What country is the Maldives in? atolls at the equator. Brief information about the country

Basic moments

The Maldives is all about bountiful sunshine, glamorous sieve-sand beaches, turquoise bounty-style lagoons and fantastic diving 365 days a year. Also, it's an amazing atmosphere. complete relaxation, respectable laziness and detachment from everyday problems. No matter what economic upheavals shake the planet, this Asian resort continues to live in its relaxed and independent mainland rhythm. The classical Islamic state, with its traditional taboo on everything that contradicts religious canons, managed to adapt to the free mores of the tourist elite, while not compromising its own traditions at all. The Maldives is the very place where the roads of visitors and indigenous people (unless they are employees of hotels) hardly intersect, and a bank account, no matter how solid they may be, can be reset to zero in a matter of days. It is in the Maldives that you can arrange the most romantic wedding, improve your diving skills, and, finally, just feel like the last person on the planet by renting a secluded bungalow with a private beach and stunning ocean views.

History of the Maldives

According to rough estimates, the history of the Maldives began more than 2000 years ago, when the atolls lost in the Indian Ocean were settled by people from neighboring India and Sri Lanka. It was the first settlers who brought Buddhism to the islands, which in the 12th century replaced Islam, which was actively promoted by the Arabs who arrived here.

Starting from the middle of the 16th century, the Portuguese and Dutch began to claim the territory of the Maldives. But the locals were in no hurry to turn their country into a raw material appendage of insatiable Europe, actively resisting the attacks of foreigners.

In 1887, England still managed to establish a protectorate over the Maldives. But in 1967, the islanders rebelled, demanding complete independence from Britain, which was granted to them a year later. The country was immediately declared a republic and a new president was elected.

Weather and climate

You can go to the Maldives at any time of the year: thanks to the subequatorial monsoon climate, it is always warm here. Even in the coldest months (January-February), the thermometer never drops below +17 °C, and the average air temperature often fluctuates between +24...+33 °C. The main climatic differences depend on the two monsoonal seasons. The winter northeast monsoon, which blows from January to March, is at the peak of the season, it brings dry weather and coincides with the European winter. The southwest monsoon from May to December brings wet weather, but the rain rarely lasts very long. The rainiest months in the Maldives are May and November, while the sunniest months are March, as well as before and after it.

Geography

The Republic of Maldives is an Asian state in the equatorial Indian Ocean. It is 700 km to Sri Lanka, and only 430 to India. By the way, the Maldives is considered the lowest state on the planet: almost all local land areas are only a meter or two above sea level, so in the distant future the fashionable resort risks repeating the fate of Atlantis.

The Maldives Islands are mostly small, and the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe individual ones is completely tiny. Almost each of these pieces of land has its own coral "shield", so the main feature of the local beaches is that they almost never storm, and the water off the coast retains amazing transparency.

The main resort area of ​​the country is formed by the northern atolls, which guarantee their guests top-notch service and complete privacy. The southern atolls are a little behind in terms of tourism development, but it is easy to predict that they will catch up in the foreseeable future, given that their lagoons are full of suitable dive sites.

But tour operators have reached the far southern atolls relatively recently, so for now, these islands continue to be inhabited by the Maldivians themselves. This, of course, does not mean that the foot of the ubiquitous backpacker has not set foot here - quite the opposite, given the fact that the distant atolls are perhaps the only place in the country where a tourist thirsty for national color can freely contact with the locals. In other parts of the resort, it will not work so freely to roam the village streets.

Flora and fauna

The natural world of the equatorial paradise is surprisingly poor. The main inhabitants of the land are hermit crabs, giant Achatina (snails), flying foxes (relatives of our bats) and gray herons. With vegetation on Maldives things are even worse. Basically, the tourist will have to admire the coconut palms and bananas, which are cultivated in large quantities on the islands. True, one has only to leave the shore and plunge into the azure ocean waves how completely different Maldives will appear before you - bizarre, full of life and the most incredible colors. The reefs surrounding the resort are home to more than 1100 species of fish, 400 species of molluscs, 187 species of corals, 21 species of mammals (whales, dolphins) and 145 species of crabs.

Capital

The classic rule: “The capital is the face of the state” does not work in the Maldives. Male - small but incredibly dense populated city on south coast atoll of the same name. Its area is 5.8 km². It is in Male that ¼ of the total population of the republic lives.

It is a paradox, but the capital of an elite world resort is not much different from the provincial cities of the same India. narrow streets, high-rise buildings close to each other, a littered port and an invariable symbol of any Islamic country - a mosque. There are almost no significant sights in the city, so tourists arriving in the Maldives do not linger in Male. Unless they go to the local market to stare at the abundance of fish rows, or, in case of urgent need, take a walk to the hospital.

Local people and national traditions

As in any Islamic State, Religious traditions are strong in the Maldives. Indigenous people do not drink alcohol and never sell it, or rather, they try to pretend that it disgusts them, and they also hide their women under shapeless robes. Of course, such a way of life is not imposed on visitors. Moreover, many Maldivians work as bartenders in hotels, masterfully mixing cocktails and filling guests' glasses with drinks that they would never try themselves.

The bulk of the country's population is employed in the tourism business, but those for whom the stars shine a little less brightly have to earn a living by fishing, repairing boats and other not the most highly paid occupations.

Since not all islands have regular transport links with other parts of the land, the majority of the Maldivians live in extreme isolation. For ordinary islanders, life is monotonous and measured: going out to sea in the morning, lazy swaying in a hammock chair and idle contemplation of the surrounding reality in the afternoon, and fishing again at sunset.

Etiquette and rules of conduct at the resort

There are a lot of restrictions in the Maldives, non-compliance with which entails serious problems. For example, on the most beautiful beaches of the planet it is forbidden to sunbathe topless, and even more so to be completely naked. Walking around cities and towns in ultra-short tops and shorts is also not recommended, as well as breaking off branches of local corals as a keepsake of the trip. Fans of fishing off the coast and spearfishing should not talk about their passion at all: such types of fishing in the Maldives are equated with poaching. And for throwing garbage and drinking alcohol outside the hotel, solid monetary fines are due.

Video: Maldives from above

The beaches of the Maldives

Listing the beaches of the resort, which consists of almost 2,000 islands, is a thankless task, so it’s easier to name the most popular and well-groomed of them. on the atoll North Male are Banyan Tree and Naladu. Do not suffer from a lack of swimmers Niko and San, belonging to the Ari atoll. You can swim in the company of Maldivian turtles on the beaches of Laviani Atoll, and the shores of Maafushi are better suited for observing the habits of dolphins. The islands of Kunfadu and Hadahaa are occupied by the owners of fat wallets, while incorrigible romantics flock to the coast of Vaadu, dreaming of meeting the dawn on a luminous beach. Surfers and other wave-catchers hang out at Kunuhura Island, where their unofficial headquarters, the Pasta Point resort, is located.

Attractions and entertainment in the Maldives

After you get to know the amazing beaches of the Maldives and discover all the delights of the system all inclusive you probably don't want to go anywhere else. Well, if such a desire still appears, then take a ride to the Sultan Park on the island of Male, where the National Museum is also located. In the capital, you can also stare at Presidential palace- a rather modest building by modern standards, where all official receptions are held, and the Great Friday Mosque, erected from coral blocks. If possible, book a table at Ithaa Underwater Restaurant, one of the ten most unusual restaurants on the planet. The queue to this pretentious establishment is endless, and for the exclusive entourage, visitors are required to pay an inadequate amount, but, according to the lucky ones who managed to appreciate the local service, it's worth it.

Certainly, it is difficult to find a more comfortable place than a tropical island with upscale hotels, great food and impeccable, friendly staff. But if you come to the Maldives for at least a couple of weeks, then most likely you will want to see what is hidden behind the borders of a cozy hotel. Traveling around the Maldives is not easy, especially if you try to do it on your own, but there is an opportunity to join organized excursion. It can be as aimless boating in search of a suitable angle for a selfie against the backdrop of sunset, as well as visiting a Maldivian village and getting to know the life of the islanders. You can relieve the burden of worries (and extra money) by ordering an air trip on a seaplane, or by renting a real submarine with a crew to explore the ocean floor. Well, lovers of picturesque ruins should go to Ari Atoll, where the ruins of an ancient Buddhist temple are still preserved.

Travel around the area

Of course, what places you can visit and what kind of trips you can take is entirely determined by the location of the resort where you are. True, here you will find little variety, because one island is not much different from another. Perhaps only a trip to Male will give new impressions. Most resorts located near the capital can organize a day trip for their guests. And although all the sights of Male are collected in one place and can be seen in just a couple of hours, it is worth staying here for the night to get a taste of the capital and find out how its inhabitants have fun after the sun goes down below the horizon and the heat subsides. This can be done by taking a day boat trip to the capital, having previously booked a hotel room, and returning the next day on a day trip. You can also take a boat or seaplane that hotels send to pick up tourists from the airport.

Boat trips

Another popular type of acquaintance with the Maldives is boat tours. These can be short sunset trips around the island where your hotel is located, or long trips when you charter a boat or go on a safari (passengers live on their boat in open ocean). The conditions of the trip completely depend on the size of your wallet. On most boats, passengers are provided not with private cabins, but with beds separated by curtains, and it is assumed that the tourists themselves will also perform the routine daily work.

A higher degree of comfort is offered by boats such as the Atoll Explorer, which offer air-conditioned cabins and a swimming pool on upper deck. Private yachts are for the very rich, the famous, the powerful, and the oligarchs who avoid resort accommodations.

If these prices are a little out of your budget, you can charter a speedboat from the resort with your crew for the day. It will cost no more than $200. An order for a pier in Male will be cheaper due to competition. To further reduce the price, it is possible to charter a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat, but then you will not be able to travel long distances.

If you want to feel the taste of the sweet life and ride on luxury yacht, in Kuredu on the Laviani Atoll, day cruises on yachts are offered, and night walks can be booked privately. The yacht is also available at W Retreat & Spa on Ari Atoll.

uninhabited islands

Paradoxically, the uninhabited islands may be the busiest after Male. Often they are "adopted" by certain resorts, which build various amenities, cafes and send their guests there on a day trip to have a picnic, swim with a mask and snorkel and just swim. And since several groups of tourists go ashore at once, it would be somewhat wrong to call these islands "uninhabited".

There are tourists who want to visit the uninhabited islands of the Maldives in a less massive manner. Some resorts organize private dinners on the sand for two or more guests, and even offer overnight stays. Visitors are given a flag to raise in case of danger.

If money is no problem for you, you can rent an entire resort: many small islands can become a safe haven for rich people. For example, the boat-only part of Soneva Gili can be rented entirely.

village islands

In the Maldives, excursions to nearby villages are very popular among tourists. Some resorts have a close relationship with the islands where the villages are located and regularly take guests back and forth. If there is no such island near the resort, then, as a rule, a visit to the village is included in the program of a one-day excursion, which involves a check-in to a desert island.

Maldivian villages that you will visit during organized tour, will not give full view about the life of the local population. There you will see crowds of tourists hanging around and a market that has arisen with the special purpose of satisfying their needs, and not at all the needs of local residents. But schools, mosques and houses will be real, and the natural spontaneous development of these villages will allow your eye to rest from the strict regularity of the resorts.

To visit a "real village" in the Maldives, somewhere off the beaten track, will have to make a lot of effort. First, it won't be cheap (you have to rent a separate boat, because transport going to the inner atolls doesn't take foreigners on board). Secondly, there are many bureaucratic hurdles to overcome, such as obtaining permission to visit the inland atolls from the administration of the ministry located in Male. And in order to get it, you need confirmation from a person living on the island you are going to visit. All this, of course, deprives acquaintance with the real life of the archipelago of spontaneity. If your determination is unwavering, a travel agent in Male will help you overcome bureaucratic obstacles.

Diving

Masters of scuba gear and action cameras in the Maldives are waiting for perfectly warm water (average +27 ° C), excellent visibility even at a depth of 40 m and an incredibly rich underwater world. The only danger is the currents that are gaining strength just outside the reefs, so it is better for beginners to wallow inside the atolls.

It is better to go in search of bottom riches from September to May: the sea during this period is calm, it does not have that abundance of plankton that happens with the advent of monsoons. Coral slides, sunken ships (wrecks), inter-island straits - all these are the traditional routes of heroes in wetsuits.

This or that type of diving can be done in almost all resorts, but the conditions vary significantly. On some islands, scuba diving is not at the top of the list of sports offered. This means that both diving sites and scuba training courses will be quite limited, which is more suitable for beginners or ordinary scuba divers.

However, true fans of diving in the Maldives can claim something more. The resorts most popular among the scuba diving fraternity offer a wide range of courses such as VIT, CMAS, SSI, PADI, NAUI, ANDI and RAB where you can improve your skills. They also provide additional and safety-guaranteing equipment, such as underwater video cameras. The choice can also be influenced by the presence of nitrox and a decompression chamber, as well as the proximity to the resort of places suitable for diving.

Most of the local diving centers are located on the basis of hotels (Sun Diving School PADI Golden Palm 5, Ocean Dive Center, TGI Maldives, Euro Divers, etc.). Well, for the most restless, there is the possibility of a dive safari, for participation in which a group of divers with the same experience is recruited. The advantages of such a cruise are obvious: you can get acquainted with almost all the atolls and look at uninhabited islands, it is much cheaper than diving with hotel accommodation and, finally, a trip on a yacht is an almost guaranteed opportunity to meet local sharks, which are just chased by those who come to Maldives scuba divers.

Video: Diving in the Maldives

Rating of the best diving spots in the Maldives

Male atoll

• banana reef;
• Lions Head;
• Manta Point;
• Old Shark Point;
• the wreckage of the ship "Victoria";
• Poodle Place;
• Rainbow Reef;
• Hans Place.

South Male Atoll

• Vadu cave;
• Strait of Guraidhoo.

• sunken ship "Fesdu";
• Maaafushi-Thila;
• reef fish head.

northern atolls

The northern atolls are one of the main areas of the Maldives intended for tourism. Now the number of resorts has barely passed the double digits, but this figure will steadily increase. It is planned to develop virgin atolls, which will provide visitors with even more peace and privacy. Since there are far fewer cruise ships than on the more populated atolls close to the capital, the air in the northern resorts is cleaner and the water is clearer than anywhere else in the archipelago.

New tour operators are forced to compete with hundreds of competitors, so they try to stand out by offering more brilliant conditions and interesting entertainment. One such idea is embodied on an island called Hideaway. This is a relatively new resort that boasts the first marina in the Maldives. It is designed to attract as many customers as possible. People accustomed to relaxing on yachts, such as, for example, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, are already regularly spending time on the Northern Atolls. Perhaps they are trying to avoid the busier islands near the capital. In high-end hotels, guests are waiting for the appropriate service: this is the help of the butler, and massage.

Guests who do not have their own yachts can be delivered to hotels located on northern islands, on speedboats. The journey will take just over two hours. A seaplane flight is much more likely, and the most remote resorts sometimes organize their own commercial flights.

Beaches

In this part of the country you will be able to see the same fantastic, covered with white sand, illuminated by the golden rays of the sun and washed azure waves beaches, as in other Maldivian atolls. But their seclusion guarantees you even greater purity and pristineness than in the central regions of the archipelago.

Diving

The relatively recent development of tourism in the Maldives, which began in the 1990s and also a large number of boats and ships plying around the atolls, allow you to keep the pristine cleanliness of these places and thus create excellent conditions for diving. Both kailu (straits, channels between reefs) and thila (seamount, reef shoal, the top of which is not visible from the surface) offer many opportunities for scuba diving. Diving in the Raa and Baa atolls, west of the southern group of islands, includes protected body of water Horubadu Thila, inhabited by oceanic fish, sometimes gray reef sharks and eagle rays can swim there. Other thilas in the area include the busiest Dharavandhoo, as well as Beriyan Faro, Kottefaru Kouda and Vaadu, each of which promises a lot to true diving enthusiasts. The southwest monsoon blowing from May to June brings manta rays and whale sharks to the coast. Strong currents in these areas mean that they are more suitable for experienced divers and few areas are suitable for beginners.

To the east of Raa and Baa, near Laviani Atoll, divers will encounter the wrecks of the fishing boats Skipjack II and Gaafaru, which have become part of underwater life in two decades spent on the ocean floor. The place of their flooding is easy to find: the bow of the Skipjack II rises above the surface of the water. In addition, there are two excellent sites for diving giri (accumulation of corals a few meters from the surface of the ocean): Narkola, south of Khuravali, rich in ledges and faults, and Maa, southwest of Kanuhuraa, where undercurrents create a fantastic variety of marine flora and fauna. Another protected ocean area called Kuredu Express offers enjoyable scuba diving, while Fushifaru Thila, 250m long with strong currents, is a great place for "advanced" divers.

southern atolls

Given the proximity to Male, part of the Southern Atolls remains relatively undeveloped in terms of resorts, perhaps because here the atolls are not as close to each other as in the north of the Maldives. The slow pace of development has made the area popular for safari boats that cruise the archipelago in search of privacy and peace for their passengers.

If not for tourism, this zone would not be called active at all, especially on the islands, where they are engaged in fishing and agriculture. As in the Northern Atolls, the number of resorts here has barely passed the double digits, along with those that developers are still working on. From Male to your resort you can fly by seaplane in 35 or 45 minutes.

Beaches

The lack of busy boat traffic guarantees crystal clear waters, and some even claim that the local beaches are among the best in the Maldives. And although it is almost impossible to rank the countless coastlines walking on the sands of Filitheyo or Vilu Reef Resort, I really want to agree with them.

Diving

Just below the atoll South Male, in Vaavu, is the longest ridge of unspoiled reefs in the country with a length of 55 km. It stretches from Hurahu Kandu to the southernmost point of the atoll. The main type of scuba diving in this area is kayla drift diving, for which there are many excellent sites, including Wattaru-Kanda, a protected area and a reef. Thila (underwater coral reefs) are also popular, in particular Fotteyo, which many include among the best places for diving in the Maldives. An amazing life of various underwater inhabitants takes place here, and some corals are simply dazzling.

Water sports

All the usual water sports are available in the Southern Atolls, and centers that focus on this type of recreation include Alimatha Aquatic, Medhufushi and Vilu Reef.

Far south atolls

The Maldivian southern atolls, some of which are located on the other side of the equator, are rare islands where tourists freely mix with the local population. The equatorial village is located on the island of Gan, which belongs to the southernmost atoll of Sinu, on which traces of the British presence have been preserved. There used to be two bases of the Royal Air Force, which were liquidated in 1976, but English lawns and reconstructed barracks still remind of them.

Another unique feature of this part of the country is that here you can walk in a straight line for 17 km without reaching the water. This was made possible thanks to the dam that the British built, connecting Gan with three islands - Feidu, Marada and the main atoll of Hitadhoo - to the northeast of it. No special permit is required to visit these islands inhabited by locals, so independent tourists who are curious to see the real life of the Maldivians love to come here. A relatively inexpensive (by Maldivian standards, of course) stay at the resort attracts a whole crowd of backpackers here.

Until recently, Gan was a rather sleepy island, but that should change in the near future. The fact is that local airport brought into line with international standards, and now it can accept large quantity tourists seeking to visit resorts, the number of which is steadily increasing. The geographical isolation of Ghana has resulted in differences in culture and language, as well as flora and fauna, so travelers can experience a very different experience from this island than from the rest of the Maldives. For many years, Gan was the only island in the group of far southern atolls on which a resort was built, but now it is beginning to experience competition from its neighbors.

Beaches

If you prefer immaculately manicured beaches, then it is better to settle somewhere else in the archipelago. The beauty of Gan Island is that you can freely roam its beaches, which are not monitored by strict resort management, and mingle with the locals. You can swim at Koattey Beach, which is on the northern tip of Hitadhoo.

Diving

Due to the almost complete absence of tourist infrastructure, ocean life in these places flourishes. Particularly attractive in this sense is Sinu Atoll, where divers will not find a crowd of their like-minded people. This atoll has escaped the coral efflorescence that has engulfed most of the archipelago, which makes it especially attractive. Perhaps the most famous place for divers, this is a British Loyalty multi-ton tanker torpedoed by the Japanese during World War II. Experienced divers are allowed to swim into the remains of the hull itself, where a dazzling variety of underwater life awaits them. Another point of attraction for the scuba diving community is Shark Point, or Shark Point, located northeast of Hulumidu, so named because of the abundance of white and gray reef sharks.

Getting to know local life

A rare chance to experience a real Maldivian village is not to be missed. Go to the islands by motorbike, bike or on foot (there are tours to the equatorial village). There you will see mosques, schools and remnants of the British sojourn. At the far end of the dam is the prettiest part of the atoll, the capital of Hitadhoo. In the center there are many tea houses and a stadium where you can even see the competition. And on the lake with fresh water Eidigali-Kili you can admire the birds.

A wedding in the Maldives is no longer a fashionable trend, but rather a pretentious tradition that stubbornly does not give up its positions, demonstrating the level of wealth of the couple. You can order a ceremony in the best traditions of soap operas, including a spa visit, a romantic walk, a wedding ceremony and a wedding picnic, smoothly turning into a wedding night in a secluded bungalow, right at the hotel. For a spectacular theatrical production and a wedding certificate, you will have to pay 2,833 rufiyaas (11,000 rubles). Fans of extreme sports and non-trivial experiences in the Maldives are offered an underwater version of the solemn event. Prices for a wedding at the bottom of the sea in the company of experienced dive instructors are already more serious - in the region of 3993 rufiyaas (15500 rubles).

The reverse side of the Maldivian paradise

Actually fashionable resort There are practically no natural sources of fresh water in the world. Life-giving moisture here is either collected during the rainy season, or pumped from wells. The water extracted from the atoll bowels contains a large amount of salts, so it is subjected to demineralization. However, it is still of little use for drinking, as it has a meager shelf life, in connection with which most tourists, and even indigenous people, prefer to buy bottled water.

Own power plants in the Maldives are a luxury item, so on a number of islands they are replaced by fuel generators. And if on relatively populated atolls electricity is supplied around the clock, then where there are fewer people, light is supplied only in the evenings and then for a couple of hours.

The problem of garbage in the island state was solved ingeniously and simply - they took a separate island for household waste. But since official landfills are not able to accommodate the entire amount of accumulated waste, in some parts of the Maldives this issue is being approached with a great deal of creativity. For example, on some atolls, sewer water is used to feed green spaces and enrich the soil with fertilizer from fish offal; in other parts of the resort, tourists are provided with special waste bags, which the guest must take with him after rest. However, with all the efforts to completely get rid of garbage, it has not yet been possible, therefore, from time to time, plastic thrown by passengers of yachts and boats is nailed to the shores of the Maldives.

Food and drink

In search of national Maldivian dishes, it is better to go to Male, as the staff from Sri Lanka work in the hotel kitchens, adapting the food to their own culinary traditions. In the capital's eateries, mostly islanders work, so the food in them is the most authentic.

Oddly enough, but in a tropical paradise, culinary preferences are nowhere more modest. True, such unpretentiousness is a forced measure: little grows in the Maldives, except for bananas and coconuts. The products here are imported and, therefore, expensive, so local chefs always have 1000 and one way to cook rice with fish in stock.

A frequenter of the Maldivian table is tuna: fried, boiled, dried, smoked, boiled to the state of soufflé (mas huni), canned ... They also love curry on the islands, which is much less spicy here than in neighboring India. From the first courses, the Maldivians prepare fish broth (garudia). This tropical soup is cooked for several hours, flavored with lime and chili and served with the same rice. Meat on the local tables is a rare guest, because pork is Islamic country banned, and there is simply nothing to feed cattle on the atolls.

The average Maldivian can season his “daily rice” with coconut or lime juice, onions and chili peppers. Bread for the islanders is replaced by unleavened roshi (a local variation on the theme of Armenian lavash), and green tea with milk (masala) is considered the main drink here. The Maldivians do not drink alcohol, but they get their portion of alcoholic euphoria from raa - fermented palm juice. As for desserts, almost all of them are based on coconut. The most striking representative of sweet dishes is the bondi stick - a pressed and somewhat sugary delicacy made from coconut flakes, wrapped according to the principle of a Havana cigar.

Most all inclusive hotels offer international cuisine. Of course, they also host weeks of local delicacies, but on other days there are also French croissants and every Maldivian's nightmare - juicy pork steaks.

Money

The official currency of the country is the Maldivian rufiyaa ($0.06). The rufiyaa is artificially supported against the dollar, and its exchange rate against other currencies is based on this, so it makes no sense to look for a place where you can make a more profitable exchange. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rufiyaas and coins in 1 and 2 rufiyaas. Foreign currency exchange is carried out at the airport or at any of the banks, just keep in mind that the latter do not work on Friday and Saturday. In all places where there are tourists, American dollars and euros are accepted, they are also in circulation at all resorts. If you wish, you can not deal with cash at all, but ask for all expenses to be included in the hotel bill and pay at the end of the stay with a credit card.

Fun fact: The Maldives print their rufiyaas on the same paper as America's dollars.

Tips

Tipping, which is very popular in nearby territories such as India, does not have such a strong tradition in the Maldives. But low wages and foreign visitors with a habit of tipping began to change the situation. In most resorts, a specific table is immediately assigned to the guest, so that the same waiter will serve him throughout the rest. If you have no desire to deal with cash change, then you can thank the attendants on the last day. Some tour operators charge $10 per week. No need to tip taxi drivers or cafes. If you want to thank a local resident for taking a picture with you, he may be offended.

shopping

Shopping in a country where almost nothing is produced is like a kind of quest. Although for an unpretentious tourist in the Maldives, of course, there is something authentic or skillfully imitating this very authenticity. It is worth noting that most of the trinkets with supposedly Maldivian flavor, which are sold in the shops of the capital, in fact, are not. All these are, as a rule, Sri Lankan variations on the theme of "a truly Maldivian souvenir."

For authentic creations of Maldivian handicraftsmen, it is better to go to the islands of Mahibadhu, Maafushi, Khuura, Rasdhu, where, for not the most modest amount, local craftsmen will gladly give you wooden caskets, miniature dhoni, palm fiber rugs, colorful shells and funny coconut monkeys. Hunters “for something like that” will definitely be persuaded to buy the Maldivian hookah gudu-guda, which local grandmothers love to blow into for the coming dream. If it didn’t work out with a hookah, magnets and T-shirts will no longer surprise you, but you still want to bring a material reminder of your vacation with you, take a closer look at the badu-beru ritual drums.

By the way, about T-shirts and magnets - you don’t have to go far for them: all the souvenir shops in Male are littered with this stuff. In them, you can also get the notorious shark teeth, which have long turned into the main resort trophy.

Opening hours

Business life in the Maldives freezes on Friday, as well as five times a day for 15 minutes during prayer. Shops can start their work at 6.00, but most often they open at 8.00 or 9.00. They usually close at 20.00, but some can work until 23.00. Government agencies and banks open at 7.30 or 8.00 and are open until 13.30 from Sunday to Thursday.

Difference in time

The time difference with Moscow in the Maldives is +1 hour in the summer (when it is 11.00 in Moscow, it is already 12.00 in the Maldives) and +2 hours in the winter.

• Birthdays are not celebrated in the Maldives. Moreover, this date does not even try to remember.
• Only a Muslim who has lived in the country for several years can obtain citizenship of the country.
• The Maldives is in the top 10 countries in terms of the number of divorces (about 50%). At the same time, citizens are criminally liable for adultery. Walkers to the left here are publicly "treated" with a whip.
• The working week in the country starts on Sunday and ends on Thursday.
• Entry to the Maldives with a dog is strictly prohibited: according to the Koran, this animal is considered unclean.
• The motto of the resort is No news, no shoes! (No news, no shoes!).
• There is no tax free system in the Maldives.
• Male International Airport is located on an artificially created island.
• In the Maldives, not only the celebration of Halloween is officially prohibited, but also the mention of it out loud.
• In the Maldives, the most big fish in the world - a whale shark. Its size varies from 5.5 to 10 meters, and people can admire how this giant cuts through the crystal clear waters of the Maldives.

Where to stay

The Maldives is not the place where you can go with a hundred dollars clenched in your fist, party all weekend and still bring change. On the one hand, there are several hostels and guest houses in the country, but even in such places, tourists will be required to pay a far from modest amount. You can, of course, try to negotiate with the locals and settle with them, but this is rather an extreme option for backpackers and experienced adventurers. On the other hand, in tropical paradise they don’t come to count every bill and cut themselves in everything, so why not relax on a grand scale.

The classics of local housing are water bungalows (wooden houses on stilts, standing right in the sea). For the waves splashing right under your feet and the exclusive opportunity to snorkel at your own porch, you will have to pay an average of 5,153 to 20,6611 rufiyaas (20,000-80,000 rubles). An excellent chance to combine comfortable living conditions and acquaintance with the most picturesque Maldivian atolls - yachts, where renting a cabin is equal in price to an excellent hotel room.

There are relatively few budget three-ruble hotels in the Maldives, and even those are mostly settled by divers. More often than others, Booking.com recommends Gunbaru Inn, Rihiveli by Castaway and Sun Tan Beach. There is a wide range of prices here: you can find a room for 902 rufiyaas (about 3,500 rubles), or you can get a room for 3,865 (15,000 rubles).

Safety

In the Maldives, they are madly afraid of yellow fever, so they scrupulously check the vaccination against this disease for all travelers arriving from South America and Africa. For some reason, all other infectious agents are not of interest to local doctors, but, just in case, it is better to pre-vaccinate against rubella, measles, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid fever. If you do not come from an infected area, then vaccinations are not required.

You should not leave without a strategic stock of basic medications - normal pharmacies in the resort can only be found in Male, while on most other islands the choice of medicines is extremely poor, and hospitalization in this country costs decent money. Without a good sunscreen, repellent and a bottle of water on the Maldivian beaches, it is also better not to show up. Due to the high concentration of solar radiation, you can earn a sunburn at the equator not just wallowing under a palm tree, but also sitting up to your neck in the water.

Despite the fact that the local beaches give the impression of calm and "lazy" places, do not rush to demonstrate your own prowess and swim beyond the line of red flags that mark safe areas for swimming. Of course, in most hotels on the shore, security is on duty, but the underwater ocean currents, which cannot be dealt with, have not yet been canceled.

Crime in the republic is minimized, so the Maldives can be safely called one of the safest resorts. In force majeure situations, when you can not do without the help of law enforcement agencies, it is better to contact the hotel security, which itself will establish contact with the police station.

Connection

Cellular services in the resort are provided by operators Dhiraagu and Ooredoo, whose SIM cards can be purchased at the airport or in specialized shops in Male. The call quality is quite good, unless you are too far out to sea. It is customary to replenish the balance of the phone with the help of special cards, which are usually sold in hotels. A call to Russia from a Dhiraagu SIM card will cost around 4.9 rufiyaas / minute (about 19 rubles). For calls within the country, it is better to use local payphones, the services of which are also paid for by card (easy to find in hotels and street vendors). For wealthy tourists, there is such an exclusive option as landline calls from a hotel room. So, if you are a happy owner of a couple of oil wells, you can calmly resolve business issues right from the comfort of your bed.

Free Wi-Fi in the Maldives is a rare beast that lives exclusively in hotels. Those who are unlucky with a hotel can go to the Internet cafes of the capital, dropping from 45 to 150 rufiyaas (175-582 rubles) per hour of online surfing, or connect the necessary service from one of the local mobile operators, thereby having robbed himself of at least 290 rufiyaas (1125 rubles).

How to call to Maldives

To call from Russia to the Maldives, dial:

• from a landline phone: 8-10-960 (Maldives code) - code of the desired city - subscriber number;
• With mobile phone: 8-10-960 - mobile operator code - subscriber's mobile phone number.

There are no area codes in the Maldives. All numbers are now seven digits.

How to call abroad

To call from the Maldives to Russia, dial:

• from a landline phone: 00 - 7 - code of the desired city - subscriber number in Russia (00 - access code to the international line; 7 - telephone code of Russia);
• from a mobile phone: +7 - subscriber's number. International operator - 190; reference - 11.

Transport

There is no land transport in the Maldives as such, since the vast majority of the local islands can be bypassed on foot. And only in Male can a tourist afford the luxury of a ride for 27 rufiyaas (97 rubles) by taxi or 4.70 (18 rubles) by bus.

For those who plan to travel from island to island, there are three main modes of transport:

• hydroplane;
• boat / boat;
• ferry.

The first option is ideal for travelers with an unlimited budget - the pleasure costs from 2400 to 3000 rufiyaas (9316-11645 rubles), but it provides a unique opportunity to look at the atoll chain from a bird's eye view. A trip on a speedboat or a national boat "doni", depending on the remoteness of the destination, will cost 470-860 rufiyaas (1824-3380 rubles). Well, a walk on the ferry will be affordable even budget tourist, since the final amount of the crossing will be from 31 to 46 rufiyaas (approximately 120-179 rubles). The main airport of the Republic of Maldives is located next to the capital, on the small island of Hulhule. This is where all international flights arrive.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you take out insurance, especially if you are going to spend time on the island; transport to the hospital in case of danger can cost a tidy sum. The purchase of insurance in no case will ruin you: a two-week trip will cost about one euro per day. If you travel frequently, it is more profitable to buy an annual policy. The package of services may not include the risk during classes active species recreation, such as scuba diving. Be sure to keep this in mind when choosing a policy.

Visa information

Upon entering the Maldives tourist visa citizens of Russia put in the passport for free, for a period of 30 days. A foreign guest will need a passport with a validity period of at least six months, return tickets, a receipt confirming tourist services, and a cash amount of at least $ 30 for each day of stay.

customs control

There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign currency in the Maldives. In addition, cigarettes (no more than 200 pieces) and perfumes in quantities not exceeding 125 ml can be brought into the resort duty-free. But goods worth more than $ 200 (about 12,000 rubles) will have to be declared.

Save money and nerves by once and for all giving up trying to smuggle alcohol into the Maldives (even bought in Duty free stores). Alcohol will still be taken away from you and disposed of. The same fate will befall pork delicacies and pornographic magazines. You should also be more careful with local souvenirs: with pearl oysters, corals and tortoise shell products (unless they are certified products), no one will be released from the equatorial paradise. It is allowed to carry a certain amount of gifts and tobacco. The most serious offense is the transport of weapons or drugs. The punishment could be life imprisonment.

Airports

For those who travel a lot in the countries of the Indian subcontinent, international Airport Male is like a breath of fresh air. Here, unlike other airports in this region, civilized calm reigns, passengers are not overwhelmed by crowds of barkers, porters and taxi drivers. The airport is located on a separate island called Hulhule, which is not far from the capital. As soon as you reach the terminal, you will immediately see two rows of counters that belong to various resorts and tour operators. Find the one you need and a representative will tell you in detail about the transfer. If your resort is nearby, a speed boat will suffice, if it is far away, then you may need to get there by seaplane. In any case, you will receive precise instructions and leave the airport smoothly, as planned. When you return to the reception at the hotel, you will also be explained in detail all the details.

If you belong to a rare species of independent travelers, then most likely you should go to Male. Ferries run around the clock between the capital and the island on which the airport is located. They depart from the main jetty in Hulhul and land at jetties 9 and 10 in Male. Boats start every 15 minutes or when they fill up with people, the trip costs 10 rufiyaas or 1 dollar. For about $10, you can rent a traditional Maldivian dhoni boat, which is now equipped with a motor.

For flight information, call Male International Airport: 333-8800.

In the Maldives, you have the opportunity to visit another, very unusual airport. Hydroplanes that transport passengers from Male to resorts land on the water and only then taxi out onto a small floating platform just a few meters long and about the same wide. From here, a boat will take you to desired island. The diminutive size of these "airports" is the subject of jokes by resort companies. On one of the floating platforms, there is a sign that reads: "Welcome to Soneva Fushi International Airport."

How to get there

Regular flights to the Maldives from Moscow are carried out by the following airlines:

• Aeroflot - direct flights from Sheremetyevo twice a week.
• Turkish Airlines - flights from Vnukovo with a transfer in Istanbul.
• Qatar Airways - flights from Domodedovo with a connection in Doha.
• Emirates - with a transfer in Dubai.

You can go to the most expensive resort on the planet from St. Petersburg with " Turkish Airlines”, “Aeroflot”, “Russia” and “Emirates”. All flights are connecting. Another option is charters that fly in the direction of the Maldives both from St. Petersburg and from other cities of Russia. Delivery to the hotel usually falls on the shoulders of tour operators, whose representatives meet their clients already at the exit from the plane.

Tourists who decide to enjoy the exotic, romance, serene happiness, bird trills, the scent of tropical flowers, think about where they are. Best time for visiting the islands: the beginning of winter - the beginning of spring, which cannot be said about May-October, when tropical rains “attack” the Maldives. Despite them, the tourist flow here is not reduced, because the air here is always warmed up to at least + 28-30˚C.

Maldives: where are these tropical islands located?

The location of the Maldives (the capital is Male) is South Asia. They are located in the Indian Ocean, on 20 atolls (Kaafu, Haa Alif, Raa, Meemu, Baa, Dhaalu, Vaavu, Thaa and others), consisting of more than 1000 islets of coral origin, which are far from all inhabited (88 of them are resort places, and the local population lives on 200) and slightly rose above the ocean level. The highest point of the Maldives archipelago is 2.4 m (Addu Atoll).

The area of ​​the Maldives is 90,000 sq. km (of which about 300 sq. km are occupied by land). Of the nearest neighbors of the Maldives, and stand out, the distance to which is 670 km and 600 km, respectively.

How to get to the Maldives?

Russians can take a direct flight -: on board the Airbus A330-200, owned by Aeroflot, they will spend 9 hours. Those who wish can make a transfer at the airport, or (connection takes at least 3-5 hours) - you can familiarize yourself with the options for connecting flights on the website of Srilankan Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways. For those who live in, it is advisable to fly to the Maldives by making a stop, for example, at (Malaysia Airlines + Air Astana).

It is worth considering that if the airport tax was not included in the ticket price, those leaving the country will have to pay $10.

Holidays in the Maldives

On the South Male Atoll, the Kanduma resort stands out, delighting surfers with good waves in May-September. Diving on this atoll can be done at the Guraidhoo corner sites (there are eagle rays, tuna, barracudas, gray and white-finned sharks), Kandooma Thila (famous for grottoes, as well as a variety of underwater inhabitants who have chosen part of the reef in the west) and others.

Those who decide to go scuba diving in Ari Atoll will meet moray eels, parrot fish, reef sharks, and Napoleon fish.

North Male Atoll is interesting for the capital located here, where you can admire the Muliage Palace, see the Medu Ziyarat Chapel, the old Friday Mosque and the Hukuru Mosque, and also spend time in Sultans Park.

Baa Atoll attracts divers who are offered to settle in Reethi Beach Resort(dolphins splash around the hotel).

Those wishing to go to Addu Atoll to watch exotic birds that fly to the local lake for wintering in October-March. Another interesting place is the island of Gan, whose guests prefer to make water safaris, engage in night and morning fishing, as well as windsurfing. As for divers, interesting underwater inhabitants and the British Loyalty tanker, located at a depth of 30 meters, await them on the Addu Atoll.

Maldivian beaches

• Artificial Beach: water activities are available here and conditions for swimming are created, as well as street dancers and musicians give their “concerts”.
• Conrad Rangali Beach: those who come to this beach bathe in clear water and bask on the white sand surrounded by tropical greenery.
• Cocoa Island Beach: There you can stay in one of the villas located by the ocean and enjoy a carefree vacation, snorkeling and diving.

Souvenirs from the Maldives

In the Maldives, you should buy memorable souvenirs in the form of coconut sausage, national dresses with embroidery decorating the neck, wicker mats, shark jaws, coconut oil, black lacquered boxes, colorful shells, fishing boats miniature size.

The Republic of Maldives is an island state in Indian Ocean.

The archipelago of the Maldives is located at the junction of the Arabian and Laccadive Seas, five hundred kilometers southwest of the southern tip of the Hindustan peninsula. A detailed map of the Maldives shows that the country occupies 27 atoll formations, consisting of 1192 individual coral islands.

The Maldives cannot boast large sizes. The largest is Gan Island, but its area is less than 10 km2. Most of the islands in the archipelago do not exceed a few hundred square meters.

Maldives on the world map: geography, nature and climate

If you look at the Maldives on a world map, you will notice that southern part country crosses the equator line. Although the archipelago is about 750 km from north to south and 130 km from west to east, total area its islands are only 298 km 2. The atolls of the Maldives can occupy hundreds of km 2, but are ring-shaped in shape. And the majority major islands located on the outer sides of the atoll rings.

The coastline of the Maldives is 644 km. Due to its remoteness from the coasts of the continent, the country has neither land nor sea neighbors.

Geographical position

The Maldives are the peaks of the underwater Chagos-Laccadive Range, which stretches for almost 2500 km. However, the Maldives is not represented by volcanic rocks. All the islands of the archipelago are made up of sand and coral formations. Therefore, the Maldives state is considered the lowest located state of the planet.

The highest point in the country is located on the island of Gan and is only 2.4 meters above sea level. Most of the archipelago is uninhabited. Only about 200 islands are inhabited. Due to the great extent of the Maldives, there are several major straits separating groups of atolls. On the map of the Maldives in Russian, you can find the largest of them - the equatorial strait. Its width is about 95 km, and its depth exceeds 2500 m.

Animal and plant world

Due to the small size of the islands and the dense population of the largest of them, the terrestrial flora and fauna of the archipelago is not rich. Several varieties of palm trees and rare mangrove forests are all that the Maldives can boast of. Animal world The islands also do not shine with diversity - Achatina, hermit crabs, gray herons and flying foxes. But the country's underwater world is incommensurably richer.

Hundreds of giant living coral ecosystems contain about 200 species of corals, more than 1,000 species of fish, 250 species of crustaceans, and up to 500 species of mollusks and echinoderms. Also, the local fauna boasts two dozen species of various whales and dolphins. The straits between the atolls are abundantly inhabited by plankton.

Climate

The subequatorial climate of the Maldives is formed by seasonal northeast monsoons. average temperature during the year is approximately the same - from 23-30°C. Although there are no distinct seasons in the country, spring is somewhat hotter and drier. With the advent of the monsoons, the temperature and humidity rise slightly. The average rainfall is about 2000 mm per year.

Map of Maldives with cities. Administrative division of the country

The Maldives is divided into 21 administrative divisions. Together they form 8 regions, formed according to the principle of geographical proximity. The population of the country is about 405,000 people. A map of the Maldives with cities in Russian shows that with a small area, this makes the Maldives one of the most densely populated states in the world. The average population density here is 1135 people per km2.

Male- capital and The largest city countries. Located in the central part of the Maldives. Almost a quarter of the population of the archipelago lives here. It is included in the list of the most densely populated cities in the world and occupies the entire territory of the island of the same name, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bwhich does not exceed 6 km 2.

Kuramati Island located 50 km west of the capital. Despite its small size, the island is the most popular tourist center countries.

Eidhafushi- one of the largest inhabited islands of the Maldives. It is located in the northern part of the archipelago, 100 km northwest of Male. Notable for its absolute height of 0 meters above sea level.

The Maldives (Republic of Maldives) is a country geographically representing a chain of atolls in the Indian Ocean. To find where the Maldives are located, you need to find India on the map and draw a line from the lowest point of India to the highest point of Madagascar. On this line on the map a little down and to the left of the southern point of India will be the capital of the Maldives, Male.

The Maldives stretches for almost 1000 km from north to south. Male is located approximately in the center of this chain.

Relatively close to the Maldives is India and Sri Lanka 600 and 670 km respectively. But the distance from the Maldives to the nearest neighbor in the west of the Seychelles is 2230 km. Distance to Mauritius from Maldives 3320 km.

Visa to the Maldives

When tourists first come to the Maldives located on the atolls, they hardly understand where the reef is, where the lagoons are, where the inland waters are, where the ocean is. The Maldives is a completely different world, and an effort must be made to understand it.

How did the atolls in the Maldives form?

At present, the atoll development hypothesis is as follows. Under all the Maldives and atolls are extinct volcanoes.

In the underwater part of the volcano, corals develop on its slopes. Volcanoes gradually go under water, and corals stretch upwards. Then the volcano goes completely under water and a lagoon is formed - an internal reservoir formed above an extinct volcano.

This is a simplified diagram, the Maldives atolls are very complex in structure. Those small atolls on which tourists usually live are located on the edges of a large atoll and have their own shallow lagoons. In the diagram, they are called resort lagoons. Also, hotels or residential settlements are often located on islets that do not have their own lagoons. Islands can be located inside a large lagoon, or on a ring of a large reef. Islands are formed when a reef rises above the water and a layer of fertile soil is applied to it. Islands become inhabited, where they find fresh water.

The reef, which has a pale blue appearance when viewed from above, is under a small layer of water and is often exposed at low tides. In a large lagoon, the depth can reach 20-30 meters, and in shallow lagoons, the water will reach the waist even at high tide.

coral reef at low tide

coral reef underwater

In the photo below you see two small atolls. These are atolls formed along the edges of the reef. The island in the photo is called Thilafushi and is part of the North Male Atoll.

The same site on Yandex maps allows you to see that Thilafushi Island is located on a small atoll, which is part, figuratively speaking, a bead in the necklace of a huge atoll - North Male Atoll.

The size of North Male Atoll is 70 by 40 km. 27 islands of this atoll are given to hotels, 8 are fishing islands. The Maldivians are forced to crowd on patches of land. Therefore, their capital is on one island, the airport is on another, and the fuel is stored on the third.

Hotels in the Maldives are most often located on the principle of one island one hotel. The islets are very small and many of them are easy to walk around in an hour. The message is carried out by boats to the nearest hotels from the airport and by seaplanes to distant atolls.

Map of Maldives

The diving scheme clearly shows that the Maldives is located on an underwater ridge, there are many islands inside the atolls. On right detailed map Maldives.

In the Maldives, according to various estimates, from 1200 to 2000 islands. 1200 - if you count the islands with vegetation. Of these, 200 islands are officially inhabited. But in reality, there are much more, since 200 inhabited islands do not include island hotels where people do not live permanently. The Maldives is the kingdom of water 99.6% of the country's territory is occupied by water.

There are about 20 large atolls in the Maldives. There is some confusion - as there are traditional, new names and letter designations for the Maldivian atolls. Below the maps is a list of these names. The new names are nothing but the names of letters in the Dhivehi alphabet. The northernmost atoll has the designation A, and you need to look for it at the top of the map, the most southern atoll The Maldives is designated S and is located at the bottom of the map.

Names of atolls in the Maldives

- one of the most popular places for tourists. These are small pieces of land surrounded by the ocean. Many are interested Where is the Maldives located on the world map. To be precise, they are located 700 km southwest of the island of Sri Lanka. It is a chain of 20 atolls and over 1000 small coral islands. On the map it can be seen that all this is located in the Indian Ocean, and in a ratio of 1:99, where the first is land, the second, respectively, is water. Why are these islands so popular? The sun always shines there, the azure sea splashes at the soft light sandy beaches. The Maldives is especially appreciated by surfers, explorers of the underwater world and exotic tourism. The service here is at its best, but the prices are such that not every travel lover can afford.
during the period from December to March. At this time, there are no tropical rains (although there are lovers of this phenomenon) and the sea is turquoise, and the beach is snow-white, as in many famous photographs walking around the net. Due to tropical rains and monsoons, big waves rise and it is impossible to swim in the sea, so if you want to get into a fairy tale from advertising booklets, then your choice is any day from December to March. Rains, however, do not interfere with excursions, so those people who do not swim for some reason can relax and save a lot of money. Prices are also reduced for air travel. Weather in the Maldives in view of their unusual location on the map varies greatly over the year. Winter is the warmest, so prices rise by 30% or more.
The Maldives attract representatives of various nations: Russians, Germans, British, Italians, Asians, and others, but they are all with an average income and above. The exception is scuba divers - they can rent the cheapest apartments, which will not prevent them from doing what they love. There are no strong differences between tourists here - both family people and single people come here for different types of recreation. The island should be chosen based on the purpose of the trip. large hotel usually occupies the entire area. It is better for newlyweds to go to - there is a separate beach for each bungalow, for families with children it is better to go to Phillahohy, for lovers of parties and noisy entertainment - Nalaguraida, and for beach holiday suitable island of Kani.
What tourists need to know:
Bringing alcohol to the Maldives is prohibited. It can only be consumed in hotel bars and restaurants, as Maldivian citizens are prohibited from selling alcohol;
Dogs are also prohibited here. They are not here at all, and it is forbidden to fly on vacation with dogs;
The state is Islamic;
The national language is Divehi. Nobody knows English outside of the tourist areas;
The only airport on the island of Hulele, boats go to the rest of the islands;
You can pay in dollars and euros, credit cards are also accepted;
A lot of people come here to celebrate a wedding - this can be done both under water, and on board a seaplane, and even under water;
The cheapest round trip flights for one person from Moscow to Male will cost approximately 420 US dollars;
Tourists can learn, or they can simply book excursions to the sights of the islands;
Here you can try all kinds of exotic fish - either buy at the market, or catch yourself and cook at the hotel, as well as national dishes - a "mixture" of Indian and Arabic cuisine. The favorite product here is coconut and tuna;
Souvenirs are best purchased at a bazaar or market - interesting goods from Thailand, Sri Lanka and India are sold there.
Maldives on the map deservedly occupy a prominent place and are honored and popular with wealthy tourists - there is always excellent service, fabulous beaches and the sea, the opportunity to engage in active "water" hobbies - diving and surfing.

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