Timeline of Maldives

Chronology

5 events spanning the history of Maldives. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1558 – 1573

   Portuguese occupation, which ends after expulsion by locals.

   Portuguese occupation, which ends after expulsion by locals.

2. 1558

   Islands become a protectorate first of the Dutch rulers of Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

   Islands become a protectorate first of the Dutch rulers of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and later of the British who take control of Ceylon in 1796.

3. 1982

   Rejoins Commonwealth.

   Rejoins Commonwealth.

4. 2002

   Concern over the Maldives’ vulnerability to rising sea levels.

   Concern over the Maldives’ vulnerability to rising sea levels prompts government to announce decision to take legal action against US for refusing to sign Kyoto Protocol.

5. 2004

   Tsunami generated by a powerful undersea earthquake off the Indonesian coast hits the Maldives.

   Scores of people are killed and many islands suffer severe damage when a tsunami generated by a powerful undersea earthquake off the Indonesian coast hits the Maldives. The government says the disaster has set development work back by 20 years.