A small island nation south of India, that has the distinction of the lowest average elevation at 1.5 meters and lowest highest elevation of only 2.4 meters, celebrates their Independence Day on July 26th from Great Britain in 1965. They have had self rule for most of their existence until 1887, with only two other times colonial powers controlled the area for a total of just over 15 years. Having influences from the west, middle east and the east as a stopping point for merchants, they have had a number of cultural influences throughout history. Interestingly they are the smallest of the Asian countries in both land area and population but they do have 1,192 islands but only 192 of them are inhabited. In 2008 a fund was established by the government to relocate the inhabitants of the island with the threat of the ocean swallowing up the country as it has such a low elevation.
Never the less Happy Independence Day The Maldives!