DESCRIPTION:
The Maldives is an archipelago of numerous small islands located in the Indian Ocean in an equatorial position to the southwest of India. Hailed as an idyllic tropical haven this secluded island formation has in recent years established a reputation as a delightful holiday location attracting leisure travellers from many parts of the world. Our Maldives guide below will help you get a better understanding of this popular South Asian destination.
The 26 Maldives atolls are scattered across an expanse of about 90,000 square kilometres, making the island nation one of the most geographically expansive countries in the world. However the islets numbering 1,192 in total constitute only a tiny proportion of this immense extent of ocean. The Maldives has the distinction of being Asia’s smallest nation in both land area and population.
The largest city and the capital of the Maldives, Malé is situated on North Malé atoll. This particular islet also has the distinction of formerly having been the location of the palace of the rulers of the Maldives, and was known as the King’s Island.
The indigenous people of the Maldives are thought to be descended from different groups of ethnicities who migrated to the islands in ancient times. These include settlers from the shores of southern India and western Sri Lanka as well as some migrants from more northern regions of India. The language of the Maldivians is Dhivehi and the predominant religion is Islam.
Traditionally the livelihood of Maldivians has been fishing and even today the majority of the population is engaged in this pursuit. Today tourism is a huge source of income for the Maldives, with the islands’ lovely beaches, shimmering sapphire waters and delightful climate attracting a steady influx of visitors from abroad.
Best Times to Visit:
The best time to visit the Maldives is May to November. Although you'll experience some rain during the southwestern monsoon that occurs at this time, you'll have the least company and best prices at the resorts. Plus, surfers will catch the best waves, and divers will see the most life on the reefs. December to April is the high season, which encounters the drier northeast monsoon. And while the Maldives never sees overcrowding, room rates will increase. If you can afford a trip now, you’ll have less humidity and slightly warmer temps—in a word, "ideal."
It’s important to note that some Maldivian holidays follow our own Georgian calendar, while others abide by the lunar Islamic calendar. Island holidays won’t affect your resort stay too much, although some visitors have remarked that Maldivians are slightly less hospitable during Ramadan.
The Sunny Side Of Life
Republic of Maldives
Places To Visit:
Bluetribe Moofushi - Since the highlights of the Maldives are its great waters and marine life, the Bluetribe Moofushi diving center offers the best experience in terms of water sports activities such as windsurfing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, riding on catamarans/pedal boats, and many more activities. Moofushi is also known for the excursions that it offers, where you can spot whale sharks, manta rays and a lot of fish from the shore. Whether you want to enjoy a romantic cruise or just want to discover traditional Maldivian marine life and enjoy great memories within your stay in the Maldives, it will definitely give you that unforgettable vacation of a lifetime.
Sun Island Resort and Spa - Second best is the Sun Island Resort and Spa located on South Ari Atoll. Its exotic tropical flowers, beautiful greenery, and the stunning lagoons would capture your heart. It is considered the most luxurious resort in the Maldives with Villa Hotels that offers modern comfort with great facilities. Choose from different beach and water bungalows. Offering a truly unique approach to island living, these Bungalows on Sun Island Resort and Spa offer one of the world’s best lodging experiences.
Manta Point - Still in the section of diving sites, at #4 is Manta Point. Manta Point is a diving area where you can enjoy seeing large numbers of manta rays being fed and cleaned by wrasses. Manta rays circle several large coral rocks, and wait their turn to be cleaned. After being cleaned, they swim gracefully to the reef feeding on shallow water where you can find plankton. Whether you are an experienced diver or a novice one, you will surely enjoy this unique and exciting diving experience that Manta Point offers.
National Museum - Located at Male, the number seven spot is the National Musuem of Maldives. The building houses a lot of different kinds of historical artifacts that reflect the history of the country. The original museum was the old 3-story museum that is the only remaining part of the Maldivian Royal Palace. The new museum is built and designed by the Chinese Government, and is where eventually the artifacts from the old museum would move to. It was declared as the official National Museum on July 26, 2010. If you want to know more about Maldivian artifacts and the rich story behind each, this is the perfect place to go.