Land and Resources
The islands are low-lying and have only small
tracts of arable land. Vegetation is dominated by coconut palms and breadfruit
trees. The climate is tropical and humid. The average annual temperature
is 26.7° C (80° F), with little seasonal variation. The average
annual precipitation is 1524 mm (60 in), most of which falls between May
and November. The principal natural resource is the marine life of the
surrounding seas.
Population
The population of Maldives (1995 estimate)
is 248,000, yielding an average population density of about 832 persons
per sq km (about 2156 per sq mi). The most populous atolls are Male, the
capital and principal commercial center; Suvadiva; and Tiladummati. The
people are ethnically heterogeneous, incorporating Indian, Sinhalese, Arabian,
and African elements. Islam is the state religion, and nearly all the people
are Sunni Muslims. The language is Divehi, an Indo-European tongue related
to Sinhalese.
Economy and Government
The Maldivian economy is dominated by fishing,
which accounts for about 60 percent of all export trade. The catch is primarily
tuna; corals and shells are also taken. Coconuts are the principal agricultural
product; most food must be imported. Industrial activity is largely limited
to fish processing and garment manufacturing. The tourist industry is growing;
in the early 1990s more than 235,000 tourists visited Maldives, bringing
in $18.8 million annually. The national currency is the rufiyaa which is
made up of 100 laari (11.10 rufiyaa equal U.S.$1; 1994).
Maldives is a republic governed under a constitution
promulgated in 1968. Executive power is vested in a president, nominated
by the Majlis, or Citizens' Council, and then elected every five years
by universal adult suffrage. The Majlis, a unicameral legislative body,
consists of 40 directly elected members from the 20 administrative atolls
and 8 representatives appointed by the president. The president appoints
a cabinet that is responsible to the Majlis.
History
The islands were settled by Buddhist peoples
from southern Asia. Islam was introduced in the 12th century. The Portuguese
traded at Male in the latter half of the 15th century. Although the islands
were ruled by a local sultan, European influence was established over the
area, first by the Dutch in the 17th century and later by the British.
In 1887 the Maldives Islands formally became a British protectorate. In
1965 the Maldives achieved independence as a sultanate, and in 1968 the
people voted to establish a republic. In 1988, Indian troops were called
in to foil a coup attempt by Tamil mercenaries.
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