Conventional Long Form Name of Country: Republic of Maldives Capital City: Male Type of Government: republic Date of Independence: 26 July 1965 (from the UK) National Holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965) Chief of State: President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 8 February 2012) Head of Government: President Mohamed WAHEED Hassan Maniku (since 8 February 2012) Description of Executive Branch: Cabinet of Ministers is appointed by the president; under the new constitution, the president is elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in July 2013) Description of Legislative Branch: unicameral People's Council or People's Majlis (77 seats; members elected by direct vote to serve five-year terms); note - the Majlis in February 2009 passed legislation that increased the number of seats to 77 from 50 Description of Judicial Branch: Supreme Court; Supreme Court judges are appointed by the president with approval of voting members of the People's Council; High Court; Trial Courts; all lower court judges are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Ambassador to U.S: Ambassador Abdul GHAFOOR Mohamed Embassy in U.S.: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 Consultate in U.S,: N/A U.S. Ambassador: the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Michele J. Sison, is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits U.S. Embassy in Maldives: N/A U.S. Consultate: N/A Maldive Representation to UN: Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed National Symbol: crescent moon
Chief of State/Head of Government
President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Maniku
National Flag
red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent moon; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag; red recalls those who have sacrificed their lives in defense of their country, the green rectangle represents peace and prosperity, and the white crescent signifies Islam.