MALDIVES – Sunny Side of Life , crystal clear lagoons, white sandy beaches, sun, sand sea
There are few secrets left in the world. The exotic has, in time, turned into commonplace, but the Maldives remains an exception, both exotic and still a secret. It’s a place where your holiday begins with your expectations already fulfilled. It’s a corner of the world so pristine, so beautiful that you would want to keep it as your very own little secret.
The Maldives is situated in the South West of Sri Lanka, on the equator. The numerous coral reef islands, 1,190 in total, form an archipelago of 26 natural atolls ( groups of neighboring coral islands).
These 26 atolls are organized into 19 administrative atolls with the capital island of Male’ established as an entity of its own forming the twentieth division. Seen from air, the atolls and the islands form breathtakingly beautiful patterns against the blue depths of the Indian Ocean.
The country stretches 823 km north to south and 130 km east to west. Out of the incredibly large number of islands only 200 islands are inhabited, with 88 islands adapted as exclusive resort islands. The sea forms over 99 percent of the Maldives. Only 0.331 percent, 298 km2 (115 square miles), of its 298 km2 (34, 750 square miles) is land.
The climate is generally warm and humid. Sun shines all year through with average temperature around 29 – 32 degrees Celsius. The country’s 2000 population census shows a total of 270,101 people living in the country. Almost 2/3 of this figure resides in the capital island Male’.
Origins of the Maldivians are not very certain. However, it is believed that the history goes as far back as BC 1000. Early settlers were travelers on the Silk Route, and from the Indus Valley Civilization. The Maldivians are inherently warm, friendly and hospitable by nature, and anyone can easily establish a casual conversation with the Maldivians. Dhivehi, a fantastic language not spoken anywhere else on the globe, is the language spoken in all parts of the Maldives. English is widely spoken and can be recognized on signboards, neon lights and even in the main newspapers and in some radio and TV programmes. In the resorts, a variety of languages, including English, German, Italian, French and Japanese, is spoken by the staff.
Dress is generally casual. T-shirts and cotton clothing are most suitable. In the inhabited islands, it is recommended that women wear modest clothing without baring too much.
HIGHLIGHTS
● Free Visa on arrival Time: + 5 hrs GMT
● Capital: Malé
● Total number of islands: 1,190 Inhabited Islands: 2002
● Population: 300,000
● Major Industries: Tourism & Fisheries Resorts: 89+
● Currency: Rufiyaa (All major currencies, credit cards and travelers cheques accepted)
● Electricity: 240 AC
● Access: chartered flights and scheduled flights
● Visa: 30 days on arrival
● Language: Dhivehi – English widely spoken
● Weather and Climate: Tropical
● Transport: Speedboats, Dhoni and Seaplanes
● Working Hours Banks: Sunday to Thursday Government: 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.
● Private Sector: 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
● Location The Maldives consists of 1190 islands grouped into 26 natural atolls scattered over an area of 90,000 sq. km straddling the equator between latitudes 7°6” north and 0°42” south and longitudes 72°32” and 73°46” East.