CHARLESIAN Nehaa 2019-2020

Maldives
The Maldives officially
the Republic of Maldives, is
a small island nation in South
Asia, located in the Arabian
Sea of the Indian Ocean. It
lies to the southwest of Sri
Lanka and India, about 1,000
kilometres (620 mi) from
the Asian continent. The chain of 26 atolls stretches from Ihavandhippolhu
Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south.
Comprising a territory spanning roughly 298 square kilometres (115 sq mi), the
Maldives is one of the world's most geographically dispersed sovereign
states as well as the smallest Asian country by land area and population, with
around 515,696 inhabitants. Malé is the capital and the most populated city,
traditionally called the "King's Island" for its central location.
In line with the broader British policy of decolonization, on 26 July 1965 an
agreement was signed on behalf of the Sultan by Ibrahim
NasirRannabandeyriKilegefan, Prime Minister, and on behalf of the British
government by Sir Michael Walker, British Ambassador designate to the
Maldive Islands, which ended the British responsibility for the defense and
external affairs of the Maldives. The islands thus achieved full political
independence, with the ceremony taking place at the British High
Commissioner's Residence in Colombo. After this, the sultanate continued for
another three years under Sir Muhammad Fareed Didi, who declared himself
King upon independence.On 15 November 1967, a vote was taken in
parliament to decide whether the Maldives should continue as a constitutional
monarchy or become a republic. Of the 44 members of parliament, 40 voted in
favour of a republic. On 15 March 1968, a national referendum was held on the
question, and 93.34% of those taking part voted in favour of establishing a
republic. The republic was declared on 11 November 1968, thus ending the
853-year-old monarchy, which was replaced by a republic under the presidency