Maldives

Maldivians are a distinct people of South Asian, Arab, and other heritage, speaking Dhivehi. The population is small and concentrated in the crowded capital, Male, and across scattered islands.

Islam is the state religion, and by law all citizens are Sunni Muslim.

Society

The Maldives has high literacy and has risen to middle-income status on tourism, but faces the profound challenge of climate change threatening its very existence.