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Information on Maldives
Situated to the South-West of Sri Lanka the Maldives are an archipelago of 26 atolls. The low-lying coral islands are largely unpopulated although 87 are exclusively tourist resorts. The tropical landscape and idyllic beaches scattered with palm trees offer the ultimate in relaxation and luxury with coral reefs and shallow lagoons providing a perfect retreat form the midday sun.
The history of the Maldives is dominated by competition for ownership, beginning with Muslim rule in the twelfth century. Control then swapped between the Portuguese and the British until the Maldives finally secured independence in 1965. The Dhivehin population of the islands draws its roots from this mixed background of Negroid, Ayrian, Deavidian and Sinhalese ethnicities, and whilst the whole population follows Islamic traditions and Sunni Muslim practices, ancient superstitions and spiritual beliefs still persist.
