Islanders

About 270.000 people live in the Maldives, 1/3 of them in the capital Malé. There are about 20,000 expatriate workers, mainly Sri Lankans, but also Europeans and Indians employed in the tourism and education sector.

Maldivians are of the Indo-Aryan race with Arabic, African influences due to their geographical location.

Nearly 50% of the population is under 15 years, an astonishing number, but easy to believe when one walks down the main road in Malé. Just before the beginning of school thousands of children in white school uniforms swarm the streets eager to go to school.

Maldivians are friendly, hospitable and peace loving people, at the same time reserved and in control of their emotions.