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Maldives
 Maldives,
officially the Republic of Maldives, is an island nation
consisting of a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean. The
Maldives are located south of India's Lakshadweep islands,
and about seven hundred kilometers (435 mi) south-west of
Sri Lanka. The twenty-six atolls encompass a territory featuring
1,192 islets, roughly two hundred of which are inhabited
by people. The country's name may stand for "Mountain
Islands" (malai in Tamil, meaning "mountain"
and teevu in Tamil meaning "island") or it may
mean "a thousand islands". Some scholars believe
that the name "Maldives" derives from the Sanskrit
maladvipa, meaning "garland of islands", or from
"mahila dvipa", meaning "island of women".
Others believe the name means "palace" (from Mahal
in Arabic). Following the introduction of Islam in 1153,
the islands later became a Portuguese (1558), Dutch (1654),
and British (1887) colonial possession. In 1965, obtained
declared its independence from Britain (originally under
the name "Maldive Islands"), and in 1968 the Sultanate
was replaced by a Republic. However, in 38 years, the Maldives
have had only two Presidents, though political restrictions
have loosened somewhat recently.Maldives is the smallest
Asian country in terms of population, and the smallest Asian
country that is a member of the United Nations. It is also
the smallest predominantly Muslim nation in the world, and
the smallest predominantly Muslim UN member.
industry's gross receipts.
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Best Hotels in
Maldives Hotels
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Kurumba
Village Hotel  Maldives
Hotels |
| The Kurumba Village Resort
Hotel Male Atoll Maldives offers a wide range
of high-quality facilities and with it's proximity
to the airport and the capital island, Kurumba
Village Resort Hotel Maldives ... More
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Baros
Resort  Maldives
Hotels |
| The Baros Resort Hotel Male
Atoll Maldives is a very attractive resort with
a lively atmosphere. The 61 thatched-roof bungalows
at the Baros Resort Hotel Maldives are tucked
discreetly among the ... More
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Full
Moon Beach Resort Maldives
Hotels |
| The Full Moon Beach Resort
Hotel Male Atoll Maldives is surrounded by the
unspoiled natural beauty of the Maldives. With
an impressive range of recreational and dining
facilities, coupled with ... More
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Laguna
Beach Resort  Maldives
Hotels |
The
Laguna Beach Resort Hotel Male Atoll Maldives
offers the best of both worlds - deeply relaxing
time to yourself or boisterous fun with like-minded
people from around the world. For those travelers
... More
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Kuramathi
Cottage & Spa Maldives Hotels |
| The Kuramathi Cottage &
Spa Hotel Rasdhoo Atoll Maldives is surrounded
by the unspoiled natural beauty of the Maldives
and sets an idyllic scene; a tropical island
in a blue sea, with waving palms and ... More
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