The Republic of Maldives located Southwest of Sri Lanka on the equator consists of
1,190 coral islands, forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls. It stretches
820 kilometers north to south and 120 kilometers east to west. 202 are inhabited
and 87 are exclusive resort islands. The capital Malé, the seat of government
and the centre of trade, commerce, business, health and education, is located in
the middle of the atoll chain, a small island buzzing with the sounds and activities
of about 75.000 people which is about one third of the population.