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. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.

Land boundaries: none

Coastline: 644 km

Maritime claims
Exclusive fishing zone: about 100 nm (defined by geographic coordinates)
Extended economic zone: irregular polygon varying in breadth from about 35 nm to more than 300 nm
Territorial sea: irregular polygon varying in breadth from less than 3 nm to about 55 nm

Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March; rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)

Terrain: flat with elevations only as high as 2.5 meters

Natural resources: fish

Land use: 10% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 3% meadows and pastures; 3% forest and woodland; 84% other

Geography
Note: archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean

Population: 210,878 (July 1989), growth rate 3.7% (1989)

Nationality: noun - Maldivian(s; adjective - Maldivian

Ethnic groups: admixtures of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, and black

Languages: Divehi (dialect of Sinhala; script derived from Arabic; English spoken by most government officials

Religions: Sunni Muslim

Birth rate: 47 births/1000 population (1989)

Death rate: 10 deaths/1000 population (1989)

Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1000 population (1989)

Environment
Current issues: 1,200 coral islands grouped into 19 atolls

Infant mortality rate: 80 deaths/1000 live births (1989)

Life expectancy at birth: 60 years male, 63 years female (1989)

Total fertility rate: 7.0 children born/woman (1989)

Literacy: 36%

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives

Government type: republic

Capital: Male

Administrative divisions: 19 districts; Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu

Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

Constitution: 4 June 1964

Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: universal over age 21

Executive branch: Chief of State and Head of Government - President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since since 11 November 1978)

Legislative branch: no military force

International organization participation: ADB, Colombo Plan, Commonwealth (special member), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT (de facto), IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB - Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none

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

Economy overview: The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping. Agriculture is limited to the production of a few subsistence crops that provide only 10% of food requirements. Fishing is the largest industry, employing 80% of the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports; it is also an important source of government revenue. During the 1980s tourism has become one of the most important and high-growth sectors of the economy. In 1985 industry accounted for about 12% of GDP. Real GDP is officially estimated to have increased by about 10% annually during the period 1974-86, and GDP estimates for 1987 show a further growth of 9% on the strength of a record fish catch and an improved tourist season.

Agriculture products: crops - coconut, limited production of millet, corn, pumpkins, sweet potatoes; shortages - rice, sugar, flour

Industries: fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat building, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope), handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate: 12% (1987 est.)

Labor force: 66,000 (est.), 80% engaged in fishing industry

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: revenues $51 million; expenditures $50 million, including capital expenditures of $25 million (1988 est.)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Exports: $31.2 million (f.o.b., 1987)
Commodities: fish 57%, clothing 39%
Partners: Thailand, Western Europe, Sri Lanka

Imports: $73.9 million (c.i.f., 1987)
Commodities: intermediate and capital goods 47%, consumer goods 42%, petroleum products 11%
Partners: Japan, Western Europe, Thailand

Debt external: $70 million (December 1988)

Exchange rates: rufiyaa (Rf) per US$1 - 8.4500 (January 1989), 8.7762 (1988), 9.2230 (1987), 7.1507 (1986), 7.0981 (1985)

Electricity
Capacity: 5,000 kW capacity; 10 million kWh produced, 50 kWh per capita (1988)

Military expenditures
Dollar figure: $1.8 million, NA% of central government budget (1984 est.)

Airports: 2 with permanent-surface runways 2,440-3,659 m

Merchant marine: 16 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 70,066 GRT/112,480 DWT; includes 12 cargo, 1 container, 1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 2 bulk