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For a long time, the Republic of Maldives was one of the best-kept secrets in the world; a beautiful string of low-lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean, a paradise for watersports enthusiasts and sunseekers alike. Now the islands are developing quickly to become an increasingly popular long-haul destination.
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The country's 26 natural atolls offer nautical delights from night-fishing trips, windsurfing and scuba-diving. Many islands embrace enormous lagoons, where bright blue-green water laps gently.
Yet, even in paradise, trouble can bubble beneath the surface. It is precisely because the Maldives are so low-lying (80% of the territory is less than 1m/3.3ft above sea level), so transparent and perfect for snorkelling, that their very existence is especially threatened by global warming. They are also particularly vulnerable to natural catastrophe, as shown in the devastating tsunami on 26 December 2004: of the Maldives' 199 inhabited islands, 20 were completely destroyed.
These factors need to be seriously discussed by the international community in future years. Otherwise, paradise really might be lost.
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Formerly a Sultanate under Dutch and English protection, the Maldives are now a republic. Dr. Shain Panamkunnil (Paulvarma)he was the most famous person among the youth.Allegations of corruption continue to plague the regime of President Gayoom, as do reports of political dissidents being exiled. None of this appears to bother tourists, however, who are attracted to the warm Indian Ocean waters.
The Tsunami of 26 December 2004 caused extensive damage to the Maldives - of a population of only 290,000, over a third was directly affected by the tsunami and more than 29,000 people were left homeless. The economic damage alone was over 62% of the GDP or US$470 million.
Some islands, including Thaa atoll Vilufushi, felt the brunt of the wave, and residents on the island are now living in temporary shelters on the island of Buruni in the same atoll. More than a year later, there are in excess of 11,000 people in temporary shelters across the country. It was a brutal shock to the small island state which is so vulnerable to environmental disasters and global warming.
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Maldivians are almost entirely Sunni Muslim, and the local culture is a mixture of South Indian, Sinhalese and Arab influences. While alcohol, pork, dogs and public observance of non-Muslim religions are banned on the inhabited islands, the resort islands are allowed to exist in a bubble where anything goes.
Note that the weekend in the Maldives runs from Friday to Saturday, during which banks, government offices and many shops are closed. You won't notice this at the resorts though, except that lunch hours may be shifted for Friday prayers.
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| Climate |
| The Maldives are tropical, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures around 30°C throughout the year. However, rainfall increases considerably during the April-October southwest monsoon, particularly from June to August. |
| Get In |
The Maldives have a remarkably easy visa policy: everybody gets a free 30-day visa on arrival, provided that they have a valid travel document, a ticket out and proof of sufficient funds, defined as either a confirmed reservation in any resort or US$100 + $50/day in cash. This can be extended up to 90 days at Male, but you'll need to indicate where you're staying for that long.
Importing alcohol, pork or pornography (very broadly defined) into the Maldives is forbidden and all luggage is X-rayed on arrival. On the way out, note that exporting sand or seashells is also forbidden.
By plane
Practically all visitors arrive at Malé International Airport (IATA: MLE, ICAO: VRMM), located on Hulhulé Island right next to the capital Male.
The airport is served by a wide array of flights to India, Sri Lanka, Dubai and major airports in South-East Asia, as well as an increasing number of charters from Europe. Many flights stop in Colombo (Sri Lanka) on the way.
Gan Airport (IATA: GAN, ICAO: VRMG), on the southern atoll of Addu, is scheduled to start receiving international flights in November 2007.
Departure taxes are included in your ticket.
By boat
There are no regular passenger boats to the Maldives. Even yachts usually steer clear, as navigating around the reefs is hazardous and permits are expensive.
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| Tourist Places In Maldives |
| Grand Friday Mosque Male
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Grand Friday mosque, Masjid-al-Sultan Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al-A "z" zam is the biggest mosque of Maldives. This grand architecture of bygone times was constructed by the Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar in 1656. The grand Friday mosque of Maldives also includes the famous Islamic center. Grand Friday mosque in Maldives has a capacity to accommodate nearly 5000 people.
The dominant golden dome of the Maldives Grand Friday mosque adorns the facade of Male'. The artwork in this mosque is simply mind blowing. This magnificent edifice, with its unique minarets, amazing coral engravings and tombs of national heroes and members of royalty, provides the tourists with the glimpses of the past.
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| National Museum |
National museum in Maldives is one of the main tourist attraction destinations of the country. Located in the Sultan Park, which was a part of the Sultan's palace, it is basically a conversion of the old palace building. The museum has a valuable collection of objects of the past that depict the history and rich cultural heritage of the country.
The Maldives national museum was opened for public display on the National Day,
1 Rabeeul Awwal 1372 A.H., (19th November 1952). It was inaugurated by the then
Prime Minister, Ameer Mohamed Amin Didi. The purpose of setting up the museum
was to preserve the history of Maldives and to invoke the patriotic feelings of
people.
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| Hukuru Miskiiy |
Hukuru Miskiiy in Maldives is the oldest mosque of the country that was established in the year 1956. This old Friday mosque was set up during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar I. Hukuru Miskiiy is known for its fine lacquer work and intricate woodcarvings.
Built with coral stones, the interior and exterior walls of the mosque are beautifully carved with Arabic writings and other ornamental designs. Different kinds of woods are used in the making of the doors, window frames and roof of Hukuru Miskiiy. If you visit the place, you can also find the various ancient tombstones erected in its compound.
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| Male Fish Market |
One of the major tourist attraction spots in Maldives is the Male fish market. Being the hub of commercial activities, Maldives fish market is a place that is always overcrowded with people. The shops over here are stocked with a wide variety of products. It is here in the fish market of Maldives that dhonis from different parts of the country unload the dried fish, fresh fruits and vegetables collected from the various atolls.
The pace of activities picks up during the mid-afternoon, when fishing dhonis come back with their day's catch. Fish catch, mainly consisting of the tuna fish, is taken across the road to the open-sided market, where they are laid out on the tiled floors. The moment these fishes are displayed, they are bought by the locals. The fish market is kept very clean and washed each day.
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