Maldives

Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India

3.15° N, 73.00° E

total: 298 sq km

land: 298 sq km

water: 0 sq km

about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC

0 km

644 km

measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

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

flat, with white sandy beaches

mean elevation:

elevation extremes:

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location on Viligili in the Addu Atholhu 2.4 m

fish

agricultural land: 23.3%

arable land 10%; permanent crops 10%; permanent pasture 3.3%

forest: 3%

other: 73.7% (2011 est.)

0 sq km (2012)

0.03 cu km (2011)

total: 0.01 cu km/yr (95%/5%/0%)

per capita: 18.44 cu m/yr (2008)

tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise

depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching

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

smallest Asian country; archipelago of 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean

noun: Maldivian(s)

adjective: Maldivian

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

Dhivehi (official, dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials)

Sunni Muslim (official)

393,253 (July 2015 est.)

0-14 years: 21.05% (male 42,230/female 40,555)

15-24 years: 22.41% (male 51,141/female 36,970)

25-54 years: 47.08% (male 107,436/female 77,713)

55-64 years: 5.14% (male 10,243/female 9,968)

65 years and over: 4.32% (male 7,994/female 9,003) (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio: 47.4%

youth dependency ratio: 40.5%

elderly dependency ratio: 6.9%

potential support ratio: 14.4% (2015 est.)

total: 27.4 years

male: 27.5 years

female: 27.3 years (2015 est.)

-0.08% (2015 est.)

15.75 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

3.89 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

-12.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

urban population: 45.5% of total population (2015)

rate of urbanization: 4.49% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

MALE (capital) 156,000 (2014)

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.38 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.38 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female

total population: 1.26 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

23.9

note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2009 est.)

68 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

total: 23.7 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 26.11 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 21.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

total population: 75.37 years

male: 73.06 years

female: 77.8 years (2015 est.)

1.74 children born/woman (2015 est.)

34.7% (2009)

10.8% of GDP (2013)

1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

4.3 beds/1,000 population (2009)

improved:

urban: 99.5% of population

rural: 97.9% of population

total: 98.6% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0.5% of population

rural: 2.1% of population

total: 1.4% of population (2015 est.)

improved:

urban: 97.5% of population

rural: 98.3% of population

total: 97.9% of population

unimproved:

urban: 2.5% of population

rural: 1.7% of population

total: 2.1% of population (2015 est.)

0.01% (2013 est.)

fewer than 100 (2013 est.)

fewer than 100 (2013 est.)

7% (2014)

17.8% (2009)

6.2% of GDP (2012)

total: 25.4%

male: 29.1%

female: 21.4% (2010 est.)

conventional long form: Republic of Maldives

conventional short form: Maldives

local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa

local short form: Dhivehi Raajje

etymology: archipelago apparently named after the main island (and capital) of Male; the word "Maldives" means "the islands (dives) of Male"; another possibility is that the name derives from the Sanskrit word "maladvipa" meaning "garland of islands"; Dhivehi Raajje in Maldivian means "kingdom of the Dhivehi people"

republic

name: Male

geographic coordinates: 4.10° N, 73.30° E

time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

7 provinces and 1 municipality*; Dhekunu (South), Maale*, Mathi Dhekunu (Upper South), Mathi Uthuru (Upper North), Medhu (Central), Medhu Dhekunu (South Central), Medhu Uthuru (North Central), Uthuru (North)

26 July 1965 (from the UK)

Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

many previous; latest ratified 7 August 2008; note - a proposed amendment to limit the age of presidential candidates was defeated in early 2015 (2015)

Islamic religious legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Maldives

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: unknown

18 years of age; universal

chief of state: President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Ahmed ADHEEB Abdul Ghafoor (since 22 July 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (since 17 November 2013); Vice President Ahmed ADHEEB Abdul Ghafoor (since 22 July 2015)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); the election held on 7 September 2013 was annulled by the Supreme Court; rerun of first round held on 9 November 2013 and a runoff held on 16 November (next election to be held in 2018)

election results: first round (9 November 2013); percent of vote - Mohamed NASHEED (MDP) 46.9%, Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (PPM) 29.7%, Qasim IBRAHIM (JP) 23.3%; runoff (16 November 2013); percent of vote - Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom elected president 51.4%, Mohamed NASHEED 48.6%

description: unicameral Parliament or People's Majlis (85 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 22 March 2014 (next to be held in 2019)

election results: percent of vote - MDP 40.8%, MDP 27.7%, JP 13.6%, MDA 4.0%, AP 2.7% other 0.3%, independent 10.9%; seats by party - PPM 33, MDP 26, JP 15, MDA 5, AP 1 , independent 5

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission - a separate 10-member body of selected high government officials and the public - and upon confirmation by voting members of the People's Majlis; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts: High Court; Criminal, Civil, Family, Juvenile, and Drug Courts; Magistrate Courts (on each of the inhabited islands)

Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Sheikh Imran ABDULLA]

Maldives Development Alliance or MDA [Ahmed Shiyam Mohamed]

Maldavian Democratic Party or MDP [Ali WAHEED]

Progressive Party of Maldives or PPM [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]

Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP [Qasim IBRAHIM]

other: various unregistered political parties

ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent moon; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag; red recalls those who have sacrificed their lives in defense of their country, the green rectangle represents peace and prosperity, and the white crescent signifies Islam

coconut palm, yellowfin tuna; national colors: red, green, white

name: "Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute)

lyrics/music: Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA

note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"

Tourism, Maldives' largest economic activity, accounts for nearly 30% of GDP and more than 60% of foreign exchange receipts. Fishing is the second leading sector, but the fish catch has dropped sharply in recent years. 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.

Lower than expected tourist arrivals and fish exports, combined with high government spending on social needs, subsidies, and civil servant salaries contributed to a balance of payments crisis, which was temporarily eased with a $79.3 million IMF Stand-By agreement. However, after the first two disbursements, the IMF withheld subsequent disbursements due to concerns over Maldives' growing budget deficit, and the government has been seeking other sources of budgetary support ever since. A new Goods and Services Tax (GST) on tourism introduced in January 2011, on general goods and services in October 2011, and a new Business Profit Tax introduced in July 2011 have provided a boost to revenue. In recent years, gross foreign exchange reserves have hovered around $300 million, sufficient to finance about two to three months of imports.

In July 2015, Maldives’ Parliament passed a constitutional amendment legalizing foreign ownership of land; foreign land-buyers must reclaim at least 70% of the desired land from the ocean and invest at least $1 billion in a construction project approved by Parliament. The political opposition claimed publicly that the law could enable China to build military infrastructure in Maldives.

Diversifying the economy beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, increasing employment opportunities, and combating corruption, cronyism, and a growing drug problem are near-term 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 1 meter or less above sea level.

$4.732 billion (2015 est.)

$4.554 billion (2014 est.)

$4.221 billion (2013 est.)

note: data are in 2015 US dollars

$3.031 billion (2015 est.)

7.6% (2015 est.)

7.7% (2014 est.)

1.5% (2013 est.)

$13,600 (2015 est.)

$13,300 (2014 est.)

$12,500 (2013 est.)

note: data are in 2015 US dollars

13.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

15.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

12.6% of GDP (2013 est.)

agriculture: 4%

industry: 23%

services: 73% (2012 est.)

coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish

tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining

14% (2012 est.)

159,700 (2012)

agriculture: 15%

industry: 15%

services: 70% (2010 est.)

11% (2012 est.)

12% (2011 est.)

16% (2008 est.)

lowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 33.3% (FY09/10)

37.4 (2004 est.)

revenues: $960 million

expenditures: $1.27 billion (2013 est.)

31.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

-10.2% of GDP (2013 est.)

72.8% of GDP

66.7% of GDP

calendar year

4% (2015 est.)

10.9% (2014 est.)

7% (31 December 2012)

6.96% (31 December 2011)

10.5% (31 December 2012 est.)

10.2% (31 December 2011 est.)

$623 million (31 December 2013 est.)

$547.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)

$1.538 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

$1.298 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$1.559 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$1.601 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

$555 million (31 December 2011 est.)

-$232.4 million (2015 est.)

$310 million (2014 est.)

$166 million (2013 est.)

$161 million (2012 est.)

fish

Thailand 18.8%, France 16%, US 10.9%, Japan 7.5%, Germany 7.2%, UK 6.1%, Italy 5.5%, Sri Lanka 4.7% (2014)

$1.728 billion (2013 est.)

$1.55 billion (2012 est.)

petroleum products, clothing, intermediate and capital goods

Singapore 18%, UAE 18%, India 9%, Malaysia 8.3%, China 6.7%, Sri Lanka 5.7%, Thailand 5.5% (2014)

$368.3 million (31 December 2013 est.)

$356 million (30 November 2012 est.)

$793.6 million (2013 est.)

$890.8 million (2012 est.)

rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar -

15.365 (2015)

15.365 (2014)

287.2 million kWh (2012 est.)

267.1 million kWh (2012 est.)

0 kWh (2013 est.)

0 kWh (2013 est.)

77,000 kW (2012 est.)

100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

6,900 bbl/day (2013 est.)

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

6,941 bbl/day (2012 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

1.123 million Mt (2012 est.)

total subscriptions: 21,500

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2014 est.)

total: 665,800

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 169 (2014 est.)

general assessment: telephone services have improved; inter-atoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands and resorts are connected with telephone and fax service

domestic: each island now has at least 1 public telephone, and there are mobile-cellular networks with a rapidly expanding subscribership that has reached 135 per 100 persons

international: country code - 960; linked to international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG); satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)

state-owned radio and TV monopoly until recently; state-owned TV operates 2 channels; 3 privately owned TV stations; state owns Voice of Maldives and operates both an entertainment and a music-based station; 5 privately owned radio stations (2012)

AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 1 (2009)

2 (2009)

.mv

3,296 (2012)

total: 18,600

percent of population: 4.7% (2014 est.)

9 (2013)

total: 7

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2013)

total: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)

total: 88 km

paved roads: 88 km - 60 km in Male; 14 km on Addu Atolis; 14 km on Laamu

note: island roads are mainly compacted coral (2013)

total: 18

by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 14, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2

foreign-owned: 4 (Singapore 4)

registered in other countries: 4 (Panama 2, Tuvalu 1, unknown 1) (2010)

major seaport(s): Male

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Marine Corps, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2010)

18-28 years of age for voluntary service; no conscription; 10th grade or equivalent education required; must not be a member of a political party (2012)

none