Features

Maldives

1965–present CE

Indian-Ocean island republic; independent 1965.

☾ The Coming of Islam

The conversion of the islands in 1153

The Maldives adopted Islam in 1153, when, in the traditional account, the ruler converted and the islands followed; a Muslim sultanate then governed the archipelago for most of the next eight centuries.

☾ Religious Composition

An almost entirely Sunni-Muslim nation

The Maldives is almost entirely Sunni Muslim, following the Shāfiʿī school, and Islam is the state religion.

At a glance

TypeState
Dynasty
RegionIndian Ocean
CapitalMalé
Founded1965
Endedextant
State religionIslam (state)