The islands are divided into 20 administrative tiny fire goby to the harmless plankton-eating units, called atolls (although they do not whale shark which can reach 12 metres in necessarily correspond to geographical atolls). length. On land there are breeding colonies Each is known by a letter in the Maldivian of frigate birds and noddies, which local alphabet in addition to its geographical fishermen follow to find schools of tuna. name. Huvadhu Atoll, for example, is divided Main towns: Malé (capital, on Malé Atoll, into two administrative units: Gaafu Alifu and pop. 133,019 in 2014) is the only sizeable Gaafu Dhaalu. town; other settlements are Hithadhu (Seenu, Area: While the land area is only an 9,894), Foammulah (Gnaviyani, 8,055), estimated 298 sq km, the country’s total area Kulhudhuffushi (Haa Dhaalu, 8,011), Thinadhu of land and sea is some 90,000 sq km. (Gaafu Dhaalu, 4,707), Naifaru (Lhaviyani, Topography: Huvadhu Atoll to the south is 3,844) and Ugufaaru (Raa, 1,401), where the the largest true atoll formation in the world administrative units are in the brackets. and has a lagoon of 2,240 sq km. Most of : Few of the islands take longer the islands are very small and rise no higher than 30 minutes to cross on foot. Motor than two metres above sea level. The islands scooters are the favoured method of are surrounded by coral reefs but some, mechanical transport on Malé. There are a especially those furthest from the windward total of 88 km of paved road. reefs, are liable to erosion. Some islands are There are boat and seaplane services additionally protected by breakwaters. The between islands during daylight hours. Boat capital, Malé, is only 1.8 sq km. There is a services include traditional small (motor- land reclamation project on Malé Atoll. powered) boats called dhonis and speed Distinctive features of Maldives are its white boats. With the increase in , glass- beaches and crystal clear lagoons. There are bottomed boats for viewing coral reef and no hills, mountains or rivers. marine life, and vessels for fishing trips, One of the most violent earthquakes ever diving and other water sports transport, have recorded occurred on 26 December 2004 in become common. the Indian Ocean west of Sumatra and Malé International Airport is on the island of generated a tsunami that devastated the Hulhule, 2 km from the capital; there is a islands, causing about 100 deaths. frequent boat service linking airport and Climate: Maldives has a hot tropical climate. capital. The national airline operates regular The rainy south-west monsoon season is services to airstrips in the outer atolls. KEY FACTS April–October; the north-east monsoon from Seaplanes and helicopters are also used to December–March. Average annual rainfall is Joined Commonwealth: 1982 transfer tourists to resorts. 1,654 mm. The temperature ranges between Population: 345,000 (2013) 25°C and 30°C, but generally stays around Society GDP p.c. growth: 5.8% p.a. 1990–2011 the average 27°C. Gales occur during the monsoon. In May 1991, abnormal tidal KEY FACTS 2013 UN HDI 2014: World ranking 103 waters caused great damage through the Population per sq km: 1,158 Official language: Dhivehi archipelago. Life expectancy: 78 years Time: GMT plus 5 hrs Environment: The most significant issues Net primary enrolment: 94% (2009) Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa (MRf) are: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatening water supplies; global warming Population: 345,000 (2013); 43 per cent of Geography and sea level rise; and coral reef bleaching. people live in urban areas, mostly in Malé, which was in the mid-1990s doubled in area Vegetation: There is dense growth of Area: 298 sq km by land reclamation; growth 2.0 per cent p.a. coconut palms, breadfruit, screwpines and 1990–2013; birth rate 22 per 1,000 people Coastline: 644 km lesser vegetation on many islands although (40 in 1970); life expectancy 78 years (50 in Capital: Malé the soil lacks nutrients. Forest covers three 1970). per cent of the land area and there was no The Republic of Maldives lies in the Indian significant loss of forest cover during Language: The national language is Dhivehi, Ocean, some 670 km west-south-west of Sri 1990–2011. which has been most strongly influenced by Lanka. The 1,190 coral islands, 200 of which Sinhala and Arabic. English is widely spoken. are inhabited, occur on a double chain of 26 Wildlife: Coral reefs support an abundance coral atolls. The archipelago is 823 km long of marine life. There are over 200 species of Religion: Predominantly Sunni Muslims; and 130 km at its widest. coral and over 1,000 species of fish, from the Islam is the state religion.

The CoMMonwealTh Yearbook 2015 Maldives

Health: Public spending on health was four There is a growing number of private radio Real growth in GDP per cent of GDP in 2012. Some 99 per cent and TV providers. % of the population uses an improved drinking % 8 Some 95 per cent of households have TV sets 7 water source and 99 per cent have access to (2010). There are 420 personal computers 6 adequate sanitation facilities (2012). Infant per 1,000 people (2010). 5 mortality was eight per 1,000 live births in 4 2013 (180 in 1960). Malaria has been Communications: Country code 960; 3 practically eradicated and diarrhoeal diseases internet domain ‘.mv’. There are public 2 g 1 phones and post offices on most of the have been considerably reduced. 0 islands. Mobile phone coverage and internet Education: Public spending on education -1 access is good. -2 was 5.9 per cent of GDP in 2013. There are For every 1,000 people there are 65 landlines, -3 seven years of compulsory education starting -4 at the age of six. Primary school comprises 1,812 mobile phone subscriptions and 441 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 seven years and secondary five, with cycles of internet users (2013). three and two years. All administrative atolls Public holidays: New Year’s Day, Inflation have government primary schools and an Independence Day (26 July, usually celebrated % 15 education centre providing education for all over two days) and Republic Day (11 age groups. Most of the many private schools November). 12 receive state subsidies and are run by the The opening day of the Citizens’ Majlis community. The school year starts in January. (announced by the Majlis each year) is also a 9 The Maldives National University was public holiday. National Day (in January or established in 1999, with its main campus in February), The Day Maldives Embraced Islam 6 Malé (as Maldives College of Higher (February or March) and Victory Day (October Education), to provide post-secondary or November) are generally recognised as 3 education leading to diplomas and bachelor’s holidays. The weekend is Friday–Saturday. 0 degrees. It was inaugurated as a university in Religious festivals whose dates vary from year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 February 2011. The College of Islamic to year include Prophet’s Birthday, First Day of Studies, in Malé, offers continuing education, Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan, three GDP by sector (2013) diploma and degree courses in Islamic days), Hajj Day, Eid al-Adha (Feast of the studies; the Centre for Higher Secondary Sacrifice, three days) and Islamic New Year. Education, in Malé, offers GCE A-Level Agriculture courses for those aiming to attend 3.9% universities abroad; and the Centre for Economy Industry Continuing Education, in Malé, is a KEY FACTS 2013 14.5% professional institute with a mandate to GNI: US$2.0bn Services improve the quality of teaching and learning 81.6% GNI p.c.: US$5,600 in Maldives. Traditionally all students attended higher education institutions GDP growth: 2.9% p.a. 2009–13 (especially clothing) – with well-directed social overseas but, as numbers of secondary school Inflation: 7.5% p.a. 2009–13 expenditure on education, health and leavers have risen, the government has Maldives is disadvantaged by its small size, providing essential social infrastructure to the expanded the tertiary sector within the the thin scattering of human settlement outer islands. country. Vocational training is available in across atolls spread over hundreds of health sciences, teaching, and and The country does, however, face longer-term kilometres of ocean, its distance from centres catering skills. The female–male ratio for constraints through erosion of the friable of economic activity and the poverty of its gross enrolment in tertiary education is coral rock of which the islands are built, coralline soils. 1.10:1 (2008). Literacy among people aged caused by construction and population 15–24 is 99 per cent (2006). The country has benefited from the support pressure. Climate change resulting in rising of wealthy Muslim countries, but its steady sea level and greater climatic instability also Media: The leading Dhivehi dailies are progress is attributed mainly to its social and gives cause for concern as the country is very Haveeru and Miadhu . Both post daily online economic stability. Since the late 1980s, low-lying. news bulletins in English. economic policies have combined a liberal Nonetheless, it has achieved high and steady The Maldives National Broadcasting economic and investment regime – focused rates of growth over a relatively long period, Corporation provides public services. The first on tourism, fishing (notably skipjack tuna), based mainly on tourism. GDP grew by 7.8 private radio station was launched in 2007. and a growing sector per cent p.a. 1989–99. In the 2000s, growth initially slowed in response to the Maldives on the international stage international climate, but picked up again in 2002, becoming strong in 2002–04. The Maldives national football team won the 2008 South Asian Football Federation Championship, beating India 1–0 in the final. Then, in late December 2004, economic infrastructure throughout the country was Following the devastating tsunami of December 2004, the Commonwealth Secretariat devastated by a massive tsunami. The arranged for deployment of 24 medical volunteers to work on the islands for periods of up to 15 months. economy shrank by 4.6 per cent in 2005. Post-tsunami rebuilding and a rebound in

The CoMMonwealTh Yearbook 2015 Maldives

tourism spurred a remarkable recovery with adjustment to a modern economy. The only and combat corruption; promote human GDP growth of 21.4 per cent in 2006, 10.6 interruption to this steady progress was an rights; and ensure an effective and efficient per cent in 2007 and 12.2 per cent in 2008. attempted coup in late 1988, involving an civil service. But the impact of the world economic attempted invasion. This was quickly put downturn on long-haul tourism caused the down with the aid of Indian troops. In the Politics economy to contract sharply in 2009 (-3.6 early 1990s, President Maumoon Abdul Last elections: 9 and 16 November 2013 per cent), before bouncing back in 2010 (7.1 Gayoom devolved some presidential powers, (presidential), 22 March 2014 (parliamentary) per cent) and 2011 (6.5 per cent) and introduced other reforms and established an continuing with good growth – of three to anti-corruption board. Next elections: 2018 (presidential), 2019 (parliamentary) five per cent p.a. – in 2013–15. In the presidential election in October 1993 Gayoom, who had been President since Head of state: President History 1978, was re-elected. He won 28 of the 48 Abdul Gayoom votes in the Majlis and went on to win 93 per Archaeological finds reveal that the islands Head of government: The President cent of the popular vote in the subsequent were inhabited as early as 1500 BCE. The first Ruling party: Progressive Coalition referendum. settlers arrived around 500 BCE and are Women MPs: 6% thought to have been Aryans. In the pre- The country is isolated and low-lying and Islamic period (before 1153 CE), according to much concerned about the threat of rising President was the accounts of Persian and Arab travellers, sea level. It was as a result of an initiative by elected for a sixth term by the Majlis and was the Maldives was ruled by women. After that Gayoom that the Commonwealth first started confirmed in his sixth term as President at the date, only four queens ruled, the last one in to focus on the impact of climate change on referendum in October 2003 receiving 90 per the early 16th century. low-lying countries. cent of the votes. In June 2004, Gayoom announced proposals for wide-ranging Gayoom was re-elected for a fifth term in the Contact with Arab travellers paved the way constitutional reforms including a multiparty presidential election in October 1998. From a for the Maldives to adopt the religion of system and a directly elected President. Islam, which gradually replaced Buddhism. In field of six candidates he was unanimously 1153–54, King Dovemi Kalaminja officially elected by the Majlis and was then endorsed The general election in January 2005, accepted Islam. by 90 per cent of the popular vote in the observed by a Commonwealth expert team, referendum that followed. The 40 elective was to be the last before political parties Although the Maldives voluntarily accepted a seats of the Majlis were contested in the were allowed in June 2005. The main parties period of British protection, the country has general election in November 1999 by to emerge were Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party been an independent state throughout its individual candidates (there being no political (DRP), led by the President; Maldivian known history, except for a very brief period parties in Maldives at the time). Democratic Party (MDP); Adalath (Justice) (15 years) of Portuguese occupation in the Party; and Islamic Democratic Party. In March 16th century and an even briefer three Constitution 2006 the government published its months and 20 days of Mopla (south Indian) ‘Roadmap for the Reform Agenda’, which rule in the mid-18th century. The Maldivian Status: Republic with executive President provided for the first multiparty elections to militia (controlled by the Sultan) defended the Legislature: People’s Majlis be held in 2008. country and its independence against In a constitutional referendum in August incursions by stronger powers. Since the The 2008 constitution provides for an executive President and a legislature, the 2007, turnout was 77 per cent and 62 per country’s conversion to Islam, its history can People’s Majlis, both elected directly every five cent of votes were cast for a presidential be traced through a number of dynasties, years by universal suffrage. A President can system as proposed by Gayoom’s DRP rather ruled by 93 Sultans and Sultanas, whose laws serve for a maximum of two terms in office. than a ‘Westminster’ parliamentary system were only acknowledged when exercised for The Majlis comprises two elected members advocated by the opposition MDP. The new the benefit of the people. Otherwise, the from each of the 20 administrative atolls and constitution, which reduced presidential ruler, who was advised by councillors, could Malé. Where the residents registered in an powers while strengthening the Majlis and be dethroned. administrative atoll exceed 5,000, one the judiciary, was ratified in August 2008. The period of the British protectorate began in additional member is provided for each group The first multiparty presidential elections were 1887. The Sultan remained head of state. of 5,000 in excess of the first 5,000. In April held in October 2008 and turnout was 86 There was no British governor or representative 2014 the Majlis had 85 members. All per cent. Gayoom received 40.3 per cent of and Britain did not interfere in the country’s elections are run on a multiparty platform. votes, (MDP) 24.9 per internal affairs, confining its interest to foreign The constitution provides for an independent cent, Hassan Saeed (independent) 16.7 per affairs and defence. The Maldivian sultanate judiciary where judicial power is vested in the cent and (Republican Party) became elective after 1932. courts with the Supreme Court as the court 15.2 per cent. Nasheed defeated Gayoom in of last resort. The country briefly became a republic in the run-off in late October 2008 receiving 1953–54, but was again a sultanate at the Basic rights and freedoms, including freedom 54.2 per cent of the votes cast – turnout was time it terminated the arrangement with the of the media, of assembly and of association, 87 per cent – and Nasheed was sworn in as UK in 1965. Following a public referendum in are guaranteed as fundamental rights. President on 11 November 2008. On 22 April 1968, the sultanate was abolished and Freedom of expression is guaranteed so long November, , whom Gayoom had the Maldives was again declared a republic. as such expression is not contrary to any succeeded as President in 1978, died. Ibrahim Nasir, who had been Prime Minister tenet of Islam. The first multiparty parliamentary elections since 1954, then became President. Separate independent commissions and followed in May 2009. It was a close contest The recent history of Maldives has been offices are mandated to defend judicial in which the DRP won the most seats (28 characterised by stability, growth and gradual independence; conduct elections; prevent seats and 37 per cent of votes); the

The CoMMonwealTh Yearbook 2015 Maldives

President’s MDP took 26 (33 per cent), Supreme Court annulled the election of 7 Traveller information independents 13 (17 per cent) and the September. A fresh election was announced People’s Alliance seven (nine per cent). The for 19 October 2013 and Waheed Immigration and customs: Passports must first multiparty local elections were held on 5 subsequently withdrew from the contest. be valid at least until the date of departure. February 2011. However, on 19 October it was announced Visas are required by all Commonwealth that the election could not proceed that day nationals and are generally issued on arrival. Commonwealth observers were present at and on 21 October new dates were set. In Prohibited imports include anything deemed the 2008 presidential, the 2009 parliamentary the first round on 9 November 2013 Nasheed to be offensive to Islam. Prohibited exports and the 2011 local elections. took 46.9 per cent of votes, Yameen 29.7 per include coral and other marine products. On 7 February 2012 President Nasheed cent and Qasim 23.3 per cent. Yameen won Travel within the country: Traffic drives on resigned from office and his Vice-President, the run-off on 16 November with 51.4 per the left. An international driving permit is Dr Mohamed Waheed, was sworn in as cent and was sworn in as President on 17 required for driving in Maldives. Car hire is President. Following former President November. The Commonwealth observer available in Malé, though most islands take Nasheed’s subsequent claim that his group said that the elections of 9 and 16 only around half an hour to cross on foot. resignation was submitted under duress, the November were credible and peaceful and Scheduled air services fly between the main Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group brought to a conclusion what had been a (CMAG) sent a ministerial mission to Maldives complicated and unnecessarily protracted islands, and include seaplane and helicopter during 18–20 February 2012. Then at an process. services. Access to other islands is provided extraordinary meeting of CMAG on 22 by boats, such as the dhoni (a traditional, The People’s Majlis (parliamentary) elections February, the group placed Maldives on its motor-powered vessel), or the larger vedi for held on 22 March 2014 were won by the agenda and Maldives’ membership of CMAG longer trips. Malé and some other islands Progressive Coalition comprising the PPM (33 was held in abeyance. On 1 March offer taxi services. Maldivian taxis have a fixed seats and 27.7 per cent of votes), Jumhooree Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh fee whatever the distance. Party (15 seats and 13.6 per cent) and Sharma appointed Sir Donald McKinnon, Maldives Development Alliance (five seats Independent travel is discouraged because it former Commonwealth Secretary-General, as and 4.0 per cent). The MDP secured 26 seats is seen as disruptive to traditional island his Special Envoy to Maldives. On 30 August and 40.8 per cent of votes, independents five communities. Those wishing to visit islands 2012 the Commission of National Inquiry, seats and 10.9 per cent and Adhaalath Party outside the tourist zone will need a special which had been established to inquire into one seat. Turnout was 78.8 per cent. permit, which will generally only be issued the facts and circumstances leading to the where a visitor is sponsored by a resident of transfer of power on 7 February 2012, the island concerned. released a report concluding that the transfer International relations Travel health: Prevalent diseases where of power had been legal and constitutional. Maldives is a member of the Non-Aligned appropriate precautionary measures are At its meeting on 28 September 2012 CMAG Movement, Organisation of Islamic recommended include dengue fever, hepatitis agreed to continue to monitor the situation Cooperation, South Asian Association for A, hepatitis B and typhoid. in Maldives. Regional Cooperation, United Nations and With a turnout of 88 per cent, the World Trade Organization. There were 1,125,000 tourist arrivals in 2013. presidential election of 7 September 2013 resulted in former President Mohamed Further information Nasheed, the MDP’s candidate, securing the largest share of the vote, 45.5 per cent. President’s Office: www.presidencymaldives.gov.mv Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom of the Elections Commission: www.elections.gov.mv Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) secured People’s Majlis: www.majlis.gov.mv 25.4 per cent, Qasim Ibrahim of the Department of National Planning: www.planning.gov.mv Jumhooree Party 24.1 per cent and the Maldives Monetary Authority: www.mma.gov.mv incumbent President Mohamed Waheed 5.1 Maldives Tourism Board: www.visitmaldives.com Commonwealth Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org per cent. A Commonwealth observer group Commonwealth of Nations: www.commonwealthofnations.org/ was present in Maldives 31 August–14 country/Maldives September 2013 and reported positively on Media the credibility of the electoral process. On 23 Haveeru : www.haveeru.com.mv September, the Supreme Court issued an Miadhu : www.miadhu.com injunction against the holding of the second Maldives National Broadcasting Corporation: www.mbc.mv round election, which was due to be held on Minivan News: www.minivannews.com 28 September 2013, and on 7 October the

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The CoMMonwealTh Yearbook 2015