The Maldives has always been a unique nation. Apart from a
period of Portuguese domination in the Sixteenth century and
carrying the status of a British Protectorate from 1887 to
1965, the archipelago has been an independent archipelago for
at least twenty-five centuries.
The Maldives is a member of the United Nations, the
Commonwealth and the Non-Aligned Movement. The Maldives
maintains a very cordial relationship with the international
community and the Maldivians themselves take pride in their
hospitality and friendliness!
The population of the Maldives currently stands slightly in
excess of a quarter of a million. A common language (Dhivehi)
and a religion (Islam) have been two blessings that unite the
people into a cohesive and peaceful society. Pride is taken in
tradition though not at the expense of development and
modernization.
Maldivians are generally not race conscious, perhaps
because the country has been inhabited for centuries during
which visitors from as far apart as China, Africa, Arabia and
Persia have been assimilated into the society. This tradition
of welcoming visitors continues?..
We dare you to come here and count exactly how many islands
there are in the country. They say that counting the islands
including the sand spits is like trying to count how many
stars there are in the sky! So, the commonly agreed upon
figure of 1190 is but an approximation. These islands are
grouped into natural atolls that are protected by surrounding
reefs. The islands are of pure white coral sand are low lying,
the highest point on any give island being no more than a
meter and a half above sea level. Coconut palms and an
abundance of tropical plants make these islands an idyllic
place for your holiday if you want to see nature at its
best.
The Maldives actually straddles the equator. The climate is
tropical with no major seasonal differences. Though the
southwest monsoon does bring most of the rain, mostly around
June and July, tropical rain showers can occur any time! The
skies are usually clear and the sun shines brightly. That is
when the cooling sea breezes, about which poems have been
written, bring about the romantic in you.
If you are a surfer you will find just the right waves in
some places. If you are a divining enthusiast, be prepared for
a binge! The white coral beaches are simply unbelievable. The
fishing is out of this world. Perhaps because of this, the
Maldives is increasingly becoming one of the most sought after
holiday destinations in the world. We chip in by making our
tourist resorts provide all the mod cons to make you all the
more comfortable.
And coming here is as easy as catching a plane. Catch one
of the many scheduled or charter flights operating on a
regular basis from points of origin in Europe, the Middle East
and Asia. You, as our welcome guest, are issued thirty-day
tourist visa on arrival at Male? International Airport.
Location: Indian Ocean, about 500 Km from
Sri Lanka and India.
Political Status:
Independent Republic
Population: 250,000
(approx.)
Religion: Islam
Geography: Coral islands grouped into
atolls with fringing reefs
Climate:
Tropical, Average temp. 30 deg. C
Access:
Scheduled and charter flights from Europe, Middle East, Asia,
US and S. Africa
Visa: 30-day tourist
visa on arrival
Customs: No illicit
drugs, pornography, firearms, alcohol, dangerous animals
Source: Ministry of Tourism
10:28 AM
