ast a 51% approval
margin is required); president elected for a five-year term; election
last held 16 October 1998 (next to be held NA October 2003)
election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected; percent of
popular vote - Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 90.9%

Legislative branch: unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats;
42 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members
serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 20 November 1999 (next to be held NA November
2004)
election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 42

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

@Maldives:Economy

Economy - overview: Tourism, Maldives largest industry, accounts for
20% 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. Almost 400,000 tourists visited the islands
in 1998. Fishing is a second leading 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 shortage of domestic labor. Most staple foods must be
imported. Industry, which consists mainly of garment production, boat
building, and handicrafts, accounts for about 18% of GDP. Maldivian
authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global
warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is one meter or
less above sea