Mal·dives (môl d vz, -d vz, m l-) Formerly Mal·dive Islands (-dv, -dv) An island country in the Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka, consisting of 19 atolls made up of more than 2,000 coral islands. Settled by various groups from southern Asia, the islands were converted to Islam in the 12th century. The Maldives became a self-governing British protectorate in 1887 and achieved independence as a sultanate (1965) and subsequently as a republic (1968). Male is the capital. Population: 369,000. Mal·div i·an (-d v- n), Mal·divan adj. & n. |   |
Maldives [ˈmɔːldaɪvz]
pl n
(Placename) Republic of. a republic occupying an archipelago of 1087 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka: came under British protection in 1887; became independent in 1965 and a republic in 1968; a member of the Commonwealth. Official language: Divehi. Official religion: (Sunni) Muslim. Currency: rufiyaa. Capital: Malé. Pop.: 275 000 (2001 est.). Area: 298 sq. km (115 sq. miles) Also called Maldive Islands
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  Maldives - a republic on the Maldive Islands; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1965Maldive Islands, Maldives - a group of about 1,200 small coral islands (about 220 inhabited) in the Indian ocean Male - the capital of Maldives in the center of the islands |
| 2. | Maldives - a group of about 1,200 small coral islands (about 220 inhabited) in the Indian ocean Maldives, Republic of Maldives - a republic on the Maldive Islands; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1965 Indian Ocean - the 3rd largest ocean; bounded by Africa on the west, Asia on the north, Australia on the east and merging with the Antarctic Ocean to the south |
Translations
Maldives [ˈmɔːldaɪvz] Maldive Islands [ˌmɔːldaɪvˈaɪləndz] NPL → (islas fpl) Maldivas fpl
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