Current Events
by Amy Austin
Maldives:
A Closer Look
...for Class Afloat News, March 3, 1997
Maldives is an archipelago (a group of islands) located off the southwestern tip of India. It is made of 1,192 islands divided into 26 groups, called atolls, formed by coral reefs. Only 200 of these islands are actually inhabited. Due to poor soil conditions, agriculture is almost impossible; therefore, fishing (especially tuna) has been its main industry for centuries.
During the twentieth century, the fishing industry has had a lot of competition finding workers due to a new money-making industry: tourism. Marco Polo called Maldives “the flower of the Indies” and another explorer referred to it as “one of the wonders of the world.” The beautiful coral reefs, green waters, and exotic plant life have attracted a wide array of tourists from around the world.
Tourism, however, is considered a mixed blessing by many Maldives inhabitants. For almost all of the nation’s recorded history the population has been 100 percent Muslim, with all other religions forbidden. The Maldives’ government is so afraid of tourists influencing their culture that many laws have been made to decrease the danger. Tourists used to freely visit anywhere in Maldives, but now regulations state all tourists must apply for permission before visiting uninhabited islands. Seventy-four of the inhabited islands are reserved entirely for resort areas, separating tourists even further from the native culture. Alcoholic beverages, beach attire, and even “short shorts” are limited to resort areas only.
Unfortunately, it is not only the culture the government must protect. The environment of Maldives must be guarded very carefully to preserve its beauty and uniqueness. Killing turtles and selling coral pieces has been outlawed. Organizations have been created to strictly regulate illegal fishing to stop decreasing fish populations.
Besides protecting the environment and the culture of Maldives, the government and people may have a bigger problem on their hands—some scientists predict that by 2020, all of Maldives could disappear into the Indian Ocean due to the effects of global warming. With all of these dangers, it is understandable that the people of Maldives are so protective of their way of life.