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The capital of Maldives is Malé. Malé is an island located in the Indian Ocean. It is situated on Malé Atoll, approximately 400 miles (645 km) southwest of Sri Lanka. It is a hub for commerce and tourism, with connections to Sri Lanka and India via steamship routes. The capital of Maldives is also the administrative hub for all governmental operations and various other sectors thrive under the umbrella of the national capital. Read more to know about what is the capital of Maldives.
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About Malé: The Capital of Maldives
According to ancient maritime records, the capital of Maldives, Malé is situated on an island of the same name.
- It was first discovered in the 5th century. The early evidence shows, that major dynasties from the Roman Empire to the Magadha prince had their rule in these islands.
- In the year 1153, the Arab merchants made their way to the capital city and introduced Islam to its inhabitants.
- The religion of Islam remains the predominant faith in the Maldives, with numerous cultural structures reflecting its influence.
- As a nation that was once colonized, Portugal in the 16th century, alongside France and later, Great Britain.
- They gained independence from British colonial rule on 26 July 1965 after an agreement.
- Finally, in the year 1968, they declared themselves to be a republic by abolishing the Sultanate rule.
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Demography and Economy of Malé
As the administrative hub for the Maldivian people, the city boasts central judicial facilities, a public and private educational system offering English language instruction, and a vocational school specializing in engineering.
- Consequently, English has been declared an official language.
- The streets of Malé are designed in a way that ensures no one can be more than a 10-minute walk from the sea.
- The primary exports of Malé include fish (such as bonito and tuna), coconuts, breadfruit, and handcrafted palm mats.
- In December 2004, the city faced significant flooding following a massive tsunami, which was caused by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean near Indonesia.
- However, the construction of Malé’s seawall helped to mitigate the damage. As of 2014, the population of Malé was 153,904.
- The Maldives’ tourism sector is the biggest in the country, making up 28% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and over 60% of its earnings from abroad.
- During the 1980s, the GDP per person grew by 265%, and it increased by an additional 115% in the 1990s.
- More than 90% of the money the government collects in taxes comes from taxes on imports and taxes from tourism.
- The main harbour and port of the Maldives are situated in Malé, which is the heart of all business activities.
- The port is a key stop along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which stretches from the Chinese shoreline through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea, continuing to the Upper Adriatic area with its connections to the rail systems in Central and Eastern Europe.
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Culture of Malé
- The main arteries of the city, Amir Ahmeda and Madhili Magu, are central to its identity.
- These streets are home to the renowned fish markets. Here, one can sample local delicacies, including a variety of fruits and vegetables.
- The culture of Malé is heavily influenced by Bollywood arts, culture, music and more.
- An instrument which is famous in Maldives is the bulbul tarang.
- There are various festivals indigenous to Maldives, which are celebrated with great pomp and show.
Facts About Maldives
Some of the facts about the Maldives are-
- Maldives is the flattest country in the world.
- The Maldives is sinking and has the possibility of being submerged soon.
- The beaches of Maldives are rare because of their white colour sand.
- World’s first cabinet meeting of the Maldivian Government was held underwater to raise awareness.
- Although the islands of Maldives are inhabited, some islands are even artificial islands.
FAQs
Situated in the southwestern region of Sri Lanka and India, the Maldives is a nation made up of a group of islands situated in the Indian Ocean, and it holds the title of being the tiniest country in Asia.
Dhivehi
Maldives is famous for its marine life along with swimming activities in the Indian Ocean. The marine consists of colourful arrays of corals, rays, reef sharks, sea turtles and many other underwater species!
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