The Republic of Maldives is the smallest Asian country in the world. It is a collection of islands lost in the middle of the endless Indian Ocean. Every year, areas of land are increasingly immersed in water and, according to researchers, they will soon face serious flooding.
Because of this, the water level in the ocean is constantly rising, which could soon lead the Maldives to disaster. If you want to visit this truly paradise, where time seems to have stopped, hurry up! Its pristine beauty will not leave anyone indifferent - snow-white sandy beaches, blue lagoons, evergreen tropical trees will forever remain in the soul of any traveler.
Where is the Maldives on the map? Geographical location of the state
The Maldives is quite difficult to find on the world map. This small country is located in the Indian Ocean, south of the Hindustan Peninsula and southwest of the island of Ceylon. Its closest neighbors are India (595 km), Sri Lanka (670 km) and the Chagos Archipelago (500 km). You can see the Maldives on the map below.
The Republic of Maldives is a coral archipelago, the length of which from west to east is 130 km, and from north to south - 823 km. It consists of 1,196 small islands believed to be of volcanic origin. They form a double chain of 26 atolls - large coral land areas that look like a broken ring. The largest and most significant are the Southern (Nord Niland) and Aria Atoll. The distance between groups varies from 25 to 80 km.
The total area of land and reefs in the Maldives is 298 square meters. km., and the total territory together with the water area is 900,000 sq. km. Of the more than 1,100 islands, only 202 are inhabited, and more than 70 of them are first-class tourist resorts.
Historical reference
Very little information has been preserved about the early history of the Maldives. The culture of the Maldives is believed to have appeared earlier than the 5th century BC. Fragments of pottery found during excavations suggested that Redin settlements were founded on the islands as early as 2000 BC. In 500 BC. on southern islands Buddhists arrived from Fr. Ceylon. This fact is confirmed by an ancient Buddhist manuscript and the head of a Buddha statue dating back to the 11th century. The first Chinese sailors reached the Maldives in 412. Since 1153 - since the adoption of Islam - all major historical events have been recorded in the history of the sultanate.
According to numerous testimonies from sailors, the islands were ruled by female sultanas for a long time. Europeans up to the 15th century. They knew nothing about the country and did not mark the Maldives on the world map until Vasco da Gama crossed the Indian Ocean. In 1507, Lourenzo de Almeida sailed to the islands, and in 1529, the Parmentier brothers. From 1558 the Portuguese dominated the islands until guerrilla warfare began and they were destroyed. Further, until 1760, the Maldives were under the protection of the French, and from the mid-17th century. - the Dutch, and then the British. In mid-1965, after massive popular uprisings, the Maldives gained independence from Great Britain. In 1968, a new constitution was adopted, and the country gained official name- "Republic of Maldives".
State flag
The modern version of the main state symbol of the country was adopted in July 1965. The flag of the Maldives is a red cloth with a green rectangle and a white crescent. It has a special symbolic meaning. The color red represents the courage of the heroes who, without hesitation, defended and will defend their country, sacrificing themselves and shedding blood. The green rectangle symbolizes nature Maldives- coconut palms, which are the source of life for the indigenous population. The white crescent symbolizes the religiosity of the Maldivians and reflects their commitment to Islam.
Economy of the Maldives
Now the Republic of Maldives is a democratic developing state with a president at its head.
The country's economy is based on three pillars: tourism, shipping and fishing. Thanks to the mild climate, rich underwater world and amazingly beautiful coral reefs, crowds of tourists come here. In the open sea, it is carried out in lagoons and not far from the coast, turtles are caught, corals, shells and natural pearls are mined.
Official banknotes. Currency exchange
The currency of the Maldives is the Rufiyaa. It consists of one hundred laari. One US dollar is approximately equal to a dozen rufiyaa. There are banknotes of various denominations in circulation throughout the country, including 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 rufiyaa, as well as coins - 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 lari.
You can exchange currency at any bank, airport or exchange offices at the official rate. On islands remote from the capital, exchange will be difficult and at a rather unfavorable rate. Most payments require small bills, so stock up on them in sufficient quantities. Many high-end resorts accept US dollars and euros as well as credit cards.
Demography
The population living in the archipelago is approximately 400 thousand people. Almost all of them are descendants of immigrants from the Middle East, South, South-East Asia. Official language called "Dhivehi", it is a kind of mixture of Arabic, English and Sinhala languages. The local writing system is based on the Arabic-Persian script. The indigenous population of the islands professes Islam (Sunnism). It was brought by the Arabs and spread from the 12th century. And in 1968, Islam was declared the state religion.
Capital of the Republic of Maldives
Currently, Male is the capital of the Republic of Maldives. small town, located on the adjacent islets of Vilingile and Male. Its area is only 5.8 square meters. km. The population of Male is approximately 105 thousand people. Get to administrative, political and cultural center The Maldives can be reached by air or sea, by boat, seaplane taxi or speedboat between the islands.
You can explore all the sights of Male by walking around it. When visiting the city, it is advisable to wear things that cover your body well from the neck to the knees. Almost all the souvenir shops are located at the northern end of Chaandani Magu. Here you can buy Maldivian mats made of palm fiber, decorative fishing boats, canned fish and amazingly delicious seafood. In general, Male is not rich in attractions, although the inquisitive tourist will enjoy the shady Jumuri Maidan Park, the National Museum in Sultans Park, the Islamic Center with the Good Friday Mosque and the Medhu Ziyarat Chapel.
Climate in the Maldives
The archipelago is dominated by a tropical monsoon climate. All year round the air temperature is quite high, has a small amplitude and varies between 26°C - 32°C. At night it does not drop below 25°C. In winter - from November to March - northeastern, warm monsoons predominate. In summer - from June to August - south-westerly, more humid winds prevail. It often rains lightly on the islands at this time. The water temperature varies between 24°C - 27°C. During the dry season from November to early April, the Maldives attracts numerous tourists from all over the world. The mild, warm climate, comfortable sea temperature, lack of rain and strong winds make the islands so attractive to travelers.
It is interesting that a sufficient number of tourists visit the Maldives even during the “wet” season. Despite the high humidity, large amounts of precipitation and raging winds, the influx of vacationers does not subside. The fact is that from mid-April to early November, the cost of air tickets, accommodation and food is significantly reduced, which attracts travelers who want to save money.
Flora and fauna
The Maldives Islands are famous throughout the world for their amazing diversity of marine fauna and flora. The sea is full of amazing corals. Schools of various exotic fish, turtles, jellyfish, clams, sea stars and hedgehogs, moray eels, stingrays, attract diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.
Predators also live in the waters of the Maldives - sharks with black fins and sharks with white fins; huge ocean inhabitants - hammerhead sharks and whale sharks - also swim here. But you don’t have to be afraid of them, since they are non-aggressive and practically harmless to divers. To prevent accidents, as well as to preserve the unique flora and fauna of the Maldives, there are strict restrictions on scuba diving. Including, it is forbidden to dive to a depth of more than 30 m, it is forbidden to spend more than 60 minutes under water, each diver must have a dive computer with him, etc. Land fauna and flora are not very diverse.
Breadfruit, coconut, and banana are common on many islands of the Maldives. The atolls - Dhaalu (Dhaalu) and Fafu - stand out for their lush vegetation. Exotic flowers grow here: water lily hernandia, catappa herminalia, etc., there are impenetrable mangroves with huge ferns. There are no large animals in the Maldives, but you can find a bat or an Indian flying fox. The islands are also inhabited by terns, parrots, sea gulls, and cormorants.
How to get to the archipelago?
The vast majority of tourists reach the Maldives by plane. The archipelago has Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. It is located on Hulule Island, 2 km away. from the capital. The airport receives flights from various cities, including Moscow, Vienna, Qatar, Kuala Lumpur, etc.
On the official website of the airport you can find all the necessary information, including viewing flight arrival times, choosing a suitable transfer and even planning a trip. There is an ATM, a bank, and a luggage storage facility on the airport premises. You can have a snack or drink coffee in any of the cafes you like. To the left of the exit from the airport building there is a pier. Ferries depart from here every 10-15 minutes to the capital of the country. The fare varies between 1-2 USD, depending on the time of day.
Great resorts. Maldives - a paradise for tourists
Vacationers are transported to the surrounding atolls on small, nimble seaplanes or boats. North and South Male, Ari, Baa, Miimu, Lhaviani, Haa Alifu, Faafu, Dhaalu atolls are the most beautiful resorts in the country, and each of them has its own zest.
There are more than 120 hotels in the Maldives, which can simultaneously serve about 50 thousand tourists. Basically all hotels have 4 or 5 stars; it is extremely rare to find a hotel with a worse level of service. Also in the Maldives you can stay in a magnificent bungalow and enjoy privacy.
Recreation and entertainment
The beaches of the archipelago are clean, with pleasant white sand. The water is amazingly warm and calm. The Maldives offers a respectable holiday, the absence of hustle and bustle and communication with unique nature. For lovers active rest There is a developed sports entertainment infrastructure. At the resorts you can go yachting, canoeing, skiing, surfing and, of course, diving. Drinking alcohol, collecting and damaging corals, and spearfishing are prohibited on the beaches of the atolls.
It is worth noting that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited not only on the beaches, but also in any public places outside the resort area. Topless or nude swimming is also not permitted. In addition, littering is prohibited on the islands. Any violation of the order will result in a serious fine.
Customs in the Maldives
All travelers should familiarize themselves in advance with the list of goods that are allowed to be imported and exported from the country. All luggage must be inspected by customs officers. It is allowed to import cigarettes (200 pcs.), perfume (125 ml), and personal consumption goods into the territory of the Maldives. It is not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages, pork, sausage, drugs and pornography. For attempting to violate the law, a fine of 500 USD is imposed. Any tourist should remember that the export of products made from turtle shells, pearl oyster shells, black and red corals is strictly prohibited. Items found at sea cannot be taken out of the country either. Be careful and enjoy your holiday!
This small country is located on 20 atolls in the equatorial Indian Ocean. The Islamic Republic is separated from India by more than 2,000 km. The distance to Sri Lanka is significantly less: if you look at the Maldives on the world map, you can see that the states are approximately 700 km apart from each other.
Information about the islands
The state of the Maldives is formed by almost 2000 coral islets. About 400 thousand people live here, and the dominant religion is Islam. The total area of the Republic of Maldives is 90 thousand km 2, but the land share of it accounts for no more than 300 km 2.
Interestingly, the only city and port of the country is its capital Male, located on the atoll of the same name. The remaining islands are almost uninhabited and only occasionally there are hotels on them.
The time in the Maldives is UTC +5, so when flying you should prepare in advance for a change in time zones.
Weather by month in the Maldives
The climate is determined by where exactly the Maldives is located. It belongs to the subequatorial monsoon type, so the weather is radically different in the dry and rainy seasons. Depending on the month of your trip, you will have to prepare for the following:
January. A trip to the islands this month will definitely be successful thanks to the warm, sunny and windless weather and the calm that reigns in the ocean. Although January is technically the rainy season, there is minimal precipitation, which guarantees a wonderful beach holiday and the opportunity to go diving. During the daytime, the thermometer rises to at least +24 °C, and the water temperature averages +27 °C.
February. Crowds of vacationers usually flock here at this time. The ocean continues to delight with a comfortable water temperature of +25 °C, and daytime air temperatures rarely fall below +28 °C. There are practically no waves, and the sky is perfectly blue and cloudless. Therefore, even inexperienced divers can begin to learn the intricacies of diving, and the almost complete absence of precipitation allows you to have fun on a yacht or catamaran.
March. This month is also considered quite hot and dry, and the average air and water temperatures differ little from February. The sand remains very warm, and there are practically no tropical showers. March sees plenty of native flora bloom, but be prepared for the occasional sandstorm.
April. At this time, the southwest monsoon arrives in the Maldives, bringing with it a change in weather. Storms in the ocean are rare, the heat is increasing, but rain is still an infrequent visitor here. If you cannot stand the stuffiness, you should postpone your trip: the air temperature is generally +30 °C, and the water temperature reaches +28 °C.
May. Very strong winds begin to blow, sometimes turning into hurricanes. There is significantly more precipitation: approximately half of the days in May are rainy. At the same time, the weather constantly brings surprises. The sun gives way to heavy rain and vice versa.
June. This month continues the May trend as the southwest monsoon takes over. There are very strong gusts of warm wind. In June, the Maldives receives maximum rainfall, typical for of this region, however, their number rarely exceeds 200 mm. Ocean waves sometimes reach gigantic sizes. The thermometer stays at an average of +30 °C, and the water temperature in the ocean is +27 °C.
July. At this time, the islands are not very comfortable due to frequent rains. However, they quickly end, and soon the sky partially clears and the sun peeks through the clouds. In July, approximately 160 mm of precipitation falls, and the air temperature is +31 °C. In water, the thermometer usually shows +27 °C. Thunderstorms are possible, during which it feels cool.
August. This month is considered the most changeable on the islands. In early August, the sea is quite warm and calm, winds and hurricanes practically stop. It rains relatively rarely, and the atolls are still hot. But already at the end of the month the sky becomes increasingly cloudy, it rains often, and the wind gets stronger.
September. Both day and night, the weather remains mostly warm, and the sweltering heat recedes. Humidity remains quite high, and precipitation falls up to 200 mm. The average number of rainy days in September is 15-16. The rains are often accompanied by strong thunderstorms, but the ocean remains quite warm with water temperatures of approximately +27 °C.
October. The air temperature drops slightly to +27-29 °C, and the water temperature drops to +26 °C, which does not interfere with swimming at all. It rains much less often: usually no more than 100 mm of precipitation falls.
November. This month the northeast monsoon arrives in the Maldives, bringing with it warm and dry weather. Winds and rains rarely bother tourists, and the average thermometer shows +28 °C. The water warms up to +25 °C.
December. At this time of year, everything is in bloom on the islands, so they turn into a real tropical paradise. Daytime temperatures rise to +30-32 °C, and the water temperature in the ocean rarely drops below +25 °C.
How to get to the Maldives
Any guidebook, where you will find everything you wanted to know about the Maldives, states that the connection between the island state and the mainland is carried out exclusively by air. The country's only airport is located in the capital Male. You can get to it in the following ways:
Direct flight from Aeroflot from Moscow. New Airbus A-330-200 aircraft fly from the Russian capital twice a week: on Wednesdays and Saturdays. If it is important for you to know how long it takes to fly from Moscow on such a direct flight, you will have to be patient: the flight duration is approximately 9 hours.
Please note that when returning from the Maldives you will have to pay an airport tax of 10 USD - 15 USD, which is not always included in the air ticket price.
Connecting flight with Qatar Airways (transfer point - Doha), " Singapore Airlines» (transfer point - Singapore) or Emirates Airlines (transfer point - Dubai). The cost of tickets for airliners of these air carriers already includes an airport tax.
Connecting flight with Srilankan Airlines. To do this, you will first have to fly to Dubai or Colombo and purchase a ticket to Male at the local airport for 180 USD - 250 USD. This is the most a budget option flight for those who want to save money.
The average cost of a flight between the capitals of Russia and the Maldives ranges from 570 USD to 720 USD one way.
Maldives visa and customs clearance
Residents of Russia and the CIS countries do not need to obtain a visa to travel to the Maldives, since there is a visa-free agreement between the countries. However, given the sudden change in climate and the exotic nature of the region, it would not hurt to purchase a health insurance policy. Weekly insurance will cost approximately 25 USD - 45 USD.
It is very important to comply with the rules of customs legislation of the Republic of Maldives. They talk about the following:
- You can import and export foreign currency in unlimited quantities.
- Without paying a duty, 125 ml of perfume or cologne and 200 cigarettes are allowed to be imported, as well as no more than one item related to goods for personal use per passenger.
- It is strictly forbidden to transport pork and meat products made from it, salami sausages, pornographic goods, narcotic substances, souvenirs made from a sea turtle shell or dark coral, as well as antiques found at the bottom of the ocean.
Be sure to note that the import and export of any alcoholic beverages in the Maldives is prohibited. Violation of this rule may result in arrest.
Cost of a holiday in the Maldives
Many Russian celebrities like Volochkova love to vacation in the Maldives. This is due to the very comfortable climate and reasonable prices for accommodation. If you are wondering how much a standard trip to the Maldives costs, please note that it depends on the following factors:
- duration of the trip;
- hotel category;
- the island on which the hotel is located;
- food and entertainment included in the price;
- season.
The more services a hotel offers for vacationers (SPA, swimming pools, animation, sauna and much more), the more expensive the vacation will cost. If you are planning a trip for 7-8 days, booking a single or double room with half board and a minimum of entertainment, you will have to spend from 2600 USD to 5500 USD.
The wedding tour involves a romantic weekend for the newlyweds and will cost from 1750 USD to 2500 USD. The price includes room decoration, services of photographers and musicians, fruits, wine or champagne and an informal wedding ceremony. The all-inclusive tour is suitable for those who want to completely relax during their trip. Its price - from 3,500 USD to 7,000 USD for a week's stay in a 4 or 5 star hotel - includes three meals a day and free drinks throughout the entire stay.
Those looking to save money should pay attention to last-minute tours: they are usually 30% cheaper. Also at the most budget holiday in the Maldives for 8 days you will have to spend approximately 2000 USD if you book a room in an inexpensive three-star hotel without special amenities. The price includes airfare and medical insurance.
The Maldives is a real sunny paradise on earth, where you can easily recuperate after a long-awaited vacation.
Geographic maps are used as experienced travelers, and novice tourists. Modern versions clearly and in detail display the general location of countries, cities and their internal infrastructure.
Maldives on the world map in Russian
This piece of paradise is difficult to spot on a regular world map. The island chain is located off the coast in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean. Only zooming in allows you to clearly see the location of the Maldives.
They are located 700 km from Sri Lanka and India. In the southwest there is a famous resort area - the Seychelles.
The Maldives is a chain of 1,192 coral islands united into 26 atolls. Moreover, administratively they are divided into 20 atolls. The most famous of them are: North and South Kaafu;
- Seenu;
- Meemu;
- Faavu;
- Vaavu.
The Maldives is washed by the Indian Ocean
An interactive map in Russian will help you understand the specific location of a particular resort.
Maldives on a map of Asia in Russian
Looking at the Maldives on a map, it is clear that they extend north of the equator between Eurasia and Africa. The island state belongs to South Asia, which also includes countries such as Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and India.
The flight to Sri Lanka takes approximately one hour, and a little longer to India. Approximately 5 hours flight from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and 8 hours from China.
Map of the Maldives with resorts in Russian
For the convenience of tourists in navigating the area filled with various vacation spots, a Russian-language map has been created with the designations of all the islands and atolls. The atlas shows a general view of the archipelago. The most popular destinations among tourists, routes, the largest resort areas, where you can find everything you need for a comfortable pastime. Using such a navigator, any guest of the republic without knowledge of English can easily navigate among the numerous islands.
Important! Uninhabited places on the territory are not marked.
Map of the Maldives with landmarks shows best places for relax. For example, the Banana Reef Nature Reserve, where lovers of exploring underwater caves enjoy the richness and vibrant life of the marine world.
Addu Atoll hotels on the map
With a local coordinate system, it is easy for tourists to navigate the choice of resorts, the most popular of which are:
- Male is the republican capital, offering guests a lot of excursion programs and exciting entertainment, markets, and museums. The presidential palace and one of the most grandiose mosques are especially attractive.
- Faavu is famous among true gourmets who value spas and meals in the best restaurants and always strive to look their best!
- Arias are preferred by lovers of diversity in flora and fauna. The famous turtle bays are located here.
- It is useful for tourists to study transport links on the map of the Republic of Maldives. In the middle part you can see the main international airport of Male. Next door on the island of Khuhule is the international airport named after Ibrahim Nasir, which is one of the largest for seaplanes. The path to it from the capital by speedboat or ferry is clearly visible. Cafu is the most tourist area. Most of hotels are located here. Among popular destinations also the Aria and Baa atolls, which are relatively close to the airport.
Note! It is difficult to see a specific island among thousands of islands. It is better to first find the name of the atoll on the map, and then the desired location.
If you plan to stay at several hotels, it will be useful to take a look at nearby resort areas and local airports in advance to get an accurate idea of the trip, the amount of time needed to travel, nearby attractions, entertainment and opportunities. This way you can distribute your vacation time most effectively.
Regions of the Maldives on the map
The Maldives archipelago is not part of any state. It is an independent presidential republic. The map clearly shows separation from other countries and intra-regional demarcation.
The administrative structure of the Republic of Maldives includes 20 island groups and a capital atoll called Male. There are no lakes or rivers throughout the territory. According to its geographical location, the archipelago is divided into 8 regions: Central, Far Northern, Northern and others. Conventionally, they are all divided into 3 large groups of atolls:
- northern;
- average;
- southern.
Chain from the Maldives
It is very interesting to see what the Maldives looks like from above. According to one version, each atoll appeared on the top of a volcano with islands on its crater, part of a chain of extinct volcanoes. This explains the circular arrangement of land areas, as can be seen on the map of the Maldives. Moreover, they are all very similar to each other. The highest point (2.4 meters above sea level) is located in the southern Addu Atoll.
Yandex and Google maps of the Maldives
Satellite images allow you to see even the smallest islands of the state and their internal infrastructure. Judging by the abundance of private hotels that own the islands, it is clear that tourism is a key industry in the Republic of Maldives. Only guests of the country and service personnel live on their territory. There are guest houses where Maldivians live.
Where the Maldives is is shown on maps from major search engines. All infrastructure facilities available on the territory are presented in detail:
- hotels, inns, guest houses;
- places transport links(airports, the only port in Male);
- entertainment venues;
- mosques;
- government agencies;
- markets, shops;
- cafes, restaurants;
- beauty salons, spa treatments;
- sports clubs, fitness centers, swimming pools;
- water sports and entertainment service companies;
- private educational institutions (for example, diving and surfing courses).
When choosing a vacation spot, interactive maps will help you study tourism, transport and social infrastructure.
Map of Maldives and Bali
For any geographical map It’s easy to notice the differences in the climate of the Maldives and Bali, which are separated by almost 5 thousand km. If the island archipelago is completely surrounded by the Indian Ocean, then the Bali territory is washed by it only from the south and is located much to the north. Therefore, in these two places, although warm, the weather is opposite in seasons.
Note! In Bali, the best period for relaxation is the end of spring and summer; it is preferable to visit the Maldives in winter.
The Republic of Maldives is an independent state representing a chain of islands. Bali is located in the same southern hemisphere of the Earth between Australia and India, but is one island as part of the Malay Archipelago.
Bali Map
Maps of the Maldives and Bali will help you make right choice places for rest. The tourist infrastructure and transport routes displayed on them clearly show the difference.
Advantages and disadvantages of the geographical location of the state for tourism development
The country is located in a favorable climatic conditions location - in the south of India, surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Beautiful weather all year round great for a beach holiday. The air temperature never drops below +17 degrees Celsius. During the main part of the year it fluctuates around 25-28 degrees. The rainy season begins in June and ends by September. During the winter-spring period, tourists are pleased with the dry weather.
In recent years, Nuunu Atoll has been developing most actively. Particular emphasis is placed on the premium class of tourism. The map shows the abundance of neighboring islands, which has become a key factor in attracting travelers and investors.
The geographical location has both pros and cons for vacationers. Advantages:
- Calm atmosphere. The Maldives are popular among connoisseurs of a secluded holiday away from noisy parties, bazaars, and crowded crowds. This is facilitated by small island territories where there is not much room to roam. Unlike many Asian countries, there is no migration flow here seeking to earn money. Local citizens live in separate territories. Each island belongs to one private hotel. The holiday is organized in such a way that guests meet only at joint events, during meals. Therefore, it is chosen by couples in love and people tired of a hectic life who want to hide from surrounding gazes.
The Maldives is an ideal place for a secluded holiday
- Purity and wealth underwater world. Walking along the ocean coast, guests of the country enjoy clean sandy beaches, crystal waters, lush palm trees. The diving here is the best in the world - in the expanses of water visibility reaches 40 meters.
Flaws:
- Lack of mass entertainment, cultural and excursion offers. Unlike Turkish animation, there are no mass entertainers in the Maldives. Relaxation consists of enjoying nature and water activities. There are no historical or architectural attractions on the islands.
- Poor kitchen. No matter how much a holiday in the Maldives costs, the local cuisine is not strong point resort. The cuisine, which takes its cues from Indian and Sri Lankan gastronomy, is extremely spicy. Therefore, living for a long time on such a diet is fraught with health risks. Only the largest hotels provide good food.
- Expensive. In addition to the fact that hotels have very high prices for water, juices, and alcohol, a lot of money is spent on individual transfers. For example, a boat for two up to neighboring island and back in August 2018 cost about $500. For a candlelit dinner on the ocean shore, tourists shelled out at least 200-300 dollars.
So, the world map shows that the Maldives is an original island chain located in the depths of the Indian Ocean, far from crowded places at a distance of about 5000 km from Bali and is one of the countries of South Asia. More than a thousand islands are grouped into 20 atolls and divided into 8 large regions. Yandex and Google have Russian-language versions of a detailed representation of the internal infrastructure of the entire Maldivian territory.
*the prices shown are current as of August 2018.
(2
ratings, average: 4,50
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The Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean. On the world map they can be seen near South Asia. The islands are very popular among Russian tourists, but few know all the features of a holiday in the Maldives. The article will provide up-to-date information about tourism in the Maldives.
The Maldives on the world map is located in the Indian Ocean near the equator, which crosses them on the southern side. The group of islands has coordinates: 1 degree south and 8 degrees north latitude, as well as 72 and 74 degrees east longitude. The closest countries to the Maldives are India and the island of Sri Lanka.
The islands belonging to the Maldives are grouped into atolls, of which there are 26. There are about 2000 islands in the Republic of Maldives.
How long is the flight to the islands from Moscow? What to take with you
The Maldives on the world map is located in open ocean, so you can only get to the islands by plane. Shipping in the archipelago area is not developed due to the structural features of the land of the Maldives. The flight takes from 9 hours to 1 day, depending on the chosen flight.
You can get to the Maldives from Moscow:
Another flight option - charter flights organized during holidays or high season. Such flights can be offered to vacationers travel companies or special online services. The undoubted advantage of such flights is direct flights and a more affordable price compared to regular flights.
When vacationers land at international airport Ibrahim Nasir in Male, they undergo customs control. Border guards will record the tourist’s personal data and issue a temporary visa for 30 days. Since the Republic of Maldives is a country with an Islamic faith, personal belongings are inspected at the border for the absence of anti-Islamic symbols, pork or alcohol.
After passing through customs, tourists go to the hall where they can exchange currency or find out information about how to get to their atoll if the hotel does not provide a transfer. The hotel can be reached by ferry or by seaplane. Before departure, you should carefully prepare and collect the necessary things.
The tourist must have:
To make your flight and vacation comfortable, you can take with you:
- things for leisure (books, gadgets, headphones);
- charger for phone or tablet;
- universal adapter for sockets;
- drinking water;
- non-perishable snack foods;
- sanitary and dry wipes;
- pocket first aid kit.
It is also worth taking with you:
- light clothing made from natural fabrics;
- clothing for swimming and sunbathing;
- hat and sunglasses;
- sunscreens;
- means for protection against tropical insects;
- hygiene supplies;
- a thin jacket in case of rain;
- beach flip-flops.
If vacationers come to the islands with a baby, it is worth stocking up on the required number of diapers, since they may not be available for sale on the selected atoll.
Climate and weather by month
The Maldives on the world map is located directly on the equator, so a subequatorial monsoon climate prevails here. Depending on the direction of the wind, the seasons are divided into dry and wet.
Weather in the Maldives by month:
| Month | Temperature | Precipitation |
| January | Warm, windless weather with a thermometer reading of +25 degrees. In the ocean, the water warms up to +27, and there are no waves. | The month ends the wet season, so it doesn't rain very often. |
| February | The ocean still remains calm and heats up to +29 degrees. The air temperature remains around 28 degrees. | There is practically no precipitation. |
| March | The month differs from the previous one only in the appearance of rare sandstorms. | It still hardly rains. |
| April | The climate is gradually changing, and the islands are becoming very stuffy. There are no special storms observed. | Showers are very rare. |
| May | Although the indicator on the thermometer remains unchanged, the speed and strength of the wind increases sharply, which even leads to hurricanes. | It starts to rain more often. The clear sun can suddenly be replaced by rainy clouds. Precipitation occurs approximately 10-15 days per month. |
| June | The temperature remains the same, the winds continue to blow with the same force, bringing high waves to the islands. | The rainiest month of the year. Precipitation occurs almost every day. |
| July | The air temperature rises to +31 degrees, and the water temperature to +28. | Showers continue to fall, but with slightly less intensity than in June. |
| August | At the beginning of the month, it may seem that the climate is changing. However, after mid-August the days become cloudy more often. The temperature continues to remain unchanged. | Precipitation occurs in the second half of the month. |
| September | The temperature drops slightly and remains around 27 degrees, the stuffiness recedes. | It rains more than half the days in the month. |
| October | The thermometer stays at 25-26 degrees, the water also warms up to 25-26. | The intensity of precipitation is reduced by almost half from the previous month. |
| November | The climate changes to north monsoon. It becomes warm and windless on the islands. The air temperature is around 28 degrees, and the water temperature is 26. | There is practically no heavy precipitation. |
| December | The thermometer shows 30-32 degrees, the water heats up to 25-26. | It rarely rains. |
Depending on weather changes, the Maldives will have high and low tourist seasons.
Best time to holiday in the Maldives
Since the islands have hot weather all year round, you can fly to the Maldives in any month of the year. However, holidays can be spoiled by seasonal rains, which begin in April and end in December. However, precipitation that falls in the low season does not last long, and heavy thunderstorms can suddenly give way to clear weather.
Also in the second half of August, the so-called “Indian summer” occurs here, characteristic of the dry season.
An additional advantage of holidays in the low season is the reduced cost of flights and hotel accommodations. The high season is from December to April. A lot of tourists come here to take a break from the winter cold of their country, sunbathe and swim in the clear water of the Indian Ocean or go diving.
Many people fly to the Maldives to spend New Year holidays. Due to the great popularity of the Maldives, prices for accommodation and flights increase greatly during this season.
Geographical characteristics of the islands
The Maldives is an archipelago of islands of volcanic origin. The islands are washed by the Laccadive Sea of the Indian Ocean. The length of the archipelago along the equator is 120 km, and across it - 750 km, while the distance between the atolls varies from 25 to 80 km, and between the islands from 1 to 10 km.
The total area of all the islands is almost 300 km. sq. Almost all inhabited atolls are designated for specific purposes.
For example, there are separate atolls:
- hotels;
- settlements of local residents;
- airports;
- farm or production;
- prisons.
On the islands, locals speak Dhivehi and Indo-Aryan languages, the majority speak Arabic and English languages. Recognized in the republic official currency– rufiyaa, but you can pay at the hotel or with sellers in dollars, or exchange them at any exchange office.
Administrative divisions, resorts
Total in Republic of Maldives There are 26 atolls, some of which are either not occupied at all or are occupied only by hotels. Of the 1,196 islands in the Maldives, only 200 are inhabited by people and the rest are wild places.
The most popular atolls among tourists:
- Laviana;
- Siena;
- Meemu Raa;
- Kaafu;
- Vaavu;
- Alifu;
- Daalu;
- Faafu.
All atolls are part of a specific administrative center.
There are 8 of them in total:
- Metropolitan;
- Far northern;
- Northern;
- North Central;
- Central;
- Central-South;
- Southern;
- Extreme southern.
Features of tourism in the Maldives
What sets the Maldives apart from others popular resorts is a quiet and relaxing beach holiday. There are no striking historical and architectural attractions or noisy amusement parks and attractions. The location is great for family vacation with kids.
Cost of tours to the Maldives
You can travel to the Maldives on your own without turning to a tour operator for help. In this case, you will have to book your hotel and plane tickets on your own. The travel agency will take its percentage, but tourists will no longer need to look for suitable conditions for living and spending time on the island; the travel agent will do everything.
The cost of tours to the Maldives primarily depends on the season of visiting. In high season, a week-long tour for two will cost 300-400 thousand rubles. In the low season, you can purchase a tour for 150-300 thousand rubles. A last minute tour for 6 days with only breakfast can be purchased for 90-100 thousand rubles.
Types of holidays in the Maldives
The Maldives on the world map is located in the ocean, so surfing and diving are well developed here. Tourists can also go fishing in the open sea. Surfing is well developed on the island of Male. There are many surf clubs here, mainly for professionals. Best time for boarding - from May to October.
The Maldives is an ideal destination for active holidays such as surfing. Beginners should try surfing in winter, when the waves in the sea are relatively small. It is worth noting that despite the enormous popularity of surfing in the Maldives, there is not a single school for beginners.
In addition to Male, professional surfers can go to the following islands:
- Chickens;
- Coca Cola;
- Lhokhi;
- Kanifinol;
- Sultans;
- Honkys.
If the trip falls between March and April, it is best to board on the southern atolls. Unlike surfing, there are many schools for diving training on the islands. The best time for diving and snorkeling is from January to March. During this period, the water is clear and the underwater world is visible as in the picture.
One dive will cost approximately 3,500 rubles. depending on the season, as well as the chosen hotel or diving center. If a tourist wants to see the rare inhabitants of the ocean: tiger sharks and manta rays, then it is worth visiting the Maldives from October to November.
Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities in the Maldives. A tourist can go fishing from a yacht or donny boat. This can be done in the morning or at night. Anyone can be taken to uninhabited islands for a fishing safari.
Sights of the Maldives, interesting places
The Maldives is primarily valued for its beach holidays. However, for curious tourists there is a small number of excursion entertainments.
Vacationers can visit:
Tourists can also visit several famous atolls and picturesque islands.
Where a tourist will stay: location and description of hotels
The Maldives is famous Russian tourists like an expensive pleasure. Due to the location of the islands right on the equator (you can see it on the world map), eternal summer reigns here, so vacationers fly to the Maldives all year round. Many hotels are located on the main atolls, others can completely occupy 1 island.
The high demand for vacation is clearly visible in the cost of accommodation, which can reach 200 thousand rubles. for two per day. However, this does not mean that there is no affordable housing on the islands. If a tourist wants to save money on accommodation, you can safely go to a new, not yet fully developed area of the island of Male - Hulumale, where you can rent decent accommodation in a guesthouse for little money.
Tourists will stay in good rooms with the necessary furniture and appliances, and will pay from 2,500 rubles for accommodation for two. per day. The area is in close proximity to the main attractions of the capital of the Maldives. Vacationers can rent rooms in similar guesthouses on other atolls. A common sight on the islands is a hotel that occupies the entire island.
Such places provide guests with a wide variety of services, for example:
- private beach with the necessary infrastructure;
- surf school;
- spa or wellness center;
- gym;
- food points;
- playgrounds.
Vacationers will also be met at the airport and taken back. Tourists can use the services of a tour guide at the hotel.
Some of the most notable hotels are:
If your trip falls during the high season, you should worry about booking accommodation in advance.
When planning a vacation to the Maldives, you should find out not only official information, but also get acquainted with interesting and important facts about the islands.
For example:
The Maldives is known throughout the world as one of the best tourist places with tropical beauties. The islands on the map are located near the equator, so eternal summer reigns here, which can sometimes be ruined by heavy rainfalls during the wet season.
Article format: Lozinsky Oleg
Video about the Maldives on the world map
Description of the islands and their location on the world map:
Detailed information about the Maldives, the location of the islands on the world map, how to get to them, whether a visa is needed, what prices, which hotels to choose and how to book. And also everything about types of recreation for complete Maldivian relaxation, information about national dishes, climate, weather, currency and Maldivians
The coast of the Indian Ocean with its picturesque atolls - Maldives. Beautiful nature, top-class hotels, beaches that are impossible to take in with your eyes. The Maldives is the best exotic holiday for tourists who want to swim in the Indian Ocean. Lagoons with blue shimmering atolls, golden sandy beaches, exotics, beautiful flora and fauna, and most importantly, high-class hotels with excellent service.
Not everyone can afford to go to the Maldives, as the prices here are not low. The tours are not cheap. But having paid so much money, tourists are usually completely satisfied.
Maldives- this is a paradise for maniac divers who do not get out of the water for days on end. They don’t care where or how to live, just to dive. This is also a great place to hold honeymoon . The memories will remain for the rest of your life. This is a place for those who want to completely relax and forget that there is another life somewhere with problems and troubles.
General information about the islands
Where are the Maldives on the world map
The Maldives, located south of the Indian subcontinent, is a magnificent island chain in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, consisting of 26 atolls. The Maldives was once a British colony. Gained independence in 1965.
State capital: Male city
Form of government: The President rules the country. The highest legislative body is the Mejlis.
Religion: Islam
National currency: Rufia
Population: The Maldives has a population of 436,330 in 2017, ranking 175th in the world. The Maldives has a high population density of 1,102 people per square kilometer, making it the 11th most populous country on earth.
Maldives dialing code: +960
Official website of the country: http://www.visitmaldives.com/en
Excellent episode of Heads and Tails about the Maldives
Climate in the Maldives, or when is the best time to go
The Maldives has a subequatorial monsoon climate. All year round the temperature ranges from + 24 to + 30 degrees. The rainy season starts from June and ends in August.
The best time of year to visit the Maldives is during the dry season, which lasts from January to April
Visa and customs regulations
Citizens of the Russian Federation and the CIS are exempt from receiving visas. You just need to apply for medical insurance. Currency import and export without restrictions. The import of alcoholic beverages into the country is prohibited. This also applies to goods purchased at airport stores. There are some restrictions forimport of products: salami sausage and pork. If the cost of the goods is above $200, it must be declared. You cannot carry items for underwater fishing. You cannot export individuals from the country's underwater world. The ban has been lifted only from souvenirs sold legally.
There is no Tax free system in the Maldives
How to get to the islands
The Maldives has one airport at its disposal. It is located at a distance of 2 km. from Male on Hulwle Island.
There are flights from Moscow to the Maldives from airports : Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo. There are direct and connecting flights. Ticket prices one way: from 240 to 525 US dollars. Travel time without transfers is 8 hours 45 minutes. With transfers up to 13 hours. When departing from the islands, you must pay a fee of 25 USD. Only children under 2 years of age are exempt from the fee.
From Maldives Airport to Male ferries operate, the ticket will cost 15 MVR. For 20 MVR you can by boate get to other Maldives. They fly to very remote islands on seaplanes. Usually all Maldivian tour operators have their representatives at the airport. They meet and dispatch tourists.
Resorts of the Maldives
Capital of the Maldives Male occupies an area of 5.8 square meters. km. Can be considered one of the smallest capitals in the world. Is located island of the same name, accommodates a third of the population of the entire country. Arriving travelers are amazed by the views of skyscrapers and highways. The main embankment is also the central street of the capital. Here government buildings, banks and offices various companies. The city is divided by a park with piers. On one side is the presidential pier. On the other hand, ferries depart to the airport. But it reigns all around real paradise from exotic islands to which tourists travel. All other islands are for rent.
Islands, their features and what makes them remarkable
The best entertainment on the islands is diving. The beauty of the seabed and clear water attracts a huge number of fans of this sport. The main areas of the islands have not yet been developed. Only 28 of them were turned into expensive resorts.
Ari Atoll
They treat tourists very carefully here. There is plenty to do: windsurfing, snorkeling, water skiing, canoeing, catamarans, boat diving, scooter riding and diving.
Vaavu
There are a huge number of small islands, but only 5 of them are accessible for tourism. Population - 2000 people. The archipelago is untouched nature and an amazing underwater world. Here you can watch stingrays, see reef sharks, hammerhead fish and many other representatives of the underwater world. All these pristine delights attract a large influx of tourists.
Laviani
An amazingly beautiful atoll. A great place for scuba diving. Reef protrusions from the water are overgrown with coral formations. Ocean water abounds with tropical fish. You can see moray eels and large sharks. These are 63 small islands. Its length is 30 km. There are 2 hotels here, a small hotel and a luxury hut. Wealthy tourists like to spend their holidays here.
Miimu
Miimu - size in length - 47 km. Fabulously beautiful and almost uninhabited. The silver surface of the ocean, green islands, amazing customs, very tasty food. Miimu is shaped like a shark's jaws when they are open. There are a huge number of places on it where no human has ever set foot. This naturally attracts lovers active tourism. Despite some wild nature, it is fully equipped to receive tourists. There is everything here, including a diving center.
Shiinu Atoll
Siinu Atoll is almost the equator. Includes a large number of coral islands. Six islands are inhabited. They are connected to the ocean by straits. There was once a naval base here.
Gan Island
Gan Island is famous for its airport with daily flights to the capital.
Hithadhoo Island
Hithadhoo Island, which is the second largest city, has a highway. This is an unprecedented rarity for the island.
Matirah
Matheerah is a skeleton with an ancient mausoleum containing a sacred tomb. Sufi Muslim pilgrims come here. “Noble” - that’s what they call it in the Maldives.
Oh well
The hotels located here can be reached by seaplane. This will take about 45 minutes. There is clean water, amazing flora and fauna. There are a lot of reef rocks, it is better to dive with an instructor.
Male
Locations of 3 luxury hotels. The island is not big, there are not many places to visit with excursions. This is understandable, since people come here on vacation. But there is something and it needs to be seen. Click on the name Male, where we tell you a lot more about the capital!
Good Friday Mosque- main attraction. The golden domed mosque is visible when the plane lands. Orthodox Christians are allowed entry. Women need special clothing. If you go up to the second floor you need to take off your shoes. Historical National Museum located in a beautiful building. The exhibits in the museum include personal belongings of the sultans, outfits, jewelry, coral sculptures, and weapons.
Closed-code monument to tsunami victims. Erected in memory of the victims of the prices in 2004. It is a spiral wrapping around a stele. Very reminiscent of DNA molecules, which are characterized as something eternal and living. So the sculptor wanted to show that people remember the dead and they are always alive in their hearts. They mourn for them. Friday old mosque erected on the remains of the foundation of the pagan temple. Its architectural design is an interweaving of Hinduism and Islamism. At the entrance there is a minaret shaped like a lighthouse. The sultans and their entourage are buried nearby. Everyone is allowed in, just not during prayer. The mosque blocks are made of corals that fit perfectly together. No type of mortar was used during construction. This causes genuine amazement!
Timu Palace. The place where the country's first sultan was born. In 1986 it was restored and opened to the public. It is a place of pilgrimage for local nationalists.
National Maldivian cuisine
Tourists coming to the Maldives eat fish with rice and sauce. Rarely do people decide to try traditional Maldivian cuisine. Such an experience can be an excursion to the capital of the country, where you can try national dishes of local cuisine in restaurants. Fish is the main dish in the Maldives. This is not surprising when you consider that the entire island is an ocean.
Most of all, the islanders love tuna. This is their main dish. It can be fresh, boiled, dried, dried, smoked or canned. There is no gas in the houses here. Cooked on wood-fired stoves. To prevent smoke from entering the house, the kitchen is located separately from the main living space.
It’s hardly worth listing the names local dishes. You won't remember them anyway. Let's focus on the main products from which these dishes are prepared. This is coconut, onion, chili, lime juice, maize, salt, flour. Various types of flatbreads and fillings are very popular here. The products we listed above are placed inside, the dough is pinched and baked, just as we bake pies in a frying pan.
They love tuna broth here. Tourists enjoy eating it as a first course. The islanders use this broth when stewing rice, to which they also add coconut milk, lime, chili and onions. The diet of local residents here also includes concentrated tuna paste. It is used to prepare dishes from already cooked rice. This dish is called here - rihaakuru. You can buy it ready-made in the store and try it by spreading it on bread. That is, make yourself a sandwich.
There is a dish here that is prepared from dried fish and curry sauce. It's terribly spicy. Rice is also a staple food. Breadfruit is also used. Breadfruit is sliced, fried and considered a snack. Taro and sweet potato are local vegetables. They are also widely used in the local diet. Chicken - this should already be some kind of big celebration: a wedding, a religious holiday.
Meals in the Maldives are traditional - thinly sliced nuts, betel leaves, and paste are served. You just need to chew all this. Locals believe that this chewing aids digestion. This is such a simple food. For us, this is just the ideal diet. Anyone who wants to lose weight, go to the Maldives. This diet, plus swimming, lying in the sun, traveling around the country, snorkeling and the kilograms disappeared.
Local drinking water, by our standards, is not suitable for drinking, so buy purified drinking water.
Some drinks in the Maldives are locally made. Coca-Cola is produced here by purifying sea water using special equipment. They also produce their own mineral water. If you want something stronger, you can only afford it in bars at resorts. Alcohol is not sold in stores. You will also be pleased here with the food that we are all accustomed to.
Based on all of the above, the Maldives can be safely classified as a paradise for relaxation; any person who loves beach holidays and solitude with nature absolutely needs to go there.
Video review from tourists about their trip to the Maldives
