|RNational holidays:|N Independence Day, July 26 and Republic Day, November 11.
|RNature and climate:|N A chain of more than 1200 coral islands of which about 220 are inhabited. Spread over an area of 760 km from north to south and 200 km from west to east. The islands are grouped in 12 defined groups.
The climate is hot and humid.
Average temperature around the year 27°C
Percipitation 1500 mm.
|RPeople:|N Mixture of Singhalese, Dravidian, Arab and black. 45% of the population is less than 15 years old.
|REconomy:|N Fishing tourism and shipping are the main industries and all have increased strongly since the 1980:s. Still the Maldives is one of the poorest countries in the world.
Close to 60% of the export revenues comes from fish and fish products and close to 40% from the newly developed textile industry.
|RHistory:|N The islands were inhabited by Buddistic Singhalese well before AD. Arabian sailors visited the islands during the 10th century and Islam was proclaimed state religion 1153.
In the 16th century the islands were visited by several European sailors and in 1558 to 1573 they were occupied by Portuguese from Gôa.
From the Middle Ages the Maldives have been ruled by sultans. From 1759 until republic was declared in 1968, belonging to the same dynasty.
From 1887 a British protectorate and in 1965 an independent country.
During World War II Britain had an airbase on the islands.
After independence tourism have been developed and now accounts for 10% of GDP. But the many tourists have also caused problems. They interfere with the traditional Maldive way of living.
The development of the main island Mali have caused political unrest on the other islands, while the economy is too strained to fulfill the basic needs on all islands.
