Full Name

Republic of Maldives

Land Area (sq km)

298

Population Size

329,000

Population Density

1,104.03

Year of Independence

1965

GDP per capita ($US)

2,338

HDI

98

Age Structure

0-14 years: 42.9%

15-64 years: 54.0%

65 years and over: 3.1%

Ethnic Groups

South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

Languages

Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials

Religion

Geographical Notes

1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean