The Maldives
/ðə ˈmɔːldiːvz/
/ðə ˈmɔːldiːvz/
- a country in the Indian Ocean, to the south-west of India, consisting of over 1 200 small islands. Its capital is Male and its official language is Divehi. It used to be a British colony, and became independent in 1965. It is now a member of the Commonwealth. Its industries include fishing and tourism.