| GEOGRAPHY |
The Maldives Republic
is located 500km (300 miles) southwest of
the southern tip of India and consists of
about 1190 low-lying coral islands, of which
only 200 are inhabited. Most of the inhabited
islands are covered by lush tropical vegetation
and palm trees, while the numerous uninhabited
islands, some of which are mere sand spits
or coral tips, are covered in shrubs. Each
island is surrounded by a reef enclosing
a shallow lagoon. Hundreds of these islands
together with other coral growth form an
atoll, surrounding a lagoon. All the islands
are low-lying, none more than 2m (7ft) above
sea level. The majority of the indigenous
population do not mix with the tourist visitors,
with the exception of those involved with
tourism in the resorts and Malé. |
