The Maldives, an archipelago of 1,192 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, is the lowest country in the world. Its average ground level is just 4 feet 11 inches (1.5 meters) above sea level. Its highest point—a spot on Villingili Island—is only 7.9 feet (2.4 meters) high, making it the lowest 'highest point' of any nation. This extreme geography makes the Maldives one of the most vulnerable nations on Earth to rising sea levels due to climate change. The government has explored various options for the future, including building artificial 'floating' cities or even purchasing land in other countries to relocate the population if the islands eventually become uninhabitable.