The Maldives

The Maldives is a country in the Indian Ocean. It is made up of about 1,200 small islands. Most of these islands are very tiny and flat. They are known for white sand beaches and clear blue water.

Life on the Islands

Only about 200 of the islands have people living on them. Many people in the Maldives fish for a living. Visitors come to swim, snorkel, and relax. Colorful fish and sea turtles swim around coral reefs.

Tiny Maldives islands dot the bright blue sea.
Tiny Maldives islands dot the bright blue sea. (Wikimedia Commons)

A Low Country

The Maldives is the lowest country on Earth. Most of it is only a few feet above the sea. Because of climate change, the sea is slowly rising. This makes the future of some islands uncertain.

Fun Facts

  • The Maldives is the smallest country in Asia.
  • Its capital city, Male, is on a single small island.
  • The Maldives has over 1,100 kinds of fish.

Did You Know?

Some hotels in the Maldives have rooms under the water where guests can watch fish swim by.