In the southwest of the Indian subcontinent is a republic called the Maldives. It consists of a chain of almost 1,200 islands, the majority of which are uninhabited.
Due to the vulnerability of the country to any rise in sea levels brought on by global warming and the fact that none of the coral islands rise higher than 1 point 8 meters (six feet) above sea level.
Numerous islands have been developed for the high end of the tourist market because the economy is based on tourism.
Since the incumbent president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was defeated in the 2008 election, its political history has been turbulent.
- in capital letters. Male.
- Area:. 300 sq km.
- Population:. 392,000.
- Languages:. Hindi and English.
- Typical lifespan: 81 years for women and 77 years for men.
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is the current leader.
President Abdulla Yameen was unexpectedly defeated by opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih after winning the election in September 2018.
While the authoritarian Mr. Yameen had welcomed Chinese investment, Mr. Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party is in favor of relations with India.
In 2019 parliamentary elections, President Solih's party swept to a resounding victory, bringing the Maldives back into the Commonwealth.
Reporters Without Borders claims that journalists work in a violent and impune environment, and non-state media outlets claim to be under attack.
Defamation became illegal in 2016 thanks to a law that also gave the government the power to penalize media for defamatory content.
twelve hundred. Islam is explained.
1558-1573. - Portuguese occupation, which ends after expulsion by locals.
the 17th century. - After the Dutch conquerors of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) lost control of the country in 1796, the British took over Ceylon and made the islands their protectorate.
1887 . - Status formalised as internally self-governing British protectorate.
1965 . - Complete autonomy as a sultanate outside the Commonwealth.
1968 . - Sultan deposed after referendum, Ibrahim Nasir becomes president.
1978 . - Nasir retires, replaced by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
1980s . Economic growth is fueled by the expansion of the tourism sector.
2008 . - Opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed defeats President Gayoom in elections.
2012 . A coup results in the removal of President Mohamed Nasheed.
2018. - Opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih defeats President Abdulla Yameen in a surprise result.
