Sunni Muslim (state religion) 99%, Christian and Jewish 1%
Languages
Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Arabic (official), French, Berber dialects
Exports
fish
petroleum, natural gas, and petroleum products 97%
External Debt
$943,000,000 $
$4,699,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - NA (2007), 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004), 12.8 (2003)
Algerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 63.25 (2008 est.), 69.9 (2007), 72.647 (2006), 73.276 (2005), 72.061 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
5.500%
3.300%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
2
Location
Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
Area
298 km sq
2,381,741 km sq
Coastline
644 km
998 km
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer
