Maldives

The Republic of Maldives is an island nation consisting of a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India, about 700 kilometers south-west of Sri Lanka. The 26 atolls encompass a territory featuring 1,192 islands, roughly 200 of which are inhabited by people.

Following the introduction of Islam in 1153, the islands later became a Portuguese (1558), Dutch (1654), and British (1796) colonial possession. In 1965, Maldives declared its independence from Britain, and in 1968 the Sultanate was replaced by a Republic.

The Maldivian economy was for many centuries, entirely dependent on fishing and other marine products; therefore fishing has been and still remains the main occupation of the people. The government gives special priority to the development of the fisheries sector.

The development of tourism has fostered the overall growth of the country's economy. It has created direct and indirect employment and income generation opportunities in other related industries.

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

Area: 300 sq km

Coastline: 644 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines, territorial sea: 12nm, contiguous zone: 24nm, exclusive economic zone: 200nm

Environment – current issues: depletion of fresh water aquifers threatens water supplies; global warming and sea level rise; coral reef bleaching

Population: 349106 (July 2005 est.)

Age Structure: 0-14 years: 43.9%, 15-64 years: 53%, 65years and over: 3.1%