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Republik der Malediven |
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A group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Ceylon. The Maldives came under British protection in 1887 and were attached to the Ceylon colony until 1948. During 1948-64, the islands were closely associated with Great Britain, becoming completely independent in July 1965. In 1968, the 800-year-old sultanate
was abolished, and a republic was established. Although the Maldives
have issued some 2,000 stamps since independence, the country is not
economically developed and is among the world's poorest nations. |
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