| Official Name: |
Republic of Maldives |
| Commonly Name: |
The Maldives |
| Location: |
Indian Ocean |
| Area: |
90,000 km (of which about 10% is only land) |
| Number of islands: |
1190 (approx.) |
| Population: |
270,101 (census 2000) |
| Capital: |
Male’ |
| Major Industries: |
Tourism, Fishing and Shipping |
| Major Exports: |
Tuna and Reef fish |
| Major Imports: |
Consumer goods, capital goods and petroleum |
| National Symbols: |
The National Emblem
The National Emblem comprises a Coconut Palm, a Crescent and Star,
two National Flags and the traditional Title of the State. |
|
The National Flag
The National Flag comprises a green rectangle with a red border and
a white Crescent in the centre. |
| National Tree: |
Coconut Palm |
| National Flower |
The pink rose |
| Official Language: |
Dhivehi |
| Second Language: |
English |
| Religion: |
Islam (100% Sunni Muslim) |
| Government: |
Democratic |
| Justice System: |
The constitution of The Maldives which is based on
Islamic Sharia |
| Head of State: |
The President |
| Head of Government: |
The President |
| Independence day: |
26th July |
| Republic day: |
11th November |
| Time difference: |
+5hrs GMT |
| Currency: |
Rufiyaa(Notes) and Laari (Coins) |
| Exchange rate: |
MRF 12.:72 per US$ |
| Official Weekly Holidays: |
Friday and Saturday |
| Business Hours: |
Government offices: 0730 – 1430 |
|
Banks: 0800 – 1330 |
| Airports: |
International: 1 (Male’ International
Airport, located in the island of Hulhule)
|
|
Domestic: 4 |
| Seaports: |
1 |
| Climate: |
Tropical |
| Average Temperatures: |
30.7 degrees Celsius (Max)
25.7 degrees Celsius (Min) |
| Average Rainfall: |
1868.9 mm |
| Electricity: |
240 Volts, 50 Hz |
| Television Channels: |
2 (TVM and TVM Plus, in Male’) |
| Radio Stations: |
2 (broadcasting on 1449 kHz MW and 104 MHz FM) |
