LOCATION
Group of atolls strech along the 73rd Meridian between latitudes
0 42' south and 8 10' north, for a distance of 468.3 miles
with a width of 73.4 miles from east to west. GEOGRAPHY
1,190 coral islands, forming an archipelago of 26 major
atolls. Stretches 820 kilometers north to south and 120
kilometres east to west. 200 are inhabited, 87 are exclusive
resort islands.
CLIMATE
Generally warm and humid. Sun shines all year through. Average
temperature around 29 - 32 degrees Celsius.
LAND
AREA
1,190 islands with a land area of 115 square miles (298
sq. km)
SEA
AREA
Approx. 41,500 square miles (107,500 sq. km)
POPULATION
About 270,000 according to 1998 estimates. Origin of the
Maldivians is lost in antiquity, but history reveals that
the islands have been populated for over 3,000 years ago.
Population in the capital Male' is 58,000 in 1990.
Annual population increase is 3.8%
RELIGION
ISLAM - Maldives is one of the few countries with a 100%
Muslim population.
ECONOMY
Major Industries: Tourism, fish canning, manufacture of
garments, boat building, and handicrafts.
GDP
GROWTH
6.1%. Inflation: 20.1% (2000 figures)
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