Money & Geography: Maldives Coin Set

This is a throwback post originally posted on the Money & Geography Blog on December 28, 2015. More posts sorted by country are found in the sidebar on moneyandgeography.blogspot.com!

Click on the image above to enlarge it in a lightbox window.

The above coin set features uncirculated-condition coins of THE MALDIVES, also known as Maldives or the Maldive Islands. Maldives' currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa, each Rufiyaa being subdivided into 100 laari. The currency's ISO 4217 code is MVR. The small, 15-millimeter 1 Laari coin encloses a palm tree within a circle and is an FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) coin. Like the coin in my image above, the 1 Laari FAO coin was first minted in 1984. The scalloped-shape 5 Laari, scalloped-shape 10 Laari, 25, and circular 50 Laari coins are also part of the FAO coin program, an international numismatic endeavor of the United Nation's FAO. This organization seek to address hunger and food insecurity issues while supporting farmers and food producers.

A loggerhead sea turtle designed by Ahmed Abbas and Maizan Hassan Manik graces the 50 Laari coin from 1995. The circular, 20.2-millimeter 25 Laari coin is comprised of a copper alloy: nickel brass (electrum). The endangered loggerhead turtle species was a common - and controversial - food source for Maldivian citizens and others. This is why the 25 Laari "turtle coin" was part of the FAO coin program. Nowadays, many Maldivian citizens are weaning off from this dietary choice and seeking to protect beloved loggerhead turtles. The 1 Rufiyaa coin is the final coin in this coin set, being specifically minted in 1996 and first minted in 1982. On all the coins, non-English text is written in Dhivehi (Maldivian) - the Maldives' official language.

Geography
The Maldives is an Indian Ocean archipelago of atolls and a country located in southern Asia, particularly southwest of India and west of Sri Lanka. The capital of Maldives is Male (Malé), which has more than 100,000 residents. More info can be found on this GeoFact of the Day Blog post.

Independence Day in the Maldives

People all across the MALDIVES are celebrating their country's Independence Day today. Maldives achieved independence from the United Kingdom in July 1965. Happy Independence Day!

Maldives Exports

According to MIT's Observatory of Economic Complexity (atlas.media.mit.edu), the following items are major exports of the MALDIVES in South Asia: aircraft parts, animal meal and pellets, apples (small amounts), clothing (particularly fabric garments, tee shirts, and women’s suits), fish fillets, fresh and frozen seafood, gas turbines, metal molds, nuts, paper, pears (small amounts), petroleum (small amounts), recreational boats, scrap copper, scrap iron, seed oil, small planes, surveying equipment, and wine (small amounts). According to the International Monetary Fund (data.imf.org), countries and territories buying and importing most of those exports (February 2017 statistics) include Thailand (top importer), the United States, Ireland, France, Sri Lanka, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Switzerland, Taiwan, Spain, Japan, Nigeria, Australia, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, India, the United Arab Emirates, Belgium, China, and Poland.

World's 10 Smallest Countries and Their Popular Places

While the following countries are the world's ten smallest ones, these are all worthy destinations for any bucket-list globetrotter! Including popular attractions or sites of interest in each country, this list is sorted based on land area. Otherwise, a country such as the MARSHALL ISLANDS would not be featured due to the vast amount of ocean water within its polygonal borders. Starting with the world's smallest country, drum roll please...

#1 ● ● ● ● ● VATICAN CITY ● ● ● ● ● 0.44 km² and 0.17 mi²
Popular Places:   Saint Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro), St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro), Sistine Chapel in the Apostolic Palace, Grotto of Lourdes, Sacristy, Audience Hall, Roman Curia, various museums, and Palace of the Tribunal
Blog Post (↗)

#2 ● ● ● ● ● MONACO ● ● ● ● ● 2 km² and 0.77 mi²
Popular Places:   Casino Monte Carlo, Monaco Grand Prix race (Circuit de Monaco), Auditorium Rainier III (↗), Monte Carlo Harbor, Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, Princess Grace Botanical Garden, Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Prince's Palace, and Place du Palais
Blog Post (↗)

#3 ● ● ● ● ● NAURU ● ● ● ● ● 21 km² and 8.1 mi²
Popular Places and Activities:   Anibare Bay, Central Plateau, Japanese WWII guns and bunkers, Buada Lagoon, scuba diving and snorkeling, Parliament House, and Moqua Well
Blog Post (↗)

#4 ● ● ● ● ● TUVALU ● ● ● ● ● 26 km² and 10.04 mi²
Popular Places and Activities:   Funafuti Marine Conservation Area, scuba diving and snorkeling, various beaches and resorts, Tuvalu National Library, and Tuvalu Women's Handicraft Center
Blog Post (↗)

#5 ● ● ● ● ● SAN MARINO ● ● ● ● ● 61 km² and 24 mi²
Popular Places:   Centro Storico Di San Marino, Guaita Castle, Piazza della Liberta, Cesta Tower, Mounte Titano (↗), Palazzo Pubblico, Basilica del Santo Marino, and San Marino Adventures (↗) ecotourist theme park
Blog Post (↗)

#6 ● ● ● ● ● LIECHTENSTEIN ● ● ● ● ● 160 km² and 62 mi²
Popular Places:   Vaduz Castle, Liechtenstein Center, national museum, The Main Square in Vaduz, Postage Stamp Museum, Museum of Fine Arts (Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein), Cathedral of St. Florin, Burg Gutenberg castle, and various ski resorts
Blog Post (↗)

#7 ● ● ● ● ● MARSHALL ISLANDS ● ● ● ● ● 181 km² and 70 mi²
Popular Places and Activities:   Alele Museum, Library, and National Archives; Arno Atoll; Bikini Atoll; Cathedral of the Assumption; various beaches; and scuba diving and snorkeling
Blog Post (↗)

#8 ● ● ● ● ● SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS ● ● ● ● ● 261 km² and 101 mi²
Popular Places and Activities:   Brimstone Hill Fortress, Greg's Safaris, Clay Villa Plantation House & Gardens, Romney Manor, Botanical Gardens of Nevis, St. Kitts Scenic Railway, scuba diving and snorkeling, sightseeing tours/excursions, and various beaches and resorts
Blog Post (↗)

#9 ● ● ● ● ● The MALDIVES ● ● ● ● ● 298 km² and 115 mi²
Popular Places and Activities:   Alimatha Island, Biyadoo Island, Male Fish Market, Grand Friday Mosque, Manta Point, Banana Reef, Sultan Park, Tiny Island Marine Conservation Center, spas, scuba diving and snorkeling, yoga/pilates, and various beaches
Blog Post (↗)

#10 ● ● ● ● ● MALTA ● ● ● ● ● 316 km² and 122 mi²
Popular Places:   Mdina Old City, St. John's Cathedral, Fort Rinella, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Azure Window geologic arch, Malta Classic Car Collection Museum, Malta Falconry Center, Rotunda (Church of St. Mary), Valletta Waterfront, Casa Rocca Piccola, Hagar Qim Temples, Dingli Cliffs, and various beaches
Blog Post (↗)

Maldives' Northernmost Atoll

Part of the Haa Alif administrative atoll, Ihavandhippolhu Atoll is the MALDIVES' northernmost atoll — boasting white-sand beaches, crystal-clear blue water, and oceanic biodiversity as seen in other areas of the South Asian country. Ihavandhippolhu essentially connects the Arabian Sea (west) with the Indian Ocean (east). Coral reefs built a proverbial necklace, stringing together the "pearls" of islands and small islets. Some "pearls" include Hathifushi, Huvarafushi, Ihavandhoo, Mulhadhoo, Thuraakunu, and Uligamu. GeoFact of the Day estimates Ihavandhippolhu Atoll's 2017 population to be approximately 7,075. Did You Know? The S.S. Vicissitude sailed in 1836 from Mauritius in hopes of arriving on Ceylon island (present-day Sri Lanka), but did not reach its destination as it became shipwrecked at Ihavandhippolhu Atoll. Not many historic records were kept in regards to S.S. Vicissitude, but it is believed that everyone on-board survived.

One island located in the middle of the atoll "necklace" is Manafaru — once "Under Construction" then later completed in the 2000s. The artificial island features a couple of luxury resort hotels, and it may soon be one of many man-made Maldivian islands rather than one of several. In order to combat against land loss caused by rising sea levels, the Maldives government is partnering with land-reclamation firms in hopes of constructing more artificial land — including floating islands. Manafaru serves an example of how more new islands might provide further economic benefits — all while allowing the Maldives to remain on the map. Over a dozen additional detailed maps of the Maldives can be found on the Maps of Maldives Blog (↗).

Maldives Endangered Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ for The MALDIVES in South Asia and the Indian Ocean lists 3 critically endangered species and 10 endangered species. There are fortunately no extinct species listed for the Maldives island country. Enallagma maldivensis damselflies, Hawksbill Turtles, and Sociable Plover birds are critically endangered. The aforementioned damselfly species only live on the islands of Malé and Villingili (Villimalé). The Maldivian government and various non-governmental organizations have prepared conservation initiatives, especially targeted towards protecting Hawksbill Turtles. The Maldives' ten endangered species are the Acropora rudis stony coral, Black Teatfish, Golden Sandfish, Green Turtle, Prickly Redfish sea cucumber, Ornate (Reticulate) Eagle Ray, Pygmy Blue Whale, Sandfish sea cucumber, Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, and Undulate Wrasse fish.

Capital of the Maldives

The capital of MALDIVES, a country and an archipelago of atolls* located southwest of India and west of Sri Lanka, is Male (Malé)! To discover more about the country, visit my Maldives post.

* Atolls — coral islands and surrounding lagoons

Maldives

The MALDIVES is an Indian Ocean archipelago of atolls (islands of coral surrounding lagoons) located in southern Asia, particularly southwest of India and west of Sri Lanka. Maldivian government officials are known for being outspoken about environmental concerns related to climate change. Rising ocean water levels, coastal flooding, beach erosion, depleting freshwater resources, and waste-disposal issues are the country's environment problems. The capital of Maldives is Male (Malé), which has more than 100,000 residents. Male is located on Male island, a densely-populated area sitting along the North Male Atoll's southern edge. The Maldives' official language is Maldivian (Dhivehi), with English being another major spoken language. The currency is the Maldivian Rufiyaa, each Rufiyaa being subdivided into 100 laari. The currency's ISO 4217 code is MVR. Detailed maps of the Maldives' atolls are on the Maps of Maldives blog (maldivesmap.blogspot.com). On this simple but attractive blog, each map can be enlarged to original size by clicking on it, and then right-clicking to select Open image in new tab (Google Chrome) or a similar option (other browsers). A one-page feed is available for some web browsers, such as Internet Explorer, so that these maps can be viewed from one convenient page.