The smallest country in Asia, the Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean, and is home to approximately 427,000 people. Known for its luxurious resorts, stunning white sandy beaches, and amazing crystal-clear turquoise waters, the Maldives is a tourist haven. It consists of a chain of about 26 atolls and sandbanks, grouped in clusters, or atolls.
The country was once the colony of many empires, the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British, but became an independent country in 1965. Comprising a territory spanning roughly 298 square kilometres, the Maldives is one of the world’s most geographically dispersed countries.
Male is the capital city, is also the most populated city. Maldives was a member of commonwealth until October 2016 when they withdrew in protest of international criticism of its records in relation to corruption and human rights. The Maldivian rufiyaa is the currency of the Maldives. The official language is Dhivehi (or Maldivian).