Official Name: Republic of Maldives
Capital: Male
Area: 300 square kilometres(
116 square miles )
Major cities (Population)
Male 56,000 (1990 estimate)
Type of Government: Republic
Independence: 26 July 1965 (from the United Kingdom)
Constitution: 4 June 1968
Voting Rights: Universal at age 21
Government
In 1887 the Maldives became a British protectorate administered from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). In 1953 the islands converted from a monarchy to a presidential republic. However, in 1965 the Maldives achieved independence as a sultanate, and in 1968 the people voted to establish a second republic.
Executive power is vested in a president, nominated by the Majlis, or Citizens’ Council, and then elected every five years by the people. The Majlis, a one-chamber legislative body, consists of 40 directly elected members from the 20 administrative atolls and 8 representatives appointed by the president. The president appoints a cabinet that is responsible to the Majlis and also appoints all judges, who administer Islamic justice.
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