Maldives

Fact Sheet :

- Area : 300 sq km

- Population : 369,031 (July 2007 est.)

- Capital : Male

- Langues : Maldivian Dhivehi

- Currency : rufiyaa (MVR)

- Government type : republic

- Elements of History :

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 delayed indefinitely. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.

- Climate :

tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)