Introducing Maldives

 

Background
The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government pledged to embark upon democratic reforms including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms.
Progress was sluggish, however, and many promised reforms were slow to be realized. Nonetheless, political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution, which was ratified by the president in August. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed Nasheed, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the former regime.
Challenges facing the new president include strengthening democracy and combating poverty and drug abuse. Maldives officials have been prominent participants in international climate change talks due to the islands' low elevation and the threat from sea-level rise.
Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Total Area: 298 sq km
Climate: The Maldives have a hot tropical climate. There are two monsoons, the southwest from May to October and the northeast from November to April. Generally the southwest brings more wind and rain in June and July. The temperature rarely falls below 25°C (77°F).
Terrain: Flat, with white sandy beaches
Population: 395,650 (July 2010 est.)
Ethnic groups: South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs
Religion: Sunni Muslim
Languages: Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials
Government Type: Republic
Executive Branch:
Chief of State: President Mohamed "Anni" Nasheed (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Head of Government: President Mohamed "Anni" Nasheed (since 11 November 2008); Vice President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Maniku (since 11 November 2008)
Cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the president
Elections: Under the new constitution, the president elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in 2013)
Election results: Mohamed Nasheed elected president; percent of vote - Nasheed 54.3%, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom 45.7%
Legislative Branch: Unicameral People's Council or People's Majlis (77 seats; members elected by direct vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Majlis in February 2009 passed legislation that increased the number of seats to 77 from 50
Elections: Last held on 9 May 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
Election results: percent of vote - DRP 36.4%, MDP 33.8 %, PA 9.1%, DQP 2.6% Republican Party 1.2%, independents 16.9%; seats by party - DRP 28, MDP 26, PA 7, DQP 2, Republican Party 1, independents 13
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court; Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of voting members of the People's Council; High Court; Trial Courts; all lower court judges are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission
Political Parties and Leaders: Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Abdul Majeed Abdul Bari]; Dhivehi Quamee Party or DQP [Hassan Saeed]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Maumoon Abdul Gayoom]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP [Umar Naseer]; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mariya Didi]; People's Alliance or PA [Abdullah Yameen]; Republican (Jumhooree) Party [Gasim Ibrahim]; Social Liberal Party or SLP [Mazlan Rasheed]
Economy | overview
Tourism, Maldives' largest economic activity, accounts for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Fishing is the second leading sector. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. The Maldivian Government implemented economic reforms, beginning in 1989 that initially lifted import quotas, opened some exports to the private sector, and liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment.
Real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year for more than a decade, and registered 18% in 2006, due to a rebound in tourism and reconstruction following the tsunami of December 2004. GDP slowed in 2007-08, then contracted in 2009 due to the global recession. Falling tourist arrivals and fish exports, combined with high government spending on social needs, subsidies, and civil servant salaries contributed to a balance of payments crisis, which was eased with a December 2009, $79.3 million dollar IMF standby agreement.
Diversifying the economy beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, and increasing employment opportunities are major challenges facing the government. Over the longer term Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is 1 meter or less above sea level.


(Source: CIA World Factbook)