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| Introduction | Maldives |
| Background: | The Maldives were long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. They became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Since 1978, President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM-currently in his sixth term in office-has dominated the island's political scene. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the President and his government have pledged to embark upon democratic reforms-including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. |
| People | Maldives |
| Population: | 339,330 (July 2004 est.) |
| Age structure: | 0-14 years: 44.4% (male 77,424; female 73,191) 15-64 years: 52.6% (male 91,045; female 87,331) 65 years and over: 3% (male 5,207; female 5,132) (2004 est.) |
| Median age: | total: 17.5 years male: 17.4 years female: 17.6 years (2004 est.) |
| Population growth rate: | 2.86% (2004 est.) |
| Birth rate: | 36.06 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
| Death rate: | 7.44 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
| Net migration rate: | 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
| Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2004 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate: | total: 58.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.) male: 57.43 deaths/1,000 live births |
| Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 63.68 years male: 62.41 years female: 65.01 years (2004 est.) |
| Total fertility rate: | 5.14 children born/woman (2004 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | 0.1% (2001 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: | less than 100 (2001 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths: | NA |
| Nationality: | noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian |
| Ethnic groups: | South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs |
| Religions: | Sunni Muslim |
| Languages: | Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials |
| Literacy: | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.2% male: 97.1% female: 97.3% (2003 est.) |
| Government | Maldives |
| Country name: | conventional long form: Republic of Maldives conventional short form: Maldives local short form: Dhivehi Raajje local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa |
| Government type: | republic |
| Capital: | Male |
| Administrative divisions: | 19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu |
| Independence: | 26 July 1965 (from UK) |
| National holiday: | Independence Day, 26 July (1965) |
| Constitution: | adopted January 1998 |
| Legal system: | based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Suffrage: | 21 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch: | chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government elections: president nominated by the Majlis and then the nomination must be ratified by a national referendum (at least a 51% approval margin is required); president elected for a five-year term; election last held 17 October 2003 (next to be held NA 2008) election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected in referendum held 17 October 2003; percent of popular vote - Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 90.3% cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government |
| Legislative branch: | unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 November 1999 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 42 |
| Judicial branch: | High Court |
| Political parties and leaders: | although political parties are not banned, none exist |
| Political pressure groups and leaders: | none |
| International organization participation: | AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO |
| Diplomatic representation in the US: | chief of mission: Dr. Mohamed LATHEEF chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195 |
| Diplomatic representation from the US: | the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there |
| Flag description: | red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag |
| Communications | Maldives |
| Telephones - main lines in use: | 28,700 (2002) |
| Telephones - mobile cellular: | 41,900 (2002) |
| Telephone system: | general assessment: minimal domestic and international facilities domestic: interatoll communication through microwave links; all inhabited islands are connected with telephone and fax service international: country code - 960; satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) |
| Radio broadcast stations: | AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 1 (1998) |
| Radios: | 35,000 (1999) |
| Television broadcast stations: | 1 (1997) |
| Televisions: | 10,000 (1999) |
| Internet country code: | .mv |
| Internet hosts: | 532 (2003) |
| Internet Service Providers (ISPs): | 1 (2000) |
| Internet users: | 15,000 (2002) |
| Transportation | Maldives |
| Highways: | total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km |
| Ports and harbors: | Gan, Male |
| Merchant marine: | total: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 54,164 GRT/68,973 DWT registered in other countries: 2 (2003 est.) by type: cargo 13, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 1, short-sea/passenger 1 foreign-owned: North Korea 1 |
| Airports: | 5 (2003 est.) |
| Airports - with paved runways: | total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways: | total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.) |
| Military | Maldives |
| Military branches: | National Security Service: comprising Security Branch (ground forces), Air Element; Coast Guard |
| Military manpower - availability: | males age 15-49: 81,221 (2004 est.) |
| Military manpower - fit for military service: | males age 15-49: 45,142 (2004 est.) |
| Military expenditures - dollar figure: | $43.1 million (2003) |
| Military expenditures - percent of GDP: | 8.6% (2003) |
| Transnational Issues | Maldives |
| Disputes - international: | none |
| This page was last updated on 16 December, 2004 |
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