Maldives is located in Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India.

Lowest Point: Indian Ocean 0 m 

Highest Point: Wilingili island in the Addu Atoll 2.4 m

Capital: Male (Male, Maldives Hotels)

Religion: Sunni Muslim

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

See also: Languages spoken in Asia, Languages of the world

Introduction - Brief History
The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Since 1978, President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM - currently in his sixth term in office - has dominated the islands' political scene. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government have pledged to embark upon democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.