The Maldives is a nation consisting of 26 natural atolls, comprising 1192 islands. Since very ancient times, the Maldives were ruled by
kings (Radun) and occasionally queens (Ranin). Historically Maldives has had a
strategic importance because of its location on the major marine routes of the
Indian Ocean. Maldives' nearest neighbors are Sri Lanka and
India, both of which have had cultural and economic ties with Maldives for
centuries. The
Maldives provided the main source of cowrie shells,
then used as a currency throughout Asia and parts of the East
African coast.
After the
16th century, when European colonial powers took over much of the trade in the
Indian Ocean, first the Portuguese, and then the Dutch, and the French
occasionally meddled with local politics. However, these interference ended
when the Maldives became a British Protectorate in the 19th century and the
Maldivian monarchs were granted a good measure of self-governance.
The British Became more concerned
about their strategic interests in Maldives. They were operating an airstrip in
the island of Gan in addu atoll, during the Second World War between 1939 and
1948. In 1956 the British negotiated an agreement with Maldives to re-establish
the Royal Air force base at Gan. This agreement was not approved by the
Maldivian Parliament and was revised. The revised agreement that was signed in
1960 reduced the period of Britain’s rights over Gan and Maamendhoo (part of
Hithadhoo) from 100 years to 30 years.
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