Why is the Maldives called a pearl in the Indian Ocean?

The Maldives is an island country with 1199 islands clustered into 26 atolls. It lies in the Indian Ocean and covers only 300 square kilometers. It is one of the smallest countries in the world.

The Maldives became a Muslim country in the mid-12th century when people converted to Sunni Islam. It was ruled as an Islamic sultanate from 1153 to 1968, except during foreign occupations.

The early human habitation in the Maldives dates back to nearly 3000 years with people coming to settle from different parts of the world. The earliest settlers probably came from southern India and Sri Lanka in the 4th and 5th centuries BC. Later, sailors from East Africa and Arab countries arrived as well.

The Portuguese took control of the Maldives in the 16th century and ruled for about 15 years. Later, the British made the Maldives their colony from 1887 to 1965. After gaining independence from Britain, the sultanate continued until 1968.