Country
Countries A-Z
Maldives
Republic of Maldives
Dhivehi Jumhuriyah
Note: On December 9, 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that cabinet appointees who had not been confirmed by the opposition-controlled legislature could not remain in office. The ruling arose from a dispute between the executive and legislative branches over President Mohamed Nasheed’s decision, five months earlier, to reappoint the members of his cabinet en masse following their June 29 resignations. On December 11, with seven ministers having submitted their resignations as a consequence of the court decision, Nasheed announced a reshuffled cabinet in which a number of portfolios were assigned on an acting basis.
Political Status: Former British protectorate; independent since July 26, 1965; sultanate replaced by republican regime November 11, 1968; present constitution promulgated August 7, 2008.
Area: 115 sq. mi. (298 sq. ...