Earth Human World

Places to go: Maldives is the world’s lowest country

Posted by

and

February 7, 2014

The Maldives – made up of a chain of nearly 1,200 mostly uninhabited islands in the Indian Ocean – is the lowest country in the world. Not one of its coral islands is more than six feet (1.8 meters) above sea level, making the country vulnerable to a rise in sea level associated with climate change. I guess that’s why I found this video so poignant.

This is Male, capital of the Maldives. According to the BBC: “Aside from the island capital Male, outsiders are only permitted onto inhabited islands for brief visits, thereby limiting their impact on traditional Muslim communities. Most tourists are taken straight to their island hideaway by seaplane or speedboat, where they are free to drink alcohol and get luxurious spa treatments, insulated from the everyday Maldives, where alcohol is outlawed and skimpy beachwear frowned upon.”

An Islamic republic, Maldives has been building its tourist industry in recent decades, and, according to the Financial Times this week, it reached its targeted one million visitors mark by the end of 2013.

Posted

February 7, 2014

in

Earth

Deborah Byrd

View Articles

About the Author:

Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.