Maldives

The Republic of Maldives occupies a slender spread of coral formations in the central Indian Ocean, some 750 kilometres southwest of India and Sri Lanka. Although its dry land covers merely 298 square kilometres—making it Asia’s smallest nation—the archipelago spans nearly 90 000 square kilometres of sea. Within that expanse lie 1 192 coral islands, arranged in a double chain of 26 atolls, stretching from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north (just south of 8° N latitude) to Addu Atoll at 1° S. The submerged foundation of the Maldives is a submarine ridge almost 1 000 kilometres long, rising sharply from the deep ocean floor to support a world of live reefs and sandbanks.

Geographically, the islands hover at an average elevation of just 1.5 metres above sea level, and no natural point rises more than 2.4 metres, rendering the Maldives the lowest‑lying country on earth. In many inhabited areas, land reclamation and construction have raised surface levels several metres; yet more than 80 percent of the islands remain little more than thin ribbons of coral and sand, vulnerable to storm surge and the inexorable rise of the oceans. Two natural channels in the south allow ships to pass between the eastern and western Indian Ocean, but for most vessels the atolls present an almost continuous barrier.

Human presence on these specks of land dates back at least 2 500 years, though written records begin with Arab mariners in 947 AD. By the twelfth century, the influence of Islam had reshaped indigenous beliefs, and the islands coalesced under a sultanate that linked their fortunes to traders from Arabia, Persia, and further east. Malé—the “King’s Island”—emerged as the seat of successive dynasties, its compact footprint today holding government ministries, mosques, and nearly one‑third of the country’s half‑million citizens.

European incursions in the sixteenth century gradually tipped the balance of power, and by 1887 the Maldives had become a British protectorate. In 1965 it regained full sovereignty; two years later the sultanate gave way to a presidential republic and an elected legislature (the People’s Majlis). The following decades have seen contested political reforms, occasional unrest, and efforts to strengthen democratic institutions. Internationally, the Maldives helped found the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation; it holds membership in the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Non‑Aligned Movement, and since 2020, once again the Commonwealth of Nations. It also maintains dialogue status with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

The country’s economy once relied almost entirely on fishing and the export of cowry shells—the “Money Isles” of early traders. From the 1970s onward, a deliberate shift opened the archipelago to tourism, lifting import quotas and welcoming private‑sector development. Two modest resorts—Bandos Island and Kurumba—opened in 1972; by 2008 more than 89 properties hosted over 600 000 visitors, each arrival fueling a sector that now accounts for roughly 28 percent of GDP and over 60 percent of foreign exchange receipts. In 2019 tourist numbers passed 1.7 million.

Fishing remains vital. The mechanisation of the traditional dhoni in 1974 and the 1977 launch of a fish‑canning plant on Felivaru helped modernise the industry. By 2010 fisheries contributed more than 15 percent of GDP and employed nearly a third of the labour force. Exports of tuna and related products continue to anchor livelihoods in the atolls.

Per capita income is higher than in most South Asian nations, and the World Bank categorises the Maldives as upper‑middle income. The Human Development Index rates it “high,” reflecting improvements in education, health, and infrastructure; yet uneven population density and the fragility of its landmass pose persistent challenges.

Climate shapes every aspect of Maldivian life. Lying near the equator, the islands experience a tropical monsoon pattern with two primary seasons. From December to April, the northeast monsoon brings relatively calm, dry weather; from June to November, the southwest monsoon sweeps in humidity, rains, and periodic storms. Annual rainfall varies from about 2.5 metres in the north to nearly 3.8 metres in the south. Temperatures are consistently high, averaging daily highs of 31.5 °C and lows of 26.4 °C.

Long before climate became a matter of global concern, Maldivian leaders recognised a looming threat. In 1988 authorities warned that rising seas might engulf the nation within three decades. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change later projected up to 59 centimetres of sea‑level rise by 2100—enough, experts cautioned, to render many islands uninhabitable. In 2009 President Mohamed Nasheed convened an underwater cabinet meeting to dramatise the peril. His 2012 warning that “my country will be underwater in seven years” underscored the urgency of emissions reductions.

More recent research offers a measure of guarded optimism: studies at the University of Plymouth suggest that natural sediment transport can raise island elevations, provided sea walls and coastal armouring do not hinder this process. Even so, adaptation strategies—ranging from reinforced shorelines to potential land purchases abroad—remain critical, for the archipelago’s very survival depends on concerted action at home and abroad.

Beneath the waves, the Maldives sustains some of the richest marine diversity on the planet. Coral reefs host 187 distinct species, while reef edges teem with more than 1 100 fish varieties—from reef sharks and parrotfish to the iconic humphead wrasse. Turtles, dolphins, and whales traverse the deeper waters; mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms inhabit the nooks and crannies of the reef. Marine biologists note variations in biodiversity both along a north–south gradient and between neighbouring atolls, influenced by currents, fishing pressures, and conservation measures. In 2011 Baa Atoll received UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status, exemplifying efforts to balance tourism with ecological stewardship.

On land, the cultural landscape reflects centuries of maritime exchange. The Dhivehin people—an Indo‑Aryan group with traces of Middle Eastern, Austronesian, and African ancestry—have spoken Dhivehi for millennia. Their script evolved from early indigenous alphabets to today’s Thaana, a right‑to‑left system influenced by Arabic. English now serves as a practical lingua franca, taught in schools and used widely in commerce; Arabic remains central to religious instruction.

Islam is enshrined in the 2008 constitution: all citizens must be Sunni Muslims, though minority faiths and private worship by non‑citizens are tolerated. Historical Sufi traditions persist in the form of tombs adjoining ancient mosques, markers of a syncretic faith practice that endured until the late twentieth century. Today, Christian adherents number fewer than one percent of the population, while the Islamic identity shapes social norms and legal structures.

Administratively, the republic divides its territory into 21 units: 17 atolls and four cities. Each atoll bears both a traditional Dhivehi name—often unwieldy for non‑locals—and a simpler letter code drawn from the Dhivehi alphabet (for example, “Baa” for Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi). Confusion sometimes arises when these codes are mistaken for official names. Local governance rests with elected councils at both the atoll and island levels, providing a measure of self‑rule within the unitary state.

Life in the islands follows rhythms set by tides, monsoons, and the sun. Inter‑island travel relies on domestic flights, seaplanes, speedboats, and the venerable dhoni. Velana International Airport, on Hulhulé Island adjacent to Malé, connects to major hubs in India, the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and Europe; Gan Airport in the far south maintains weekly service to Milan. Two seaplane fleets—operated by Trans Maldivian Airways and Manta Air—link resorts directly to the capital, while ferries and cargo boats serve local communities.

Currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR), subdivided into 100 laari. Denominations span from 1 laari coins to 1 000 rufiyaa polymer notes. Although the exchange rate floats within a 20 percent band around 15 MVR per US dollar, resorts price nearly all goods and services in hard currency. On populated islands, local shops accept rufiyaa, and small‑denomination coins make practical souvenirs.

For visitors seeking immersion beyond resort walls, guesthouses on inhabited islands now offer rooms for €25–40 per night, accompanied by home‑cooked fish curries and the chance to observe communal life. Such stays require modest dress and respectful conduct in line with Islamic customs—no alcohol, conservative attire, and subdued behaviour. On more remote atolls, informal homestays can cost as little as €15, arranged through local contacts in Malé.

The tourism sector itself comprises three broad categories. Dive‑focused properties cater to underwater enthusiasts, often with minimal land‑based amenities; family‑oriented resorts provide a spectrum of facilities—restaurants, children’s centres, sports—and occupy islands near Malé; luxury retreats target honeymooners and high‑end travellers, offering overwater villas, bespoke dining, and interiors by international designers. Overwater bungalows remain emblematic of Maldivian hospitality, though guests should weigh practicality—privacy, proximity to services, and tidal fluctuations—before choosing this option.

Whether experienced through the lens of a coral snorkel or the calm bustle of Malé’s Grand Friday Mosque, the Maldives presents a study in contrast: its vast maritime domain and minute landmass; ancient customs and modern governance; economic reliance on foreign dollars alongside deep‑rooted fishing traditions; and above all, a landscape so vulnerable that it has become synonymous with the global climate challenge. Here, each grain of sand tells a story of adaptation, connection, and the urgent work of preserving a nation poised between sea and sky.