Background Notes: Maldives
PA/PC
Source: Office of Public Communication, Bureau of Public
Affairs
Date: Feb 15, 19902/15/90
Category: Country Data
Region: South Asia
Country: Maldives
Subject: Cultural Exchange, Resource Management,
Military Affairs, History, International Organizations,
Trade/Economics
[TEXT]
Official Name: Republic of Maldives
PROFILE
Geography
Area: 298 sq. km. (115 sq. mi.) spread over 1,200 islands; twice the
size of Washington, D.C. Cities: Capital-Male (pop. 52,000). Terrain:
Flat islands. Climate: Hot and humid.
People Nationality: Noun and adjective-Maldivian(s). Population
(1988): 200,000. Annual growth rate (1977-85): 3.2%. Density: About
664 per sq. km. (1,721 per sq. mi.). Ethnic groups: South Indians,
Sinhalese, Arabs. Religion: Sunni Islam. Languages: Dhivehi; many
government officials speak English. Education: Years compulsory-
none. Attendance-primary, 61%; secondary, 19%. Literacy-93%.
Health: Infant mortality rate-108/1,000. Life expectancy-53 yrs.
Work force (60,000): Agriculture, fishing, manufacturing-60%.
Services and government-40%.
Government:
Type: Republic. Constitution: June 4, 1964.
Independence: July 26, 1965.
Branches: Executive-president, cabinet. Legislative-unicameral
Majlis. Judicial-High Court, 8 lower courts, 19 atoll courts.
Administrative subdivisions: 19 atolls and capital city.
Political parties: None. Suffrage: Universal adult.
Central government budget (1987): 39% of GDP.
Flag: A white crescent centered in a green rectangle on a red field.
Economy:
GDP (1987): $95 million. Annual growth rate (1987): 9%.
Per capita GDP (1987): $494. Inflation (1987): 23%.
Domestic economy (1987): Tourism (17% of GDP); fishing (16% of
GDP); agriculture (11% of GDP); industry (6% of GNP). Trade (1987):
Exports-$35 million: fish products, garments. Major markets-U.S.,
Thailand, Sri Lanka. Imports-$74 million: manufactured goods,
machinery and equipment, food products. Major suppliers-Singapore,
Thailand, India.
Official exchange rate (1988): 8.6 rufiyaas=U.S.$1.
Fiscal year: Calendar year.
Aid received (1987): $13 million. Primary donors-World Bank, UN
Development Program, Saudi und, Kuwaiti Fund, Japan, Norway. U.S.
aid (1987)-$500,000.
Membership in International Organizations:
UN and some of its specialized and related agencies, South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Colombo Plan,
Commonwealth, Group of 77, Nonaligned Movement, Islamic League,
Asian Development Bank, Organization of the Islamic Conference
(OIC).
GEOGRAPHY
The Republic of Maldives is located in the northern Indian
Ocean. Its capital, Male, is an island about 2.6 square kilometers (1
sq. mi.), 670 kilometers (415 mi.) southwest of Sri Lanka. The
Maldives are a chain of 19 atolls extending 764 kilometers (502
mi.) from north to south. The archipelago is 120 kilometers (74 mi.)
wide at its widest point. Its southern tip is 644 kilometers (400
mi.) from Diego Garcia.
The atolls comprise 1,200 coral islands, which seldom exceed
an elevation of 2 meters (6 ft.) above sea level. No island is larger
than 13 square kilometers (5 sq. mi.). Tropical vegetation varies
from grass and scrub to dense groves of fruit trees and coconut
palms.
The climate is equatorial, hot and humid, with little daily
variation. The average temperature is 27 C (80 F), with a relative
humidity of 80%. Most of the area is subject to the "wet" southwest
monsoon (May-October) and the "dry" northwest monsoon
(December-March). Annual rainfall averages 254 centimeters (100
in.) in the north and 281 centimeters (150 in.) in the south.
PEOPLE Of the 1,200 islands, 202 are inhabited. The population is
scattered throughout the country, with the greatest concentration
on the capital island, Male. Only four islands have a population of
more than 3,000. Although most islands are uninhabited, absence of
potable water and arable land limits population expansion.
The earliest settlers were probably from southern India,
speaking languages of the Dravidian family. They were followed by
Indo-European speakers from Sri Lanka in the fourth and fifth
centuries B.C. In the 12th century, sailors from Arab countries and
East Africa came to the islands. Today, Maldivian ethnic
consciousness is a strong blend of these cultures, reinforced by
religion and language.
Originally Buddhists, Maldivians were converted to Sunni
Islam in the mid-12th century. Islam is the official religion and
that of the entire population. Strict adherence to Islamic precepts
and close community relationships have kept crime under control.
The official language is Dhivehi, an Indo-European language
related to Sinhala, the language of Sri Lanka. The writing system,
like Arabic, is from right to left, although the alphabets are
different. Vocabulary is overwhelmingly Maldivian.
Some social stratification exists on the islands. It is not
rigid, since rank is based on varied factors, including occupation,
wealth, Islamic virtue, and family ties. Members of the social elite
are concentrated in Male.
HISTORY
The early history of the Maldives is obscure. According to
Maldivian legend, a Sinhalese prince named Koimale was stranded
with his bride, daughter of the king of Sri Lanka, in a Maldivian
lagoon and stayed on to rule as the first sultan. The islands were
governed as a sultanate from 1153 to 1968 with only two
exceptions-15 years of Portuguese rule in the 16th century and a
short-lived republican government in 1953.
Over the centuries, the islands were visited and influenced by
sailors from countries on the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean
littorals. Mopla pirates from the Malabar Coast (present-day Kerala
State in India) harassed the islands. In the 16th century, the islands
were plagued by Portuguese raiders, who eventually were driven
away by the warrior-patriot Muhammad Thakurufar Al-Azan.
Although independent for most of its history, Maldives was ruled by
Portugal from 1558 to 1573 and were a British protectorate from
1887 until July 26, 1965.
On November 11, 1968, the sultanate was abolished, and the
country assumed its present name. Ibrahim Nassir, prime minister
under the sultanate, was president from 1968 to 1978. He was
succeeded by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who was elected president in
1978, 1983, and 1988.
A 1956 bilateral agreement gave the United Kingdom the use,
for 20 years, of Gan (in Addu Atoll) in the far south as an air
facility in return for British aid. The agreement ended in 1976,
shortly after the British closed the Gan air station.
In April 1987, high tides that swept over Maldives, destroying
much of Male and nearby islands, prompted high-level Maldivian
interest in global climactic changes, including the "greenhouse
effect."
On November 3, 1988, Maldives was rocked when Sri Lankan
Tamil mercenaries attempted to overthrow the government. At
President Gayoom's request, the Indian military suppressed the coup
attempt within 24 hours. In early 1989, 68 mercenaries and 6
Maldivians implicated in the attempt were tried.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
A 1968 referendum approved the work of a special parliament,
and Maldives became a republic with executive, legislative, and
judicial branches of government. The constitution was amended in
1970, 1972, and 1975, and has been under revision since 1981.
The president presides over the executive branch and appoints
the cabinet. Nominated to a 5-year term by a secret ballot of the
Majlis (parliament), the president must be confirmed by a national
referendum.
The unicameral Majlis is composed of 48 members serving 5-
year terms. Two members from each atoll and Male are elected
directly by universal suffrage. Eight are appointed by the president.
A Majlis member can be elected in the middle of a session and
complete the 5-year term in the following session.
The Maldivian legal system, derived mainly from traditional
Islamic law, is administered by secular officials, a chief justice,
and lesser judges on each of the 19 atolls, who are appointed by the
president and function under the Ministry of Justice. There also is
an attorney general.
Each inhabited island within an atoll has a chief who is
responsible for law and order. Every atoll is administered by an
atoll chief, appointed by the president, who functions as a district
officer in the British South Asian tradition.
Maldives has no organized political parties. Candidates for
elective office run as independents on the basis of personal
qualifications.
Principal Government Officials
President; Minister of Defense and National Security;
Minister of Finance-Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Ministers Atolls Administration-Abdulla Hameed
Education-Muhammad Zahir Hussain
Fisheries and Agriculture-Abdulla Jameel
Foreign Affairs-Fathulla Jameel
Health and Welfare-Abdul Sattar Moosa Didi
Home Affairs and Sports-Umar Zahir Justice-Muhammad
Rasheed Ibrahim
Planning and Environment-vacant
Public Works and Labor-Abdulla Kamaludeen
Tourism-Ahmed Mujathaba
Trade and Industries-Ilyas Ibrahim
Transport and Shipping-Abbas Ibrahim
Attorney General-Ahmed Zaki
ECONOMY
`The Maldivian economy is based on tourism and fishing. Poor
soil and unavailable arable land limit agriculture to a few
subsistence crops. Traditional industry consists of boatbuilding and
handicrafts, while modern industry is restricted to a cannery and a
few garment factories and consumer products.
Fishing employs about one-third of the labor force. Production
was more than 60,000 metric tons in 1988, most of which was
skipjack and yellowfin tuna. More than one-half of the annual
harvest is frozen, canned, or dried and exported to Thailand, Sri
Lanka, and other countries.
In recent years, Maldives successfully has marketed its
natural assets for tourism - beautiful beaches on small coral
islands, blue waters abundant with tropical fish, and glorious
sunsets. Since the first resort was established in 1972, 58 resort
hotels have been developed-each on its own island-with a capacity
of about 7,300 beds. The number of tourists-mainly from Europe and
Japan-visiting the Maldives increased from 1,100 in 1972 to
155,758 in 1988. To facilitate tourism, Male International Airport
has been expanded to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft. In early
1989, six international airlines-as well as charter companies-
serviced Male.
Maldivians traditionally have been good sailors. The national
carrier, Maldives National Ship Management Ltd., operates a fleet of
about 13 vessels-down from nearly 40 in the early 1980s-serving
many worldwide destinations.
In 1987, Maldives had a balance-of-trade deficit of $39
million. Because of large earnings from tourism, however, the
current account was in balanced. Import duties, taxes on tourism,
and foreign grants are Maldives' largest sources of revenue.
Inflation was high, at 23%, chiefly because a major currency
devaluation in 1987 led to increased import prices. Preliminary
data for 1988 show the cost of living declining.
Four factories-three on the site of the former Royal Air Force
Base on Gan Island-export apparel to the United States. A fish
canning factory also has become a source of foreign exchange.
Over the years, Maldives has received economic assistance
from multinational development organizations, including the UN
Development Program (UNDP) and the World Bank. Individual donors,
including Japan and European and Arab countries, also have
contributed. The United States has furnished assistance through the
PL 480 program, most recently in 1987.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Maldives follows a nonaligned policy and is committed to
maintaining friendly relations with all countries. Maldives has a UN
mission in New York and an embassy in Sri Lanka. India, Sri Lanka,
the Palestine Liberation Organization, and Pakistan currently
maintain resident embassies in Male. The United States, West
Germany, Bangladesh, and France have consular agencies in Male
under the supervision of their embassies in Colombo. The UNDP has a
representative resident in Male. Many countries have nonresident
ambassadors accredited to the Maldives, most of them based in Sri
Lanka or India.
U.S.-MALDIVIAN RELATIONS
The United States has friendly relations with the Republic of
Maldives. The U.S. Ambassador and most embassy staff in Sri Lanka
are accredited to Maldives and make periodic visits. The U.S.
consular agent in Male provides limited consular assistance to U.S.
visitors. The United States supports Maldivian independence and
territorial integrity and publicly endorsed India's timely
intervention on behalf of the Maldivian Government during the
November 1988 coup attempt. U.S. naval vessels have regularly
called at Male in recent years.
U.S. contributions to economic development in Maldives have
been made principally through international organization programs.
Although no aid agreement exists between the two countries, the
United States has indirectly funded training for Maldivian civilians
abroad. The United States also trains a small number of Maldivian
military personnel annually. The United States provided $2.75
million in wheat through the PL 480 Program from 1985 to 1987
and donated $25,000 in disaster relief during April 1987 high tides.
The U.S. Consular Agency in Male is located at Mahdu Edurage,
20-05 Violet Magu, Henveru, Male (tel. 322581, telex 66028).
TRAVEL NOTES
Customs: Visas are not required of foreigners who stay up to
30 days. Unlimited amounts of foreign currency may be taken into or
out of the country. Visitors wishing to convert rufiyaas into dollars
upon departure must have proof that the rufiyaas were obtained for
dollars. The import of pork and alcohol is prohibited.
Health: Medical facilities are adequate by Third World
standards. Male has a modern 48-bed hospital, and there are medical
rescue services in the atolls. Valid immunizations against yellow
fever may be required; check latest information. All islands except
Male pose a malaria risk.
Telecommunications: International telephone, telegraph, and
telex services generally are reliable. Telephone service within Male
is adequate, but the service connecting Male to the resort islands is
sometimes erratic. Male is 10 hours ahead of eastern standard time.
Transportation: Six airlines service the Maldives. Boats are
the primary means of transport between the islands. Limited taxi
service is available in Male.
Tourist attractions: Maldives have some of the world's most
beautiful beaches, excellent snorkling, scuba diving, wind surfing,
and fishing.
Further Information
These titles are provided as a general indication of material
published on this country. The Department of State does not endorse
unofficial publications.
Hockly, Thomas William. The Two Thousand Isles-A Short
Account of the People, History, and Customs of the Maldive
Archipelago. London: 1935.
Maldives Ministry of External Affairs. The Maldive Islands.
Colombo: Gunasena, 1952.
Maloney, Clarence. People of the Maldives Islands. Bombay:
Longman Orient, 1980. Maldives Ministry of Planning and
Development.
Statistical Year Book of Maldives (annual).
Male: Government of the Maldives.
Heyerdhal, Thor. The Maldives Mystery. Bethesda, Md.: Adler ∧
Adler, 1986. Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. American
University. Indian Ocean: Five Island Countries. Area Handbook
Series, 1983.
Published by the United States Department of State -- Bureau of
Public Affairs -- Office of Public Communication -- Washington,
D.C.-- February 1990 Editor: Juanita Adams Department of State
Publication 8026-- Background Notes Series -- This material is in
the public domain and may be reprinted without permission;
citation of this source is appreciated. For sale by the
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402 (###)