Maldives 🇲🇻

The Maldives is a country in Southern Asia, one of the 9 entries this site files under that subregion. In formal use it is Republic of the Maldives. Malé is the capital.

Around 527,799 people live there, placing it 174th of 250 by population — between Malta above it and Cape Verde below. Among the 9 entries in Southern Asia it ranks 9th by area and 9th by population.

By land area it covers 300 km², which ranks it 216th of the 250 countries and territories in this dataset — just behind Malta and just ahead of the Cayman Islands. For scale, it is a fraction smaller than Malta.

Where the Maldives is and what surrounds it

Its reference point sits at 3.3° north and 73.0° east, which puts it in the northern hemisphere, roughly 362 km from the equator, in what geographers would call the equatorial belt.

Countries on the same parallel, far away in longitude, include Colombia, Malaysia and Guyana.

It shares no land border with anyone. That puts it among the 85 entries of 250 here with no land neighbours, so everything and everyone arrives by sea or by air.

Population and languages of the Maldives

Population divided by land area gives roughly 1,759 people per square kilometre, which makes it among the most densely populated places on earth. The median across all 250 entries here is about 90 per square kilometre.

Someone from the Maldives is a Maldivan.

The one official language is Maldivian. No other entry in this dataset lists Maldivian, so on this list it stands alone.

Inside Asia it places 49th of 50 by population, and it accounts for under 1% of everyone living in Southern Asia.

Currency, domain and dialling code

Money there is the Maldivian rufiyaa (.ރ, MVR). It shares that currency with.

If a quiz asks for the capital of the Maldives, the answer is Malé.

Websites there use the .mv domain. To phone it from abroad you dial +960. Standard country codes: mv and MDV.

The Maldives is one of the 193 UN member states in this dataset. The other 57 entries are territories, dependencies or observers, which is why totals on this site run to 250 rather than the familiar 195.

Fun facts about Maldives

• Maldivian is listed as an official language for no other entry in this dataset.
• It has no land border with any other country — one of 85 such entries in this dataset.
• Population density works out at roughly 1,759 people per square kilometre.
• Its full official name is Republic of the Maldives.
• In land area it is a fraction smaller than Malta.
• Its capital city is Malé.
• Ranked by land area, the Maldives is 216th out of the 250 countries and territories on this site.
• It lies about 362 km from the equator, in equatorial latitudes.

Maldives — frequently asked questions

What is the capital of the Maldives?

The capital of the Maldives is Malé.

What is the population of the Maldives?

The Maldives has a population of about 527,799, which makes it the 174th most populous of the 250 countries and territories listed on this site. Malta sits just above it and Cape Verde just below.

Where is the Maldives located?

The Maldives is in Southern Asia, part of Asia. Its reference coordinates are 3.3° north and 73.0° east, roughly 362 km from the equator in equatorial latitudes.

Is the Maldives a country?

Yes. The Maldives is a sovereign state and one of the 193 UN members listed on this site.

What language is spoken in the Maldives?

The official language of the Maldives is Maldivian. No other entry on this list gives it official status.

What currency does the Maldives use?

The Maldives uses the Maldivian rufiyaa, written .ރ (currency code MVR).

How big is the Maldives?

The Maldives covers 300 km², ranking 216th of 250 by land area. That makes it a fraction smaller than Malta.

Does the Maldives border any other country?

No. The Maldives has no land border with any other country, so every route in or out is by sea or air. 85 of the 250 entries on this site are in the same position.