Maldives tourism is one of the primary industries here. Visitors are greeted with enthusiasm and exuberance. Resorts are lovely and filled with all sorts of conveniences and you will feel like you have stepped off the earth and entered an alternate dimension. Also known as the earth’s flattest country, Maldives is known for not having any natural land higher than 2.3 metres above sea level.
| Continent | Asia |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Male |
| Official Language | Dhivehi |
| Dial Code | +960 |
| Population | 530, 953 |
| Currency | Maldivian rufiyaa |
Maldives has a fascinating geography. It consists of 1192 coral islands that are grouped into 26 atolls. With these atolls spread across 90,000 square kilometres, Maldives is one of the world’s most dispersed countries. Live coral reefs and sandbars make up the atolls. The largest island in Maldives is Gan.
Maldives has a tropical monsoon climate and since it is the lowest elevated country in the world, the temperature here is constantly humid and hot. Maldives has two monsoons, a southwest that lasts from May to October and a northeast that is from November to April. The southwest brings rain in June and July and temperatures remain consistently warm, never really falling below 25 degrees centigrade.
Maldives is the world’s smallest Muslim nation. But with its proximity to India and Sri Lanka, the cultures of these countries have influenced Maldives as well. With the additional North African and Arabian influences, Maldives culture has emerged as a rich and vibrant fusion of all these elements. The island communities are close-knit, and the locals follow certain age-old traditions and beliefs which remain even till today. However, Maldives tourism has really shaped the country into the luxurious vacation spot that it is today, and resort islands often organise cultural performances to entertain and inform their guests about islanders and their traditional music and dance.
Light, fresh, tinged with every kind of spice – the cuisine in the Maldives is delicious. You must try Garudhiya at least once during your trip. This fragrant fish soup is served with rice, chilli, lemon and onions. For more seafood specials, go for a plate of Mas Huni – smoked and shredded tuna sprinkled with lemon, coconut and onions. For a lighter fare, Masroshi is a must – chapati stuffed with flaky tuna and coconut. For that crunchy, crispy goodness Bis Keemiya is on point – a crisp pastry stuffed with hardboiled egg (or tuna), sliced onions and shredded cabbage.
Found in the swirling Arabian Sea (part of the larger Indian ocean) this small South Asian island nation lies southwest of Sri Lanka and India and around 1,000 kilometres from the Asian continent. The Maldives is comprised of 26 atolls (a ring-shaped coral reef that encircles a lagoon partially or completely). Some atolls form islands and some are isolated reefs.
By Air: Booking a flight to the Maldives? You’ll either land at Malé Airport – the largest airport in the country or Gan Airport in Addu city. There are domestic airports, like Kaadedhdhoo Airport and Hanimaadhoo Airport, in case you want to travel within the country. The International Airports are well connected, with flights from India, China and Sri Lanka. You can also catch a direct flight from Dubai, or chartered flights from Singapore or Europe. Do note, that exporting sand, seashells or coral is forbidden and a punishable offense.
The Maldives isn’t the shopping hub of the world, but there are beautiful souvenirs to buy from the many markets that crowd the islands. The first place to visit is the Male Local Market. This exciting bazaar sells gorgeous handicrafts, mementos and more. Pick up packaged sweetmeats, boat souvenirs, seashell home décor and silky coconut milk.
