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Maldives
is located in the middle of Indian Ocean, 670
km/416 miles South-West of Sri Lanka. The Island
archipelago comprises of 1190 islands, 202 of
which are inhabited. Maldives is divided into
19 Administrative regions called Atolls. The Capital
Island Male' is somewhat in the middle of the
Country and there are tourist resorts in 9 Atolls.
South and North Male' Atoll, South and North Ari
Atoll, Lhaviyani Atoll, Baa Atoll, Vaavu Atoll,
Dhaalu Atoll and Seenu Atoll. |
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Area
Land Area: 1,190 Islands with
a land area of 115 square miles (298 sq. km).
Sea Area: Approx. 41,500 square
miles (107,500 sq. km) |
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| Formation
and Geographical Location |
Coral
Islands, grouped into Atolls, stretch along the
73rd Meridian between Latitudes 0 42' South and
8 10' North, for a distance of 468.3 miles (753.6
km), with a width of 73.4 (118.1 km) from East
to West.
The Shortest distance from the mainland of India
is 217 miles (350 km) and from Sri Lanka 460 miles
(740 km) in the Indian Ocean. |
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Latitude
: 07° 06'30" North to 00°
41'48" South.
Longitude :
72° 32'30" East to 73° 45'54"
East. |
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| Political
Status |
Since
1965, Maldives is an Independent Republic, electing
Democratically the Parliament. The President is
the Head of the Government, elected every 5 years. |
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| Population |
214,139 (1990)
260,000 (1997 official estimate).
The Population of the Capital Male' was 58,000 in
the year 1990.
Annual population increase is 3.8% |
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Capital
: Malé
Male' the Capital Island envelopes an area of 1.77
sq.kms. |
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Maldives
Standard Time
+5 hrs GMT ( 5 hours ahead of GMT ) |
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Religion
100% Sunni Muslim.
Maldives is perhaps the only Country with a 100%
Muslim population. Islam was introduced around A.D.800,
and the moderate form practiced in Maldives has
remained virtually unchanged. |
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Literacy
Rate
98.2% (Age group 10-45 yrs) |
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Health
Maldives is a Tropical Country but the people
are extremely clean. You will be safe here, but
please get advice from your Doctor or health visitor
regarding vaccinations. |
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Weather
Temperature: |
The
temperature volatiles between 30.4° C (Mean
Max) and 25.4° C (Mean Min). |
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Monsoon:
South-West Monsoon : May-October
North-East Monsoon : November-April. |
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Currency
Maldivian Rufiyaa Mrf and unit Laari (100 Laari's
in 1 Rufiyaa)
The approximate Exchange rates are: |
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| US $ 1 |
= |
12 Mrf |
| Sterling £1 |
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18 Mrf.
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| German Mark |
= |
6.5
Mrf |
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Working
Hours
Banks : 8 am - 1.30 PM (Sun to Thus)
Government Offices : 7.30 am -2.30 PM
(Sun to Thus), Fri and Sat holidays.
Private Offices: Open between 8 am and
10 am and close between 6 PM and 8 PM, with a
lunch break and are Closed on Fridays only. |
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Credit
Cards Accepted
American Express, Diners Club, EuroCard, JCB, MasterCard,
Visa. |
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| Economy
Major Industries:
Tourism, Fish canning, manufacture of Garments,
Boat Building,
and Handicrafts.
GDP growth: 6.1%. Inflation :
20.1% (1994 figures)
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| National
Flag and Emblem |
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