Governance

In Progress

Maldives Country in South Asia The Maldives is a tropical nation in the Indian Ocean composed of 26 coral atolls, which are made up of hundreds of islands. It’s known for its beaches, blue lagoons and extensive reefs. The capital, Malé, has a busy fish market, restaurants and shops on Majeedhee Magu and 17th-century Hukuru Miskiy (also known as Old Friday Mosque) made of coral stone. Capital: Malé President: Abdulla Yameen Population: 345,023 (2013) World Bank Currency: Maldivian rufiyaa National anthem: Gaumii salaam Official language: Dhivehi Country name:
	conventional long form: Republic of Maldives
	conventional short form: Maldives
	local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa
	local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
Government type:	Republic
Capital:	Male
Administrative divisions:	19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu
Independence:	26 July 1965 (from UK)
National holiday:	Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution:	Adopted 7 August 2008
Legal system:	Based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:	18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:	chief of state: President Mohamed Nasheed (since 11 November 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mohamed Nasheed (since 11 November 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by Parliament Elections: President elected by public (at least a 51% approval margin is required); president elected for a five-year term; election last held 29 October 2008 (next to be held 2013)
Legislative branch:	Unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms)
Elections:	Last held 22 January 2005 (next to be held 2010)
Judicial branch:	High Court
Political parties and leaders:	Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party Maldivian Democratic Party Republican Party Adhaalath Party Islamic Democratic Party
International organization participation:	AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the UN:	chief of mission: H.E. Mr. Ahmed Khaleel chancery:800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195
Flag description:	red with a large green rectangle in the centre bearing a vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag