Republic of Maldives

Paradise awaits you...

The capital of Maldives is Male and it is a Flat island with a hot and humid climate.The atolls are ring shaped islands of The Republic of Maldives.The total area of 90,000 square kilometers that is Maldives consists of sparkling sun-kissed beaches, palm-fringed islands, crystalline lagoons studded with multi-coloured corals and warm, azure seas with exotic marine life .

Sunny, unique and unspoiled, the Maldives is an archipelago comprising 1,190 low-lying coral islands scattered across the equator, in groups of 26 naturally occurring atolls which are divided into 20 for administrative purposes.

Maldivian archipelago located 300 miles southwest of the southern tip of India and 450 miles west of Sri Lanka is a beautiful string of 1,190 low-lying coral islands scattered across the equator in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, giving us a rare glimpse of what is aptly described as a tropical paradise.

An indication of how perfect the Maldivian atoll structures are, is the fact that the word ‘atoll’ in the English Language – meaning ‘ring-shaped coral reef enclosing a lagoon’, is a borrowing from the Maldivian language ‘Dhivehi’.

A mesmerizing mixture that remains the same throughout the year, continue to enthrall visitors from far and wide.

Sparkling white sun-kissed beaches; crystal-clear lagoons studded with profusely-colored corals; azure warm seas with an undisturbed, exotic marine life; palm-fringed islands; the pervading serenity; all of it summarized by the famous Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta on describing Maldives as "One of the wonders of the world".

Some social stratification exists on the islands. It is not rigid, since rank is based on varied factors, including occupation, wealth, perceived Islamic virtue, and family ties. Members of the social elite are concentrated in Male'.

PEOPLE, HISTORY, AND CULTURE
Maldives comprises 1,191 islands in the Indian Ocean. The earliest settlers were probably from southern India. Indo-European speakers followed them from Sri Lanka in the fourth and fifth centuries BC. In the 12th century AD, sailors from East Africa and Arab countries came to the islands. Today, the Maldivian ethnic identity is a blend of these cultures, reinforced by religion and language.

Originally Buddhists, Maldivians were converted to Sunni Islam in the mid-12th century. Islam is the official religion of the entire population. Strict adherence to Islamic precepts and close community relationships have helped keep crime low and under control.

The Sun, the Sand and the Sea. These are just the three simple realities beckoning tourists from far and wide to these little islets, giving as a result, a glorious sense of happiness and proving to be a heavenly getaway from the world and its worries. No wonder then that tourists flock in large numbers to the 70-odd self-contained island resorts provided with all the comforts and warmth exuded by traditional Maldivian hospitality.

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Travel Information
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