Background The Maldives were long a sultanate, first under Dutch and then under British protection. They became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. Tourism and fishing are being developed on the archipelago.

NOTE: The information regarding Maldives on this page is re-published from the 2002 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Maldives Introduction 2002 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Maldives Introduction 2002 should be addressed to the CIA.