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The ocean washing the Maldives is called the Indian Ocean, and they themselves are grouped into an archipelago stretching from north to south, consisting of coral atolls - ring-shaped island structures. There are lagoons inside these rings. In total, this archipelago includes 1190 islands, which are grouped in 26 atolls. All atolls are divided into 19 administrative districts, and the capital of the state, the city of Male, became the 20th administrative unit.

The islands are located southwest of the Industan Peninsula, and the Indian Ocean is washed by the Maldives - warm, huge and majestic, the blue of its waters merging with the sky on the horizon, because of which the horizon line becomes almost indistinguishable. But among the huge number of islands in the archipelago, only about two hundred were inhabited. In an archipelago like the Maldives, the sea covers 99.7% of the territory and only an insignificant remainder falls on land. In general, the Maldives rise above the water, being part of a large underwater mountain range. For thousands of years, corals have grown on the tops of the seamounts, reaching up towards the sun, gradually forming reefs. As a result, ring-shaped structures grew, parts of which later appeared above the surface of the water and formed islands of atolls. And in the middle of the atoll there was a depression - a lagoon, which communicated with the ocean through a series of natural channels-channels.

Indian Ocean temperature off Maldives

Those who are going to the Maldives should not worry about the temperature of the ocean water - it is always warm and suitable for swimming here. At any time of the year, it is no colder than 26 degrees., which cannot but delight divers and just beach goers. This is not surprising, because the archipelago is very close to the equator. The water in the ocean is always clear and blue, which further enhances the pleasure of contact with it. During the monsoon, many islands have strong currents, making sailing in the sea dangerous, but the rest of the time, communication between the atolls is easy.

Flora and fauna of the Maldives ocean

Many hundreds of fish species found in Indian Oceancan be divided into two categories: fish that live in calm lagoons and reefs, and those that prefer the freedom of the open ocean, but in search of food sometimes also approach the islands. Fans of scuba diving and snorkeling are attracted by a lot underwater: exotic shapes and colors of coral, fish, shellfish, jellyfish, turtles, moray eels, sea \u200b\u200burchins and stars, dolphins, rays and sharks. Cetacean mammals and sea turtles also prefer to migrate across the ocean - they are very popular with divers.

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about country

In the Indian Ocean south-west of Ceylon, almost at the very equator, there is a coral archipelago - Maldives... It consists of twenty-six coral atolls, most of which are uninhabited. They have never been part of the mainland. It's just that myriads of tiny polyps built their limestone houses on top of each other - as a result, islands were formed.

The Maldives are most popular with newlyweds - such a combination of privacy, comfort, luxury and primacy does not exist at the same time, perhaps anywhere else in the world. This is one of the few places where a miracle is possible: complete detachment from the present, immersion in a space woven of blue skies, snow-colored sand and emerald water of extraordinary transparency.

Nature and geography

The island state of the Maldives is located in South Asia, southwest of Sri Lanka, in the equatorial waters of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives archipelago has about 2000 islands, forming 26 atolls, and only 202 of them are inhabited. The closest neighbors - India and Sri Lanka are located at a distance of 600 and 700 km north and south of the archipelago.

The capital of the Maldives - Male - is located on the island of Male. Time is 2 hours ahead of Moscow time, and from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October - by 1 hour.

Maldives climate

The Maldives has a warm tropical climate with an even temperature throughout the year (air temperature 25-30 C, water temperature 24-27 C). The optimal travel season is from October to May.

Average monthly air temperature in the capital:

Attractions Maldives

are widely known for their resorts, each of which is a unique world surrounded by the purest golden sands. This is a place "at the end of the world", where there is no noise of cities and European civilization, where only exotic nature and endless expanses of the ocean.

Numerous underwater coral caves stretch across the Maldives archipelago, lush tropical vegetation creates the pristine and unique beauty of the islands.

The Maldives is a discovery for diving enthusiasts. Numerous coral caves are interesting places for underwater research. Coral reefs protect coastal waters from predatory fish, so diving enthusiasts need not fear for their lives.

Attractions in the Maldives include National Museum, Sultan Park, Singapore Bazaar, Islamic Center and 20 picturesque mosques in the capital.

Maldivian cuisine and its features

Local cuisine usually includes rice, fish curries made with coconut milk, and limes, chili and small onions. Roshi - a local bread - usually eaten with mas huni - a fish cocktail flavored with coconut, onions, chili and lime.

The most popular local snacks are fihunu mas - fish baked with chili paste, keemia - fried fish rolls, kulhi borkihaa - the most delicate fish pie. Among the sweets, bondi - white coconut sticks - are very tasty.

Population, language, religion

The population of the Maldives is mainly composed of Maldivians and Indians.

The state language - Dhivehi, belongs to the Indo-Iranian group. English language widespread in the capital Male and in resorts.

The population professes Sunni Islam.

Customs regulations, visa, currency, embassies

Tourist visa for 30 days is affixed free of charge upon arrival at the airport.
Holders of Israeli passports are not allowed into the country... When departing from Hulhule Airport, there will be an airport tax of USD 10 per person.

Stay mode... There are no restrictions on movement. To visit one of the islands where the indigenous people live, you must obtain a special permit.

On Maldives there is no Russian embassy. You can contact the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka, Colombo. Tel. (94-1) 57-35-55, 57-49-59 (around the clock).

Currency... The official currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa. One rufiyaa contains 100 lari. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 rufiyaa and coins of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 lari.

Customs regulations... When passing customs control at the airport of Male, you must present all things for inspection, including carry-on baggage... The import of alcoholic beverages, drugs, any pornographic materials, recorded video tapes, weapons for spearfishing is prohibited.

Upon departure from Male, by presenting the relevant receipt, you can get back alcoholic beverages selected at customs at the entrance.

Travel tips

Holidays and non-working days... January 1st - New Year, January 8-10 - Eid al Fitr (End of fasting Ramadan), March 15-18 - Eid al Kebir (Day of Sacrifice), April 6 - Islamic New Year, June 4-5 - National holiday, June 15 - Mulud (Birthday Prophet), July 26-27 - Independence Day, November 11-12 - Republic Day, September 1 - Khuravi Day, October 28 - Martyrs Day, November 3 - Victory Day.

Souvenirs... Shark jaws, handicrafts, light summer clothes, coconut oil, shells, etc. are brought from the Maldives as souvenirs.

Transport... Any Maldives can be crossed in 1.5 - 2 hours. The Maldives are dominated by aquatic species Transport: local taxi - wooden boat "doni" with a flat roof.

Bicycles and motorcycles are the most popular types of land transportation. Taxis work to get around Male. The price of one trip in any direction is 10 rufiyaa. Car rental is available in Male and other large islands.

clothing... Any light clothing of your choice is acceptable. Even in deluxe hotels, most restaurants do not require evening wear. Normal beachwear is recommended for the beach. It should be remembered that nudism and topless are prohibited in the Maldives (with the exception of Kuramati Island, where topless is allowed). When visiting the fishing villages and the capital of Male, tourists should, respecting Muslim traditions, wear modest clothing.

Behavior rules... Despite the fact that Islam practiced in the Maldives is milder than in most Arab countries, the following should not be forgotten:

  • underwater hunting and unauthorized fishing are prohibited
  • it is forbidden to get corals, shells, starfish, etc. from the sea.
  • swimming nude is prohibited on all islands of the archipelago.

Republic of Maldives.

Country summary

Capital Male. Founded 5 centuries BC. Political system Full name - Republic of Maldives. State structure - a presidential republic, divided into 19 administrative regions (alottes) and 1 district (Male). The independence of the Maldives was proclaimed on July 26, 1965 (formerly a British protectorate), in 1968 by a referendum the Maldives were declared a republic. The unicameral parliament is the main legislative body, headed by a speaker. The head of state, head of government and executive branch is the president. Maumun Abdul Gayum - President of the Republic of Maldives since 1978, is very popular and revered among the local population. All citizens from the age of 21 have the opportunity to elect the president and other members of the government. Parliament appoints the president, but for this choice to be valid, he must be supported in a national referendum. The administration of the atolls is appointed by the government itself. There is not a single political party in the country, although this is not prohibited at all. There is also no military force here. The post of prime minister has not existed since 1975. The Maldives Republic is a peaceful country that devotes a lot of energy to cooperation with world countries. She has close relations with Great Britain and Japan, with the Russian Federation - diplomatic relations. Located The Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India and Sri Lanka on both sides of the Equator. In total, there are 1190 islands of coral origin, forming 26 atolls, stretching in a double chain perpendicular to the equator. The local population lives on 201 islands, 88 islands are used as tourist resorts. They are of various sizes and are designed to accommodate different numbers of tourists. The length of the Maldives archipelago from north to south is 820 kilometers, from east to west - 120. The seas are washed by the Maldives is washed by the Indian Ocean. Largest cities Male is the capital of the Maldives and also a commercial and administrative center. This is the only one locality, which can be called a city. Time zone UTC + 5. Flight time from Moscow Flight time to the Maldives from Moscow (direct flight Moscow - Male) is 8 hours 30 minutes. Territory total area Maldives 298 sq. km. Population In the Maldives, only 339.3 thousand people: Maldivians (Sinhalese, Indians) - 90%, Arabs - 9%. Language The official language is Maldivian (Dhivehi). It arose about 1500 years ago, belongs to the Indo-Aryan languages, has its own script called Tana, which is read from right to left. English is widely spoken in Male and in resorts. Main religions The state religion is Sunni Islam. In 1153 A.D. e. The Buddhist king Kalamina, who ruled in the Maldives at that time, converted to Islam, which remains the main religion to this day. Any other sects and religions on the islands are prohibited. Islam in the Maldives has a liberal character similar to that practiced in India and Indonesia.

There are unusually beautiful mosques on the islands, and if you spend a little time on the islands, you can immediately feel how important religion is here. On all islands, residents pray several times a day.

When visiting a mosque, one can see what interesting ancient paintings cover their walls. They depict scenes from history and are designed to strengthen the spirit of the inhabitants of the archipelago, to control their upbringing and thoughts. The mosques also host important official meetings and events.

But religion quite peacefully coexists with modernity. For example, the minaret of the famous Islamic Center, built more than twenty years ago, peacefully adjoins the post office building. The Islamic Center is one of the most beautiful Asian mosques. The authorities took special care of its erection in order to strengthen the nation in this way.

Official currency Rufiyaa (Maldivian rupee) \u003d 100 lari, 1 USD \u003d 12 rufiyaa. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 rufiyaas and coins of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 lari. Mains voltage Mains voltage - 220 V. Climate The climate is tropical, warm, even due to the proximity of the equator, without significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year. The best weather conditions are from November to the end of April (northeast monsoon): the sea is calm, the weather is sunny, hot and dry. Sometimes in June-July there are short-term rains, but they are not so long - 20-25 minutes, and the sun is shining again. From May to October - the monsoon season: heavy rains, high humidity, storms. The average daily maximum is + 30.4 ° С. Average night minimum + 25.4 ° С. Water temperature + 24–27 ° С all year round.

During the monsoon period (spring and autumn), intense tropical storms and thunderstorms have recently become more frequent.

Finance

What kind of money to take with you Dollars. Dollars are accepted everywhere, there is no need to exchange them for rufiyaa, because even in souvenir shops on the local islands, purchases can be paid in dollars. Euros are accepted only in resorts, as well as in some souvenir shops.

Where to change US dollars are almost universally accepted. Therefore, it is not at all necessary to exchange dollars for local currency upon arrival.

The American dollar is preferred especially by banks, where only dollars are exchanged for you. Exchange offices sometimes accept other world currencies, but this is not the rule.

In the resort areas, you can find exchange offices at almost every corner. Money can also be exchanged in large hotels. The exchange rate is almost the same everywhere, slightly more favorable in Male than in hotels.

Credit cards Most hotels, shops, gas stations, car rentals, large shopping centers and restaurants accept payment cards, especially American Express, VISA, MasterCard and EuroCard. There is only one ATM in the Maldives from which you can draw from the accounts of foreign banks. You can find him in Male in front of the HSBC bank building. Shopping Souvenir products can be purchased at special shops in the resorts, which are open until late in the evening, souvenir shops in fishing villages and Male (Chandani Magu Street).

The diverse craft hobbies of the locals will give you a rich selection of all kinds of trinkets and truly beautiful rare items.

Typical souvenirs, as a rule, are beautiful seashells, shark jaws (a favorite souvenir of tourists), coconut oil, original silk clothes, sculptures carved from coconut wood, beautiful wooden dishes, painted souvenir plates, colorful fish figurines, paintings by local artists, coral jewelry, sarongs, wood crafts (hand-cut red and black figurines), coconut monkeys.

One of the islands produces lovely painted caskets and jewelry. They are made from a tree called funa.

On another island, you will find another original souvenir - wicker rugs, which are very light and cute, they are made, like the boxes, by hand from cane.

Tourists often buy wooden miniatures of Dhoni ships or sailboats. Usually Sri Lana or Indian teas, pipes, fans or sets are brought from the Maldives. You can also purchase a CD with local traditional or contemporary music.

Things made from different stones will suit your taste. This is not surprising, since the tradition of carving is very old here, it is carefully passed on to the younger generations.

In Male, you can profitably buy high-quality equipment and diving equipment of foreign production.

Export from the country of black corals, products made from tortoiseshell is prohibited.

Tipping Tipping is not officially accepted in the Maldives. But if the service was worth it, then unofficially, no one forbids to thank the service staff with a small amount: the hotel employee - $ 10, the waiter - 5%.

Some resorts add payment for services to the bill (usually 10%), in which case there is no need to tip.
Taxi services A classic car taxi is available only in the capital Male, on the atolls of Gan and Addu. The trip is paid at the rate of 15Rf plus 5Rf for luggage during the day and 20Rf after 24:00. Any stop, even for a minute, automatically ends the trip, which must be paid for immediately. If you want to continue your trip, you will have to pay all over again.

There are several taxi services (operating around the clock), all cars are air conditioned. Taxis can be stopped on the street or called by phone (in this case, the trip will cost 10Rf).

Public transport Public transport as such does not exist. Because most of the islands are so small that transport is simply not needed there. There is no sight that we are used to - a large congestion of cars; the most common types of land transport are bicycles and motorcycles.

Basically, they use the services of water transport - a local taxi can be called a wooden boat with a flat roof - dhoni. This is a traditional multipurpose vessel, nowadays improved by diesel engines. On this modest boat, you can sail to the island you need. As a rule, tourists, as a sign of greeting, are immediately put on a wreath of pink or white flowers, offered refreshing, fragrant napkins and coconut milk. Large boats are called vedis and are used for long journeys to remote atolls.

You can safely bargain with private carriers. There is no timetable, ships leave as they fill up with passengers.

Car rental In Male and other major islands, you can rent a car.

Traffic is practically unregulated, markings and road signs or not, or they have been destroyed long ago, traffic lights are also absent. The speed is low, but drivers never give way to pedestrians, so you should be extremely careful on the few Maldivian roads.

customs control

To pass customs control at the airport of Male, you must present all things for inspection, including hand luggage. It must be remembered that:

Prohibited import:

Any narcotic substance, including psychotropic
- pornographic materials recorded for viewing video cassettes with films, etc. Only sealed cassettes are allowed
- anti-Islamic literature
- military paraphernalia
- any pork products
- alcohol
- animals
- gunpowder / explosives / firearms / piercing, cutting objects and - - spearfishing weapons.

With regard to "objects of religious worship", then this can mean anything that can harm the official religion of the Maldives - Islam. A small decorative cross on the neck is unlikely to be considered dangerous, but a large cross with a conspicuous figure of the crucified Christ may be banned from import. The same applies to images of Buddha: a small table figurine may not cause objections from customs officers, unlike a large and noticeable one. They will probably confiscate the Bible, although they are not specially searched for this subject. In any case, it is better to respect the feelings of Muslims.

If the above items are present in your luggage, during customs control, they will be seized from you and placed in a special department at Male airport in exchange for a receipt with a description of the seized item. When leaving the country, you can get the withdrawn back by presenting this receipt.

Allowed to import into the country:
- goods for personal consumption within reasonable limits (no more than one item per person);
- goods of 200 cigarettes;
- 125 ml of perfumes.

It is forbidden to export from the country:

Black corals and products from it (except for souvenirs made by manufacturers officially certified by the government);
- items and things found at the bottom of the sea.

Allowed to export from the country:

Gifts and souvenirs (shells; shark jaws; postcards, posters, shorts, T-shirts with local symbols, etc.);
- household items: thin-braided reed mats; wooden boxes; baskets woven from palm leaves;
- Coconut oil;
- jewelry.

Transport

The Maldives is a network of islands, both inhabited and uninhabited, completely surrounded by water. There are no regular transport links on the islands.

Transportation in the Maldives is a boat. The only human invention that can move tourists and locals to a specific island. Tourists on arrival in the Maldives can rent boats for independent movement, but before you rent a boat, do not forget to agree on the price in advance, so as not to get into a conflict situation. The islands are scattered very close to each other, so the trip will not be exhausting.

Almost all tourists visiting the islands arrive here by plane. international Airport Male is located on the island of Hulule, at a distance of 1 km (10 min ride on the national dhoni boat) from the capital of the Maldives - Male.

Due to the peculiarities of the geography of the archipelago, most of the transportation is carried out by seaplanes, helicopters and boats. The seaplane is possible only during daylight hours according to the schedule (from 07:00 to 16:00). It should be remembered that hydroaviation does not fly to all atolls. The deHavilland Twin Otter seaplane, notable for its sturdy construction and high maneuverability, also known as the DHC-6, is capable of descending smoothly and carrying up to 20 passengers. The plane will land on the water, and a boat will take you to the pier (jety).

There are 2 air carriers operating in the country - "Maldivian Air Taxi" and "Hummingbird Island Airways". The prices are quite high, it is somewhat cheaper to order a plane through the hotel administration or a travel agency. In addition, the companies offer sightseeing flights and one-day excursions with picnics to uninhabited islands for $ 250. (tentatively). You can take up to 20 kg of luggage with you free of charge, plus 5 kg of hand luggage.

Any Maldives can be crossed in 1.5 - 2 hours. However, tourism in the Maldives is regulated and independent island hopping is discouraged as this could negatively impact traditional island communities.

If you decide to have a full vacation, and are not constrained in money, then a rather expensive helicopter is at your service, but on the other hand, you will not only quickly arrive at the desired place, but also admire the Maldives from above.

You can make a trip to remote islands, but it is impossible to see everything at once. An atoll travel permit is required to visit the islands located outside the tourist area; permits are issued by the Ministry of Atoll Management only to those people who are invited by the inhabitants of these islands and atolls.

Telecommunications

Telephone communications The entire territory of the Maldives is divided into several telephone zones. The cost of a call within one zone is approximately Rs 0.25 per minute, between different zones - from Rs 0.55 to 3 per minute.

For local and international calls, it is recommended to buy Dhiraagu calling cards (cost 30, 50, 100, 200 and 500 rufiyaa). You can buy cards at the special store "Dhiiraagu Teleshop" in Male, as well as from card sellers on any of the major islands.

On a number of islands there are no public telephones, and communication is carried out from call centers (usually work from Sunday to Thursday from 7.30 to 20.00, on Fridays - from 14.00 to 18.00, on Saturdays - from 9.00 to 18.00), served by telephone operators. The cost of a call depends on the distance and is slightly higher than from a pay phone. From 24.00 to 06.00 the cost of a call is 20% cheaper.

There is also a GSM-900 mobile connection in the Maldives. Most standard mobile phones do not work in the Maldives, but you can rent a phone from the local Dhiraagu office. More detailed advice can be obtained from the office of your mobile operator.

Calls to Russia For calls to Russia: +7 - area code - subscriber's number. Calls from Russia To call the Maldives, dial: 8 - 10 - 960 - the subscriber's number. Area Codes The dialing code of the Maldives is 960. Useful Phones Useful Phones

Reference phones:
Information telephone network - 110.
International telephone operator - 190.
Communication operator between atolls - 188.
Meteorological Service - 317-171.
Male airport information desk - 332-211.
Maldives Tourism Development Bureau - 323-228.
Customs Office - 322-001, 310-045.

Emergency services:
Police (rescue service) - 119.
National Security Service - 313-281.
Fire department - 118.
Ambulance - 102.

National cuisine

The cuisine is based on two pillars: Arabic and Indian. Local cuisine usually includes rice, fish curry made with coconut milk. Lime, chili and small onions add spice to the dishes. No dish is unthinkable without spices. An important place in cooking is occupied by sauces, their preparation is akin to the sacred rite of a cook in the Maldives.

Rice is used in cooking in all variations - boiled in coconut milk, with various vegetables, peppers, all the same fish or sea arthropods, as well as with bananas, papaya, mango, pumpkin, sweet potatoes or breadfruit.

Local roshi bread is very popular and is usually eaten with mashuni - a fish cocktail flavored with coconut, onions, chili and lime.

The main and favorite dish for the islands - tuna with rice - may not be the same at all, because this time it can be seasoned with a completely different sauce.

The dishes in which fish is the main ingredient are very diverse, from simple boiled fish, cutlets and soups, to fish cocktails and fish pies.

Popularly hikimas - dried and smoked fish. Pie with fish, coconut and badgia onions, the most delicate fish pie kulhi borkihaa are also good. Also traditional fish soup and garudia rice, tuna cutlets with coconut gulu, baked fish with chili paste fihunu mas, fried kimia fish rolls, rihaukuru fish paste, fried fish with pepper and garlic teluli mae and dr.

Round off your meal with suji, a delicious local drink. Locals raa drink is brewed - sweet and tasty palm juice, which is extracted from the top of the trunk of a palm tree. In hot weather, juices are very good, the local sweet milk kiru sarbat, sweet palm juice raa, suji drink and a low-alcohol drink haa made from fermented palm milk. Alcoholic drinks can be bought only in hotels, and it is advisable to drink them only indoors, otherwise you risk getting into trouble.

The dessert dish is likely to be any form of coconut. Areca nut (oval nut with betel leaves, cloves and lime) is eaten after dinner. If you would like to taste local sweets, try bondi - white coconut sticks - delicious! Coconut milk, various puddings, vegetable and fruit salads and pastries are widely used.

Tea is considered a popular drink in the Maldives; it is served with milk. Another drink that can be seen more often than others is coffee brewed in Arabic.

In addition to coconuts and bananas, few vegetables and fruits grow on the islands, so most of the products offered at tourist resorts are imported by the Maldives.

Work of institutions

Shop hours are variable. Most, especially on the large islands, work from 07.00-08.00 to 21.00-23.00, but in the summer, many shops are open from 13.00-15.00 to 18.00-20.00.

In Male, banks and exchange offices are concentrated on Marine Drive. They are open from 8.00 to 13.30, Sunday through Thursday (like in many other Muslim countries, Friday and Saturday are weekends in the Maldives).

Holidays and non-working days

Holidays in the Maldives are based on the Islamic lunar calendar. This means that every year the holidays are on different days. You will feel the festive atmosphere mainly in the capital, as on this day most of the shops will be closed. In other cities or regions, you will hardly experience all the greatness of the holiday.

Usually, families gather on holidays, they all prepare food for the festive table, decorate and organize fun. Traditional music is playing, people are dancing, wooden instruments and modern jazz and pop music are all heard.

Holidays:

January 1 - New Year.
January 8-10 - Eid al Fitr (End of the Ramadan fast).
March 15-18 - Eid al Kebir (Day of Sacrifices).
April 6 - Islamic New Year.
June 4-5 - National holiday.
June 15 - Mulud (Prophet's birth day).
July 26-27 - Independence Day.
November 11-12 - Republic Day.
September 1 - Khuravi Day.
October 28 - Martyrs Day.
November 3 - Victory Day.

Customs and orders

Despite the fact that the Maldives as an Islamic state is relatively liberal, visitors to the country must carefully observe the laws.

Rightly considered one of the oldest states in the world, the Maldives today can tell you a lot and surprise you a lot. Here you need to constantly remember that the main religion is Islam. And therefore you need to adhere to the established etiquette.

The usual form of greeting the Maldivians is shaking hands, they formally greet "salam aleikum", with the word "kihenen" they greet each other in an informal atmosphere. A carefree and simple existence in harmony with nature is the Maldivian way of life.

The Maldives has a musical tradition dating back to the old days. This applies to music, crafts, dancing. Musically, the Maldives is unique and inimitable. You will learn that three styles of song performance have been preserved here, each of which is individual and has its own name.

You will surely hear about Bodu Beru. This is both a song and a dance that is performed during the holidays. Once upon a time it was brought from the African continent. The dances are also performed according to tradition, there are several different popular national dances that you will be advised to watch. For example, Bodu Beru, a costume dance, is danced by fifteen people, in addition, there is a singer and three drummers play.

There are both female and purely male dances - this is what tradition prescribes. The male-only dance, Dhandi Jaehun, lasts about an hour and is performed without reference to any event. But the female dance - Boaymalaafas Neshun, reflecting a long-disappeared, but existing tradition - bringing gifts to the Sultan. This dance is considered one of the most important and interesting dances in the Maldives.

Artistic Maldivians complement the natural beauty of the exotic coral islands. Fishing for them is both leisure and a profession at the same time. The local hospitality is especially striking. This trait is passed down from generation to generation among the Maldivians. The Maldives is a place where a tourist is always a welcome guest.

Precautions

Precautions:

Buy water in plastic bottles.
- The Maldives is a Muslim country, therefore the laws, therefore, are appropriate, therefore, for those who like to drink, the road here is either simply closed or he must refrain from this unhelpful pleasure.
- to collect corals and, moreover, to take them out of the country is a criminal offense
- it is forbidden to break, tear live and dead corals in the ocean and near the coast, damage shells and raise them to the surface, fish near the islands, throw any garbage on the islands, for this it is necessary to use garbage bins to avoid problems
- you cannot visit the capital of Male and the islands where the locals live, and are in beachwear
- it is also forbidden to wear things that do not cover the body from shoulder to knee
If you are going to the beach, regular beachwear is fine. But if you suddenly want to visit the fishing villages and the capital of Male, then you must respect local laws and wear modest clothes.
- while diving and swimming, you should pay attention to the sharp edges of coral reefs, and also do not touch marine life, they can be poisonous

Fines are levied for violation!

After the vacation, I could not find the strength to talk about. Collected my thoughts, I tell.

Who owns the Maldives?
Nobody, this is an independent state, located on 2000 islands, right on the equator (only a hundred islands are inhabited). The country is run by the president. Religion is strict Islam. Population - 300 thousand people, mostly descendants of the Dravidians (the ancient Austroloid population of South Asia), who are colloquially called "black Hindus". Tourism and fishing are the main sources of income for the treasury.

Are there cities?
There is, but only one, it is the capital. The main problem of the country is that all the islands are very small, there is nowhere to build cities. Male is located on one of the largest islands (also called Male). Airport - on a neighboring island, 15 minutes by ferry. Male is very densely built up; in terms of population density, this island ranks second in the world after one of the Hong Kong islands. Male is home to 100 thousand people, a third of the population of the Maldives. There are practically no single-storey houses, they are being built on 5-6 floors, there are also 10-storey buildings. There are a lot of cars on the island, including jeeps and trucks, although there is normal asphalt everywhere, and the entire island around the perimeter can be walked around in an hour. Sports cars were especially surprising, because it is difficult to accelerate faster than 40 km / h on Male. Typical street:

Why is everything so expensive there?
Everything is very expensive because each island is self-sufficient. Male has its own large CHP, on the islands - only small diesel power plants. There are wells on Male, and desalination plants on the other islands, just like Tatooine from Star Wars. And all the water in the pipeline is from the desalination plants. On the tourist islands, all products are imported, including fish and fruits (except for coconuts, nothing grows). There are no factories for the production of, say, drinks in the Maldives - bottled drinks from abroad. To get from island to island, you need to overcome many kilometers of the ocean surface, and travel by speed boats and, moreover, by seaplanes are also not cheap. Prices for a tourist in Sri Lanka, where I visited on the same trip, are one and a half to two times lower than the Maldivian ones.

Is there really heaven on earth?
Depends on how you envision paradise. In any case, paradise is not on Male, but on the tourist islands. One island, according to the unwritten rule of the Maldives, is one hotel. The tourist lives in a bungalow, a simple one-story structure, the splendor of the decoration of which depends on the "star rating" of the hotel. From the bungalow, access directly to the white beach with the purest water, around the vast ocean, coconut trees and helpful hotel workers. Food and drink in the restaurant bars. For some, Crimea is a paradise. On the beach:

But what about the pristine nature?
Do not deceive: there is a lot of nature. Colorful equatorial fish and fatty tuna swim in the sea next to you. We saw a reef shark at a depth of 1.5 meters on the very first day. Moray eels and stingrays were not noticed, but they were heard about. The sand is strewn with pieces of coral, you can admire the living ones by diving with a mask. Hefty crabs swarm on the beach in the evening. A palm-sized tropical cockroach and lizards were walking around the bathroom. Most of all I liked the unafraid herons, ignoring the beach goers, and the flying foxes - huge bats (wingspan more than a meter), hanging on trees and sweeping overhead at dusk. Foxes do not drink blood, but love fruits.
Tourists are encouraged to take good care of the local nature. For offending a fish, you will receive a fine of several hundred dollars. At the same time, the locals catch fish with impunity anywhere and whatever. Central sewers on Male and other islands drain directly into the ocean. Since there are no incinerators in the Maldives, garbage is also drowned in the sea. But tourists, of course, are not in a hurry to tell about this.

What other pitfalls are there?
An ordinary tourist who comes to the Maldives does not see the country - he is taken from the airport to the island-hotel, and then back. As a curious tourist, I spent a day and a half in the capital. Few people know that the Maldives has its own currency “rufiyaa”, because in hotels the settlement is in dollars. Since the water supply system on the islands is connected to desalination plants, in the event of a breakdown, the entire island loses not only the shower, but also food - there is nothing to wash the dishes. Yes, remember I was talking about strict Islam? The import of alcohol into the country is prohibited, that is, it is useless to buy a bag of booze in the Moscow duty-free shop - they will be taken away at the entrance. Alcohol is only available in tourist hotels on the islands, and at an exorbitant price ($ 7 for a pint of bad beer, $ 5 for 50 g of whiskey). In Male, alcohol is not sold at all, but there is a wide range of "non-alcoholic beer". It tastes like lemonade lemonade. Here, for example, is Holsten's choice (Holsten is not local, but brewed in Hamburg especially for the Maldives!):

The flight to Maldives is 8.5 hours, only Transaero makes a direct flight from Moscow twice a week. Is it worth it? Well, I've always wanted to know what it is like - heavenly life on the islands. I found out. There is nothing to do. :)

The Maldives is a small Asian island state. The territory of the republic consists of a chain of small coral islands, 80% of which are still not inhabited. Let's find out how many islands there are in the Maldives and find out the names of at least the largest among them.

Territorial structure of the Maldives: islands and their number

How many islands are there in the Maldives?

Among the 1192 islands that are part of one of the 20 atolls, only 202 islands are inhabited, which is 1/6 of the entire land territory of the republic. Tourists and guests of the country are allowed in only half of them.

Islands of the Maldives and their names

We will not list and describe all the islands of the Maldives and their names, since their number exceeds 1000.

Let's take a closer look at the most significant and largest islands in the Maldives. The name of these islands dates back to ancient times. They are part of the atolls.

So let's get to know the 9 largest and most significant islands and atolls in the Maldives:

North and South Male Atolls - these are atolls, consisting of more than 100 islands of various sizes (50 northern and 30 southern). The capital of the country, the beautiful city of Male, is located in North Male. Of the 80 islands of 2 atolls, only 11 are inhabited, 44 are excellent high-level resorts, and the remaining 25 are rented or uninhabited;

Gunn Is an island located in the southern atoll of Siena (Addu). This island was once one of the English colonies. Its streets still retain the stiffness of that time. In the clear coastal waters of the island, you can go diving, exploring the rich underwater world;

Ari atoll - includes more than 30 islands, of which 18 are inhabited, and 26 are luxury exotic resorts. It's just perfect for snorkeling enthusiasts. There are 4 marine reserves on the islands of the atoll: Maya Tila, Oramis Tila, Fish Head and Kudara Tila;

Baa Atoll - consists of 51 islands, of which only 10 are inhabited by people, and 5 are resorts;

Velawatu Is an island that is part of the Dhaalu (Daalu) atoll. Locals used to call it "Turtle Island". This island is simply beautiful, because on a small land area, various types of green spaces, magnificent palm trees, the tops of which rest against the sky, and magnificent unspoiled sandy beaches have been able to accommodate. This place is just a paradise for lovers;

Filitaeo (Filiheeo) - the only one of all the islands of the Fafu Atoll, which has become a resort. In addition to it, the atoll includes 15 inhabited and the same number of wild islands. The island has a very lush and rich vegetation, which, combined with white beach sand and warm ocean waters, makes this place unforgettable;

Lhaviani Atoll - located north of North Male, truly heaven on earth. It consists of 63 islands, most of which make up the beach area. Within its limits are some of the most beautiful barrier reefs with the richest life of underwater inhabitants. This is a great place for scuba diving enthusiasts;

Kuramachi - this is one of the islands of the Maldives, known for the fact that three hotels are located on its territory at once, which is unusual for this republic. The combination of lush vegetation and unspoilt beaches makes this place unique.