The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an archipelagic nation in South Asia situated in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. The country consists of approximately 1,192 coral islands, grouped into 26 atolls. Only around 200 of these islands are inhabited, and about 140 are developed as tourist resorts. The Maldives stretches 871 kilometers from north to south and 130 kilometers from east to west. The capital, Malé, is the most populated city.
Known for its luxury resorts, pristine white-sand beaches, and vibrant marine life, the Maldives is a popular tourist destination. Key attractions include Hanifaru Bay, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for manta ray encounters, and the South Ari Marine Protected Area, where whale sharks can be spotted. Other notable sites include the Old Friday Mosque and National Museum in Malé for cultural insights, Banana Reef for diving, and the bioluminescent beaches. The Maldives has an average ground-level elevation of 1.5 meters, making it the world's lowest-lying country and highly vulnerable to rising sea levels.
Recent developments include the first Maldives-European Union Partnership Dialogue in February 2026, focusing on strengthened cooperation across areas such as democratic governance, human rights, climate action, and maritime security. In October 2023, Mohamed Muizzu was sworn in as President. The economy experienced slower growth in early 2025 due to shorter tourist stays, but tourism remains a vital sector, contributing significantly to the country's GDP.
