Key Facts about Maldives

About Maldives

• It is a low-lying island country in the north-central Indian Ocean. 
• Its closest neighbours are India, about 600 kilometres north-east, and Sri Lanka, about 645 kilometres north-east.
• Geography:
  • It consists of a chain of about 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks (some 200 of which are inhabited), grouped in clusters, or atolls.
  • The atolls have sandy beaches, lagoons, and a luxuriant growth of coconut palms, together with breadfruit trees and tropical bushes.
  • The islands extend more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west.
  • None of the coral islands stand more than 1.8 metres (six feet) above sea level.
  • Barrier reefs protect the islands from the destructive effects of monsoons. 
• Capital: Male
• Languages: 
  • The official language is an Indo-European language called Dhivehi (or Maldivian).
  • Arabic, Hindi, and English are also spoken.
• Islam is the state religion.
• Economy: It revolves mainly around tourism.
• Constitutional Framework: The constitution of the Maldives was adopted in 2008.
  • The head of state and government is the president, assisted by a vice president and a cabinet.
  • The president and vice president are directly elected by universal suffrage to a maximum of two five-year terms.

Q1) What are atolls?

Atolls are ring-shaped reef formations with a central lagoon. They are rings of coral reefs ranging from 1 to 20 miles in diameter that are a result of the full submersion of an island that was surrounded by fringing and barrier reefs.

Source: Maldives suspends 3 ministers over derogatory remark against PM Modi