Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English
common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Executive branch: president, Cabinet
Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council (Majlis)
Judicial branch: High Court
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government--President Maumoon Abdul
GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978)
Political parties and leaders: no organized political parties;
country governed by the Didi clan for the past eight centuries
Suffrage: universal at age 21
Elections:
President--last held 23 September 1988 (next to be held September
1994);
results--President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected;
Citizens' Council--last held on 7 December 1989 (next to be held
7 December 1994);
results--percent of vote NA;
seats--(48 total, 40 elected)
Diplomatic representation: Maldives does not maintain an embassy
in the US, but does have a UN mission in New York;
US--the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and
makes periodic visits there; US Consular Agency, Midhath Hilmy,
Male; telephone 2581
Flag: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a
vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist
side of the flag
ECONOMY
Overview: The economy is based on fishing, tourism, and shipping.
Agriculture is limited to the production of a few subsistence crops that
provide only 10% of food requirements. Fishing is the largest industry,
employing 25% of the work force and accounting for over 60% of exports;
it is also an important source of government revenue. During the 1980s
tourism has become one of the most important and highest growth sectors
of the economy. In 1988 industry accounted for about 5% of GDP. Real
GDP is officially estimated to have increased by about 10% annually
during the period 1974-87, and GDP estimates for 1988 show a further
growth of 9% on the strength of a record fish catch and an improved
tourist season.
GDP: $136 million, per capita $670; real growth rate 9.2% (1988)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14% (1988 est.)
Unemployment rate: NEGL%
Budget: revenues $51 million; expenditures $50 million, including
capital expenditures of $25 million (1988 est.)
Exports: $39.4 million (f.o.b., 1988);
commodities--fish 57%, clothing 39%;
partners--Thailand, Western Europe, Sri Lanka
Imports: $105.7 million (c.i.f., 1988);
commodities--intermediate and capital goods 47%, consumer goods
42%, petroleum products 11%;
partners--Japan, Western Europe, Thailand
External debt: $70 million (December 1989)
Industrial production: growth rate - 5.0% (1988); accounts
for 5% of GDP
Electricity: 5,000 kW capacity; 11 million kWh produced,
50 kWh per capita (1990)
Industries: fishing and fish processing, tourism, shipping, boat
building, some coconut processing, garments, woven mats, coir (rope),
handicrafts
Agriculture: accounts for almost 30% of GDP (including fishing);
fishing more important than farming; limited production of coconuts,
corn, sweet potatoes; most staple foods must be imported; fish catch
of 63,000 tons (1988 est.)
Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $28
million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments
(1970-88), $105 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $14 million
