A Short Guide to Maldives

The Maldives Islands

A land folded in emerald green waters, Maldives is a group of Islands scattered like beads in the ocean. People love to explore its white powdery beaches. The tall palms are the perfect decoration along the coastline of the beaches of Maldives. More than a thousand Islands and more than thousand reefs form the Maldives.

Roughly the count of 1190 coral Islands forms the Maldives that covers a total area of 10,400 sq km. The interesting fact is that these Islands are not more than six feet above sea level and lie 73 degrees East Equator. The Islands are ruled by 19 administrative ‘atolls’ and vary in size and character. Some are covered with lush greenery, some are tropical Islands, and some are white sandbanks, while some are ringed with coral reefs. Some of them are turquoise lagoons full of marine life.

The Maldives at a Glance

•    Time: + 5 hrs GMT

•    Capital: Malé

•    Total number of islands: 1,190

•    Inhabited Islands: 2002

•    Population: 400,000

•    Major Industries: Tourism & Fisheries

•    Resorts: 100+

•    Currency: Rufiyaa (All major currencies, credit cards and traveller's cheques accepted)

•    Electricity: 240 AC

•    Access:  Scheduled and charter flights

•    Visa: Free visa on arrival (30 days)

•    Language: Dhivehi – English widely spoken

•    Weather and Climate: Tropical

•    Transport: Speedboats, Dhoni, Seaplanes and Domestic flights

•    Working days: Sunday to Thursday

Geography of Maldives

Coral structures played an important role to form atolls of the Maldives. The atolls are part of a greater structure, which is better known as the Laccadives – Chagos Ridge, which stretches over 2000 km. The Maldives Islands are not very much high as they are holding the highest point at approximately eight feet above sea level. Ring-shaped Reef Structures forms stunning atolls and these reefs are undoubtedly capable of providing a natural defence against winds and waves.

Must Read: -  Top Things to do in Maldives

Culture adopted by the Maldives

The culture of Maldives is highly influenced by Africa, Arab, Malay, and Indonesia as it is located at the crossways of the Indian Ocean Shipping Lanes and it has been the meeting point for the mariners of different countries.

Centuries have been passed and these influences impacted the Maldivian way of life. And it comes to the many facets of Maldivian lifestyle such as dining, music, art and craft.

Art & Craft

Maldivians are talented craftsmen. From the coral stone carving to the intricate lacquer art, both men and women are skilled in different art forms. The skilled calligraphers are also living in the Maldives and their unbelievable work can be seen in mosques around the country.

Music

Bodu Beru is widely popular music and dance form in the country. The art form was introduced in the earlier part of 19th century by African Slaves. Historians also give special place to Thaara in local entertainment and it has been introduced from the middle-east in the seventeenth century.

Bandiya Jehun is another dance form which is influenced by South Asian dance form. But today, western pop and Indian music is widely played by the young generation.

Explore the variety of culture and beautiful coral lagoons by booking Maldives Package.