About the Maldives                                  

The Maldives Islands, or more correctly, the Republic of the Maldives, consists of 12 atolls, encompassing 1190 coral islands, only 203 of which are inhabited. According to 2003 estimates, the islands have a total population of 318,000, most of whom are centred around its capital, Male

The islands cover a total area of 298 sq kilometres (115 square miles). The islands have a diverse history, with a culture made up by  the numerous different religious and geographic influences on the islands. For a history of the islands, visit www.maldivesstory.com.mv/

  
The official language is Divehi, but English and Arabic are also spoken, and Sunni Muslim is the predominant religion.