Government (Maldives)
=====================


     Long-form name:
         Republic of Maldives
     Type:
         republic
     Capital:
         Male
     Administrative divisions:
         19 district (atolls); Aliff, Baa, Daalu, Faafu, Gaafu Aliff, Gaafu Daalu,
         Haa Aliff, Haa Daalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Laviyani, Meemu, Naviyani, Noonu, Raa,
         Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Waavu
     Independence:
         26 July 1965 (from UK)
     Constitution:
         4 June 1964
     Legal system:
         based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in
         commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
     National holiday:
         Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
     Executive branch:
         president, Cabinet
     Legislative branch:
         unicameral Citizens' Council (Majlis)
     Judicial branch:
         High Court
     Leaders:
       Chief of State and Head of Government:
         President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November 1978)
     Political parties and leaders:
         no organized political parties; country governed by the Didi clan for the
         past eight centuries
     Suffrage:
         universal at age 21
     Elections:
       President:
         last held 23 September 1988 (next to be held September 1994); results -
         President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected
       Citizens' Council:
         last held on 7 December 1989 (next to be held 7 December 1994); results -
         percent of vote NA; seats - (48 total, 40 elected)
     Member of:
         AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF,
         IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
         WHO, WMO, WTO
     Diplomatic representation:
         Maldives does not maintain an embassy in the US, but does have a UN mission
         in New York
       US:
         the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic
         visits there; US Consular Agency, Midhath Hilmy, Male; telephone 2581
     Flag:
         red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white
         crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag