Maldives: Flag and Facts
The flag of the Maldives has a red field around a big green panel, and a white crescent moon sits upright inside that panel.
- Official name
- Republic of the Maldives
- Capital
- Malé
- Region
- Southern Asia
- Population
- 388,858 (2024)
- Languages
- Maldivian
- Currency
- Maldivian rufiyaa
- Area
- 300 km² (116 sq mi)
- People
- Maldivan
- Calling code
- +960
- Highest point
- 8th tee, golf course, Villingi Island 5 m
- Independence
- 26 July 1965 (from the UK)
- National symbols
- coconut palm, yellowfin tuna
- Borders
- No land borders
About Maldives
Red honors those who gave their lives defending the nation, green means prosperity and peace, and the crescent represents Islam. The coconut palm and the yellowfin tuna are both national symbols.
The Maldives was a sultanate from the 12th century on. It became a British protectorate in 1887, won independence on 26 July 1965, and turned into a republic three years later. One president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, held power for 30 years. After protests in 2003, reforms followed: political parties became legal in 2005, and a new constitution in 2008 led to the first multi-party presidential election that same year. The islands themselves are flat coral atolls with white sand beaches, resting on top of an undersea volcanic ridge. Monsoons bring a dry season and a rainy season.
Did you know?
- The highest point in the Maldives is a golf tee on Villingi Island, just 5 m above sea level.
- The Maldives covers about 300 square kilometers.
- Its national anthem, Gaumee Salaam, means National Salute.
Want to test yourself? The random flag generator has a quiz mode, and the full flags of the world page shows every flag at once.
Questions about Maldives
What is the capital of the Maldives?
Male is the capital, with about 177,000 people as of 2018.
What currency is used in the Maldives?
The Maldives uses the Maldivian rufiyaa.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.