| Journey Through The Maldives |
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After the volcano’s disappeared, the coral islands remained and these same Islands lure travelers year round to its white sand beaches, thrilling water sport activities, luxurious comfort of modern facilities clear blue oceans, tranquil serenity and temperate climate. The largest city and capital of the Maldives is Male and was traditionally the King’s island from where the ancient Maldive royal dynasties ruled. The Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean in close proximity to Sri Lanka. Historically The Maldives is a Muslim nation having being riled by a sultanate before colonization saw first the Dutch and then the British take control of the archipelago. It gained it’s independence in 1965 and became a republic in 1968. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom dominated the islands' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. 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 was sluggish, however, and many promised reforms were slow to be realised. Nonetheless, political parties were legalised in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalised a new constitution, which was ratified by the president in August. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. Gayoom was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed Nasheed, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the former regime. The Maldives were affected quite harshly in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake as the subsequent Tsunami struck the islands on 26 December. It is suggested that only nine of the Islands escaped any sort of flooding while fifty seven suffered major damage to their infrastructure, fourteen were evacuated and another six completely decimated. It is estimated that some 108 people died as a result of the tsunami. The Maldives is the lowest country in the world, with a maximum natural ground level of only 2.3 metres (7 ft 7 in), with the average being only 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, although in areas where construction exists, this has been increased to several metres. The reef is composed of coral debris and living coral. This acts as a natural barrier against the sea, forming lagoons. Other islands set at a distance and parallel to the reef, have their own protective fringe of reef. An opening in the surrounding coral barrier allows access to the calmer lagoon waters. The barrier reefs of the islands protect them from the storms and high waves of the Indian Ocean. The Island nation is the smallest Asian country in both population and area. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres above sea level, it is the lowest country on the planet. Its main sources of income are the tourist industry, fishing and agriculture with tourism proving to be the main driver of economic growth in the country.  |
