Latitude and longitude coordinates are: 1.924992, 73.399658. The Maldives is a beautiful set of islands and an independent country, located in the Indian Ocean, about 560 miles south of the island of Sri Lanka. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, known for its fabulous beaches, incredible ocean waters, plenty of accommodation options, high-quality services, and many entertainment options located there. The official name of the country is the Republic of the Maldives, and it is a country with a very difficult and winding history, long periods of colonization, and national development. Currently, the country's economy is almost fully based on tourism, in conjunction with such branches as fishing and seafood production. The capital city of the islands, Male city, is quite a modern and popular business center and transportation hub.