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History & People
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| The country has a long and eventful history and has been an independent sovereign state except for a brief occupation by the Portuguese during the 16th century. Maldives became a British Protectorate in the mid-fifties and gained full independence in July 26, 1965. That same year it also became a member of the United Nations. The country has a Republican government with an elected president as the head of the state. It was converted to Islam in the 12th century AD. Maldives has been a100% Muslim State for more than 800 years. |
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| Although official Maldivian History only begins in the twelfth century, literary works and archeological remains provide clues to earlier pre-Islamic eras. Maldives was a port of call for many great sea faring civilizations that roamed the high seas, long before European Maritime History began. A roman coin dated 90 BC has been discovered in the Maldives, and since it Was the Egyptians who taught the Romans how to cross the Indian Ocean, it may not be fanciful to imagine the great Egyptian papyrus boats with their colorful square sails sailing towards the Maldives. Perhaps the Maldivians modeled the elegant curved bows of their boats from the Egyptians, and the Women, the beautifully embroidered collar pieces of their dresses. |
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| People Maldivians are a homogenous people - of one race, one culture, and one religion, Islam. Physically, Maldivians resemble Asian, Arab, Negroid and a Mongoloid mix. The people are friendly and naturally "sunny and warm". The population of the Maldives is around 260,000. with a literacy rate of 98%. From the 1960's English medium Education has been introduced and is now universalized. |
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| Political Status |
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Population 214,139 (1990) 260,000 (1997 official estimate). Population in the capital Male' was 58,000 in 1990. Annual population increase is 3.8% Economy The economy was traditionally based on fishing and trading, but over the past 25 years the country has developed a highly successful, resort-based tourism industry. This has been carefully planned and regulated to protect both the environment and the culture. Independent travel is discouraged, and virtually all visitors to the Maldives are package tourists staying at one of the resorts or cruising in a licensed safari boat. Diving is a main attraction for tourists as the Maldives is recognised as one of the world's premier diving locations. |
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