World Factbook
Maldives
Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: red with a large green rectangle in the center and a vertical white crescent moon centered on the rectangle meaning: red stands for those who have sacrificed their lives to defend the country, green for peace and prosperity, and the white crescent is a symbol of Islam
Capital
name
Malé
etymology
the name may come from the Sanskrit word mala , or "garland"
time difference
UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
4 10 N, 73 30 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Maldives
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
unknown
Constitution
history
many previous; latest ratified 7 August 2008
amendment process
proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote by its membership and the signature of the president of the republic; passage of amendments to constitutional articles on rights and freedoms and the terms of office of Parliament and of the president also requires a majority vote in a referendum
Country name
etymology
the origin of the name is obscure but may derive from the Sanskrit word maladvipa , meaning "garland of islands;" the local name, Dhivehi Raajje, means "land of the Dhivehi people" in the local language
local long form
Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa
local short form
Dhivehi Raajje
conventional long form
Republic of Maldives
conventional short form
Maldives
Independence
26 July 1965 (from the UK)
Legal system
Islamic (sharia) legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 justices)
subordinate courts
High Court; Criminal, Civil, Family, Juvenile, and Drug Courts; Magistrate Courts (on each of the inhabited islands)
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges appointed by the president in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission -- a 10-member body of selected senior government officials and the public -- and on confirmation by voting members of the People's Majlis; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
Executive branch
note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet
Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by People's Majlis
chief of state
President Mohamed MUIZZU (since 17 November 2023)
election results
2023: Mohamed MUIZZU elected president in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Mohamed MUIZZU (PNC) 46.1%, Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH (MDP) 39.1%, Ilyas LABEEB (DEMS) 7.1%, other 7.7%; percent of vote in the second round - Mohamed MUIZZU 54%, Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH 46%
head of government
President Mohamed MUIZZU (since 17 November 2023)
most recent election date
9 September 2023, with runoff on 30 September 2023
election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
2028
National holiday
Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
National color(s)
red, green, white
Political parties
Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party or DRP Maldives Development Alliance or MDA Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP Maldives Third Way Democrats or MTD People's National Congress or PNC People's National Front Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
93 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
People's Majlis (Majlis)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
4/21/2024
expected date of next election
April 2029
percentage of women in chamber
3.2%
parties elected and seats per party
People's National Congress (PNC) (66); Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) (12); Independents (11); Other (4)
National anthem(s)
title
"Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute)
history
lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; the anthem has seven verses, but only the first two are commonly used
lyrics/music
Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA
National symbol(s)
coconut palm, yellowfin tuna
Administrative divisions
21 administrative atolls ( atholhuthah , singular - atholhu ); Addu (Addu City), Ariatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Ari Atoll), Ariatholhu Uthuruburi (North Ari Atoll), Faadhippolhu, Felidhuatholhu (Felidhu Atoll), Fuvammulah, Hahdhunmathi, Huvadhuatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Huvadhu Atoll), Huvadhuatholhu Uthuruburi (North Huvadhu Atoll), Kolhumadulu, Maale (Male), Maaleatholhu (Male Atoll), Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Maalhosmadulu), Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi (North Maalhosmadulu), Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Miladhunmadulu), Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi (North Miladhunmadulu), Mulakatholhu (Mulaku Atoll), Nilandheatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Nilandhe Atoll), Nilandheatholhu Uthuruburi (North Nilandhe Atoll), Thiladhunmathee Dhekunuburi (South Thiladhunmathi), Thiladhunmathee Uthuruburi (North Thiladhunmathi)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chancery
1100 H Street NW, Suite 250, Washington, D.C. 20005
telephone
[1] (202) 516-5458
chief of mission
Ambassador Abdul GHAFOOR Mohamed (since 15 June 2023)
email address and website
WashingtonInfo@foreign.gov.mv The Embassy (mdvmission.gov.mv)
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[94] (11) 243-7345
embassy
210 Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka; note - as of early November 2023, the US has no consular or diplomatic offices in Maldives; the US Mission to Maldives operates from US Embassy Colombo, Sri Lanka
telephone
[94] (11) 249-8500
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Chunnong SAEGER (since January 2026)
email address and website
Homepage - U.S. Embassy in Maldives
International organization participation
ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction