Maldives is an island nation, which comprises of a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean. It is located towards south of Indian islands of Lakshadweep. There are many beliefs regarding the name of the country. Some say that it has been derived from Maale Dhivehi Raajje, which was an island kingdom, while the others are of the view that the name is derived from Sanskrit name ‘maladvipa’ or ‘mahila dvipa’. Maldives was also a British colony once and acquired independence in 1965. Following this, the Sultanate was replaced by a Republic in 1968.
Interesting & Fun Facts about Maldives
- The official name of Maldives is the Republic of Maldives.
- The capital of Maldives is Male.
- The local name of Maldives is Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa.
- Maldives has 1199 coral islands, grouped in twenty-six major atolls.
- The currency of Maldives is called Maldivian Rufiyaa.
- The official language of Maldives is called Divehi.
- It is the smallest Asian country with respect to population.
- Maldives is the smallest Muslim nation in the world.
- Tourism and fishery form the two major industries supporting the Maldivian economy.
- Maldives was under Portuguese occupation between 1558 and 1573. It became a Dutch protectorate in the seventeenth century. In 1887, Maldives became a British protectorate and remained so till 1965, when it gained full independence from the United Kingdom.
- Maldives also holds the record for being the flattest country in the world.
- The highest point in the Republic of Maldives is located on the island of Wilingili in the Addu Atoll (2.4 m).
