Maldives — Capital, Flag and Country Facts

Explore Maldives: capital Malé, population, flag, geography, languages, history and culture.

Maldives is in Asia. Its capital is Malé.

Climate

Tropical monsoon; hot and humid year-round with a dry northeast monsoon and wet southwest monsoon

Flat coral islands grouped into 26 atolls; no natural hills, extremely low elevation

The Maldives is the lowest country on Earth, averaging just 1.5 meters above sea level.

The Maldives consists of about 1,192 coral islands, of which only around 200 are inhabited.

The Maldives held the world's first underwater cabinet meeting in 2009 to highlight climate change.

1153: Conversion to Islam under King Dhovemi

1558: Portuguese occupation begins

1573: Muhammad Thakurufaanu liberates the Maldives from the Portuguese

1887: Becomes a British protectorate

1965: Independence from the United Kingdom

2008: First democratic multiparty elections held