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
fish
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 13.33%
permanent crops: 30%
other: 56.67% (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
NA
Total renewable water resources:
Definition Field Listing
0.03 cu km (1999)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Definition Field Listing
Total: 0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%)
Per capita: 9 cu m/yr (1987)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
   People    Maldives Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
369,031 (July 2007 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 42.9% (male 81,383/female 76,984)
15-64 years: 54% (male 101,699/female 97,518)
65 years and over: 3.1% (male 5,619/female 5,828) (2007 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 18.1 years
male: 18 years
female: 18.2 years (2007 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing
2.732% (2007 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
34.2 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6.88 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.057 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.043 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.964 male(s)/female
total population: 1.046 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 53.25 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 52.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 54.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 64.76 years
male: 63.41 years
female: 66.19 years (2007 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.78 children born/woman (2007 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
less than 100 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Maldivian(s)
adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Sunni Muslim
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.3%
male: 96.2%
female: 96.4% (2000 census)
   Government    Maldives Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Republic of Maldives
conventional short form: Maldives
local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa
local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
republic
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
name: Male
geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E
time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and the capital city*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale* (Male), Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
26 July 1965 (from UK)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
adopted 1 January 1998
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president nominated by the Majlis; nomination must be ratified by a national referendum (at least a 51% approval margin is required); president elected for a five-year term; election last held 17 October 2003 (next to be held in 2008)
election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected in referendum held 17 October 2003; percent of popular vote - Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 90.3%
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 members elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 22 January 2005 (next to be held in 2010)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 50
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
High Court
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Abdul Majeed Abdul BARI]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP [Omar NASEER]; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]; note - political parties were allowed to register in June 2005
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
various unregistered political parties
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 599-6194
FAX: [1] (212) 599-6195
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag
   Economy    Maldives Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Fishing is the second leading sector. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 7% of GDP. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year for more than a decade. In late December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000 displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million. As a result of the tsunami, the GDP contracted by about 3.6% in 2005. A rebound in tourism, post-tsunami reconstruction, and development of new resorts helped the economy recover quickly. The trade deficit has expanded sharply as a result of high oil prices and imports of construction material. Diversifying beyond tourism and fishing and increasing employment are the major challenges facing the government. Over the longer term Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$2.839 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing
$906 million (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
18% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$3,900 (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 16%
industry: 7%
services: 77% (2006 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
101,300 (2004)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 22%
industry: 18%
services: 60% (1995)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NEGL% (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing
21% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6% (2005 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $508 million (including foreign grants)
expenditures: $671 million (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
-0.9% (2004 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
169 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
157.1 million kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
0 kWh (2005)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1,517 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6,390 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2005 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2005)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$167 million f.o.b. (2006)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
fish
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Thailand 33.1%, UK 14.3%, Sri Lanka 11.9%, Japan 10.3%, France 6.9%, Algeria 6.1% (2006)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$930 million f.o.b. (2006)
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Singapore 23.2%, UAE 15.8%, India 11.1%, Malaysia 7.9%, Thailand 6.9%, Sri Lanka 5.7% (2006)
Economic aid - recipient:
Definition Field Listing
$66.83 million (2005)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$482 million (2006 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$NA
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing
rufiyaa (MVR)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
rufiyaa per US dollar - NA (2007), 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004), 12.8 (2003)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing
calendar year
   Communications    Maldives Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
32,500 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
262,600 (2006)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: telephone services have improved; each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile cellular networks with rapidly expanding subscribership
domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service
international: country code - 960; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
1 (2006)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.mv
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1,082 (2007)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
20,100 (2005)
   Transportation    Maldives Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2007)
Roadways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 88 km
paved roads: 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu
note: village roads are mainly compacted coral (2006)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 22 ships (1000 GRT or over) 85,935 GRT/114,054 DWT
by type: cargo 17, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 2
foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1)
registered in other countries: 2 (Panama 1, Tuvalu 1) (2007)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field Listing
Male
   Military    Maldives Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Quick Reaction Force, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2007)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 71,774
females age 18-49: 69,229 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 18-49: 56,687
females age 18-49: 54,454 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5.5% (2005 est.)
Military - note:
Definition Field Listing
Maldives has no regular armed forces; the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) includes ground forces, the Coast Guard, and a small, undermanned air element; with its small size and with little servable equipment, the MNDF is inadequate to prevent external aggression and is primarily tasked to reinforce the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and ensure security in the exclusive economic zone (2007)
   Transnational Issues    Maldives Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Definition Field Listing
IDPs: 10,000 (December 2004 tsunami victims) (2006)

This page was last updated on 17 January, 2008


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