Location: Asia
Status: UN Country
Capital City: Malé
Population: 241,000
Area: 300 km2
Currency: 1 Maldivian rufiyaa = 100 laari
Languages: Divehi
Religions: Sunni Muslim
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Maldives: Republic of Maldives a republic occupying an archipelago of 1087 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka: came under British protection in 1887; became independent in 1965 and a republic in 1968; a member of the Commonwealth. The economy and infrastructure were severely damaged in the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004. Official language: Divehi. Official religion: (Sunni) Muslim. Currency: rufiyaa. Capital: Malé. Pop.: 328 000 (2004 est.). Area: 298 sq. km (115 sq. miles) Also called: Maldive Islands