The Maldives was long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection.

It became a republic in 1968, three years after independence.

Since 1978, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom - currently in his sixth term in office - has dominated the islands' political scene.

Following riots in the capital Male in August 2004, the president and his government pledged to embark upon democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms.

Progress has been slow, however, and many promised reforms have been delayed indefinitely.

Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.

Source: CIA World Fact Book

Population: 369,031 (July 2007 est.)

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Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.9% (male 81,383/female 76,984) 15-64 years: 54% (male 101,699/female 97,518) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 5,619/female 5,828) (2007 est.)

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Median age: total: 18.1 years male: 18 years female: 18.2 years (2007 est.)

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Population growth rate: 2.732% (2007 est.)

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Birth rate: 34.2 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

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Death rate: 6.88 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

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Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

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Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.057 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.043 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.964 male(s)/female total population: 1.046 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

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Infant mortality rate: total: 53.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 52.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 54.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

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Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.76 years male: 63.41 years female: 66.19 years (2007 est.)

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Total fertility rate: 4.78 children born/woman (2007 est.)

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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2001 est.)

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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: less than 100 (2001 est.)

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HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

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Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s) adjective: Maldivian

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Ethnic groups: South Indians, Sinhalese, Arabs

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Religions: Sunni Muslim

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Languages: Maldivian Dhivehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials

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Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.3% male: 96.2% female: 96.4% (2000 census)

Tourism, Maldives' largest industry, accounts for 28% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. Fishing is the second leading sector. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to play a lesser role in the economy, constrained by the limited availability of cultivable land and the shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 7% of GDP. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in 1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow more foreign investment. Real GDP growth averaged over 7.5% per year for more than a decade. In late December 2004, a major tsunami left more than 100 dead, 12,000 displaced, and property damage exceeding $300 million. As a result of the tsunami, the GDP contracted by about 3.6% in 2005. A rebound in tourism, post-tsunami reconstruction, and development of new resorts helped boost GDP by about 18 percent in 2006. The trade deficit has expanded sharply as a result of high oil prices and imports of construction material. Diversifying beyond tourism and fishing is the major challenge facing the government. Over the longer term Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is one meter or less above sea level.

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GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.839 billion (2006 est.)

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GDP (official exchange rate): $906 million (2006 est.)

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GDP - real growth rate: 18% (2006 est.)

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GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,900 (2002 est.)

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GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 16% industry: 7% services: 77% (2006 est.)

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Labor force: 101,300 (2004)

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Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 22% industry: 18% services: 60% (1995)

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Unemployment rate: NEGL% (2003 est.)

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Population below poverty line: 21% (2004)

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Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

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Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6% (2005 est.)

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Budget: revenues: $508 million (including foreign grants) expenditures: $671 million (2006 est.)

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Agriculture - products: coconuts, corn, sweet potatoes; fish

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Industries: tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, garments, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining

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Industrial production growth rate: -0.9% (2004 est.)

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Electricity - production: 149.9 million kWh (2004)

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Electricity - consumption: 139.4 million kWh (2004)

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Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2004)

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Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2004)

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Oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

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Oil - consumption: 7,200 bbl/day (2004 est.)

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Oil - exports: NA bbl/day

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Oil - imports: NA bbl/day

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Oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl

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Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2004 est.)

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Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2004 est.)

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Exports: $214 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

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Exports - commodities: fish

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Exports - partners: Thailand 32.7%, UK 14.1%, Sri Lanka 11.8%, Japan 10.2%, France 6.8%, Algeria 6.1% (2006)

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Imports: $832 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

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Imports - commodities: petroleum products, ships, foodstuffs, clothing, intermediate and capital goods

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Imports - partners: Singapore 23.3%, UAE 15.8%, India 11.1%, Malaysia 7.9%, Thailand 7%, Sri Lanka 5.7% (2006)

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Debt - external: $482 million (2006 est.)

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Economic aid - recipient: $27.9 million (2004)

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Currency (code): rufiyaa (MVR)

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Exchange rates: rufiyaa per US dollar - 12.8 (2006), 12.8 (2005), 12.8 (2004), 12.8 (2003), 12.8 (2002)

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Fiscal year: calendar year