Country Guide • Maldives
The Maldives Republic is located 300 miles south west of the southern tip of India and consists of about 1190 low-lying coral islands, of which only 200 are inhabited. Most of the inhabited islands are covered by lush tropical vegetation and palm trees, while the numerous uninhabited islands, some of which are just sand spits or coral tips, are covered in shrubs. Each island is surrounded by a reef enclosing a shallow lagoon. Hundreds of these islands together with other coral growth form an atoll, surrounding a lagoon.
| Official Name | Republic of Maldives |
|---|---|
| Area | 298km² (115mile²) |
| Population | 329,500 |
| Continent | Asia |
| Population per mile² | 2846 |
| Capital City | Malé |
| Religions | The official religion is Islam with the overwhelming majority Sunni Muslims |
| Language | Maldivian Divehi |
| Government | Republic |
| Currency | Rufiya |
| GDP | $1.25 billion |
| GDP per Head | $3,900 |
| Natural Resources | Fish |
| Land Use | Arable Land 3.3% |
| Agriculture | Coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish |
| Industry | Agriculture, Boat Building, Coral and sand mining, Fishing, Fish Processing, Garments, Handicrafts and Tourism |
| Tourism | The Maldives has touted itself as 'the last paradise on earth'. For those in love with tropical islands, palm trees and fabulous white beaches where the sea is a brilliant turquoise then the Maldives are for you. Great for scuba diving tooaround the coral reefs and for the less energetic just relaxing in paradise. The Maldives is not ideal however for backpacking on a budget |
| Natural Hazards | The low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rises |
| Health Risks | Sensible precautions should be taken to avoid sunburn and dehydration |
| Climate | The Maldives has a tropical climate characteriSed by hot and humid conditions with little daily variation. The islands are subject to the SW Monsoon between June and August, and the NE Monsoon from November to March. Average annual rianfall is 100 inches in the north and 150 inches in the south. The average temperature ranges are from 25°C to 29°C all year |
| Time | GMT/UTC+5 hours |
| National Days | July 26 |
| Visas | No prior visa arrangements are required for UK residents but you must have a passport valid for more than six months. A tourist visa of 30 days will be given on arrival to visitors with valid travel documents.Visas are required for most other nationalities Overstaying without the proper authority is an offence. If you are coming from yellow fever infected regions, you should have an international certificate of inoculation |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
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