The Maldives is considered one of the most beautiful And fascinating places on the planet, a special piece of paradise.
Snow-white sand on the beaches Maldives, the piercing blue sky above them and the water as clear as a baby’s tear attract thousands of tourists.
In this article you will learn what charms the Maldives has, where it is located on the world map and why it is definitely worth visiting.
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Where are the Maldives?
Their location is almost at the very equator, which means that the islands are always warm and the temperature ranges from twenty-eight to thirty degrees.
The islands have an elongated shape and, according to Wikipedia, extend 820 kilometers from north to south and 120 kilometers from west to east.
The Maldives are ordinary coral formations without mountains or volcanoes. The level of the world's oceans is rising every year, and this factor threatens the complete destruction of this beautiful and quiet place, where luxury and rich hotels are located. Scientists agree that in the next thirty to forty years the Maldives will disappear from the face of the earth and be completely submerged in the Indian Ocean.
The Maldives is quite small and the archipelago is not so easy to find on the map. They are in Indian Ocean, close to Sri Lanka and India. In total, the area of the islands is about ninety thousand square kilometers, But most of the sea takes away from this. The archipelago consists of thousands of small islands, but not all of them are inhabited, and only eighty-eight are considered intended for recreation. The rest are inhabited by the indigenous people of the Maldives and tourists prefer not to visit their area.
The route from Moscow to the Maldives is eight and a half hours.
Weather
The island is exposed to different monsoons, which have different directions. In this regard, from November to March the weather in the Maldives is dry, and at the end of summer it is rainier. You can swim here regardless of the time of year, because the water temperature never drops below twenty-four to twenty-seven degrees.
Flora and fauna
You will not find a single poisonous reptile in the country, so there is nothing to fear. Interestingly, the law prohibits keeping dogs, so you won’t face another problem in the form of a dog bite. Some tourists get scared when they learn that whale sharks live very close to the islands. But despite this, swimming remains completely safe, because this type of shark does not feed on anything other than plankton.
To preserve and conserve the flora and fauna of the Maldives, strict restrictions on scuba diving have been developed. Thus, it is forbidden to descend more than thirty meters, spend more than an hour under water, and each driver should have a special dive computer with him.
It will be an absolute paradise for lovers of a wide variety of fruits. There are a huge number of them there, which is favored by the climate. The flowers and vegetation on the islands are incredibly beautiful. Everything is fragrant, striking in its brightness and splendor. The most common species in the Maldives are breadfruit trees, banana palms and bamboo. Exotic flowers include Hernadia water lily and Erminalia catappa. It is easy to spot bats and flying foxes in the Maldives.
On paradise islands you can stay no more than thirty days. You should know that customs will certainly check whether you comply with the rules according to which you enter the country. The import of the following items is prohibited:
- pork
- animals
- alcohol
- pornographic products
- anti-Islamic literature
Moreover, women appearing in public places should remember that in order to avoid trouble, their clothing should be selected so that the knees and shoulders remain covered.
Despite many prohibitions that seem strange to us, but very important for local residents, this country remains especially attractive place for relaxation, due to its privacy, tranquility and beautiful landscapes.
Many tourists wonder: do they understand Russian in the Maldives and will life be difficult there without knowing English in the country? There's really nothing to be afraid of. At the airport you will be met by a Russian-speaking person representing the agency who will help you resolve any issues. Moreover, in good hotels Administrators are fluent in both Russian and English.
Most popular resorts
Methods of transportation
Most of the Maldives are aquatic. Traditional transport is the wooden boat "dhoni", which is a local taxi.
To avoid health-related troubles, it is recommended to take out insurance, since medicine is paid in the country. And also get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
Rules of conduct on the islands the following:
- Spearfishing is strictly prohibited
- Unauthorized fishing is also prohibited
- Corals and starfish cannot be taken out from under the water
- nude bathing
This question is asked by those who have already bought the long-awaited one or are just going to look for tickets and prepare for the trip. Everyone has heard about this stunning resort, the leader among the giants of beach holidays, and have probably seen photos from the best beaches and hotels more than once. The Maldives are 8.5 hours away by direct flight from Moscow to Male. This Island state located in South Asia in the middle of the Indian Ocean near the equator. It is this geographical position of the Maldives and the equatorial climate that provide excellent weather for a beach holiday all year round in any season.
For selection the best hotel, it is worth understanding where the Maldives are, where the capital Male and international Airport and where you are going to go on vacation. I hope I have already convinced you of the importance of understanding geographical location Maldives? Then let's go!
The geography of the Maldives is so interesting that when you start studying it, you immediately understand why the widespread “lostness” of the Maldives is not accidental. They are so small that they are practically invisible geographical map. And many people often don't know what the Maldives is. Some of them quite seriously think that this is not a whole country, but one small island (for example, as part of Chile) with magnificent beaches and hotels.
Where is Male
Male(Male) is the capital Republic of Maldives. Male is located in the very center of the country on a fairly large and densely populated island. It is part of the North Male Atoll (Kaafu). Thousands of tourists fly to the Maldives every day at Male International Airport (its code is MLE), located on the island of Hulule, neighboring the capital.
Good to know:
- See cheap flights to Male follow the link →
- A ready-made tour to the Maldives can be selected on the website
Male City is the financial, administrative and transport center of the Maldives. It is home to many significant cultural attractions, modern hospitals, shops, restaurants, banks and a post office.
Male Island connected to many inhabited islands in the Maldives various types transport - ferry crossings, speedboats and local air travel using conventional airplanes and seaplanes.
Male on the world map
Where are the Maldives resort islands?
Not all islands in the Maldives are inhabited. Of the nearly 1,200 individual islands, only about 200 are inhabited or used as resorts. The Maldives are located both south and north of the capital Male. Some of them can be reached by speedboat or ferry, while others are located so far away that tourists fly to them either by seaplane (air taxi) or by regular domestic flights.
If you have already chosen your hotel, then on the map of the atolls you can understand where it is approximately located (see map). And for those who are still choosing, it will be interesting to keep in mind:
- The closest resort island to the airport in the Maldives is a famous hotel Kurumba. It is very popular among Russian tourists, and for good reason, because the holiday there, judging by the reviews, is simply magnificent!
- The furthest island in the south where the local population lives is Gan(Addu Atoll). Maldivian Airlines flies there from Male. Near the island of Gan there is a magnificent resort on the equator. Who hasn't dreamed of relaxing right under the sun? There is such an opportunity in the Maldives. Look at Villingili Island Shangri-La.
- The most distant resort from the capital in the Maldives is located in the north of the Maldives archipelago on the island of Manafaru: JA Manafaru
The farthest island in the Maldives is Manafaru
To summarize my article, I hope that now you know exactly where the Maldives are and how special it is geographical features characteristic of this country. Therefore, when you are planning to relax in the Maldives, you will know exactly where you are flying and will never get lost!
Where, in what country are these amazingly beautiful islands, the Maldives? How to find them on the world map, what country do they belong to? What form of government? What part of the world do they belong to? How many of these islands are there? On what ocean are the islands located? Maldives, giving unforgettable moments of paradise - these and other questions arise in many people who are planning their vacation.
This is where the beaches, enchanting landscapes and eternal summer are located. White, soft sand and tall palm trees, gentle surf - all this will make your vacation complete, your impressions bright and positive.
For vacationers, there is everything they need - magnificent nature, secluded bays where you can spend evenings, warm weather and bright sun over your head. The picturesque picture is complemented by bright coral shallows and lagoons with clear, clean water.
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Geographical location
Situated on a picturesque site. On the world map, look for the Indian Ocean, and among its waters there are islands stretching thousands of kilometers north of the equator.
They occupy the territory between the continents of Asia and Africa, 700 km southwest of Sri Lanka and the Hindustan Peninsula. The exact coordinates are 3°28′36″ N. w. and 72°50′12″ E. etc., so it’s not difficult to find them with a regular paper map. The width of the archipelago is more than 120 km.
Includes:
- 19 coral reefs;
- 88 resort islands;
- 1000 small islands (most of them are not inhabited by people).
You can visit “wild” places on your own using a boat. The most famous atolls among tourists are:
- Kaafu, or, as it is also called, North Male, includes 27 resorts and 8 islands specializing in fishing;
- South Male, consisting of 19 islands with excellent conditions. Only three of them are inhabited;
- Vaavu;
- Meemu;
- Seenu;
- Faafu.
This is interesting: The Maldives are considered the lowest in the world. In the most high point state, which is Addu Atoll, a person will be only 2.4 meters above sea level. Scientists predict that within the next 50 years there may be a flood that will destroy most of the land.
Everywhere travelers will find magnificent nature with picturesque views.
Brief information about the country
It would be useful for any educated person to know that:
- this modern state is a presidential republic in form of government;
- The area is 298 km2;
- The Maldives is washed by the Indian Ocean;
- The capital is Male. The city's area is small, only 5.8 km2, but the total population exceeds 133,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated not only in the country, but also in the world. The total population is 338.5 thousand;
- The official language is Maldivian;
- The main type of transport is boats, both sailing and motor. You can also see seaplanes and boats. Taxi and Shuttle Buses developed only in the capital and on the island. Hulhumale. Local transport - dhoni - a small boat equipped with a diesel engine;
- The main religion is Islam (Sunni);
- The currency is called the rupee;
- The time difference with Moscow is +2 hours;
- Visas are not required for a tourist trip, but if the purpose of the visit is business or private, then execution of the document is mandatory for everyone, as well as an invitation. The visa is valid for 90 days;
- It is prohibited to import into the territory of the state:
- Weapons (including explosives);
- Narcotic drugs;
- Magazines and items for specific purposes (category 18+);
- Animals;
- Alcohol;
- Devices for spearfishing;
- Things and objects of an anti-Islamic nature (including pork and products containing it);
- Even military uniforms and paraphernalia are prohibited.
You can't take it home:
- Black corals and jewelry made from them;
- Turtle shells;
- Local currency (remaining cash must be exchanged);
- Items found at the bottom of the ocean/sea.
It is important to know: Israeli citizens are prohibited from entering here.
Permitted for export from the territory are:
- Souvenir products;
- Postcards with views and landscapes;
- Coconut oil;
- Interior items.
Climate
The best season is considered to be from November to April. It is at this time that the weather is dry and sunny, and the likelihood of rain is minimal.
Weather and climate in general are fundamental factors in determining where to go on holiday. Travelers can expect eternal summer, as the air temperature here is always above +20 degrees at night and about +30 during the day.
Air humidity is on average 81%. The main amount of precipitation falls between May and January. Hurricanes and storms are rare, but heavy rains come from the Arabian Sea or Bay of Bengal.
In general, the climate of the resort state is hot and tropical. Separately, I would like to note that a trip here is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, since high temperatures are a constant occurrence.
Popular resorts
A map of the Maldives with all resorts will be offered to guests in any tourist center. Tour operators also have detailed maps with hotels. The following resorts are widely known among travelers around the world:
- Male, the capital, is ready to offer various excursion programs and entertainment. There are numerous markets, a mosque, a museum and a presidential palace;
- Faafu is a resort ideal for gourmets, offering a variety of restaurants and spa centers;
- Daalu - resort area, which offers everything for extreme sports. It is chosen by divers and scuba divers;
- Ari - created for nature lovers. You can enjoy a variety of flora and fauna, and the famous turtle bays are located here. Entertainment - water skiing, sea fishing.
Note: Despite the diversity of the animal world, there are no dangerous predators or poisonous snakes in the Maldives. In the immediate vicinity you can see dolphins, white sharks or foxes. Bats appear in the evening.
An interesting feature is the absolute absence of dogs.
The best beaches
Beaches are the main attraction of the state. Travelers come precisely to enjoy the sand and warm waves. That is why it is very important to know the main ones:
- O. Fulhadhu - the settlement of residents occupies a small territory, everything else is a paradise for tourists;
- Finolhu Kanifushi is a beach located on Baa Atoll;
Keep in mind: a special feature is the presence of a sand spit, which allows you to walk to several small islands in the ocean. There is a picturesque lagoon and palm trees.
- Amilla Fushi has sloping beaches of varied beauty. Here you can find expensive and modern ones, as well as classic ones with dense vegetation. Feature: coral bottom;
- Dhigurah - designed for those who love solitude and the beauty of nature. The feature is an excellent opportunity to observe whale sharks. Swimming in a bikini is allowed.
Each resort land has its own hotel. Also, some resorts cannot bring children under 12 years of age.
Glowing beach Mudhdhoo Island
A real landmark and natural wonder worth seeing with your own eyes is the glowing beach located on Baa Atoll - Mudhdhoo Island.
In the evening and at night, hundreds of neon lights flash along the shore, creating a picturesque picture.
Advice: the glow effect is most noticeable from June to February, so you need to choose this particular time period to observe it.
The secret of the phenomenon lies in the fact that bioluminescent phytoplankton lives here, capable of glowing during the surf. By visiting this place, you can admire the beauty of nature for a long period, as the lights glow throughout the dark.
What to do for vacationers
You need to know that there are some restrictions for guests and residents - you cannot drink alcoholic beverages or sunbathe topless or even in a bikini (except in specially designated areas).
Despite all this, the holiday will not be overshadowed. Tourists are offered a variety of water attractions, water sports, including parasailing, snorkeling, kayaking.
Catamaran rides are perfect for a romantic pastime, and sailing is ideal for extreme sports enthusiasts. Swimming and fishing (the fish must be released into the ocean) are activities that are in demand among most tourists. There are special excursions that allow you to observe the life of marine life up close. There are special entertainment programs for children.
Map in Russian
In order to make it convenient for tourists to navigate among the various atolls and vacation spots, a map of the islands with symbols in Russian has been created.
Here are the most popular destinations And tourist routes, which should be chosen for a good rest. The largest areas intended for recreation are indicated, where there is everything that a tourist might need during a trip. There is also a general view of the archipelago in the area.
Using this simple but detailed map, you can comfortably navigate the Maldives without knowing in English or local dialects. “Uninhabited” territories are not indicated on the map.
How to get there
The most convenient way to get to your chosen resort is by plane. There are direct flights from Moscow - their duration is from 10 hours. IN major cities Charters are also available. There are flights from Kyiv or Astana that include transfers or refueling to or.
There are also flights with refueling in Sri Lanka or. Flights to the Maldives operate from the city of Trivandrum, so it is convenient to get to the holiday destination for those who decide to combine a trip with a visit to India. Ticket prices range from $500 to $1,000 on average.
Take note: In order to fly from the capital of the Maldives, you will need to pay an exit fee, which is 10–15 dollars; in most cases, it is not included in the price of tickets.
For those departing from Far East, there are flights with transfers in Seoul, Tianjin or. There are no direct flights from Belarus - you must fly through Moscow.
Exotic flora and fauna
The nature of the archipelago is unusual and amazing. The national symbol and plant that is found throughout the state is the coconut palm.
You can also see bamboo and eucalyptus brought here. Among the crops that can be classified as exotic are bananas, papaya, mangoes, pineapples and sweet potatoes.
The flora is also represented by flowers - roses, plumerias, hibiscus, orchids. You can also see the Alexandrian laurel.
Animals that will seem amazing to tourists:
- The bats;
- Flying foxes;
- Geckos;
- Seagulls;
- Herons;
- Brahmin's blinders;
- Wolftooth brownie.
Marine inhabitants are presented in a wide variety:
- Sea stars;
- Echinoderms;
- Dolphins;
- Whale sharks;
- Stingrays;
- Variety of fish species.
Interesting fact: Citrus fruits do not grow on the territory - they disappeared after the fungus epidemic.
There are also turtles. The main attraction is the coral reefs.
Local kitchen
Peculiarity national cuisine– an abundance of dishes based on fish and seafood. It was formed under the influence of Indian and Arab culinary traditions. Recipes with tuna are presented in every restaurant or cafe.
Rice is also served as a side dish with all dishes. A popular Maldivian drink is green tea. National snacks - hedikaa - are baked goods with various fillings.
Desserts – various fresh fruits, juices, nuts and dishes with these ingredients. One of the popular desserts among tourists is fresh coconut, as well as coconut milk and Raa palm juice.
What you need to know before purchasing a tour
Before you buy a tour to the Maldives, you should consider that.
A geographical miracle and an independent state, located in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, 700 km southwest of the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), is a chain of 2 dozen atolls, which, in turn, consist of 1192 coral islands, of which about 200 inhabited. There are about 110 resort islands and new ones open every year.
The area of the Maldives archipelago is more than 90 thousand square kilometers, but the land area is only 298 square kilometers. km.
The time difference from Moscow is +1 hour in summer and +2 hours in winter.
The capital of the Republic of Maldives is a city in which about 2/3 of the total population lives, located on island of the same name, part of Kaafu Atoll, sometimes also called Male Atoll
I won't go into details of the story and political system Maldives, you can read all this on Wikipedia if you want. The basic information you will need on your trip is also collected here.
Map of the Maldives archipelago with atolls
All 1192 islands are shown on the map and it is quite difficult to understand this diversity; it is more convenient to navigate by the names of the atolls.
What is this card for? Firstly, so that you can imagine the location relative to the international airport and possible transfer options. And when independent travel it was easier to plan the route. Personally, I don't need one detailed map it was very difficult to navigate. Moreover, the geographical and administrative divisions of the archipelago are quite different.
You can also use Google map
The most popular tourist atolls:
- Kaafu (or Male Atoll)
- Alifu Alifu (or North Ari Atoll)
- Alifu Dhaalu (or South Ari Atoll)
- Baa Atoll,
- Lhaviyani Atoll
They are popular due to their short distance from (until January 1, 2017, the airport was called “Ibrahim Nasir International Airport”)
IMHO: Convenience and a short time transfer within the Kaafu atoll and to the South and North Ari atolls has become a big disadvantage over time. Guest houses have been built on all the inhabited islands and now there is no privacy there that distinguishes a holiday in the Maldives from other countries; the corals have died from the scooters flying over them.
Weather in the Maldives
The Maldives archipelago is located on both sides of the equator, so the climate there is equatorial-tropical. Air temperature all year round is 30+/- 3 degrees, water temperature is 28+/-2 degrees. But nevertheless, there is seasonality due to the monsoons, although not clearly expressed.
High season from December to March. At this time, the northeastern monsoons blow, as a rule, the weather is dry and sunny, there are practically no winds, and the amount of precipitation is minimal.
Low season from May to October. The southwest monsoon brings short-term rains, the air temperature rarely rises above 30 degrees, but the heat is felt more intensely due to high humidity. During the summer months there are waves and storms - this must be taken into account when planning
IMHO: I’ve been there twice in September. I really wanted to see the rain that the weather forecast promised. Failed. But in the low season, hotels reduce the cost of living by almost 2 times; for the summer, air tickets can be bought much cheaper. So the answer to the question: “When is the best time to go to the Maldives?” very ambiguous.
If you really can’t wait to tell your fortune on the coffee grounds what the weather will be like during your trip, you can use the archive of weather forecasts on Gismeteo. Just keep in mind that the length of the Maldives archipelago from north to south is 820 km, so the sun in Male may well turn into torrential rain even on, not to mention Haa Atoll.
Language and religion.
Despite the fact that freedom of religious belief is enshrined for citizens of the Republic of Maldives in the Constitution of the country, the vast majority of the country's citizens are Sunnis, i.e. adherents of the largest and most traditional Islamic movement.
The import of alcohol into the Maldives is strictly prohibited for religious reasons. And, if previously alcoholic beverages found in your luggage were simply confiscated for storage, absolutely free of charge, now they will simply be confiscated ( I’ll find out more about these changes in November, when I go again myself, so far I personally had to deposit and pick up before departure).
The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi. Does this mean anything to you? Me too. The main thing is that education there is excellent and the majority of the population speaks English quite well, even residents of remote local islands. Not to mention the hotel islands, where even Russian-speaking staff are often found.
What you need to know when traveling to the Maldives
- One of the main attractive features of the Maldives is the fine white sand, which is very treacherous. Of course, a huge plus is that it reflects the sun's rays and does not heat up. But this is its quality, plus the equatorial location of the archipelago threatens you with instant sunburn, even in cloudy weather. Take with you sun cream with a protection factor of at least 50.
2. The national currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa. The official exchange rate is $1 = 15.47 rufiyaa. Banks exchange at this rate; sometimes in stores they can give change even at the rate of 1:15.5. But usually everywhere they count at the rate of 1:15.
How many dollars to exchange for rufiyaa?
If you are going to a resort, not at all. In hotels you can pay by card or dollars. If you are going to a local island, 50 dollars will be enough for small purchases in stores. If you plan to eat in a cafe outside the guest houses, change 10 dollars per day.
Hoteliers on local islands mostly accept dollars. But in a cafe it is more profitable to pay in local currency. You can exchange dollars for rufiyaa in Male or at your hotelier. It is convenient and profitable to do this at the bank, at the airport (to the left of the exit from the terminal).
Weekends and holidays
The day off in the Maldives is Friday. On Friday there are no ferries, banks are closed and exchange offices, in summer many shops are closed. Be sure to take this into account when purchasing air tickets.
Religious holidays occur in Muslim lunar calendar for different dates. Locals widely celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan - Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, Islamic New Year, national holidays: National Day of the Maldives Republic on June 4-5, Independence Day on July 26, Victory Day on November 3, Victims Day on November 9, Republic Day on November 11-12. Celebrating Christmas and New Year is more of a tribute to tourists.
Visa and customs
Visa to visit the Maldives archipelago not required for Russian citizens. In 2019, the period of visa-free stay for Russians in the Maldives was extended to 90 days.
The Republic of Maldives is nothing more than a group of atolls - rings enclosing sea lagoons. The archipelago is located south of India, and the sea of the Maldives is the majestic and vast Indian Ocean, which here merges with the sky, making the horizon line almost invisible.
Paradise holiday
Which sea washes the Maldives? This question is one of the first to be asked by the happy owners of tours to luxury Maldivian resorts. The Indian Ocean is the third largest among the world's oceans and it is its waters that made beach holiday on the islands so amazing and memorable. The main visitors to the local resorts can be divided into three groups:
- Newlyweds who decided to celebrate Honeymoon like a king. The sea of the Maldives, white sand beaches and bright sunshine complete with great hotels and the opportunity to retire together on the whole island - strong arguments in favor of choosing this tourist destination.
- Divers for whom the first and only place is rich undersea world Indian Ocean near the Maldives. Other aspects do not bother them much, and diving at the local resorts is possible in any season.
- Fans of high-quality recreation and ideal service, for whom the price does not matter.
Ocean of Dreams
The Indian Ocean in the Maldives region can be called ideal. It has a beautiful color, the water is clean and transparent, the underwater world is amazingly diverse, and the water temperature makes swimming pleasant and comfortable. The thermometer in its waters at the local resorts does not fall below +26 degrees throughout the year, which makes both beachgoers and divers absolutely delighted.
The question of what seas are in the Maldives is usually puzzled by those who like to go out on yachts. On the archipelago it is even possible to stay on a yacht, and its rental will not exceed the cost good room at the local hotel. This type of vacation allows you to see many new islands and get a real ocean of impressions.
The Indian Ocean is rich in a wide variety of fauna. Here you can find not only sea turtles and dolphins, but even blue whales and sperm whales. In the Maldives region, the ocean waters are populated by plankton, some of which can glow at night, making the waves especially picturesque. There are no dangerous animals on land on the islands, and whale sharks, which can swim close enough to the shores, feed only on plankton and do not pose a threat to swimmers.
