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Maldives
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ONE of the smallest countries in the world, Maldives (马尔代夫) is a chain of nearly 1,200 small coral islands in the Indian Ocean.
Situated southwest of India, the islands extend more than 764 km from north to south and 130 km from east to west, with a total land area of 298 sqkm. Only some 200 islands are inhabited.
The islands are the peaks of an ancient submerged volcanic mountain range. The hot and humid climate has average annual temperatures varying from 26C to 33C.
Maldives is one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world. Fishing and the building and repairing of boats are the major industries. Tuna（金枪鱼）is the predominant species caught. Tourism and postage stamps generate considerable revenue.
The people are of Dravidian（达罗毗荼人）, Sinhalese (僧伽罗人), Arab, and African origin. The southern islands are the more densely populated ones. Male (马累), the capital city, is also the chief urban centre, with nearly a quarter of the country's population. Divehi, similar to the old Sinhalese of Sri Lanka, is the official language. Arabic, Hindi, and English are also spoken.
There are no colleges or universities in Maldives.
Population is about 250,000.
(SD-Agencies)
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