Maldives location. Where is the Maldives located? How to call abroad

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

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

Where is the Maldives on the map? The geographical position of the state

Finding the Maldives on a world map is quite difficult. This small country is located in the Indian Ocean, south of the Hindustan Peninsula 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, the length of which from west to east is 130 km, and from north to south - 823 km. It consists of 1196 small islands of presumably volcanic origin. They form a double chain of 26 atolls - large coral land areas that look like a bursting ring. The largest and most significant are the South (North Niland), Aria Atoll. The distance between groups varies from 25 to 80 km.

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

Historical reference

Very little information has been preserved about the early history of the Republic of Maldives. It is believed that the culture of the Maldives appeared before the 5th century BC. Fragments of pottery found during excavations suggested that settlements of the Redins were founded on the islands as early as 2000 BC. In 500 BC Buddhists appeared on the southern islands, 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 islands of the Maldives in 412. From 1153 - from the moment of the adoption of Islam - all major historical events were recorded in the history of the Sultanate.

According to numerous testimonies of navigators, for a long time the islands were ruled by female sultanas. 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, Lorenzo de Almeida sailed to the islands, and in 1529, the Parmentier brothers. From 1558, the Portuguese dominated the islands until a guerrilla 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 mass 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 flag of the Maldives is a red cloth, which depicts a green rectangle and a white crescent. It has a special symbolic meaning. The red color denotes the courage of the heroes who, without hesitation, defended and will continue to defend their country, sacrificing themselves and shedding blood. The green rectangle symbolizes the nature of the Maldives - coconut palms, which are the source of life for the indigenous population. The white crescent symbolizes the religiosity of the Maldivians and reflects their adherence to Islam.

Economy of the Republic of Maldives

Now the Republic of Maldives is a democratic developing state with a president at the head.

The country's economy is based on three "pillars": tourism, navigation and fishing. Due to the mild climate, rich underwater world and amazingly beautiful coral reefs, crowds of tourists come here. In the open sea, it is carried out in lagoons and turtles are caught near the coast, 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. In circulation in the country there are banknotes of various denominations, 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 points at the official rate. It will be difficult to make an exchange on islands remote from the capital, at a rather unfavorable rate. Basically, small bills are required for calculations, so stock up on them in sufficient quantities. Many expensive resorts accept US dollars and euros for payment, as well as credit cards.

Demography

The population living in the archipelago is approximately 400 thousand people. Almost all of them are descendants of immigrants from the Middle East, South, Southeast Asia. The state language is called Dhivehi, it is a kind of mixture of Arabic, English and Sinhala. The writing of the local dialect is based on the Arabic-Persian script. The indigenous population of the islands professes Islam (Sunnism). 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, Male is the capital of the Republic of Maldives, a small city 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. You can get to the administrative, political and cultural center of the Maldives by air or sea, by boats, hydroplane taxis or speedboats plying between the islands.

You can see all the sights of Male by walking along it. 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 mats made of palm fiber, decorative fishing boats, canned fish and amazingly delicious seafood. In general, Male is not rich in sights, although the inquisitive tourist will like the shady Jumuri-Maidan park, the National Museum in Sultans Park, the Islamic Center with the Good 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 fall below 25°C. In winter - from November to March - the northeast, warm monsoons prevail. In summer - from June to August - southwestern, more humid winds prevail. It often rains a little at this time on the islands. The water temperature varies between 24°C - 27°C. In the "dry" season from November to early April, the Republic of Maldives attracts numerous tourists from all over the world. The mild, warm climate, comfortable sea temperature, lack of rain and strong winds make the islands so attractive to travelers.

It is interesting that a sufficient number of tourists visit the islands of the Maldives during the "wet" season. 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 throughout the world for its amazing variety of marine fauna and flora of the islands of the Maldives. The sea is full of amazing corals. Shoals of various exotic fish, turtles, jellyfish, molluscs, starfish and hedgehogs, moray eels, rays 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 - swim here. But you can not be afraid of them, because they are non-aggressive and practically harmless to divers. To prevent accidents, as well as to preserve the unique flora and fauna in the Maldives, there are 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 underwater, each diver must have a dive computer with him, etc. Land fauna and flora are not very diverse.

Breadfruit, coconut, banana are common on many islands of the Maldives. Atolls - Daalu (Dhaalu) and Fafu - stand out for their lush vegetation. Exotic flowers grow here: hernandia lily, erminalia catappa, etc., there are impenetrable mangroves with huge ferns. There are no large animals in the Maldives, but you can meet 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 get to the Maldives by plane. The archipelago has an international airport named after Ibrahim Nasir. It is located on Hulule Island, 2 km. from the capital. The airport receives flights from different cities, including Moscow, Vienna, Qatar, Kuala Lumpur, etc.

On the official website of the airport, you can find all the necessary information, including seeing the time of arrival of the aircraft, choosing the right 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. To the left of the exit from the airport building is the pier. Ferries depart 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 delivered to the surrounding atolls by small nimble seaplanes or boats. North and South Male, Ari, Baa, Miimu, Laviani, Haa Alifu, Faafu, Dhaalu atolls are the most beautiful resorts in the country, and each of them has its own zest.

More than 120 hotels operate 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 a worse level of service. Also in the Maldives, you can stay in a magnificent bungalow and enjoy solitude.

Recreation and entertainment

The beaches of the archipelago are the cleanest, with pleasant white sand. The water is amazingly warm and calm. The Maldives offer a respectable holiday, lack of noise and fuss and communication with the unique nature. For fans of outdoor activities there is a developed infrastructure of sports entertainment. At the resorts you can go sailing, canoeing, skiing, surfing and, of course, diving. On the beaches of the atolls, it is forbidden to drink alcohol, collect and damage corals, spearfishing.

It should be noted that the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited not only on the beaches, but also in any public places outside the resort area. Topless and nude swimming is also not allowed. In addition, it is forbidden to litter 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 be imported and exported from the country. All luggage must be inspected by customs officers. It is allowed to import cigarettes (200 pcs.), Perfume (125 ml), personal consumption goods into the territory of the Republic of Maldives. It is not allowed to bring alcoholic drinks, pork, sausage, drugs and pornography. An attempt to violate the law is subject to a fine of 500 USD. Any tourist should remember that the export of products made from tortoise shells, pearl oyster shells, black and red corals is strictly prohibited. You can not export from the country and items found in the sea. Be careful and enjoy your holiday!

Where, in what country are these amazingly beautiful islands, the Maldives? How to find them on the world map, what country do they belong to? What form of government? What part of the world do they belong to? How many of these islands? On what ocean are Fr. Maldives, giving unforgettable moments of paradise pastime - these and other questions arise for many people who are planning their vacation.

It is here that beaches, enchanting landscapes and eternal summer are located. White, soft sand and tall palm trees, gentle surf - all this will make your vacation complete, your impressions will be bright and positive.

For vacationers, there is everything you need here - magnificent nature, secluded bays where you can spend evenings, warm weather and bright sun over your head. The picturesque picture is complemented by bright coral shallows and lagoons with clear, clean water.

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Geographic location

Located in a picturesque area. On the world map, look for the Indian Ocean, and among its waters, islands stretching thousands of kilometers north of the equator line.

They occupy the territory between the continents of Asia and Africa, 700 km southwest of Sri Lanka and the Hindustan Peninsula. The exact coordinates are 3°28′36″ s. sh. and 72°50′12″ E. so it is not difficult to find them with a regular paper map. The width of the archipelago is more than 120 km.

The composition includes:

• 19 coral reefs;
• 88 resort islands;
• 1000 small islands (for the most part people do not live).

You can visit the "wild" places on your own, using a boat. The most famous atolls among tourists:

• Kaafu or, as it is also called, North Male - includes 27 resort and 8 islands specializing in fishing;
• South Male, consisting of 19 islands with excellent conditions. Only three of them are inhabited by residents;
• Vaavu;
• Meemu;
• Seenu;
• Faafu.

This is interesting: The Maldives are considered the lowest in the world. At the highest point of the state, which is Addu Atoll, a person will be only 2.4 meters above the ocean level. Scientists predict that within the next 50 years a flood is possible that will destroy most of the land.

Everywhere travelers expect magnificent nature with picturesque views.

Brief information about the country

Any educated person will not be superfluous to know that:

• it is a modern state, is a presidential republic in the form of government;
• The area is 298 km2;
• The Maldives is washed by the Indian Ocean;
• The capital is Male. The area of ​​the city is small, only 5.8 km2, but the total population exceeds 133,000 people, which makes it one of the most densely populated not only in the country, but also in the world. The total population is 338.5 thousand;
• The official language is Maldivian;
• The main mode of transport is boats, both sailing and motorized. You can also see seaplanes and boats. Taxis and regular buses are developed only in the capital and on about. Hulhumale. Local transport - dhoni - a small vessel, improved by a diesel engine;
• The main religion is Islam (Sunnis);
• The currency is called the rupee;
• The time difference with Moscow is +2 hours;
• Visas for a tourist trip are not required, but in the event that the purpose of the visit is business or private, then the execution of the document is mandatory for everyone, as well as the presence of an invitation. The visa is valid for 90 days;
• It is forbidden to import into the territory of the state:
• Weapons (including explosives);
• drugs;
• Magazines and items for specific purposes (category 18+);
• Animals;
• alcohol;
• Spearfishing equipment;
• Anti-Islamic things and objects (including pork and products containing it);
• Even military uniforms and paraphernalia are banned.

Can't take home:

• Black corals and decorations made from them;
• Turtle shells;
• Local currency (remaining cash must be exchanged);
• Items found at the bottom of the ocean/sea.

It is important to know: Israeli citizens are not allowed to enter here.

Permitted for export from the territory are:

• Souvenir products;
• Postcards with views and landscapes;
• Coconut oil;
• Interior items.

Climate

The best season is from November to April. It is at this time that dry and sunny weather sets in, and the likelihood of rain is minimal.

Weather and climate in general are fundamental factors for determining the location of a future vacation. Travelers are waiting for eternal summer, as the air temperature here is always above +20 degrees at night and about +30 during the day.

Humidity is on average 81%. Most of the precipitation falls between May and January. Hurricanes and storms are rare, but heavy rains come from the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal.

In general, the climate of the resort state is hot, tropical. Separately, I would like to note that a trip here is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, since high temperatures are a constant phenomenon.

Popular resorts

A map of the Maldives with all the resorts will be offered to guests at any tourist center. Tour operators also have detailed maps with hotels. The following resorts are widely known among travelers around the world:

• Male - the capital is ready to offer various excursion programs and entertainment. There are numerous markets, a mosque, a museum and a presidential palace;
• Faafu is an ideal gourmet resort with many restaurants and spas;
• Daalu is a resort area that offers everything for extreme sports. It is chosen by divers and scuba divers;
• Ari - created for nature lovers. You can enjoy a variety of flora and fauna, the famous turtle bays are located here. Entertainment - water skiing, sea fishing.

Note: despite the diversity of the animal world, there are no predators or poisonous snakes dangerous to humans in the Maldives. Dolphins, white sharks or foxes can be observed in close proximity. Bats appear in the evening.

An interesting feature is the absolute absence of dogs.

The best beaches

Beaches are the main attraction of the state. Travelers go just to enjoy the sand and warm waves. That is why it is very important to know the main ones:

• O. Fulhadhoo - the settlement of residents occupies an insignificant territory, everything else is a paradise for tourists;
• Finolhu-Kanifushi - a beach located on the Baa Atoll;

Keep in mind: feature - the presence of a sandy spit, allowing you to hike to several small islands in the ocean. There is a picturesque lagoon and palm trees.

• Amilla Fushi has sloping shores of varied beauty. Here are expensive and modern, as well as classic - with dense vegetation. Feature - coral bottom;
• Dhigurah - designed for those who love solitude and the beauty of nature. The feature is a great opportunity to watch whale sharks. Swimming in bikinis is allowed.

Each resort land has its own hotel. Also, some resorts cannot be visited with children under the age of 12.

Luminous Beach Mudhdhoo Island

A real attraction and a miracle of nature, worthy of seeing it with your own eyes, is the luminous beach located on the Baa Atoll - Mudhdhoo Island.

In the evening and at night, hundreds of neon lights flash along the coast, creating a picturesque picture.

Advice: the effect of the glow is most noticeable in the period from June to February, so to observe it, you need to choose this particular time period.

The secret of the phenomenon lies in the fact that bioluminescent phytoplankton lives here, capable of glowing during the surf. By visiting this place, you can admire the beauty of nature for a long period, as the lights glow during the entire dark time of the day.

Things to do for vacationers

You need to know that there are some restrictions for guests and residents - you can not drink alcoholic beverages or sunbathe topless and even in a bikini (except for specially designated areas).

Despite all this, the vacation will not be overshadowed. Tourists are offered a variety of water attractions, water sports, including parasailing, snorkeling, kayaking.

Catamaran trips are perfect for a romantic pastime, sailing is perfect for extreme lovers. Swimming and fishing (fish must be released into the ocean) are activities that are in demand among most tourists. There are special excursions that allow you to observe the life of marine life up close. There are special entertainment programs for children.

Map in Russian

In order to make it convenient for tourists to navigate among the various atolls and places to stay, a map of the islands with symbols in Russian has been created.

Here are the most popular destinations and tourist routes that you should choose for a good rest. The largest areas intended for recreation are indicated, where there is everything that a tourist may need during a trip. There is also a general view of the archipelago in the area.

Using this simple but detailed map, you can comfortably navigate the Maldives without knowing English or local dialects. "Uninhabited" territories are not indicated on the map.

How to get there

The most convenient way to get to the chosen resort is by plane. There are direct flights from Moscow - their duration is from 10 hours. Charters are also available in major cities. From Kyiv or Astana, flights are operated that provide for a transfer or refueling at or.

There are also flights with refueling in Sri Lanka or. Flights to the Maldives are carried out from the city of Trivandrum, so it is convenient for those who decide to combine their trip with a visit to India to get to their vacation spot. Ticket prices range from $500 to $1,000 on average.

Take note: in order to fly out of the territory of the capital of the Maldives, you will need to pay an exit fee, which is 10-15 dollars, in most cases it is not included in the ticket price.

For those who fly from the Far East, there are flights with transfers in Seoul, Tianjin or. There are no direct flights from Belarus - you need to fly through Moscow.

Exotic flora and fauna

The nature of the archipelago is unusual and amazing. The national symbol and plant that is found throughout the state is the coconut palm.

You can also see brought here - bamboo and eucalyptus. Among the crops that can be classified as exotic are bananas, papayas, mangoes, pineapples and sweet potatoes.

The flora is also represented by flowers - roses, plumeria, hibiscus, orchids. You can also see the Alexandrian laurel.

Animals that will seem amazing to tourists:

• • The bats;
  • flying foxes;
  • Geckos;

• Seagulls;
• Herons;
• Blind Brahmins;
• Domovoi wolftooth.

Marine life is presented in a wide variety:

• Sea stars;
• Echinoderms;
• Dolphins;
• whale sharks;
• Stingrays;
• Variety of fish species.

Interesting fact: citrus fruits do not grow on the territory - they disappeared after the epidemic of the fungus.

There are also turtles. The main attraction are the coral reefs.

Local kitchen

The peculiarity of the national cuisine is the abundance of dishes based on fish and seafood. It was formed under the influence of Indian and Arabic culinary traditions. Recipes with tuna are presented in every restaurant or cafe.

Rice is also served with all dishes as a side dish. A popular Maldivian drink is green tea. National snacks - khedikaa are pastries with a variety of fillings.

Desserts - various fresh fruits, juices, nuts and dishes with these ingredients. One of the popular desserts among tourists is fresh coconut, as well as coconut milk and Raa palm juice.

What you need to know before buying a tour

Before you buy a tour to the Maldives, you should consider that.

Mira, first you need to find India on it. This is not difficult - the peninsula on which this state is located is located in the south of Asia and has the shape of a triangle. From the southernmost point of this exotic country, it is necessary to mentally draw a line to the southwest. It is there that a large group of atolls is located - coral islands, which are called the Maldives.

Atolls are a closed or broken ring formed by the mouth of an extinct volcano, that is, in the middle of such an "island" there is a lagoon filled with sea water.

The distance to India is approximately 700 km, it is worth noting that the atolls are located on a fairly large area, so the southernmost ones are 1,000 km away. The Maldives is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean and, due to its proximity to the equator, has a unique climate with almost constant temperature throughout the year and only two distinct seasons - dry and rainy.

Due to their volcanic origin, the islands have a low altitude (only about two meters) and a rather scarce fauna - only a few species of mammals live here. But the underwater world is very diverse.

State of Maldives

All atolls located in this part of the Indian Ocean are united in the state of the Republic of Maldives. It is worth noting that its history began in 1965, when Britain, under whose protectorate the islands were, generously granted them independence, however, not just like that, but after violent uprisings of the population against the power of the empire.

However, much remains of the British, including the name, it is a distorted Hindi word: "" - the palace and "diva" - the island. The capital of the state of the Republic of Maldives is the city of Male, which, by the way, is the only settlement that has such a status.

The Maldivians are Muslims, more specifically Sunnis. In the 12th century, a Muslim preacher landed on the islands, who founded a dynasty that ruled until the arrival of the Portuguese, the Dutch, and later the British.

How to get to the Maldives

Traveling to the Maldives will require the tourist not only to spend time and money, but also patience, because a direct flight from Moscow to the capital of Male lasts more than 8 hours. If a non-stop flight is not available for some reason, you will have to plan a route with a connection at an intermediate airport, usually Colombo in Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi in the UAE or Dubai in Saudi Arabia. In any case, it is worth considering that you will have to get from Male to the desired island by water transport or by seaplane.

The Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, geographically crossing the equator. Tourists associate the concept of the equator with unbearable heat, however, the average annual temperature there is 25-30 degrees. In other resorts in Italy, Spain or Egypt, the temperature during the season is much higher, and most importantly, it is much worse to endure.

Among all the island groups, the Maldives, being a 100% Islamic state, have created perhaps the most original system of recreation for their guests. Protecting the population from the bad tourist influence, the government has allocated 200 previously uninhabited islands to vacationers, on which there are no indigenous people.

Map of the Maldives online interactive satellite
(use + and - to zoom in or out of the map)

Residents of India and Sri Lanka are involved in the service sector there. Therefore, a rare opportunity to see the indigenous inhabitants of the islands is not often provided. An interesting and important feature is that you don’t pay for anything on the spot, but collect bills that you will have to pay when leaving the country. And therefore, by chance, you can not calculate your material capabilities. The islands can be recommended to those who want to spend their entire holiday on the beach.
You can get there by direct flight from Moscow. From the airport you will be taken by boat or helicopter.

Pros - this is one of the best places for diving and snorkelling. Experienced instructors will make you a pro in a week.
Cons - you can not import alcohol, swim naked and make contact with local women. The last two items are punishable under Islamic law.

The Maldives is considered one of the most beautiful And bewitching places on the planet, a special piece of paradise.

The white sand on the beaches of the Maldives, the piercing blue sky above them and the water, clear as a baby's tear, attract thousands of tourists.

In this article, you will find out what charms the Maldives has, where they are on the world map and why they are definitely worth a visit.

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Where are the Maldives?

Their location falls almost on the very equator, from which it follows that the islands are always warm and the temperature ranges from twenty-eight to thirty degrees.

The islands are elongated and, according to Wikipedia, extend 820 kilometers from north to south and 120 kilometers from west to east.

The Maldives are ordinary coral formations that lack mountains and volcanoes. The level of the world's oceans is rising every year, and this factor threatens to completely destroy this beautiful and peaceful place, where chic and rich hotels are located. Scientists agree that in the next thirty to forty years the Maldives will disappear from the face of the earth and completely sink into the Indian Ocean.

The Maldives are quite small and it is not so easy to find the archipelago on the map. They are located in the Indian Ocean, not far from Sri Lanka and India. In total, the area of ​​the islands is about ninety thousand square kilometers, but most of this is occupied by the sea. The archipelago consists of a thousand small islands, but not all of them are inhabited, and only eighty-eight are considered intended for recreation. The rest are inhabited by the indigenous people of the Maldives and tourists prefer not to appear in their area.

The route from Moscow to the Maldives is eight and a half hours.

Weather

The island is exposed to various monsoons, which have different directions. In this regard, from November to March the weather in the Maldives is dry, and at the end of summer it is more rainy. You can swim here regardless of the season, because the water temperature never drops below twenty-four to twenty-seven degrees.

Flora and fauna

In the country you will not meet a single poisonous reptile, so there is nothing to fear. Interestingly, it is forbidden by law to keep dogs, so one more trouble in the form of a dog bite does not threaten you. Some tourists are frightened when they learn that whale sharks live very close to the islands. But despite this, swimming remains completely safe, because this species of sharks does not feed on anything other than plankton.

In order to preserve and conserve the flora and fauna of the Maldives, strict scuba diving restrictions have been developed. Thus, it is forbidden to descend more than thirty meters, spend more than an hour underwater, and each driver should carry a special dive computer.

An absolute paradise will be for lovers of a wide variety of fruits. There are a huge number of them, which is facilitated by the climate. Flowers and vegetation on the islands are unusually beautiful. Everything is fragrant, striking in its brightness and splendor. Breadfruit trees, banana palms and bamboo are the most common in the Maldives. Among the exotic flowers are ernadia lily and erminalia catappa. It is easy to meet bats and flying foxes in the Maldives.

You can stay on the paradise islands for no more than thirty days. You should be aware that at customs it is certainly checked whether you comply with the rules by which you enter the country import of the following items is prohibited:

• pork
• animals
• alcohol
• pornographic products
• anti-Islamic literature

Moreover, women who appear in public places should remember that in order to avoid trouble, their clothes should be matched so that their knees and shoulders remain covered.

Despite the many prohibitions that seem strange to us, but very important for local residents, this country remains a particularly attractive place to relax due to its solitude, tranquility and beautiful landscapes.

Many tourists are wondering: do they understand the Russian language in the Maldives and will life be hard there without knowing English in the country? There is really nothing to be afraid of. At the airport, you will be met by a Russian-speaking person representing the agency, who will help you with any questions. In addition, in good hotels, administrators are fluent in both Russian and English.

Most Popular Resorts

Ways of transportation in the Maldives, most of them are water. Traditional transport is the wooden dhoni, which is a local taxi.

In order to avoid troubles related to health, it is recommended to take out insurance, as medicine in the country is paid. Also get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

Rules of conduct on the islands the following:

• spearfishing is strictly prohibited
• unauthorized fishing is also prohibited
• you can not get corals and starfish out of the water
• nude bathing