The Maldives government recently suspended three of its ministers after they shared offensive remarks against the Indian Prime Minister on social media.
About Maldives:
- It is a low-lying island country in the north-central Indian Ocean.Â
- Its closest neighbours are India, about 600 kilometres north-east, and Sri Lanka, about 645 kilometres north-east.
- Geography:
- It consists of a chain of about 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks (some 200 of which are inhabited), grouped in clusters, or atolls.
- The atolls have sandy beaches, lagoons, and a luxuriant growth of coconut palms, together with breadfruit trees and tropical bushes.
- The islands extend more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west.
- None of the coral islands stand more than 1.8 metres (six feet) above sea level.
- Barrier reefs protect the islands from the destructive effects of monsoons.Â
- Capital: Male
- Languages:Â
- The official language is an Indo-European language called Dhivehi (or Maldivian).
- Arabic, Hindi, and English are also spoken.
- Islam is the state religion.
- Economy: It revolves mainly around tourism.
- Constitutional Framework: The constitution of the Maldives was adopted in 2008.
- The head of state and government is the president, assisted by a vice president and a cabinet.
- The president and vice president are directly elected by universal suffrage to a maximum of two five-year terms.