Maldives

Dhivehi Jumhuriyah

Note: The Maldives withdrew from the Commonwealth on October 13, 2016, after the organization warned the island nation that it would be suspended if it did not make more progress toward democratization.

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. km).

Population: 378,000 (2020E—World Bank); 391,904 (2020E—U.S. Census).

Major Urban Center (2017E—UN): MALÉ (103,000).

Official Language: Dhivehi.

[Page 1032]Monetary Unit: Maldivian Rufiyaa (market rate September 30, 2020: 15.42 rufiyaa = $1US).

President: Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH (Maldives Democratic Party); sworn in on November 17, 2018, following the election of September 23, succeeding Abdullah YAMEEN (Progressive Party of the Maldives).

Vice President: Faisal NASEEM (Republican Party); sworn in for a ...