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

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

Judicial branch: High Court

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

International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP,
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW,
SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US: Maldives does not have an
embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in
New York

Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an
embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to
Maldives and makes periodic visits there

Flag description: 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

Economy--overview: Tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts
for about 18% of GDP and more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign
exchange receipts. Over 90% of government tax revenue comes from
import duties and tourism-related taxes. About 350,000 tourists
visited the islands in 1997. Fishing is a second leading growth
sector. The Maldivian Government began an economic reform program in
1989 initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to
the private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to
allow more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing
continue to play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the
limited availability of cultivable land and the shor