What a sea in the Maldives. Where are the Maldives on the world map

This question is asked by those who have already bought the long-awaited or are just going to look for tickets and prepare for the trip. Everyone has heard of this stunning resort, a leader among the giants beach holiday, and probably have seen more than once photos from the best beaches and hotels. The Maldives are 8.5 hours away by direct flight Moscow - Male. it Island state located in South Asia in the middle of the Indian Ocean at the very equator. It is this geographical position of the Maldives and the equatorial climate that provides excellent weather for a beach holiday all year round in any season.

For selection the best hotel, it is worth understanding where the Maldives are, where the capital of Male is located and international Airport and where you have to go to rest. I hope I have already convinced you of the importance of understanding geographic location Maldives? Then let's go!

The geography of the Maldives is so interesting that when you start exploring it, you immediately understand why the widespread “lostness” of the Maldives is not accidental. They are so small that they are really practically invisible on geographic map... And many people often don't know what the Maldives is. Some of them seriously think that this is not a whole country, but one small island (for example, as part of Chile) with magnificent beaches and hotels.

Where is Male

Male(Male) is the capital of the Republic of Maldives. Male is located in the very center of the country on a fairly large and densely populated island. It is part of the North Male Atoll (Kaafu). Thousands of tourists every day arrive in the Maldives at Male International Airport (its code is MLE), located on the island of Hulule, adjacent to the capital.

Good to know:

• For cheap flights to Male, see by link →
• A ready-made tour to the Maldives can be found on the website

Male city Is the financial, administrative and transportation center of the Maldives. It is home to many significant cultural attractions, modern hospitals, shops, restaurants, banks and a post office.

Male island associated with many inhabited islands in the Maldives by various modes of transport - ferry crossings, speedboats and local air travel on conventional planes and seaplanes.

Male on the world map

Where are the Maldives resorts

Not all islands in the Maldives are inhabited. Of the nearly 1200 individual islands, only about 200 are inhabited or given over to resorts. The Maldives are located both south and north of the capital, Male. Some of them can be reached by speedboat or ferry, while others are located so far away that tourists fly to them either by seaplane (air taxi) or regular domestic flights.

If you have already chosen your hotel, then on the map of the atolls you can understand where it is located approximately (see the map). And for those who still choose, it will be interesting to keep in mind:

• The closest island resort in the Maldives to the airport is a famous hotel Kurumba... It is very popular among Russian tourists, and for good reason, because the rest there, judging by the reviews, is simply magnificent!
• The farthest island in the south where he lives local population- this is Gan(Addu atoll). Maldivian airlines fly there from Male. Near the island of Gan there is a magnificent resort on the equator. Who hasn't dreamed of relaxing right under the sun? In the Maldives, there is such an opportunity. See Villingili Island Shangri-La.
• The most distant resort from the capital in the Maldives is located in the north of the Maldives archipelago on the island of Manafaru: JA Manafaru

The farthest island in the Maldives - Manafaru

Summing up my article, I hope that now you know exactly where the Maldives are located and what special geographical features are characteristic of this country. Therefore, when you are thinking of relaxing in the Maldives, you will know exactly where you are flying and will never get lost!

Inexpensive islands ($ 50 to $ 100):

How to book a hotel yourself:

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

Geography of the Maldives

The island state of the Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean about 700 km south-west of Sri Lanka and 400 km from India. The Maldives covers 26 atolls. The total area of ​​this country, including all the islands (and there are more than a hundred of them), is 298 km2.

There are no mountains in the Maldives. In general, the most high point Maldives does not exceed 2.4 meters. Also, there are no rivers and lakes in the Maldives.

Capital

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

Official language of the Maldives

Official language in the Maldives - Dhivehi, belonging to the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family.

Religion

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

Government of the Maldives

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

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

Climate and weather

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

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

Air temperature in the Maldives (average):

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

Ocean

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

Maldives history

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

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

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

Only in 1965 did the Maldives gain independence.

Culture

The culture of the inhabitants of the Maldives was greatly influenced by Indian culture, as well as Islam. Since Islam is the main religion in the Maldives, it is clear that local residents celebrate all Muslim holidays (Eid al-Adha and Kuda Eid).

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

Kitchen

The Maldives' cuisine is influenced by Indian and Arab culinary traditions. The main foodstuffs are fish (mainly tuna), rice, seafood, vegetables, and, of course, spices (due to the proximity of Sri Lanka and India). In addition, Maldivian cuisine cannot be imagined without coconut.

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

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

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

If you do not like Maldivian cuisine, then the restaurant of any local hotel will offer various international dishes.

Attractions Maldives

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

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

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

Cities and resorts

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

The Republic of Maldives is located on 26 small atolls. As a rule, one hotel is located on each atoll. Please note that some of the hotels specialize in spa services, combining Asian and European spa programs.

The white sandy beaches in the Maldives are considered some of the finest in the world. The Madiv Islands are literally "drowned" in corals. Therefore, tourists in those places where coral reefs come close to the shore, we recommend swimming in special sandals.

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

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

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

The Maldives is considered a great diving destination. This is quite expected, given the presence of a huge number of corals in this region and an amazingly beautiful underwater world.

Souvenirs / shopping

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

Opening hours of institutions

The Republic of Maldives is located in equatorial waters south of India. The state is a chain of atolls, which consist of 1192 islands of coral origin. The capital of the state - Male - is the only city in the entire archipelago.

The Maldives were inhabited over 2 thousand years ago. Twice the Portuguese and Dutch tried to establish power over the islands, but the local population did not allow it to be done. In 1887, a British protectorate was established over the Maldives. The Maldives had been under British rule for over half a century and finally gained independence in 1965. In 1968, a referendum was held in the country, as a result of which the state became a republic.

Capital	Male
Population	395,000 people
Population density	1328 people / km 2
Religion
Form of government	presidential republic
Timezone
International dialing code
Domain zone on the Internet
Electricity

Climate and weather

The climate in the Maldives is equatorial, with a predominance of monsoon winds. The northeastern monsoon from November to April creates favorable conditions for recreation on the islands. Due to the proximity of the equator, the air temperature is approximately the same throughout the year and does not drop below +25 ° С. In April, the southwest monsoon brings humid air masses to the islands. During this period, the Maldives experienced a slight decrease in temperature, precipitation and storms.

Nature

The flora in the Maldives is represented by typical tropical vegetation. Both mangroves and fruit trees can be found here. The abundance of vegetation depends on the soil. On some of the small sandy islands, there are only shrubs and grasses. Major islands rich in vegetation. There is also a real jungle with tropical plants, mangroves, various types of exotic flowers. But there is one plant in the Maldives that grows everywhere, regardless of the type of soil - this is the coconut tree.

The fauna of the Maldives is not very diverse. Some species of reptiles live here: snakes that are not dangerous to humans, lizards. Mosquitoes are found only on the wild islands of the archipelago. Of insects in the Maldives, butterflies and rhinoceros beetles also live.

Much more interesting is the underwater world of the Maldives. Various types of coral and marine life can be found on the ocean floor, ranging from sea ​​urchins and ending with whale sharks.

sights

There are not many historical or cultural attractions in the Maldives. Most interesting places located in Male. Here you can visit Sultanov Park. Until 1968, the Sultan's palace was located here. Subsequently, the palace was destroyed, and the gardens surrounding the palace were turned into a park.

The Islamic Center is also of interest. It is a large mosque next to the pier. Its interior is decorated with symbols of Arabic calligraphy and wood carvings. It is better to visit the mosque accompanied by one of the local residents: after all, this is a religious building in which special rules of conduct must be observed.

Another attraction of the Maldives is the National Museum, which displays items of clothing and jewelry of the sultans. There is also a manuscript of the Koran and pre-Islamic statues that were found during archaeological excavations.

Nutrition

At the heart of local cuisine Indian and Arab traditions lie. Many dishes are made up of ingredients such as rice, seafood, and spices. The most common sauce is coconut curry, which is added to almost all dishes. Fish dishes are varied, for the preparation of which there are hundreds of recipes. They even add fish to pies. The main side dish is rice, which is cooked with coconut milk, vegetables and even some fruits such as papaya, bananas, mango, pumpkin. Mostly chicken is consumed from meat, but extremely rarely. For dessert, coconut is most often served. Also baked goods, fruit salads are widespread. Of the drinks, tea, coffee and various juices are mainly drunk here.

Accommodation

There are practically no high-rise buildings in the Maldives, with the exception of buildings in Male. Hotels and hotels are represented by all kinds of villas, bungalows, chalets, cottages. All of them are one- and two-story, located separately from each other and have an entrance from the street. In the main building hotel complexes usually there is a reception, a bar and a restaurant. The houses for tourists themselves are located either in the depths of the island, or on the shore, or right on the water. In the latter case, the houses are connected to the land by a wooden bridge, and in some cases it is possible to get to the room only by boat. Whichever type of accommodation is chosen, they all have a high level of service.

Entertainment and recreation

Mostly they go to the Maldives for a beach holiday. However, there are many options here. active rest... For example, diving and snorkeling lovers can have a great time on the islands. Divers from all over the world come to the Maldives, because the reefs near the islands are home to an incredible variety of marine life of unimaginable colors and shapes. But it's not just fish and corals that attract diving enthusiasts. The waters surrounding the atolls are home to many wrecks, which are also of interest to divers.

Due to the fact that the Maldives is a Muslim state, many holidays here are of a religious nature. In addition, in the Muslim calendar, almost all holidays "move", ie. fall on different dates from year to year. The unchangeable are New Year(January 1), Independence Day (July 26-27), Catholic Christmas (December 25).

Purchases

Most of the shops are located in Male and they specialize in souvenirs. Usually these are products made from corals, shells, wood. Straw mats are especially popular. Local artisans make and sell beautiful coral jewelry - bracelets, earrings, necklaces. Also in the Maldives, you can buy quality diving equipment.

Holidays in the Maldives are Friday and Saturday, respectively, shops are open Sunday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm or from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. During the prayer time, which is performed 5 times a day, shops are closed, but if you are there at this time, you do not need to leave the trading floor.

Transport

The international airport is located in Male. In general, air transport is widespread on the islands, which is associated with the peculiarity of the geography of the archipelago. Air transport is presented by seaplanes and helicopters. In addition, transportation is carried out by sailing, motor boats and boats. Public transport in the Maldives does not exist in principle. Although there is a taxi in Male. Its peculiarity is that if the car stopped for more than a minute, then the trip is considered over and must be paid. On the islands there is the possibility of renting a boat or speedboat. It will cost an average of $ 140.

Connection

Mobile communications in the Maldives are well developed. You can use it for calls from your operator if you activate roaming, but it is cheaper to purchase a SIM card from a local mobile operator. The average cost of a minute of connection is $ 0.5. The Maldives is divided into several telephone zones, and the cost of calls from one zone to another is higher than within one zone.

Security

After political parties were allowed in the country, rallies and demonstrations began to take place on the streets of Male. It is unsafe for tourists, although street crime is extremely rare in the Maldives. To improve security, the law obliges all hotels to provide guests with a safe for storing documents, money and jewelry. If you find that you have something missing, you should inform the manager, who must record your appeal in writing. After that, the manager will conduct his own investigation and, if necessary, will contact the police.

Going to the Maldives, you need to get vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, yellow fever. In addition, you need to take out medical insurance, because any treatment in the country is paid.

Business climate

If you wish, you can open your own small business in the Maldives. The most popular destinations are the hotel and restaurant business. You can also organize a diving center or a yacht club. However, the country's government is reluctant to hand over business to foreigners, preferring to do it on its own. This is due to the fact that when the Maldives was just opened as new tourist destination, attempts by foreigners to create a tourism business here, as a rule, ended in failure.

The taxation system in the Maldives is considered one of the simplest in the world. There is no VAT or income tax.

Real estate

Due to the very small area of ​​the state, real estate prices in the Maldives are very high. In addition, there is a moratorium on the purchase of real estate by foreigners. Instead, the state offers to take real estate in a long-term lease. The minimum term of such an agreement is 35 years, the maximum - 50 years. Basically, villas are rented, it is extremely difficult to rent an apartment on the islands. If you managed to find a suitable apartment, then you will have to pay at least $ 300,000 for it. Most of the rented villas are luxury housing. The cost of such housing starts at $ 350,000.

Since the Maldives is a Muslim state, this imposes some obligations on tourists. You should not appear in public places in revealing outfits. Swimming topless on the islands is strictly prohibited and is subject to a fine. Drinking alcoholic beverages is prohibited in public places. The state has a ban on catching and exporting corals, only if they were not purchased in a gift shop. It is customary to leave a tip in restaurants, the amount of which is 10% of the order value.

Visa information

Citizens of the Russian Federation do not need a visa. The closest consulate of the Russian Federation to the Maldives is located on the island of Sri Lanka.

Are you endless romantics, are you madly in love with each other, or have you recently gotten married? Or maybe you are a diver from birth and are ready to explore the underwater world around the clock? Or is a relaxing holiday in a tropical paradise preferable to luxury hotels?
Welcome to the Maldives!

Geography of the Maldives

Maldives located in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean about 700 km southwest of Sri Lanka. The Maldives is an archipelago of 26 natural atolls made up of 1,192 coral islets: 198 inhabited and 991 uninhabited islands... The length of the archipelago from north to south is 820 km, from east to west - 120 km. The total area is 90 thousand km², the land area is 298 km². Of the more than 1000 islands, only a few have an area of ​​more than 1 km2. The islets rise slightly above ocean level: the highest point of the archipelago is on the southern Atoll of Addu (Siena) - 2.4 m. There are no rivers or mountains on them, each island is surrounded by a shallow lagoon. The atolls are formed by reefs, many of which are coral. The reefs, the natural protection of the islands from the violence of the sea, are striking in their beauty. In addition, they serve as a refuge for numerous tropical fish. The depth of the sea under the reefs reaches 365 meters. The islands offer typical tropical landscapes, with tall coconut trees, white sandy beaches and crystal clear lagoons. The largest atoll - Huvadhoo, located in the south, with a lagoon area of ​​2,240 km, is one of the largest atolls in the world. The smallest atolls are Kaashidhu, north of Male Atoll, and Thoddhu, both less than 2 km in diameter.

The closest neighbors of the Maldives to the north and east are India, located at a distance of about 600 km, and Sri Lanka, at a distance of about 670 km. In the west are the shores of the African Republic of Somalia, in the east are Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. The closest neighbor of the Maldives in the southwest is the Seychelles, and a little further away is Madagascar.

Climate in the Maldives

Maldives are located almost at the equator, and therefore the temperature in the Maldives does not drop below +27 ° C all year round. The climate is subequatorial monsoon. Driven by northeastern monsoons dry from November to March and driven by southwestern monsoons rainy from June to August. The air temperature never drops below +17 ° C in January-February and never rises above +32 ° C in April-May. The water temperature all year round is 28-30 degrees, the humidity is 75-80%, although it changes under the influence of cold ocean breezes. May and November are considered the wettest months. June has the least sun (6.5 hours a day). However, even on cloudy days, exposure to the sun is so intense that it can harm sensitive fair skin even with indirect exposure.

Language in the Maldives

Official language - Dhivehi, close to Sinhalese, with borrowings from Arabic and English. The educated part of the population speaks Arabic and English... In tourist areas, staff speaks many languages, including English, German, French, Italian and Japanese.

History and culture of the Maldives

The first inhabitants appeared on the islands three and a half thousand years ago. Aryan settlers settled here about 500 BC, but reliable historical evidence only appears from the moment the inhabitants of the island converted to Islam in 1153. For centuries, the islands were ruled by sultans of various dynasties, although there was a fifteen-year period of Portuguese rule, which ended in 1573 d. From 1887 to 1965. the period of British protectorate continued, at the end of which the islands returned to full independence. Three years later, the sultanate was abolished, essentially a second time, and replaced by republican rule.

Despite foreign influences ranging from Indian films and martial arts to Michael Jackson and Muslim fundamentalism, the Divehi Culture continues to live in the Maldives. Western fashion is clearly felt in the capital of the country, pop music is playing everywhere and many video salons are open. But, as soon as any religious event occurs (for example, the holy holiday of Ramadan), the Maldivian traditions take precedence.

Ya native language Inhabitants of the country (Dhivehi) published several daily newspapers and magazines. There are several well-known rock bands throughout the country that sing lyrical songs of Dhivehi. Multi-storey buildings on the islands are designed in architectural style, which is an echo of the architecture of the first houses in the Maldives. Popular is "Bodu take" - a local big drum. This is the name he gave to the traditional musical and dance rhythms of the Maldives. This art form can be seen in resorts during a local culture night. Contemporary local rock bands, often performing in resorts, perform well-known songs and music. When performing songs for local people, they use some elements of bodu-beru, percussion and drum solo inserts. Cassettes of local artists are available from record stores in Male.

Customs and traditions of the Maldives

Religion leaves a certain imprint on the life and traditions of the Maldivians. For example:
- residents of the Maldives are not allowed to trade in alcohol, alcoholic beverages can only be bought in the tourist area in a designated place, consumption alcoholic beverages in public places (outside the tourist area) is prohibited;
- in mosques one should behave with restraint. when entering the mosque, it is necessary to take off your shoes and wash your feet in a special ritual pool, clothes should be closed, cover your legs, arms and shoulders, women should also cover your head;
- it is forbidden by law to visit the capital of Male and the islands, where the local population lives in open beach clothes, it is necessary to have light clothes that cover the shoulders, arms and legs, clothes made of cotton fabric are considered the best option;
- nudism and topless on the beaches of the country are prohibited by law (with the exception of the island of Kuramati);
- It is customary to greet by shaking hands, the official greeting is "salam aleikum", greeting for an informal setting is "kihenen";
- illegal fishing near the islands and spearfishing are prohibited;
- it is forbidden to litter
- photography is prohibited in mosques and places of religious shrines.
- you should not try to make contact with unfamiliar women in the Maldives, this is not accepted in Muslim countries.

For breaking the rules, you can get a fine, imprisonment and even deportation from the country.

National cuisine in the Maldives

Maldives cuisine based on Arabic and Indian cuisines. Most often there are various types of fish products, rice, spices, sauces. The favorite dish of the Maldivians is tuna with rice. Desserts - coconut in any form, areca nuts, a lot of fruits, fruit salads, baked goods. Popular drinks are milk tea and Arabic coffee. Almost all fruits are imported, their only coconuts and bananas. Also, the Maldivians love a concentrated tuna paste called riha akura. It is mixed with boiled rice, chili and onions, or spread over a hot roshi cake. Many people prefer to eat rihaakura with grated green mango and chili. Packaged in small bags, rihaakuru is sold in stores and shops - you can buy it and try it at home, for example, spread it on a sandwich. A Maldivian meal usually ends with a platter of thinly sliced ​​betel nut (areca), betel leaves, and lime paste to be chewed. These remedies are believed to help improve digestion.

It is forbidden to bring alcohol with you to the Maldives. You can drink only in specially designated places - in bars and restaurants of hotels where visitors from Sri Lanka and India serve (citizens of the Maldives are prohibited from selling alcohol).

The cost of food and drinks in the resorts is much higher than in Male, since all the food has to be brought to the islands. Average bottle mineral water volume of 1.5 liters. costs 5 US dollars, a glass of wine - 6 US dollars, 1 buffet lunch - 35-40 US dollars. Prices vary from hotel category.

Monetary unit in the Maldives

Maldivian currency are rufiyaa and laari. 1 Maldivian rufiyaa is equal to 100 laari. 1 US dollar is approximately equal to 12 rufiyaa. In the Maldives, there are banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rufiyaa and coins of 2 and 1 rufiyaa, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laari. In the Maldives, US dollars and basic credit cards(American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diners Club and Euro Card). Therefore, it is not at all necessary to exchange dollars for local currency.

Shopping in the Maldives

The most famous souvenirs from the Maldives are undoubtedly "thudu kuna" - Maldivian mats woven from local natural palm fiber. Another souvenir is the miniature wooden "doni" - traditional fishing boats that can be found everywhere in the Maldives. Shark jaws, coconut oil, shells, sarongs, wood crafts, most of which are made by hand, and coconut monkeys are also brought from the islands. In Male, buy high-quality equipment and equipment for diving of foreign production at attractive prices.

Most shops are open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm with a few short prayer breaks. On Fridays, shops open after 14.00. Almost all sellers speak English, a little German and French. Bargaining is possible, and even necessary, the price can be reduced to 30%.

Maldives Customs

When crossing the border with the Maldives, all luggage goes through strict customs control.
You are allowed to import duty-free: foreign and national currency in any quantity; cigarettes, no more than 200 pieces; perfumery products up to 125 ml; goods for personal use in non-commercial quantities (no more than one name of each product per person)
It is allowed to export duty-free: unlimited national or foreign currency; previously imported personal goods and souvenirs
It is forbidden to import and export: alcoholic beverages; salami sausages; items of a pornographic nature (tapes, publications); narcotic substances; items found at the bottom of the sea.
Export is prohibited shells of turtles and corals. The only exceptions are items, the decorative pattern of which is made using these materials, and souvenirs.

An attempt to smuggle alcoholic beverages is subject to a $ 500 fine. The alcohol left at customs will be returned when you leave the country.

reference Information

Tipping in the Maldives- not officially accepted, but with decent service it will not hurt to reward the service personnel with a small amount ($ 10 for the hotel employee, and for the waiter - 5% of the invoice amount). In some resorts, the service fee is immediately credited to the bill (as a rule, this is 10% of the total cost), then you no longer need to tip.

Electricity in the Maldives- voltage in the networks of the Maldives: 220-240 V, 50 Hz (voltage surges are possible).

Time in Maldives- ahead of Moscow by 1 hour.

Visa for Maldives- Russian citizens do not need a visa to enter the Maldives.

Phones in Maldives- for calls to the Maldives to landline numbers, dial: 8 - 10 - 960 - (area code) - (phone number). To make calls to Russia, dial: 007 (Russia code) - (city code) - (phone number). The phone code of the Maldives is 960.

The territory of the islands is divided into several telephone zones. The cost of calls within each zone is approximately the same, calls between zones are more expensive. Calls can be made from public telephones, hotels, or from a mobile phone. Most of the major Russian mobile operators provide roaming services in the Maldives. The cost of the service depends on the tariff rates of a particular operator.

Transport in the Maldives- on the islands there is no regular transport links... The main vehicles are sailing and motor boats. Most of the transportation is carried out by seaplanes, helicopters and boats. There is no public transport as such. The most common aquatic view transport in the Maldives - a wooden boat "doni" with a flat roof. Large Vedis boats are used for long journeys to remote atolls. They move by land mainly by bicycles and motorcycles. Car taxis (and roads) exist only in the capital Male and on the island of Gan.

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Precautionary measures

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

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

Where is the Maldives map? Geographical position of the state

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

The Republic of Maldives is a coral archipelago with a length of 130 km from west to east and 823 km from north to south. It consists of 1,196 small islands of presumably volcanic origin. They form a double chain of 26 atolls - large coral land areas that look like a burst ring. The largest and most significant are the Southern (Nord Nyland), Aryan atoll. The distance between groups varies from 25 to 80 km.

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

Historical reference

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

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

State flag

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

Economy of the Maldives

The Republic of Maldives is now a democratic developing state with a president at its head.

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

Official banknotes. Currency exchange

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

You can exchange currency at any bank, airport or exchange offices at the official rate. On the islets remote from the capital, it will be difficult to make an exchange, at a rather unfavorable rate. Basically, small bills are required for settlements, so stock up on them in sufficient quantity. On many expensive resorts accept US dollars and euros for payment, as well as credit cards.

Demography

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

Capital of the Republic of Maldives

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

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

Climate in the Maldives

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

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

Flora and fauna

Famous all over the world for their amazing variety of marine fauna and flora of the Maldives. The sea is full of amazing corals. Shoals of a variety of exotic fish, turtles, jellyfish, mollusks, starfish and hedgehogs, moray eels, stingrays attract diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.

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

Breadfruit, coconut, banana plants are widespread on many islands in the Maldives. The atolls of Dhaalu (Dhaalu) and Fafu stand out for their lush vegetation. Exotic flowers grow here: Ernandia jug-leaved, Erminalia katappa, etc., there are impenetrable mangroves with huge ferns. There are no large animals in the Maldives, but you can find a bat or an Indian flying fox. Terns, parrots, sea gulls, cormorants also live on the islands.

How to get to the archipelago?

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

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

Great resorts. Maldives - a paradise for tourists

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

There are more than 120 hotels in the Maldives, which can simultaneously serve about 50 thousand tourists. Basically, all hotels have 4 or 5 stars, it is extremely rare to find a hotel with the worst level of service. Also in the Maldives, you can live in a magnificent bungalow and enjoy the privacy.

Recreation and entertainment

The beaches of the archipelago are the cleanest, with pleasant white sand. The water is amazingly warm and calm. The Maldives offers a respectable vacation, lack of hustle and bustle and communication with unique nature... For lovers of outdoor activities, there is a developed infrastructure sports entertainment... In the resorts you can go yachting, canoeing, skiing, surfing and, of course, diving. Drinking alcohol, collecting and damaging corals, spearfishing are prohibited on the beaches of the atolls.

It should be noted that the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited not only on the beaches, but also in any public places, outside resort area... Bathing topless and nude is also not permitted. In addition, littering is prohibited on the islands. Any violation of the order will result in a severe fine.

Customs in the Maldives

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