Maldive Islands

In the Indian Ocean, w. of Ceylon. between lat. 7° 7′ N. and 0° 42′ S., long. 72° 30′−73° 50′ E.; of coral formation, small and very numerous. Ab. 200 are inhabited. Pop. ab. 20,000. and great repute; pres. Cour des Aides 1750-71; censor of the pre ; eminent for wisdom and liberality; Minister of the Interior 1774-76; guillotined for defending Louis XVI. Œuvres Choisies , 1809.