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The Republic of Maldives is a country consisting territorialy of a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India.
History
Main article: History of the Maldives
The early history of the Maldives is obscure. According to Maldivian legend, a Sinhalese prince named Koimale was stranded with his bride--daughter of the king of Sri Lanka--in a Maldivian lagoon and stayed on to rule as the first sultan.
Over the centuries, the islands have been visited and their development influenced by sailors from countries on the Arabian Sea and the Indian
Ocean littorals. Mopla pirates from the
Malabar Coast--present-day
Kerala state in India--harassed the islands. In the 16th century, the Portuguese subjugated and ruled the islands
for 15 years (1558-1573) before being driven away by
the warrior-patriot and later Sultan, Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Azam.
Although governed as an independent Islamic sultanate for most of its history from
1153 to 1968, Maldives was a British protectorate
from 1887 until July 25, 1965. In 1953, there was a brief, abortive attempt at a republican form of government, after which the sultanate was reimposed.
Following independence from Britain in 1965, the sultanate continued to operate for another 3 years. On November 11, 1968, it was abolished and replaced by a republic, and the country
assumed its present name. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.
Politics
Main article: Politics of the
Maldives
Atolls
Main article: Atolls of the Maldives
Geography
Main article: Geography of the
Maldives
Economy
Main article: Economy of the Maldives
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of the
Maldives
Culture
Main article: Culture of the Maldives
Miscellaneous topics
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