Maldives: Timeline

1153   Islam is introduced to the Maldives.

1959   Island of Addu in the Maldives declares independence Independence

Independence is self-government [i] of a nation [i], country [i], or state [i] by its residents and popu ... 

.

1968   A second republic Republic

In a broad definition, a republic is a state [i] or country [i] that is led by people whose political power [i] ... 

 is declared in the Maldives.

2004   One of the worst natural disaster Natural disaster

A natural disaster is the consequence of the combination of a natural hazard and human activities... 

s in recorded history hits southeastern Asia Asia

Asia is the largest and most populous continent [i] or region, depending on the definition.... 

 when the strongest earthquake in 40 years 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake... 

 hits the entire Indian Ocean region. The massive 9.3 magnitude earthquake Earthquake

An earthquake is a phenomenon [i] that results from and is powered by the sudden release of stored energ ... 

, epicentered just off the west coast of the Indonesian Indonesia

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a nation of islands [i] consist ... 

 island of Sumatra Sumatra

Sumatra is the sixth largest island [i] of the world and is the largest island ... 

, generates enormous tsunami Tsunami

A tsunami is a series of waves [i] when a body of water [i], such as an ocean [i] ... 

 waves that crash into the coastal areas of a number of nations including Thailand Thailand

The Kingdom of Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia [i], bordering Laos [i] and Cambodia [i] to the e ... 

, India India

India , officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

, Sri Lanka Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka , is a tropical [i] island nation [i] ... 

, the Maldives, Malaysia Malaysia

Malaysia is a federation [i] of 13 states [i] in Southeast Asia [i], formed in 1963. ... 

, Myanmar Myanmar

Myanmar, officially the Union of Myanmar is the largest country in geographical area in mainland ... 

, Bangladesh Bangladesh

Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

, Burma Myanmar

Myanmar, officially the Union of Myanmar is the largest country in geographical area in mainland ... 

 and Indonesia Indonesia

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a nation of islands [i] consist ... 

. The official death toll in the affected countries stands at 186,983 while more than 40,000 people are still missing.