Where are the Maldives located? Maldives: map of islands. Maldives: where are these tropical islands located?

The Maldives are probably the most remote corner of Asia, but despite this, hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world fly there every year to enjoy a holiday in this exotic paradise. Be prepared that in the Maldives you will be greeted by the warm Indian Ocean with clear water (in which you will see amazingly beautiful corals), as well as snow-white sandy beaches surrounded by groves of coconut palms and fruit trees.

Geography of the Maldives

The island nation of Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean about 700 km southwest of Sri Lanka and 400 km from India. The Maldives covers an area of ​​26 atolls. The total area of ​​this country, including all the islands (and there are more than a hundred of them) is 298 km.

There are no mountains in the Maldives. In general, the highest point of the Maldives does not exceed 2.4 meters. Also, there are no rivers or lakes in the Maldives.

Capital

The capital of the Maldives is Male, which is now home to more than 100 thousand people. Male was built in the Middle Ages as the residence of the Maldivian Sultan.

Official language of the Maldives

The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi, which belongs to the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family.

Religion

The majority of the population of the Maldives is Sunni Muslim.

Government of the Maldives

According to the current Constitution, the Maldives is a parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, who has been elected for a 5-year term since 2008. The President appoints the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The parliament in the Maldives is unicameral - the People's Majlis. Mejlis deputies are also elected for a 5-year term (their number may vary).

Climate and weather

The climate in the Maldives is subequatorial monsoon. There are two monsoon periods - the northeast monsoon (dry season) from November to March and the southwest monsoon (rainy season) from June to August. In other words, the dry season in the Maldives lasts from November to April (March and April are the hottest months of the year), and the wet season lasts from May to early November.

The air temperature in the Maldives ranges from +23C to +33C, and tends closer to +30C.

Air temperature in the Maldives (average):

January - +27C
- February - +28C
- March - +29C
- April - +29C
- May - +28C
- June - +28C
- July - +28C
- August - +28C
- September - +27С
- October - +27С
- November - +27C
- December - +27С

Ocean

The shores of the Maldives are washed by the Indian Ocean. The sea temperature near the Maldives ranges from +24C to +33C, so you can swim there all year round.

History of the Maldives

The Maldives were formed 65 million years ago as a result of the eruption of underwater volcanoes. The first people appeared in the Maldives 4 thousand years ago (these were sailors sailing the Indian Ocean). The Maldives were inhabited by people from Sri Lanka and India, and later by Arabs.

Around the middle of the 12th century, Islam began to spread in the Maldives.

Since the mid-16th century, Europeans (Portuguese, Dutch and English) made numerous attempts to colonize the Maldives. Eventually, in 1887, the Maldives came under British protectorate.

It was not until 1965 that the Maldives gained independence.

Culture

The culture of the people of the Maldives has been greatly influenced by Indian culture, as well as Islam. Since Islam is the main religion in the Maldives, it is understandable that local residents celebrate all Muslim holidays (Eid al-Fitr and Kuda-Eid).

In addition, the Maldives also has national holidays - Independence Day (July 26) and Republic Day.

Kitchen

The cuisine of the Maldives was formed under the influence of Indian and Arab culinary traditions. The main foods are fish (mainly tuna), rice, seafood, vegetables, and, of course, spices (due to the proximity of Sri Lanka and India). In addition, it is impossible to imagine Maldivian cuisine without coconut.

Coconut is the main ingredient in most local desserts. Residents of the Maldives often make various sweet puddings.

The main non-alcoholic drinks are tea, to which milk and sugar are added, as well as coffee, palm juice and sweet milk.

Residents of the Maldives make a low-alcohol drink from fermented palm milk.

If you don't like Maldivian cuisine, the restaurant of any local hotel will offer a variety of international dishes.

Sights of the Maldives

The Maldives is a small island nation located on 26 atolls. The largest of them is Male, whose population exceeds 100 thousand people. It is clear that there are very few attractions in the Maldives. However, there are places in this country that are still worth visiting.

To introduce the history of the Maldives, we recommend that tourists visit the Male National Museum. It contains artifacts representing all eras of the history of the Maldives. This museum is part of the Royal Palace, built in the 17th century.

Check out the Hukuru Miskiy Mosque in Male. It was built in 1656. The interior of the mosque is famous for its wood carvings. One of its panels was carved in the 13th century to commemorate the introduction of Islam in the country.

Cities and resorts

The largest city in the Maldives is its capital Male, which is now home to more than 100 thousand people.

The Republic of Maldives is located on 26 small atolls. Each atoll usually has one hotel. Please note that some hotels specialize in spa services, combining Asian and European spa programs.

The white sandy beaches of the Maldives are considered to be some of the best in the world. The Maldivian Islands are literally “drowning” in corals. Therefore, we recommend that tourists in those places where coral reefs come close to the shore swim in special sandals.

You should know that you can only be topless on the beaches of the Maldives on one island - Kuramati. Drinking alcohol on the beaches is also prohibited.

The legislation of the Republic of Maldives prohibits the collection of corals and any marine fauna.

Perhaps the best beach in the Maldives is in South Ari Atoll. We are talking about Nalaguraidhoo beach. Also check out the beaches on Banyan Tree Island, Nika and Cocoa Island.

The Maldives is considered an excellent place for diving. This is quite expected, given the presence of a huge amount of corals and amazingly beautiful underwater world in this region.

Souvenirs/shopping

After a holiday in the Maldives, tourists usually bring home folk art products, bright local fabrics, rugs with original patterns, black coral jewelry, and stamps. Make sure that the souvenirs you buy are actually made in the Maldives, and not in Thailand or Indonesia.

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The Maldives enjoy the greatest success among newlyweds - such a combination of privacy, comfort, luxury and primitiveness at the same time does not exist, perhaps, anywhere else in the world. This is one of the few places where a miracle is possible: complete detachment from the present, immersion in a space woven from blue skies, snow-colored sand and emerald water of extraordinary transparency.

Nature and geography

The island nation of the Maldives is located in South Asia, southwest of Sri Lanka, in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives archipelago has about 2,000 islands, forming 26 atolls, and only 202 of them are inhabited. The closest neighbors - India and Sri Lanka are located at a distance of 600 and 700 km north and south of the archipelago.

The capital of the Maldives - Male - is located on the island of Male. Time is 2 hours ahead of Moscow, and from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October - by 1 hour.

Climate of the Maldives

The Maldives has a warm tropical climate with even temperatures throughout the year (air temperature 25-30 C, water temperature 24-27 C). The optimal season for travel is from October to May.

Average monthly air temperature in the capital:

Sights of the Maldives

Numerous underwater coral caves stretch throughout the Maldives archipelago, lush tropical vegetation creates the pristine and unique beauty of the islands.

The Maldives is a discovery for diving enthusiasts. Numerous coral caves provide interesting places for underwater exploration. Coral reefs protect coastal waters from predatory fish, so diving enthusiasts do not have to fear for their lives.

Among the attractions of the Maldives are the National Museum, Sultan Park, Singapore Bazaar, the Islamic Center and 20 picturesque mosques of the capital.

Cuisine of the Maldives and its features

Local cuisine usually includes rice, fish curry cooked with coconut milk, and flavored with lime, chili and small onions. Roshi - a local bread - is usually eaten along with mas huni - a fish cocktail flavored with coconut, onion, chilli and lime.

Among the local snacks, fihunu mas - fish baked with chili paste, keemia - fried fish rolls, and kulhi borkihaa - the most delicate fish pie are very popular. Among sweets, bondi - white coconut sticks - are very tasty.

Population, language, religion

The population of the Maldives is mainly Maldivians and Indians.

The official language is Dhivehi and belongs to the Indo-Iranian group. English is widely spoken in the capital Male and in the resorts.

The population professes Sunni Islam.

Customs regulations, visa, currency, embassies

Stay mode. There are no restrictions on movement. To visit one of the islands where the indigenous population lives, you must obtain special permission.

On Maldives There is no Russian embassy. You can contact the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka, Colombo. Tel. (94-1) 57-35-55, 57-49-59 (24 hours a day).

Currency. The official currency is Maldivian rufiyaa. One rufiyaa contains 100 lari. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 rufiyaa and coins in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 lari.

Customs regulations. When passing through customs control at the Male airport, you must present all your belongings for inspection, including hand luggage. The import of alcoholic beverages, drugs, any pornographic materials, recorded videotapes, and spearfishing weapons is prohibited.

When departing from Male, upon presentation of the appropriate receipt, you can receive back the alcoholic beverages selected at customs upon entry.

Tips for tourists

Souvenirs. Shark jaws, handicrafts, light summer clothes, coconut oil, shells, etc. are brought as souvenirs from the Maldives.

Transport. Any Maldives island can be crossed in 1.5 - 2 hours. In the Maldives, water modes of transport predominate: the local taxi is a wooden dhoni boat with a flat roof.

Bicycles and motorcycles are the most popular types of land transport. Taxis are available to get around Male. The cost of one trip in any direction is 10 rufiyaa. In Male and other major islands you can rent a car.

Cloth. Any light clothing of your choice is acceptable. Even in deluxe hotels, most restaurants do not require you to wear evening gowns. For the beach, regular beachwear is recommended. It should be remembered that nudism and topless are prohibited in the Maldives (the exception is Kuramati Island, where topless is allowed). When visiting fishing villages and the capital Male, tourists should wear modest clothing, respecting Muslim traditions.

Behavior rules. Although the Islam practiced in the Maldives is milder than in most Arab countries, the following should not be forgotten:

• Spearfishing and unauthorized fishing are prohibited
• It is prohibited to remove corals, shells, starfish, etc. from the sea.
• Nude swimming is prohibited on all islands of the archipelago.

Detailed map of the Maldives in Russian. Map of roads, cities and regions on the map of the Maldives. Show Maldives on map.

Where are the Maldives on the world map?

The Maldives, or the Republic of Maldives, is located in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean between the continents of Asia and Africa, approximately 700 kilometers southwest of the island of Sri Lanka and the Hindustan Peninsula, on which India is located. The archipelago consists of about a thousand islands stretching for almost 1000 kilometers. Holidays here are famous for privacy, tranquility and first-class service. The country is famous for its snow-white beaches, picturesque nature, and the rich underwater world of the Indian Ocean.

Interactive map of the Maldives with islands

The islands that make up the republic are a group of atolls that consist of numerous islets. Almost every island in the Maldives belongs to some kind of hotel, so holidays here take place in an atmosphere of a unique sense of privacy and tranquility. The most famous atolls: Kaafu Atoll, or North Male (27 resort and 8 fishing islands), Kaafu Atoll, or South Male (19 resort islands and 3 inhabited by local residents), as well as the Atolls of Vaavu, Meemu, Seenu, Faavu.

Geographical location of the Maldives

The islands are located in the vastness of the Indian Ocean and stretch for a thousand kilometers north of the equator. The Maldives is the lowest located state in the world. The islands rise only slightly above sea level: their highest point on the southern Addu Atoll is only 2.4 meters. Geographic coordinates of the Maldives: 3°28′36″ N. w. and 72°50′12″ E. d.

Territory of the Maldives

The republic's land area occupies 298 square kilometers - 210th in the world. However, if we take into account maritime spaces, the total territory of the state will be about 90,000 square kilometers, of which 97% is water surface.

Regions and Atolls of the Maldives

Administratively, the Maldives is divided into twenty island groups (atolls) and the capital atoll city of Male. These atolls are included in eight regions formed by geographical location. So, among them there are the Far North, Northern, Central and some other regions.

The Maldives is a scattering of picturesque atolls in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Everything here is conducive to bliss: kilometers of secluded beaches, upscale hotels and very beautiful nature. All about the Maldives: diving and surfing, photos, prices, weather and tours.

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The Maldives, famous “residents” of the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, are rightfully considered one of the best exotic destinations. There are 1,190 islands (or rather, atolls) and all of them are just your choice: with blue lagoons, sandy beaches and unique vegetation. There is everything for relaxation: peace and tranquility, beautiful nature, a rich underwater world. And also something without which any advantages of any resort immediately fade in the eyes of modern tourists - good hotels and a high level of service.

Prices, it must be said, in the Maldives are also quite “at the level”: holidays here can be afforded mainly by travelers whose income level marketers define as “above average”. Having paid a significant amount for the trip, the following categories of vacationers will be 100% satisfied with their vacation. Divers are maniacs, diving three times a day. This is the most problem-free subtype of tourists: they will still be delighted, diving like ducklings from morning to night. Happily married (or unmarried) couples who need no one but each other. They can choose a hotel with the appropriate furnishings - there are plenty of them on the islands. And, of course, seekers of an absolutely relaxed holiday in the ambiance of a tropical paradise.

Time difference from Moscow

2 hours

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• from Severo-Kurilsk

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History and legend

According to legend, life in the Maldives was once not as cloudless as glossy catalogs would have us believe. The sea genie Rannamaari, who unfortunately settled in their territorial waters, demanded regular human sacrifices every full moon, and exclusively in the form of virgins from the island of Male. The poor fellows were taken to a certain temple, and the next morning they were found dead.

But it’s not all Maslenitsa: one day a traveler from the distant Maghreb, Abdul-Barakat ul-Barbari, arrived at the atoll. The stranger took pity on the girls (whom his compatriots apparently had nothing to do with) and on the full moon he himself sat down in the temple in the place of the victim. He read the Koran all night, but in the morning it turned out that the genie had escaped, unable to withstand the power of the holy book. So the women were saved, and the Maldivians joyfully converted to Islam - that’s why now there are mosques everywhere, a ban on the import of alcohol and no toplessness (presumably, they are afraid that the genie will return). However, this did not affect the amazing nature of the archipelago - and therefore its attractiveness for tourists.

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Climate

The climate of the Maldives is warm and humid. Air temperature during the day is about +30 °C, at night +26 °C, water temperature +26 °C. Due to its close location to the equator, seasonal changes associated with the monsoons are almost imperceptible. During the southwest monsoon (May to October), it rains more often and the weather is windier. The northeast monsoon season (November to February) is considered less humid.

Maps of the Maldives

Visa and customs

Police: 119, fire service: 118, ambulance: 102.

Beaches in the Maldives

In the Maldives, all roads lead to the beach: fine snow-white sand, perfectly blue waves, tall palm trees - everywhere you look, pictures from advertising posters come to life. The coastline is almost everywhere wide, spacious, equipped with amenities and umbrellas to protect you from the scorching sun. Most of the beaches belong to hotels, and the areas assigned to modest “three rubles” are not much inferior in grooming and comfort to fashionable five-star zones.

Topless sunbathing and drinking alcohol are strictly prohibited on Maldivian beaches.

The list of the most famous beaches of the archipelago includes Naladu and Banyan Tree on Male Atoll, San and Nika on Ari Atoll. Turtles nest on the shores of Lhaviani, and dolphins splash off the coast of Maafushi. The wealthy relax on the islands of Hadahaa (Gaafu Alif Atoll), Kunfunadhoo (Baa Atoll) and Veligandu (Ari Atoll). There is an equipped beach even in the capital: of course, it is not as spectacular as the recreation areas at luxury resorts, but it is quite suitable for surfing and sunbathing. And the most vivid impressions will be given by night swimming on the “glowing” beach: underwater microorganisms and luminescent algae on the coast of Vaadu (South Male) shimmer with blue lights in the dark, creating the effect of a starry sky descending to the ground.

Diving in the Maldives

Maldives... how much this word brings together for a diver’s heart: comfortable water temperature (+27 °C at a depth of 40 m), excellent visibility up to 30 m and, of course, professional dive centers. The disadvantages of this direction include strong currents outside the reefs. The best season for snorkeling in the archipelago is from January to April, when the weather is sunny and the water is clear. Giraavaru Island Resort, on the North Atoll, has over 20 sites known to divers from all over the world.

For beginners, diving on reefs would be ideal: on their inner slopes or inside the atoll. Advanced divers will be interested in the outer surface of the reef (amazing ocean fish live there in caves with ledges and terraces), but do not forget about strong currents and breaking waves. The underwater coral slides are very interesting - their tops are at a depth of 5 to 25 m, and their base is up to 40 m.

In addition, there are several interesting wrecks in the Maldives, for example, the cargo ship Victoria with the remains of goods brought to the islands, or the steamer Chaika, which sank at the end of the 19th century - its hull was completely split in two. Some popular sites: Emboodu National Reserve with a stunningly diverse underwater world, the Feliwaru and Halaveli rivers (giant rays can be seen here), Maaya Reef, the cozy channel between the reefs of Fushi, teeming with a variety of inhabitants, the secluded dive site of Rakido, the protected marine area of ​​​​Guraidhoo , Miyaru's shark site.

Read more about local diving in the article by our regular expert, the charming Veronica Birman, “Diving without lyrics - 13. The soul of the Maldives.”

Surfing

Wave boarding is a relatively recent entertainment in the Maldives: only in the late 80s. The first surfers flocked here. Today, the islands are considered one of the most popular places in the world for surfing: it is never crowded (the number of people going out to sea is regulated by a special service), and the waves are just a sight for sore eyes: high, stable, ideally shaped. The prestigious international tournament O’Neill Deep Blue Open is regularly held on the island of Lohifushi.

There are 7 popular surfing spots in the Maldives, including Sultans, Pasta Point (with exclusive rights to “rent” waves by the Atoll Adventures club) and the so-called “Police Island”. The most wonderful surfing is from June to September, the height of local waves is from 1 to 2.5 m.

You can also practice surfing in the capital Male: there is a sandy bottom, and there is no risk of cutting yourself on the coral at low tide. True, the landscapes are not as picturesque as at the atoll resorts.

Wedding in the Maldives

Entertainment and attractions

All the main beauties of the Maldives are located below sea level; there are no special attractions on land. There is the unremarkable capital of Male (excursion from 40 USD), many similar uninhabited islands where people like to have picnics (from 35 USD), as well as a kind of “action” - a fishing excursion. Perhaps the only notable overwater excursion is the Photo Flight, a seaplane flight over the islands. It costs a lot: for 15-20 minutes in the air you will have to pay about 150-250 USD. Other popular excursions are a yacht cruise (from 80-90 USD) or a submarine dive (from 45-50 USD).

Do you know how an atoll differs from “just an island”? Just in case, we provide information: an atoll is a coral island in the form of a continuous or discontinuous ring surrounding a lagoon. If you look from under the water, the atoll will most likely turn out to be a long-extinct volcano, on the slopes of which a coral reef once began to grow - and grew so much that it gradually appeared on the surface. But the top of the volcano, on the contrary, over many centuries collapsed and sank under water. You know the rest: people sailed from somewhere to the formed ring, built hotels with restaurants and spas, and opened diving centers.

If your soul still requires a cultural program, we recommend visiting the National Museum on the territory of the picturesque Sultan’s Park, the Islamic Center under the golden dome and the Presidential Palace in Male. The oldest in the country, the Old Friday Mosque with a unique minaret (1656) and the tomb of Mohammed Takurufanu, a legend of national resistance, are also located here. Ari Atoll has the ruins of a Buddhist temple from 90 BC. e., on the island of Matirah (Haa Alif Atoll) - a mausoleum with a sacred tomb, a place of pilgrimage for Muslims.

Holidays and Events

The main holidays in the Maldives are patriotic and religious in nature. The most magnificent celebrations take place on Independence Day, July 26: the islanders have fun in honor of the long-awaited exit from British protectorate and the declaration of sovereignty. On the first day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal, Nation Day is celebrated to commemorate the liberation from the Portuguese invaders by the troops of Mohammed Takurufanu. On the 12th day of the same month, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad is celebrated.

The end of holy Ramadan marks Eid al-Fitr: three days of hearty meals, visits and other entertainment. After 70 days, Eid al-Fitr begins with traditional services and sacrifices. November 3 is Victory Day in honor of the coup d'état prevented in 1988. In the first month of the Muslim calendar, Muharram, religious celebrations are held to celebrate the Islamic New Year.

December 10 is one of the most colorful local holidays: Fisherman's Day with folk festivities and noisy fairs. On New Year (January 1) and Christmas (December 25), adored by foreign tourists, colorful celebrations are held in hotels and on city streets: the degree of fun depends only on the thickness of the wallet.

But to the question: - Where are the Maldives? not everyone will be able to give the correct answer. Meanwhile, finding their location is not at all difficult. Pick up a map and find the Indian Ocean. Two parallel chains of islands, southwest of India and near the equator, are the coveted Maldives.

A little geography

Exotic coral islands stretch from north to south for 820 kilometers. The total area of ​​the Maldives is 90 thousand square kilometers, but only 298 square kilometers are allocated to land, the rest of the territory is occupied by the sea. The coral atolls comprise 1,192 stunning islands, of which 994 are uninhabited.

The population of the paradise country is 393 thousand people, who settled on two hundred islands. About half of them hospitably welcome tourists from all over the world, who know very well where the Maldives are on the world map and strive to come here as often as possible. The islands are very small, several square kilometers, so there is no more than one hotel on each of them. Blue transparent lagoons, amazing sandy beaches, unique vegetation and the highest level of service make your holiday here delightful and unforgettable.

Weather

Where are the Maldives? Where there is no winter. The subequatorial monsoon climate provides an average annual temperature of 24-30 degrees. From November to March there is dry, warm weather and the thermometer does not drop below 17 degrees. There are rains, rough seas and temperatures of 30-32 degrees. It is pleasant to swim here all year round, because the water temperature constantly remains at the same level - 24-27 degrees.

Flora and fauna

A distinctive feature of the animal world is the complete absence of poisonous reptiles. And you don’t even have to worry about a dog bite here; keeping these animals is prohibited by law. But quite a short distance from the shore you can see a huge whale shark, but, as you know, giants feed only on plankton, so those who want to swim can do so without fear.

Fans of exotic fruits simply need to know where the Maldives are, because there are a great variety of them here. The unique climate allows you not to lack vitamins all year round.

Coconuts, bananas, mangoes, papaya, and pineapples delight tourists and natives with their juicy pulp. Everywhere the delicate aroma of orchids, hibiscus, roses, their variety and variety amazes the imagination.

Calmness, silence and complete unity with nature allow you to completely detach yourself from existing problems and give yourself a good rest.

Smallest capital

The city of Male is recognized as the smallest capital in the world, because it covers an area of ​​only 2.5 square kilometers. This is a tiny cozy town, the main attractions of which are the Good Friday Mosque with a sparkling golden dome, the National Museum located in the Sultan's Park, the Presidential Palace and the legendary burial places of the Maldivian saints. There are no noisy entertainment venues here, but you can stroll along the picturesque embankment, enjoy the aroma of flowers in a shady park, and visit unique vegetable and craft markets. Everything in this country is subject to the laws of nature, and, probably, sometimes it’s even good to take a break from the hustle and bustle of big cities in such a cozy and calm place.

Visa and customs control

Where the Maldives is located is well known to those who have visited this wonderful exotic corner and will probably visit it again.

To travel here you do not need to visit consular offices -.

You can vacation here for 30 days, this is exactly the period indicated on the tourist visa, which is placed in your passport free of charge upon arrival in the country. Customs can check whether you comply with the rules that prohibit import:

• drugs;
• pork products;
• animals;
• alcohol;
• anti-Islamic literature;
• pornographic products;
• military attributes.

In addition, when going on an exotic vacation, you should remember that nudism and toplessness are prohibited in this Muslim country, and women, when visiting the capital and areas where aborigines live, should not wear beachwear; knees and shoulders must be covered.

The attractiveness of the Maldives

The prohibitions and restrictions that are important for local residents and not at all burdensome for us do not in any way detract from the advantages of relaxing in this fabulous country. Now you know that the Maldives is where the transparency of the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, exotic fruits and the aroma of exquisite flowers, spreading palm trees and schools of colorful fish, calm silence and solitude on a small colorful island in the middle of the ocean expanse. The Maldives is paradise on earth, pleasure and bliss that you can give yourself.