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Official Name: |
Republic of Maldives |
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Commonly Name: |
The Maldives |
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Location: |
Indian Ocean |
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Area: |
90,000 km (of which about 10% is only land) |
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Number of islands: |
1190 (approx.) |
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Population: |
270,101 (estimate for 2000 of which 132,901 are women) |
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Capital: |
Malé (27% of the total population lives in Malé) |
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Major Industries: |
Tourism, Fishing and Shipping |
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Major Exports: |
Tuna and Reef fish |
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Major Imports: |
Consumer goods, capital goods and petroleum |
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National Symbols: |
The National Emblem
The National Emblem comprises a Coconut Palm, a Crescent and Star, two National Flags and the traditional Title of the State. |
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The National Flag
The National Flag comprises a green rectangle with a red border and a white Crescent in the centre. |
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National Tree: Coconut Palm |
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National Flower: The pink rose |
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Official Language: |
Dhivehi |
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Second Language: |
English |
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Religion: |
Islam (100% Sunni Muslim) |
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Government: |
Democratic |
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Justice System: |
The constitution of The Maldives which is based on Islamic Sharia |
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Head of State: |
The President, His Excellency Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
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Head of Government: |
The President, His Excellency Maumoon Abdul Gayoom |
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Independence day: |
26th July 1965 |
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Republic day: |
11th November 1968 |
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Time difference: |
+5hrs GMT |
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Currency: |
Rufiyaa (Notes) and Laari (Coins) |
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Exchange rate: |
MRF 12.75 per US$ 1.00 |
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Official Weekly Holidays: |
Friday and Saturday |
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Business Hours: |
Government offices: 0730 1430
Banks: 0800 1330 |
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Airports: |
International: 1 (Male International Airport, located in the island of Hulhule)
Domestic: 4 |
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Seaports: |
1 (located at Malé the Capital) |
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Climate: |
Tropical |
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Average Temperatures: |
30.7 degrees Celsius (Max) 25.7 degrees Celsius(Min) |
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Average Rainfall: |
1868.9 mm |
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Electricity: |
240 Volts, 50 Hz |
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Television Channels: |
2 (TVM and TVM Plus, in Male) can be seen to nearby countries |
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Radio Stations: |
2 (broadcasting on 1449 kHz MW and 104 MHz FM) |
