What are the Maldives washed by. Luxurious resort in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean. South Male Atoll

The Maldives is a small Asian Island state. The territory of the republic consists of a chain of small coral islands, 80% of which are still uninhabited. Let's find out how many islands there are in the Maldives and find out the names of at least the largest among them.

Territorial structure of the Maldives: islands and their number

How many islands are there in the Maldives?

Among the 1192 islands that are integral part one of the 20 atolls, only 202 islands are inhabited, which is 1/6 of the entire land territory of the republic. Tourists and guests of the country are allowed only half of them.

Islands of the Maldives and their names

We will not list and describe all the islands of the Maldives and their names, since their number exceeds 1000.

Let's take a closer look at the most significant and largest islands of the Maldives. The name of these islands dates back to ancient times. They are part of the atolls.

So, let's get acquainted with the 9 largest and most significant islands and atolls of the Maldives:

North and South Male Atolls- these are atolls, consisting of more than 100 islands of various sizes (50 northern and 30 southern). The capital of the country is located in North Male - a beautiful city Male. Of the 80 islands of 2 atolls, only 11 are inhabited, 44 are beautiful high-level resorts, and the remaining 25 are rented or uninhabited;

Gann- an island located on southern atoll Siena (Addu). This island was once one of the English colonies. Its streets still retain the stiffness of that time. In the clear coastal waters of the island, you can go diving, exploring the rich underwater world;

Ari Atoll- includes more than 30 islands, of which 18 are inhabited, and 26 are luxurious exotic resorts. It's just perfect for lovers underwater tourism. On the islands of the atoll are 4 marine reserve: Maya Tila, Oramis Tila, Fish Head and Kudara Tila;

Baa Atoll- consists of 51 islands, of which only 10 are inhabited by people, and 5 are resorts;

Velavatu- This is an island that is part of the Dhaalu (Dhaalu) atoll. The locals used to call it "Turtle Island". This island is simply beautiful, because on a small land area they managed to accommodate different kinds green spaces, magnificent palm trees, the tops of which rest against the sky and magnificent untouched sandy beaches. This place is just a paradise for lovers;

Filitheo (Filiheeo)- the only one of all the islands of Fafu Atoll, which has become a resort. In addition to it, the atoll includes 15 inhabited and the same wild islands. The island has a very lush and rich vegetation, which, combined with snow-white beach sand and warm ocean waters makes this place unforgettable;

Laviani Atoll- located to the north North Male Truly heaven on earth. It consists of 63 islands, most of which are beach area. Within its limits are some of the most beautiful barrier reefs with the richest life of underwater inhabitants. This wonderful place for lovers of scuba diving;

Kuramachi is one of the islands of the Maldives, known for that three hotels were located on its territory, which is unusual for this republic. The combination of lush vegetation and pristine beaches makes this place unique.

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 largest islands(it is also called Male). Airport - on neighboring island, reach 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 tourist islands all products are imported, including fish and fruits (except for coconuts, nothing grows). 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 exit directly to white sand 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 rushing 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!):

Maldives - tropical paradise, Where beach season lasts 365 days a year, where the serene blue of the sky is reflected in the crystal clear waters indian ocean. It seems that this idyllic corner was created only to enjoy the joys of life - problems and political intrigues bypass it. But this is a misleading impression. The history of the Maldives is full of events.

From the redins to the British

Unlike neighboring India and Sri Lanka, the history of the Maldives has been little studied. According to research, civilization on the islands has existed for more than 3,000 years. This theory was confirmed in the 1980s by the Norwegian archaeologist and writer Thor Heyerdahl. After excavating the Addu and Huvadu atolls, he found out that these lands were once inhabited by Aryan tribes. Tall white people blue eyes and with aquiline noses they called themselves radishes and worshiped the Sun.

Found fragments of pottery suggest that the sparse dwelled on the islands as early as 2000 BC.

Around the same time, the island of Nilandu was inhabited by cholines. However, little is known about their origin.

The Giravaru community claims to be the oldest aborigines of the Maldives. For centuries, its representatives lived on the island of the same name, but with the start of construction international airport were forced to move to Male.

According to one version, the ancestors of the giravaru came from south india, on the other - from Australia.

In 500 BC The second wave of settlement began in the Maldives. The islands were settled by immigrants from Sri Lanka, who spread Buddhism.

Until the 16th century, the population of the islands consisted mainly of Indians, Malays and Sinhalese. But in 1507 the archipelago caught the attention of the Portuguese. They were followed by the French, the Dutch and the British, who in turn established their own protectorate.

Acceptance of Islam

Until the 12th century - more than 1000 years - the Maldivians practiced Buddhism. But in 1153, the Arab merchant Abu al-Bakarat landed on the islands, who convinced the local king to convert to Islam.

According to legend, every month the islanders sacrificed an innocent girl to the genie Rannamari. She was brought to the temple and left for the night. The next day, the unfortunate woman was found dead. Outraged by the cruelty of the ritual, Abu al-Bakar decided to put an end to it. At the appointed hour, he himself came to the sanctuary and spent the whole night reading the Qur'an. Holy suras scared away evil spirit who hid in sea ​​depths and no longer disturbed the inhabitants of the island.

Since that time, the era of Islam and sultanates began in the Maldives, during which six dynasties and 90 rulers have changed.

Maldives in the 20th century

At the end 19th century, fearing expansion from India, the Maldivians signed an agreement with Britain. According to the document, the British provided their military assistance in the event of a foreign invasion, but did not interfere in the internal affairs of the country.

The British presence continued until 1965.
On July 26, 1965, the Maldives gained independence.

In 1932, the British supported Mohammed Shamsuddin III, who adopted the country's first constitution. New law limited the sole power of the Sultan and ensured free elections. And in 1953, the ruler Amin Didi abolished the sultanate, adopted a new constitution and became the first president of the Republic of Maldives. He introduced universal primary education and suffrage for women. At the end of 1953, as a result of food riots, Amin Didi was overthrown.

He was replaced by Mohammed Fari Didi, who restored the sultanate and became the last, 94th Sultan of the Maldives. True, by that time the title had turned into a kind of honorary title, and real power passed to the prime minister.

The Maldives adopted its third constitution in 1968 in a referendum. Instead of the Maldives, the country became officially known as the Republic of Maldives. President Ibrahim Nasir held on to power for 6 years and fled the country in 1978 during a popular protest against rising prices.

Since 1978, for 30 years (6 five-year terms in a row), the Maldives has been single-handedly ruled by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoum. After the 2004 unrest, Gayoum promised to expand political freedoms. In 2008, the first multi-candidate presidential election was held, resulting in Mohamed Nasheed becoming the new President of the Maldives.

Since 2018, the country has been led by President Abdullah Yamin.

4.5k (73 per week)

The ocean washing the Maldives is called the Indian Ocean, and they themselves are grouped into an archipelago elongated from north to south, consisting of coral atolls - ring-shaped island structures. Within these rings are lagoons. In total, this archipelago includes 1190 islands, which are grouped into 26 atolls. All atolls are divided into 19 administrative regions, and the 20th administrative unit was the capital of the state - the city of Male.

The islands are located southwest of the Hindustan peninsula, and the Indian Ocean washes the Maldives.- warm, huge and majestic, merging with the sky on the horizon with the blue of its waters, because of which the horizon line becomes almost indistinguishable. But among the huge number of islands of the archipelago, only about two hundred were inhabited. In an archipelago like the Maldives, the sea occupies 99.7% of the territory and only a negligible remaining part falls on land. In general, the Maldives rise above the water, being part of a large underwater mountain range. For thousands of years, corals have grown on the tops of seamounts, reaching up towards the sun, gradually forming reefs. As a result, ring-shaped structures grew, parts of which then appeared above the surface of the water and formed islands of atolls. And in the middle of the atoll there was a depression - a lagoon, which communicated with the ocean through a series of natural canals.

Temperature of the Indian Ocean near the Maldives

Those who are going to the Maldives should not worry about the temperature of the water in the ocean - it is always warm and suitable for swimming here. At any time of the year it is not colder than 26 degrees, which cannot but delight divers and just beachgoers. This is not surprising, because the archipelago is located very close to the equator. The water in the ocean is always clear and blue, which further enhances the pleasure of contact with it. During the monsoon period, many islands have strong currents that make sailing dangerous, but the rest of the time, communication between the atolls is not difficult.

Flora and fauna of the ocean of the Maldives

The many hundreds of species of fish that live in the Indian Ocean can be divided into two categories: fish that live in calm lagoons and reefs, and those that prefer freedom open ocean but in search of food sometimes also approaching the islands. Divers and snorkelers are attracted by a lot of things underwater: exotic shapes and colors of coral, fish, shellfish, jellyfish, turtles, moray eels, sea urchins and stars, dolphins, rays and sharks. cetacean mammals and sea ​​turtles they also prefer to migrate across the ocean - they are very fond of being photographed by divers.

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

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The Maldives, the famous "residents" of the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, are rightfully considered one of the best exotic destinations. There are 1190 islands (or rather, atolls) here, and all of them are like a selection: from blue lagoons, sandy beaches and unique vegetation. There is everything for rest: peace and quiet, beautiful nature, rich underwater world. And also something without which any advantages of any resort immediately fade in the eyes of modern spoiled "tourists" - good hotels and a high level of service.

Prices, I must say, in the Maldives are also quite “at the level”: vacations here can be afforded mainly by travelers whose income level is defined by marketers as “above average”. Having paid a tidy sum for the trip, the following categories of vacationers will be 100% satisfied with their vacation. Maniac divers who dive three times a day. This most trouble-free subspecies of tourists can even live in a barn: they will still be delighted, diving like ducklings from morning to night. Happy married (or out of it) couples who need no one but each other. They can pick up a hotel with the appropriate environment - there are plenty of those on the islands. And, of course, seekers of an absolutely relaxed holiday in the entourage of a tropical paradise.

Time difference with Moscow

2 hours

• with Kaliningrad

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• with Severo-Kurilsk

• with Kamchatka

History and legend

According to legend, once life in the Maldives was not at all as cloudless as glossy catalogs inspire us. Sea genie Rannamaari, for trouble local residents settled in their territorial waters, demanded regular human sacrifices every full moon, and exclusively in the form of virgins from the island of Male. The poor fellow was taken to a certain temple, and the next morning they were found dead.

But not everything is Shrove Tuesday for the cat: once a traveler from the distant Maghreb, Abdul-Barakat ul-Barbari, arrived on the atoll. The stranger took pity on the girls (whom his compatriots apparently did not care about) and on the full moon he himself sat down in the temple in the place of the sacrifice. All night he read the Koran, and in the morning it turned out that the genie had fled, unable to withstand the power of the holy book. So the women were saved, and the Maldivians converted to Islam to celebrate - so now there are mosques everywhere, a ban on the import of alcohol and no topless (presumably, they are afraid that the genie would not return). However, this did not affect the amazing nature of the archipelago - and hence its attractiveness for tourists.

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Climate

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

Visa and customs

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

Beaches in the Maldives

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

On the Maldivian beaches it is strictly forbidden to sunbathe topless and drink alcohol.

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

Diving in the Maldives

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

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

In addition, there are several interesting wrecks in the Maldives, for example, the Victoria cargo ship with the remains of goods brought to the islands or the Chaika steamer, which sank at the end of the 19th century - its hull is completely split in two. Some popular sites: national reserve Embudu with amazingly diverse underwater world, Feliwaru and Halaveli wrecks (here you can see giant stingrays), Maaya Reef, a cozy channel between the reefs of Fushi, teeming with many inhabitants, Rakido secluded dive site, Guraidhoo Marine Protected Area, Miyaru "shark" site .

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

Surfing

Board riding on the waves is a relatively recent entertainment in the Maldives: only in the late 80s. the first surfers came here. Today, the islands are considered one of the most popular surf spots in the world: they are never crowded (the number of people going out to sea is regulated by a special service), and the waves are just a feast for the eyes: high, stable, and ideally shaped. Lohifushi Island regularly hosts the prestigious O'Neill Deep Blue Open international tournament.

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

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

Wedding in the Maldives

A wedding in the Maldives is already a classic, a legend, a standard: there is hardly a more beautiful place to unite two loving hearts. No boring photos from the registry office, no vulgar contests and unfamiliar second cousins ​​on the guest list: only the splash of gentle waves of the Indian Ocean, the rustle of palm leaves overhead, soft sand under bare feet and flower garlands around the neck.

The combination of bonds of Hymen in the Maldives is purely symbolic: the atmosphere of a tropical fairy tale is more important than a stamp in a passport.

Wedding ceremonies are held in most hotels according to a script worked out to the smallest detail: the newlyweds are preening in the spa, driven on “doni” or horse-drawn carriages to an impromptu altar, showered with flower petals and rice, and touched by the speech of the manager. Continuation - a romantic picnic or a cruise on a yacht and the first wedding night in a secluded bungalow with the obligatory champagne for breakfast. More intricate options are underwater weddings (even in a white dress, even in a wetsuit) under the guidance of dive instructors and ceremonies on board seaplanes swaying on the waves. Newly made spouses are awarded certificates, a standard set of services costs from 12,500 MVR, a diving wedding - from 16,500 MVR.

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Shopping in the Maldives

From the Maldives they bring lacquered black boxes with yellow, green and red flowers, mats from local natural palm fiber, miniature traditional fishing boats, scary shark jaws, tender coconut oil, colorful shells, sarongs, crafts made of wood and coconut "monkeys".

Fans of exotic outfits will be interested in national dresses with embroidery around the neck. Fans of large-sized souvenirs should pay attention to traditional drums, including a rather big “bodu-beru”: it is 100% authentic and will give you many unforgettable minutes in the process of being transported to your homeland. From edible souvenirs, it is worth buying such an amazing thing as coconut sausage.

The best choice of souvenirs is in Male, where there are many shops and shops. By the way, you can also profitably buy high-quality foreign-made diving equipment there.

Prices for souvenirs in the Maldives bite, and bargaining is not accepted.

Maldives in the rays of the setting sun

Cuisine and restaurants of the Maldives

The cuisine of the Maldives has borrowed a lot from Indian and Sri Lankan gastronomy: spicy curry sauces, an abundance of spices, the use of a lot of fruits in cooking and an almost complete disregard for vegetables and herbs. Everything here revolves around two products: fish (especially tuna) and rice, served in different variations with all sorts of gravies and sauces. Among the preparation methods marine life: grilled, in oil or breaded, smoked, dried and boiled. Snack options: the same fish, only in the form of a filling for a variety of pies, butter balls and a fair size kulebyak. Often they are fried to impossibility. Any meal is completed with unleavened bread "roshi" or crispy flatbread "papadu".

It is also worth trying rice dishes with the addition of fish curry and coconut milk. On fish market In Male or in all kinds of supermarkets, you can buy canned fish (tuna is a favorite among the local public and visitors), dried and dried fish. Traditional drink - "raa" from palm milk, alcohol local population almost does not use (mainly because of religious prohibitions).

Almost all fruits in the Maldives, except for bananas and coconuts, are imported.

It is better to try local gastronomic masterpieces in "tee-shops" - small budget cafes scattered along city streets. Most food is concentrated in Male, on the resort islands, 1-2 restaurants are most often open, where they offer a variety of dishes of the Maldivian, European and international cuisines. In the capital, breakfast costs 60-95 MVR, lunch - 105-160 MVR, dinner with wine - 500-800 MVR per person (alcohol is not served everywhere), prices are higher at the "resorts". The bill includes state tax and service charge (10%).

The best photos of the Maldives

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Entertainment and attractions

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

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

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

Holidays and events

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

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

December 10 - one of the most colorful local holidays: Day of the fisherman with festivities and noisy fairs. On adored foreign tourists New Year(January 1) and Christmas (December 25) arrange bright celebrations in hotels and on city streets: the degree of fun depends only on the thickness of the wallet.