Overview
The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an archipelagic nation renowned globally for its stunning natural beauty and luxurious tourist resorts.
Here is an overview of the Maldives:
🏝️ Geography & Environment
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Location: Located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India, it spans across the equator.
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Composition: It consists of a double chain of 26 natural atolls comprising nearly 1,200 coral islands and sandbanks, of which only about 200 are inhabited.
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Unique Feature: The word “atoll” actually originates from the Maldivian language, Dhivehi (atholhu).
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Topography: It is the lowest-lying country in the world, with an average ground level elevation of only about 1.5 meters (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, making it particularly vulnerable to climate change and sea-level rise.
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Marine Life: The country is famous for its vibrant coral reefs, which support a rich biodiversity of marine life, including manta rays, whale sharks, and thousands of fish species.
Highlights
- Capital & Largest City: Malé, one of the most densely populated cities in the world.
- Population: The Maldivian people are an ethnic group resulting from various settlement waves and cultural interactions across the Indian Ocean over centuries.
- Language: The official language is Dhivehi, an Indo-Aryan language. English is also widely spoken, especially in the tourism industry.
- Religion: Islam is the state religion and the foundation of the country's law and customs.
