Maldives Arts Maldives Arts. Equipment maldives geography Maldives Arts and Craft Maldives Environment Maldives Dive Schools Maldives History Maldives People Maldives http://www.ezilon.com/world/countries/maldives/maldives_arts/index.shtml
Maldives Travel And Tourism Maldives Travel and Tourism. maldives geography Maldives Travel Warning Featured in The northern tip of the Maldives is about 600 kilometres square http://www.ezilon.com/world/countries/maldives/maldives_travel_and_tourism/index
Extractions: Select country Asia - Cambodia - China - Hong Kong - India - Indonesia - Korea - Laos - Macau - Malaysia - Maldives - Myanmar - Philippines - Singapore - Sri Lanka - Taiwan - Thailand - Vietnam Europe - Austria - England - France - Germany - Hungary - Italy - Scotland - Spain South Pacific - Australia - New Zealand Select city Maldives Destinations Top Destination Maldives Search eg. hilton fitness airport... Countries Live Agent document.write(liveagentname); document.write(liveagentname); document.write(liveagentmessage); Maldives Travel Guide Maldives Travel Guide The Maldives Islands conjure up images of white beaches, crystal waters, sun filled days and moonlit nights that are perfect for a truly romantic holiday. Discover these exotic islands yourself and go there via our guide pages before you set foot on it shores. Hotel Travel has now added this treasured destination to it's list of wonderful places to visit. If you need to know more about the place or are stuck for answers contact us or use our mailbag pages and we will answer your queries. Maldives Guide Maldives Information
Maldives Geography Nation by Nation the story of the countries of the world. http://www.nationbynation.com/Maldives/Geo.html
Extractions: Maldives Islands Geography Map Weather Holidays Islands ... Contact Us document.write(dayarray[day]+" "+daym+", "+montharray[month]+" "+year+", Local time in Maldives") GEOGRAPHY OF MALDIVES The sea covers 99% of the Maldives and inside its blue depths lies the mysteries and riddles related to the formation of the Maldives. The islands are formed around a ring shaped coral reef encircling a lagoon. This reef structure, typical of Maldives, is called an atoll. In fact, the English word 'atoll' itself is derived from the Maldivian or dhivehi word for it-atholhu. There are 26 natural atolls in the Maldives. There are still ongoing debates about the formation of atolls. According to Charles Darwin's theory, when submerged volcanoes rise from the sea, a coral reef grew on its edge. When the volcanoes submerged, the coral reefs encircling a water-filled basin remained. Consequently, islands were formed on the reefs as the tides and currents brought dead coral onto sandbars. These were in turn colonised by plants.
Traveljournals.net - Geography Of Maldives Geography of Maldives. Stories from Maldives Cities and locations Geography People Government Economy Communications Transportation http://www.traveljournals.net/explore/maldives/geography.html
Kani - Maldives Geography. Maldives is at the crossroads of Asia and the Middle East, only four hours flying time from Dubai or Singapore, one hour from Colombo and nine http://www.kanifinolhu.com/html/maldives_geography.html
Extractions: Destination 2000 Geography History Culture ... People Geography Maldives is at the crossroads of Asia and the Middle East, only four hours flying time from Dubai or Singapore, one hour from Colombo and nine hours from Europe. We tried to be very comprehensive throughout the entire web site, but if you still have specific questions that weren't covered, please contact us This site and its pages are Kanifinolhu Resort CGC
World Factbook 2000 [D] - MALDIVES (by The CIA) maldives geography. Location Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, southsouthwest of India. Geographic coordinates 3 15 N, 73 00 E http://www.authorama.com/world-2000-d-3.html
Extractions: Public Domain Books Background: The Maldives were long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. They became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago. Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 300 sq km land: 300 sq km water: sq km Area - comparative: about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: km Coastline: 644 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean m highest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 3% forests and woodland: 3% other: 84% (1993 est.)
US Department Of State, October 2001 Background Notes Maldives US Department of State, October 2001 Background Notes Maldives PROFILE OFFICIAL NAME Republic of maldives geography Area 298 sq. km. (115 sq. mi. http://commercecan.ic.gc.ca/scdt/bizmap/interface2.nsf/vDownload/BNOTES_0865/$fi
Extractions: U.S. Department of State, October 2001 Background Notes: Maldives PROFILE OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Maldives Geography Area: 298 sq. km. (115 sq. mi.), over 1,900 islands; twice the size of Washington, DC. Cities: CapitalMalé (pop. 70,000). Terrain: Flat islands. Climate: Hot and humid. People Nationality: Noun and adjectiveMaldivian(s). Population: (276,000) Population growth rate: 2.3%. Ethnic groups: South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs. Religion: Sunni Islam. Languages: Dhivehi (official); many government officials speak English. Education: Years compulsorynone. Attendanceprimary 99%; secondary 51%. Literacy96%. Health: Infant mortality rate55/1000. Life expectancy62 yrs. Work force: Fishing20%; manufacturing15%; tourism11%agriculture5%; other49%. Government Type: Republic. Independence: July 26, 1965 (formerly a British protectorate). Constitution: November 11, 1968. Branches: Executivepresident, cabinet. Legislativeunicameral Majlis (parliament). JudicialHigh Court, Civil Court, Criminal Court, Family and Juvenile Court, and 204 general courts. Administrative subdivisions: 19 atolls and capital city. Political parties: None. Suffrage: Universal at age 21. Economy GDP (2000): $435.4 million . GDP growth rate: 7.6%. Per capita GDP: About $1,400. Inflation (2000): -1.1%. Percentages of GDP (1999): Distribution17%. Tourism18%. Fishing10%. Construction11%. Government10%; agriculture-6%; manufacturing7%; other21%. Trade (2000): Exports$76 million: fish products, garments. Major marketsTaiwan, Germany, U.S., U.K., Sri Lanka. Imports$388 million: oil, textiles and yarn, rice, cigarette, cement, engines for boats, televisions, aircraft parts, prefabricated buildings, vegetables. Major suppliersSingapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, E.U., India, UAE. U.S. MALDIVIAN RELATIONS The United States has friendly relations with the Republic of Maldives. The U.S. ambassador and some embassy staff in Sri Lanka are accredited to Maldives and make periodic visits. 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 bilateral aid agreement exists between the two countries, the United States has directly funded training in airport management and narcotics interdiction and provided desktop computers for Maldivian customs, immigration, and drug-control efforts in recent years. The United States also trains a small number of Maldivian military personnel annually. Some 10 U.S. citizens are resident in Maldives; about 2,000 Americans visit Maldives annually. Maldives welcomes foreign investment, although the general lack of codified law acts as somewhat of a damper. Areas of opportunity for U.S. businesses include tourism, construction, and simple export-oriented manufacturing, such as garments and electrical appliance assembly. There is a shortage of local skilled labor, and most industrial labor has to be imported from Sri Lanka or elsewhere. Principal U.S. Embassy Officials AmbassadorE. Ashley Wills (resident in Colombo, Sri Lanka) The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka is at 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3; Tel: 94-1 448007; Fax: 94-1-437345 or 94-1-437237 x2201. ECONOMY The Maldivian economy is based on tourism and fishing. Of Maldives' 1,900 islands, only 198 are inhabited. The population is scattered throughout the country, and the greatest concentration is on the capital island, Male. Limitations on potable water and arable land constrain expansion. Development has been centered upon the tourism industry and its complementary service sectors, transport, distribution, real estate, construction, and government. Taxes on the tourist industry have been plowed into infrastructure and used to improve technology in the agricultural sector. GDP in 2000 totaled $435 million, or about $1,400 per capita. Maldives has experienced relatively low inflation in recent years. Real GDP growth averaged about 10% in the 1980s. It expanded by an exceptional 16.2% in 1990, declined to 4% in 1993, and has since bounced back to the 7% to 9% range. Maldives has been running a merchandise trade deficit in the range of $200 to $260 million since 1997. The trade deficit declined to $233 million in 2000 from $262 million in 1999. International shipping to and from the Maldives is mainly operated by the private sector with only a small fraction of the tonnage carried on vessels operated by the national carrier, Maldives Shipping Management Ltd. Over the years, Maldives has received economic assistance from multilateral development organizations, including the UN Development Program, Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank. Individual donorsincluding Japan, India, Australia, and European and Arab countries (including Islamic Development Bank and the Kuwaiti Fund)also have contributed. A 1956 bilateral agreement gave the United Kingdom the use of Ganin Addu Atoll in the far southfor 20 years as an air facility in return for British aid. The agreement ended in 1976, shortly after the British closed the Gan air station. Economic Sectors Tourism. In recent years, Maldives has successfully marketed its natural assets for tourismbeautiful, unpolluted beaches on small coral islands, diving in blue waters abundant with tropical fish, and glorious sunsets. Tourism now brings in about $325 million a year. Tourism and related services contributed 33% of GDP in 2000. Since the first resort was established in 1972, more than 84 islands have been developed, with a total capacity of some 16,000 beds. The number of tourists (mainly from Europe) visiting the Maldives increased from 1,100 in 1972 to 280,000 in 1994. In 2000, tourist arrivals exceeded 466,000. The average occupancy rate is 68%, with the average tourist staying 8 days and spending about $755. Fishing. This sector employs about 20% of the labor force and contributes 10% of GDP. The use of nets is illegal, so all fishing is done by line. Production was about 119,000 metric tons in 2000, most of which was skipjack tuna. About 50% is exported, largely to Sri Lanka, Germany, the U.K., Thailand, Japan, and Singapore. About 42% of exports consist of dried or canned fish, and another 31% is frozen; 10% is exported as fresh fish. Total export proceeds from fish were about $40 million in 2000. The fishing fleet consists of some 1,140 small, flat-bottomed boats (dhonis). Since the dhonis have shifted from sails to outboard motors, the annual tuna catch per fisherman has risen from 1.4 metric tons in 1983 to 5.6 in 1999. Agriculture. Poor soil and scarce arable land have historically limited agriculture to a few subsistence crops, such as coconut, banana, breadfruit, papayas, mangoes, taro, betel, chilies, sweet potatoes, and onions. Agriculture provides about 6% of GDP. Industry. The industrial sector provides only about 7% of GDP. Traditional industry consists of boat building and handicrafts, while modern industry is limited to a few tuna canneries, five garment factories, a bottling plant, and a few enterprises in the capital producing PVC pipe, soap, furniture, and food products. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS Maldives comprises some 1,900 islands in the Indian Ocean. The earliest settlers were probably from southern India. Indo-European speakers followed them from Sri Lanka in the fourth and fifth centuries BC. In the 12th century AD, sailors from East Africa and Arab countries came to the islands. Today, the Maldivian ethnic identity is a 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 of the entire population. Strict adherence to Islamic precepts and close community relationships have helped keep crime low and under control. The official and common language is Dhivehi, an Indo-European language related to Sinhala, the language of Sri Lanka. The writing system is from right to left. English is used widely in commerce and increasingly as the medium of instruction in government schools. Some social stratification exits 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. The early history of the Maldives is obscure. According to Maldivian legend, a Sinhalese prince named Koimale was stranded with his bridedaughter of the king of Sri Lankain a Maldivian lagoon and stayed on to rule as the first sultan. Over the centuries, the islands have been visited and their development influenced by sailors from countries on the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean littorals. Mopla pirates from the Malabar Coastpresent-day Kerala state in Indiaharassed the islands. In the 16th century, the Portuguese subjugated and ruled the islands for 15 years (1558-73) before being driven away by the warrior-patriot Muhammad Thakurufar Al-Azam. Although governed as an independent Islamic sultanate for most of its history from 1153 to 1968, Maldives was a British protectorate from 1887 until July 25, 1965. In 1953, there was a brief, abortive attempt at a republican form of government, after which the sultanate was reimposed. Following independence from Britain in 1965, the sultanate continued to operate for another 3 years. On November 11, 1968, it was abolished and replaced by a republic, and the country assumed its present name. Environmental Concerns There is growing concern about coral reef and marine life damage because of coral mining (used for building and jewelry making), sand dredging, and solid waste pollution. Mining of sand and coral have removed the natural coral reef that protected several important islands, making them highly susceptible to the erosive effects of the sea. In April 1987, high tides swept over the Maldives, inundating much of Male and nearby islands. That event prompted high-level Maldivian interest in global climatic changes. Investment in Education The government expenditure for education was 18% of the budget in 1999. Both formal and nonformal education have made remarkable strides in the last decade. Unique to Maldives, modern and traditional schools exist side by side. The traditional schools are staffed by community-paid teachers without formal training and provide basic numeracy and literacy skills in addition to religious instruction. The modern schools, run by both the government and private sector, provide primary and secondary education. As the modern English-medium school system expands, the traditional system is gradually being upgraded. By early 1998, more than 30 islands were equipped to provide education for grades, 8, 9, and 10. Some 164 islands provided education up to grade 5, 6, or 7. In Male is the only school for grades 11 and 12, with a school in the southern most island of Gan scheduled to offer the final 2 years starting in 2002. Seven post-secondary technical training institutes provide opportunities for youth to gain skills that are in demand. The World Bank has already committed $17 million for education development in 2000-04, and plans to commit further $15 million for human development and distance learning during this period. Over 2001-03, the ADB is planning to support post-secondary education development in Maldives. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS A 1968 referendum approved the constitution making Maldives a republic with executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. The constitution was amended in 1970, 1972, and 1975 and is again under revision. Ibrahim Nastier, Prime Minister under the pre-l968 sultanate, became President and held office from 1968 to 1978. He was succeeded by Mamoon Abdul Gayoom, who was elected President in 1978 and reelected in 1983, 1988, 1993, and 1998. The president heads the executive branch and appoints the cabinet. Nominated to a five-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. The Maldivian legal systemderived mainly from traditional Islamic lawis 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 chief, appointed by the president, 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. On November 8, 1988, Sri Lankan Tamil mercenaries tried to overthrow the Maldivian Government. At President Gayoom's request, the Indian military suppressed the coup attempt within 24 hours. FOREIGN RELATIONS Maldives follows a nonaligned policy and is committed to maintaining friendly relations with all countries. The country has a UN Mission in New York, an embassy in Sri Lanka and in the United Kingdom, a trade representative in Singapore, and a Tourist Information Bureau in Germany. India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka maintain resident embassies in Male. Denmark, Norway, the U.K., Germany, Turkey, and Sweden have consular agencies in Male under the supervision of their embassies in Sri Lanka and India. The UNDP has a representative resident in Male, as do UNICEF and WHO. Like the U.S., many countries have nonresident ambassadors accredited to the Maldives, most of them based in Sri Lanka or India. TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements. Consular Information Sheets exist for all countries and include information on entry requirements, currency regulations, health conditions, areas of instability, crime and security, political disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in the country. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Public Announcements are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas which pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Free copies of this information are available by calling the Bureau of Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system: 202-647-3000. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page: http://travel.state.gov. Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication series, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad are on the internet and hard copies can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250. Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. For after-hours emergencies, Sundays and holidays, call 202-647-4000. Passport information can be obtained by calling the National Passport Information Center's automated system ($.35 per minute) or live operators 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) Monday-Friday ($1.05 per minute). The number is 1-900-225-5674 (TDD: 1-900-225-7778). Major credit card users (for a flat rate of $4.95) may call 1-888-362-8668 (TDD: 1-888-498-3648). It also is available on the internet. Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. A booklet entitled Health Information for International Travel (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800. Information on travel conditions, visa requirements, currency and customs regulations, legal holidays, and other items of interest to travelers also may be obtained before your departure from a country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for this country, see Principal Government Officials listing in this publication). U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to register at the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a country (see Principal U.S. Embassy Officials listing in this publication). This may help family members contact you in case of an emergency. Further Electronic Information Department of State Foreign Affairs Network. Available on the Internet, DOSFAN provides timely, global access to official U.S. foreign policy information. Updated daily, DOSFAN includes Background Notes; daily press briefings; Country Commercial Guides; directories of key officers of foreign service posts; etc. DOSFAN's World Wide Web site is http://www.state.gov. U.S. Foreign Affairs on CD-ROM (USFAC). Published on an annual basis by the U.S. Department of State, USFAC archives information on the Department of State Foreign Affairs Network, and includes an array of official foreign policy information from 1990 to the present. Contact the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. To order, call (202) 512-1800 or fax (202) 512-2250. National Trade Data Bank (NTDB). Operated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the NTDB contains a wealth of trade-related information. It is available on the Internet (www.stat-usa.gov) and on CD-ROM. Call the NTDB Help-Line at (202) 482-1986 for more information. [end of document] *********************************************************** See http://www.state.gov/r/pa/bgn/ for all Background notes ************************************************************ To change your subscription, go to http://www.state.gov/www/listservs_cms.html
US Department Of State Background Note Maldives August 2003 US Department of State Background Note Maldives August 2003 PROFILE OFFICIAL NAME Republic of maldives geography Area 298 sq. km. (115 sq. mi. http://commercecan.ic.gc.ca/scdt/bizmap/interface2.nsf/vDownload/BNOTES_0860/$fi
Extractions: U.S. Department of State Background Note: Maldives August 2003 PROFILE OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Maldives Geography Area: 298 sq. km. (115 sq. mi.), over 1,100 islands; twice the size of Washington, DC. Cities: CapitalMale' (pop. 70,000). Terrain: Flat islands. Climate: Hot and humid. People Nationality: Noun and adjectiveMaldivian(s). Population (mid-year 2002): 280,000 (plus 31,000 expatriate laborers who are not counted in the census). Population growth rate: 1.66%. Population growth rate has dropped dramatically in recent years. Ethnic groups: South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs. Religion: Sunni Islam. Languages: Dhivehi (official); many government officials speak English. Education: Years compulsorynone. Attendanceprimary (grades 1-5) 99%; secondary: (grades 6-10) 51%, (grades 11-12) 5%. Literacy98%. Health: Infant mortality rate18/1,000. Life expectancy73 years male; 74 years female. Resident work force: Community, social and personal services21%; manufacturing13%; fishing11%; tourism11%; transport, storage, and communication9%; other35%. Government Type: Republic. Independence: July 26, 1965 (formerly a British protectorate). Constitution: November 11, 1968. Branches: Executivepresident, cabinet. Legislativeunicameral Majlis (parliament). JudicialHigh Court, Civil Court, Criminal Court, Family and Juvenile Court, and 204 general courts. Administrative subdivisions: 19 atolls and capital city. Political parties: None. Suffrage: Universal at age 21. Economy GDP (2002): $639.5 million. GDP growth rate: 6.0%. Per capita GDP: About $2,279. Inflation (2002): 0.9%. Percentages of GDP (2002): Tourism31%; distribution14%; government12%; manufacturing9%; real estate8%. fishing7%; construction3%; agriculture3%; other13%. Trade (2002): Exports$91 million: fish products, garments. Major marketsU.S., Sri Lanka, EU, Thailand, Japan (source: Maldives Customs Service). Imports$393 million: oil, textiles and yarn, rice, cigarette, cement, engines for boats, televisions, aircraft parts, prefabricated buildings, vegetables. Major suppliersSingapore, Sri Lanka, EU, India, Malaysia, U.A.E. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS Maldives comprises 1,191 islands in the Indian Ocean. The earliest settlers were probably from southern India. Indo-European speakers followed them from Sri Lanka in the fourth and fifth centuries BC. In the 12th century AD, sailors from East Africa and Arab countries came to the islands. Today, the Maldivian ethnic identity is a 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 of the entire population. Strict adherence to Islamic precepts and close community relationships have helped keep crime low and under control. The official and common language is Dhivehi, an Indo-European language related to Sinhala, a language of Sri Lanka. The writing system is from right to left. English is used widely in commerce and increasingly as the medium of instruction in government schools. Some social stratification exists on the islands. It is not rigid, since rank is based on varied factors, including occupation, wealth, perceived Islamic virtue, and family ties. Members of the social elite are concentrated in Male'. The early history of the Maldives is obscure. According to Maldivian legend, a Sinhalese prince named KoiMale was stranded with his bridedaughter of the king of Sri Lankain a Maldivian lagoon and stayed on to rule as the first sultan. Over the centuries, the islands have been visited and their development influenced by sailors from countries on the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean littorals. Mopla pirates from the Malabar Coastpresent-day Kerala state in Indiaharassed the islands. In the 16th century, the Portuguese subjugated and ruled the islands for 15 years (1558-73) before being driven away by the warrior-patriot Muhammad Thakurufar Al-Azam. Although governed as an independent Islamic sultanate for most of its history from 1153 to 1968, the Maldives was a British protectorate from 1887 until July 25, 1965. In 1953, there was a brief, abortive attempt at a republican form of government, after which the sultanate was re-imposed. Following independence from Britain in 1965, the sultanate continued to operate for another 3 years. On November 11, 1968, it was abolished and replaced by a republic, and the country assumed its present name. Environmental Concerns There is growing concern about coral reef and marine life damage because of coral mining (used for building and jewelry making), sand dredging, and solid waste pollution. Mining of sand and coral have removed the natural coral reef that protected several important islands, making them highly susceptible to the erosive effects of the sea. The practices have recently been banned. In April 1987, high tides swept over the Maldives, inundating much of Male' and nearby islands. That event prompted high-level Maldivian interest in global climatic changes, as its highest point is about 8 feet above sea level. The Asian Brown Cloud, a U.S.-sized area of pollution over the Indian Ocean, has the potential of wreaking havoc on the tourism- and fishery-based Maldivian economy. Investment in Education The government expenditure for education was 18% of the budget in 2002. Both formal and nonformal education have made remarkable strides in the last decade. Unique to Maldives, modern and traditional schools exist side by side. The traditional schools are staffed by community-paid teachers without formal training and provide basic numeracy and literacy skills in addition to religious instruction. The modern schools, run by both the government and private sector, provide primary and secondary education. As the modern English-medium school system expands, the traditional system is gradually being upgraded. By early 2003, every inhabited island was equipped to provide primary school education up through grade five. Fewer islands have secondary schools for grades six through 10, and the only high school (grades 11 and 12) in the Maldives is in Male'. Only around 5% of students go to high school, but literacy is high at 98%. Seven post-secondary technical training institutes provide opportunities for youth to gain skills that are in demand. The World Bank has already committed $17 million for education development in 2000-04, and plans to commit further $15 million for human development and distance learning during this period. Over 2001-03, the ADB has committed $7 million to support post-secondary education development in Maldives. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS A 1968 referendum approved the constitution, making Maldives a republic with executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. The constitution was amended in 1970, 1972, and 1975 and is again under revision. Ibrahim Nasir, Prime Minister under the pre-1968 sultanate, became president and held office from 1968 to 1978. He was succeeded by Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who was elected president in 1978 and reelected in 1983, 1988, 1993, and 1998, and is widely expected to win a sixth 5-year term in the presidential election process which is slated to begin in late 2003. The president heads 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. The Maldivian legal systemderived mainly from traditional Islamic lawis 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 chief, appointed by the president, 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. On November 8, 1988, Sri Lankan Tamil mercenaries tried to overthrow the Maldivian Government. At President Gayoom's request, the Indian military suppressed the coup attempt within 24 hours. The government also keeps a tight rein on any expression of Islamic extremism. Political stability in the Maldives has brought considerable predictability in the economic policy and institutional environment. ECONOMY The Maldivian economy is based on tourism and fishing. Of the Maldives' 1,191 islands, only 200 are inhabited. The population is scattered throughout the country, with the greatest concentration on the capital island, Male'. Limitations on potable water and arable land constrain expansion. Development has been centered upon the tourism industry and its complementary service sectors, transport, distribution, real estate, construction, and government. Taxes on the tourist industry have been plowed into infrastructure and used to improve technology in the agricultural sector. GDP in 2002 totaled $640 million or about $2,200 per capita. The Maldives has experienced relatively low inflation in recent years. Real GDP growth averaged about 10% in the 1980s. It expanded by an exceptional 16.2% in 1990, declined to 4% in 1993, grew to 10% in 1998 and has since leveled to the 5% to 7% range. The Maldives has been running a merchandise trade deficit in the range of $200 to $260 million since 1997. The trade deficit declined to $208 million in 2002 from $233 million in 2001. International shipping to and from the Maldives is mainly operated by the private sector with only a small fraction of the tonnage carried on vessels operated by the national carrier, Maldives Shipping Management Ltd. Over the years, the Maldives has received economic assistance from multilateral development organizations, including the UN Development Program, Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank. Individual donorsincluding Japan, India, Australia, and European and Arab countries (including Islamic Development Bank and the Kuwaiti Fund)also have contributed. A 1956 bilateral agreement gave the United Kingdom the use of Ganin Addu Atoll in the far southfor 20 years as an air facility in return for British aid. The agreement ended in 1976, shortly after the British closed the Gan air station. Economic Sectors Tourism. In recent years, Maldives has successfully marketed its natural assets for tourismbeautiful, unpolluted beaches on small coral islands, diving in blue waters abundant with tropical fish, and glorious sunsets. Tourism now brings in about $198 million a year. Tourism and related services contributed 31% of GDP in 2002. Since the first resort was established in 1972, more than 87 islands have been developed, with a total capacity of some 19,000 beds. The number of tourists (mainly from Europe) visiting the Maldives increased from 1,100 in 1972 to 280,000 in 1994. In 2000, tourist arrivals exceeded 466,000 and is expected to top 500,000 in 2003. The average occupancy rate is 69%, with the average tourist staying 8 days and spending about $396. Fishing. This sector employs about 11% of the labor force and contributes 7% of GDP or 10%, including fish preparation. The use of nets is illegal, so all fishing is done by line. Production was about 164,003 metric tons in 2002, most of which was skipjack tuna. About 50% is exported, largely to Sri Lanka, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the European Union. Fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted, and canned tuna exports accounted for 84% of all marine product exports, split fairly evenly between the products. Total export proceeds from fish were about $56 million in 2002. The fishing fleet consists of some 1,647 small, flat-bottomed boats (dhonis). Since the dhonis have shifted from sails to outboard motors, the annual tuna catch per fisherman has risen from 1.4 metric tons in 1983 to 15.9 metric tons in 2002. Agriculture. Poor soil and scarce arable land have historically limited agriculture to a few subsistence crops, such as coconut, banana, breadfruit, papayas, mangoes, taro, betel, chilies, sweet potatoes, and onions. Almost all food, including staples, has to be imported. Agriculture provides about 3% of GDP. Industry and manufacturing. The industrial sector provides only about 9% of GDP. Traditional industry consists of boat building and handicrafts, while modern industry is limited to a few tuna canneries, five garment factories, a bottling plant, and a few enterprises in the capital producing PVC pipe, soap, furniture, and food products. The vast majority of Maldivian exports to the United States are garment products. FOREIGN RELATIONS Maldives follows a nonaligned policy and is committed to maintaining friendly relations with all countries. The country has a UN Mission in New York, with the Permanent Representative to the UN in New York also accredited as Ambassador to the United States, an embassy in Sri Lanka and in the United Kingdom, a trade representative in Singapore, and a Tourist Information Bureau in Germany. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka maintain resident embassies in Male'. Denmark, Norway, the U.K., Germany, Turkey, and Sweden have consular agencies in Male' under the supervision of their embassies in Sri Lanka and India. The UNDP has a representative resident in Male', as do UNICEF and WHO. Like the United States, many countries have nonresident ambassadors accredited to the Maldives, most of them based in Sri Lanka or India. The Maldives is a member of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). U.S. MALDIVIAN RELATIONS The United States has friendly relations with the Republic of Maldives. The U.S. ambassador and some embassy staff in Sri Lanka are accredited to theMaldives and make periodic visits. 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. The Maldives has extended strong support to U.S. efforts to combat terrorism and terrorist financing in 2001-02. U.S. contributions to economic development in the Maldives have been made principally through international organization programs. Although no bilateral aid agreement exists between the two countries, the United States has directly funded training in airport management and narcotics interdiction and provided desktop computers for Maldivian customs, immigration, and drug-control efforts in recent years. The United States also trains a small number of Maldivian military personnel annually. About 10 U.S. citizens are resident in the Maldives; some 5,000 Americans visit the Maldives annually. The Maldives welcomes foreign investment, although the ambiguity of codified law acts as somewhat of a damper. Areas of opportunity for U.S. businesses include tourism, construction, and simple export-oriented manufacturing, such as garments and electrical appliance assembly. There is a shortage of local skilled labor, and most industrial labor has to be imported from Sri Lanka or elsewhere. Principal U.S. Embassy Officials Ambassador Jeffrey Lunstead (confirmed nominee to arrive August 30, 2003) The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka is at 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3; tel: +94 (1) 244-8007; fax: +94 (1) 2437-345. Note: Sri Lanka Telecom is planning to switch to a 7-digit system; as such, all Colombo numbers should be preceded by a "2" after 16 Aug 2003. If your call does not go through, try the original 6-digit number. TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements. Consular Information Sheets exist for all countries and include information on entry requirements, currency regulations, health conditions, areas of instability, crime and security, political disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in the country. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Public Announcements are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas which pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Free copies of this information are available by calling the Bureau of Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system: 202-647-3000. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page: http://travel.state.gov. Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication series, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad are on the internet and hard copies can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250. Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202) 647-5225. For after-hours emergencies, Sundays and holidays, call 202-647-4000. Passport information can be obtained by calling the National Passport Information Center's automated system ($.35 per minute) or live operators 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) Monday-Friday ($1.05 per minute). The number is 1-900-225-5674 (TDD: 1-900-225-7778). Major credit card users (for a flat rate of $4.95) may call 1-888-362-8668 (TDD: 1-888-498-3648). It also is available on the internet. Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. A booklet entitled Health Information for International Travel (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800. Information on travel conditions, visa requirements, currency and customs regulations, legal holidays, and other items of interest to travelers also may be obtained before your departure from a country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for this country, see "Principal Government Officials" listing in this publication). U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous areas are encouraged to register at the U.S. embassy upon arrival in a country (see "Principal U.S. Embassy Officials" listing in this publication). This may help family members contact you in case of an emergency. Further Electronic Information Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://state.gov, the Department of State web site provides timely, global access to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background Notes; daily press briefings; Country Commercial Guides; directories of key officers of Foreign Service posts and more. National Trade Data Bank (NTDB). Operated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the NTDB contains a wealth of trade-related information. It is available on the Internet (www.stat-usa.gov) and on CD-ROM. Call the NTDB Help-Line at (202) 482-1986 for more information. *********************************************************** See http://www.state.gov/r/pa/bgn/ for all Background notes ************************************************************ To change your subscription, go to http://www.state.gov/www/listservs_cms.html
Maldives - Geography geography. The maldives is situated in the South West of Sri Lanka, on the equator. The numerous coral reef islands, 1190 in total, form an archipelago of http://www.themaldives.com/ffigures/Geography.asp
Extractions: Agriculture The Maldives is situated in the South West of Sri Lanka, on the equator. The numerous coral reef islands, 1,190 in total, form an archipelago of 26 natural atolls ( groups of neighbouring coral islands). These 26 atolls are organised into 19 administrative atolls with the capital island of Male' established as an entity of its own forming the twentieth division. Seen from air, the atolls and the islands form breathtakingly beautiful patterns against the blue depths of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives - a group of stunning coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. The country stretches 823 km north to south and 130 km east to west. Out of the incredibly large number of islands only 200 islands are inhabited, with 88 islands adapted as exclusive resort islands. The sea forms over 99 percent of the Maldives. Only 0.331 percent, 298 km (115 square miles), of its 298 km (34, 750 square miles) is land.
Maldives - Geography maldives geography. maldives - geography. The sea forms over 99 percent of the maldives. Only 0.331 percent, 115 square miles, of its 47740 square http://www.mal-dives.com/maldives/geography.html
Extractions: Maldives - Geography The sea forms over 99 percent of the Maldives. Only 0.331 percent, 115 square miles, of its 47,740 square miles is land. And a mere 199 out of, at least 1,190, islands are inhabited. Seen from air, the atolls and islands form breathtakingly beautiful patterns against the blue depths of the Indian Ocean. The Maldivian atolls are a classic example of its kind. The Oxford English Dictionary says the word is "an adoption of the native name "atholhu" applied to the Maldive Islands , which are typical examples of this structure". The atolls rise from a common plateau, a long dead volcanic landmass, and are separated from each other by deep channels. A journey between them is often easy to navigate. The islands are formed from coral layers rising sharply from the plateau. Most of these islands are situated close to the atoll enclosure reef and vary in size from patches of coral or small sand banks, to real islands some are still in the process of forming. Because they are based on coral, the islands are flat; the highest point very rarely rises over six feet above sea level. Fortunately, the atoll reefs protect the islands from the major elements. Years and years of the sea moving with shell particles have grounded them into grains of sand smaller than a little dot. Though there are no forests as such, the islands all support vegetation that can be quite lush. Coconut palms hold forte in the court of trees, thriving without help even on the smallest of islands.
Maldives - Geography Find detailed information about maldives. Learn everything from its population, climate and average life expectancy to its position in various world http://www.aneki.com/geography/Maldives_geography.html
Extractions: By Alphabet : Encyclopedia A-Z M Related Category: Indian Political Geography Maldives E I vz] Pronunciation Key , officially Republic of Maldives, republic (1995 pop. 244,644), 115 sq mi (298 sq km), off the coast of S Asia in the N Indian Ocean. MalE Island (1995 pop. 62,937) is the capital and the largest island. Sections in this article: Content on this web site is provided for informational purposes only. We accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person resulting from information published on this site. We encourage you to verify any critical information with the relevant authorities. About Us Contact Us Privacy Links Directory ...
Maldives - GEOGRAPHY maldives geography. maldives. Physiography. maldives consists of approximately 1200 coral islands grouped in a double chain of twenty-seven atolls. http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/maldives/GEOGRAPHY.html
Extractions: COUNTRY STUDIES Maldives Maldives consists of approximately 1,200 coral islands grouped in a double chain of twenty-seven atolls. Composed of live coral reefs and sand bars, these atolls are situated atop a submarine ridge 960 kilometers long that rises abruptly from the depths of the Indian Ocean and runs from north to south. Only near the southern end of this natural coral barricade do two open passages permit safe ship navigation from one side of the Indian Ocean to the other through the territorial waters of Maldives. For administrative purposes the Maldives government organized these atolls into nineteen administrative divisions. Most atolls consist of a large, ring-shaped coral reef supporting numerous small islands. Islands average only one to two square kilometers in area, and lie between one and 1.5 meters above mean sea level. The highest island is situated at three meters above sea level. Maldives has no hills or rivers. Although some larger atolls are approximately fifty kilometers long from north to south, and thirty kilometers wide from east to west, no individual island is longer than eight kilometers. Each atoll has approximately five to ten inhabited islands; the uninhabited islands of each atoll number approximately twenty to sixty. Several atolls, however, consist of one large, isolated island surrounded by a steep coral beach. The most notable example of this type of atoll is the large island of Fua Mulaku situated in the middle of the Equatorial Channel.
Asiatour.com / Maldives / Geography Consisting of 1190 coral islands, forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls. Stretches 820 kilometres from north to south and 120 kilometres from east to http://www.asiatour.com/maldives/e-01land/em-lan10.htm
Extractions: If you are traveling to this country, you may be interested in sexual relationships with locals, and no, I do not mean the services of prostitutes or other commercial providers. While you can meet citizen interested in sex accidentally, the chances of success are not particularly high if you are there only for a limited period of time (as I said: no prostitutes). On the other hand, they often are sexually attracted to foreign people. For young women, especially in the big cities, it is chic to have a Western boyfriend. So, there must be a trick to overcome the time-consuming "accidental", and to link more effectively the sexual interests of foreign visitors with those of locals. Try the Internet. Or, more to the point: try www.AdultfriendsFinder.com . The service lists a good number of residents explicitly interested in non-commercial sexual relationships. While there are more males on the search than females, there are indeed an amazing number of women using the service. It is truly amazing how popular www.AdultfriendsFinder.com
