Maldive Islands, Island group in Indian Ocean, Maldives.
The Maldives consists of roughly 1,200 coral islands arranged in 26 atolls scattered across the Indian Ocean, forming one large island group. These islands grew from coral reef formations that create massive ring-shaped structures.
The islands fell under British protection in the 1800s and gained independence in 1965. Three years later, the islands adopted a presidential system of government.
The people here speak Dhivehi, a language rooted in Indo-European origins, and Islam shapes daily life across all communities. You can see this tradition reflected in the mosques, in how people dress, and in the social customs that visitors encounter throughout the islands.
Around 200 islands support permanent residents, while roughly 70 others operate as tourist resorts. The climate stays warm throughout the year, so the best time to visit depends on your preferences for rain or dry weather.
The Maldivian word 'atholhu' for the ring-shaped coral formations entered international scientific language and became known worldwide as 'atoll'. This word shows how local geography shaped global terminology.
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