The Maldives is a country of coral atolls scattered across the Indian Ocean. It is a republic and an island nation, with its capital city being Male’. It is governed by a president who is directly elected for five years by national vote, and by the Majlis (legislature), which is unicameral.
History
The earliest inhabitants of the Maldives were probably Buddhists or Hindus who had migrated from India in ancient times, but explorers brought with them Islam in 1153 AD. Islamic law is still the basis of the legal system.
Early Maldivian culture was influenced by the Dravidian culture of southern India. The influence of this culture can be seen in many of the traditional customs and beliefs that exist today.
Food & Drink
Like the rest of South Asia, Maldivian cuisine has a lot of similarities to that of India and Sri Lanka. It includes fish, coconuts, taro, potatoes, pineapples and breadfruit.
Fish is a staple in the Maldivian diet and is one of the main ingredients in the country’s famous dish, spicy dried fish curry with rice. Other fish species that are popular include wahoo and mahi-mahi.
Locally grown vegetables and fruits are also a staple in the diet of the people living on the islands. These foods are primarily used as a source of protein, though it is also possible to eat them raw.
The main source of protein for the locals is tuna, which appears in countless dishes throughout the Maldivian archipelago. It is sundried, cured, smoked and cooked in a variety of ways.