The Maldives

Maldives is a magical garland of 1,190 islands encircled by soft white beaches and an ocean of countless shades of blue. Islands are grouped in natural atolls protected by surrounding coral reefs. You will be treated to spectacular views as you transfer from the airport by private speedboat or seaplane. Arrive at the perfect hideaway just for you where barefoot luxury combines with friendliness and true traditional Maldivian hospitality Coconut palms and an abundance of tropical plants make these islands an idyllic holiday destination. With only one hotel on each island you are cocooned in your own private resort. Magnificent beaches surrounding your island paradise lead gently into the ever warm waters of the lagoon and house reef - ideal for safe swimming and snorkeling

Stunning accommodation is provided by water villas suspended over sheltered lagoons or in beachfront villas. There is a wonderful selection of luxury room types to choose from and many feature private outdoor bathrooms, some with Jacuzzi and private pools. Hotel styles include island tropical, contemporary and traditional - something for everyone

Cuisine and service are of the highest standard while the ambience is always relaxed and informal. Restaurants and bars are often open air and toe-in-sand set in tropical gardens; for a romantic evening, dine on a deserted beach under the stars

No doubt you will succumb to the Maldivian art of doing nothing! However there is much more to Maldives. Apart from plentiful water sports there are wonderful spas for massage, body treatments and aromatherapy. There is also the opportunity to experience native culture and visit islands where local people live

The islands of Maldives are truly beautiful and yet some of the most wonderful sights are in the ocean. A haven for scuba diving and snorkeling; you will be amazed at the variety and abundance of multi-coloured fish along the coral reefs that surround the islands. It is a delight to spot turtles, rays and baby sharks as they come close to shore on their inquisitive visit!

Location

South of India's Lakshadweep islands, about 700 kilometers south-west of Sri Lanka, on the equator.

Geography

1,190 coral islands, forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls. Stretches 820 kilometres north to south and 120 kilometres east to west. 202 are inhabited, 87 are exclusive resort islands.

Visa Requirements

A tourist visa valid for 30 days is granted on arrival at Malé International Airport. You will require a passport that is 6 months minimum validity and have a valid ticket to continue the journey out of Maldives.

Climate

Maldives spans the equator and has a tropical climate. It is hot throughout the year; humidity is relatively high though the sea breeze makes it comfortable. While Maldives is a year round destination, the best time to visit is between December and April which is the dry season. The south west monsoon brings rain between May and November with windier conditions though rain showers can occur at any time. November and April are the best months for diving

Temperatures range between 23-32C and average 30C

What to wear

Dress is generally casual. T-shirts and cotton clothing are most suitable. In Malé, the capital island and other inhabited islands it is recommended that women wear modest clothing without baring too much.

Population

About 315,000 according to 2009 estimates. Origin of the Maldivians are lost in antiquity, but history reveals that the islands have been populated for over 3,000 years ago. Early settlers were travellers on the Silk Route and from the Indus Valley Civilisation. Inherently warm, friendly and hospitable by nature, it is easy to feel comfortable and relaxed with a Maldivian.

Culture

A proud history and rich culture evolved from the first settlers who were from various parts of the world travelling the seas in ancient times. The Maldives has been a melting pot of different cultures as people from different parts of the world came here and settled down. Some of the local music and dance for instance resemble African influences, with handbeating of drums and songs in a language that is not known to any but certainly represents that of East African countries. As one would expect there is a great South Asian influence in some of the music and dancing and especially in the traditional food of the Maldivians. However many of the South Asian customs especially with regard to women - for instance the Sub Continent's tradition of secluding women from public view - are not tenets of life here. In fact women play a major role in society - not surprising considering the fact men spend the whole day out at sea fishing. Many of the traditions are strongly related to the seas and the fact that life is dependent on the seas around us.

Language

The language of Maldives is Dhivehi with its own grammar and script. Linguistically it is close to Hindi, Urdu and Singhalese. English is widely spoken by Maldivians and visitors can easily make themselves understood getting around the capital island. In the resorts, a variety of languages are spoken by the staff including English, German, French, Italian and Japanese.

Economy

Tourism is the main industry, contributing close to 20% of the GDP. Fisheries and trade follow close behind. The Maldivian economy is regarded as exemplary in the region and welcomes foreign investment.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Rufiyaa (MVR) with a fixed exchange rate of USD 1 = MVR 15.42. One Rufiyaa is equivalent to 100 laarees. Rufiyaa bills come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500. Coins are in the denominations of MRf.2.00, MRf.1.00, 50 laarees, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laaree. US Dollar is the most commonly used foreign currency. Payments in the resorts and hotels can be made in in cash, travellers' cheques or credit cards. Commonly used credit cards include American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, JCB and Euro Card among others.

Maldives Capital City - Male'

Malé city of Maldives is the hub of commercial trade and this explains the reason why it is the busiest place of the country. Being the capital city, it serves as the seat for the Government of Maldives. Covering an area of about 1.77 square Km, it is one of the most populous islands of Maldives. Earlier, it was known as the Sultan's island.

The tradition of Maldivians of keeping their place clean is followed even in the urban city of Malé. Malé houses most of the tourist attraction spots of Maldives. To name a few, we have the national museum, Sultan Park, Grand Friday mosque, artificial beach, fish market etc. The view of the Malé city is simply breathtaking. Read on to know more about Malé, the capital of Maldives…

The Malé city of Maldives is a delight for shoppers, as it provides the tourists & locals with a wide variety of shopping items to choose from. You can find almost anything over here ranging from souvenirs, handicraft items, garments and cosmetics to electronic gadgets. The reservoir of shopping places in Malé is pretty big. Apart from the local market, the other two markets that you can visit are Majeedhee Magu and Chaandanee Magu.

The Malé Island of Sultans is one of the most sought after tourist attraction destinations in Maldives. The place is well equipped with all the modern facilities. It has innumerable places to eat that will provide you with real mouth watering food. Apart from the tea shops, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants that offer different kinds of cuisines, apart from the Island food. So, eating out is not a problem in Malé, Maldives

An interesting thing about the Malé city is that, most of the houses out here have very attractive names like the night flower, lovers' paradise and so on. Malé has unfortunately no beaches, so an artificial beach has been constructed over there, which is bordered by lush green forests. People flock there during mornings and evenings for carrying out fitness activities and to refresh themselves. The scene of the beach is especially pleasant during the sunset.

Maldives Traditional Sail Dhoni