The Maldivian archipielago is located in the Indian Ocean,crossed by the Equator,separated 350km from southern India and 740km from Sri Lanka.

Geologically are based on the submersed volcanic chain wich extends 2000kms from Lacquedives to Chagos;this volcanic base,sunked millions years ago,is the base for the coral barrier reef that has formed precious rings,sand banks and islands merely 2mts above sea level.

1190 islands , 300sq km of land,on 107.000sq km of sea water.

Of these 1190 islands,in 26 atolls,200 are inhabited by Maldivian villagers on the known as “fisherman islands” ; another 95 are leased and runned as luxury tourist resorts.

To consider an island as it,vegetal and animal life must be available,
wich is the main difference with the sand banks.

Politically the islands are divided on 19 atolls or provinces,each with own capital,governor (atoll chief),and representants on the assembly; on each local island a mayor or “catifu”.

Male is the country’s capital with a population of around 90.000 people of the 310.00 total of the country.

Parlament or “Majils” is in Male where all the elected atoll’s representative meet ,debate and make laws to governate the country.

1968 the coutry becomes Independent Republic of Maldives ,member of UN and Commonwealth.

During 2008-09 a big change in government system happens after victory on general election of Mohammed Naced “ANNI”,with major changes in freedom,after near 40 years of regime of Abdul Gayoon.

A new Constitution is in process of approval guaranteeing rights and freedom of the inhabitants of this atipic country.
 

First settlers of the archipielago were the Aryans,from India and Sri Lanka,1500b.c onwards,with remains found as budist temples,and old language.

Greek Ptolomeo alredy mentioned on his scripts the “ 1378 islands west of Taprobane (actual Sri Lanka)”.

Certainly Maldives has been always a stop on the sailing routes between Asia and Africa … Malabars,Indians,Arabs,Africans and later Europeans are the roots of this nation,mix of races and etnias.

Local language is “Dhivehi” a mix of words from the different languages of the sailors and settlers.
 

How can this country,surrounded by budism,be muslim? Answer is easy and associated to this history of sailors,as the Arabs,wich were the master sailers on XII century knowing the “secret of the moonsons” and on their route from India to Africa, settled ,on mid XII century,
the first Sultanate,first dependant of the actual nation of Oman,later independent,assuming population as religion the ISLAM to date.
 

As neighbours India and Sri Lanka,colonial past due to the richness in spices and gems,by europeans,first dutch,later Portuguese fought against the Sultans.

Such a different country and the braveness of its inhabitants fighting the invasors,made minimal the periods of foreign dominance and with a high cost compared to the low value of local products.

In 1887,during the british domination era on the region,the Sultanate signed a Protectorate Agreement with British Crown,agreeing to pay the protectors a sum of 2000pounds a year in exchange of protection against other colonial attacks.

During XXth century ADDU,the last atoll of the chain,and specially GAN island became a military base,first the RAF,strategic base during WWII,
later by the Royal Navy.

1957,first president of the modern era,Ibrahim Nasir,starts the process to Independence,with difficulties and secession episodes in the south after modifying the lease and protectorate agreements.

1965,british abandon their colonies –India,Sri Lanka,Pakistan-,
including Maldives,becaming in 1968 Republic of the Maldives.

1972,country opens to Tourism.

1978,after some internal fights and turbulences,Ibrahim Nasir retires and move to Singapore,and Abdul Gayoon becomes president,reelected every 5 years till 2008 – nearly 40 years – when Mohamed Nasheed “ANNI” is elected with the goal of renovating the nation,leveling the standard of life between locals in the different regions and spreading tourism around the country.

Traditional fishing,specially TUNA fish,exporting to Asia and Europe, and Tourism are main revenues,with an average salary around 240usd,
100% scholarship of children and basic medical care covered,facts meaning Maldives enjoys welfare.
 

Inhabitants of the Maldives are friendly and respectful with tourists,
proud of their exotic country,and love the visitor enjoy great holidays,
either on the luxury resorts or the safari boats.

Women plays an important role on the country,both in local islands –where men go out to sea - and in capitals and Male,where they work in the banks,ministries,hospitals,schools,etc with same chance on studies wich is quite important specially on a muslim country.

Youth,avid of changes,plays also an important role on the major change of the nation wich is happening,increasing the high level studies - mostly abroad – importing the knowledge and training received to the develop of the nation.

Actually population nowdays enjoy plain freedom of speech , meeting , press etc wich on previous wasn’t available.

A real problem for this society is the abuse of drugs on youth,a bad habit wich is being dealed with by the government.
 

Maldivian language is “Dhivehi” , with roots in ancient languages of southwest asia,mixed with Arabic,hindi and even English.

Writing is called “Thaana” and has arabic style but different,written right to left.

Few dialects are spoken around the archipielago,and two kinds of dhivehi are spoken,a higher one,used on the institutions,tv and radio, and an average one,used on the day to day level by everyone.

English is learned on schools as a main language,but dhivehi is the official language in the administration and government.

For the ones of you interested in words and expressions:

Hi,how are you?                                     Haalu Kihineh? Kineh tah?
Fine                                                          Rangalu !
Very good                                                Baarabaru !
Bad                                                           Sacarah !

Thanks                                                     Shukuriya !
You’re welcome                                      Marahabaa !

What’s your name?                               Kon nameh kiahne ?

Yes                                                           Aah !
No                                                             Nei !

Nice                                                          Reethi

How much it cost?                                 Agu kihavareh?

Cold                                                          Hunuh
Hot                                                            Fini

Boat                                                          Dhonhi

Forward                                                   Curiah
Backward                                                Faatah

Sun                                                           Iru
Moon                                                        Handu
Rain                                                         Vareeh
Wind                                                         Vaa
Island                                                       Rah , fushi
Sea                                                           Mudu
Current                                                     Oivaru
Waves                                                       Raaluh
Atoll                                                            Atholhu
Reef                                                           Faru
Sand bank                                                Finolhu
Channel                                                    Kandhu
Submersed rock                                     Thila

Fish                                                            Mas
Shark                                                         Miyaru
Turtle                                                         Velah
Manta                                                         Madi
Whale Shark                                             Fehurihi
Dolphin                                                      Koomas