GAYOOM was reelected
with 92.76% of the vote
cabinet: Ministry of Atolls; appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
Citizens' Council (Majlis): elections last held 2 December 1994 (next
to be held NA December 1999); results - percent of vote NA; seats -
(48 total, 40 elected, 8 appointed by the president) independents 40

Judicial branch: High Court

Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not
banned, none exist; country governed by the Didi clan for the past
eight centuries

Member of: AsDB, C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,
NAM, OIC, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US: Maldives has no embassy in the US,
but does have a UN mission in New York; Permanent Representative to
the UN Ahmed ZAKI

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to
Maldives and makes periodic visits there
consular agency: Midhath Hilmy, Male
telephone: 322581

Flag: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a
vertical white crescent; the closed side of the crescent is on the
hoist side of the flag

@Maldives:Economy

Overview: Fishing is the largest industry, employing 25% of the work
force and accounting for over 60% of exports. Over 90% of government
tax revenue comes from import duties and tourism-related taxes. During
the 1980s tourism became one of the most important and highest growth
sectors of the economy. In 1993, tourism accounted for 17% of GDP and
more than 60% of the Maldives' foreign exchange receipts. The
Maldivian government initiated an economic reform program in 1989
initially by lifting import quotas and opening some exports to the
private sector. Subsequently, it has liberalized regulations to allow
more foreign investment. Agriculture and manufacturing continue to
play a minor role in the economy, constrained by the limited
availability of cultivatable land and the shortage of domestic labor.
Most staple foods must be imported. In 1993, industry which consisted
mainly of garment production, boat building, and handicrafts accounted
for about 6% of GDP.

National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $360 million (1993
est.)

National product real growth rate: 5.4% (1993 est.)

National product per capita: $1,500 (1993 est.)