Maldives elects new president

In November 2013, the Maldives elected Yaamin Abdul Gayoom as its new president.  Gayoom is the brother of former Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who was president of the island nation for 30 years.  Yaamin Abdul Gayoom received 51.4 percent of the total vote defeating Mohamed Nasheed – the first democratically elected leader in the nation’s history.
 
With a population of nearly 400,000 people, the Maldives is the smallest country in Asia in terms of population and land area.  The island is composed of over 1,200 islands located in the Indian Ocean.  Most of the islands are uninhabited.  In 2004, several islands were badly damaged from a devastating tsunami.  The Maldives economy depends on fisheries and tourism.  Moving forward, two of the greatest challenges for the Maldives are rising sea levels and the potential of the government falling back into authoritarian rule.
Facts about the Maldives:
Capital: Male
Major Language: Divehi
Major Religion: Islam
Sources: Associated Press, www.bbc.com, www.cia.gov

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