GEOGRAPHY
The Maldives Republic is located
500km (300 miles) southwest of the southern tip of India and consists
of about 1190 low-lying coral islands, of which only 200 are inhabited.
Most of the inhabited islands are covered by lush tropical vegetation
and palm trees, while the numerous uninhabited islands, some of
which are mere sand spits or coral tips, are covered in shrubs.
Each island is surrounded by a reef enclosing a shallow lagoon.
Hundreds of these islands together with other coral growth form
an atoll, surrounding a lagoon. All the islands are low-lying,
none more than 2m (7ft) above sea level. The majority of the indigenous
population do not mix with the tourist visitors, with the exception
of those involved with tourism in the resorts and Malé.
Area:
298 sq. km. (115 sq. mi.), over 1,900 islands; twice the size
of Washington, DC. Cities: Capital--Malé (pop. 70,000).
Terrain: Flat islands.
Climate: Hot and humid
