Location and Neighbors:
The Maldives is a low-lying island country situated in the north-central Indian Ocean.
It shares its closest borders with India, located approximately 600 kilometers to the north-east, and Sri Lanka, approximately 645 kilometers to the north-east.
Geography:
The country is comprised of approximately 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks, with around 200 of them being inhabited.
These islands are grouped into clusters known as atolls.
The Maldives features sandy beaches, serene lagoons, and an abundance of coconut palms, along with breadfruit trees and tropical bushes.
The total stretch of the islands spans over 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west.
None of the coral islands rise more than 1.8 meters (six feet) above sea level, and they are protected from monsoons by barrier reefs.
Capital:
The capital city of the Maldives is Male.
Languages:
The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi (or Maldivian), which belongs to the Indo-European language family.
Additionally, Arabic, Hindi, and English are also spoken in the country.
Islam is the state religion of the Maldives.
Economy:
The Maldivian economy is predominantly centered around tourism.
2024-01-11