57. The Maldives • The Indian Ocean

We have selected 100 unique places on Earth that are projected to
undergo profound changes within the next few generations.

We based our selection of the 100 places on the 4th Assessment
Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Simply by drawing attention to the beauty of these places, 100 Places to
Remember Before they Disappear creates an argument to preserve
them.

The 100 Places we have chosen to highlight, and the people who
live in them, are in serious danger because of rising sea levels, rising
temperatures and extreme weather events triggered by climate change.

Among ambassadors are Joss Stone, Desmund Tutu for more info visit http://www.100places.com.

A Tropical
Paradise just above Water

Famous for its 1,200 tropical islands, snow-white beaches, swaying palm trees and richly coloured coral reefs, the Maldives has become a tourist paradise.




This island nation, officially called the Republic of Maldives, consists of 22 atolls with many small islands scattered in circles. It stretches almost 1,000 kilometres from north to south in the Indian Ocean, south-west of the Indian subcontinent.

Only 198 of the islands are permanently inhabited, although many others have been developed into tourist resorts. For the 360,000 inhabitants, tourism has become the biggest industry, accounting for almost 30% of national income and more than 60% of foreign currency.

With 80% of the country less than one metre above sea level, climate change poses a serious threat to the Maldives, especially since almost all of the human settlements, vital infrastructure and industries are located in close proximity to the coast.

In the last 15 years, the sea level in the ocean surrounding the Maldives has risen by 4.5 cm. Estimates suggest a further rise of 20-60 cm by the end of the century. The area could also see an increase in the intensity of tropical storms. This would threaten both the tourist industry and the Republic of Maldives as a nation.

The Maldives was the first country in the world to sign the Kyoto Protocol.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• COP 15
• 100 places
• 100places
• 100
• climate
• change

[raymond9339]

this guy can't pronouce maldives !! LOL

[becharev]

The 1997 Constitution of the Maldives designates Islam as the official state religion. The Government interprets this provision to impose a requirement that citizens be Muslims. Freedom of religion is restricted significantly. The law prohibits the practice by Maldivian citizens of any religion other than Islam. The president is the "supreme authority to propagate the tenets of Islam." Government regulations are based on Islamic law (Shari'a).

[MrKompassism]

Beautiful

[Sypha14]

The Maldiiives

[oomblikkies]

Ask the Chinese to build a wall around every island. They are experts in building walls. :)

[Peppergon]

@becharev

....the scourge of the Modern world is Islam....

.....A religion competently non-compatible with the world...

[bloodshot738]

SIMPLE BURN DA WATER!!!!!!

[madcityrealtor]

Thats sad. I would like to be there before that happens.

[hvacman91]

WTF???? a vacation hot spot video turned into an environmentalist propaganda film...i have sudden urge to burn some tires and take my chain saw for a walk in the woods to do some clear cutting moo ha ha(evil laugh)...JK...oh not really

[RedTailedTuna]

@osamabinijaz What???