What does the Maldives refer to? Maldives. General information. The reverse side of the Maldivian paradise

The Republic of Maldives is the smallest Asian country in the world. It is a collection of islands lost in the middle of the boundless Indian Ocean. Every year, land areas are more and more submerged in water, and, according to researchers, they will soon face serious flooding.

Because of the water level in the ocean is constantly rising, which may soon lead the islands of the Maldives to disaster. If you want to visit this truly paradise, where time seems to have stopped - hurry up! Its pristine beauty will not leave anyone indifferent - snow-white sandy beaches, blue lagoons, evergreen tropical trees will forever remain in the soul of any traveler.

Where is the Maldives on the map? The geographical position of the state

Finding the Maldives on a world map is quite difficult. This small country is located in the Indian Ocean, south of the Hindustan Peninsula and southwest of the island of Ceylon. Its closest neighbors are India (595 km), Sri Lanka (670 km) and the Chagos Archipelago (500 km). You can see the Maldives on the map below.

The Republic of Maldives is a coral archipelago, the length of which from west to east is 130 km, and from north to south - 823 km. It consists of 1196 small islands of presumably volcanic origin. They form a double chain of 26 atolls - large coral land areas that look like a bursting ring. The largest and most significant are the South (North Niland), Aria Atoll. The distance between groups varies from 25 to 80 km.

The total area of ​​land and water reefs of the Maldives is 298 sq. km., and the total area, together with the water area, is 900,000 sq. km. Of the more than 1,100 islands, only 202 are inhabited, more than 70 of which are first-class tourist resorts.

Historical reference

Very little information has been preserved about the early history of the Republic of Maldives. It is believed that the culture of the Maldives appeared before the 5th century BC. Fragments of pottery found during excavations suggested that settlements of the Redins were founded on the islands as early as 2000 BC. In 500 BC Buddhists appeared on the southern islands, who arrived from about. Ceylon. This fact is confirmed by an ancient Buddhist manuscript and the head of a Buddha statue dating from the 11th century. The first Chinese sailors reached the islands of the Maldives in 412. From 1153 - from the moment of the adoption of Islam - all major historical events were recorded in the history of the Sultanate.

According to numerous testimonies of navigators, for a long time the islands were ruled by female sultanas. Europeans up to the 15th century. knew nothing about the country and did not mark the Maldives on the world map until Vasco da Gama crossed the Indian Ocean. In 1507, Lorenzo de Almeida sailed to the islands, and in 1529, the Parmentier brothers. From 1558, the Portuguese dominated the islands until a guerrilla war broke out and they were destroyed. Further, until 1760, the Maldives were under the protection of the French, and from the middle of the 17th century. - the Dutch, and then the British. In mid-1965, after mass popular uprisings, the Maldives gained independence from Great Britain. In 1968, a new constitution was adopted, and the country acquired the official name - "Republic of Maldives".

State flag

The modern version of the main state symbol of the country was adopted in July 1965. The flag of the Maldives is a red cloth, which depicts a green rectangle and a white crescent. It has a special symbolic meaning. The red color denotes the courage of the heroes who, without hesitation, defended and will continue to defend their country, sacrificing themselves and shedding blood. The green rectangle symbolizes the nature of the Maldives - coconut palms, which are the source of life for the indigenous population. The white crescent symbolizes the religiosity of the Maldivians and reflects their adherence to Islam.

Economy of the Republic of Maldives

Now the Republic of Maldives is a democratic developing state with a president at the head.

The country's economy is based on three "pillars": tourism, navigation and fishing. Due to the mild climate, rich underwater world and amazingly beautiful coral reefs, crowds of tourists come here. In the open sea, it is carried out in lagoons and turtles are caught near the coast, corals, shells and natural pearls are mined.

Official banknotes. Currency exchange

The monetary unit of the Maldives is the rufiyaa. It consists of one hundred laari. One US dollar is approximately equal to a dozen rufiyaas. In circulation in the country there are banknotes of various denominations, including 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rufiyaas, as well as coins - 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 lari.

You can exchange currency at any bank, airport or exchange points at the official rate. It will be difficult to make an exchange on islands remote from the capital, at a rather unfavorable rate. Basically, small bills are required for calculations, so stock up on them in sufficient quantities. Many expensive resorts accept US dollars and euros for payment, as well as credit cards.

Demography

The population living in the archipelago is approximately 400 thousand people. Almost all of them are descendants of immigrants from the Middle East, South, Southeast Asia. The state language is called Dhivehi, it is a kind of mixture of Arabic, English and Sinhala. The writing of the local dialect is based on the Arabic-Persian script. The indigenous population of the islands professes Islam (Sunnism). It was brought by the Arabs and spread from the 12th century. And in 1968 Islam was declared the state religion.

Capital of the Republic of Maldives

Currently, Male is the capital of the Republic of Maldives, a small city located on the adjacent islands of Vilingile and Male. Its area is only 5.8 square meters. km. The population of Male is approximately 105 thousand people. You can get to the administrative, political and cultural center of the Maldives by air or sea, by boats, hydroplane taxis or speedboats plying between the islands.

You can see all the sights of Male by walking along it. When visiting the city, it is advisable to wear things that cover the body well from neck to knees. Almost all souvenir shops are located at the northern end of Chaandani Magu. Here you can buy Maldivian mats made of palm fiber, decorative fishing boats, canned fish and amazingly delicious seafood. In general, Male is not rich in sights, although the inquisitive tourist will like the shady Jumuri-Maidan park, the National Museum in Sultans Park, the Islamic Center with the Good Friday Mosque and the Medu Ziyarat chapel.

Climate in the Maldives

The archipelago has a tropical monsoon climate. All year round the air temperature is quite high, has a small amplitude and varies between 26°C - 32°C. At night it does not fall below 25°C. In winter - from November to March - the northeast, warm monsoons prevail. In summer - from June to August - southwestern, more humid winds prevail. It often rains a little at this time on the islands. The water temperature varies between 24°C - 27°C. In the "dry" season from November to early April, the Republic of Maldives attracts numerous tourists from all over the world. The mild, warm climate, comfortable sea temperature, lack of rain and strong winds make the islands so attractive to travelers.

It is interesting that a sufficient number of tourists visit the islands of the Maldives during the "wet" season. Despite the high humidity, a large amount of precipitation and raging winds, the influx of tourists does not subside. The fact is that from mid-April to early November, the cost of air tickets, accommodation and meals is significantly reduced, which attracts travelers who want to save money.

Flora and fauna

Famous throughout the world for its amazing variety of marine fauna and flora of the islands of the Maldives. The sea is full of amazing corals. Shoals of various exotic fish, turtles, jellyfish, molluscs, starfish and hedgehogs, moray eels, rays attract diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Predators also live in the waters of the Maldives - sharks with black fins and sharks with white fins, and huge ocean inhabitants - hammerhead sharks and whale sharks - swim here. But you can not be afraid of them, because they are non-aggressive and practically harmless to divers. To prevent accidents, as well as to preserve the unique flora and fauna in the Maldives, there are strict scuba diving restrictions. Including it is forbidden to dive to a depth of more than 30 m, it is forbidden to spend more than 60 minutes underwater, each diver must have a dive computer with him, etc. Land fauna and flora are not very diverse.

Breadfruit, coconut, banana are common on many islands of the Maldives. Atolls - Daalu (Dhaalu) and Fafu - stand out for their lush vegetation. Exotic flowers grow here: hernandia lily, erminalia catappa, etc., there are impenetrable mangroves with huge ferns. There are no large animals in the Maldives, but you can meet a bat or an Indian flying fox. Terns, parrots, sea gulls, cormorants also live on the islands.

How to get to the archipelago?

The vast majority of tourists get to the Maldives by plane. The archipelago has an international airport named after Ibrahim Nasir. It is located on Hulule Island, 2 km. from the capital. The airport receives flights from different cities, including Moscow, Vienna, Qatar, Kuala Lumpur, etc.

On the official website of the airport, you can find all the necessary information, including seeing the time of arrival of the aircraft, choosing the right transfer for yourself, and even planning a trip. There is an ATM, a bank, a left-luggage office on the territory of the airport. You can have a snack or drink coffee in any of the cafes you like. To the left of the exit from the airport building is the pier. Ferries depart from it every 10-15 minutes to the capital of the country. The fare varies between 1-2 USD, depending on the time of day.

Great resorts. Maldives - a paradise for tourists

Vacationers are delivered to the surrounding atolls by small nimble seaplanes or boats. North and South Male, Ari, Baa, Miimu, Laviani, Haa Alifu, Faafu, Dhaalu atolls are the most beautiful resorts in the country, and each of them has its own zest.

More than 120 hotels operate in the Maldives, which can simultaneously serve about 50 thousand tourists. Basically, all hotels have 4 or 5 stars, it is extremely rare to find a hotel with a worse level of service. Also in the Maldives, you can stay in a magnificent bungalow and enjoy solitude.

Recreation and entertainment

The beaches of the archipelago are the cleanest, with pleasant white sand. The water is amazingly warm and calm. The Maldives offer a respectable holiday, lack of noise and fuss and communication with the unique nature. For fans of outdoor activities there is a developed infrastructure of sports entertainment. At the resorts you can go sailing, canoeing, skiing, surfing and, of course, diving. On the beaches of the atolls, it is forbidden to drink alcohol, collect and damage corals, spearfishing.

It should be noted that the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited not only on the beaches, but also in any public places outside the resort area. Topless and nude swimming is also not allowed. In addition, it is forbidden to litter on the islands. Any violation of the order will result in a severe fine.

Customs in the Maldives

All travelers should familiarize themselves in advance with the list of goods that are allowed to be imported and exported from the country. All luggage must be inspected by customs officers. It is allowed to import cigarettes (200 pcs.), Perfume (125 ml), personal consumption goods into the territory of the Republic of Maldives. It is not allowed to bring alcoholic drinks, pork, sausage, drugs and pornography. An attempt to violate the law is subject to a fine of 500 USD. Any tourist should remember that the export of products made from tortoise shells, pearl oyster shells, black and red corals is strictly prohibited. You can not export from the country and items found in the sea. Be careful and enjoy your holiday!

Republic of Maldives.

The name of the country comes from the Sanskrit dwipa - "island".

Capital of the Maldives. Male.

Maldives area. 298 km2.

Population of the Maldives. 311 thousand people

Location of Maldives. The Maldives is an island state in the south, in the northern part. There are more than 2000 small islands. Maritime borders lie in the Indian Ocean.

Administrative divisions of the Maldives. The country is divided into 20 groups.

Form of government of the Maldives. Republic.

Head of State of the Maldives. President elected for a term of 5 years.

Supreme Legislature of the Maldives. Unicameral parliament (mejlis), whose term of office is 5 years.

Supreme executive body of the Maldives. Cabinet of Ministers.

Major cities of the Maldives. No.

Official language of the Maldives. Maldivian (divehi).

Religion Maldives. Almost the entire population is Sunni.

Ethnic composition of the Maldives. Indians, Sinalese, Arabs.

Currency of the Maldives. Rufiya = 100 laari.

Maldives. nautical. The temperature all year round on average does not fall below + 25 ° C even at night. The average temperature is about + 28 ° C all year round (daytime maximum - about + 32 ° C, night minimum - + 25 ° C). Precipitation is about 2500 mm per year, most often in the form of short rains in the evening and at night. also constant - about + 24-27 ° C all year round. The best weather conditions are observed during the "iruvai" period (from November-December to March-April) - the season of the northeast monsoon, when the sea is calm, but sunny and dry. From May to October, during the "hulhangu" season (April to October), the weather is less predictable - the southwest monsoon can bring intermittent rains, high and turbulent seas (however, this period is the least hot). Storms and are most likely in June and December.

flora of the maldives. Coconut palms, bananas are widespread, breadfruit is found.

Fauna of the Maldives. The fauna of the state is poor. Giant bats live on trees - they are called flying foxes. The coastal waters are home to various types of fish, including poisonous toad fish, turtles and a variety of mollusks.

Rivers and lakes of the Maldives. There are no permanent lakes, which is why there is a lack of fresh water.

Attractions Maldives. Na-Bandos - National. Nearby are small but very colorful marine reserves Banana Reef, Kami Corner, Kuda Ha, Lions Head, Makunudu Kandu, Ras Fari, Okobe Tila, H P Reef and Hans Hass Place, each of which guards one underwater attraction of Male Atoll.

Useful information for tourists

It is forbidden to drink alcohol in public places (outside the resort area). It is recommended to drink bottled water and soft drinks. Although the local water is cleaned quite thoroughly (often it is desalinated sea water), it quickly becomes unusable due to the high level. Traditional Islamic norms of behavior are strong in the country, but without the slightest sign of fanaticism. The restrictions are the same as in . Photography is prohibited in mosques. Mosque guards usually insist on accompanying a tourist, expecting to take a fee, but in fact the mosque can be explored on your own. Nude swimming is prohibited on all islands of the archipelago, with the exception of Kuramati Island. You can bargain in the markets and in private shops, but the size of the "discount" is usually small. Spearfishing and unauthorized fishing are prohibited (all types of sea fishing are freely organized in hotels), it is strictly forbidden to raise corals (both living and dead), shells and other marine life from the bottom of the sea. Large fines are levied for violations. The country has one of the largest markets in the region selling shells, corals and various exotic marine animals, so you can always buy these souvenirs without violating local laws. Tipping is not officially accepted, but unofficially, if the service really deserves it, it is customary to leave a small amount for the personal service worker (10 dollars a week for a hotel worker or 5% for a waiter) Some resorts include a payment for services on the bill (usually 10%), in this case there is no need for a tip. In the case of renting a boat or boat, the amount should be discussed in advance.

After the vacation, I did not find the strength to talk about. Gathered with thoughts, I tell.

Who owns the Maldives?
No one, this is an independent state, located on 2000 islands, right on the equator (only a hundred islands are inhabited). The country is run by a president. Religion - strict Islam. The population is 300 thousand people, for the most part the descendants of the Dravidians (the ancient Austroloid population of South Asia), who are colloquially referred to as "black Indians". Tourism and fishing are the main sources of income for the treasury.

Are there cities?
There is, but only one, he is the capital. The main problem of the country is that all the islands are very small, there is nowhere to build cities. The city of Male is located on one of the largest islands (it is also called Male). The airport is on a neighboring island, 15 minutes by ferry. Male is built up very densely; in terms of population density, this island ranks second in the world after one of the islands of Hong Kong. 100 thousand people live in Male, a third of the population of the Maldives. There are practically no one-story houses, they are built in 5-6 floors, there are also 10-story buildings. There are a lot of cars on the island, including jeeps and trucks, although everywhere there is normal asphalt, and the entire island around the perimeter can be walked around in an hour. Sports cars were especially surprising, because in Male it is difficult to accelerate faster than 40 km / h. Typical street:

Why is everything so expensive there?
Everything is very expensive, because each island is self-sufficient. Male has its own large thermal power plant, on the islands - only small diesel power plants. Male has wells, other islands have distillers, just like Tatooine from Star Wars. And all the water in the water supply comes from distillers. On the tourist islands, all products are imported, including fish and fruits (nothing grows except coconuts). There are no factories for the production of, say, drinks in the Maldives - bottled drinks are from abroad. To get from island to island, you need to overcome many kilometers of the ocean surface, and trips on speed boats and, especially, on seaplanes are also not cheap. Prices for a tourist in Sri Lanka, where I visited on the same trip, are one and a half to two times lower than the Maldivian ones.

Is it really heaven on earth?
Depends on how you imagine paradise. In any case, paradise is not in Male, but on the tourist islands. One island, according to the unwritten rule of the Maldives, is one hotel. The tourist lives in a bungalow, a simple one-story structure, the pomp of decoration of which depends on the "star" of the hotel. From the bungalow there is direct access to a snow-white beach with the purest water, around the expanses of the ocean, coconut palms and helpful hotel workers. Food and drinks in bars-restaurants. For some, Crimea is a paradise. On the beach:

But what about the original nature?
Do not deceive: there is a lot of nature. In the sea next to you swim colorful equatorial fish and fatty tuna. We saw a reef shark at a depth of one and a half meters on the first day. Moray eels and stingrays were not noticed, but they were heard about. The sand is strewn with pieces of coral, you can admire the living ones by diving with a mask. Hefty crabs teem on the beach in the evening. A palm-sized tropical cockroach and lizards roamed the bathroom. Most of all I liked the fearless herons, ignoring beachgoers, and flying foxes - huge bats (wingspan more than a meter), hanging on trees and flying overhead at dusk. Foxes do not drink blood, but love fruits.
Tourists are urged to take care of the local nature. For offending a fish, you will receive a fine of several hundred dollars. At the same time, locals fish with impunity anywhere and any kind. The central sewer in Male and other islands flows directly into the ocean. Since there are no incinerators in the Maldives, garbage is also drowned in the sea. But, of course, they are not in a hurry to tell tourists about this.

What other pitfalls are there?
An ordinary tourist who comes to the Maldives does not see the country - he is taken from the airport to the island-hotel, and then back. I, as a curious tourist, spent a day and a half in the capital. Few people know that the Maldives has its own currency "rufiyaa", because in hotels settlements are in dollars. Since the water supply on the islands is connected to distillers, in the event of a breakdown, the entire island loses not only its soul, but also food - there is nothing to wash the dishes with. Yes, remember, I spoke about strict Islam? It is forbidden to import alcohol into the country, that is, it is useless to buy a bag of booze in a Moscow duty-free shop - they will take it away at the entrance. Alcohol is available only in tourist hotels on the islands, and at a sky-high price ($7 for a pint of bad beer, $5 for 50 g of whiskey). In Male, alcohol is not sold at all, but there is a wide range of “non-alcoholic beer”. Tastes like lemonade lemonade. Here, for example, is Holsten's choice (Holsten is not local, but brewed in Hamburg specifically for the Maldives!):

It takes 8.5 hours to fly to the Maldives, only Transaero makes a direct flight from Moscow, twice a week. Is it worth it? Well, I've always wanted to know what it's like to live in paradise on the islands. Learned. There is nothing to do. :)

The local population lives and works, tourists have a rest. We invite you to find out what islands are in the Maldives and why they are interesting.

How many islands are there in the Maldives?

There are 1192 islands of the Maldives on the world map, and not all of them are inhabited. Each of the islands belongs to one of the 21 island groups - these are the so-called atolls. They are the main administrative-territorial unit of the state. Let's consider each atoll separately.

List of islands in the Maldives

So, it's time to go to the most heavenly place on the planet:

1. is the name of the main island of the Maldives. It is distinguished by the highest population density (as many as 103,693 people per 4.39 sq. km!). The name "Male" is also the capital of the Maldives itself - the largest settlement on the archipelago. In addition to residential areas, it is located here (on the island of Hulule). It is in Male that most of the tourist, entertainment complexes, souvenir and other shops. The Male Atoll in the Maldives also includes the artificial island of Hulumale, settled relatively recently, in 2004.


2. (or Haa Alifu) is officially called North Tiladunmati, or Tiladunmati Uturuburi. It ranks 3rd in the list of Maldivian atolls in terms of population and area. It consists of 43 islands (14 are inhabited), which are located in the very north of the archipelago. For tourists, the resorts of Haa Alif Atoll opened only in 2005. The most popular holiday islands are Donakuli, Alidu, Utim. On the atoll you can visit the 18th century mosque and the ancient mausoleum of the Maldivian kings.


3. - about 16 thousand people live on 16 inhabited islands of the atoll. There is a small regional airport on Hanimadu Island, and ancient Buddhist ruins on Faridu.


4. (or Shaviyani) are pristine beaches and a rich underwater world. The atoll includes 51 islands with the capital on Funadhoo. Most of the islands are small. Among the unusual places, the mangrove swamps of Maroshi Island stand out. Today, the Shaviyani atoll in the Maldives offers only 3 hotels (the islands of Vagaru, Doliadhoo and Command), but the tourist infrastructure is actively expanding.


5. (or Noonu), with its capital on the island of Manadhoo, has 13 residential islands out of a total of 70. This atoll is famous not only for luxurious hotels, but also for the possibility of an excellent romantic getaway: those who wish can rent a dhoni boat and get to any of the uninhabited islands of this Maldives atoll, to feel what a vacation away from civilization is. All the sights of Nunu Atoll are under water - these are various dive sites. It is also convenient that each local resort has its own dive center.


6. (aka Northern Maalosmadulu) is one of the most frequently visited by foreign tourists. 88 islands of the atoll, of which 15 are inhabited, are located 140 km from the capital of the country. The capital of Raa - the island of Ungofaru - is famous as a center for the manufacture of traditional - dhoni boats. The most popular islands of the Raa atoll in the Maldives are Midhupparu, Rasgetimu, Kandoludhu, Rasmaadu.


7. (Goydhu Atoll or South Malosmadulu). The islands of this atoll are considered the most beautiful in the Maldives. Its virgin forests, coupled with white-sand beaches, remind vacationers of a tropical paradise. Moreover, Baa Atoll in the Maldives has been considered a biosphere reserve since 2001. Of its 75 islands, only 13 are inhabited, and luxury hotels and resorts are concentrated on them. On the islands of Eidafushi and Tuladhoo, you can buy excellent souvenirs - even from Male they come here for them. Vacationers stop on the islands of Horubadhu, Fonimagudhu, Dhunikola, Kihaduffaru.


8. (Laviyani or Faadhippolu) is famous for its popular dive sites. It has only 5 inhabited islands, among which it is the leader in attendance - this is the most famous resort in the Maldives - and no less popular, the best budget island in the country. In general, Lhaviyani Atoll is a romantic place with a lot of options for water activities. Its islands are the best in the Maldives for a beach holiday. In addition, these are snorkeling, windsurfing, fishing, yachting and sea canoeing, walking along the sandbar at dusk.


9. is the center of the Republic of Maldives. Its resorts are convenient in that they are closest to the only airport in the country. The capital of Kaafu in the Maldives is. The atoll has many house reef hotels, honeymoon hotels, "family" hotels and, of course, all-inclusive establishments. Thilafushi is also located here - the only garbage island in the Maldives, created as a landfill, and the islands popular with tourists, Huraa, and Bandos.


10. , or Ari - 8 islands of the atoll have a permanent population. Among tourists, this place in the Maldives is more than popular: paradise islands - the most popular among those who want to relax by the warm sea.


11. Alif Dhaal welcomes guests with historical sights - you can visit a beautiful wooden mosque and a Buddhist stupa. In addition, guests of the island are waiting for several hotels, mini-hotels and a unique underwater restaurant located at a depth of 5 m - it was the first of its kind in the world.


12. (aka Felidou) is an atoll with a population of only 2,300 people living on 5 islands. They are considered the best for diving in the Maldives, and the most interesting of the dive sites is.


13. (Meemu) began to accept foreign tourists not so long ago. There are only 2 hotels here, but they are truly luxurious resorts. Popular among guests are trips to the beaches of the uninhabited part of the atoll for a romantic getaway in the bosom of virgin nature. Of the sights, it should be noted the mosque on the island of Kolufushi, which houses an ancient artifact - the sword of Sultan Muhammad Takurufaan.


14. (Nilande atoll). Of the 23 islands, there is only one resort here - Filitheyo. His villas are eco-styled with a touch of luxury, yet furnished to the highest standards. On the island you can see an ancient cemetery, where you will be shown the grave of a local wizard. And the famous traveler Thor Heyerdahl once conducted research on Faafu Atoll: it was here that he found the oldest evidence that Buddhism was practiced in the Maldives in pre-Islamic times.


15. (or Daalu) gives tourists a romantic atmosphere, solitude and communication with wildlife. It was even nicknamed the “Turtle Island” – these animals lay their eggs here, and tourists enjoy admiring the newborn turtles with pleasure. Of the 56 picturesque islands, only 7 are inhabited, and 2 are given over to the tourism business. The capital of the atoll is the city of Kudahuwadhoo. Tourists go to the islands of Rinbudu and Hulundeli for magnificent jewelry made by local craftsmen.


16. (Kolumadulu), with its capital Weymandu, consists of 66 islands. Humans inhabit 13 of them. All the attractions of Thaa Atoll are pristine nature: most of the islands are in the state in which they were created by nature, and this is their main value.


17. has as many as 82 islands, but only 12 are inhabited. They have conditions not only for diving, but also for surfing. Those who like snorkeling will also like the islands of Laamu Atoll - there are shallow lagoons here. Archaeological monuments are also interesting in this area - the ruins of ancient monasteries and stupas.


18. (Gaafu-Alifa) will please with only a few hotels, but only the most luxurious ones. But there are many excellent diving sites where you can meet octopuses, manta rays and huge glowing jellyfish. The atoll is considered one of the natural reserves of the Maldives. Travelers are drawn here by the solitude of these places and especially the heart-shaped island, the only one in the Maldives.


19. has a permanent population, which is located on 9 islands. The first resort here was built in 2006 on the island of Vatavarrehaa - it was a luxury hotel for 150 people. It appealed to lovers of secluded relaxation. And today numerous surfers come to the island of Fiyoari.


20. - a special atoll. There is no lagoon inside it - it is completely filled with corals, forming one large island. Mangoes, bananas, papaya are grown on its fertile soil. Notable on the island of Fuvahmulah are the Reading Hill and the Keder Mosque.


21. - the southernmost atoll of the Maldives archipelago, it is also the highest (2.4 m above sea level). Here is Gan, the country's second most important airport, built on the island of the same name in the Maldives, the largest in the country. The archipelago has 6 inhabited islands out of a total of 24. The capital of the atoll is Hithadhoo, and it is in the greatest demand among tourists in the Maldives. Of the natural beauties, luxurious lush gardens, banana and coconut plantations and the only freshwater lake in the Maldives should be highlighted.

The official name of the chain of atolls and coral islands located south of India, in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, is the Republic of Maldives. The population of this South Asian state is approximately 393 thousand people. The total area of ​​the country is 90 thousand sq. km. The climate is subequatorial monsoon.

The Maldives amaze with its endless ocean, amazing underwater caves and reefs. The island evokes calmness and comfort surrounding tropical virgin nature. The culture has stopped at a primitive level, and the locals still respect their traditions.

The largest coral island in the Maldives is Kafu, on which stands the city of Male, which is considered the smallest capital and the most populated city. Male is so small in size that it can be walked around in a couple of hours.

Attractions of the Maldives

Famous places in the Maldives are the National Museum and the Muliage Palace, designed in colonial style. It is also worth visiting the beautiful Jumuri Maidan Park or visiting one of the most revered shrines in the Maldives - Medu Ziyarat Chapel.

In the city of Male, there is the Good Friday Mosque, famous for its golden dome. Next to it are the graves of both national heroes and members of the ruling families. It is worth paying attention to the Islamic Center, which is located nearby. It is considered the largest in the Maldives, because at the same time it can accommodate about 5,000 people.

Local markets are also not far behind in popularity, there are several types of them - vegetable, fruit and handicraft, where the inhabitants of the islands sell handicrafts.

Many tourists are attracted to the Maldives by unsurpassed diving. The underwater world of the peninsula strikes with a variety of inhabitants, at the same time, coral reefs scare away predators and swimming under water is not at all dangerous.

Paradise for honeymooners

For most tourists, the Maldives is one of the most romantic places on the planet. Therefore, newlyweds and lovers in the first place tend to the islands. What is the wedding ceremony on white sand at sunset and decorated around with palm leaves. If you discuss the wedding with the hotel in advance, you can get a discount and check into the best bungalow. The Maldives is suitable not only for the wedding ceremony, but also for the honeymoon itself. After all, the rest here is unique and unusual. On the beach you can see both young people and families with children or even older people.