Maldives Facts

Maldives Facts and History

Asia

Maldives – island paradise in the Indian Ocean

The Maldives consist of a group of 14 atolls with a total of 1,190 coral islands, of which only around 200 are permanently inhabited. The island nation stretches over a length of around 750 km and a width of around 120 km. You are in the Indian Ocean. The republic’s state religion is Islam, which also determines culture and life in the Maldives. The Maldives are very popular as a holiday destination and have a corresponding infrastructure.

In October 2009 an unprecedented action took place at a depth of around 4 m on the sea floor. The cabinet of President Mohamed Nasheed signed a resolution against global warming and the associated rise in sea levels at specially prepared tables on a slate, provided with diving equipment.

Name of the country Republic of Maldives
Form of government republic
Geography In the Indian Ocean, approx. 700 km south-southwest of India.It consists of 19 archipelagos, 26 atolls and 1,192 islands
National anthem Gavmii mi ekuverikan matii tibegen kuriime salaam
Population approx. 345,000 (Credit: Countryaah: Maldives Population)
Ethnicities Sinhalese, Dravidians, Arabs, Africans
Religions Islam is the state religion (mostly Sunnis)
Languages Divehi. The script is of Arabic origin and is called Thaana.
Capital Malé with approx. 124,000 residents
Surface The land area of all islands is approx. 300 km².The area including the water surface covers around 90,000 km²
Highest elevation An unnamed elevation on Wilingili Iceland in Addu Atoll with a height of 2.4 mto a 15 m high “waste and construction waste Berg” in the vicinity of the power plant from Male
International license plate MV
National currency Maldivian Rufiyaa
Time difference to CET + 4 h
International phone code +960
Mains voltage, frequency 220-240 volts, 50 hertz
Internet TLD (Top Level Domain) .mv

Maldives: history

Until around the year 1000

About 500 to 200 BC The Maldives were discovered by Sinhalese seafarers. From 200 BC The Maldives was a Buddhist kingdom. The first people lived here around 4,000 years ago.

From the year 1000 to the 17th century

According to Abbreviationfinder website, in 1153 the population of the Maldives was converted to Islam. In 1344 Ibn Battuta, an Arab historian and scholar, traveled to the Maldives and worked there as a judge. The first detailed descriptions of the islands come from him.

In 1558 the islands were occupied by the Portuguese. In 1573, however, expelled again by the Maldivians. From 1645 to 1796 the islands were under the protection of the Dutch crown.

In the 18th and 19th centuries

The Sultanate of Malé came under British rule in 1887 and was annexed to Ceylon – today’s Sri Lanka.

20th century until today

In 1932 the first democratic constitution was promulgated. The last tribute to England was paid in 1947. In 1953 the republic was proclaimed. The restoration of the sultanate took place in the same year. The Maldives gained full independence as a member of the Commonwealth and full membership of the United Nations in 1965. In 1968 the republic was reinstated, the Maldives withdrew from the Commonwealth and passed a new constitution.

The last British troops left Gan Island in 1976. In 1978 the dictatorial ruling President Ibrahim Nasir was voted out of office. In 1980 he tried to come back to power in a failed coup attempt.

In 1982 the Maldives were re-admitted to the Commonwealth with a special status and in 1985 they became a full member again. The last Indian troops withdrew from the Maldives in 1989.

The devastating tsunami wave of 2004 cost over 80 lives and destroyed numerous hotels and houses in the Maldives.

The first democratically elected president and head of government of the Maldives was Mohamed Nascheed (born 1967), who ruled from 2008 to 2012. Under his predecessor – Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (born 1937), he spent around six years in prison, where his back was broken, among other things. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (born 1937) ruled the island nation from 1978 to 2008 in a dictatorial manner.

From February 7, 2012 to November 17, 2013, Mohammed Waheed Hassan (born 1953) was President of the Maldives.

After winning the elections on September 7, 2013, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom Yameen (born 1959) – from the Progressive Party – has been President of the Maldives since November 17, 2013.

In the presidential election on September 23, 2018, he was defeated by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who succeeded him on November 17, 2018.

Maldives Facts