Maldives - everything you wanted to know about this paradise in the Indian Ocean. Maldives (country) Maldives on outline map

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

Because of this, the water level in the ocean is constantly rising, which could soon lead the Maldives to disaster. If you want to visit this for real 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? Geographical location of the state

The Maldives is quite difficult to find on the world map. This small country located in 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 1,196 small islands believed to be of volcanic origin. They form a double chain of 26 atolls - large coral land areas that look like a broken ring. The largest and most significant are the Southern (Nord Niland) and Aria Atoll. The distance between groups varies from 25 to 80 km.

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

Historical reference

Very little information has been preserved about the early history of the Maldives. The culture of the Maldives is believed to have appeared earlier than the 5th century BC. Fragments of pottery found during excavations suggested that Redin settlements were founded on the islands as early as 2000 BC. In 500 B.C. on southern islands Buddhists arrived from Fr. Ceylon. This fact is confirmed by an ancient Buddhist manuscript and the head of a Buddha statue dating back to the 11th century. The first Chinese sailors reached the Maldives in 412. Since 1153 - since the adoption of Islam - all major historical events have been recorded in the history of the sultanate.

According to numerous testimonies of seafarers, for a long time The islands were ruled by female sultanas. Europeans up to the 15th century. They 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, Lourenzo de Almeida sailed to the islands, and in 1529, the Parmentier brothers. From 1558 the Portuguese dominated the islands until guerrilla warfare began and they were destroyed. Further, until 1760, the Maldives were under the protection of the French, and from the mid-17th century. - the Dutch, and then the British. In mid-1965, after massive 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 the Maldives".

State flag

A modern version of the main state symbol The country was adopted in July 1965. The flag of the Maldives is a red cloth with a green rectangle and a white crescent. It has a special symbolic meaning. The color red represents the courage of the heroes who, without hesitation, defended and will 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 commitment to Islam.

Economy of the Maldives

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

The country's economy is based on three pillars: tourism, shipping and fishing. Thanks to mild climate, the rich underwater world and amazingly beautiful coral reefs attract crowds of tourists. In the open sea, it is carried out in lagoons and not far from the coast, turtles are caught, corals, shells and natural pearls are mined.

Official banknotes. Currency exchange

The currency of the Maldives is the Rufiyaa. It consists of one hundred laari. One US dollar is approximately equal to a dozen rufiyaa. There are banknotes of various denominations in circulation throughout the country, including 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rufiyaa, as well as coins - 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 lari.

You can exchange currency at any bank, airport or exchange offices at the official rate. On islands remote from the capital, it will be difficult to make an exchange at a rather unfavorable rate. Most payments require small bills, so stock up on them in sufficient quantities. On many expensive resorts They accept US dollars and euros, 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, South-East Asia. Official language called "Dhivehi", it is a kind of mixture of Arabic, English and Sinhala languages. The local writing system is based on the Arabic-Persian script. Indigenous people 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, it is the capital of the Republic of Maldives. Male is 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. Get to administrative, political and cultural center The Maldives can be reached by air or sea, by boat, seaplane taxi or speedboat between the islands.

You can explore all the sights of Male by walking around it. When visiting the city, it is advisable to wear things that cover your body well from the neck to the knees. Almost all the 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 attractions, although the inquisitive tourist will enjoy the shady Jumuri Maidan Park, the National Museum in Sultans Park, the Islamic Center with the Good Friday Mosque and the Medhu Ziyarat Chapel.

Climate in the Maldives

The archipelago is dominated by 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 drop below 25°C. In winter - from November to March - northeastern, warm monsoons predominate. In summer - from June to August - south-westerly, more humid winds prevail. It often rains lightly on the islands at this time. The water temperature varies between 24°C - 27°C. During the dry season from November to early April, the 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 Maldives even during the “wet” season. Despite the high humidity, a large number of precipitation and raging winds, the influx of vacationers does not subside. The fact is that from mid-April to early November, the cost of air tickets, accommodation and food is significantly reduced, which attracts travelers who want to save money.

Flora and fauna

The Maldives Islands are famous throughout the world for their amazing diversity of marine fauna and flora. The sea is full of amazing corals. Schools of a variety of exotic fish, turtles, jellyfish, mollusks, starfish and urchins, moray eels, stingrays, attract diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Predators also live in the waters of the Maldives - sharks with black fins and sharks with white fins; huge ocean inhabitants also swim here - the hammerhead shark and whale sharks. But you don’t have to be afraid of them, since they are non-aggressive and practically harmless to divers. To prevent accidents, as well as to preserve the unique flora and fauna of the Maldives, there are strict restrictions on scuba diving. Including, it is forbidden to dive to a depth of more than 30 m, it is forbidden to spend more than 60 minutes under water, each diver must have a dive computer with him, etc. Land fauna and flora are not very diverse.

Breadfruit, coconut, and banana are common on many islands of the Maldives. The atolls - Dhaalu (Dhaalu) and Fafu - stand out for their lush vegetation. Exotic flowers grow here: water lily hernandia, catappa herminalia, etc., there are impenetrable mangroves with huge ferns. There are no large animals in the Maldives, but you can find a bat or an Indian flying fox. The islands are also inhabited by terns, parrots, sea gulls, and cormorants.

How to get to the archipelago?

The vast majority of tourists reach the Maldives by plane. The archipelago has international Airport named after Ibrahim Nasir. It is located on Hulule Island, 2 km away. from the capital. The airport accepts 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 viewing flight arrival times, choosing a suitable transfer and even planning a trip. There is an ATM, a bank, and a luggage storage facility on the airport premises. 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 there is a pier. Ferries depart from here 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 transported to the surrounding atolls on small, nimble seaplanes or boats. Northern and South Male, Ari, Baa, Miimu, Lhaviani, Haa Alifu, Faafu, Dhaalu atolls are the most beautiful resorts in the country, and each of them has its own zest.

There are more than 120 hotels 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 privacy.

Recreation and entertainment

The beaches of the archipelago are clean, with pleasant white sand. The water is amazingly warm and calm. The Maldives offers a respectable holiday, the absence of noise and fuss and communication with unique nature. For lovers active rest there is a developed infrastructure sports entertainment. At the resorts you can go yachting, canoeing, skiing, surfing and, of course, diving. Drinking alcohol, collecting and damaging corals, and spearfishing are prohibited on the beaches of the atolls.

It is worth noting that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited not only on the beaches, but also in any public places outside the resort area. Topless or nude swimming is also not permitted. In addition, littering is prohibited on the islands. Any violation of the order will result in a serious 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), and personal consumption goods into the territory of the Maldives. It is not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages, pork, sausage, drugs and pornography. For attempting to violate the law, a fine of 500 USD is imposed. Any tourist should remember that the export of products made from turtle shells, pearl oyster shells, black and red corals is strictly prohibited. Items found at sea cannot be taken out of the country either. Be careful and enjoy your holiday!

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 can be much higher, and most importantly, it is much worse to tolerate.

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

Map of the Maldives online interactive from satellite
(to enlarge or reduce the map use + and -)

Residents of India and Sri Lanka are involved in the service sector there. Therefore, the rare opportunity to see an indigenous inhabitant of the islands does not come often. 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 may not calculate your material capabilities. The islands can be recommended to those who want to spend their entire vacation on the beach.
You can get there by direct flight from Moscow. You will be taken from the airport by boat or helicopter.

Pros: This is one of the best places for diving and snorkeling. Experienced instructors will make you a pro in a week.
Disadvantages - you cannot import alcohol, swim naked and have contact with local women. The last two points are prosecuted under Islamic law.

This perfect place For beach holiday where are the most beautiful snow-white beaches with fine coral sand. The Maldives is the dream of many people who dream of quiet blue lagoons and beautiful green palm trees that can transport travelers to a fabulous, blissful paradise even for a few days.

There are practically no cars here, and it is always quiet and peaceful. Partly because of this, the Maldives are considered one of the best holiday destinations.

Where are the Maldives located on the world map?

Maldives coordinates: 3°28´36´´N,72°50´12´´E.
The Maldives are located almost on the equator, and therefore it is always warm here, and the temperature ranges between +28-30ºС.
The archipelago stretches from north to south for 820 km and from west to east for 120 km. And due to the fact that these are just coral formations without mountains and volcanoes, the Maldives rise above the sea by no more than 3 meters. In the future, this threatens to completely destroy the islands where the most luxurious hotels in the world are located due to the constant rise in sea levels. It is possible that the Maldives could disappear within 30 years.

Maldives on the world map

Finding the place where the islands are located is not so easy. The Maldives is a very small archipelago, lost in the Indian Ocean southwest of India and Sri Lanka for 700 km. The Maldives archipelago is located on 19 coral atolls, consisting of more than 1000 islands. But not all of them are inhabited; only 88 of them are considered resorts. There are islands for the indigenous people of the Maldives, but this is not the most tourist place, where visitors never look. Are there small ones? uninhabited islands, which can be accessed by renting a yacht.

The islands are located far from other states, having no land borders with any country. The Maldives, washed by the Indian Ocean, has only sea ​​border:

• with Sri Lanka;
• and India.

Popular resort islands of the Maldives

The most best beaches located on atolls that are the most visited resort islands:

• Daalu- Dhaalu Island is a favorite among diving fans;


• Ari- the island attracts with its gorgeous diversity of flora and fauna, where there are turtle bays. Here, wealthy tourists who come to the Maldives can go water skiing, go sea fishing, or simply relax in an expensive hotel on a secluded shore;


• Faafu- a paradise for those who strive for comfortable living. There are a lot of restaurants and spa centers here;


• Male is the capital of the Maldives. The area of ​​the city, which occupies the entire island, is only 2 km², but even in this tiny area there is something to see. For example, the ancient Good Friday Mosque, the Presidential Palace, the National Museum and various colorful markets. True, there is no entertainment here other than walking along the embankment and streets.

The islands are also different in that there are not many accommodation options. Hotels in the Maldives have the following feature: on one island there is usually only one villa, where the best and most comfortable rooms are located. But we must remember that the Maldives is an expensive paradise. And you can stay not only in hotel rooms, but in various coastal bungalows with thatched roofs and glass bottoms.

The islands are located far from other states, having no land borders with any country. The Maldives, bordering the Indian Ocean, has only maritime borders with Sri Lanka and India. Get to these paradise islands is not so simple, and therefore a holiday in the Maldives remains a very expensive and unrealistic dream for many people.

Many people dream of snow-white sand, closed lagoons and beautiful hotels. Thanks to its secluded location, this paradise is simply made for a romantic trip, where the most secluded corners of the planet are located. Lovers dream of spending a few unforgettable moments here, escaping from the bustle of big cities for a quiet, serene holiday. And a wedding in the Maldives is the ultimate dream of many brides.

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

Maldives on the world map in Russian

This piece of paradise is difficult to spot on a regular 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 there is a famous resort area - the Seychelles.

The Maldives is a chain of 1,192 coral islands united into 26 atolls. Moreover, administratively they are divided into 20 atolls. The most famous of them are: North and South Kaafu;

• Seenu;
• Meemu;
• Faavu;
• Vaavu.

The Maldives is washed by the Indian Ocean

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

Maldives on a map of Asia in Russian

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

The flight to Sri Lanka takes approximately one hour, and a little longer to India. Approximately 5 hours flight from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and 8 hours from China.

Map of the Maldives with resorts in Russian

For the convenience of tourists in navigating the area filled with various vacation spots, 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 calmly moves among the numerous islands.

Important! Uninhabited places on the territory are not marked.

Map of the Maldives with landmarks shows best places for relax. For example, the Banana Reef Nature 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 are especially attractive.
• Faavu is famous among true gourmets who value spas and meals in the best restaurants and always strive to look their best!
• Arias are preferred by lovers of diversity in flora and fauna. The famous turtle bays are located here.
• It is useful for tourists to study transport links on the map of the Republic of Maldives. In the middle part you can see the main international airport of Male. Next door on the island of Khuhule is the international airport named after Ibrahim Nasir, which is one of the largest for seaplanes. The path to it from the capital by speedboat or ferry is clearly visible. Cafu is the most tourist area. Most of the hotels are located here. Popular destinations also include the Aria and Baa atolls, which are relatively close to the airport.

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

If you plan to stay at several hotels, it will be useful to take a look at nearby resort areas and local airports in advance to get an accurate idea of ​​the trip, the amount of time needed to travel, nearby attractions, entertainment and opportunities. This way you can distribute your vacation time most effectively.

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 administrative structure of the Republic of Maldives includes 20 island groups and a capital atoll called Male. There are no lakes or rivers throughout the territory. According to its geographical location, the archipelago is divided into 8 regions: Central, Far Northern, Northern and others. Conventionally, they are all divided into 3 large groups of atolls:

• northern;
• average;
• 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 crater, part of a chain of extinct volcanoes. This explains the circular arrangement of land areas, as can be seen on the map of the Maldives. Moreover, they are all very similar to each other. The most high point(2.4 meters above sea level) is located in the southern Addu Atoll.

Yandex and Google maps of the Maldives

Satellite images allow 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 where Maldivians live.

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

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

When choosing a vacation spot, interactive maps will help you study tourism, transport and social infrastructure.

Map of Maldives and Bali

For any geographical map It’s 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 terms of seasons.

Note! In Bali, the best period for relaxation 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. The tourist infrastructure and transport routes displayed on them clearly show the difference.

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

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

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

The geographical location has both pros and cons for vacationers. Advantages:

• Calm atmosphere. The Maldives are popular among connoisseurs of a secluded holiday away from noisy parties, bazaars, and crowded crowds. This is facilitated by small island territories where there is not much room 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. The holiday 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 a hectic life who want to hide from surrounding gazes.

The Maldives is an ideal place for a secluded holiday

• The purity and richness of the underwater world. Walking along the ocean coast, guests of the country enjoy clean sandy beaches, crystal waters, lush palm trees. The diving here is the best 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 mass entertainers in the Maldives. Relaxation consists of enjoying nature and water activities. There are no historical or architectural attractions on the islands.
• Poor kitchen. No matter how much a holiday in the Maldives costs, the local cuisine is not strong point resort. The cuisine, which takes its cues from Indian and Sri Lankan gastronomy, is extremely spicy. Therefore, living for a long time on such a diet is fraught with health. Only the largest hotels provide good food.
• Expensive. In addition to the fact that hotels have very high prices for water, juices, and alcohol, a lot of money is spent on individual transfers. 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 shore, tourists shelled 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 large regions. Yandex and Google have Russian-language versions of a detailed representation of the internal infrastructure of the entire Maldivian territory.

*the 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, upscale hotels and very beautiful nature. All about the Maldives: diving and surfing, photos, prices, weather and tours.

• Last minute tours to the Maldives
• Tours for May Worldwide

The Maldives, famous “residents” of the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, are rightfully considered one of the best exotic destinations. There are 1,190 islands (or rather, atolls) and all of them are chosen: with blue lagoons, sandy beaches and unique vegetation. There is everything for relaxation: peace and tranquility, beautiful nature, a 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, it must be said, in the Maldives are also quite “at the level”: holidays here can be afforded mainly by travelers whose income level marketers define as “above average”. Having paid a significant amount for the trip, the following categories of vacationers will be 100% satisfied with their vacation. Divers are maniacs, diving three times a day. This is the most problem-free subtype of tourists: they will still be delighted, diving like ducklings from morning to night. Happily married (or unmarried) couples who need no one but each other. They can choose a hotel with the appropriate furnishings - there are plenty of them on the islands. And, of course, seekers of an absolutely relaxed holiday in the ambiance of a tropical paradise.

Time difference from Moscow

2 hours

• with Kaliningrad

• with Samara

• with Yekaterinburg

• with Omsk

• with Krasnoyarsk

• with Irkutsk

• with Yakutsk

• with Vladivostok

• from Severo-Kurilsk

• with Kamchatka

History and legend

According to legend, life in the Maldives was once not as cloudless as glossy catalogs would have us believe. Sea genie Rannamaari, bad luck local residents settled in their territorial waters, demanded regular human sacrifices every full moon, and exclusively in the form of virgins from the island of Male. The poor fellows were taken to a certain temple, and the next morning they were found dead.

But it’s not all Maslenitsa: one day a traveler from the distant Maghreb, Abdul-Barakat ul-Barbari, arrived at the atoll. The stranger took pity on the girls (whom his compatriots apparently had nothing to do with) and on the full moon he himself sat down in the temple in the place of the victim. He read the Koran all night, but in the morning it turned out that the genie had escaped, unable to withstand the power of the holy book. So the women were saved, and the Maldivians joyfully converted to Islam - that’s why now there are mosques everywhere, a ban on the import of alcohol and no toplessness (presumably, they are afraid that the genie will return). However, this did not affect the amazing nature of the archipelago - and therefore 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 temperature +26 °C. Due to its close location 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 windier. The northeast monsoon season (November to February) is considered less humid.

Maps of the Maldives

Visa and customs

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

Beaches in the Maldives

In the Maldives, all roads lead to the beach: fine snow-white sand, perfectly blue waves, tall palm trees - everywhere you look, pictures from advertising posters come to life. The coastline is almost everywhere wide, spacious, equipped with amenities and umbrellas to protect you from the scorching sun. Most of the beaches belong to hotels, and the areas assigned to modest “three rubles” are not much inferior in grooming and comfort to fashionable five-star zones.

On Maldivian beaches Topless sunbathing and drinking alcohol are strictly prohibited.

On the list famous beaches archipelago - Naladu and Banyan Tree on Male Atoll, San and Nika on Ari Atoll. Turtles nest on the shores of Lhaviani, and dolphins splash off the coast of Maafushi. The wealthy relax on the islands of Hadahaa (Gaafu Alif Atoll), Kunfunadhoo (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 at luxury resorts, but it is quite suitable for surfing and swimming. 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 with blue lights in the dark, creating the effect of a starry sky descending to the ground.

Diving in the Maldives

Maldives... how much this word brings together for a diver’s heart: comfortable water temperature (+27 °C at a depth of 40 m), excellent visibility up to 30 m and, of course, professional dive centers. The disadvantages of this 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, which is on the North Atoll, has over 20 places known to divers from all over the world.

For beginners, diving on reefs would be ideal: on their inner slopes or inside the atoll. Advanced divers will be interested in the outer surface of the reef (amazing ocean fish live there 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 their base is up to 40 m.

In addition, there are several interesting wrecks in the Maldives, for example, the cargo ship Victoria with the remains of goods brought to the islands, or the steamer Chaika, which sank at the end of the 19th century - its hull was completely split in two. Some popular sites: national reserve"Embudu" with amazingly diverse underwater world, the Felivaru and Halaveli rivers (here you can see giant stingrays), the Maaya reef, the cozy channel between the reefs of Fushi, teeming with many inhabitants, the secluded dive site of Rakido, the protected marine area of ​​​​Guraidhoo, the “shark” site of Miyaru.

Read more about local diving in the article by our regular expert, the charming Veronica Birman, “Diving without lyrics - 13. The soul of the Maldives.”

Surfing

Wave boarding is a relatively recent entertainment in the Maldives: only in the late 80s. The first surfers flocked here. Today, the islands are considered one of the most popular places in the world for surfing: it is never crowded (the number of people going out to sea is regulated by a special service), and the waves are just a sight for sore eyes: high, stable, ideally shaped. The prestigious international tournament O’Neill Deep Blue Open is regularly held on the island of Lohifushi.

There are 7 popular surfing spots in the Maldives, including Sultans, Pasta Point (with exclusive rights to “rent” 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.

You can also practice surfing in the capital Male: there is a sandy bottom, and there is no risk of cutting yourself on the corals at low tide. True, the landscapes are not as picturesque as at 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 attractions on land. There is the unremarkable capital of Male (excursion from 40 USD), many similar uninhabited islands where people like to have picnics (from 35 USD), as well as a kind of “action” - a fishing excursion. Perhaps the only notable overwater 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 provide information: an atoll is a coral island in the form of a continuous or discontinuous ring surrounding a lagoon. If you look from under the water, the atoll will most likely be long ago an extinct volcano, on the slopes of which a coral reef once began to grow - and it grew so much that it gradually appeared on the surface. But the top of the volcano, on the contrary, over many centuries collapsed and sank under water. You know the rest: people sailed from somewhere to the formed ring, built hotels with restaurants and spas, and opened diving centers.

If your soul still requires a cultural program, we recommend visiting National Museum on the territory of the picturesque Sultan's Park, the Islamic Center under the golden dome and the Presidential Palace in Male. The oldest in the country, the Old Friday Mosque with a unique minaret (1656) and the tomb of Mohammed Takurufanu, a legend 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 British protectorate and the declaration of sovereignty. On the first day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal, Nation Day is celebrated to commemorate 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 holy Ramadan marks Eid al-Fitr: three days of hearty meals, visits and other entertainment. After 70 days, Eid al-Fitr begins with traditional services and sacrifices. November 3 is 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 festivities 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.