The Republic of Maldives, an archipelago of about 2,000 coral islets in the northern Indian Ocean 417 miles (671 km.) southwest of Ceylon, has an area of 115 sq. mi. (298 sq. km.) and a population of 302,000. Capital: Male. Fishing employs 95 percent of the work force. Dried fish, copra and coir yarn are exported. ,The Maldive Islands were visited by Arab traders and converted to Islam in 1153. After being harassed in the 16th and 17th centuries by Mopla pirates of the Malabar coast and Portuguese raiders, the Maldivians voluntarily placed themselves under the suzerainty of Ceylon. In 1887, the islands became an internally self-governing British protectorate and a nominal dependency of Ceylon. Traditionally a sultanate, the Maldives became a republic in 1953 but restored the sultanate in 1954. The Sultanate of the Maldive Islands attained complete internal and external autonomy within the Commonwealth on July 26, 1965, and on Nov. 11, 1968 again became a republic.,, Rulers:,,, ,British to 1965,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Rufiyaa (Rupee) = 100 Lari,,