Political and Economic Conditions of Maldives Sample Clauses

Political and Economic Conditions of Maldives. The Republic of Maldives is an island nation in the south of the Indian subcontinent. It consists of 26 atolls encompassing 1,190 islands which are scattered north-to-south across the equator in the Indian Ocean. The total land area houses a population of 290,000. Tourism and fishing are Maldives' two largest industries. As a world-renowned tourist resort, it attracted 600,000 foreigners in 2004, twice the size of the country's population. Japanese tourists accounted for 7.6% of the total tourists visiting the islands in 2004, which is the 4th largest, following the Italians, British, and Germans. Politically, Maldives gained independence from its British protectorate status in 1965 and later became a republic. President Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, who first assumed office in 1978, was reelected in 2003 for his 6th term, receiving 90% of the voters' support. In recent years, progress toward democratization has accelerated. In June 2005, the country ushered in a political party system. In foreign policy, Maldives has adhered to nonalignment and a neutral policy as its cornerstone since independence and has sought good relations with all other countries. For Maldives, the rise in sea level resulting from global warming is the most critical issue for its survival because its islands could become submerged under water. Therefore, the country is striving to raise the awareness of the international community through the United Nations and other international organizations to avoid such a dire eventuality.