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Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
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| page last updated on January 29, 2013 |
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(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
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Click flag or map to enlarge 
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A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following political demonstrations in the capital Male in August 2003, the president and his government pledged to embark upon democratic reforms including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Progress was sluggish, however, and many promised reforms were slow to be realized. Nonetheless, political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution, which was ratified by the president in August. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the former regime. President NASHEED faced a number of challenges including strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse. In early February 2012, after several weeks of street protests following his sacking of a top judge, NASHEED resigned the presidency and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed WAHEED Hassan Maniku. Maldives officials have played a prominent role in international climate change discussions (due to the islands' low elevation and the threat from sea-level rise) on the United Nations Human Rights Council, and in encouraging regional cooperation, especially between India and Pakistan.
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Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
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3 15 N, 73 00 E
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total: 298 sq km
country comparison to the world: 210
land:
298 sq km
water:
0 sq km
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about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
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0 km
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644 km
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measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
territorial sea:
12 nm
contiguous zone:
24 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
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tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
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flat, with white sandy beaches
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lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point:
unnamed location on Viligili in the Addu Atholhu 2.4 m
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fish
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arable land: 13.33%
permanent crops:
30%
other:
56.67% (2005)
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NA
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0.03 cu km (1999)
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total: 0.003 cu km/yr (98%/2%/0%)
per capita:
9 cu m/yr (1987)
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tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise
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depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching
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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
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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
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| People and Society ::Maldives |
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noun: Maldivian(s)
adjective:
Maldivian
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South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs
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Dhivehi (official, dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials)
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Sunni Muslim (official)
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394,451 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
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0-14 years: 21.2% (male 42,742/ female 41,069)
15-64 years:
74.6% (male 175,458/ female 118,814)
65 years and over:
4.1% (male 7,935/ female 8,433) (2012 est.)
population pyramid: 
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total: 26.5 years
male:
26.9 years
female:
25.8 years (2012 est.)
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-0.127% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
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15.12 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
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3.76 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
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-12.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
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urban population: 40% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:
4.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
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MALE (capital) 120,000 (2009)
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at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1.48 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.94 male(s)/female
total population:
1.34 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
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60 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 100
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total: 26.46 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 75
male:
28.92 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
23.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
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total population: 74.69 years
country comparison to the world: 101
male:
72.44 years
female:
77.05 years (2012 est.)
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1.79 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
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5.6% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 124
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1.595 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
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2.6 beds/1,000 population (2005)
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improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 96% of population
total: 98% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 4% of population
total: 2% of population
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less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
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fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
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fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
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25.7% (2001)
country comparison to the world: 25
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11.2% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 5
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
93.8%
male:
93%
female:
94.7% (2006 Census)
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total: 12 years
male:
13 years
female:
12 years (2006)
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total: 22.2%
country comparison to the world: 42
male:
15.5%
female:
30.5% (2006)
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conventional long form: Republic of Maldives
conventional short form:
Maldives
local long form:
Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa
local short form:
Dhivehi Raajje
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republic
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name: Male
geographic coordinates:
4 10 N, 73 30 E
time difference:
UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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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)
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26 July 1965 (from the UK)
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Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
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new constitution ratified 7 August 2008
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Islamic religious legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters
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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
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18 years of age; universal
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chief of state: President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 8 February 2012); Vice President Mohamed Waheed DEEN (since 22 February 2012); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government:
President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 7 February 2012)
cabinet:
Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections:
under the new constitution, the president is elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in July 2013)
election results:
Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote - Mohamed NASHEED 54.3%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.7%; note - Mohamed NASHEED resigned the presidency on 7 February 2012 following weeks of public protests over his controversial order to arrest a senior judge, and Vice President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku assumed the presidency
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unicameral People's Council or People's Majlis (77 seats; members elected by direct vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Majlis in February 2009 passed legislation that increased the number of seats to 77 from 50
elections:
last held on 9 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results:
percent of vote - DRP 36.4%, MDP 33.8 %, PA 9.1%, DQP 2.6% Republican Party 1.2%, independents 16.9%; seats by party as of October 2011 - MDP 35, DRP 17, PPM 15, JP 2, PA 2, Meedhu DHAAIRA 1, independents 5
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Supreme Court; Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of voting members of the People's Council; High Court; Trial Courts; all lower court judges are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission
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Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Shaykh Hussein RASHEED Ahmed]; Dhivehi Qaumee Party or DQP [Hassan SAEED]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Ahmed THASMEEN Ali]; Gaumee Itthihaad Party (National Unity Party) or GIP [Mohamed WAHEED]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Ibrahim DIDI]; Maldives National Congress or MNC; Maldives Social Democratic Party or MSDP; Meedhu Dhaaira; People's Alliance or PA [Abdullah YAMEEN]; People's Party or PP; Poverty Alleviation Party or PAP; Progressive Party of Maldives or PPM [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]; Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP [Gasim IBRAHIM]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Mazian RASHEED]
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other: various unregistered political parties
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ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), 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
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chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed SAREER
chancery:
800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017
telephone:
[1] (212) 599-6195
FAX:
[1] (212) 661-6405
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the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Michele J. Sison, is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits
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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
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crescent moon
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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"
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Tourism, Maldives' largest economic activity, accounts for 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. Falling 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 standby 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 and a new Business Profit Tax introduced in 2012 have provided a boost to revenue. Economic growth slowed to 3.5% of GDP in 2012, compared to 5.8% in 2011 because of slower tourist arrivals and weak global conditions. Diversifying the economy beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, and increasing employment opportunities are major 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.
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$2.945 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
$2.846 billion (2011 est.)
$2.688 billion (2010 est.)
note:
data are in 2012 US dollars
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$1.424 billion (2012 est.)
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3.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
5.8% (2011 est.)
5.7% (2010 est.)
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$8,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
$8,700 (2011 est.)
$8,400 (2010 est.)
note:
data are in 2012 US dollars
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agriculture: 3%
industry:
14%
services:
83% (2011 est.)
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110,000 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 182
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agriculture: 11%
industry:
23%
services:
65% (2006 est.)
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28% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
14.5% (2010 est.)
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16% (2008)
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:
NA%
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revenues: $591 million
expenditures:
$790 million (2011 est.)
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41.5% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
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-14% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
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12.8% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
6% (2010 est.)
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6.96% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
2.75% (31 December 2010 est.)
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10.2% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
10.38% (31 December 2010 est.)
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$974.9 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
$978.4 million (31 December 2010 est.)
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$1.237 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
$1.241 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
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$1.548 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
$1.08 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
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$555 million (31 December 2011 est.)
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coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish
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-0.9% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
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-$490 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
-$463 million (2010 est.)
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$346.4 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
$163 million (2009 est.)
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fish
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France 19.2%, Thailand 18.7%, UK 10.4%, Sri Lanka 10.1%, India 8.5%, Italy 8.2%, Germany 4.7% (2011)
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$1.465 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
$1.388 billion (2008 est.)
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petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, clothing, intermediate and capital goods
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Singapore 23.2%, UAE 18%, India 8.7%, China 7.1%, Malaysia 6.9%, Sri Lanka 5.3%, Thailand 4.9% (2011)
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$1.015 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
$943 million (2010 est.)
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rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar -
15.39 (2011)
14.602 (2011)
12.8 (2008)
12.8 (2007)
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calendar year
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300 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
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279 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
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0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
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0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
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62,010 kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
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100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
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0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
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0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
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0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
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0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
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0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
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0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
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0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
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0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
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6,875 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
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0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
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6,088 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
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0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
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0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
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0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
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0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
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0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
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919,000 Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
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| Communications ::Maldives |
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24,100 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 183
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530,400 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 164
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general assessment: telephone services have improved; interatoll 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)
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state-owned radio and TV monopoly until recently; state-owned TV operates 2 channels; 2 privately-owned TV stations; state owns Voice of Maldives and operates both an entertainment and a music-based station; 5 privately-owned radio stations (2009)
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.mv
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3,296 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 153
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86,400 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 164
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| Transportation ::Maldives |
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6 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 176
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total: 4
over 3,047 m:
1
2,438 to 3,047 m:
1
1,524 to 2,437 m:
1
914 to 1,523 m:
1 (2012)
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total: 2
914 to 1,523 m:
2 (2012)
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total: 88 km
country comparison to the world: 215
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)
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total: 18
country comparison to the world: 97
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)
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Male
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Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Marine Corps, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (2010)
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18-28 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; 10th grade or equivalent education required; must not be a member of a political party (2012)
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males age 16-49: 156,319
females age 16-49:
98,815 (2010 est.)
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males age 16-49: 135,374
females age 16-49:
85,181 (2010 est.)
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male: 4,167
female:
3,595 (2010 est.)
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5.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 13
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the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), with its small size and with little serviceable equipment, 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 (2008)
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