Which country is the colony of the Maldives. Where are the Maldives on the world map

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, however local population did not allow to do it. 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.

Fauna Maldives not too varied. 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 - National Museum, in the exposition of which items of clothing and jewelry of the sultans are presented. 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 from 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 interior 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 the rooms can only be reached 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", i.e. 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 stops for more than a minute, then the trip is considered over and must be paid for. 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 a new tourist destination, attempts by foreigners to set up a tourist business here usually 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 equatorial waters 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 the ocean level: the most high point archipelago - 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 m.On the islands you can see typical tropical landscapes, with tall coconut palms, 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 visible 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 the night local culture... 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, the best option is cotton clothes;
- 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. The Maldivians also 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). At 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 travel 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

This small country is located on 20 atolls in the equatorial Indian Ocean. The Islamic Republic is separated from India by more than 2000 km. The distance to Sri Lanka is much shorter: if you look at the Maldives on a world map, you can see that the states are about 700 km apart from each other.

Information about the islands

The state of Maldives is formed by almost 2000 coral islets. It is home to about 400 thousand people, and the dominant religion is Islam. The total area of ​​the Maldives is 90 thousand km 2, but the land share of it accounts for no more than 300 km 2.

Interestingly, the country's only city and port is its capital, Male, located on the atoll of the same name. The rest of the islets are almost uninhabited, and only occasionally there are hotels on them.

The time in the Maldives is UTC +5, so when flying, it is worthwhile to prepare in advance for a change in time zones.

Maldives Monthly Weather

The peculiarities of the climate are determined by where exactly the Maldives are located. It belongs to the subequatorial monsoon type, so the weather differs dramatically during dry and rainy seasons. Depending on the month of travel, you will have to prepare for the following:

January. A trip to the islands this month is sure to be a success thanks to the warm, sunny and calm weather and the calm that reigns in the ocean. Although formally January refers to the rainy season, rainfall is minimal, which guarantees a wonderful beach holiday and diving opportunities. In the daytime, the thermometer rises to at least +24 ° С, and the water temperature averages +27 ° С.

February. At this time, crowds of tourists usually flock here. The ocean continues to delight with a comfortable water temperature - + 25 ° С, and the daytime air temperature rarely drops below + 28 ° С. There are practically no waves, and the sky is perfectly blue and cloudless. Therefore, even inexperienced divers can start learning the intricacies of diving, and the almost complete absence of precipitation allows you to ride a yacht or catamaran to your heart's content.

March. This month is also considered to be quite hot and dry, and the average air and water temperatures differ little from February. The sand remains very warm, and tropical showers are virtually non-existent. Many local flora blooms in March, but be prepared for rare sandstorms.

April. At this time, the southwest monsoon comes to the Maldives, bringing with it a change in weather. Storms in the ocean are rare, the heat is intensifying, but rains here are still infrequent guests. If you can't stand the stuffiness, you should postpone the trip: the air temperature is mostly + 30 ° С, and the water temperature reaches + 28 ° С.

May. Very strong winds begin to blow, sometimes turning into hurricanes. There is much more precipitation: about half of the days in May are rainy. At the same time, the weather constantly brings surprises. The sun is replaced by heavy downpours and vice versa.

June. This month continues the May trend as the southwest monsoon takes over. There are very strong gusts of warm wind. In June, the Maldives receives the maximum precipitation typical for the region, however, their number rarely exceeds 200 mm. Ocean waves sometimes reach gigantic proportions. The thermometer is kept at an average of +30 ° С, and the water temperature in the ocean is +27 ° С.

July. At this time, the islands are not very comfortable because of the frequent rains. However, they quickly end, and soon the sky is partially cleared and the sun peeps through the clouds. In July, about 160 mm of precipitation falls, and the air temperature is +31 ° C. In water, the thermometer usually shows + 27 ° C. Thunderstorms are possible during which coolness is felt.

August. This month is considered the most volatile on the islands. In early August, the sea is quite warm and calm, winds and hurricanes practically stop. It rains relatively rarely and the atolls are still hot. But already at the end of the month the sky is more and more covered with clouds, it often rains, and the wind intensifies.

September. Both day and night, the weather predominantly remains warm, and the exhausting heat recedes. Rather high humidity remains, and precipitation falls up to 200 mm. The average number of rainy days in September is 15-16. Rains are often accompanied by heavy thunderstorms, but the ocean remains quite warm with water temperatures of around + 27 ° C.

October. The air temperature drops slightly to + 27-29 ° С, and the water temperature drops to +26 ° С, which does not interfere with swimming at all. It rains much less frequently: usually no more than 100 mm of precipitation falls.

November. The northeast monsoon comes to the Maldives this month, bringing warm and dry weather with it. Winds and rains rarely disturb tourists, and the thermometer shows + 28 ° C on average. The water warms up to +25 ° С.

December. At this time of year, the islands bloom, so that they turn into a real tropical paradise. Daytime temperatures rise to + 30-32 ° С, and the ocean water temperature rarely drops below + 25 ° С.

How to get to the Maldives

In any guidebook, where you will find everything you wanted to know about the Maldives, it is indicated that the connection between the island state and the mainland is carried out exclusively by air. The country's only airport is located in the capital, Male. You can get to it in the following ways:

Direct flight of the Aeroflot company from Moscow. New Airbus A-330-200 aircrafts take off from the Russian capital twice a week: on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If it is important for you to know how long to fly from Moscow with such a direct flight, you will have to be patient: the flight duration is approximately 9 hours.

Please note that when returning from the Maldives you will have to pay an airport tax of USD 10 - USD 15, which is not always included in the ticket price.

Flight with connecting companies Qatar Airways(hop-off Doha), Singapore Airlines (hop-off Singapore) or Emirates Airlines (hop-off Dubai). Airport tax is already included in the cost of tickets for air liners of these air carriers.

Srilankan Airlines connecting flight. To do this, you will first have to fly to Dubai or Colombo and purchase a ticket to Male at the local airport for 180 USD - 250 USD. This is the most a budget option flight for those who want to save money.

The average cost of a flight between the capitals of Russia and the Maldives ranges from 570 USD to 720 USD one way.

Maldives visa and customs clearance

Residents of Russia and the CIS countries do not need to obtain a visa to travel to the Maldives, since there is a visa-free agreement between the countries. However, given the sharp climate change and the exotic nature of the region, it would not hurt to purchase a medical insurance policy. One week insurance will cost about USD 25 - USD 45.

It is very important to comply with the rules of the customs legislation of the Republic of Maldives. They talk about the following:

• You can import and export foreign currency in unlimited quantities.
• Without paying the duty, it is allowed to import 125 ml of perfume or cologne and 200 cigarettes, as well as no more than one item related to goods for individual use per passenger.
• It is strictly forbidden to carry pork and meat products from it, salami sausages, pornographic goods, drugs, souvenirs from the shell of sea turtle or dark coral, as well as antiques found at the bottom of the ocean.

Be sure to keep in mind that the import and export of any alcoholic beverages in the Maldives is prohibited. Violation of this rule may result in arrest.

The cost of a holiday in the Maldives

Many Russian celebrities like Volochkova are very fond of vacationing in the Maldives. This is due to the very comfortable climate and reasonable prices for accommodation. If you are interested in how much a standard trip to the Maldives costs, you should take into account that it depends on the following factors:

• duration of the trip;
• hotel category;
• the island on which the hotel is located;
• meals and entertainment included in the price;
• season.

The more services the hotel offers for vacationers (SPA, swimming pools, animation, sauna and much more), the more expensive the rest will be. If you are planning a trip for 7-8 days with the reservation of a single or double room with half board and a minimum of entertainment, you will have to spend from 2600 USD to 5500 USD.

The wedding tour assumes a romantic weekend for the newlyweds and will cost from 1750 USD to 2500 USD. The price includes room decoration, photographers and musicians, fruit, wine or champagne, and an informal wedding ceremony. The all inclusive tour is suitable for those who want to completely relax during their trip. Its price - from 3500 USD to 7000 USD for a week stay in a 4 or 5 star hotel - includes three meals a day and free drinks throughout the stay.

Those who want to save money should pay attention to last minute tours: they are usually 30% cheaper. Also, for the most budgetary holiday in the Maldives for 8 days, you will have to spend about 2000 USD if you book a room in an inexpensive three star hotel without much amenities. The price includes the cost of air travel and medical insurance.

Maldives is real sunny paradise on a land where you can easily recuperate after a long-awaited vacation.

The local population lives and works, tourists rest. We invite you to find out about what islands are in the Maldives and why they are interesting.

How many islands are there in the Maldives?

There are 1192 Maldives islands on the world map, and not all of them are inhabited. Each of the islands belongs to one of the 21 island groups - these are the so-called atolls. They are the main administrative-territorial unit of the state. Let's take a look at each atoll separately.

List of islands in the Maldives

So it's time to go to the very heavenly place on the planet:

1. - the name of the main island of the Maldives. It has the highest population density (there are as many as 103 693 people per 4.39 sq. Km!). The name "Male" is also the capital of the Maldives - the largest locality on the archipelago. In addition to residential areas, it is located here (on the island of Hulule). It is in Male that most of the tourist, entertainment complexes, souvenir and other shops. The Malé Atoll in the Maldives includes artificial island Hulhumale, inhabited relatively recently, in 2004.


2. (or Haa-Alifu) is officially called North Tiladunmati, or Tiladunmati Uturburi. It ranks 3rd in the list of Maldivian atolls in terms of population and area. It consists of 43 islands (14 are inhabited), which are located in the very north of the archipelago. For tourists, the resorts of Haa Alif Atoll opened only in 2005. The most popular islands for recreation are Donakuli, Alidu, Utim. On the atoll, you can visit the 18th century mosque and the old mausoleum of the Maldivian kings.


3. - about 16 thousand people live on the 16 inhabited islands of the atoll. There is a small regional airport on Hanimadu Island and ancient Buddhist ruins on Farida.


4. (or Shaviyani) are pristine beaches and a rich underwater world. The atoll includes 51 islands with the capital at Fundado. Most of the islands are small in size. Among unusual places the mangrove swamps of the Maroshi Island stand out. Today, Shawiyani Atoll in the Maldives offers only 3 hotels (Wagaru, Doliyadu and Komanda Islands), but the tourist infrastructure is actively expanding.


5. (or Noonu) with its capital on the island of Manadu has 13 residential islands out of a total of 70. This atoll is famous not only for luxury hotels, but also for the possibility of an excellent romantic getaway: those who wish can rent a dhoni boat and get to any of the uninhabited islands of this atoll of the Maldives. to feel what a vacation away from civilization is. All the attractions of Nunu Atoll are underwater - these are a variety of dive sites. Conveniently, each local resort has its own dive center.


6. (aka North Maalosmadulu) is one of the most frequently visited by foreign tourists. The 88 islands of the atoll, of which 15 are inhabited, are located 140 km from the capital of the country. The capital of Raa, Ungofaru Island, is famous as a center for the manufacture of the traditional dhoni boats. The most popular islands of the Raa Atoll in the Maldives are Midhupparu, Rasgetimu, Kandoludhu, Rasmaadu.


7. (Goidhoo Atoll or South Malosmadulu). The islands of this atoll are considered the most beautiful in the Maldives. Its virgin forests, coupled with snow-white beaches, remind vacationers of a tropical paradise. Moreover, Baa Atoll in the Maldives has been considered a biosphere reserve since 2001. Of its 75 islands, only 13 are inhabited, and luxury resorts are concentrated on them. On the islands of Eydafushi and Tuladhu, you can buy excellent souvenirs - people even come here from Male for them. Vacationers stay on the islands of Horubadhoo, Fonimagudhoo, Dhunikolu, Kihaduffaru.


8. (Lhaviyani or Faadhippolu) is famous for its popular dive sites. It has only 5 inhabited islands, among which it is the most visited - in the Maldives it is the most famous resort- and no less popular, the best budget island in the country. In general, Lhaviyani Atoll is a romantic place with a lot of options. water entertainment... Its islands are the best in the Maldives for a beach holiday. In addition, this is snorkeling, wind surfing, fishing, yachting and sea canoeing, walking sand spit at dusk.


9. - the center of the Republic of Maldives. Its resorts are convenient because they are closest to the only airport in the country. The capital of Kaafu in the Maldives is. The atoll has many hotels with house reefs, hotels for honeymoon, "Family" hotels and, of course, all-inclusive establishments. Tilafushi is also located here - the only garbage island in the Maldives, created as a dump, and popular with tourists islands, Huraa, and Bandos.


10. , or Ari - 8 islands of the atoll have a permanent population. Among tourists, this place in the Maldives is more than popular: Paradise islands, - the most popular among those who want to relax by the warm sea.


11. Alif-Dhaal welcomes guests with historical sights - you can visit a beautiful wooden mosque and Buddhist stupa... In addition, several hotels, mini-hotels and a unique underwater restaurant located at a depth of 5 meters await the guests of the island - it became the first in the world of its kind.


12. (aka Felidou) is an atoll with a population of only 2300 people living on 5 islands. They are considered the best for diving in the Maldives and the most interesting of the dive sites is.


13. (Meemu) has recently started accepting foreign tourists. There are only 2 hotels here, but they are truly luxurious resorts. Popular among the guests are trips to the beaches of the uninhabited part of the atoll for a romantic getaway in the bosom of virgin nature. Of the sights, the mosque on the Kolufushi island should be noted, where an ancient artifact is kept - the sword of Sultan Muhammad Takurufaan.


14. (Nilande atoll). Of the 23 islands, there is only one resort - Fileitio. Its villas are designed in an eco-style with a touch of luxury, and at the same time are equipped to the highest standards. On the island you can see an ancient cemetery, where you will be shown the grave of a local magician. And the famous traveler Thor Heyerdahl once conducted research on Faafu atoll: it was here that he found the oldest evidence that Buddhism was practiced in the pre-Islamic times in the Maldives.


15. (or Daalu) gives tourists a romantic atmosphere, privacy and communication with wild nature... It was even nicknamed "the island of turtles" - these animals lay eggs here, and tourists are happy to admire the newborn turtles. Of the 56 picturesque islands, only 7 are inhabited, and 2 are given to the tourist business. The capital of the atoll is the city of Kudahuwadu. Tourists go to the islands of Rinbudu and Hulundeli for magnificent jewelry made by local craftsmen.


16. (Columadulu) with the capital Weimandu consists of 66 islands. People inhabit 13 of them. All the attractions of Thaa Atoll are pristine nature: most of the islands are in the state in which they were created by nature, and this is their main value.


17. has as many as 82 islands, but only 12 are inhabited. They have conditions not only for diving, but also for surfing. The islands of Laamu Atoll will also appeal to those who like snorkeling - there are shallow lagoons here. Interesting in this area and archaeological sites- the ruins of ancient monasteries and stupas.


18. (Gaafu Alifu) will delight with just a few hotels, but only the most luxurious. But there are many excellent diving spots where you can find octopuses, manta rays and huge glowing jellyfish. The atoll is considered one of the nature reserves Maldives. Travelers are attracted here by the seclusion of these places and especially the heart-shaped island, the only one in the Maldives.


19. has a permanent population, which is located on 9 islands. The first resort here was built in 2006 on the island of Vatavarrehaa - it was a luxury hotel for 150 people. He fell in love with lovers of secluded relaxation. And today, numerous surfers come to Fijoari Island.


20. - a special atoll. There is no lagoon inside it - it is completely filled with corals, forming one big Island... On its fertile soil, mangoes, bananas, and papaya are grown. Notable on Fuvahmulah Island are Reading Hill and Kedera Mosque.


21. - the southernmost atoll of the Maldives archipelago, it is also the highest (2.4 m above sea level). Here is Gan, the country's second most important airport, built on the eponymous island of the Maldives, the largest in the country. The archipelago has 6 inhabited islands out of a total of 24. The capital of the atoll is Hithadhoo, and is in greatest demand among tourists in the Maldives. Among the natural beauties, it is worth highlighting the luxurious lush gardens, banana and coconut plantations and the only freshwater lake in the Maldives.

- an island state in the south of Asia, in the northern part of the Indian Ocean. There are over 2000 small islands. Maritime boundaries lie in the Indian Ocean.

The name of the country comes from the Sanskrit dwipa - "island".

General information about the Maldives

Official name: Maldives

Capital: Male

The area of ​​the land: 298 sq. km

Total population: 395 K people

Administrative division: The country is divided into 20 island groups.

Form of government: Republic.

Head of State: President elected for a term of 5 years.

Population composition: 99% are Maldivians (ethnogenesis is not completely clear), as well as Arabs and immigrants from the African continent.

Official language: Maldivian (Dhivehi). English widespread in the capital Male and in resorts.

Religion: Almost the entire population is Sunni Muslim.

Internet domain: .mv

Mains voltage: ~ 230 V, 50 Hz

Country dialing code: +960

Climate

Tropical marine. The temperature throughout the year on average does not drop below +25 C, even at night. The average temperature is about +28 C all year round (the daytime maximum is about +32 C, the night minimum is +25 C). The amount of precipitation is about 2500 mm. per year, and most often in the form of short rains in the evening and at night. The water temperature is also constant - about + 24-27 C all year round.

The best weather conditions are observed during the Iruvai period (November-December to March-April, the northeast monsoon season), when the sea is calm and the weather is sunny and dry. From May to October, during the "hulhangu" season (April to October), the weather is less predictable - the southwest monsoon can bring intermittent rains, high humidity and choppy seas (although it is the least hot during this period). Storms and waves are most likely in June and December.

Geography

The island state of the Maldives is 700 km away. southwest of Sri Lanka, in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean. Two practically parallel chains of islands fringed by coral reefs, and lying at a relatively small distance from each other, stretch for 820 km. from North to South. There are 1196 islands in total, forming 26 atolls, of which only 199 are inhabited and about 100 are open to the public. The total area of ​​the country is about 90 thousand square meters. km., land - only 298 sq. km.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

Forests cover no more than 3% of the islands' area. On many islands, coconut palms grow, which do not suffer from soil salinity, banana groves and a dense shrub cover, in some places mangroves, and in the depths of the islands there are banyan trees, pandanus and various thorny plants.

Animal world

Coastal waters abound in fish. There are sea turtles, which have been intensively exterminated by the population for a long time. Their meat and fat were used for food, and their shells were used for various crafts. Currently, turtles are on the verge of extinction and are protected by law. Since 1996, the Million Trees environmental protection program has been in place. Within its framework, nurseries have been created in which seedlings are grown for further planting on the islands of the archipelago.

Traditional Maldivians' Occupation - Collecting Cowrie Shells and Growing coconut tree giving copra, vegetable oil and palm leaf. Crops such as rice, taro, millet, corn, sweet potatoes, and cassava are also cultivated. Fish processing is developed from the industrial sectors.

sights

The Maldives are widely known for their resort atolls, each of which is its own unique world, surrounded by pristine coral beaches and an indescribable blue sea. This is a "place at the end of the world", where there is no noise of cities and annoying signs of civilization, where only exotic nature and endless expanses of the ocean.

Numerous underwater coral reefs and caves stretch across the Maldives archipelago, lush tropical vegetation emphasizes the pristine and unique beauty islands, and the ancient culture of local residents creates a unique environment for a secluded holiday.

Banks and currency

Maldives rupees (rufiyaa). One rupee is equal to 100 lari. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 rupees. And also coins of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 lari. USD and major credit cards are widely accepted, so it is not necessary to exchange dollars for local currency upon arrival.

In Male, banks and exchange offices are concentrated on Marine Drive. They are open from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm, Sunday through Thursday (as in many other Muslim countries, Friday and Saturday are weekends in the Maldives). On departure, the remaining rupees are allowed to be exchanged back for dollars. Currency exchange can be carried out not only at the bank, but also in a number of large stores, which have a special sign next to the signs of international tourist cards.

Useful information for tourists

It is forbidden to drink alcohol in public places (outside resort area). It is recommended to drink bottled water and soft drinks. Local water, although it is purified quite thoroughly (often it is desalinated sea water), but due to the high temperature it quickly becomes unusable.

Traditional Islamic norms of behavior are strong in the country, but without the slightest sign of bigotry. The restrictions are the same as in Oman. Taking pictures in mosques is prohibited. The guards of the mosque usually insist on accompanying the tourist, hoping to take a fee, but in fact, you can inspect the mosque on your own. Swimming in the nude is prohibited on all islands in the archipelago, with the exception of Kuramati Island. You can bargain in markets and private shops, but the amount of the "discount" is usually small.

Spearfishing and unauthorized fishing are prohibited (all types of sea fishing are freely organized in hotels), it is strictly not allowed to lift corals (both living and dead), shells and other marine life from the bottom of the sea. Heavy fines are charged for violation. The country has one of the largest markets in the region selling shells, corals and various exotic marine animals, so you can always buy these souvenirs without breaking local laws.

Officially, tips are not accepted, but unofficially, if the service really deserves it, it is customary to leave a small amount to the personally serving employee ($ 10 per week to the hotel employee or 5% to the waiter). Some resorts include payment for services in the bill (usually 10%), in which case a tip is not necessary. In the case of renting a boat or motorboat, the amount should be negotiated in advance.