Maldives
Republic of the Maldives
People: Maldivan
The Maldives is the world's lowest-lying country, with an average ground level of just 1.5 metres above the sea. Maldives is located in Southern Asia and has a population of around 515,132. Its capital city is Malé, and the most widely spoken official language is Maldivian. As an island nation, Maldives has no land borders.
By the numbers, Maldives is the 168th most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to under 0.01% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 188th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 1,717 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
Maldives — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Republic of the Maldives |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Malé |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Southern Asia |
| Population | 515,132 |
| Area | 300 km² |
| Currency | Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) .ރ |
| Official Language | Maldivian |
| Dialling Code | +960 |
| Internet TLD | .mv |
| Timezone | UTC+05:00 |
| Drives on the | Left side |
| Emergency Number | 112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide) |
| ISO Code | MV / MDV |
| Borders | Island nation / no land borders |
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Getting to and around Maldives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Maldives
What is the capital and currency of Maldives?
The capital of Maldives is Malé and the currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR), symbol .ރ.
What is the capital of Maldives?
The capital of Maldives is Malé.
What currency does Maldives use?
Maldives uses the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR, symbol: .ރ).
What language do they speak in Maldives?
The official language of Maldives is Maldivian.
What is the dialling code for Maldives?
The international dialling code for Maldives is +960.
What side of the road does Maldives drive on?
Maldives drives on the left-hand side of the road.
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