Political System

Maldives has a presidential form of government. There is a Parliament, the Citizen's Majlis, with 48 members.

Full name of the country: The Republic of Maldives

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Type of government: The Maldives, formerly a Sultanate, has been an independent Republic since July 1965, under the leadership of an Executive President nominated by the 48-member Citizen's Majlis (Parliament) and elected by a national referendum held every five years.

Administrative units : 19 Atolls,201 Islands

Republic Day: November 11 (1968)

Independence Day: July 26 (1965)

President: HE Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

Head of State: President Maumoon Gayyoom

Political institution: Description

Maldives has a presidential form of government. There is a Parliament, the Citizen's Majlis, with 48 members, of whom 40 are elected while 8 are appointed by the President - who is the Head of the state and also Chief Executive - who is nominated by the Parliament. This nomination is confirmed by public referendum.

Territorial divisions: Economic and political powers

Since this country's population is dispersed over 199 small islands and scattered over an ocean area of 90,000 sq. km., the government set up is structured such that there are three distinct but authoritatively unsegregated levels in the public administration system in the Maldives.

Religion: Islam

Language: Dhivehi and English