PEOPLE
Maldives
comprises 1,191 islands in the Indian Ocean. The earliest settlers
were probably from southern India. Indo-European speakers followed
them from Sri Lanka in the fourth and fifth centuries BC. In the
12th century AD, sailors from East Africa and Arab countries came
to the islands. Today, the Maldivian ethnic identity is a blend
of these cultures, reinforced by religion and language.
Originally Buddhists, Maldivians were converted to Sunni Islam in the mid-12th century. Islam is the official religion of the entire population. Strict adherence to Islamic precepts and close community relationships have historically helped keep crime low and under control. However, a growing heroin addiction problem and the emergence of youth gangs, especially in Male, have increased the crime rate and the incidence of street violence.
The official
and common language is Dhivehi, an Indo-European language related
to Sinhala, a language of Sri Lanka. The writing system is from
right to left. English is used widely in commerce and increasingly
as the medium of instruction in government schools.
Some social
stratification exists on the islands. It is not rigid, since rank
is based on varied factors, including occupation, wealth, perceived
Islamic virtue, and family ties. Members of the social elite are
concentrated in Male'.
The early
history of the Maldives is obscure. According to Maldivian legend,
a Sinhalese prince named KoiMale was stranded with his bride--daughter
of the king of Sri Lanka--in a Maldivian lagoon and stayed on
to rule as the first sultan.
Over the
centuries, the islands have been visited and their development
influenced by sailors from countries on the Arabian Sea and the
Indian Ocean littorals. Mopla pirates from the Malabar Coast--present-day
Kerala state in India--harassed the islands. In the 16th century,
the Portuguese subjugated and ruled the islands for 15 years (1558-73)
before being driven away by the warrior-patriot Muhammad Thakurufar
Al-Azam.
Although
governed as an independent Islamic sultanate for most of its history
from 1153 to 1968, the Maldives was a British protectorate from
1887 until July 25, 1965. In 1953, there was a brief, abortive
attempt at a republican form of government, after which the sultanate
was re-imposed. Following independence from Britain in 1965, the
sultanate continued to operate for another 3 years. On November
11, 1968, it was abolished and replaced by a republic, and the
country assumed its present name.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Maldivian(s).
Population: 300,000 (plus 67,000 expatriate workers who are not counted in the census).
Population growth rate: 1.66%. Population growth rate has dropped dramatically in recent years.
Ethnic groups: Maldivians.
Religion: Sunni Islam.
Languages: Dhivehi (official); many government officials speak English.
Education: Years compulsory--7. Enrollment--primary (grades 1-7) 97%; secondary (grades 8-10) 67%. Literacy--98%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--33/1,000. Life expectancy--68 years.
Resident work force: Community, social and personal services--21%; manufacturing--13%; fishing--11%; tourism--11%; transport, storage, and communication--9%; other--35%.
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