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The Republic of Maldives is a country consisting territorially of a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India. 26 atolls with 1,196 coral islands.

The development of tourism has fostered the overall growth of the country’s economy. It has created direct and indirect employment and income generation opportunities in other related industries. Today, tourism is the country’s biggest foreign exchange earner, contributing to 20% percent of the GDP. With 86 tourist resorts in operation, the year 2000 recorded 467,154 tourist arrivals. Read more on the article Tourism in Maldives

The development tourism sector gave a major boost to the country’s fledging traditional cottage industries such as mat weaving, lacquer work, handicraft, and coir rope making. New industries that have since emerged include printing, production of PVC pipes, brick making, marine engine repairs, bottling of aerated water, garment production.

The Maldives hold the record for being the flattest country in the world, with a maximum altitude of only 2.3 metres. Although there have been reports of rising sea levels threatening the islands, the sea level has actually lowered in recent decades.

A tsunami in the Indian Ocean caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake caused parts of Maldives be covered by sea water and left many people homeless. After the disaster, cartographers are planning to redraw the maps of the islands due to alterations by the tsunami. The people and government are worried that Maldives would be wiped out from the map eventually.

Travel Category: Main Travel Page » Asia » Maldives

Useful travel links and resources for Maldives by our editors. Find quality travel links about Maldives's hotels, tours, cruises, car rentals and vacation packages in Maldives.