Summary
Highlights
The history of the Maldives begins with early Buddhist settlers from India and Sri Lanka around 5 BC. Buddhism was the main religion until the 12th century when the Buddhist King DOI converted to Islam in 1153, leading to its widespread adoption. European seafarers, particularly the Portuguese, arrived in the 16th century, claiming the Maldives from 1558-1573. Subsequently, the Dutch and then the British took control, with the Maldives becoming a British protectorate in 1887. After a brief period as a republic in 1953, it reverted to a sultanate. The Maldives gained full independence from the British in 1965, becoming a republic in 1968, and the last British military presence left in 1976. The Maldives joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1982.
The Maldives is undergoing modernization and democratization, with a new constitution established in 2008 that introduced greater checks and balances, allowed women to run for president, and empowered the judiciary and legislative branches. The country was significantly affected by the 2004 Indonesian tsunamis, prompting new measures regarding climate change.
With a GDP of $6 billion, the Maldives reached upper-middle-income status in the 2010s. Agriculture focuses on fruits, vegetables, nuts, and papayas, but fishing, especially tuna, is the biggest income source. Tourism is a growing industry, benefiting from international cruise ship lanes. Other industries include fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, handicrafts, and coral and sand mining.
The Maldivian flag features a crescent moon on a green background with a red border, symbolizing sacrifice, peace, and Islamic influence. The Maldives comprises around 1,000 coral islands, with a total land area of 300 square kilometers. The capital is Malé. The islands are mostly flat, prone to flooding, and experience a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons. Temperatures average 32°C (90°F) maximum and 25°C (77°F) minimum. The diverse ecosystem includes whale sharks, turtles, sharks, 2,000 fish species, and various reptiles like the Oriental Garden lizard, with mangrove forests dotting many islets.
The Maldives has a population of around 390,000, with 42% urbanized, mostly residing in Malé. The population is a homogeneous mix of Cales, Dravidian, Arab, Australasian, and African influences, reflecting its historical role as a crossroads. The entire population is Sunni Muslim.
Maldivian cuisine offers delightful flavors. 'Gudia' is a sumptuous soup made from fresh fish and salt, often served with rice, lime, chili, and onions. 'Mas Huni' is a common breakfast dish of shredded smoked tuna mixed with grated coconut, onions, and chili. 'Mas Roshi' is a savory snack featuring chapati bread stuffed with smoked tuna and coconut. Fried yams are a popular sweet snack, deep-fried to perfection and served with various dipping sauces.
Notable Maldivian figures include Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, one of the world's longest-serving presidents (1978-2008), who spearheaded modernization. Mohamed Amin Didi was a pioneer of modernization and an advocate for women's emancipation. Hassan Ugail is known for his work in facial recognition, face aging, emotional analysis, and lie detection.