Maldives

The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands. It stands in the Laccadive Sea, about seven hundred kilometers south-west of Sri Lanka and south-west of India. During the colonial era, the Dutch referred to the country as "Maldivische Eilanden" in their documentation, while "Maldive Islands" is the anglicised version of the local name used by the British, which later came to be written "Maldives".

The atolls of the Maldives encompass a territory spread over roughly 90,000 square kilometres, making it one of the most dispersed countries in the world in geographic terms. It features 1,192 islands, of which two hundred are inhabited. The Republic of Maldives's capital and largest city is Malé, with a population of 103,693 (2006). It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll, in the Kaafu Atoll. Traditionally it was the King's Island where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties were enthroned.

The Maldives are the smallest Asian country in both population and land area. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres above sea level, it is the lowest country on the planet. It is also the country with the lowest highest point in the world, at 2.3 metres ; the Maldives sinking is a great concern for the Maldivian people.

The postcard above shows Komandoo, one of the inhabited islands of the Shaviyani Atoll administrative division and geographically part of the Miladhummadulhu Atoll in the Maldives. Komandoo is one of the islands of Shaviyanil Atoll. Situated 213 km North West of Male’, the island measures 315 meters in length and 250 meters in width. Important places in Komandoo include the Island office, Atoll Education Centre, Health center and 3 Mosques. Having a population of 1741 people, major economic activities of the residents include fishing, handicraft, construction, boat building and carpentry.

Stamp showing Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus) used. Its value is Rf 12. Many thanks Gerge for such an awesome postcard! :)