le(s)/female
all ages: 1.05 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 47 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.17 years
male: 64.6 years
female: 67.82 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Maldivian(s)
adjective: Maldivian

Ethnic divisions: Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, African

Religions: Sunni Muslim

Languages: Maldivian Divehi (dialect of Sinhala, script derived
from Arabic), English spoken by most government officials

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 93.2%
male: 93.3%
female: 93%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Maldives
conventional short form: Maldives

Data code: MV

Type of government: republic

Capital: Male

Administrative divisions: 19 districts (atolls); Aliff, Baa,
Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu, Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu,
Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani,
Thaa, Waavu

Independence: 26 July 1965 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

Constitution: 4 June 1968

Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English
common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Maumoon Abdul
GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978) was reelected for a five-year term
by secret ballot of the Majlis; election last held 1 October 1993
(next to be held NA 1998); results - President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM
was reelected with 92.76% of the vote
cabinet: Ministry of Atolls was appointed by the president; note -
need not be members of Majilis

Legislative branch: unicameral; members elected for five-year
terms or appointed by the president
Citizens' Council (Majlis): elections last held 2 December 1994
(next to be held NA December 1999); results - percent of vote NA;
seats - (48 total, 40 elected, 8 appointed by the president)
independents 40

Judicial branch: High Court

Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not
banned, none exist

International organization participation: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO,
G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU,