Maldives – country information

Country name	Maldives
Official name	Republic of Maldives
Capital	Male
continent	Asia
Area	298 km
Population	317 280 (2010)
Foundation of a state	26. 7. 1965
State system	a presidential-type republic without political parties with a unicameral parliament
The biggest cities	Small (capital) 65,000
Official language	native language
Ethnicity/National Composition	predominantly Sinhalese, minority Dravidian
Religious affiliation	Sunni Muslims 100%
Currency	1 Maldivian Rufiyaa (Rf) = 100 Lari
gross domestic product (GDP)	US$8,856 (2012)
Average life expectancy of the population	64.41 let (2006)
Structure of GDP	agriculture and fishing 8%, mining 1.5%, industry 7%, construction 8.5%, services 75%

Country overview

According to Abbreviationfinder, the Maldives form a chain of 19 island groups in the Indian Ocean; they lie to the southwest of India and Sri Lanka and stretch for 765 km in a southerly direction to the equator.

Country data

Location: South Asia

Time zone: CET + 4 (during summer time: CET + 3)

Total area: 298 km²

Land area: 298 km²

Water area: 0 km²

Length of the state border: 0 km

Coastline: 644 km

Capital: Malé

Regions: 8
Dhekunu, Maale, Mathi Dhekunu, Mathi Uthuru, Medhu, Medhu Dhekunu, Medhu Uthuru, Uthuru

Electric current: 220, 240 V / 50 Hz

Telephone code: 00 960 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: 3 m

Population

Population: approx. 400,000 residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 0% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 1,342

Life expectancy: 73 (male), 78 (female)

Official language: Dhivehi

Religions: Muslims

Climate

Due to the tropical climate, there is an average annual temperature of 25-30 ° C almost all year round. Even during the night it hardly cools down.

There are no fixed rainy seasons. When it rains it is usually short, heavy showers.

The high humidity (always over 70%) is still tolerable for Europeans due to the constantly blowing winds.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Rufiyaa (MVR)

Classification: 1 Rufiyaa = 100 Laari

ATMs: not available

International credit cards: These are accepted in hotels and shops on the tourist islands.

Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.

It is recommended to carry US dollars (in small denominations) as foreign currency, as these are accepted almost everywhere in the Maldives.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free: small quantities of tobacco products

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

There is an import ban for the following items:

• Alcoholic drinks
• Pork products
• pornographic magazines / images
• Drugs
• Weapons of all kinds !!!

There are sometimes very strict controls on entry and exit.

There is an export ban on products and parts of turtles and corals.

Behavioral advice

In the Islamic country, possession of even the smallest amount of drugs is severely punished (up to life imprisonment).

You should also have an English-language certificate from your doctor for all necessary medication.

You should avoid any kind of political or religious activity.

Economy

Agriculture in the Maldives is kept to a minimum. Due to the sterile coral soil, only a few products (e.g. millet, corn, potatoes, sugar cane) can be planted.

Tourism has become the largest industry in recent years and has become the strongest source of foreign currency income.

Industries: fishing and processing, shipbuilding, tourism

Natural resources: fish

Land use:

• Usable land: 10%
• Grain cultivation: 0%
• Pasture area: 3%
• Forests: 3%
• other: 84%

Plants

Palms are the most common tree species. These include coconut palms, arec palms and screw palms. In addition, however, banana, mango and red fruit trees also grow.

A variety of bushes, shrubs and plants enhance the tropical appearance of the Maldives.

Animals

The fruit bat is the island’s last original land animal. All other livestock and wild animals were introduced.

Rabbits, goats and many different small animals, which are now also living wild, can be found in the Maldives.

Life in the sea is particularly rich in species. Almost all known fish, corals and marine animals can be found here. Therefore this region is particularly interesting for diving enthusiasts.