Maldives 2006

Maldives 2006

In 2006, the Maldives was an island nation situated in the Indian Ocean with a population of over 330,000 people. The economy of the Maldives was largely driven by tourism and fishing. Despite this, poverty levels were still high, as much of the population relied on subsistence fishing for their livelihoods. Education levels were also low; only around 70% of the population had access to education. Infrastructure was limited; roads were often in poor condition and did not connect many areas of the country. However, the Maldives had a rich culture and vibrant music scene that kept its people connected to their heritage. According to constructmaterials, the country also had several protected areas that preserved its biodiversity and served as tourist attractions for visitors from all over the world. Its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters made it a popular destination for tourists looking for an idyllic getaway.

Yearbook 2006

Maldives. The regime’s promises of democratization were also not fulfilled in 2006. Although several imprisoned dissidents were released, the harsh political climate persisted.

According to CountryAAH, major public holidays in Maldives include Independence Day (July 26) and New Year (January 1). Mohammad Nashid, leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), was brought to justice for terrorism and rioting but was released after British mediation, though threatened by new prosecution if he continues to take an irreconcilable line with the regime.

Jennifer Lathif, the daughter of MDP’s founder, was pardoned from a 10-year prison sentence but refused to accept the release and demanded to be purged through a new trial.

The opposition’s attempt to organize a major manifesto against the regime in November was suspended after the authorities had banned the arrangement and arrested a large number of political activists. Both the regime and the opposition declared themselves interested in a dialogue but could not agree on the conditions for talks.

Maldives Map with Surrounding Countries

Maldives Overview

The Maldives is located about 700 kilometers southwest of Sri Lanka and consists of 26 atolls. The area where the islands are located is about 98,000 square kilometers, but there is no more than 300 square kilometers of land, which is about the size of Espoo. The Maldives includes a total of 1,190 islands and atolls. Of these, 200 are inhabited. 80 of the islands are used by the hotel. The Maldives is the lowest state in the world. The highest point is only 2.4 meters above sea level.

The capital of the Maldives is Malé, located on its own island. Hulhule Airport is also located on its own island, a few minutes by boat from Male.

The Maldives gained independence in 1965, until which time it was a British protectorate. Religion plays a very important role in the lives of locals and because of Islam, for example, alcohol is only available from tourist islands. Otherwise, the effects of religion on tourists are quite small. Many Maldivian islands have a single hotel and are secluded from each other.

In addition to a peaceful beach holiday, the Maldives also offers a variety of activities, such as diving, snorkelling, fishing or surfing. The seasons vary very much and the diving season, for example, is from September to March, while the best waves for surfing are in June-August with the arrival of tropical storms.

Area: 298 km²

Population: 391,904 (estimate 7/2020)

Capital: Malé

Population: Majority of Asian descent

Language: The language of Diveh

Religion: Islam is the main religion

Main products: Travel, fishing, coconut palm copra, coconut, corn, sweet potato

Form of government: Republic