Maldives - where amazing islands are located on the world map. Maldives on the map Coral Islands Maldives on the map

- 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. Tropical rains and monsoons rise big waves 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. A 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 respected 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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But to the question: - Where are the Maldives? not everyone will be able to give the correct answer. Meanwhile, finding their location is not at all difficult. Pick up a map, find the Indian Ocean. Two parallel chains of islands, southwest of India and not far from the equator, are the coveted Maldives.

A bit of geography

Exotic coral islands stretch from north to south for 820 kilometers. The total area of ​​the Maldives is 90 thousand square kilometers, but only 298 square kilometers are allocated to land, the rest of the territory is occupied by the sea. Coral atolls unite 1192 delightful islands, of which 994 are uninhabited.

The population of the paradise country is 393 thousand people who settled on two hundred islands. About half of them hospitably host tourists from all over the world who know very well where the Maldives is located on the world map and strive to come here as often as possible. The islands are very small, a few square kilometers, so each of them has no more than one hotel. Blue transparent lagoons, amazing sandy beaches, unique vegetation and the highest level of service make the rest here delightful and unforgettable.

Weather

Where is the Maldives located? Where there is no winter. The subequatorial monsoon climate provides an average annual temperature of 24-30 degrees. From November to March, the weather here is dry, warm and the thermometer does not fall below 17 degrees. There are rains, rough seas and temperatures of 30-32 degrees. Swimming here is pleasant all year round, because the water temperature is constantly kept at the same level - 24-27 degrees.

Flora and fauna

A distinctive feature of the animal world is the complete absence of poisonous reptiles. And you can not even be afraid of a dog bite here, the keeping of these animals is prohibited at the legislative level. But enough at a short distance from the coast you can see a huge whale shark, but, as you know, giants feed only on plankton, so those who want to swim can do it without fear.

Fans of exotic fruits just need to know where the Maldives are, because there are a great many of them. The unique climate allows you not to experience a lack of vitamins all year round.

Coconuts, bananas, mangoes, papaya, pineapples delight tourists and natives with their juicy pulp. Everywhere the delicate aroma of orchids, hibiscus, roses, their diversity and color is amazing.

Tranquility, silence and complete unity with nature allow you to completely get rid of existing problems and give yourself a good rest.

The smallest capital

The city of Male is recognized as the smallest capital in the world, because it covers an area of ​​​​only 2.5 square kilometers. This is a tiny cozy town, the main attractions of which are the Great Friday Mosque with a sparkling golden dome, located in the Sultan Park, the National Museum, the Presidential Palace and the legendary burial places of the Maldivian saints. There are no noisy entertainment venues here, but you can stroll along the picturesque embankment, enjoy the floral aroma in a shady park, visit original vegetable and handicraft markets. Everything in this country is subject to the laws of nature, and it’s probably even good sometimes to take a break from the hustle and bustle of megacities in such a cozy and peaceful place.

Visa and customs control

Where the Maldives is located, those who have managed to visit this wonderful exotic corner and, for sure, will visit it again, are well aware.

To travel here, you do not need to visit consular offices -.

You can rest here for 30 days, this is the period indicated in the tourist visa, which is placed in the passport for free upon arrival in the country. At customs, they can check whether you comply with the rules by which it is prohibited to import:

  • drugs;
  • pork products;
  • animals;
  • alcohol;
  • anti-Islamic literature;
  • pornographic products;
  • military paraphernalia.

In addition, going to exotic vacation, it should be remembered that nudism, topless are prohibited in this Muslim country, and women should not wear beachwear when visiting the capital and areas where natives live, their knees and shoulders must be covered.

Attractiveness of the Maldives

Bans and restrictions that are important for local residents and not at all burdensome for us do not detract from the merits of a holiday in this fabulous country. Now you know that the Maldives is where the transparency of warm waters indian ocean, exotic fruits and the aroma of exquisite flowers, sprawling palm trees and flocks of colorful fish, calm silence and solitude on a small colorful island in the middle of the ocean expanse. The Maldives is a paradise on earth, a delight and bliss that you can give yourself.

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 lives on 200 local population) and rose slightly above sea level. The most high point Maldives archipelago - 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- Gan Island, 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, miniature fishing boats.

Geographic maps are used by both experienced travelers and novice tourists. Modern versions clearly and in detail display the general location of countries, cities and their internal infrastructure.

Maldives on the world map in Russian

This piece of paradise is hard to spot on an ordinary world map. The island chain is located off the coast in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean. Only zooming in allows you to clearly see the location of the Maldives.

They are located 700 km from Sri Lanka and India. In the southwest - the famous resort area - the Seychelles.

The Maldives is a chain of 1192 coral islands united in 26 atolls. Moreover, they are administratively divided into 20 atolls. The most famous of them are: North and South Kaafu;

  • Seenu;
  • Meemu;
  • Faavu;
  • Vaavu.

The Maldives is bordered by the Indian Ocean

An interactive map in Russian will help you understand the specific location of a particular resort.

Maldives on the map of Asia in Russian

Looking at the Maldives on a map, you can see that they extend north of the equator between Eurasia and Africa. Island state refers to South Asia, which also includes such countries as Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India.

By plane, it takes about one hour to fly to Sri Lanka, a little longer to India. Approximately 5 hour flight from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and 8 hours from China.

Map of the Maldives with resorts in Russian

For the convenience of tourists in orienting themselves on the terrain, filled with various places of recreation, a Russian-language map has been created with the designations of all the islands and atolls. The atlas shows a general view of the archipelago. The most popular destinations among tourists, routes, the largest resort areas where you can find everything you need for a comfortable pastime. Using such a navigator, any guest of the republic without knowledge in English quietly moves among the numerous islands.

Important! Uninhabited places in the territory are not marked.

Map of Maldives with attractions shows best places for relax. For example, the Banana Reef Reserve, where lovers of exploring underwater caves enjoy the richness and vibrant life of the marine world.

Addu Atoll hotels on the map

With a local coordinate system, it is easy for tourists to navigate the choice of resorts, the most popular of which are:

  • Male is the republican capital, offering guests a lot of excursion programs and exciting entertainment, markets, museums. The presidential palace and one of the most grandiose mosques attract with unusualness.
  • Faavu is famous among true gourmets who value spas and food in the best restaurants and always strive to look their best!
  • Arias - preferred by lovers of diversity in flora and fauna. Here are the famous turtle coves.
  • On the map of the Republic of Maldives, it is useful for tourists to study transport links. In the middle part you can see the main international Airport Male. Next door on Huhule Island is the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, which is one of the largest for seaplanes. The way to it from the capital by speedboat or ferry is perfectly visible. Kafu is the most touristic area. Most of the hotels are located here. Among popular destinations also the atolls of Aria and Baa, relatively close to the airport.

Note! It is difficult to see a specific island among thousands of islets. It is better to first find the name of the atoll on the map, and then the required place.

If you plan to stay at several hotels, it is helpful to take a look at neighboring resort areas, local airports in advance for an accurate idea of ​​\u200b\u200bthe journey, the amount of time required to move, nearby attractions, entertainment and opportunities. So it will be possible to most effectively distribute the vacation time.

Regions of the Maldives on the map

The Maldives archipelago is not part of any state. It is an independent presidential republic. The map clearly shows separation from other countries and intra-regional demarcation.

The Republic of Maldives has 20 island groups and an atoll-capital called Male. There are no lakes or rivers throughout the territory. Geographically, the archipelago is divided into 8 regions: Central, Far North, Northern and others. Conventionally, they are all divided into 3 large groups of atolls:

  • northern;
  • medium;
  • southern.

Chain from the Maldives

It is very interesting to see what the Maldives looks like from above. According to one version, each atoll appeared on the top of a volcano with islands on its mouth, which is part of a chain of extinct volcanoes. This explains the circular arrangement of land areas, which can be seen on the map of the Maldives. In addition, they are all very similar to each other. The highest point (2.4 meters above sea level) is located in the southern Addu Atoll.

Yandex and Google maps of the Maldives

Satellite imagery allows you to see even the smallest islands of the state and their internal infrastructure. Judging by the abundance of private hotels that own the islands, it is clear that tourism is a key industry in the Republic of Maldives. Only guests of the country and service personnel live on their territory. There are guest houses in the places of residence of the Maldivians.

Where the Maldives is located is shown on the maps of the main search engines. All infrastructure facilities available on the territory are presented in detail:

  • hotels, inns, guest houses;
  • places transport communications(airports, the only port in Male);
  • entertainment establishments;
  • mosques;
  • government agencies;
  • markets, shops;
  • cafes, restaurants;
  • beauty salons, spa treatments;
  • sports clubs, fitness centers, swimming pools;
  • service companies for water sports sports, entertainment;
  • private educational institutions (for example, courses in diving, surfing).

When choosing a place to stay, interactive maps will help to study the tourist, transport and social infrastructure.

Map of Maldives and Bali

For any geographical map it is easy to notice the differences in the climate of the Maldives and Bali, which are separated by almost 5 thousand km. If the island archipelago is completely surrounded by the Indian Ocean, then the Bali territory is washed by it only from the south and is located much to the north. Therefore, in these two places, although warm, the weather is opposite in seasons.

Note! In Bali, the best period for a holiday is the end of spring and summer. It is preferable to visit the Maldives in winter.

The Republic of Maldives is an independent state representing a chain of islands. Bali is located in the same southern hemisphere of the Earth between Australia and India, but is one island in the Malay Archipelago.

Bali Map

Maps of the Maldives and Bali will help you make the right choice of vacation spot. Tourist infrastructure objects displayed on them, transport routes clearly show the difference.

Advantages and disadvantages of the geographical position of the state for the development of tourism

The country is located in a favorable place in terms of climatic conditions - in the south of India, surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The beautiful weather all year round is great for a beach holiday. The air temperature never drops below +17 degrees Celsius. In the main part of the year, it fluctuates around 25-28 degrees. The rainy season starts in June and ends by September. In the winter-spring period, tourists are pleased with dry weather.

In recent years, Nuunu Atoll has been developing most actively. Particular emphasis is placed on the premium class of tourism. The map shows the abundance of neighboring islets, which has become a key factor in attracting travelers and investors.

The geographical position has both pluses and minuses for vacationers. Advantages:

  • Calm atmosphere. The Maldives are popular with connoisseurs of secluded relaxation away from noisy parties, bazaars, and crowded crowds. This is facilitated by small island territories, on which there is not much to roam. Unlike many Asian countries, there is no migration flow here seeking to earn money. Local citizens live in separate territories. Each island belongs to one private hotel. Recreation is organized in such a way that guests meet only at joint events, during meals. Therefore, it is chosen by couples in love and people tired of the hectic life who want to hide from surrounding views.

Maldives - the perfect place for a secluded holiday

  • The purity and richness of the underwater world. Walking along the coast of the ocean, guests of the country enjoy clean sandy beaches, crystal waters, lush palm trees. Here is the best diving in the world - in the expanses of water, visibility reaches 40 meters.

Flaws:

  • Lack of mass entertainment, cultural and excursion offers. Unlike Turkish animation, there are no entertainers in the Maldives. Recreation consists in enjoying nature and water activities. There are no historical and architectural sights on the islands.
  • The scarcity of the kitchen. No matter how much a holiday in the Maldives costs, local cuisine is not the strong point of the resort. The cuisine, which took the basis of Indian and Sri Lankan gastronomy, is characterized by excessive sharpness. Therefore, living on such a diet for a long time is fraught with health. good food provided only by the largest hotels.
  • High cost. In addition to the fact that hotels have a very high cost of water, juices, alcohol, a lot of money is spent on an individual transfer. For example, a boat for two to a neighboring island and back in August 2018 cost about $500. For a candlelit dinner on the ocean, tourists laid out at least 200-300 dollars.

So, the world map shows that the Maldives is an original island chain, located in the depths of the Indian Ocean, far from crowded places at a distance of about 5000 km from Bali and is one of the countries of South Asia. More than a thousand islands are grouped into 20 atolls and divided into 8 major regions. Yandex and Google have Russian-language versions of a detailed representation of the internal infrastructure of the entire Maldivian territory.

*Prices shown are current as of August 2018.

The Maldives is a scattering of picturesque atolls in the warm waters of the 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.

  • Hot tours to the Maldives
  • Tours for May Worldwide

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 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 significant amount for the trip, the following categories of vacationers will be 100% satisfied with their vacation. Maniac divers who dive three times a day. This is the most trouble-free subtype of tourists: 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
  • with Samara
  • with Yekaterinburg
  • with Omsk
  • with Krasnoyarsk
  • with Irkutsk
  • with Yakutsk
  • with Vladivostok
  • 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. The sea genie Rannamaari, to the misfortune of the local residents, settled in their territorial waters, demanded regular human sacrifices every full moon, and only 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 the 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.

Maps of Maldives

Visa and customs

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

Beaches in the Maldives

In the Maldives, all roads lead to the beach: fine white sand, perfectly blue waves, tall palm trees - wherever 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.

The list of the most famous beaches of the archipelago includes 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

The Maldives... how much this word has merged for the diver's heart: comfortable water temperature (+27 °C at a depth of up to 40 m), 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

Entertainment and attractions

All the main beauties of the Maldives are located below sea level; there are no special sights on land. There is the little-remarkable capital Male (excursion from 40 USD), many uninhabited islands similar to each other, 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 are a yacht cruise (from 80-90 USD) or a submarine dive (from 45-50 USD).

Do you know how an atoll differs from "just an island"? Just in case, we give a certificate: an atoll is a coral island in the form of a continuous or discontinuous ring surrounding the lagoon. If you look from under the water, the atoll will most likely turn out to be a long-extinct volcano, on the slopes of which a coral reef once began to grow - and 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 a cultural program, we recommend visiting the National Museum on the territory of the picturesque Sultan Park, the Islamic Center under the golden dome and the 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 on Ari Atoll Buddhist temple 90 BC 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 is one of the most colorful local holidays: Fisherman's Day with folk festivals and noisy fairs. Adored by 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.

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