Maldives: Sovereign Indian Ocean Nation, Not Part of India

The Maldives is an independent republic comprising ~1,192 coral islands in 26 atolls, southwest of Sri Lanka (~700 km) and India (~600 km). It has been sovereign since 1965 (British protectorate ended). Capital: Malé. Language: Dhivehi. Religion: Islam (state). Economy: tourism, fishing. India is a close partner (aid, defense, trade) but the Maldives is unequivocally a separate country.