Maldives - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Maldives, it was archipelago apparently named after the main island (and capital) of Male; the word "Maldives" means "the islands (dives) of Male"; alternatively, the name may derive from the Sanskrit word "maladvipa" meaning "garland of islands"; Dhivehi Raajje in Dhivehi means "Kingdom of the Dhivehi people". The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 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)
National symbols
Coconut palm, yellowfin tuna; national colors: red, green, white.
The flag
The National flag of Maldives has red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent moon; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag; red recalls those who have sacrificed their lives in defense of their country, the green rectangle represents peace and prosperity, and the white crescent signifies Islam.
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The National Anthem
| Title | "Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute) |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA |
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note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"
More about the government of Maldives
| Date of Independence | 26 July 1965 (from the UK) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Independence Day, 26 July (1965) |
| Legal system | Islamic (sharia) legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters |
| International law organization participation | has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Many previous; latest ratified 7 August 2008 |
| Amendments | 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; amended 2015 |
| 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 |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Mohamed MUIZZU (since 17 November 2023) |
| Head of government | President Mohamed MUIZZU (since 17 November 2023) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by Parliament |
| Elections/appointments | president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); first round held on 9 September 2023 and runoff held on 30 September 2023 (next to be held in 2028) |
| 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% 2018: Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH elected president in first round; Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH (MDP) 58.3%, Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (PPM) 41.7% |
| Legislative branch | |
| Description | Unicameral People's Assembly or People's Majlis (93 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) |
| Elections | Last held on 21 April 2024 (next to be held in 2029) |
| Election results | Percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNC 66, MDP 12, MDA 2, JP 1, MNP 1, independent 11; composition - men 90, women 3, percentage women 3.3% |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 justices |
| 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 high government officials and the public - and upon confirmation by voting members of the People's Majlis; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 |
| Subordinate courts | High Court; Criminal, Civil, Family, Juvenile, and Drug Courts; Magistrate Courts (on each of the inhabited islands) |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Abdul GHAFOOR Mohamed (since 15 June 2023) |
| Chancery | 1100 H Street NW, Suite 250, Washington, D.C. 20005 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 516-5458 |
| Email address and website | [email protected] The Embassy (mdvmission.gov.mv) |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Hugo Yue-Ho YON (since 6 September 2023); note - Ambassador YON is the first resident US ambassador to the Republic of Maldives |
| 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 |
| FAX | [94] (11) 243-7345 |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Maldives
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International organization participation
All Important Facts about Maldives
Want to know more about Maldives? Check all different factbooks for Maldives below.
