republic · South Asia

Republic of Maldives

1968 CE – present · capital Male

The Indian Ocean island republic of the Maldives, transformed by tourism and threatened by rising sea levels.

Origins

After independence from British protection in 1965, a referendum in 1968 abolished the Sultanate of the Maldives and established a presidential republic. Ibrahim Nasir, the former prime minister, became the first president on 11 November 1968, governing the atolls from Male.

Rule and society

Nasir developed tourism from 1972 and fishing modernisation. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom ruled from 1978 to 2008, surviving a coup attempt in 1988 that was defeated with Indian help, while restricting opposition. Islam is the state religion. The 2004 tsunami devastated many islands, and the low-lying country has become a voice for climate action.

To the present

A new constitution in 2008 introduced multiparty elections, won by Mohamed Nasheed. His resignation under pressure in 2012 began a period of political turmoil, and the republic continues with competitive elections.

Lineage

Sultanate of the Maldives 1153 CE – 1968 CERepublic of Maldives

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Republic of Maldives. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/republic-of-maldives
MLA
“Republic of Maldives.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/republic-of-maldives. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Republic of Maldives.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/republic-of-maldives.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Republic of Maldives’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/republic-of-maldives (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻