Malé - History

The origins off the Maldivians are lost in ancient history. There are historical and archeological records which indicate the islands to have been inhabited more than 5,000 years. There are also indications that the Maldives, being on an important trade route, was settled by people from all over the world. This leaves the origins off the people enshrined in mystery. However, the main stock of the - Maldivian people, as seen from physical features and supported by historical evidence of migration, are predominantly Aryan or Dravidian. Throughout the Maldives a language which belongs to the Indo-Iranian group, Dhivehi, is spoken. It shows a strong Arabic influence. Dhivehi written from right to left is the official language of the country. As a second working language, English is widely used in Government offices. Other foreign languages, however, are widely used within the tourism industry. Foreign languages, mainly English, are also frequently used in commerce.