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Which regions sent traders to the Maldives over the centuries?
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Throughout history, the Maldives' strategic location in the Indian Ocean made it a frequent destination for maritime traders. Over the centuries, merchants from the following regions visited the islands:
- Arab countries1
- China1
- Indonesia1
- Madagascar1
- Malaya1
These historical interactions were part of a long tradition of Indian Ocean trade, which also included extensive maritime activity by Arabs from the Arabian Peninsula and the East African coast. These diverse connections contributed to the cultural and historical development of the Maldivian people.21