Heart-shaped island, Indian Ocean, Maldives

© Willyam Bradberry/Shutterstoc

Maldives

The tranquil heart-shaped island in our image can be found in the archipelago nation of the Maldives. The Republic of Maldives is the smallest country in Asia, located about 750 kilometres from the continent’s mainland. It is made up of 26 atolls, together containing more than 1,000 islands. It's one of the least populous and smallest Asian nations by land area, although it covers about 90,000 square kilometres if you count its waters.

A popular honeymoon destination, the Maldives receives most of its income from tourism. However, its days as a tropical vacation might be in danger due to the threat of climate change. With an average elevation of just 1.5 metres, the country is especially vulnerable to rising sea levels.