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Where are the Maldives on the world map and the Indian Ocean

We often hear that the most best vacation- a vacation on the islands. And you know, anyone who has vacationed on the islands will definitely confirm this. It is beautiful there, gorgeous beaches, far from the mainland, no noise, fresh air... there are a lot of advantages and advantages, but there are few islands. One of the most beloved and visited are the Maldives. On the world map you need to look for them in the Indian Ocean, south of India. The capital of the atolls is Male, and the population does not exceed half a million inhabitants.

Geography: where are the Maldives?

As we have already written, the Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka is approximately 700 kilometers away. About the same distance to the coast of India.
The Republic of Maldives is a chain of 26 atolls, and they in turn consist of 1192 coral islands. Surprisingly, the Maldives is the lowest located state! The most high point is located at an altitude of approximately 2.4 meters above sea level. That is, in fact, any medium wave can easily flood the entire state.
The capital of the islands is Male. This is generally the only city on the islands. Most of the inhabitants of the archipelago live here.

As we said, the closest neighbors are Sri Lanka and India. And then there is only a huge endless ocean! The coast of Africa is almost five thousand kilometers, and Australia is even more, about seven thousand kilometers.

Climate and weather

Thanks to his geographical location, it's hot in the Maldives all year round. The air temperature ranges from +24 to +30 degrees depending on the month. The lowest temperature is recorded in winter, when at night the air can cool down to +17, and the highest temperature occurs in May, and it is +32 degrees.
The dry season lasts from November to March, and the rainy season runs from June to August.

Undersea world

The underwater world off the coast of the Maldives is very diverse. Of course, this is the Indian Ocean!
Coral reefs are home to more than 1,100 species of fish. There are five species here sea ​​turtles, 21 species of whales and dolphins and many, many other marine inhabitants.
No wonder this place is so loved by diving enthusiasts. Any dive off the coast of the Maldives is always beautiful adventure and incredible views. A lot of interesting and scientific videos are filmed here. Expeditions take place here all the time. If you are coming here on vacation, then at least once, it is worth diving under the water with scuba diving.

A third of the islands' entire economy comes from tourism, which accounts for 28% of the state's total GDP
- the state sells its products for 125 million dollars, and buys other products for 1.2 billion dollars
- most of export is fish. This product accounts for about 70% of all sales
- any island in the Maldives can be crossed on foot in two hours
- many of the islands of the archipelago are uninhabited

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 1,190 islands (or rather, atolls) and all of them are just your choice: with blue lagoons, sandy beaches and unique vegetation. There is everything for relaxation: peace and tranquility, beautiful nature, rich undersea 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 a stunningly diverse underwater world, the Feliwaru 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.

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 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.

Best time years to visit the Maldives - 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 most best entertainment on the islands - 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. Here pure 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 could be an excursion to the capital of the country, where you can try National dishes 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

(2 ratings, average: 4,50 out of 5)

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. Total islands Republic of Maldives about 2000.

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 months:

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

There are a total of 26 atolls in the Republic of Maldives, 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. The best time for boarding is 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 valued first and foremost beach holiday. 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:

The Maldives are probably the most remote corner Asia, but despite this, hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world fly there every year to enjoy a holiday in this exotic paradise. Be prepared that in the Maldives you will be greeted by the warm Indian Ocean with clear water (in which you will see amazingly beautiful corals), as well as snow-white sandy beaches, surrounded by groves of coconut palms and fruit trees.

Geography of the Maldives

The island nation of Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean about 700 km southwest of Sri Lanka and 400 km from India. The Maldives covers an area of ​​26 atolls. The total area of ​​this country, including all the islands (and there are more than a hundred of them) is 298 km.

There are no mountains in the Maldives. In general, the highest point of the Maldives does not exceed 2.4 meters. Also, there are no rivers or lakes in the Maldives.

Capital

The capital of the Maldives is Male, which is now home to more than 100 thousand people. Male was built in the Middle Ages as the residence of the Maldivian Sultan.

Official language of the Maldives

The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi, which belongs to the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family.

Religion

The majority of the population of the Maldives is Sunni Muslim.

Government of the Maldives

According to the current Constitution, the Maldives is a parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, who has been elected for a 5-year term since 2008. The President appoints the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet of Ministers.

The parliament in the Maldives is unicameral - the People's Majlis. Mejlis deputies are also elected for a 5-year term (their number may vary).

Climate and weather

The climate in the Maldives is subequatorial monsoon. There are two monsoon periods - the northeast monsoon (dry season) from November to March and the southwest monsoon (rainy season) from June to August. In other words, the dry season in the Maldives lasts from November to April (March and April are the hottest months of the year), and the wet season lasts from May to early November.

The air temperature in the Maldives ranges from +23C to +33C, and tends closer to +30C.

Air temperature in the Maldives (average):

January - +27C
- February - +28C
- March - +29C
- April - +29C
- May - +28C
- June - +28C
- July - +28C
- August - +28C
- September - +27C
- October - +27С
- November - +27C
- December - +27С

Ocean

The shores of the Maldives are washed by the Indian Ocean. The sea temperature near the Maldives ranges from +24C to +33C, so you can swim there all year round.

History of the Maldives

The Maldives were formed 65 million years ago as a result of the eruption of underwater volcanoes. The first people in the Maldives appeared 4 thousand years ago (these were sailors who sailed along Indian Ocean). The Maldives were inhabited by people from Sri Lanka and India, and later by Arabs.

Around the middle of the 12th century, Islam began to spread in the Maldives.

Since the mid-16th century, Europeans (Portuguese, Dutch and English) made numerous attempts to colonize the Maldives. Eventually, in 1887, the Maldives came under British protectorate.

It was not until 1965 that the Maldives gained independence.

Culture

The culture of the people of the Maldives has been greatly influenced by Indian culture, as well as Islam. Since Islam is the main religion in the Maldives, it is understandable that local residents celebrate all Muslim holidays (Eid al-Fitr and Eid).

In addition, the Maldives also has national holidays - Independence Day (July 26) and Republic Day.

Kitchen

The cuisine of the Maldives was formed under the influence of Indian and Arab culinary traditions. The main foods are fish (mainly tuna), rice, seafood, vegetables, and, of course, spices (due to the proximity of Sri Lanka and India). In addition, it is impossible to imagine Maldivian cuisine without coconut.

Coconut is the main ingredient in most local desserts. Residents of the Maldives often make various sweet puddings.

The main non-alcoholic drinks are tea, to which milk and sugar are added, as well as coffee, palm juice and sweet milk.

Residents of the Maldives make a low-alcohol drink from fermented palm milk.

If you don't like Maldivian cuisine, the restaurant of any local hotel will offer a variety of international dishes.

Sights of the Maldives

The Maldives is a small island nation located on 26 atolls. The largest of them is Male, whose population exceeds 100 thousand people. It is clear that there are very few attractions in the Maldives. However, there are places in this country that are still worth visiting.

To introduce the history of the Maldives, we recommend that tourists visit the Male National Museum. It contains artifacts representing all eras of the history of the Maldives. This museum is part of Royal Palace, built in the 17th century.

Check out the Hukuru Miskiy Mosque in Male. It was built in 1656. The interior of the mosque is famous for its wood carvings. One of its panels was carved in the 13th century to commemorate the introduction of Islam in the country.

Cities and resorts

Most Big city in the Maldives its capital is Male, which is now home to more than 100 thousand people.

The Republic of Maldives is located on 26 small atolls. Each atoll usually has one hotel. Please note that some hotels specialize in spa services, combining Asian and European spa programs.

The white sandy beaches of the Maldives are considered to be some of the best in the world. The Maldivian Islands are literally “drowning” in corals. Therefore, we recommend that tourists in those places where coral reefs come close to the shore swim in special sandals.

You should know that you can only be topless on the beaches of the Maldives on one island - Kuramati. Drinking alcohol on the beaches is also prohibited.

The legislation of the Republic of Maldives prohibits the collection of corals and any marine fauna.

Maybe, best beach The Maldives is located on the South Ari Atoll. We are talking about Nalaguraidhoo beach. Also check out the beaches on Banyan Tree Island, Nika and Cocoa Island.

Maldives is considered great place for diving. This is quite expected, given the presence of a huge amount of corals and amazingly beautiful underwater world in this region.

Souvenirs/shopping

After a holiday in the Maldives, tourists usually bring home folk art products, bright local fabrics, rugs with original patterns, black coral jewelry, and stamps. Make sure that the souvenirs you buy are actually made in the Maldives, and not in Thailand or Indonesia.

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