Maldives has no organized political parties. Candidates for elective office run as independents on the basis of personal qualifications. The Maldivian economy is based on tourism and fishing. Poor soil and unavailable arable land limit agriculture to a few subsistence crops. Traditional industry consists of boatbuilding and handicrafts, while modern industry is restricted to a cannery and a few garment factories and consumer products.
Fishing employs about one-third of the labor force.
Production was more than 60,000 metric tons in 1988, most of which was skipjack and yellowfin tuna. More than one-half of the annual harvest is frozen, canned, or dried and exported to Thailand, Sri Lanka, and other countries. In recent years, Maldives successfully has marketed its natural assets for tourism - beautiful beaches on small coral islands, blue waters abundant with tropical fish, and glorious sunsets. To facilitate tourism, Male International Airport has been expanded to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft. Maldivians traditionally have been good sailors.