Maldives
Republic of Maldives
Source: CIA World Factbook (2001)
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Maldives |
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| The Maldives were long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. They became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. | ||
| Map of Maldives | ||
| Population: 310,764 (July 2001 est.) | ||
| Capital: Male | ||
| Area: total: total: 300 sq km; land: 300 sq km; water: 0 sq km (about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC) | ||
| Government: republic; led by President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978); note: the president is both the chief of state and head of government | ||
| Languages: Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials | ||
| Ethnic groups: South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs | ||
| Religions: Sunni Muslim | ||
| Economy: GDP - purchasing power parity US$594 million (2000 est.); GDP (real growth rate) 7.6% (2000 est.); GDP per capita - purchasing power parity US$2,000 (2000 est.) | ||
| Import partners: Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Canada | ||
| Export partners: US, UK, Sri Lanka, Japan | ||
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Source: CIA World Factbook (2001) |
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