| Location: |
Indian Ocean
Latitude : 07° 06'30" N to 00° 41'48" S.
Longitude : 72° 32'30" E to 73° 45'54" E. |
| Area: |
90,000 km ( of which about 10% is only
land) |
| Number of islands: |
1190 (approx.) |
| Population: |
263,189 (estimate for 1997 of which 48.5%
are women) |
| 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
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) |
| Justice System: |
The constitution of The Maldives which
is based on Islamic Sharia |
| Head of State: |
The President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Head of Government: |
The President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
| Independence day: |
26th July |
| Republic day: |
11th November |
| Time difference: |
+5hrs GMT |
| Currency: |
Rufiyaa(Notes) and Laari (Coins) |
| Exchange rate: |
MRF 11:85 per US$ |
| Official Weekly Holidays: |
Friday and Saturday |
| Business Hours: |
Government offices: 0730 – 1430
Banks:
0800 – 1330 |
| Airports: |
Male’ International Airport, located
in the island of Hulhule and four domestic airports scattered across
the islands. |
| 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 |
