Republic of Maldives- island state in Indian Ocean.
Archipelago Maldives located at the junction of the Arabian and Laccadive Seas, five hundred kilometers southwest of the southern tip of the Hindustan Peninsula. Detailed map The Maldives shows that the country occupies 27 atoll formations consisting of 1,192 individual coral islets.
The Maldives can't boast large sizes. The largest is Gan Island, but its area is less than 10 km2. Most of the islands of the archipelago do not exceed several hundred square meters.
Maldives on the world map: geography, nature and climate
If you look at the Maldives on a world map, you will notice that southern part countries are crossed by the equator line. Although the length of the archipelago is about 750 km from north to south and 130 km from west to east, the total area of its islands is only 298 km 2. The atolls of the Maldives can cover hundreds of km2, but are ring-shaped. And the majority large islands located on external sides atoll rings.
The coastline of the Maldives is 644 km. Due to its remoteness from the coasts of the continent, the country has neither land nor sea neighbors.
Geographical position
The Maldives are the peaks of the underwater Chagos-Laccadive Ridge, which stretches for almost 2,500 km. However, the Maldives is not represented by volcanic rocks. All the islands of the archipelago consist of sand and coral formations. Therefore, the Maldives is considered the lowest located state on the planet.
The most high point The country is located on the island of Gan and is only 2.4 meters above sea level. Most of the archipelago is uninhabited. Only about 200 islands are inhabited. Due to the large extent of the Maldives, there are several large straits separating groups of atolls. On the map of the Maldives in Russian you can find the largest of them - the Equatorial Strait. Its width is about 95 km and its depth exceeds 2500 m.
Animal and plant life
Due to the small size of the islands and the dense population of the largest of them, the terrestrial flora and fauna of the archipelago is not rich. Several varieties of palm trees and rare mangrove forests are all that the Maldives can boast of. Animal world The islands are also not very diverse - Achatina, hermit crabs, gray herons and flying foxes. But the underwater world of the country is incomparably richer.
Hundreds of giant living coral ecosystems contain about 200 species of corals, more than 1,000 species of fish, 250 varieties of crustaceans and up to five thousand species of mollusks and echinoderms. The local fauna also boasts two dozen species of various whales and dolphins. The straits between the atolls are abundantly populated with plankton.
Climate
The subequatorial climate of the Maldives is formed by the seasonal northeast monsoons. average temperature throughout the year it is approximately the same - from 23-30°C. Although there are no clearly defined seasons in the country, spring is somewhat hotter and drier. With the arrival of the monsoons, the temperature and humidity rise slightly. The average rainfall is about 2000 mm per year.
Map of the Maldives with cities. Administrative division of the country
The Maldives is divided into 21 administrative divisions. Together they form 8 regions, formed according to the principle of geographical proximity. The country's population is about 405,000 people. A map of the Maldives with cities in Russian demonstrates that, despite its small area, this makes the Maldives one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The average population density here is 1135 people per km 2.
Male- capital and The largest city countries. Located in the central part of the Maldives. Almost a quarter of the archipelago's population lives here. It is included in the list of the most densely populated cities in the world and occupies the entire territory island of the same name, the area of which does not exceed 6 km 2.
Kuramati Island located 50 km west of the capital. Despite its small size, the island is the most popular tourist center countries.
Eidhafushi- one of the largest inhabited islands of the Maldives. Located in the northern part of the archipelago, 100 km northwest of Male. Remarkable absolute height 0 meters above sea level.
The Maldives is considered one of the most beautiful And fascinating places on the planet, a special piece of paradise.
The snow-white sand on the beaches of the 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 located in the Indian Ocean, near 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. import prohibited the following items
:
- 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 the many prohibitions that seem strange to us, but are 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. In addition, in good hotels, administrators are fluent in both Russian and English languages.
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
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 to completely destroy this beautiful and tranquil place where luxurious 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 located in the Indian Ocean, near Sri Lanka and India. In total, the islands cover about ninety thousand square kilometers, but most of this is sea. 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 journey from Moscow to the Maldives is eight and a half hours.
You can stay on the paradise islands for no more than thirty days. You should know that customs will certainly check whether you comply with the rules according to which the import of the following items into the country 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 a particularly attractive holiday destination 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. In addition, in good hotels, administrators are fluent in both Russian and English.
This piece of paradise is difficult to spot on a regular world map. The island chain is located off the coast in equatorial waters Indian Ocean. Only zooming in allows you to clearly see the location of the Maldives.
The Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, geographically crossing the equator. Tourists associate the concept of the equator with unbearable heat, however, the average annual temperature there is 25-30 degrees. In other resorts in Italy, Spain or Egypt, the temperature during the season can be much higher, and most importantly, it is much worse to tolerate.
Among all the island groups, the Maldives, being a 100% Islamic state, have created perhaps the most original recreation system for their guests. Protecting the population from the bad influence of tourism, the government allocated 200 previously uninhabited islands for vacationers, on which there are no indigenous inhabitants.
Map of the Maldives online interactive from satellite
(to enlarge or reduce the map use + and -)
Residents of India and Sri Lanka are involved in the service sector there. Therefore, the rare opportunity to see an indigenous inhabitant of the islands does not come often. An interesting and important feature is that you don’t pay for anything on the spot, but collect bills that you will have to pay when leaving the country. And therefore, by chance, you may not calculate your material capabilities. The islands can be recommended to those who want to spend their entire vacation on the beach.
You can get there by direct flight from Moscow. You will be taken from the airport by boat or helicopter.
Pros are one of the best places for diving and snorkeling. Experienced instructors will make you a pro in a week.
Disadvantages - you cannot import alcohol, swim naked and have contact with local women. The last two points are prosecuted under Islamic law.
The Maldives is a scattering of picturesque atolls in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Everything here is conducive to bliss: kilometers of secluded beaches, upscale hotels and very beautiful nature. All about the Maldives: diving and surfing, photos, prices, weather and tours.
- Last minute tours to the Maldives
- Tours for May Worldwide
The Maldives, famous “residents” of the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean, are rightfully considered one of the best exotic destinations. There are 1190 islands (or rather, atolls) and all of them are just right: with blue lagoons, sandy beaches and unique vegetation. There is everything for relaxation: peace and tranquility, beautiful nature, a rich underwater world. And also something without which any advantages of any resort immediately fade in the eyes of modern tourists - good hotels And high level service.
Prices, it must be said, in the Maldives are also quite “at the level”: holidays here can be afforded mainly by travelers whose income level marketers define as “above average”. Having paid a significant amount for the trip, the following categories of vacationers will be 100% satisfied with their vacation. Divers are maniacs, diving three times a day. This is the most problem-free subtype of tourists: they will still be delighted, diving like ducklings from morning to night. Happily married (or unmarried) couples who need no one but each other. They can choose a hotel with the appropriate furnishings - there are plenty of them on the islands. And, of course, seekers of an absolutely relaxed holiday in the ambiance of a tropical paradise.
Time difference from Moscow
2 hours
- with Kaliningrad
- with Samara
- with Yekaterinburg
- with Omsk
- with Krasnoyarsk
- with Irkutsk
- with Yakutsk
- with Vladivostok
- from Severo-Kurilsk
- with Kamchatka
History and legend
According to legend, life in the Maldives was once not as cloudless as glossy catalogs would have us believe. The sea genie Rannamaari, who unfortunately settled in their territorial waters, demanded regular human sacrifices every full moon, and exclusively in the form of virgins from the island of Male. The poor fellows were taken to a certain temple, and the next morning they were found dead.
But it’s not all Maslenitsa: one day a traveler from the distant Maghreb, Abdul-Barakat ul-Barbari, arrived at the atoll. The stranger took pity on the girls (whom his compatriots apparently had nothing to do with) and on the full moon he himself sat down in the temple in the place of the victim. He read the Koran all night, but in the morning it turned out that the genie had escaped, unable to withstand the power of the holy book. So the women were saved, and the Maldivians joyfully converted to Islam - that’s why now there are mosques everywhere, a ban on the import of alcohol and no toplessness (presumably, they are afraid that the genie will return). However, this did not affect the amazing nature of the archipelago - and therefore its attractiveness for tourists.
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Climate
The climate of the Maldives is warm and humid. Air temperature during the day is about +30 °C, at night +26 °C, water temperature +26 °C. Due to its close location to the equator, seasonal changes associated with the monsoons are almost imperceptible. During the southwest monsoon (May to October), it rains more often and the weather is windier. The northeast monsoon season (November to February) is considered less humid.
Maps of the Maldives
Visa and customs
Police: 119, fire service: 118, ambulance: 102.
Beaches in the Maldives
In the Maldives, all roads lead to the beach: fine snow-white sand, perfectly blue waves, tall palm trees - everywhere you look, pictures from advertising posters come to life. The coastline is almost everywhere wide, spacious, equipped with amenities and umbrellas to protect you from the scorching sun. Most of the beaches belong to hotels, and the areas assigned to modest “three rubles” are not much inferior in grooming and comfort to fashionable five-star zones.
Topless sunbathing and drinking alcohol are strictly prohibited on Maldivian beaches.
The list of the most famous beaches of the archipelago includes Naladu and Banyan Tree on Male Atoll, San and Nika on Ari Atoll. Turtles nest on the shores of Lhaviani, and dolphins splash off the coast of Maafushi. The wealthy relax on the islands of Hadahaa (Gaafu Alif Atoll), Kunfunadhoo (Baa Atoll) and Veligandu (Ari Atoll). There is an equipped beach even in the capital: of course, it is not as spectacular as the recreation areas at luxury resorts, but it is quite suitable for surfing and sunbathing. And the most vivid impressions will be given by night swimming on the “glowing” beach: underwater microorganisms and luminescent algae on the coast of Vaadu (South Male) shimmer with blue lights in the dark, creating the effect of a starry sky descending to the ground.
Diving in the Maldives
Maldives... how much this word brings together for a diver’s heart: comfortable water temperature (+27 °C at a depth of 40 m), excellent visibility up to 30 m and, of course, professional dive centers. The disadvantages of this direction include strong currents outside the reefs. Best season for scuba diving in the archipelago - the period from January to April, when the weather is sunny and the water is clear. Giraavaru Island Resort, which is on the North Atoll, has over 20 places known to divers from all over the world.
For beginners, diving on reefs would be ideal: on their inner slopes or inside the atoll. Advanced divers will be interested in the outer surface of the reef (amazing ocean fish live there in caves with ledges and terraces), but do not forget about strong currents and breaking waves. The underwater coral slides are very interesting - their tops are at a depth of 5 to 25 m, and their base is up to 40 m.
In addition, there are several interesting wrecks in the Maldives, for example, the cargo ship Victoria with the remains of goods brought to the islands, or the steamer Chaika, which sank at the end of the 19th century - its hull was completely split in two. Some popular sites: national reserve"Embudu" with amazingly diverse underwater world, the Felivaru and Halaveli rivers (here you can see giant stingrays), the Maaya reef, the cozy channel between the reefs of Fushi, teeming with many inhabitants, the secluded dive site of Rakido, the protected marine area of Guraidhoo, the “shark” site of Miyaru.
Read more about local diving in the article by our regular expert, the charming Veronica Birman, “Diving without lyrics - 13. The soul of the Maldives.”
Surfing
Wave boarding is a relatively recent entertainment in the Maldives: only in the late 80s. The first surfers flocked here. Today, the islands are considered one of the most popular places in the world for surfing: it is never crowded (the number of people going out to sea is regulated by a special service), and the waves are just a sight for sore eyes: high, stable, ideally shaped. The prestigious international tournament O’Neill Deep Blue Open is regularly held on the island of Lohifushi.
There are 7 popular surfing spots in the Maldives, including Sultans, Pasta Point (with exclusive rights to “rent” waves by the Atoll Adventures club) and the so-called “Police Island”. The most wonderful surfing is from June to September, the height of local waves is from 1 to 2.5 m.
You can also practice surfing in the capital Male: there is a sandy bottom, and there is no risk of cutting yourself on the corals at low tide. True, the landscapes are not as picturesque as at the atoll resorts.
Wedding in the Maldives
Entertainment and attractions
All the main beauties of the Maldives are located below sea level; there are no special attractions on land. There is the unremarkable capital of Male (excursion from 40 USD), many similar uninhabited islands where people like to have picnics (from 35 USD), as well as a kind of “action” - a fishing excursion. Perhaps the only notable overwater excursion is the Photo Flight, a seaplane flight over the islands. It costs a lot: for 15-20 minutes in the air you will have to pay about 150-250 USD. Other popular excursions are a yacht cruise (from 80-90 USD) or a submarine dive (from 45-50 USD).
Do you know how an atoll differs from “just an island”? Just in case, we provide information: an atoll is a coral island in the form of a continuous or discontinuous ring surrounding a lagoon. If you look from under the water, the atoll will most likely turn out to be a long-extinct volcano, on the slopes of which a coral reef once began to grow - and grew so much that it gradually appeared on the surface. But the top of the volcano, on the contrary, over many centuries collapsed and sank under water. You know the rest: people sailed from somewhere to the formed ring, built hotels with restaurants and spas, and opened diving centers.
If the soul still requires cultural program We recommend visiting National Museum on the territory of the picturesque Sultan's Park, the Islamic Center under the golden dome and the Presidential Palace in Male. The oldest in the country, the Old Friday Mosque with a unique minaret (1656) and the tomb of Mohammed Takurufanu, a legend of national resistance, are also located here. Ari Atoll has the ruins of a Buddhist temple from 90 BC. e., on the island of Matirah (Haa Alif Atoll) - a mausoleum with a sacred tomb, a place of pilgrimage for Muslims.
Holidays and Events
The main holidays in the Maldives are patriotic and religious in nature. The most magnificent celebrations take place on Independence Day, July 26: the islanders have fun in honor of the long-awaited exit from British protectorate and the declaration of sovereignty. On the first day of the month of Rabi al-Awwal, Nation Day is celebrated to commemorate the liberation from the Portuguese invaders by the troops of Mohammed Takurufanu. On the 12th day of the same month, the birth of the Prophet Muhammad is celebrated.
The end of holy Ramadan marks Eid al-Fitr: three days of hearty meals, visits and other entertainment. After 70 days, Eid al-Fitr begins with traditional services and sacrifices. November 3 is Victory Day in honor of the coup d'état prevented in 1988. In the first month of the Muslim calendar, Muharram, religious celebrations are held to celebrate the Islamic New Year.
December 10 is one of the most colorful local holidays: Fisherman's Day with folk festivities and noisy fairs. Adored by foreign tourists New Year(January 1) and Christmas (December 25) arrange bright celebrations in hotels and on city streets: the degree of fun depends only on the thickness of the wallet.
