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Maldives, the "last paradise on earth", is a virgin
tropical island with white sands, blue skies, lovely palm trees,
clear waters and brilliant turquoise lagoons. This is a tiny
nation in the middle of the Indian ocean to the South west of
India consisting of 1200 tiny coral islands. The country is
mostly visited for adventurous sports like Scuba diving, Windsurfing;
the fabulous Coral Reefs and the wealth of Marine Life.
"Tourism" is the lifeline of the country and the
island resorts caters to every type of traveller from backpackers
to the rich and famous. The Government being aware of the dainty
kind of the surroundings they are exposed to, it closely regulates
the impact of tourists on both the local environment and population.
The unspoiled beauty and serenity you will discover in Maldives
is well worth the cost. As a tourist one is free to move around
on the resort islands and the capital city, Male', but entry
to local villages and towns is strictly through guided tours.
Other forms of travel within the country must be undertaken
only if permitted by the government.
Fact File
Official name : The Maldives Republic
Government : Republic
Nationality : Maldivian
Ethnic groups : South Indians,
Sinhalese, Arab South Indians, Arabs.
Location : Southwest of Sri Lanka,
on the equator and 500km (300 miles) southwest of the southern
tip of India and consists of about 1190 low-lying coral islands,
of which only 200 are inhabited.
Geography : 1,190 coral islands,
forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls. Stretches 820 kilometres
north to south and 120 kilometres east to west. 202 are inhabited,
87 are exclusive resort islands.
Continent : Asia
Currency : Mal. Ruffian or Maldives
Rufiyaa (MVR) = 3.3984 Indian Rupee(INR) = 0.07813 US Dollar($)
= 0.06441 Euro (subject to change).
Capital city : Male
Population : 350,000
Languages : Dhivehi and English.
Religion : Sunni Muslim
Area : 298 sq km (115 sq miles).
Famous for : Beaches, top dive
locations in the world where professional dive training is given
to the beginners, beautiful reefs.
Major cities : Kulhudhuffushi,
Male, Naifaru, Thinadhoo
Clothing : Dress is generally casual.
T-shirts and cotton clothing are most suitable. In addition
swimming gear and a light pullover. Sun glasses and a wide brimmed
beach hat as well as enough sun cream with a high protection
factor should not be included
Major events : Most holidays are
based on the Islamic lunar calendar and the dates vary from
year to year. Ramadan (known locally as rorda mas) the Islamic
month of fasting. Kuda Id the Prophet's Birthday.
Fixed holiday dates include : National
Day, the first day of the third month of the lunar calendar);
Victory Day( 3 November) and Republic Day (which commemorates
the current republic, founded on 11 November 1968).
Things to Buy : Stamps, colorful
island fabrics, local crafts made using lacquerwork and weaving.
The woven mats known as kuna, with elegant geometric designs,
black-coral jewelry, items made from turtle shell.
Things to do : Scuba diving, Diving,
Snorkeling and Windsurfing.
Cuisine : Fish, garudhya (tuna
soup), spicy curry and rice are the stable Time of most of the
population. Other dishes : pasta normally modified with a flavour
of tuna, other meats and chicken
Visa Permit
As a rule visitors to the Maldives do not need an entry visa
for a stay of up to four weeks, however the passport has to
be valid for at least six months exceeding the date of leaving
the Maldives. A vaccination certificate is only required for
visitors arriving from cholera, yellow fever or malaria infested
countries.
Culture
The Maldivian culture is rich with flavors from most of the
seafarers who landed on it. Traditional dances and music may
not be an everyday event but there are occasions where traditional
music and dances are performed. Though traditional dresses are
not used by present day generation there are many types of traditional
dresses made for both men and women.
With a renowned history that evolved from the early settlers
who were from various parts of the world travelling the seas
in olden Times, Maldives has been a meeting point of different
cultures. For example some of the local music and dance has
African influences, with handbeating of drums and songs in a
language that is not known to any but certainly represents that
of East African countries. Besides this, there is a great South
Asian influence in some of the music and dancing and especially
in the traditional Time of the Maldivians. However, many of
the South Asian customs especially with regard to women - for
instance the Sub Continent's tradition of secluding women from
public view - are not tenets of life here. In fact women play
a major role in society - not surprising considering the fact
men spend the whole day out at sea fishing. Many of the traditions
are strongly related to the sea and the fact that life is dependent
on the seas around.
When to go
One must visit the beautiful island nation between December
and April, which is the dry season. This is the high season,
however, and resorts can be fully booked and prices are higher
than the rest of the year. The Christmas-New Year period is
the busiest and most expensive part of the high season.
Between May and November it's still warm, but the skies can
be cloudy, humidity is higher and rain is more likely. This
is the low season, and there are fewer tourists and prices are
lower. The transition months of November and April are said
to be associated with increased water clarity and better visibility
for divers.
Climate
The Maldives have a tropical climate with warm temperatures
year round and a great deal of sunshine. The hottest month on
average is April, with a maximum monthly mean temperature of
31.5 degree celcius and a minimum of 26.5 degree celcius. The
coolest month is December, with a maximum monthly mean temperature
of 29.8 degree celcius and a minimum of 25.3 degree celcius.
There is a considerable variation of climate between Northern
and Southern atolls in the Maldives. In the south the rainfall
is greater but so are the number of rain days. Showers are not
as heavy as in the North. There are extremes of temperatures
in the North also, as the seasons are more evident further away
from the Equator.
Getting there
By Air : Male International Airport
is the international airport of the country. There are regular
flights to Colombo (Sri Lanka), Thrivandrum (southwest India),
Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), as
well as many charter flights from European centres.
There are regular cargo ships, but they don't usually take passengers.
The Maldives is not popular with private yachts because the
reefs are dangerous and cruising permits are restrictive and
expensive.
Getting around
An Inter Atoll Travel Permit is required to visit islands outside
the tourist zone, and the Ministry of Atolls Administration
will only issue them to those whose visit is sponsored by a
resident of the island concerned.
By Air : Air Maldives, the small
national airline, has regular flights to the four air strips
in the outer atolls. Helicopters and seaplanes are used to transfer
guests to some of the remoter resorts.
Local transport:
--Dhoni, a traditional all-purpose vessel now usually powered
by a diesel engine.
--Vedis, larger boats, used for longer trips to outer atolls.
--Safari cruises in modified, live-aboard dhonis are increasingly
popular, especially with dive groups who want to reach more
remote sites
--Taxis, motorcycles and bicycles are available in the capital.
Major attractions
Male (The Capital City) : Male',
the capital of the Maldives, is a small, picturesque, and heavily
populated city which is about 2km (1.2mi) long and 1km (0.62mi)
wide. It is the commercial center, seat of government and the
seat of many important historical and religious landmarks. It
has been known as the Sultan's Island in the past. Male', known
as 'the Sultan's Island' in the past, has no beaches and instead
the seawalls surround it on all the sides. However, a newly
landscaped artificial beach area and adjoining breakwater stretching
all the way round to the harbour in the southwest of the island
provide a pleasant jogging route.
The Grand Friday Mosque : Masjid-al-Sultan
Mohammed Thakurufaanu-al-A "z" zam is the biggest
mosque in the Maldives. It also includes the Islamic Center.
This Grand Mosque with its dominant golden dome ornates the
city.
The Old Friday Mosque :with its
unique minaret and the tombs of national heroes and members
of royalty presents the visitor a glimpse of the past. The art
in the mosque and royal burial grounds are unique and invaluable.
Resorts : The tourists to the
fantastic country of Maldives stay at either of the 70-plus
resort islands. Most resorts are situated in the three atolls
closest to the capital - North Male Atoll, South Male Atoll
and Ari Atoll. Despite their apparent similarity, however, they
differ considerably.
All the resorts are beautiful and are blessed with white sand,
blue sea and swaying palm trees, and they all promise great
diving. Though similar in many respects these resorts are unique
in terms of their comfort, cuisine, clientele, character and
their suitability for various excursions and activities.
Various resorts in the country are Angsana Resort & Spa
maldives Ihuru, Four Seasons Resorts at Kuda Huroa, Global Spa
resort and Global Day Spa.
Seenu (Addu Atoll) : This is the
'second city' of the Maldives, and the resort here is the best
base from one can visit the traditional Maldivian island communities.
The Addu people are fiercely independent, speak differently
from folk in the capital and at one Time even tried to secede
from the republic.
Tourist development in Addu has been slow to start, but a
resort has been established in the old RAF buildings on Gan.
Gan is linked by causeways to the adjacent islands, and it's
easy to get around them by bicycle, giving unmatched opportunities
to visit the local villages and see village life.
How to plan your tours:
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tours. We also offer most ideal tours itineraries to explore
Indian tourism destinations. For more tour options write us
your choice of destinations to design a tour for you with travel
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